Chapter 156 His Left Wrist Was Once Injured
It was a long time ago, not long after she first met Tan Zheng, that Song Ni noticed it. Whenever the weather was bad or Tan Zheng had a craving for a cigarette, he would always rub his left wrist. Yet, whenever she held Tan Zheng’s hand, she had quietly observed, and found no trace of any injury on his left wrist. A person's habit must have a reason, especially such a small, physical one. Song Ni stopped pondering and guessing. She asked directly, "What's wrong with your wrist?"
Tan Zheng's expression faltered slightly. He quickly reacted, reaching out to pinch Song Ni's cheek. "What could be wrong with my wrist?" He even generously bared his wrist for Song Ni to examine more closely.
Song Ni, however, didn't even look. She stared straight at Tan Zheng, her dark eyes calm and resolute. Her hand still tightly gripped his wrist, as if she was determined to get an answer.
The smile on Tan Zheng's lips softened a little. He knew Song Ni was always clever, always observant, and always knew her boundaries when it came to certain matters. He knew full well that every time Song Ni played with his hand, she would gaze at his wrist in thought. He had been waiting for the moment Song Ni would ask, and now it had finally arrived.
"Do you know why I retired?"
Song Ni's eyes flickered, her dark lashes trembling. She had never expected Tan Zheng to bring up the matter himself. It was something she had been curious about since they first met, something she had been afraid to ask Tan Zheng because she knew how much he loved racing. Now, Tan Zheng was bringing it up on his own. Her heart pounded, and for some reason, Song Ni felt flustered. Her intuition told her she wouldn't be able to bear what Tan Zheng was about to say.
But Tan Zheng seemed to have made up his mind today. A faint smile curved his lips, and he raised his left hand. His deep-set eyes were filled with a chilling coldness. "My left wrist was injured once, a comminuted fracture. Even with diligent treatment, it could never return to its best state."
Upon hearing the words "comminuted fracture," Song Ni held her breath. Tan Zheng, who loved racing so much, must have suffered so much pain when his hand was so severely injured.
"Song Ni, I can't continue anymore." He was once the king of the racing world in his youth, but with his injured hand, no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't go back to how he was. He couldn't reach his peak, and even if he could still win against others, what would be the point?
Song Ni understood Tan Zheng's thoughts. Such a proud person, how could he allow himself to never reach his former peak? How could he allow himself to not even surpass his past self? But she knew that wasn't the only reason. What kind of person was Tan Zheng? She knew him well. He wouldn't abandon the racing he loved with his life just because of a hand injury. Even if it tormented him, he would find a way to overcome the obstacles brought by the injury.
Song Ni, being so intelligent, could grasp this much. She wouldn't delve deeper into what Tan Zheng had said. She wanted to understand everything clearly. In her heart, she was also happy, happy that Tan Zheng was at least willing to start talking to her about his retirement.
So, Song Ni took Tan Zheng's left hand and gently placed a series of soft kisses on his wrist, saying with heartache, "It must have hurt a lot, right?"
Tan Zheng's eyes deepened, recalling the scene from years ago. He had exchanged his hand for Xi Jinjiang's life. He didn't know if it counted as atonement. "It doesn't hurt anymore," Tan Zheng's voice was low and hoarse. He pulled Song Ni into his embrace, burying his head in her shoulder, inhaling her scent. How could he not know that Song Ni was comforting him in her own way? She had secretly investigated Xi Jinjiang's affairs but had never asked him about it. Everyone in their circle said Miss Tan was spoiled since childhood, obedient and sweet. But close friends knew that Song Ni's obedience was a pretense, her willfulness real. She would strive for what she wanted and only cared about her own emotions. But only Tan Zheng knew that Song Ni, while willful and proud, was also obedient and sweet. However, the more truthful Song Ni was someone who could carefully perceive others' thoughts and feelings, and was also considerate. The little girl's heart was kind, just as he had seen her in the alley years ago, sunny and lively like a sunflower.
Song Ni didn't believe Tan Zheng's words. How could it not hurt? A comminuted fracture, even if healed, would leave after-effects. Now she finally understood why Tan Zheng would rub his left wrist so frequently on rainy nights. The damp, cold weather must have caused him severe pain. Thinking of this, Song Ni felt even more heartbroken. She kissed Tan Zheng's wrist, then blew on it a few times, as if treating a child.
Tan Zheng's chest warmed. He wrapped his arms around Song Ni's slender waist, lifted her delicate chin, and bit her lips. "Kissing my mouth would be more effective than kissing my wrist."
Such a bold and flirtatious tone earned him a glare from Song Ni. The man pressed his forehead against hers, their noses touching, and he chuckled softly.
...
The next morning, Song Ni was carried to the film set by Tan Zheng. They had stayed up late at the villa last night, so he had decided to stay over. At five in the morning, Chang Zi knocked on the door. Tan Zheng quickly got himself ready and, carrying the still sleeping Song Ni, headed out. Song Ni didn't wake up the entire way. Tan Zheng never shied away from such things and directly carried Song Ni to the set.
It wasn't until she was placed on the sofa that Song Ni gradually woke up. The makeup artists were already waiting. Seeing a man so openly carrying Song Ni in, they were curious and wanted to look more, but his imposing aura intimidated them, and they dared not stare.
Tan Zheng gently patted Song Ni's face. "Little lazy pig, time to wake up."
This gentle voice made everyone in the room, who had their heads bowed, quietly look up at Tan Zheng again. This man, with his striking eyebrows and stern gaze, exuded an unrestrained aura that made people blush and feel too intimidated to look directly. And now he was speaking so softly? Calling her "little lazy pig"... It seemed even the most formidable men couldn't resist a beauty. No matter how arrogant a man was, he had to speak softly in front of his wife. For a moment, everyone in the room felt admiration for Song Ni, impressed that she could win over such a man.
Song Ni, however, merely yawned lazily, her eyes still carrying the haze of sleep and the slight teariness caused by Tan Zheng waking her. She reached out a hand to Tan Zheng. "Carry me to the mirror."
Tan Zheng obliged, carrying her to the mirror. Song Ni patted her face. Chi Xia, who had become adept at taking care of Song Ni, had already brought hot water and wrung out a towel, handing it to Song Ni. After washing her face, Song Ni was completely awake. She nodded slightly at the makeup artist and began her makeup.
As for Tan Zheng, he sat on the sofa and watched. Song Ni had assumed that such mundane matters would bore Tan Zheng, but when their eyes met in the mirror, she saw his interest. As she wondered why, the makeup artist's hand suddenly trembled. Song Ni looked up and saw that the makeup artist had blushed, her gaze darting away. Song Ni frowned slightly. Glancing up inadvertently, she saw herself in the mirror. On her slender, fair neck, hickeys were clearly visible.
Song Ni: !!!!!!!!
(End of this chapter)