Falling into the Capital's Radiance - Chapter 44

Chapter 44

Shen Jingni hadn’t expected him to be so easy to talk to.

Clinging to his neck, she made her demand with an air of righteous indignation. “You have to apologize to me first.”

Apologize?

Zhao Zonglan pressed his lips together in silence.

In his entire life, he had never apologized to anyone. When he was out in the world, he might occasionally offer a casual “sorry,” but that was merely a polite formality born of his upbringing; no one actually dared to make him apologize.

Snow fell steadily, dusting the roof of the black Maybach.

The person in charge, who had been waiting by the car, saw Zhao Zonglan approaching with someone in his arms and greeted him, “Mr. Zhao.”

He then opened the car door for him.

The man tried to catch a glimpse of the person in Zhao Zonglan’s arms out of the corner of his eye, but the girl was shielded so thoroughly by Mr. Zhao that he couldn’t see her face.

However, the hands visible on the outside were exceptionally beautiful. Her skin was whiter than the snow, her joints were slender and well-proportioned, and her nails were strikingly exquisite.

Zhao Zonglan gave him a faint glance. “Thank you for your hard work.”

The man was somewhat flattered and bowed his head respectfully. “It’s only what we should do. We must thank you for your support, Mr. Zhao. Without your help, we’d probably have been stuck here until the middle of the night.”

Hearing this, Shen Jingni couldn’t help but burrow deeper into his arms.

If Zhao Zonglan hadn’t come, she would have spent the night in the car. With a dead phone and no food, she probably would have lost half her life out here.

At this moment, she felt the old man wasn’t so annoying after all.

Zhao Zonglan had heard too many of these compliments and flatteries.

He said nothing, his expression calm as he carried Shen Jingni into the car.

It was very warm inside.

Chang An had already prepared hot water and food, placing them on the retractable table in the back seat.

Zhao Zonglan squeezed her cold hand. “Eat some hot porridge first.”

Shen Jingni pulled back slightly from his embrace. She only glanced at the porridge on the table but didn’t move.

She stared at him, her tone still a bit fierce. “Didn’t you hear what I just said?”

“Hurry up and apologize to me.”

This last sentence was a command tinged with a bit of uncertainty, spoken in a delicate, spoiled voice. As she sat on his lap, her body shifted restlessly.

Zhao Zonglan’s eyes darkened as he firmly held her waist.

He had wanted her badly these past few days.

Even more so tonight.

Whenever he thought of her face, no matter how much he drank or smoked, he couldn’t suppress the base desires of his body and soul.

He wanted her.

But not now.

Zhao Zonglan showed great restraint as he leaned his forehead against hers, his voice deep. “Teach me how to apologize.”

Shen Jingni was speechless.

He was doing it on purpose.

This old man was definitely doing it on purpose.

He just wanted to brush her off.

“Zhao Zonglan, do you even need someone to teach you how to apologize?” As she spoke, the small spark of anger in her heart flared up again, and she began to act out. “Let me go. I don’t want you holding me, and I’m not eating your food.”

Her beautiful face was written all over with displeasure.

By now, her stomach was aching with hunger. Her delicate brows furrowed slightly, and she bit her lower lip, reaching out to push him away.

Zhao Zonglan was truly at his wit’s end with her.

She had a temperament as stubborn as an ox; the moment things didn’t go her way, she’d turn on him and give him the cold shoulder.

He pinched her chin and kissed her lips, preventing her from biting them.

She must have really been freezing; her hands were cold, her lips were a bit chilly, and they were also somewhat dry.

She was truly a pitiful little thing.

“My fault.”

Zhao Zonglan’s voice was low and husky. For the first time in his life, he uttered words of admission to a mistake.
Even when Zhao Yanhe had once threatened him with a gun, leaving him in a life-or-death situation, Zhao Zonglan had never yielded or bowed his head.

He was Zhao Zonglan, after all. More often than not, he was the one who decided what was right and what was wrong.

Yet the woman in his arms was likely sent by the heavens specifically to torture him. She was utterly unreasonable and knew only how to provoke him.

Shen Jingni heard his admission, and although she wasn’t entirely satisfied, she knew when to quit while she was ahead. Pushing her luck too far would be unwise.

Thus, she showed some mercy and didn’t press him on exactly what he had done wrong.

She gave a haughty, soft huff, clearly pleased. Her voice was sweet as she said, “Then I’ll forgive you for now.”

Seeing that she had finally settled down, Zhao Zonglan’s calm eyes flickered with a hint of playfulness. “My thanks for your leniency, Miss Shen.”

The corners of Shen Jingni’s mouth curled up as she broke into a bright, enchanting smile.

However, since they were on the subject, there were some things that needed to be laid out in the open. she didn’t like-and wasn’t good at-keeping things bottled up inside.

“Zhao Zonglan,” she said, suddenly calling his name with great seriousness. Her clear, honest eyes locked onto his.

“If there are other women around you, or if you have an arranged marriage partner, then our agreement ends here.”

She had no desire to be forced into the role of the ‘other woman.’

That would be a stain on her life.

Moreover, if she ever got entangled in the dramatic feuds and romances of these elite families, the Shen Family would suffer for it.

Zhao Zonglan’s eyes narrowed dangerously, and his hand tightened around her waist.

“Ends here?”

Shen Jingni felt that Zhao Zonglan had a problem with his reading comprehension.

He was squeezing her so hard it hurt, and she said indignantly, “I’m saying, if you have someone…”

“I don’t.”

His voice dropped several degrees in temperature.

“Liar!” Shen Jingni didn’t believe him at all. Pouting, she pressed her index finger against the man’s chest and began to count his offenses. “I saw it with my own eyes that day at Fuzesi Temple. You and that Third Miss Rong were talking and laughing, having a grand old time-and it was even with your family elders present.”

His pectoral muscles were so firm and elastic.

She kind of wanted to touch them. And kiss them.

Zhao Zonglan frowned, reflecting for a moment. So she really had been at Fuzesi Temple that day.

His intuition hadn’t been wrong.

But… talking and laughing? Having a grand old time?

Zhao Zonglan was certain this little thing was exaggerating. Aside from work, he had virtually no interaction with other women.

He pinched the bridge of his nose helplessly. “Rong San and I only have occasional business dealings. There was no ‘talking and laughing.'”

Shen Jingni knew that Zhao Zonglan had no reason to lie to her.

But she still said petulantly, “We had a deal at the start. I won’t be some hidden mistress. If Mr. Zhao ever puts me in a position where I’m being unfilial or dishonorable, making things difficult for me, I’ll…”

Zhao Zonglan arched an eyebrow. “You’ll what?”

Shen Jingni lunged at his chest and bit down directly through his black shirt.

“Ngh.”

Zhao Zonglan tilted his chin up slightly, a very faint gasp escaping his throat.

The little cat’s bite wasn’t too hard, but it wasn’t soft either; it was a mix of pain and a tickling sensation.

But it felt good.

Hearing his sharp intake of breath, Shen Jingni finally let go with a look of schadenfreude. Her clear, almond-shaped eyes were shimmering, looking both charming and fierce. “If that day ever comes, I’ll bite you to death.”

Zhao Zonglan’s Adam’s apple bobbed slightly.

His slender fingers brushed against her lips, his gaze dark and unreadable. “Be good. I’ll let you bite all you want when we get back.”