Chapter 38 Shen Jingni, Say You Miss Me

After leaving Fukuzawa Temple, on the way back, the Maybach drove smoothly and steadily, and the interior was as quiet as if it were frozen.

Zhao Zonglan leaned back in his chair, closing his eyes to rest.

Grandma Zhao twirled the Buddhist prayer beads in her hand and looked at him with a kind expression. "When I went to the main hall to burn incense just now, I saw a little girl. She was very pretty and had a bright spirit. She would probably be your type."

"It's a pity that she didn't seek marriage, only wealth."

Zhao Zonglan didn't look up; his expression was indifferent.

The old lady was pressuring him to get married, and it was common for her to nag and hint at it occasionally.

But to my surprise, she started praising a stranger today.

What kind of person do you like?

He couldn't help but think of someone who was both spoiled and pretentious, but also amusing.

Zhao Zonglan parted his thin lips slightly, his tone indifferent: "Since you know what kind of person I like, why do you want to match me up with Rong San?"

"If you hadn't lied to me and said I was all alone today, I wouldn't have come."

Grandma Zhao chuckled softly, knowing he was angry, and then spoke frankly: "Rong Zaiyi is a capable woman, somewhat similar to your mother."

"She is fit to be the matriarch of the Zhao family and is suitable to manage the household."

Ultimately, the old lady wasn't attracted to Rong Zaiyi as a person, but rather to her abilities.

She was weighing her options.

The Zhao family eventually needs a capable female head of the household, and Rong Zaiyi is currently the best candidate.

Of course, if there is someone more outstanding than her, then we can choose someone else.

Zhao Zonglan then opened his eyes and calmly called out to her, "Grandmother."

“The future matriarch of the Zhao family can only be the person I love, and even you cannot change that.”

"And she is free."

He wouldn't burden her with heavy family responsibilities, nor would he confine her to the mundane affairs of the inner quarters; she could do whatever she wanted.

As long as you don't leave him.

Hearing him say that, the old lady paused in her hand that was holding the prayer beads.

She knew very well that no one could control Zhao Zonglan now.

Only this bond between grandfather and grandson could elicit even a sliver of his pity.

"Sigh," the old lady sighed, and said helplessly, "Where is your beloved? Do you want me to watch you get married from heaven?"

She's an old woman, she doesn't have many years left to live.

He can't die without seeing his granddaughter-in-law.

Zhao Zonglan closed his eyes again, stroking the ring on his hand, his voice low and resolute.

She will appear.

-

Shen Jingni and Xu Ningwan went shopping in the afternoon and bought a lot of things.

However, she wasn't in a very good mood today.

While shopping is fun, I sometimes think back to what I saw at Fukuzawa Temple when I'm quiet.

As Song Yu had mentioned before, the old lady of the Zhao family liked Rong Zaiyi very much and intended to match her with Zhao Zonglan.

Although the Rong family is not as famous as the Zhao family, it is still a prestigious family with hundreds of years of foundation and heritage, so it can be considered a good match.

Shen Jingni felt that something was off about her.

Didn't we agree that we would each get what we needed? Why are you still bothered by this?

That's not right.

If Zhao Zonglan really started dating Rong Zaiyi, she should be happy.

That way she'll be free.

She wasn't initially his girlfriend willingly.

But that's not right either.

If he really gets together with someone else, will he still spend money on her and be her support?

Definitely not. Zhao Zonglan is a capitalist, not a sucker.

Wouldn't she be at a huge loss?

Shen Jingni, who had always been carefree, was torn between these two emotions, and became listless, barely eating dinner.

She took a bath, changed into her pajamas, and lay in bed, ready to open Douyin (TikTok) to check out some pretty boys with suggestive content.

I had just opened the app when I received a call from Zhao Zonglan.

His voice on the other end of the phone was deep and magnetic, "Come out."

Um?

Shen Jingni stood at the bedroom window and looked down. She could vaguely see a Maybach parked across from the Shen family villa.

What is he doing here?

Filled with doubt, Shen Jingni grabbed a fleece coat, put it on, and went downstairs.

Xu Ningwan was pouring water when she saw Miaomiao come downstairs and asked, "Miaomiao, where are you going so late at night?"

Shen Jingni casually made up a lie, "I ate a bit too much tonight, so I'm going out to digest. I'll be back soon."

Xu Ningwan frowned.

Eating too much? Trying to aid digestion?

This child barely ate any food for dinner.

Oh dear, could it be that his stomach is acting up again?

Xu Ningwan thought that she would have to take Miaomiao to the hospital for a check-up another day.

-

Zhao Zonglan didn't bring a driver today, nor did he have Chang An come with him; he drove himself.

Ever since Fukuzawa-ji Temple, he had felt a void in his heart, a subtle sense of loss mixed with a certain bitterness. As time went by, that empty hole grew wider and wider.

