Chapter 127 A Couple's Quarrel
Lu Fang answered the phone immediately, as if he had been waiting. Before Tan Zheng could speak, he said gloatingly, "Oh my, Sister-in-law's charm is incredible. Even the perpetually single Su Jingxi can't resist."
Tan Zheng narrowed his eyes, detecting a hint of something in his tone. "You can't handle Liang Qian, so you're looking for balance with me?"
Lu Fang: ...
"Brother Tan, you can't say that. The photos are very clear. Sister-in-law and Su Jingxi were chatting very happily."
Tan Zheng stared at the photos, hmphing with displeasure. He knew Song Ni well; the warmth in her eyes and the smile on her lips indeed indicated she was having a good time. What had he told her before he left? No flirting around. And now, as soon as he was gone, she was laughing and chatting with a male actor. Such a disobedient little thing, practically asking for a lesson!
Tan Zheng's mood plummeted. He had even considered their marital ties and decided to stay at the Linjiang Apartment upon his return.
"If I remember correctly, Sister-in-law's role also has some romantic scenes with Su Jingxi's character."
Tan Zheng: ...
Was this what Song Ni called a minor role? With no interest in listening to Lu Fang's nonsense anymore, Tan Zheng hung up. Just as he was about to call Song Ni, he received another call from Zhou Jin.
"Speak." His tone was icy, making it clear to anyone that he was on the verge of anger, let alone Zhou Jin, who had worked with Tan Zheng for years and knew him intimately.
Zhou Jin was taken aback for a moment, but his professional integrity compelled him to speak, albeit with a tremor in his voice. "The bodyguards called to say that Madam left the hotel around ten-thirty tonight, but she was disguised and managed to fool them. By the time they realized it, she had already gotten away. At eleven-fifty, Madam appeared at a snack stall on the street next to the hotel, buying a bucket of chuan chuan. She returned to the hotel just past twelve:05."
Tan Zheng's brows furrowed as he listened. "What are the people you hired doing?"
Zhou Jin's scalp tingled, and his throat felt dry. "They also didn't expect Madam to finish filming at ten and then go out again. Madam... it seems she deliberately shook off the bodyguards."
Tan Zheng walked to the window, gazing at the river, his brow unfurrowed. She finished work so late, yet she didn't rest. She deliberately shook off the bodyguards and her whereabouts were unknown. What could she have done in that hour plus?
"How was her mood when she returned?" The bodyguards Zhou Jin hired were professional and experienced, providing very detailed reports.
"Madam was in a very good mood and seemed to enjoy the chuan chuan very much."
Tan Zheng snorted. Of course, she would be in a good mood. He had been controlling her every move over there, and now that he was gone, she couldn't help herself. Still a little gluttonous.
"Alright, since she shook off the bodyguards, it means she doesn't want me to know. Maintain some distance. I want her to be safe and happy." Tan Zheng knew Song Ni didn't want bodyguards around her. Her stubbornness had made the Song family agree not to arrange bodyguards for over ten years. Her agreeing to his arrangement had already exceeded his expectations.
Hearing this, Zhou Jin felt it was an impossible task for the bodyguards. But what could be done? They could only be troubled, after all, they were being paid to do a job. "Understood."
After hanging up, Tan Zheng intended to call Song Ni directly. However, thinking that she had been busy somewhere late at night and still remembered to buy chuan chuan to eat, his fingers moved. For the first time, he used WeChat's video call.
When she received the video call, Song Ni had just returned to her room and was about to take another shower and rest. Seeing that it was Tan Zheng, she quickly took off her clothes, put on her pajamas, and then lay on the bed before answering. She pulled the quilt up to cover half her face, rubbed her eyes to make herself look groggy, and even feigned a yawn. "Why did you suddenly call me via video? You woke me up!" She deliberately softened her voice, her voice trailing off, acting as if she had truly been woken up, a mix of coquettishness and annoyance.
Tan Zheng raised an eyebrow and glanced at the time. It was just past twelve:ten. She should have only returned to her room recently. "Were you sleeping just now?"
Song Ni let out a soft "mmph." "Yes, I was almost asleep. You woke me up with your video call!"
Tan Zheng looked at the bright light still on in the room, contemplating whether to go along with the disobedient girl's lie or expose it. Although her feigned grogginess and soft voice did soften his heart a little, it couldn't quell his anger upon seeing the photos of her chatting happily with Su Jingxi and learning about their romantic scenes. "Hmm, I've slept with you for so long, and I didn't know you had a habit of sleeping with the lights on."
Song Ni: ...
She remembered to change her clothes, hide under the covers, and even make herself look groggy, but she forgot about turning off the light? What a blunder! Song Ni tugged at the quilt and took a deep breath, only to realize that Tan Zheng's expression clearly indicated he already knew she was faking sleep.
Song Ni rolled her eyes, her expression immediately turning sour. How could she have forgotten that Tan Zheng had arranged bodyguards for her? Although she had shaken them off, they would certainly know when she returned to the hotel. She figured the bodyguards must have already reported, so Song Ni threw off the quilt and decided to attack first. "I knew you had ulterior motives! Tan Zheng, you arranged bodyguards not to protect me! You're just monitoring me!"
Hearing this, Tan Zheng's face darkened instantly. He sneered. "Then tell me, what were you doing late at night after finishing work, shaking off your bodyguards?"
Song Ni had initially spoken out of anger and didn't mean anything by it, but hearing Tan Zheng's words, her temper flared. "Do you have the right to know what I'm doing? Do I have to tell you every little thing, like eating or taking a walk? Oh, wait, someone reports to you, so you don't need me to tell you."
Tan Zheng's expression grew even more displeased. "Song Ni." He called her name, his voice deep, clearly unhappy with Song Ni's words.
Song Ni, however, was furious. The thing she hated most in her life was being controlled. Previously, when Tan Zheng controlled her eating and drinking, she thought he was caring for her and considered it harmless. She had even agreed to his arrangement of bodyguards around her; these were all her concessions and compromises. But had Tan Zheng become too arrogant? How dare he question her whereabouts?
"Why are you shouting?! I get it now. You didn't call, and the rare video call is just to verify, right? You know when I got back to the room, and then you watched me pretend to sleep and act. Do you think I'm an idiot?"
The man frowned, watching Song Ni throw a tantrum. Annoyance gnawed at him. He pressed his tongue against his cheek, controlling his temper. "Song Ni, calm down." He called her name again, this time with increased emphasis, carrying an air of authority that even he himself didn't realize, attempting to use his presence to make Song Ni submit.
Song Ni sensed it, and her anger surged. "Don't treat me with the same demeanor you use to manage your subordinates. What right do you have? I won't fall for this!" With that, Song Ni directly hung up the phone.
She was simply too angry. How dare that scoundrel control where she went? Did she need to report her whereabouts to him? And with that attitude! Anyone would think she went out for a late-night affair, which was why he was so furious!
(End of this chapter)