Falling into the Capital's Radiance - Chapter 42

Chapter 42

By the next day, videos of the grand fireworks display had already spread across the internet.

Netizens’ speculations were mostly similar to those of Shen Jingni’s parents-some said it was to coax a child, while others claimed it was to make a girlfriend happy.

But as for the true motivation, only those involved knew for sure.

Today was New Year’s Day.

Just as Tang Shu had said, for the children of these prominent families, as long as they were in the Capital City during the holidays, they had to return to the ancestral residence for dinner. It was a family tradition, but it also carried a sense of warmth and connection.

Zhao Zonglan arrived late, as usual.

Once he arrived, Xie Yunfan began arranging for the servants to serve the dishes.

Zhao Siyuan was also back today.

Logically, he should have still been in Shanghai; without Zhao Zonglan’s permission, he couldn’t return to the Capital City.

However, Zhao Siyuan’s mother said she missed her son and mentioned how pitiful it was for him to spend the holidays alone, so she wanted the boy to come back for a meal.

Out of respect for his older cousin and sister-in-law, Zhao Zonglan had reluctantly nodded his approval.

Even though he could only stay for a day or two, Zhao Siyuan was satisfied.

He picked up his wine glass and specifically came over to toast Zhao Zonglan. “Thank you, Uncle. I drink to you.”

Zhao Zonglan had been feeling irritable these past few days.

Seeing Zhao Siyuan reminded him once again of that batch of Song Brocade.

The fuse that had caused Shen Jingni to lose her temper with him.

Zhao Zonglan leaned back in his Taishi Chair in a relaxed posture, lifting his eyes to glance at him.

He didn’t speak, nor did he move his glass.

That single, indifferent look made Zhao Siyuan shudder involuntarily.

His uncle seemed unhappy.

Though Zhao Siyuan was confused, he didn’t dare ask. He fearfully drained his glass and hurried back to his seat.

Xie Yunfan noticed it too.

Although she didn’t understand Zhao Zonglan perfectly, she could feel the low pressure radiating from him. From the moment he stepped into the ancestral residence until now, it hadn’t dissipated.

Between his deep-set brows, there was a faint, lingering trace of exhaustion.

After lunch, Zhao Zonglan stood under a cedar tree in the courtyard smoking, while Zhao Tian sat on a small stone stool nearby, focused on his drawing.

It was a scene of peace and serenity.

The cedar in the courtyard was quite old, with vigorous branches and dense needles. Even with a light dusting of snow on its crown, it remained green and upright. The air was filled with the distinct, cold scent of pine.

Xie Yunfan walked up to Zhao Zonglan’s side, her voice gentle and tinged with concern. “Chang An says you’ve been smoking heavily these past few days, and your sleep hasn’t been good. Have you run into some troubling matters?”

While Zhao Zonglan smoked and drank, he usually did so in moderation.

His self-control never allowed him to lose his grip.

Chang An had been by Zhao Zonglan’s side for a long time and could spot the signs. He could guess the reason, but he didn’t dare to presume his master’s thoughts.

Now that Xie Yunfan was asking, he could only answer honestly.

“No.”

Zhao Zonglan kept his eyes lowered, his tone very flat.

Xie Yunfan knew he didn’t want to elaborate. “If it’s because of work, there’s no harm in taking a break for a while. The people under you are all capable; nothing will go wrong.”

With such a heavy burden placed on one person, it was bound to be exhausting.

Zhao Zonglan knew Xie Yunfan was worried about him.

He took a drag of his cigarette and looked toward the drawing board in Zhao Tian’s hands, responding nonchalantly, “Mm.”

Xie Yunfan didn’t say anything more.

This son of hers was too deep; even his family couldn’t figure out exactly what he was thinking.

Fortunately, he was capable of self-regulation and wouldn’t be easily swayed by his emotions.

Once Xie Yunfan left, Zhao Zonglan walked over to look at Zhao Tian’s drawing.

He was drawing the chubby white cat they kept at home, dressed in exquisite plush clothes with a small bell hanging around its neck. Now, he was adding a knitted hat to it…

Zhao Zonglan found it amusing. “Why draw it so elaborately?”

