Chapter 38 Tan Zheng Flirts with Song Ni in Person
Tan Zheng's club was located in the suburbs, adjacent to a mountain, where the winding mountain road provided an excellent venue for races. Upon arriving at the club, the group of young men from the earlier phone call crowded the entrance, shouting enthusiastically as they spotted Tan Zheng's car. Song Ni suddenly felt a surge of excitement. Thump, thump, their shouts became a musical accompaniment, and her heart danced to that beat. She saw the club's sign, the ferocious, claw-waving emblem, the line of parked race cars, and the passionate youths. This meant she was entering Tan Zheng's world of racing, a realization that filled her with uncontainable joy.
The car stopped, and Tan Zheng turned to look at Song Ni beside him. Her eyes, in the sunlight, gleamed like polished obsidian. He suddenly cautioned her, "These guys are a boisterous bunch. Don't mind them."
The moment Song Ni stepped out of the car, she understood Tan Zheng's words. As soon as they saw her emerge from Tan Zheng's car, the group swarmed around her. "Brother Tan, is this our sister-in-law?" For years, no woman had ever been close to Tan Zheng, let alone sat in the passenger seat of his car.
"Tone down your personalities. Don't scare her away," Tan Zheng said, a smile playing on his lips, his eyes twinkling with amusement. He exuded an air of relaxed ease. Song Ni found herself staring at him for a long moment. Even though Tan Zheng had retired from the racing circuit and tempered his sharp edges, here, he seemed to be in his element, effortlessly showcasing his brilliance and charm.
"Oh, oh, oh, Brother Tan is already protecting her." The crowd began to tease, and Tan Zheng cursed them with a laugh.
Song Ni finally shifted her gaze from Tan Zheng to the young men. She recognized one of them; it was the person she had seen in the tent at the rally race that day. She stepped forward, smiling confidently. "Hello, everyone."
A chorus of voices responded, "Hello, sister-in-law!" The sound was deafening.
Song Ni, however, lifted the corners of her lips. That single exclamation of "sister-in-law" greatly satisfied her vanity. This was a group of racing team members close to Tan Zheng, and perhaps through them, she could catch a glimpse of Tan Zheng from a few years ago. Ding Jing noticed the rings on their hands and looked surprised, winking at Song Ni. "Sister-in-law, do you remember me?"
Song Ni nodded. "I didn't expect sister-in-law to win Brother Tan over so quickly. You're amazing." Ding Jing couldn't help but give Song Ni a thumbs-up. Ding Jing had previously sought out Tan Zheng in bars and at the racetrack, so he assumed Song Ni was one of Tan Zheng's admirers.
Song Ni's eyes curved into crescents, and she offered no explanation. Tan Zheng, on the other hand, frowned at Ding Jing's words and kicked him. Everyone was overwhelmingly curious about Song Ni. That phone call earlier had clearly indicated that it was because of Song Ni that their Brother Tan had broken his vow. "Sister-in-law, what method did you use?"
Song Ni, however, played coy. "Why don't you ask him directly?"
All eyes turned to Tan Zheng. He had a cigarette in his mouth and was leaning casually against the car, his eyes slightly narrowed. He flicked his gaze over them and said slowly, "Anyone who asks again will be disqualified from racing later."
The crowd fell silent. "We won't ask, won't ask. All in all, sister-in-law is amazing."
Song Ni couldn't help but laugh as she watched these young men being completely dominated by Tan Zheng. "You guys are too spineless," one of the more mischievous ones, named Sheng Jiang, said.
"Sister-in-law, you can't say that. We're just wise enough to know when to submit to circumstances. Unlike you, sister-in-law, Brother Tan never indulges us."
Song Ni's gaze flickered. She thought to herself that Tan Zheng certainly wouldn't indulge her. She looked up at the man, her eyes meeting his. Song Ni raised an eyebrow and curved her lips. "Yes, your Brother Tan spoils me rotten. He buys me anything I want, and he brought me here to watch him race." Song Ni gave Tan Zheng a compliment, her face beaming as she looked at him, awaiting his reaction.
Tan Zheng stared at her for a moment, then removed the cigarette from his mouth, his lips curling upwards. He let out a low chuckle, his eyes filled with a hint of mischief. He suddenly leaned in close to Song Ni. "It's mainly because your sister-in-law is so obedient," he said, enunciating each word. He returned the compliment with a twist.
Song Ni was speechless. Tan Zheng, that petty old man, couldn't stand to be at a disadvantage, not even a little. The man was so close, the smell of smoke a little choking, but mixed with his scent, Song Ni found it incredibly pleasant. As if addicted, she twitched her nose, sniffing lightly. When she looked up, she saw the playful amusement in Tan Zheng's eyes.
Song Ni's earlobes began to redden. Song Ni's eyelashes fluttered. Tan Zheng let out another low chuckle, seemingly finding it amusing, and reached out to pinch her earlobe. The people beside them began to stir with excitement.
No matter how bold Song Ni was, being openly flirted with by Tan Zheng in front of so many people made her shy. Tan Zheng's eyes sparkled with amusement. Seeing Song Ni becoming flustered, he finally straightened up. "Alright, hurry up and change." They had lingered over dinner, and the drive had taken over an hour. It was getting late.
Tan Zheng led Song Ni inside. The manager had already brought out the racing suits and helmets that had been prepared for Song Ni. Song Ni looked at the man beside her, a little surprised. "To guarantee your safety."
"I believe you." She believed in the god of Chinese motorsport.
Tan Zheng looked down at Song Ni, understanding her meaning. He reached out and ruffled her hair. "You still have to wear it. It's the final safeguard." Tan Zheng paused, then continued, "Don't worry, I won't let anything happen to you."
Song Ni smiled and nodded, taking the items from the manager and entering the changing room. Tan Zheng remained standing there for a while.
When they finished changing and emerged, Qin Yang had also arrived. Besides her, Lu Fang, Lu Hao Ting, and Cheng Ling were all there. Song Ni's outfit was the same color scheme as Tan Zheng's. Standing together, they did indeed look like a couple's matching attire. However, Song Ni wasn't in the mood to think about that. She stared at Tan Zheng, now clad in his racing suit, for a long time.
Long enough for the image to merge with her memories, long enough for her vision to momentarily blur, as if she had traveled through time. The man's rugged demeanor blended with the racing suit. His close-cropped hair was defiant and wild. His eyes were no longer nonchalant but like a slumbering beast awakened, dark and sharp. The clash of red and black was a display of passion and primal instinct.
Tan Zheng was born for racing. Under everyone's gaze, he walked step by step towards his beloved race car. When man and car appeared together in the frame, they became the most striking scenery under the clear sky. Song Ni was captivated, her eyes fixed on the man in the racing suit. He held his helmet, standing by the car, and then, he looked at her. Thump, thump.
Everyone watched this scene in silence, awestruck and satisfied. Tan Zheng extended his hand towards Song Ni. "Come here." His voice was still deep, but with an added rough huskiness. It was as if he possessed a magical charm. Song Ni involuntarily walked towards him, drawing closer.
(End of this chapter)