Falling into the Capital's Radiance - Chapter 9

She wore a delicately textured white coat, which gleamed softly under the lights and made her already fair skin appear even more beautiful, like warm, pure jade. Around her cuffs was a band of fluffy silver fox fur, adding a touch of gentle allure. Her lips were naturally rosy, now slightly pursed, like a newly blossomed rose.

It was rare to see both innocence and seduction coexist in one person.

But she was exactly that.

His gaze fell on her slender, fair neck. The bite mark from before had faded, leaving only a faint red trace.

Strangely beautiful.

Zhao Zonglan stared at her delicate and innocent face, his eyes shadowed, and curled his thin lips. “Bully you?”

He seemed to have heard an amusing word.

His warm fingers lifted her chin. The man’s jet-black eyes fixed on her for a few seconds, then he lowered his head and kissed her hard.

The kiss carried a burning heat as it landed on Shen Jingni’s slender, fragile neck.

Different from the fierce bite last time.

Nor was it a simple kiss.

His moist, hot lips sucked and rubbed forcefully at the tender flesh of her neck, as if he wanted to imprint an indelible mark through that thin skin, deep into her bones and blood.

It tickled, a slight pain, scratching at the heart.

She shivered all over, a faint blush spreading over her porcelain skin.

Shen Jingni couldn’t help but let out a soft whimper, her body instinctively shrinking back, trying to avoid him, but he held her waist firmly, leaving her no room to move.

She struggled, her voice sweet and soft. “Zhao Zonglan, someone’s here~”

At times like this, she would obediently call his name.

Her voice was gentle, delicate, sweetly seductive.

It made him want to bully her even more.

Zhao Zonglan ignored her and kissed her even more fiercely.

No one knew how much time passed before he finally let her go, lowering his eyes to look at her fair skin, where the distinct, glaring mark of his kiss stood out like a red plum blossom on snow, breathtakingly alluring.

The man’s hot fingertips slowly traced the mark, suppressing the surging desire in his eyes. His voice was hoarse. “This is what it means to bully.”

Though in truth, that wasn’t quite right.

If he really wanted to bully her, she wouldn’t even be able to step out the door.

Shen Jingni’s cheeks were flushed, her head lowered shyly, not wanting anyone else to see.

She should have checked the almanac before going out today.

Nothing good ever came from running into him.

This man must have some dog in him.

“Don’t bully me.” She clutched his suit jacket with one hand, looking up at him with aggrieved eyes.

Shen Jingni was yielding to him.

After all, a man like Zhao Zonglan only responded to softness, not force.

She didn’t want to argue with him, much less provoke his anger.

Zhao Zonglan narrowed his eyes slightly.

He hadn’t expected her to be so obedient.

But this softness was clearly just an act.

He said nothing, his gaze calm as he watched her put on the show.

Being stared at made Shen Jingni uncomfortable, so she looked away and fixed her eyes on his tie, gently changing the subject in a coquettish tone: “Aren’t you wearing the tie clip I gave you?”

“No.”

Zhao Zonglan raised his hand to light a cigarette, his features deep and cold.

It seemed he didn’t care at all about what she’d given him.

Shen Jingni let out a small disappointed “oh” and asked again, “Did you read my apology letter?”

Those apology letters-so many words that her hand ached from copying them.

Meeting her hopeful gaze, Zhao Zonglan replied in a flat tone, “Miss Shen, I’m not that idle.”
Look, look, this is what a cold and ruthless capitalist looks like.

Shen Jingni took a deep breath, forcing herself to stay calm.

She knew Chu You’s method wouldn’t work.

Sigh, since he doesn’t read them, she won’t write anymore in the future, though she can’t even remember what she wrote.

“Oh.” She drooped her head, her cheeks puffed out slightly, looking a bit discouraged.

Like a pitiful little puppy.

Zhao Zonglan, rarely moved by sympathy, asked her, “Why are you hiding here?”

If she was in trouble, he might just help her out.

How could Shen Jingni admit to being confessed to in public? She just made something up: “I-I’m hiding from the alcohol.”

Seeing her shifty eyes, Zhao Zonglan knew she was lying.

He had no interest in pressing further, nor did he expose her. He turned his back to her, his tone stern: “Miss Shen, my patience is limited.”

Shen Jingni was stunned for a moment. By the time she came to her senses, the man had already left.

Watching Zhao Zonglan’s cold and imposing back, a chill suddenly rose in her heart.

He was warning her.

Her actions these past few days had not satisfied him.

Shen Jingni felt a bit exhausted.

This man was truly hard to please.

It was just a bite, it’s not like she slept with him.

When Xie Chengsui arrived, he happened to see Zhao Zonglan kissing a girl.

?!

For a moment, he wondered if he’d been too wild last night, hadn’t slept well, and was hallucinating.

His cousin had always kept his distance from women, let alone being so intimate with a beauty in public.

As the head of the Zhao Family, his long-standing bachelorhood was a headache for the elders at home.

His aunt had tried to arrange matches with many talented and beautiful ladies from prestigious families, but he hadn’t spared any of them a glance.

Yet in this world, no one dared to force Zhao Zonglan.

The poor old lady and aunt of the Zhao Family could only burn incense and pray to Buddha every day, hoping the tyrant would soon meet his destined one.

But fate is unpredictable.

Xie Chengsui couldn’t believe his eyes. He turned to his assistant, Guang Lin, and asked, “That’s my fifth cousin Zhao Zonglan, right?”

Guang Lin looked ahead, then nodded solemnly. “Yes.”

“Heh.” Xie Chengsui let out a low chuckle, clamping the cigarette between his lips.

An iron tree finally blooming-this was a good thing.

But from a distance, Xie Chengsui could only make out the girl’s graceful figure and skin as fair as snow, unable to see her face clearly.

He wanted to get closer for a better look, but before he could, the two had already parted after just a few words.

With one hand in his suit pocket, he walked over to greet Zhao Zonglan, his steps lazy.

“Who was that young lady?”

As both cousins and friends, Xie Chengsui asked directly.

The cigarette between Zhao Zonglan’s fingers was already more than half burned. A meaningful smile appeared in his deep, unfathomable eyes. “A silly cat.”

That description… Xie Chengsui raised an eyebrow.

Clearly, the tyrant was in a pretty good mood.

Before he could gossip further, Zhao Zonglan’s calm voice sounded: “Have your people copy the surveillance footage from this area and delete the original.”

His voice was steady, yet carried an undeniable chill and authority.

Xie Chengsui was slightly taken aback, then replied, “Alright.”

The corners of his mouth lifted in a sly smile.

Now this was getting interesting.