Chapter 9 How Could a Man Be So Strikingly Handsome
Friday’s blind date wasn't just for Tan Zheng and Song Ni; Mrs. Song and Mrs. Tan also planned to meet and talk. Therefore, when Song Ni suggested Tan Zheng pick her up from school, both mothers were somewhat surprised. Mrs. Song even called to inquire in detail, afraid Song Ni was trying to run away or play some trick. Mrs. Tan, however, had gotten up early and rushed to Tan Zheng’s place. Tan Zheng, who had been busy until three in the morning, woke up to find his mother already sitting in the living room, with tea prepared. Tan Zheng found it amusing. “Mom, are you afraid I’ll run away?” Mrs. Tan put down her cup, looking at Tan Zheng’s messy hair, her brow furrowed. “If I don’t come, what strange clothes will you wear again?” Tan Zheng paused his drinking, tugging at his lips. His mother always thought he was still playing race cars like years ago. Feeling annoyed, he subconsciously reached for his pocket. Mrs. Tan, being observant, noticed his movement and put down her teacup with a thud. “You’re still smoking all the time?” Tan Zheng: ……. “You know smoking is bad for your health, don’t you? Your father quit years ago!” Tan Zheng ran his hand through his hair haphazardly, taking a deep breath to suppress his restlessness. “That nice young lady is so well-behaved; she won’t be able to stand the smell of smoke.” Mrs. Tan had calculated carefully. She could only persuade the elders in the family to quit smoking; this younger one would be left to the future daughter-in-law. Hearing this, Tan Zheng suddenly recalled the image of the “well-behaved” young lady his mother mentioned, who had swung a placard at a grown man’s head. He chuckled. “Aren’t you afraid your son’s wildness will scare that young lady away?” Mrs. Tan’s brow furrowed at first, then relaxed. “You’re not that far gone. I know my son. He just likes dangerous things, and he lives a bit rough. But what can be done? He’s been like this since his father’s generation.” “Hurry up and change into some decent clothes. You’ll be picking up Nini from school later.” Tan Zheng raised an eyebrow; he didn’t find it troublesome. Since agreeing to his mother’s blind date suggestion that day, he had mentally prepared himself. Xing University was one of the top universities in Xingcheng, located in the bustling university town, with several entrances. Tan Zheng drove to the south gate and then called the number his mother had sent him. The person on the other end was busy. Song Ni was on the phone with Qin Yang, who had specifically called to encourage her upon hearing about the blind date scheduled for that afternoon. “Baby, go, go, go! Take down God Tan in one go! I’ll get to bask in your glory!” Song Ni raised an eyebrow. “When did I say I was going to take him down?” Qin Yang on the other end scoffed confidently. “I know you. If you had no interest in God Tan, why would the eldest daughter of the Song family obediently go on a blind date?” Song Ni, while appearing docile, was very opinionated. No one could force her to do something she didn’t want to. Hearing Qin Yang’s words, Song Ni hooked her lips and didn’t object. She was indeed curious about Tan Zheng. As for whether she wanted to take him down… she would have to see. The moment the call ended, her phone rang again. Song Ni looked at the screen displaying an unknown number, her hand instinctively tightening. After all, it was the first time meeting such a man, and nervousness was unavoidable. As soon as she answered, the voice on the other end was direct. “I’m at the South Gate.” The voice was still low and husky, carrying an electric charge through the phone. Song Ni held the phone a little further away and pinched her earlobe. She recognized the gravelly quality in the man’s voice, likely from having smoked recently. “I’m at the North Gate.” The other end was silent for a moment. Song Ni thought he hadn’t heard her clearly and was about to repeat herself when a very brief laugh came from the other end. “Wait.” The call was hung up. Song Ni looked at her phone screen, frowning with a hint of displeasure. That laugh reminded her of how she had fallen flat on her face that day. If she remembered correctly, Tan Zheng had also laughed then. Although Tan Zheng might not have known who she was that day, he would surely recognize her when they met. The thought of her embarrassment that day made Song Ni’s head ache. The campus on Friday seemed more vibrant than usual. Song Ni stood under a tree by the school entrance, watching people come and go, lost in thought. She had always felt that her youthful and energetic campus life didn’t quite match her. It was better in high school, but this feeling intensified in university. As a result, she hadn’t made many friends at school. However, with Qin Yang and Cheng Ling by her side, she didn’t feel lonely. Human interaction depended on social circles and fate. She had once harbored a desire to integrate, but gave up within a month or two. So, after seven years at this school, she only felt familiarity, nothing more. The school was large, but it only took about ten minutes to drive across. Moreover, Tan Zheng drove directly through the campus, so Song Ni didn’t have to wait too long. When the car stopped in front of her, Song Ni’s scattered thoughts returned. She casually looked up and appraised it. It was a black urban SUV, its paint glinting under the sun, making it more striking. It was clean, and the reflection seemed to make the otherwise mild weather appear brighter. Song Ni thought Tan Zheng was quite particular. Whether the car was always kept this way or had been specially cleaned before he came, it was a pleasing sight. Song Ni suddenly tugged at the corner of her lips and smiled. She seemed to always notice strange details. The car window slowly rolled down. Hearing the sound, Song Ni looked without flinching. Slowly, the person in the driver’s seat was revealed. Just like when she saw him that day, but his hair was styled, his nose was high and straight, and his jawline was sharp. Song Ni’s brow twitched. How could there be such a man, so strikingly handsome, with a profile full of masculinity? Tan Zheng turned his head, lazily lifting his eyelids to meet Song Ni’s gaze. It seemed nonchalant, but Song Ni inexplicably felt a sense of aggression in his eyes. He clearly knew, yet showed no restraint. Song Ni’s breath hitched, and she tightened her grip on her bag, feeling a familiar sense of pressure. Why wasn’t he surprised at all? Was it because she was wearing a hat that day and he didn’t recognize her? These questions flashed through Song Ni’s mind. The man rested one hand on the steering wheel, his lazy and casual posture all evident to Song Ni. Though he hadn’t said a word, Song Ni sensed a hint of impatience. He glanced at the car body, then his gaze fell on the passenger door handle. She didn’t expect the man to get out and open the door for her. Not being one to be fussy, she stepped forward, opened the door, and got in. As she was buckling her seatbelt, Song Ni heard a short laugh by her ear. Her movements paused, and her brow furrowed slightly. She could tell his laugh wasn’t mocking; in fact, it seemed to indicate satisfaction with her getting into the passenger seat. But she was somewhat annoyed by his laughter because it always reminded her of her embarrassment that day. Song Ni didn’t hold back and asked directly, “What are you laughing at?”