I want to see her.

During the day, things were alright, as he had a lot of busy work to do and could barely control himself. But once night fell, these thoughts began to grow and entwine like vines, overriding all his reason.

Zhao Zonglan also realized that he had lost his mind.

He rolled down the car window and smoked a cigarette, looking somewhat agitated.

Shen Jingni wore a pair of thick-soled, fluffy slippers. The shoes were warm, but a bit heavy, so she walked slowly.

From a distance, you could see that the driver's side window of the Maybach was open.

The man's hand rested on the windowsill, his fingers clearly defined, a cold white, with a slender cigarette between them, the scarlet flame flickering dimly in the darkness. His long middle finger lightly touched the cigarette, and the ash fell in a soft rustling sound.

As Shen Jingni approached, she saw that half of his face was hidden in shadow, and his high nose and handsome jaw were tinged with a warm color by the streetlight.

What brings you here?

I drove the car myself.

Zhao Zonglan slowly took a drag of his cigarette and calmly said, "Get in the car."

Shen Jingni opened the passenger door and hesitated before getting in. "I can't stay out for too long, or my family will worry."

And she was just wearing pajamas.

Zhao Zonglan stubbed out his cigarette, his intense gaze fixed on her.

Her face was fair and delicate, and her originally slender body was wrapped in fluffy fur, which made her face look even more delicate and smaller.

He leaned down and kissed her.

Very fierce, very forceful.

This caught Shen Jingni completely off guard.

She sobbed and tried to escape, but he grabbed her chin and kissed her even more fiercely.

The girl's light, sweet scent intoxicated him, and the moment he touched her, the indescribable emptiness in Zhao Zonglan's heart was filled.

But that's not enough.

He pressed his forehead against hers, his breath hot: "Shen Jingni, tell her you miss me."

Shen Jingni blinked, finding him rather strange.

"We just met yesterday." They even kissed for a long time.

It's only one day, what's there to think about?

Zhao Zonglan lowered his head and bit her, his eyes turning cold. "So all that talk about missing me before was a lie?"

Shen Jingni felt guilty.

Of course it's fake.

He's asking a question he already knows the answer to.

She was just saying those sweet words to secure the naming rights.

Besides, she wasn't happy today and didn't want to comfort him.

Seeing that she was unwilling to speak, Zhao Zonglan's face darkened, and he suddenly lowered his head and bit the snow-white goose neck.

Shen Jingni whimpered in pain and punched him a few times with her fists, but his chest was hard. It was like throwing an egg against a rock through his suit and shirt. Her hands turned red.

Capitalists will not give up until they achieve their goals.

In the end, she gave in and cried out, "Waaah... I miss you."

His volatile temper vanished so easily because of those two simple words from her.

Zhao Zonglan concealed the gloom in his eyes, relaxed his grip, and gently licked that delicate skin with the tip of his tongue, silently coaxing her.

"It itches." Shen Jingni shrank her neck to avoid him, angrily cursing him: "Zhao Zonglan, are you a dog, biting and licking me?"

So annoying.

Not only is his temperament unpredictable, but he also likes to bite her.

What else could it be but a dog?

Zhao Zonglan frowned, somewhat displeased, but ultimately didn't bother her any further.

Let them scold you; it's normal for kids to have a temper.

He stepped back slightly, his palm touching her soft face, and asked, "You turned down my invitation, did you enjoy shopping today?"

Shen Jingni didn't expect him to ask this suddenly.

Sure enough, the old man held a grudge because of this.

Shen Jingni has never been good at hiding her emotions since she was a child.

She wasn't very happy.

It wasn't because of shopping.

With her eyelashes lowered, she said softly, "It's okay, just a little tired."

Zhao Zonglan's warm fingers pinched her small earlobe, his eyes deep, "That means you're unhappy."

Shen Jingni felt her ears gradually getting warm again.

In this enclosed space, his deep voice sounded particularly pleasant, and his aura was also enticing to her.

I can't stay here any longer.

"No," she denied casually, frowning as she said, "I've been out for quite a while, I have to go back."

After saying that, he got up and was about to leave.

However, Zhao Zonglan grabbed her wrist, forcing her to sit back down.

She asked gruffly and impatiently, "What do you want?"

The next second, a check was placed in her hand.

A full 100 million.

"I'll reimburse you."

Zhao Zonglan said in a nonchalant tone, "Cheer up, Shen Jingni."

Shen Jingni was temporarily bought off by money.

She smiled, a beautiful curve forming on her lips. "Mr. Zhao is truly generous."

Why not take advantage of a free lunch?

Zhao Zonglan's eyes darkened.

He leaned closer, his tone dangerous and sinister, "What did you call me?"

Shen Jingni was a little scared and called out softly, "Brother."

But this "brother" only resulted in even more intense bullying from him.