Falling into the Capital's Radiance - Chapter 8

Over the next few days, Shen Jingni persistently sent things to Zhao Zonglan.

Of course, none of them were anything expensive.

For example, coffee, milk tea, flowers, peace amulets, tie clips, gloves, scarves…

It could be said she was attentive to every detail.

She had never apologized so earnestly in her life.

She was following Chu You’s plan to the letter.

Sometimes, when Zhao Zonglan wasn’t in Jing City, she would have someone deliver the items to Zijing Sandalwood Court, along with a daily apology letter-more punctual than clocking in at work.

Zhao Zonglan seemed to be playing along with her in this game.

At the very least, he didn’t have the items sent back.

On the weekend, Song Yu invited Shen Jingni to Fenghua Palace for some fun.

Recently, Fenghua Palace had welcomed a troupe of classical dancers-handsome men and beautiful women, and their performances were truly refreshing.

Unable to resist the temptation, Shen Jingni went along.

A few other friends from their circle joined them as well.

Jiang Zhan arrived first. Usually the carefree young master, today he had styled his hair and donned a suit, looking a bit more mature than usual.

When he saw Shen Jingni, he narcissistically flicked his hair. “Well, Jingni, how do I look today? Pretty handsome, right?”

They had known each other for years.

Shen Jingni knew what he was usually like-a cocky young master, rarely dressed so formally.

She eyed him suspiciously. “Are you going on a blind date today?”

Jiang Zhan snorted proudly. “Do I need a blind date? Don’t look down on me.”

Then he smiled meaningfully. “You’ll find out soon enough.”

Shen Jingni didn’t think much of it and couldn’t be bothered to ask. After watching the dance for a while, she got up to go to the restroom.

Song Yu was checking her phone while listening to Zhou Zhiyao and the others talk.

They were discussing Jiang Zhan’s plan to confess to Shen Jingni later.

“Confess?” Song Yu frowned, looking at Zhou Zhiyao. “You only asked me to invite Miaomiao out to have fun. You didn’t say Jiang Zhan was going to confess today!”

Song Yu felt she’d been tricked, her expression suddenly turning cold.

Zhou Zhiyao crouched in front of her, trying to placate her. “It’s not a bad thing. Jiang Zhan has always liked Shen Jingni. If they get together, it would be a happy event.”

“And besides, Shen Jingni has offended that Zhao Family member. Who knows, maybe one day the Shen Family will cease to exist. Jiang Zhan confessing at this critical moment proves he’s sincere.”

The young people in their circle had heard Qin Muhuan mention Shen Jingni offending Zhao Zonglan.

He was a tyrant, and Shen Jingni was bound to suffer.

At a time like this, Jiang Zhan’s willingness to stand by her was already rare.

Song Yu was a bit swayed by his words.

Zhou Zhiyao wasn’t wrong.

Miaomiao did need someone to protect her.

The Jiang Family was a good choice.

But if Zhao Zonglan really wanted to pursue the matter, how could just the Jiang Family protect her?

Because of the Wangjing Tower incident, Song Yu felt guilty toward Shen Jingni. If she hadn’t given the wrong information, Miaomiao wouldn’t have offended Zhao Zonglan.

Even if she was going to be confessed to, she deserved to know.

Thinking this, Song Yu took out her phone and sent Shen Jingni a text.

[Miaomiao, Jiang Zhan is going to confess to you later.]

Shen Jingni received the message just as she was leaving the restroom.

What?

Jiang Zhan had dressed up so formally today just to confess to her?

Although Shen Jingni had never lacked admirers since she was young, she didn’t have the courage to face such an unbearably awkward confession scene-it would instantly turn her into a social phobic, making her extremely uncomfortable.

Especially in a place like Fenghua Palace.

If she wasn’t careful, she’d be on entertainment news tomorrow.

Shen Jingni decided to make a run for it.

But just as she reached the main hall, she saw Jiang Zhan and a friend coming around the corner, apparently looking for her.

The next second, her phone rang.

It was Jiang Zhan calling. Shen Jingni didn’t answer and turned off her phone.

