Falling into the Capital's Radiance - Chapter 43

Chapter 43

The next day, after visiting the graves, Madam Xu and Old Shen returned to the city.

Shen Jingni loved to have fun.

Since there were New Year’s Day performances in the small town, she and Chu You stayed for another night, only leisurely making their way back on the afternoon of the third.

Another heavy snow had fallen last night and only just stopped in the morning. The car crushed the snow on the road, making driving difficult.

Once they got onto the highway, the traffic was exceptionally congested. It seemed there had been an accident up ahead, and everything was a mess.

After being stuck for about an hour, it started snowing again.

The temperature in the mountains dropped rapidly, and the road surface gradually began to ice over.

The cold wind carried bits of snow that slammed against the car windows. Shen Jingni’s car was now unable to move an inch.

Looking at the long line of vehicles blocked outside, Chu You leaned over the steering wheel and complained, “What kind of hellish weather is this? Why did we have to run into it?”

“It snows the moment it says it will, and the temperature drops just as fast.”

“They won’t close the road, will they?”

Shen Jingni quickly spat a few times to ward off the bad luck. “Hurry up and shut that little mouth of yours.”

If the road really closed, what would the two of them do?

They might freeze to death here.

But when a person is unlucky, whatever they fear most is exactly what happens.

This section of the highway was urgently closed by the traffic control department due to extreme weather, and emergency repairs were underway.

After seeing the news, Xu Ningwan called Shen Jingni. “Miaomiao, where are you now? I heard the highway is closed. If you haven’t left yet, come back in a couple of days.”

Shen Jingni didn’t tell the truth, fearing Madam Xu would worry. “Okay, then I’ll head back tomorrow.”

Telling them would only make them anxious for no reason.

Chu You let out a yawn. “Looks like we’ll be waiting a while. Boss, I’m going to sleep for a bit.”

Although Shen Jingni was usually carefree, she wasn’t as unfazed as Chu You.

There wasn’t much fuel left in the tank.

There was no food in the car either.

If they kept being stuck like this, there was no telling how long they’d have to wait.

Subconsciously, she thought of Zhao Zonglan.

If it were him, he might have a way.

But Shen Jingni quickly dismissed the thought.

No, she couldn’t look for him.

She absolutely could not bow her head.

An hour later.

Wen Shuyi sent her a WeChat message: [Jingni, are you free tonight? Want to go shopping and see a movie? I’ll call Song Yu, a girls’ night.]

Shen Jingni: [Sister Wen, I’m still stuck on the highway, I probably won’t make it.]

–

Xiang Xu’an and Zhao Zonglan were old acquaintances. He was forty years old and the head of Xiangshi Capital.

However, in recent years, the Xiang family’s strategic focus had shifted overseas, and it was rare for Xiang Xu’an to return to the country.

His primary reason for returning this time was to discuss cooperation with Jingyao Capital and to see some old friends while he was at it.

He organized a gathering at Fenghua Palace, inviting Zhao Zonglan and Song Yanting.

Inside the card room.

Xiang Xu’an held a cigar between his fingers. A hot beauty beside him daintily came over to light it for him. He took a puff and naturally pulled her into his arms.

He felt the woman’s waist, a smile touching the corners of his mouth. “Chengsui still knows me best; he knows my tastes.”

This woman was very much to his liking-her waist was soft and slender, and she was well-endowed where she should be.

Xie Chengsui bit down on his cigarette in a roguish manner. “If you like her, I’ll find two more clean ones tomorrow for you to take back.”

In this circle, there were plenty of people who loved to play around.

Like Xie Chengsui and Xiang Xu’an.

However, at their status and level, they didn’t like the drama of keeping female celebrities. It was too much trouble and came with too much baggage.

They preferred students who were as pure as a blank sheet of paper or ladies from prestigious families.

Each had its own flavor.

Xiang Xu’an readily accepted his kindness.

He glanced at Zhao Zonglan, who sat in the main seat, and said half-jokingly, “As a brother, you should also find someone attentive for Zonglan. He just has such high standards.”

Zhao Zonglan toyed with the chips at his fingertips, not even lifting his eyelids or speaking.

Xie Chengsui rubbed the bridge of his nose. “Fifth Brother… his heart isn’t in it.”

It wasn’t just that his standards were high.

Only a fairy like his little sister-in-law could catch his eye.

If they really had to look for someone else, it would be far too difficult.

Song Yanting’s private phone rang. After saying a quick apology, he stood up to take the call outside.

Xiang Xu’an didn’t think much of it. “I remember Yanting never had women around him before either. And yet, didn’t he fall anyway?”

As he spoke, he gave a look to the assistant behind him.

The assistant understood and quickly brought in a pure and beautiful girl.

The girl looked young, wearing a gentle and elegant white long dress. Her long hair was draped over her shoulders, her face was oval-shaped, and her eyes were downcast, looking timid.

Xie Chengsui’s brow furrowed slightly. “Brother Xiang, what’s this?”

Xiang Xu’an leaned back in his chair and took a drink. “Someone sent this girl over the day I returned. Her background is clean, she’s only twenty, and I couldn’t bear to touch her. Such a good thing should naturally be saved for an old friend.”

