Falling into the Capital's Radiance - Chapter 37

Chapter 37

In the afternoon, Shen Jingni reviewed Chu You’s initial design draft and offered some suggestions for revision.

Qin Muhuan sauntered in again with her head held high. Acting as if she owned the place, she sat down directly in Shen Jingni’s office.

She raised a hand to cover her mouth, letting out a forced, affected laugh. “Oh, I’m so sorry. If everything goes as expected, the exclusive title sponsorship for the Youth Fashion Design Competition will be taken by yours truly.”

Shen Jingni sat in her office chair reviewing material reports. She didn’t even look up, her response utterly dismissive. “Then congratulations to you.”

Qin Muhuan felt that Shen Jingni’s reaction was wrong.

How could she be so calm?

Could it be that she was so furious about losing the sponsorship that she’d gone stupid?

“I told you long ago that you’re no match for me, yet you insisted on competing.”

“If you had been a bit nicer to me before, maybe I would have considered a joint sponsorship with you. Sigh… look at how things turned out. Someone is going to end up with nothing at all.”

Sometimes Shen Jingni wondered where Qin Muhuan’s mysterious sense of self-confidence came from.

Nothing had been finalized yet, but here she was, already flaunting her supposed victory.

Shen Jingni twirled the pen in her hand. “I don’t mind. If you want it, take it.”

Whether she could actually get it was another matter entirely.

Hearing this, Qin Muhuan felt a sense of frustration, like a punch landing on a bale of cotton.

“You really don’t care about the title sponsorship?”

Had Shen Jingni really turned into an idiot? Who wouldn’t want that kind of exposure?

It was such a great promotional opportunity.

Shen Jingni spread her hands and said meaningfully, “What is mine will not run away; what is not mine cannot be forced.”

“Tch,” Qin Muhuan snorted. “You’ve really lost it, getting all philosophical on me.”

“Don’t show off. Your grades in Chinese literature were terrible back in school.”

Shen Jingni: “…”

–

On Saturday morning, Xu Ningwan took Shen Jingni to Fuzesi Temple to burn incense.

Located south of the Capital City, Fuzesi Temple was famous far and wide, its incense burners always crowded with offerings.

Many pilgrims visited on weekends, most of them seeking luck in romance.

It was said that the marriage lotteries here were very accurate.

Shen Jingni’s older brother, Shen Qingyan, was twenty-nine this year. He was currently in Los Angeles and had remained single all this time.

Xu Ningwan was incredibly anxious, so she had come today specifically to pray for Shen Qingyan’s romantic prospects.

“My brother’s mind is entirely on overseas projects right now. He doesn’t have time to date. You’ve prayed so many times, and it’s always for nothing.”

Shen Jingni didn’t really believe in marriage fate, but she did believe in the God of Wealth.

She couldn’t understand Madam Xu’s logic.

Xu Ningwan gave a heavy sigh. “I’ll just pray one more time. What if he brings home a blonde, blue-eyed foreign daughter-in-law for me next year?”

Shen Jingni wanted to say that her brother wasn’t interested in foreign beauties, but she didn’t want to dampen Madam Xu’s spirits. “As long as you’re happy.”

While her mother was drawing a marriage lottery for her brother, Shen Jingni wandered around the temple, thinking she would go to the main hall to offer a stick of incense.

Inside the main hall, there was a steady stream of pilgrims. The sounds of chanting, prayers, and footsteps intertwined beneath the solemn gaze of the Buddha’s statue.

Shen Jingni was wearing a long, white knitted dress today. Her raven-black hair was pinned up, and her exquisite face was devoid of makeup-gentle and elegant, with striking features.

She requested incense, then knelt on a prayer mat. With her hands pressed together, she bowed and made a devout wish.

Just as she stood up, an elderly lady with an elegant aura entered the door. She was advanced in years and moved slowly, supported by an attendant.

One look was enough to tell she was no ordinary person.

The old lady wore a dark purple qipao, and her silver hair was combed meticulously. Her gaze as she looked at Shen Jingni was warm and kind.

She asked casually, “Is the young lady also here to pray for marriage?”

Shen Jingni shook her head and smiled. “No, I’m here to pray for wealth.”

“We young people don’t like praying for marriage.”

