Si Mei

Chapter 20 Tan Zheng: A Cute Piglet?

Chapter 20 Tan Zheng: A Cute Little Pig?

Hearing this, the man's brow twitched. He turned his head and his eyes swept over Song Ni indifferently. His expression remained cool, but the veins on the back of his right hand gripping the steering wheel became more pronounced. Tan Zheng didn't believe Song Ni actually wanted to go home with him. On the contrary, the young girl hadn't even considered going to his place as an option. He knew very well that Song Ni was just joking, perhaps finding amusement in teasing him.

With this thought, Tan Zheng chuckled softly. "Have you made up your mind?" He then took out a cigarette, bit it, and without lighting it, signaled his intention to turn as they approached an intersection.

Song Ni blinked in surprise. She had expected Tan Zheng to ignore her brazen teasing, just as he had during the day. But now... it seemed different.

"..." Song Ni bit her lip. True to her nature, she wouldn't immediately deny her words. Wouldn't that mean admitting she had chickened out? Annoyed, she furrowed her brows. What was going on with Tan Zheng? She had teased him multiple times today, and he had reacted like a block of wood. Yet, this time, he seemed to be taking it seriously.

Catching a glimpse of Song Ni's conflicted expression in his peripheral vision, Tan Zheng felt an unusually pleasant mood. Tan Zheng never procrastinated. He turned directly at the intersection. This road was neither the way back to Song's house, nor to Xingda University, nor to Qin Yang's place. Song Ni had only these three options. By turning here, was Tan Zheng really going to take her home? Putting aside the fact that she didn't want to go, if her family found out, she would be severely reprimanded.

Song Ni's eyes darted around, her mind racing for words that would allow her to save face and avoid appearing timid to Tan Zheng, while also prompting him to turn back. But after much thought, no suitable phrasing came to mind. Song Ni thought she should have paid more attention to which areas Song Jing had bought properties in.

The car sped along. As they neared the next intersection, Song Ni took a deep breath and finally spoke. "I don't want to go anymore. Turn back, I want to go to Yang Yang's house."

A flicker of amusement crossed Tan Zheng's eyes. He turned his head to look at Song Ni, his gaze unusually serious. "Really not coming home with me?" Meeting his deep, dark eyes, Song Ni averted her gaze for the first time, blushing as she continued to find excuses. "Uh-huh, I suddenly don't feel like it anymore. I'll go another time."

The smile in Tan Zheng's eyes deepened. The young girl's stubbornness in saving face, refusing to lower her proud head, was indeed... amusing and exasperating. And quite cute. Seeing the faint weariness on Song Ni's face, Tan Zheng didn't tease her further. He turned the car around and headed for the address Song Ni had given.

She had done too much today, fought a battle in the evening, and was still injured. Song Ni truly felt a bit fatigued. The rain had lessened, becoming a gentle drizzle, fine and soft. It felt like deep into the night, when emotions softened, allowing for sweet dreams. Song Ni leaned her head against the window and drifted off to sleep.

Tan Zheng had casually glanced at the passenger seat. Upon seeing Song Ni asleep, he paused for a moment, then shook his head and slowed the car. Half an hour later, the car stopped below Qin Yang's apartment building. Tan Zheng didn't have Qin Yang's number, and Song Ni was fast asleep. He rested his head on one hand, lazily looking at the young girl beside him. In this state, she looked as well-behaved as she did in front of elders.

Tan Zheng thought Song Ni really had a pair of beautiful eyes. When awake, they were dark and bright, as if bathed in water, with a charming corner that curved into crescent moons when she smiled. Asleep, her long eyelashes brushed against her delicate, fair skin like tiny brushes. Song Ni's face was small, but her cheeks were a little full. Looking at her now, it was hard to tell her true age. Tan Zheng recalled the time in the hospital when the doctor mistook him and Song Ni playfully called him "Uncle." At that moment, he had felt a definite annoyance. Tan Zheng was 29, not an immature man, and naturally understood the source of his irritation.

With this thought, Tan Zheng couldn't help but take out a cigarette, but seeing Song Ni beside him, he ultimately didn't light it. Tan Zheng waited in the car for as long as Song Ni slept, until Qin Yang's call came through.

Song Ni startled awake. She looked around blankly, met Tan Zheng's gaze blankly, and answered the phone blankly. "Ni Ni, you're not here yet?" Before falling asleep, Song Ni had sent Qin Yang a message. Upon learning that Tan Zheng was bringing her, Qin Yang had been waiting at home, calculating the time. They should have arrived long ago, prompting Qin Yang to call Song Ni.

This greeting brought Song Ni back to her senses. She finally recognized her surroundings. "We're downstairs already." "Okay, I'll come down to get you. Wait, be right there." Hearing Qin Yang's excited voice, Song Ni knew who was the cause of it.

After hanging up, Song Ni felt uncharacteristically a little embarrassed. "I accidentally fell asleep." Tan Zheng nodded. "You could have woken me up." She had checked the time and calculated that she had been there for quite a while. A bit surprised, and a bit pleased, she looked at Tan Zheng with a hint of expectation. He simply glanced at her indifferently and said, "You were sleeping like a little pig."

Song Ni: ... After all her hopes, Tan Zheng's mouth was best left less engaged. Song Ni couldn't help but say, "You could have said I slept cutely." How could anyone describe a beauty as a little pig? And to not even add an adjective, it was simply incomprehensible!

Tan Zheng chuckled, his gaze falling on Song Ni's face, which was flushed from sleep. "A cute little pig?"

Song Ni: ... Never mind, she would just focus on the word "cute." In the meantime, Qin Yang had already come down. She was wearing high heels, a Chanel-style outfit, her hair neat, and her lips red. Song Ni's brow twitched, and her lips curled slightly. It was late at night, and she was willing to go to such lengths to see her idol.

Qin Yang grinned and bent down to greet Tan Zheng in the car, completely ignoring Song Ni. Tan Zheng had seen Qin Yang on the day of the competition. His eyes narrowed slightly, realizing Qin Yang was a fan. He nodded in greeting and then relayed the doctor's instructions to her. Qin Yang then noticed Song Ni's injuries. "Ni Ni, how did you get yourself like this?" Song Ni waved her hand dismissively. "Just a minor injury."

It was getting late, and Tan Zheng should be heading back. Song Ni hesitated for a moment before looking at the man in the car. "Thank you for taking me back." She paused and added, "Be careful on the road." Tan Zheng stared at Song Ni for a while before nodding.

Only after the car had driven away did Song Ni withdraw her gaze. Qin Yang stood beside her, deep in thought. "So, have you two gotten together?" Song Ni's lips curled slightly, and she winked at Qin Yang. "Want his WeChat?"

(End of Chapter)