Falling into the Capital's Radiance - Chapter 46

Chapter 46

Shen Jingni had no idea how this man could say such shameless things with such a straight face.

He was clearly just brushing her off on purpose.

She stared at him expressionlessly for two seconds, dropping the “Brother” honorific entirely. Then, she slowly crawled up, making a move to get out of bed.

“Fine, I knew no one cared about me.”

She looked like someone who had been deeply hurt, appearing incredibly aggrieved.

Zhao Zonglan stood before her, watching with a calm expression as she struggled to put on her slippers.

Beneath her nightgown, a stretch of snowy-white leg was occasionally revealed, the skin still bearing lingering traces of their intimacy. When her feet touched the floor, her legs even trembled slightly.

He reached out to pick her up.

Shen Jingni pulled a long face and rejected him. “Please move aside. I’m going to go wash up.”

Zhao Zonglan arched an eyebrow, his voice faint. “Are you sure you don’t want me to carry you?”

She gave a defiant snort and walked right past him in her slippers.

However, her legs were incredibly weak. After only a few steps, there was a soft *thud* as she collapsed directly onto the carpet.

Propping herself up with her hands, she was both embarrassed and annoyed. She began to scold him in a soft, delicate voice, “Zhao Zonglan, you beast in a suit… *sob*… It’s all your fault for making me like this…”

Zhao Zonglan finally understood-this little thing always had a variety of reasons to scold him.

The consequence of being naughty was having to suffer a little.

With a hint of a smile suppressed in his eyes, he stepped forward unhurriedly. He hooked an arm around her waist and easily scooped her from the carpet into his arms.

“I’m taking you to wash up. Behave.”

Shen Jingni stopped fussing.

She didn’t have the energy left to fuss anyway.

By the time they had dinner, it was nearly seven o’clock.

Shen Jingni was a very fussy eater. Not only did she eat slowly and sparingly, but she was also incredibly picky.

She wouldn’t eat this and didn’t want that.

At the moment, she was slowly nursing a bowl of coconut milk millet porridge. She seemed to have no appetite, looking quite listless.

Zhao Zonglan remarked, “Taking half an hour to finish a small bowl of porridge-Miss Shen is quite impressive.”

Shen Jingni looked up to glare at him, pouting. “It’s too hot. What’s wrong with a fairy eating a bit slower?”

Old men were always so sarcastic.

Zhao Zonglan’s expression remained indifferent, revealing no emotion.

Naturally, he didn’t have the patience to feed her himself.

Just then, Chang An came over to ask for instructions. “Sir, Secretary Gu is here. Should I have him wait for you in the study as usual?”

Zhao Zonglan glanced at the person who was currently picking at her food. His thin lips parted as he said, “Have him come to the dining room.”

Gu Qian was the secretary to the chairman of Jingyao Capital Group and the head of the secretary’s office. He was responsible for overall coordination as well as gathering and refining information from both inside and outside the group to report to Zhao Zonglan in a timely manner.

His visit today was primarily to report on the progress of the group’s major projects.

Shen Jingni hadn’t seen this Secretary Gu during her last visit to Jingyao, so she couldn’t help but study him now.

Gu Qian was about thirty years old, lean and scholarly-looking. He wore silver-rimmed glasses and a well-tailored suit, carrying a briefcase. He looked capable and sharp.

“Chairman Zhao, this is the list of domestic small and medium-sized enterprises involved in the ‘Dawn Project.’ Please take a look.”

The Dawn Project was Jingyao Capital’s M&A project targeting domestic precision machinery and industrial manufacturing. Jingyao planned to expand into high-tech physical manufacturing over the next two years.

Zhao Zonglan took the list from him but didn’t rush to look through it. Instead, he turned his gaze toward Shen Jingni. Meeting her inquisitive eyes, his voice turned a bit cold. “Eat.”

“Oh.”

Shen Jingni lowered her head sheepishly and went back to scooping her porridge.

She was just curious about how a secretary for a large corporation worked. Why did he have to be so mean?
Tyrant.

She gritted her teeth in frustration. Fine, she would eat.

Seeing that she was finally behaving, Zhao Zonglan turned his attention to the list of names. Leaning back against the chair, his posture was relaxed, yet his gaze remained sharp and cold. “What’s the story with Weiyan Technology?”

“The company is primarily involved in the research and development of military simulation and combat command systems,” Gu Qian explained, nervously adjusting his glasses as he tried to recall the details. “They have strong soft power and excellent qualifications. However, it’s a family business, so the signing process took a bit longer.”

“Who signed it?”

“The CEO.”

Zhao Zonglan usually didn’t concern himself with the acquisition of small and medium-sized enterprises. At most, he would look at a summary report like he was doing now. Military-industrial enterprises with such strong soft power had seen a significant increase in profitability in recent years. Selling off the company’s equity at this time seemed somewhat irrational.

However, it was just a small company; he didn’t take it to heart. He simply instructed Gu Qian to verify the equity issues again.

Gu Qian nodded and added, “Regarding that tech industry project in California, the group’s representative, Mr. Patrick Harvey, called. He would like to meet with you in person. He said the specific time is up to you.”

Zhao Zonglan replied, “Mm.”

Shen Jingni didn’t understand what they were talking about. She only felt that when Zhao Zonglan talked about work, his face turned cold and a bit intimidating. Secretary Gu really didn’t have it easy.

After Gu Qian left, Shen Jingni finally finished the bowl of porridge. She looked at the man smoking by the window and said in a crisp voice, “Zhao Zonglan, I’m going home tonight.”

“Otherwise, my parents will worry.”

She had told Madam Xu she would be back today.

Zhao Zonglan turned around, his dark eyes fixed on her, appearing somewhat displeased. “The traditional Chinese medicine doctor I invited from Yangzhou will be here later. Let him examine you.”

Traditional Chinese medicine? Yangzhou?

Oh, the one Rong Zaiyi recommended.

Shen Jingni’s delicate brows furrowed. With a sudden burst of temper, she slammed her chopsticks onto the table. “I’m not seeing any doctor. This is so annoying.”

“I want to go home.”

With a cold face, she stood up and walked away. Fortunately, she had just eaten something to replenish her energy, so she didn’t stumble. Soon, all that was left for him was the sight of her furious back.

Zhao Zonglan’s hand paused as he went to take a drag of his cigarette. He frowned and asked Chang An, “What is she angry about now?”

This little thing’s temper was growing; she actually dared to slam her chopsticks at him.

Chang An stammered, “…Perhaps, Miss Shen doesn’t like… traditional medicine?”

Wasn’t his boss making things difficult for him? As a single man, how was he supposed to know why?

Zhao Zonglan thought he must have spoiled her too much over the past two days. If he continued to indulge her like this, it wouldn’t be long before she was walking all over him. He could dote on her, but he couldn’t let her bad temper get out of hand.

Chang An kept his head low, terrified of being questioned further.

A moment later, he had no choice but to ask for instructions. “Do we need to send a car for Miss Shen?”

Zhao Zonglan took a puff of his cigarette, his expression indifferent. He turned to head upstairs. “Since she has such a big temper, let her find her own way.”

Why send a car? It would only spoil her.

Chang An fell silent for a moment before continuing, “But the weather forecast says it’s going to rain tonight, and the temperature is going to drop. Miss Shen’s health isn’t great to begin with. If she catches a cold…”

Zhao Zonglan’s handsome brows knitted together. Standing on the stairs, he exhaled a ring of smoke with a hint of irritation.

“Send a car to take her back.”

That little brat was truly a torment.