Falling into the Capital's Radiance - Chapter 40

Chapter 40

This argument, which Shen Jingni had initiated, ended with Zhao Zonglan’s silent departure.

Shen Jingni had never seen Zhao Zonglan like this before.

One moment he was dark and terrifying, and the next, his cold, stern back made him seem solitary and aloof.

She haphazardly wiped the tear stains from her face and looked down to straighten her clothes.

As she was leaving, she caught sight of the crystal ball in the storage cabinet again.

It was an eyesore.

She didn’t want to give it to him anymore.

Shen Jingni took a few quick steps over, opened the glass door, and in a fit of pique, slammed the crystal ball heavily onto the floor.

With a sharp crack, it shattered into pieces, leaving nothing but a floor full of glass shards.

After venting like this, she thought she would feel at least a little better, but she didn’t.

It was snowing in Jingshi again.

The night lights spilled over the fine snowflakes, casting a bit of a chill.

Zhao Zonglan stood by the study window smoking. He was smoking a bit too fast and suddenly choked, coughing a few times.

Chang An knocked and entered to report to him, “Sir, Miss Shen has already left.”

“When Miss Shen left… she smashed the crystal ball in your storage cabinet.”

Zhao Zonglan let out a cold, angry sneer.

She really was a heartless little brat.

He looked out the window at the snow, his eyes dark and dim, exceptionally cold.

In these thirty-two years, he had never indulged or pampered a woman like this. During his two days in Germany, he had thought of her day and night, yet this little thing was ungrateful and only knew how to make him angry.

Zhao Zonglan wasn’t good at coaxing people, and it was impossible for him to do it every time.

Ultimately, he was arrogant to his core.

Since she didn’t want his affection and wanted to go out and suffer a bit, then let her.

She would learn to behave eventually.

Zhao Zonglan took a drag of his cigarette and, with his back to Chang An, said coldly, “Collect the broken crystal ball and put it in the storage room.”

Chang An replied, “Yes.”

He knew that his master cherished that gift very much.

***

That night, Shen Jingni didn’t sleep very well.

People are always lazy on snowy days.

She didn’t go to the main shop in the morning. After waking up, she curled up in her warm bed and looked at her phone.

On her social feed, Song Yu had gone to the Northeast, taken photos of the snow, and posted several beautiful pictures.

Scrolling down, there was a new update from Zhao Yueling.

They had exchanged contact information last time at the Hot Spring Villa.

Zhao Yueling and her young boyfriend were watching fireworks at Victoria Harbour. In the photo, the fireworks were brilliant, reflecting off the water like a rain of stars falling to earth, dazzling and romantic.

Shen Jingni gave it a like.

Just then, Chu You called.

“Boss, the organizers of the designer competition asked if we have any intention of adding more sponsorship. If not, they’re going to sign the contract with Miss Qin after New Year’s.”

“Did you… not go to Mr. Zhao for help?”

Shen Jingni ruffled her hair in frustration. “No.”

The mere thought of Zhao Zonglan made her angry. She said to Chu You out of spite, “Men are unreliable. We have to rely on ourselves. I’m never asking him for help again.”

Even the obtuse Chu You could hear it.

The two of them were likely having a spat.

But as an employee, she didn’t dare say anything, only reminding Shen Jingni, “The contract signing with Young Master Fang is at six this evening at Fenghua Palace. I’ll come pick you up at five.”

The Fang Family and the Shen Family had some history.

Fang Che was the same age as Shen Qingyan and planned to get married early next year-a business marriage.

Although it was a marriage without affection, it had to be grand on the surface to satisfy the public and the media.

The Fang Family had commissioned a set of bridal wear and jewelry worth over ten million for the bride.

The appointment was set for dinner time. After signing the contract, Fang Che stopped Shen Jingni.

“Jingni, my father and several uncles are also here. Let’s have dinner together.”
Shen Jingni had no reason to refuse. In the world of business, socializing was a fundamental part of networking.