These words made the old lady chuckle. “You’re quite an honest girl.”
The old woman’s gaze lingered on Shen Jingni for a moment, her eyes shimmering with a rare sense of wonder. She praised, “With such natural, jade-like beauty, there’s no need for you to go out of your way to seek a marriage match. The Buddha will naturally look upon you with favor and protection.”

Shen Jingni was a bit flattered, not expecting such high praise from the elder.

She responded with poise, offering a bright smile. “I appreciate your kind words.”

Outside the main hall, Madam Xu was waving at her, likely having finished interpreting her fortune slip and ready to leave.

Shen Jingni gave the old woman a slight nod of farewell. “I must go now. I wish you good health and long-lasting blessings.”

Watching Shen Jingni’s retreating figure, Old Mrs. Zhao said to Aunt Ruan beside her, “That young girl reminds me of when Zonglan first returned to the country-young, indifferent to romance, and focused entirely on interests.”

Aunt Ruan lit some incense and handed it to the old lady. “Fifth Master is still indifferent to romance now. If he weren’t, you wouldn’t be worrying about his marriage every single day.”

Old Mrs. Zhao gave her a playful, reproachful look. “You… you’re just trying to poke at my sore spot, aren’t you?”

“By the way, ask Chang An where Zonglan is now.”

Aunt Ruan replied, “I already asked. Fifth Master has reached the foot of the mountain. Third Miss Rong is currently discussing the regilding of the Buddha statue with the abbot, but she’ll be over shortly.”

The old lady said nothing more. She closed her eyes and began to pray to the Buddha with deep devotion.

–

Xu Ningwan had just drawn a ‘low-low’ fortune slip, and the more she thought about it, the more inauspicious it felt.

Shen Qingyan was already twenty-nine, not nineteen. If the Bodhisattva didn’t protect him and a few more years were wasted, he’d end up an old bachelor.

She pulled Shen Jingni along, intent on trying for another draw.

“Miaomiao, you draw for your brother this time.”

Shen Jingni was a bit speechless. “Mom, this is basically cheating. What if I draw another ‘low-low’ slip?”

Xu Ningwan replied, “Then I’ll make your brother get his butt back here for blind dates.”

Fortunately, Shen Jingni drew a ‘neutral’ slip this time.

[A marriage destined from a past life; though fraught with obstacles and setbacks, the couple shall eventually find their way to one another.]

It was easy to understand. The gist was that the two would have to endure some hardships before reaching a happy ending.

Madam Xu was very satisfied with this fortune.

“As long as he can get out of being single, it doesn’t matter if your brother has to suffer a bit for love. Thank goodness the Bodhisattva hasn’t given up on him.”

*Insanity.*

Elders who pushed for marriage these days were terrifying.

Shen Jingni felt a bit lucky that she was only twenty-two; otherwise, she would be the one getting nagged.

“Let’s go back. I’m hungry,” she said, taking Madam Xu’s arm and negotiating for herself. “You have to treat me to a French feast.”

“Fine, you can have whatever you want. But don’t overeat. You need to take care of your stomach…”

Madam Xu started another round of nagging. Shen Jingni hummed in response absentmindedly, not really listening, and turned her gaze to the side.

Inside the vast Fuzesi Temple, the crowds were bustling.

Her gaze inadvertently swept past a cypress tree outside the main hall.

The old lady she had spoken to earlier was there, leaning on her cane with the same gentle smile on her face. Standing beside her was a young man and woman.

That sharp, upright silhouette was one she knew all too well.

It was Zhao Zonglan.

The man’s profile was cold and chiseled, his nose bridge high. He wore a black suit paired with a matching cashmere overcoat, looking aloof and composed.

Standing on the other side was Rong Zaiyi.

She was saying something to the old lady, appearing close and natural.

The mountain wind brushed the stray hairs at her temples, and Shen Jingni felt a sudden chill.

She retracted her gaze and pulled Madam Xu along, walking faster.

At that moment, the temple bell was struck, its deep resonance echoing through the air.

Zhao Zonglan abruptly stopped in his tracks.

As if sensing something, he suddenly looked back.

But as far as his eyes could see, there was only a surging crowd, blurry and unfamiliar.

A faint sense of disappointment sank into his heart, lingering for a long time.