He was adding a pile of random things.

That wasn’t how one was supposed to paint.

Zhao Tian didn’t stop his movements, answering with innocent directness, “Because I want to be good to it.”
An innocent youth’s heart is clean and simple, devoid of any hidden agendas.

He did it simply because he wanted to.

It was as straightforward as that.

Zhao Zonglan’s hand holding the cigarette paused for a moment, his eyes flickering. The problem that had plagued him for days, causing him quite the headache, seemed to find its answer in an instant.

He also had a cat.

However, he had only just started raising her.

Beautiful cats always had tempers, but he could be good to her. He could raise her to be well-behaved and pretty. Even if she was a bit entitled or high-maintenance, what did it matter? It wasn’t as if he couldn’t afford to spoil her.

Just as a child would do for their favorite Barbie doll, he would dress her in all the most beautiful clothes and accessories, doing everything in his power to adorn her.

She was throwing a tantrum with him, but at the end of the day, it was because he wasn’t being good enough to her.

If he were a little better, she might become obedient, wouldn’t she?

Zhao Zonglan crushed his cigarette and ordered Chang An to bring the car around.

–

Tomorrow was the anniversary of Shen Jingni’s grandfather’s death, so their family was driving there this afternoon.

Shen Jingni didn’t want to sit in the same car as her parents. She decided to drive herself and invited Chu You along so they could take turns behind the wheel and avoid getting too tired.

Young girls usually needed a lot of time to get ready before going out, and Shen Jingni was particularly prone to dawdling.

Seeing that it was getting late, Xu Ningwan urged her several times, “Miaomiao, hurry up. It’s not safe to drive on the highway after dark.”

Shen Jingni was currently blow-drying her hair. “You and Old Shen go ahead first. We’ll be right behind you.”

Her version of “right behind you” was not to be trusted.

Xu Ningwan stopped pestering her. “Fine, your father and I will head over first. Drive carefully on the road.”

“I know.”

When Xu Ningwan went downstairs, she saw Shen Zhuoyuan holding his phone with a solemn expression.

“What’s wrong?”

“Old Fang just told me that Mr. Lin is in trouble. Apparently, he offended some big shot. They just had dinner together a few days ago-oh, our Miaomiao was there too.”

Xu Ningwan’s face darkened with worry.

In their circles, things changed by the day. Anyone’s world could be turned upside down at any moment, especially in the business world.

Knowing she was worried about their daughter, Shen Zhuoyuan tried to reassure her. “But Miaomiao’s little studio shouldn’t be stepping on anyone’s toes. At most, she’s just bickering with that girl from the Qin Family.”

Xu Ningwan nodded. “That’s true.”

About an hour after her parents left, as night began to fall, Shen Jingni finally finished dawdling and headed out.

She was bundled up in a thick, light blue down jacket paired with a fluffy scarf and warm boots.

Chu You was helping her carry her things, asking somewhat reluctantly, “Boss, are we really giving up on the title sponsorship for that competition?”

“Is Mr. Zhao really not going to help us anymore?”

Shen Jingni felt a surge of irritation the moment she heard the name “Mr. Zhao.”

She warned Chu You, “Don’t mention Zhao Zonglan in front of me again. Every time you do, I’m docking a thousand from your pay.”

“He’s a total jerk.”

As soon as her salary was threatened, Chu You immediately shut her mouth and climbed into the driver’s seat of the Audi, playing the part of a silent driver perfectly.

Zhao Zonglan had originally intended to come and see her.

He hadn’t expected to overhear such words.

See? She was a heartless little brat.

Chang An gripped the steering wheel uneasily, not even daring to breathe loudly inside the car.

Miss Shen had actually called the boss a jerk.

He stole a glance at Zhao Zonglan in the backseat.

He saw the man unhurriedly lighting a cigarette, exhaling a cloud of grey-white smoke. With his eyes half-closed, he seemed to let out a short, frustrated laugh.

After a long silence, Chang An finally heard him speak.

“Call the organizers of the Shanghai Designers Competition in my name. Their exclusive title sponsorship rights can only be given to Shen Jingni.”