Seeing the two about to approach, she simply squatted down and hid behind a huge white porcelain vase over a meter tall.
In that vase, there was a large cluster of phoenix-tail kalanchoe, its branches and leaves lush and abundant. With her petite figure, unless someone looked closely, no one would have noticed her hiding there.

She had no idea how long she’d been concealed-long enough for her legs to go numb. Only then did Shen Jingni quietly poke her head out.

She looked around, but saw no sign of Jiang Zhan.

Instead, she saw…

Zhao Zonglan?!

He was tall and commanding, draped in a long black overcoat, with a matching suit underneath. His tie was fastened with meticulous precision, and his suit pants accentuated his long, powerful legs.

Several middle-aged businessmen followed behind him.

Someone tried to strike up a conversation, but he merely lowered his eyes and smoked, his expression cold and reserved, not even sparing them a glance.

Shen Jingni was so nervous she wanted to curl up into a ball.

For some reason, she didn’t want Zhao Zonglan to see her in such a disheveled state.

Really, what heiress would ever be caught sneaking behind a vase?

It was a little humiliating.

She kept silently chanting to herself: You can’t see me, you can’t see me…

But sometimes, the more you fear something, the more likely it is to happen.

“Miss Shen.”

Chang An’s gentle, even voice sounded above Shen Jingni’s head.

Shen Jingni lowered her head even further, covering her face with her hand, and pinched her voice as she said, “You’ve got the wrong person. My surname isn’t Shen.”

Chang An sighed silently and reminded her, “Mr. Zhao is coming over.”

Shen Jingni: “…”

Reluctantly, she lowered her hand from her face and shifted herself to the side.

Moments later, a pair of polished black leather shoes came into view.

“Get up.” His voice was low and deep, betraying no emotion.

Shen Jingni was mortified, but she had no choice but to brace herself and look up, only to see Zhao Zonglan gazing at her indifferently.

He occupied a high position, long versed in the circles of fame and fortune, exuding an innate nobility and the bearing of someone born to command.

He looked down at her, exerting a pressure that was hard to withstand.

Shen Jingni grimaced, bracing herself against the wall behind her as she slowly stood up.

But she had been squatting for too long, her legs numb, and she was wearing high heels. As she got up, she staggered and lost her balance, falling straight into the man’s arms.

Zhao Zonglan instinctively wrapped his arms around her waist.

The woody scent of his incense was truly intoxicating-crisp, mysterious, with a lingering, seductive undertone.

She was 165 centimeters tall, and even in high heels, she only reached his chest.

Not only was this man handsome, but his physique was also incredible.

He felt so comfortable to hold.

Shen Jingni’s thoughts grew bolder.

If only he could warm her bed…

She clutched his expensive suit, burying her face in his chest, mumbling an explanation: “My legs went numb.”

Zhao Zonglan said nothing.

Shen Jingni was about to pull away from his embrace when, out of the corner of her eye, she noticed that quite a few people had gathered behind him.

All of them were powerful figures in Beijing’s elite circle-some might even know her.

Help, how embarrassing!

Suddenly, she snuggled even closer into his arms, using one hand to pull his overcoat up to shield her face.

Oh, so she did know how to feel embarrassed after all.

A hint of amusement flickered in Zhao Zonglan’s eyes.

He turned to Chang An and said, “Have them wait for me in the private room.”

Chang An nodded and led the businessmen away.

Witnessing this scene, those men must have been surprised. Everyone said Mr. Zhao was indifferent to women, yet the one in his arms was clearly a delicate beauty.

It was just a pity they didn’t see her face.

But regret aside, they were all smart people. No one dared to say a word, much less spread it outside.

Sensing that the others had left, Shen Jingni finally let go of Zhao Zonglan’s overcoat.

But she didn’t move away.

“Haven’t had enough of hugging?” His voice was cool and clear as his large hand gripped her waist, pressing lightly but firmly through the fabric.

Shen Jingni’s waist trembled, her body growing even softer.

She looked up at him from his embrace, her peach blossom eyes shimmering with watery light, looking aggrieved. “Why is Mr. Zhao bullying me like this?”