Chapter 10 The little thing is quite good at coaxing people.

Shen Jingni finally got home, but as soon as she entered the gate, she sensed that something was off.

It was eerily quiet.

Shen Zhuoyuan sat on the sofa in the hall, his face stern and silent.

The mother, Xu Ningwan, also looked worried.

Could it be that they know about the Wangjing Tower incident?

Shen Jingni tiptoed away, trying to slip away before they saw her, but Shen Zhuoyuan called her back.

"Miaomiao, we want to talk to you about something."

In front of Shen Jingni, Shen Zhuoyuan has always been a strict father figure.

To be precise, he was pushed out by Xu Ningwan to play the bad cop.

"What are we going to discuss?"

Shen Jingni was forced to sit on the sofa, anxiously observing everyone's expressions, her heart pounding in her chest.

Shen Zhuoyuan picked up the tea on the table, took a sip, and cleared his throat. "It's about your startup."

Shen Jingni breathed a sigh of relief.

"Miaomiao, you were sick the other day, and the doctor said you need to rest well."

“You’ve been physically weak since you were a child, and you can’t withstand all this hard work and toil every day.” He paused, his eyes sharp, “And I’ve checked your shop’s revenue for the past few months. The net profit isn’t much; it only adds up to a few million.”

"Fortunately, you haven't invested much yet, and you've already experienced entrepreneurship. Starting tomorrow, just stay home and stop messing around."

Shen Jingni naturally refused.

Her brows furrowed, her eyes blazing with anger. "No."

"Father, how can you go back on your word? You clearly agreed back then."

"Besides, it's normal to have low profits in the early stages of a business, and you have no right to interfere with my personal freedom."

Shen Jingni didn't want to stay at home every day, wasting her time and energy.

For the first twenty years of her life, she was well protected by her family, living a life of luxury and having everything she wanted. But she always felt like a glass doll trapped in a castle, without freedom or value.

Although she's busier with work these days, she feels it's very meaningful.

She doesn't find it hard to do what she loves, witness the beautiful moments of lovers finally getting married, and make money on the side.

Faced with Shen Jingni's strong protest, Shen's father felt somewhat guilty.

Actually, his daughter was right. He didn't know how to refute her, so he could only cast a pleading look at Xu Ningwan next to him.

Xu Ningwan glared at him.

She cursed him inwardly for being useless.

Shen Zhuoyuan coughed lightly and took a sip of tea reluctantly.

Xu Ningwan sat next to Shen Jingni.

She smiled gently, playing the emotional card, "Miaomiao, we're just worried about your health. It's not easy for a girl to work hard out there. What if you encounter some difficult people or situations and get bullied?"

That's quite a realistic statement.

Shen Jingni has recently been deeply moved by this.

But she felt she could handle it.

"Mom, no one is bullying me, you don't need to worry."

Xu Ningwan, always a loving mother, couldn't do anything about her. Suddenly noticing the red marks on her neck, she frowned and asked, "Miaomiao, what happened to your neck?"

Shen Jingni's heart jumped into her throat again. She subconsciously covered the marks on her neck and made up a lie: "I was bitten by an insect."

Shen Zhuoyuan also came over to look, his tone worried: "That bug wasn't poisonous, was it? Did you kill it?"

These two questions left her somewhat at a loss.

"No, it's not poisonous, I dare not hit it."

She wouldn't dare hit Zhao Zonglan.

Xu Ningwan glared at Chen Zhuoyuan, "What are you fighting about? Miaomiao has been afraid of bugs since she was little."

"Oh right, right, right."

Shen Jingni could only stand by and awkwardly laugh.

Fortunately, they didn't ask any further questions.

As for work, Shen Zhuoyuan's attitude was very firm, and he was also ruthless.

He said he wouldn't invest another penny in her company, that she should support herself, and that she could come back if she couldn't make it.

Of course, they would love for her to give up.

But Shen Jingni was full of fighting spirit and did not compromise in the slightest. "I will definitely persevere. I don't need your investment."

After learning about this, Chu You became even more afraid of being fired.

But she was still loyal and said, "Boss, if you have any difficulties, I can forgo my bonus this month."

bonus?

