Chapter 42 It's not like he can't spoil her.

The next day, videos of the grand fireworks show went viral online.

Most netizens' guesses are similar to those of Shen's parents; some say it's to coax a child, while others say it's to make his girlfriend happy.

But what exactly the motive was, only the parties involved probably know.

Today is New Year's Day.

Just as Tang Shu said, these scions of prominent families would always return to their old family home for meals during festivals whenever they were in the capital. It was a family tradition and a way of showing human warmth.

Zhao Zonglan still returned late.

When he arrived, Xie Yunfan instructed the servants to serve the dishes.

Zhao Siyuan is back today too.

Logically speaking, he should still be in Shanghai and cannot return to Beijing without Zhao Zonglan's permission.

But Zhao Siyuan's mother said she missed her son and that it was pitiful for him to spend the holiday alone away from home, so she wanted him to come back for a meal.

Out of respect for his cousin and his wife, Zhao Zonglan reluctantly nodded.

Although he could only stay for a day or two, Zhao Siyuan was satisfied.

He picked up his wine glass and came over to toast Zhao Zonglan, saying, "Thank you, Uncle. I'd like to offer you a toast."

Zhao Zonglan has been feeling troubled these past few days.

Seeing Zhao Siyuan reminded me of that batch of Song brocade.

The trigger for Shen Jingni's argument with him.

Zhao Zonglan leaned back in the armchair with a relaxed posture, glancing up at him.

He didn't speak, nor did he touch his wine glass.

With just a single, indifferent glance, Zhao Siyuan suddenly felt a chill run down his spine.

My uncle seems unhappy.

Although Zhao Siyuan had doubts, he dared not ask. He simply drank the wine in his cup with trepidation and hurriedly returned to his seat.

Xie Yunfan noticed it too.

Although she didn't know Zhao Zonglan very well, she could feel the oppressive aura emanating from him that had lingered since she stepped into the old house.

Between those deep-set eyes, there was a hint of weariness.

After lunch, Zhao Zonglan stood under the cedar tree in the courtyard smoking, while Zhao Tian sat on a small stone stool next to him, concentrating on painting.

A scene of tranquility and peace.

The cedar trees in this courtyard are quite old, with strong branches and dense foliage. Even with a thin layer of snow pressing down on the top of the canopy, they still remain verdant and upright, and the air is filled with the unique cool scent of pine.

Xie Yunfan walked to Zhao Zonglan's side, her voice gentle but with a hint of worry: "Chang An said that you've been smoking a lot these past few days and your sleep doesn't seem to be good either. Is something bothering you?"

Although Zhao Zonglan smoked and drank, he always kept to a certain standard.

His self-control meant he never allowed himself to lose control.

Having been by Zhao Zonglan's side for a long time, Chang An was able to notice some clues and guess the reason, but he dared not presume to know his master's thoughts.

When Xie Yunfan asked, he could only answer honestly.

"No."

Zhao Zonglan lowered his eyes and spoke in a very indifferent tone.

Xie Yunfan knew he didn't want to say more. "If it's because of work, it's fine to take a break for a while. Everyone under you is capable, and nothing will go wrong."

Such a heavy burden on one person will eventually lead to exhaustion.

Zhao Zonglan knew that Xie Yunfan was worried about him.

He took a drag of his cigarette, glanced at the drawing board in Zhao Tian's hand, and casually replied, "Hmm."

Xie Yunfan then said nothing more.

Her son is too deep in thought; even his family can't figure out what he's thinking.

Fortunately, he can regulate his emotions and is not easily swayed by them.

After Xie Yunfan left, Zhao Zonglan went closer to look at Zhao Zhen's painting.

He drew his family's chubby white cat, dressed in a delicate plush outfit with a little bell around its neck, and now he's adding a knitted hat to it...

Zhao Zonglan found it amusing, "Why draw it so intricately?"

A bunch of random things were added.

Who draws like that?

Zhao Tian continued working, answering innocently and directly: "Because I want to be good to it."

A young person who has never experienced the ways of the world has a pure and simple heart, without any ulterior motives.

Because I wanted to, I did it.

The reason is very simple.

Zhao Zonglan paused for a moment, his hand holding the cigarette twitching slightly.

The problem that had been troubling him for days seemed to have found its answer in an instant.

He also has a cat.

However, we've only just started raising them.

Beautiful cats all have tempers, but he can treat her well, raise her to be obedient and beautiful, and let her be a little spoiled and demanding. What does it matter? He can afford to pamper her.

Just like children do with their beloved Barbie dolls, they dress them up in all sorts of pretty clothes and accessories, doing their best to adorn them.

She was throwing a tantrum at him because, in the end, it was because he wasn't good enough to her.

If things were any better, they might become well-behaved, wouldn't they?

Zhao Zonglan stubbed out his cigarette and told Chang An to get the car.

-

Tomorrow is the anniversary of Shen Jingni's maternal grandfather's death, and her family will drive there this afternoon.

Shen Jingni didn't want to ride in the same car as her parents.

She decided to drive there herself, and called Chu You over so they could take turns driving and not get too tired.

Young girls usually need to dress up nicely before going out, but Chen Jingni is the type to dawdle.

Seeing that it was getting late, Xu Ningwan urged her several times, "Miaomiao, hurry up, it's not safe to drive on the highway after dark."

Shen Jingni was drying her hair at the moment. "You and Lao Shen go first, we'll be right there."

The word "immediately" that she used cannot be trusted.

Xu Ningwan didn't urge her anymore. "Okay, your dad and I will go first. Take care on your way."

"knew."

When Xu Ningwan came downstairs, she saw Shen Zhuoyuan holding his phone, his expression somewhat serious.

"What's wrong?"

"Old Fang just told me that President Lin is in trouble. I don't know which big shot he offended. They had dinner together a few days ago. Oh, and our Miaomiao was there too."

Xu Ningwan looked worried and her face was serious.

Things change every day in this industry; anything can happen, especially in business.

Knowing that she was worried about her daughter, Shen Zhuoyuan reassured her, "But our Miaomiao's little workshop shouldn't be able to touch anyone's business. At most, she'll just bicker with that girl from the Qin family."

Xu Ningwan: "That's true."

About an hour after her parents left, as night fell, Shen Jingni finally dawdled out of the house.

She was dressed warmly, in a light blue down jacket, with a fluffy scarf and a pair of warm boots.

Chu You was helping Shen Jingni carry her things when she asked her somewhat reluctantly, "Boss, are we really going to give up the title sponsorship of that competition?"

"Mr. Zhao is really not going to help us?"

Shen Jingni got angry as soon as she heard the name Mr. Zhao.

She warned Chu You, "Don't mention Zhao Zonglan in front of me again. If you do, I'll deduct a thousand from your pay."

"He's a jerk."

Upon hearing the mention of having her salary deducted, Chu You immediately shut up, climbed into the driver's seat of the Audi, and obediently became a mute driver.

Zhao Zonglan originally intended to come and see her.

But then I heard these words again.

See? He's just a heartless little rascal.

Chang An nervously gripped the steering wheel, barely daring to breathe in the car.

Miss Shen actually called Mr. Shen a nasty jerk.

He glanced sideways at Zhao Zonglan in the back seat.

But then I saw him leisurely lighting a cigarette, exhaling grayish-white smoke, his eyes half-closed, as if he was amused by something.

After a long while, Chang'an finally heard him say—

"I called the organizers of the Shanghai Designers Competition in my own name, and they said that the exclusive title sponsorship rights could only be given to Shen Jingni."