Falling into the Capital's Radiance - Chapter 35

Chapter 35

The next morning, Shen Jingni first stopped by the main store for a quick look. At ten-thirty, Chang An arrived punctually to pick her up.

Zhao Zonglan was at the office today.

The headquarters of Jingyao Capital was divided into four districts-North, South, East, and West. Several skyscrapers towered over the area, their exterior electronic screens scrolling with real-time data from the global capital markets. The security system was extremely tight.

Chang An led Shen Jingni through Zhao Zonglan’s private entrance, but the gate leading to the elevators required dual-factor authentication.

Only after the access card and fingerprints were verified one by one were they able to pass through smoothly.

This was Shen Jingni’s first time at Jingyao Capital, and it was truly an eye-opening experience.

The male and female elites inside the building worked with such efficiency and self-discipline that even the sound of conversation was pitifully rare.

It made Shen Jingni feel like an idle person who shouldn’t have stepped inside.

It lived up to its reputation as an internationally renowned capital group.

It was intimidating.

She didn’t know how Zhao Zonglan managed it, but the employees were far too disciplined. She would have to find an opportunity to ask him for advice.

Chang An brought Shen Jingni to Zhao Zonglan’s office. “Miss Shen, Sir is still in a meeting. It should be over soon. Please wait a moment.”

Shen Jingni nodded and began to look around Zhao Zonglan’s office.

Like his bedroom, it was dominated by a palette of black, white, and gray-a cold aesthetic.

Floor-to-ceiling windows took up an entire wall, offering a wide view. There were very few decorations in the room; just a solemn black desk with a computer and a massive monitor, backed by a leather chair.

On the other side stood a gray sofa and a tea table.

*Hmm, how boring.*

Shen Jingni thought about bringing him some greenery or flowers another day; otherwise, it was just too monotonous.

After waiting a few minutes and seeing that Zhao Zonglan still hadn’t arrived, she placed the coffee she was carrying on the table. Bored, she simply sat in his executive chair and started playing on her phone.

When Zhao Zonglan entered, he saw her slumping in the chair in a very relaxed posture, giggling at her phone.

“Having fun?”

Hearing his voice, Shen Jingni abruptly stopped laughing. She shifted her attention away from her phone, spun the chair around, and looked at his handsome face.

“Of course I’m happy to see you.”

She continued to coax him with sweet words. “I even brought you coffee. I ground it myself.”

Zhao Zonglan merely glanced at the coffee cup. His expression was indifferent, appearing uninterested.

Shen Jingni felt a twinge of frustration.

“Take a sip.”

She had prepared this specifically for him; how could he just give it a single glance?

So dismissive.

Zhao Zonglan leaned against the desk, his long legs bent casually as he faced her.

He had originally intended to say that he never drank coffee, but seeing her pouting and looking a bit dejected, he held his tongue.

A few seconds later, he picked up the cup of coffee and took a light sip.

A hint of bitterness touched the tip of his tongue before a rich aroma spread through his mouth. The taste was decent.

Seeing him finally drink it, a smile blossomed on Shen Jingni’s face as she looked at him expectantly for a review. “Is it good?”

Zhao Zonglan didn’t answer.

He lit a cigarette and looked down into her clear, beautiful eyes. His tone was flat: “State your business.”

Shen Jingni was irritated by his cold attitude.

She stood up huffily and complained in a dainty, spoiled voice, “Zhao Zonglan, I specifically took time out of my day to see you. Why are you being so cold?”

“You men really are all the same. Once the pants are back on, you act like you don’t even know me.”

She started acting aggrieved again. “I even said I missed you, but you didn’t react at all.”

This was a preemptive strike; she had to make him feel guilty so it would be easier to make her request.

But how could Zhao Zonglan not see through her little scheme?
He wrapped one arm around her waist and pulled her into his embrace. The faint scent of tobacco intermingled with his woody fragrance, creating a crisp, pleasant aroma.

“What kind of reaction were you expecting?” he whispered in a deep voice against her ear, his breath hot.

Shen Jingni felt a little entranced by the low, magnetic quality of his voice.

Her cheeks flushed crimson, the rosy hue spreading until it secretly crept up to the tips of her ears.

“Don’t get so close to me.”

Her composure was about to crumble.

Zhao Zonglan lowered his head and kissed her rosy lips. He was restrained, merely sampling the taste before quickly pulling back.

He held her close, their bodies pressed together.

Shen Jingni’s eyes suddenly widened. “You… you…”

How could he already have… that kind of reaction?

She hadn’t even done anything.

She had only said she missed him.

A playful, mocking smile flickered in his eyes. He leaned down toward her ear, his tone carrying a hint of mischief. “I have a reaction. Don’t wrongly accuse me next time, hmm?”

Startled, Shen Jingni swallowed hard and tried to push him away. “Let’s… let’s talk business.”

Zhao Zonglan backed off slightly. He raised his hand to take a drag of his cigarette, slowly exhaling a cloud of blue-gray smoke. “I thought you didn’t want to talk anymore and just wanted to scold me.”

Why was this man being so sarcastic?

Shen Jingni bared her teeth and shot him an annoyed glare.

Only then did she start talking business.

However, since she was asking a favor of him, she had to adopt a more proper attitude.

She stood on her tiptoes and kissed the man’s handsome face, saying coaxingly, “Brother, I believe you can definitely help me get the title sponsorship. I’ll pay you back in installments; I won’t take it for free.”

Zhao Zonglan was a world-class capitalist; he wasn’t someone who could be dismissed with a few words. He didn’t care for that small amount of money.

“You don’t need to give me money.”

“The hairpin goes to me.”

Naturally, Shen Jingni refused.

“No way. I told you, that hairpin is very important to me.”

“You… pick another condition.”

Her face was set, her cheeks puffed out-she was clearly unhappy.

Zhao Zonglan crushed the half-finished cigarette into the ashtray. He reached out and pinched her slightly puffed cheek, his tone softening a fraction. “Then I’ll just keep it safe for you. It will still belong to you.”

Shen Jingni thought about it carefully. That seemed okay?

She didn’t wear the hairpin often anyway; it would be like putting it in a bank’s safety deposit box.

“Then you must return it to me before I get married.”

After all, it was her dowry.

At the mention of marriage, Zhao Zonglan’s eyes shifted, a chill surging within them.

His expression gradually turned cold. He pinned her against the office desk, bracing his hands on either side of her, trapping her within that small space. “Who are you going to marry?”

Shen Jingni was startled by his sudden movement.

His question was completely nonsensical.

Who could predict the future like that?

Her eyelashes fluttered. “How should I know who I’m going to marry? I don’t even have anyone I like.”

When Zhao Zonglan heard her answer, his expression became even more gloomy and terrifying.

A strange surge of anger exploded in his chest, the veins on the back of his hands bulging against the desk.

He leaned down, his lips almost touching hers, their breaths mingling.

Yet, he suppressed himself and stopped abruptly.

His voice was deep, carrying the arrogance and dominance of a man in power. “Shen Jingni.”

“Kiss me. Now.”

He wanted her to take the initiative.

He wanted her to be stained with desire because of him.

She belonged to him, Zhao Zonglan.

Shen Jingni felt that Zhao Zonglan was acting a bit strange.

But she could sense that he seemed to be in a bad mood.

Why was he so moody? She hadn’t even provoked him.

Whatever, she would just coax him.

She still needed this capitalist to help her get the title sponsorship.

With that thought, she gripped his shirt, leaned forward slightly, and clumsily pressed her lips against his.