Shen Jingni sneered, "Your apology plan was completely useless, and you still want a bonus?"

"Huh? That can't be right, how could it be useless?"

"Those are all the most common and popular ways to pursue someone these days."

Shen Jingni sighed helplessly. What kind of assistant did she hire? He was too naive. "Zhao Zonglan is no longer a young man in his early twenties. Those things won't impress him at all."

Chu You: "So you won't be sending them anymore?"

"Hmm." Sending it again would be a waste of time.

Because Chu You is often absent-minded, Shen Jingni, as her boss, reminded her with concern: "We're going to Hong Kong for an auction the day after tomorrow. You'll be coming with me, so remember to book your plane tickets."

"Okay, boss."

-

Nine o'clock in the evening.

Zhao Zonglan emerged from Fenghua Palace accompanied by several senior executives.

Given his status and position, he would normally disdain social engagements, but since he had some free time today and was invited by Xie Chengsui, he came over.

But he usually doesn't stay out too late.

This was Zhao Zonglan's habit, and no one dared to break the rules.

The winter night was chilly, with a biting wind blowing.

Chang An handed the coat from his arm to Zhao Zonglan and whispered, "Sir, Miss Yue Ling has returned to the country, and... she brought a man with her."

Zhao Yueling is Zhao Zonglan's younger sister, and she is twenty-seven years old this year.

Spoiled by her family, she does nothing all day, plays around everywhere, and has never had a serious relationship, but she changes men frequently.

"Let her be." Zhao Zonglan didn't care.

As long as they don't cause trouble, they can squander money however they want; the Zhao family can afford it.

The night view of Beijing has always been bustling, and this is the busiest time of day.

A richly dressed lady carrying a cat walked past Zhao Zonglan.

The cat's fur was as white as snow. It was curled up in its owner's arms, with only its round head showing. Its sapphire-like eyes surveyed its surroundings. It was gentle and adorable.

Zhao Zonglan suddenly remembered someone.

But she was not as docile as she appeared.

She is definitely cute.

I really want to lock her up and bully her.

His eyes darkened, the baser instincts within him stirring, that familiar restlessness gradually eroding his nerves, and his craving for cigarettes kicked in.

"cigarette."

Upon hearing this, Chang An hurriedly handed over a cigarette, then found a lighter and bent down to light it.

Zhao Zonglan sat in the car, his sharply defined face half-lit and half-dark, his eyes unreadable.

He glanced at the lights outside the window, smoke curling between his fingers, nicotine filling his lungs, but it still couldn't suppress the restlessness.

"Chang'an, where's the letter?"

Chang An, sitting in the passenger seat, was stunned for a few seconds before he reacted.

He rummaged through his briefcase for a while before taking out a pink envelope and handing it to Zhao Zonglan. "This was sent by Miss Shen this morning. The other envelopes are in the storage room at Zijing Tanyuan."

Chang An silently broke out in a cold sweat.

I thought the gentleman wouldn't read it.

Luckily, I didn't throw it away.

Zhao Zonglan, with a cigarette between his fingers, slowly and deliberately opened the envelope.

There was a smiley face pasted on the envelope; it was very childish.

He unfolded the letter; the writing was handwritten, delicate yet powerful.

The whole thing seems illogical, just a bunch of pointless apologies, but... it's not entirely like that.

Zhao Zonglan stared at the letter for a moment, then let out a very low laugh.

Chang An found it somewhat unbelievable.

The gentleman actually smiled as he read Miss Shen's apology letter.

Just a few days ago he seemed very impatient.

What's wrong with me today?

As he was pondering this, he heard Zhao Zonglan order in a deep voice, "Go back and find all the other letters."

Chang An sat up straight and said, "Yes, sir."

Zhao Zonglan leaned back in his chair, the cigarette in his hand glowing faintly. He parted his thin lips slightly and exhaled thick smoke rings. The restlessness in his body lessened considerably, but it was replaced by a strange and inexplicable emotion.

May I be like a star and you like the moon, shining brightly together every night.

Oh.

The little thing is quite good at coaxing people.