She told Chu You to head back first, then entered the private room with Fang Che.

Fortunately, it was a gathering of acquaintances.

Several elders at the table recognized Shen Jingni, and whenever the Shen Family was mentioned, she would chime in with a few words.

She was lively and cheerful, and her beauty made her quite popular with the older generation.

However, it was still a formal dinner, and the culture of the drinking table was unavoidable.

When one of the uncles came over to press a drink on her, she couldn’t refuse and forced herself to down two glasses.

It was all baijiu, and the burn was harsh against her throat.

Seeing that she truly couldn’t handle any more, Fang Che eventually stepped in to bail her out.

By the time they emerged from Fenghua Palace, Shen Jingni felt a miserable, cramping burn in her stomach.

Night had fallen, and the snow hadn’t stopped.

Her head was spinning, her cheeks flushed a deep rose. She leaned against a red lacquer pillar by the entrance. As the wind blew, stray flakes of snow brushed against her face and the tips of her hair.

Though it was cold, the icy sensation helped clear some of the alcoholic haze.

Shen Jingni was just about to call Chu You when she heard a set of steady footsteps approaching from behind.

She glanced sideways and saw several entrepreneurs surrounding a tall, upright Zhao Zonglan as they emerged from the adjacent VIP passage.

As usual, he held an unlit cigarette between his fingers. Dressed in a finely tailored black suit, he looked exceptionally noble and distinguished. His overcoat was draped casually over his shoulders, and his expression was indifferent.

Beside him, a discerning middle-aged CEO produced a lighter, respectfully shielding the flame as he leaned in to light the cigarette for him.

Zhao Zonglan’s eyes were cold. He tilted his head slightly toward the rising flame, bit down on the cigarette, and took a deep drag.

The fire flickered. From the corner of his eye, his gaze swept faintly over her position before quickly pulling away.

Shen Jingni’s stomach throbbed painfully. She furrowed her brows and looked away.

Afterward, she heard the CEOs respectfully bidding the man farewell. A Maybach crunched over the accumulated snow and drove off at a steady pace.

What was this? A cold war?

Shen Jingni let out a cold laugh.

Whatever. There was no way she was going to back down and apologize to him.

A goddess could never be in the wrong.

Even if she was, she wouldn’t admit it.

She would never bow her head.

“Miss, I noticed you’ve been standing here for quite a while. Are you feeling unwell?”

A gentle voice sounded behind her.

A long-handled black umbrella appeared over her head, shielding her from most of the wind and snow.

Shen Jingni turned around and saw a handsome young man with refined features. He wore a gray overcoat and stood tall with an air of quiet nobility, looking at her with concern.

“No,” she shook her head. “I’m waiting for my assistant.”

“But your complexion doesn’t look very good. Are you sure you don’t need help?”

Shen Jingni shook her head again, her tone laced with a hint of wariness. “No need, thank you.”

His eyes were gentle as he held the umbrella for her, yet he maintained a polite, gentlemanly social distance. He gave a soft laugh.

“You don’t need to be afraid. I mean no harm.”

He had simply spotted her from a distance and found it difficult to look away.

“Though, it’s always good for a girl to be cautious when she’s out alone.”

“My name is Xie Hengzhou. And yours?”

Xie Hengzhou? Shen Jingni had heard Song Yu mention this name before.

He was the eldest son of the first branch of the Xie Family-the most capable yet low-profile member of the younger generation among the Capital City’s elite families. He had been abroad for a long time.

She had no intention of forming a connection with him and replied simply, “Shen Jingni.”

The Maybach left Fenghua Palace and merged into the street.

Zhao Zonglan sat in the back seat smoking. Involuntarily, that flushed little face and her thin frame flickered through his mind.

She looked so pitiful it made one’s heart ache.

A fierce restlessness surged within him. He raised a hand to pinch the bridge of his nose, half-closed his eyes, and commanded in a low voice, “U-turn. Go back.”