Chapter 285 Are you planning to make a comeback?

The real turning point came after the new regulations were officially released. Back in China, in Yuzhou, Xi Jinjiang, after telling Chang Li about that matter, had been quietly paying attention to anything related to Tan Zheng. He thought Tan Zheng would come to him for an explanation after knowing what happened back then, but he had overestimated himself. Tan Zheng never contacted him, or rather, he disdained to. It was only right; after what he had done, how could he expect Tan Zheng to still be willing to acknowledge him? Once a person becomes jealous, once they take a wrong step, they are wrong, and they must bear the consequences of their wrong choice. But… Xi Jinjiang was willing to bear it, yet he regretted it. He regretted listening to the words of a villain, regretted that a moment of his misguided judgment had ruined the rest of his life and Tan Zheng's career. Now that the regulations allowed retired players to return, and he was already back in his hometown, no longer a burden to Tan Zheng, knowing what happened back then, he no longer felt guilty. Given Tan Zheng's passion for racing, returning to the circuit was only a matter of time. Xi Jinjiang hesitated for two days and finally called Tan Zheng. When he received the call, Tan Zheng was discussing with Song Ni what flowers to plant in the yard. Song Ni answered the phone first. Tan Zheng never saved contact information, so Song Ni glanced at it and handed him the phone. "Who would call at this time?" Tan Zheng lowered his gaze and his expression instantly changed upon seeing the number. Song Ni, being perceptive, noticed his change and sat up from his embrace. The fireplace was still burning. "Who?" "Xi Jinjiang." Song Ni pursed her lips and remained silent for a few seconds. "You guys talk, I'll go check on the Chinese medicine simmering." Tan Zheng pulled Song Ni's hand and then answered the phone in front of her. Song Ni paused for a moment and then sat back down. After the call connected, Xi Jinjiang remained silent, as did Tan Zheng, and the atmosphere became stiff. Song Ni sat quietly, carefully observing Tan Zheng's expression, trying to capture his emotional shifts. But his eyes were deep, and his emotions were too complex for her to decipher immediately. Since he was willing to answer Xi Jinjiang's call, did it mean he was also waiting for this call? After all, the events of five years ago needed a complete resolution. After about two minutes of silence, Xi Jinjiang finally spoke. "I'm sorry." A simple, direct, three-word apology. Tan Zheng still said nothing, but Song Ni noticed a slight pause in his hand movements. The burden of five years finally found an outlet to breathe after these three words were spoken. "I don't expect you to forgive me, but you shouldn't have ruined your career because of a scumbag like me. You are still young and can regain your form quickly on the track." "I'm calling you because I wanted to say this." "Also, be careful of Danny from the Wolf Team club. He was the one who sowed discord between us back then. I was weak and he took advantage of the opportunity; the idea was his." "And among the old men in the Chairman's Association, there's one who doesn't respect you, but I don't know who it is." "That's all I wanted to say." Xi Jinjiang's breathing became noticeably heavy after he finished speaking. Song Ni subconsciously held her breath as well. After hearing these words, even as an outsider, she felt that Xi Jinjiang truly didn't deserve Tan Zheng's deep loyalty. She looked at Tan Zheng, unsure of how he would react. Xi Jinjiang was also anticipating. To her surprise, Tan Zheng directly hung up the phone. Song Ni stepped forward and hugged Tan Zheng, gently patting his back as if soothing a child. The man smiled faintly. "I'm not that fragile." "You could have told me, and we could have shared it." She didn't want to see Tan Zheng sitting alone in the room, didn't want to see him with a gloomy expression and radiating hostility. Tan Zheng pulled Song Ni away and rested his forehead against hers. "My dear, you see me as too fragile." He had felt all the emotions when he learned the truth, but now that he had come to terms with it, there was no need to waste his feelings on someone undeserving. Tan Zheng was indeed a loyal and righteous person, but he was also decisive and resolute. After learning of Xi Jinjiang's betrayal, he would not consider forgiveness based on their past brotherhood. Rather, it was because of their past brotherhood that he felt the betrayal was even more detestable. Song Ni blinked and stepped back slightly, looking intently into Tan Zheng's eyes. The deep emotions that had been present during the phone call had now dissipated. Song Ni felt her own emotions had been deceived, and she realized it a bit late. Tan Zheng took the call just to hear Xi Jinjiang's apology? He might not forgive, but he had to hear the apology. This was very much like him. Since Tan Zheng was no longer upset, Song Ni pushed him away. "Since you're not fragile anymore, you can go and check on the Chinese medicine yourself." Tan Zheng: ??? She had said she wanted to brew it herself to feel a sense of accomplishment… After Xi Jinjiang's call, Tan Zheng finally put returning to the circuit on his agenda. However, he kept it low-key, only spending his free time training with the young racers from the club who were preparing for upcoming competitions. Song Ni would also come to keep him company after her studies, becoming like his personal videographer, shooting countless vlogs for Tan Zheng. Sheng Jiang was a bit slow-witted, but Huan Yuan was not. No matter how much Tan Zheng cared about the race in March, as the owner, there was no need for him to personally train with them. He was accompanying them in training, not guiding it. It was a sunny afternoon, and while Tan Zheng was teaching Sheng Jiang, Huan Yuan came over to Song Ni. "Sister Ni, can I ask you a question?" Huan Yuan, like Sheng Jiang, addressed Song Ni as "Sister Ni." Song Ni was a little surprised and put down her camera. "Of course, what do you want to ask?" Huan Yuan hesitated for a moment, unsure how to phrase his question. Song Ni looked up at the sky, the sunlight was a bit blinding, and she raised her hand to shield her eyes. "Let me guess, you want to ask about Tan Zheng?" Huan Yuan's thoughts were easy to read; everything was written on his face. He was completely a fanboy when he saw Tan Zheng. He was a man of few words, and if he had come to her proactively, she couldn't think of any reason other than Tan Zheng. "The association released new regulations some time ago." Song Ni raised an eyebrow. She seemed to know what Huan Yuan wanted to ask. "Uh-huh, and then?" "Tan Shen has been acting strange lately. There's no reason for him to be training with us." Song Ni smiled. "I quite like him driving race cars." Huan Yuan finally voiced his question. "Is Tan Shen... planning a comeback?"