Chapter 173 He Had Delayed Tan Zheng for Five Years
The couple’s interactions quietly shifted. Song Ni, with her proud and playful nature, became even more unrestrained after confirming Tan Zheng’s indulgence towards her. Tan Zheng, in turn, enjoyed Song Ni’s vivacious demeanor. He especially liked her speechless reactions when he said certain things, likely a primal instinct in men, whether in youth or adulthood.
After hanging up, Tan Zheng sat in his chair and chuckled for a good while before calling the club manager. Learning they were returning to Yu Cheng that day, the smile on his lips faded. No wonder the little girl called so early tonight. Tan Zheng tossed his phone onto the table, clasped his hands under his chin, and pondered what Song Ni and Sheng Jiang could be planning. With Sheng Jiang’s capabilities, the only thing he could teach Song Ni was driving. Thinking of this, his eyes narrowed slightly. He’d witnessed Song Ni’s driving skills, and they were disastrous. Was she suddenly feeling competitive and wanted to improve? Then why seek out Sheng Jiang? Wasn’t he right here? Tan Zheng raised a hand and pinched the bridge of his nose, feeling a headache coming on.
Su Qing tapped on the open door. “Enter.”
“Mr. Tan, here is the list of accounts that have been slandering Madam on Weibo today. Additionally, several companies are secretly investigating Madam’s identity.”
Tan Zheng took the list and glanced over it. Song Ni, as a newcomer who had joined a production without any prior works or public appearances, had generated too much buzz, enough to attract the attention of other companies. In recent years, the entertainment industry had been in a slump, rarely producing new talents with significant heat or popularity. Even those with buzz relied solely on paid marketing for temporary attention. Song Ni, who wasn’t actively seeking attention but instead gaining traction through trending topics, was a unique case. Among the young female stars in their early twenties, few could carry a major production. Yet, Song Ni debuted by participating in Director Jiang’s first television drama, playing a significant supporting role as the third female lead. It was rumored that Director Jiang had a high opinion of her, which suggested that once this drama aired, the pecking order among young female stars in the industry would shift.
“Send out the lawyer’s letters as planned. A few small companies can’t stir up much trouble.” Su Qing nodded in agreement. Indeed, a few entertainment companies were like mere shrimp soldiers and crab generals compared to their conglomerate. If Mr. Tan willed it, they could immediately invest in the group’s media subsidiary. Other companies had struggled for years to secure the Nancheng Film City project, while Tan’s Group had acquired it with ease. The disparity in strength was too great.
“Madam’s contract is still with Lu’s. Find some time to have it transferred.” Su Qing paused. A while ago, she had received instructions to call Lu’s and tell them not to provide any marketing for Madam. Song’s family also seemed to be deliberately suppressing Madam’s popularity, clearly not wanting her to develop a career in entertainment. Perhaps she was just acting for fun. Despite her confusion, Su Qing complied.
***
In a hospital room in America, a man sat in a wheelchair, numbly watching the snowscape outside the window. The nurse came in as usual to check his physical condition, supervised him taking his medication, and left after confirming everything was fine. Throughout this, the man hadn’t moved. He watched children below begin to tumble in the snow, playing the most primitive yet joyful game of snowball fights. In the biting cold, he kept the window open, allowing the harsh wind to lash against his face. The wind bent the tree branches, and the snow on the leaves fell in rustling showers. Suddenly, small snowflakes began to fall, landing on his hair and eyebrows. Soon, his hair and eyebrows turned white.
As dusk approached, he clearly saw his reflection in the window, and his expression finally softened.
“Wei Wei, I’ll marry you when I retire!”
“Okay, I’ll be waiting for you to marry me!”
“Wei Wei, this is our marital home, now just waiting for the mistress to move in.”
“Let’s combine our bedroom and balcony, put a swing outside, and watch the stars together at night.”
“Wei Wei, shall we have two children? A boy like me, and a girl like you. The older brother will protect his sister.”
“Come, touch it. The older brother is already in your belly.”
“….”
“Wei Wei, don’t leave me.”
“Let go of me. Are you expecting me to spend the rest of my life with someone who’s had both legs amputated?”
“Wei Wei, your belly… what about our child?”
“I had it aborted. Stop bothering me, I’ve taken care of you for a month, that’s my duty!”
“No!”
“…..”
The man suddenly let out a soft chuckle, which gradually grew louder. His shoulders trembled, and the flesh on his cheeks contorted grotesquely. As he laughed, tears streamed from his eyes, unable to stop. If there hadn't been an accident, his child would be this old by now. Playing with a few friends, rolling in the mud, frolicking in the snow. Perhaps his child would have a talent for racing, and under his guidance and training, they would excel in various competitions at a young age. His child would surely be remarkable.
But there was no ‘if’. He had a car accident. He was saved, but he was left with a broken body, missing both legs, his fiancée, and his child. He should have died that night five years ago, but he was rescued. With Tan Zheng’s hand, and Tan Zheng’s career. Did he hate Tan Zheng? Yes, he did. If it hadn’t been for Tan Zheng, he wouldn’t have participated in that race, and none of the subsequent events would have occurred. But he hated himself even more. He hated his own momentary lapse in judgment. He could have minimized the losses, but due to greed, he missed the optimal plan. He hated himself for trying to die back then, sacrificing Tan Zheng’s career. What was Tan Zheng’s fault? He had agreed to it himself back then. No one expected such a thing to happen. Yet, he couldn't overcome this hurdle.
He wasn’t unmoved when he saw Tan Zheng rushing around for him. He knew that surviving was already a great fortune. He was in agony every day, wearing himself down into illness. During his bouts of illness, he wished everyone dead, especially Tan Zheng. Only when he was lucid did a shred of conscience surface. For so many years, Tan Zheng had done enough. His own life had stagnated, while Tan Zheng still had his own life. Therefore, when Tan Zheng announced he was getting married, he genuinely blessed him. He had delayed Tan Zheng for five years. It was enough.
The man raised his hand, wiped the snow from his brow, closed the window, and shut out all the sounds of laughter. He took out his phone and habitually searched for Song Ni’s account and Weibo. It seemed the only way he could understand Tan Zheng’s life. Tan Zheng’s wife was a beautiful young girl, vibrant and full of life. She openly showcased her marriage with Tan Zheng. He had thought that a marriage of convenience would be merely a formality for Tan Zheng, perhaps even a constraint. But from Song Ni’s words, he could feel her happiness. Tan Zheng, who had previously kept women at a distance, apparently liked this kind of young girl.
As he watched, the light in the man’s eyes suddenly dimmed. His Wei Wei also loved roses. She would always playfully ask him to send her nine, ninety-nine, or nine hundred and ninety-nine roses…
“Wei Wei……”
The man’s expression suddenly became one of extreme agony. He found Song Ni’s smile on the screen blinding. He raised his hand and violently threw his phone against the wall. He tried to stand up but fell heavily to the floor. He pounded his numb thighs, smashing his fists into the ground frantically, as if it wasn't painful enough. He then began to bang his head against the wall, again and again.
(End of this chapter)