Falling into the Capital's Radiance - Chapter 6

For Zhao Zonglan, there were almost no people who dared to offend him.

Or perhaps, those who had once spoken out of turn no longer existed.

She was bold-she had provoked him and then run off, only coming today to apologize.

A young girl like her really ought to be taught a lesson, to remember it well.

Shen Jingni had been well protected by her family and wasn’t adept at reading people’s minds.

But she could sense the man’s displeasure and the underlying danger.

She quietly lifted her eyes, sneaking a glance at Zhao Zonglan’s Adam’s apple.

How could she possibly forget?

That was her first time ever kissing a man on her own initiative.

Faced with such allure, she had simply made the same mistake any woman might make.

“Mr. Zhao, I didn’t…”

One couldn’t say it wasn’t intentional; she had done it on purpose-she just couldn’t help herself.

Shen Jingni gave an awkward smile, palms pressed together in front of her, her large, watery eyes pleading, “Please don’t be mad at me, all right?”

She did have a bit of experience when it came to coaxing people.

At home, her brother Shen Qingyan was often so angry with her that he would be fuming, but after a little coaxing from her, his temper would vanish without a trace.

Zhao Zonglan lounged lazily by the table, his long legs carelessly bent. He frowned slightly and picked up the lighter on the table, about to light a cigarette, when she suddenly leaned in, chin lifted with a surprising sense of resolve.

“Why don’t you bite me back?”

Her voice was soft and sweet, but her tone was firm.

She showed not a hint of fear, as if sure he wouldn’t really do it.

She was trying a little trick on him.

Zhao Zonglan looked at her, calm and unhurried.

His gaze landed on her beautiful swan-like neck, her skin as fair and delicate as porcelain, the faint pulse visible underneath.

His eyes darkened, an inexplicable heat stirring within him.

Suddenly, he grabbed the nape of her neck and pulled her close.

Shen Jingni was forced against him, her hands braced on his powerful chest.

Before she could even dodge, he had already lowered his head to her neck.

His voice was low and magnetic, filled with barely hidden desire and danger. “This is what you asked for.”

His warm, damp lips closed over the tender flesh near her pulse.

It wasn’t a gentle lick; rather, he sank his teeth in.

Shen Jingni whimpered in pain, tears welling up in her eyes.

It felt as if his sharp teeth were about to pierce her skin, pain spreading through her limbs, his burning breath threatening to melt her.

She clutched his shirt tightly, her lips trembling from the pain.

“Zhao Zonglan, it really hurts~”

It was the first time she’d called him by his name.

Her voice was soft and pleading, almost coquettish, nearly begging for mercy.

Zhao Zonglan pulled back a little and looked at her.

The young girl’s eyes were already brimming with tears, looking utterly pitiful.

A fresh crimson bite bloomed on her pale neck, as if ready to bleed.

Shen Jingni touched the place where she’d been bitten, gasping at the pain.

She had miscalculated.

She thought he wouldn’t actually go through with it.

How could a man of his status truly bite her?

He really was, as the rumors said, a mercurial tyrant.

“Now that you’ve bitten me back, can we call it even?”

Even at this moment, she still hadn’t forgotten to bargain with him.

Her clear, bright eyes, still misty with unshed tears, stared at him without blinking.

Zhao Zonglan tilted his head, lit a cigarette, and sneered, “Even?”

“Is this how the Shen Family taught you to apologize?”

At the mention of the Shen Family, Shen Jingni’s heart instantly filled with alarm!

Was he really planning to go after the Shen Family?

Even a hundred Shen Families wouldn’t be enough for him to toy with.

She told herself to stay calm.

Shen Jingni lowered her head, hands awkwardly clasped in front of her, pretending to be pitiful and helpless. “Then what do you want me to do?”
Her neck still hurt.

She hadn’t even asked him to take responsibility.

The mighty head of the Zhao Family, yet so stingy.

Making things difficult for a young girl like her.

Zhao Zonglan watched her performance with calm, deep eyes.

He was smoking, jaw slightly lifted, exhaling a faint haze, his Adam’s apple moving, “Since it’s an apology, Miss Shen, you should show a little sincerity.”

Sincerity?

Shen Jingni was a bit confused.

She didn’t quite know what exactly this sincerity referred to.

Just then, Chang An came in to report: “Sir, Young Master Rong has sent someone to deliver the apology gifts.”

Zhao Zonglan had little interest in these worldly possessions.

If others sent them, he just accepted them.

Have someone appraise their value, to make future reciprocation easier.

This was always Chang An’s job; Zhao Zonglan rarely bothered about it.

Seeing Shen Jingni’s bewildered face, still troubled over this so-called sincerity,

Zhao Zonglan, for once, took an interest and asked indifferently, “What did they send?”

Even Chang An was taken aback for a moment.

Sir had never asked about these things before; what was different today…

As a diligent and responsible assistant, Chang An produced the list of gifts he’d just received and read from it: “A flawless vivid blue diamond necklace, a Ming dynasty Hetian white jade carved hairpin, a Qianlong imperial gilded revolving vase, the Lambert residence in Paris… and some rare collectible liquors that can’t be bought on the market.”

Listening to Chang An recite the list, Shen Jingni unconsciously widened her eyes.

You’ve got to be kidding.

Any one of these items alone would be worth over ten million.

And they sent so many.

As expected, someone like Zhao Zonglan-a top-tier capitalist-was from a completely different world than hers.

She was still hustling to earn a few million, while for him, a single gift haul was worth several hundred million.

Wait, was the sincerity he just mentioned referring to this?

Oh god, where could she possibly get that kind of money?

Shen Jingni, with no hesitation, decided to bow for five pecks of rice.

“Mr. Zhao, I think sincerity isn’t something that can be measured by money.”

Mainly because she didn’t have any.

Zhao Zonglan looked up at her with an indifferent expression, waiting for her to continue.

“In my opinion, sincerity is about showing one’s attitude, and attitude, well, depends on whether one is truly genuine…”

Her moist lips opened and closed as she rambled on, but none of it touched the point.

Zhao Zonglan’s patience was wearing thin.

Fortunately, she finally finished.

That flawless little face lifted into a dazzling smile as she looked at him, trying to please, “Give me some time, and you’ll see my sincerity.”

“And if I don’t?” Zhao Zonglan’s tone was icy.

“Then… I’ll leave it up to you to decide.”

Honestly, Shen Jingni herself felt uncertain.

For now, stalling was better than not stalling at all.

Zhao Zonglan was too dangerous; she could only try to placate him first.

“Chang An, see Miss Shen out.”

Zhao Zonglan gave the order in a deep voice, as if accepting her proposal.

He was bored anyway, and didn’t mind playing along with her for a while.

As for the outcome-

He would decide.

Shen Jingni followed Chang An out, but after a few steps, suddenly remembered something and hurried back.

“Mr. Zhao.”

She leaned against the doorframe, only her head poking in, her smile bright and her eyes darting about a little, somewhat embarrassed to speak.

“Um, about the plum blossom pastries-could I take some home?”

Like a child begging for candy.

Awkward, yet adorable.

Zhao Zonglan nodded.

He watched her smile bloom even wider, like warm sunlight on snowy days, pure and innocent.

Having gotten what she wanted, Shen Jingni naturally became sweeter, “I knew you were a good person.”

Zhao Zonglan took a drag on his cigarette, letting out a low, cold laugh.

He was no such thing.