That “old friend” referred to Zhao Zonglan.
He turned to the girl and said, “Go keep Mr. Zhao company at the card table.”

Zhao Zonglan was smoking lazily, his long legs crossed. His black shirt was slightly unbuttoned at the collar, and a faint sense of weary boredom lingered between his deep-set eyes. Though he didn’t speak, his aloof aura was enough to make anyone hesitate to approach.

The girl shuffled over and plucked up the courage to look up at him. In an instant, she was dazed.

This Mr. Zhao was actually so handsome.

Her heart skipped a few beats as she called out softly, “Mr. Zhao.”

Zhao Zonglan only spared her a brief glance.

Chang An stepped in and blocked her path.

“You know my rules,” Zhao Zonglan’s indifferent gaze fell on Xiang Xu’an, his voice somewhat cold. “Don’t let it happen again.”

Xiang Xu’an froze for a moment before hurriedly laughing it off with a promise. “Oh, look at my memory. There definitely won’t be a next time.”

As he spoke, he signaled his assistant to quickly lead the girl out.

Zhao Zonglan never allowed women to get close to him.

Over the years, many people had tried every possible way to send women to his side-all types, in a never-ending stream. Their goal was to curry favor and climb the social ladder, but none of them had met a good end.

This was Zhao Zonglan’s warning to Xiang Xu’an.

Xie Chengsui’s fox-like eyes crinkled as he spoke up to smooth things over. “Brother Xiang, I told you Fifth Brother’s heart isn’t in this. Stop wasting your effort.”

Xiang Xu’an repeatedly agreed.

Just then, Song Yanting walked back in after finishing a phone call.

He looked at Zhao Zonglan, the gentle smile on his face gone. He spoke with a hint of hesitation. “I heard from Shuyi that your lady has been trapped on the G99 highway for nearly three hours now.”

Originally, Wen Shuyi had strictly forbidden him from telling Zhao Zonglan.

She said Shen Jingni wouldn’t allow it.

She had told him to find a way quickly.

But in a matter like this, it would be inappropriate for him to bypass Zhao Zonglan and intervene rashly.

Besides, Zhao Zonglan was more capable than him and should be able to get her out quickly.

Zhao Zonglan narrowed his eyes, his expression becoming stern.

With a cold face, he stood up and said, “Excuse me,” before turning to walk out, not even stopping to put on his coat.

Chang An quickly grabbed the overcoat from the rack and followed him at a brisk pace.

Xiang Xu’an was a bit bewildered. “This… what happened?”

“Family matters,” Song Yanting said with a gentle smile. “I’ll call Rong Heng over, and we’ll keep playing.”

Night gradually descended as the wind and snow raged wildly.

After getting into the car, Zhao Zonglan personally made two phone calls.

One was to an official at the traffic management center. De-icing, clearing obstacles, and restoring traffic order were their duties to begin with, but if needed, he could deploy the manpower and financial resources under his command to assist.

He then instructed the Zhao Family’s professional emergency rescue team to fully cooperate with the traffic management efforts.

***

Shen Jingni and Chu You had been trapped on the highway for nearly four hours.

Their phones were dead, and the fuel in the tank was gradually running out.

Fortunately, she had dressed warmly for this trip; otherwise, she would have frozen solid.

Not far away, the sound of mechanical obstacle clearing echoed. Uniformed workers were doing the final cleanup under bright lights.

Soon, the cars blocked in front of them began to move slowly.

Chu You cried out in excitement, “Ahhh! Boss, it’s moving, it’s moving! We’re saved!”

Shen Jingni’s stomach ached from hunger.

She didn’t even have the energy to be excited.

She leaned against the car window and looked out. The snow was still falling in grains, piling up on the road before slowly melting.

A tall figure emerged from the curtain of snow, his steps steady. The cold wind swirled snow onto his black overcoat, yet he remained as noble and aloof as ever.

As he drew closer, the man’s silhouette became clearer and clearer.

When Shen Jingni recognized that familiar, handsome face, her breath suddenly hitched.

Zhao Zonglan stopped in front of the car window, his deep, calm eyes locking onto her.

He pulled open the car door, his expression as cold as usual. “Are you walking out yourself, or am I carrying you?”

Shen Jingni stubbornly remained silent.

Zhao Zonglan didn’t have the patience to wait for her reply.

With a cold face, he reached in and pulled her out of the car, picking her up in a horizontal carry before striding away.

Zhao Zonglan was very warm, and he smelled good.

The scent on him gave Shen Jingni an inexplicable sense of peace and comfort.

The cold wind stung her face.

She wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her face in his warm neck, her voice sounding sweet yet awkward. “Zhao Zonglan, I haven’t forgiven you yet.”

To Zhao Zonglan’s ears, this sounded more like acting spoiled.

He should have been angry.

Angry that she would rather ask Song Yanting for help than call him.

Angry at her childishness, her lack of appreciation, her…

But the moment she wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned in close, Zhao Zonglan felt that none of it mattered anymore.

He lowered his head, nuzzling her face as he held her tightly.

Following her lead, he coaxed her, his deep, magnetic voice carrying a hint of tenderness. “Then what will it take for you to forgive me?”