Chapter 74 Fate Predestined
The day passed with unusual tranquility. Neither of them felt like going out, opting to stay in Song Ni's apartment. Song Ni familiarized herself with the script, while Tan Zheng idly flipped through TV channels, changing them every few minutes, having absorbed nothing by the end of the day. During this time, people from both the Song and Tan families called, all reminding them about registering their marriage the next day. Compared to the worry and nervousness of their elders, the protagonists themselves seemed detached, hardly like a couple on the verge of marriage. They hadn't even discussed where they would live after registering. However, the Tan family had taken the initiative and prepared a villa in a residential area not far from Song Ni's apartment. Tan Zheng had no particular thoughts about where he would live afterward; anywhere was fine with him.
As evening approached, Lu Fang called again, stating he wanted to throw a bachelor party for Tan Zheng. Tan Zheng didn't immediately agree. Instead, he looked at Song Ni, who was engrossed in her script.
"Do you want to go out?"
Too immersed, Song Ni seemed a little dazed at the sound of Tan Zheng's voice.
"What?"
Tan Zheng smiled faintly and patted her head. "Nothing. Keep reading." In a blink, he declined Lu Fang's invitation. On the other end of the phone, Lu Fang sounded curious.
"Are you still with Sister-in-law?"
"Mmm."
"Invite Sister-in-law too. We all know her."
Tan Zheng glanced at Song Ni, who had once again become absorbed, and walked over to the balcony. "No, she's busy." Tan Zheng was a man of his word; he disliked repeating himself. Lu Fang didn't press further.
"Why do I feel like you two, who are about to get married, are calmer than we are?"
Tan Zheng raised an eyebrow, lit a cigarette, and took a deep drag. "How should we react?"
Lu Fang had never been married, so how would he know what the appropriate reaction should be? Yet, he felt that Tan Zheng and Song Ni shouldn't be acting this way.
"How are things in the States?" Lu Fang knew Tan Zheng felt guilty about Xi Jin Jiang. For years, he had been shuttling between China and the US for Xi Jin Jiang's illness, while also finding the time and energy to care for his aging parents, wearing himself out completely. If it weren't for Xi Jin Jiang's situation, Tan Zheng wouldn't have been without a woman by his side, nor would he have ended up in a situation where his family had to arrange blind dates for him. However, Tan Zheng truly cared about Song Ni. At this moment, Lu Fang was unsure if this development was good or bad, or perhaps... this was what they called destiny. Fate was predetermined.
"His condition is stable. We'll observe for a while longer. He can be brought back in a few months."
Hearing this, Lu Fang breathed a sigh of relief. "That's good."
Tan Zheng narrowed his eyes, gazing into the distance as his cigarette burned down to the filter. After a long pause, he responded, "Mmm."
***
Although her mood was calm, Song Ni still woke up early the next day. She needed to do her makeup properly and beautifully. However, after waking up and seeing the state of the bed, Song Ni fell silent for a long time. She had always known she was restless in her sleep, but she hadn't realized she was that restless. On such a large bed, she had managed to squeeze Tan Zheng into a corner, so close to falling off. Now she finally understood what Tan Zheng had meant earlier. It wasn't that he didn't want to continue sleeping, but that she hadn't given him the opportunity to. Looking at Tan Zheng, who seemed a bit cramped, Song Ni couldn't help but laugh. She had told him not to touch her, and he had truly not touched her. Yet on the first night, he had held her in his arms.
What could one say about Tan Zheng? He was possessive, yet he took her words to heart. His actions and personality were contradictory, all because of her. How could anyone not be moved? Song Ni tiptoed out of bed and went to the bathroom to wash up. When she came out again, Tan Zheng had already claimed the entire bed. That was right, this was how Tan Zheng should sleep.
Perhaps it was a good day, as the weather had cleared. Song Ni decided to take her makeup tools to the attached balcony. When Tan Zheng woke up, he saw a scene like this.
Under the warm autumn sun, the white curtains fluttered in the breeze. As they lifted, the figure of the young girl on the balcony came into view. She had her hair tied in a messy bun, wearing a simple white t-shirt, revealing her slender, long legs, so pale they were almost dazzling in the sunlight. She was applying something to her face with a makeup brush, the item he couldn't quite name. The scene was picturesque, and time seemed to stand still.
Tan Zheng got out of bed and walked over involuntarily. As he opened the door, he suddenly realized the morning breeze was chilly. The sunlight indoors had only given him a false sense of warmth. His brows furrowed, and he asked in a husky voice, "Aren't you cold?"
Song Ni was startled by his voice, her hand trembling, and her eyeliner smudged.
"..."
Tan Zheng was also startled. Was she trying to poke her own eye with the brush?
"Not cold."
She was concentrating on her makeup and didn't feel the cold at all. Song Ni didn't have time to argue with Tan Zheng. She wiped away the smudged part and reapplied it. Tan Zheng didn't understand, nor did he particularly want to. He just felt a headache coming on from looking at Song Ni's exposed legs. How could she not be cold? Thinking of this, he went back into the room, got a blanket, and threw it on her lap.
Song Ni's hand paused. She looked up at Tan Zheng with raised eyebrows. "Tan..." Before she could finish saying "uncle," the man shot her a warning glance.
Song Ni's lips curved into a smile. "Thank you, Brother Tan." Her makeup was unfinished, looking somewhat mismatched, but in the sunlight, her skin was fair and tender, exceptionally radiant. She was smiling so beautifully. Tan Zheng's throat felt dry. He instinctively reached out a hand, which dangled by his leg. This young girl would be his wife today.
Tan Zheng returned to the room and began to get himself ready.
***
At the Civil Affairs Bureau, young couples waiting to register their marriage formed a line extending outside. Song Ni and Tan Zheng arrived a bit late and were at the very end of the queue.
"It seems today is indeed a good day." It was true; a day chosen by both the Tan and Song families, how could it possibly go wrong? They had left in a hurry that morning without eating anything. Song Ni was getting tired of waiting and licked her lips. "Brother Tan, I want to drink milk."
Tan Zheng glanced at her. When she needed something from him, she called him "Brother Tan" so smoothly. There were no shops nearby, and the queue was long, enough time for Tan Zheng to go out, buy milk, and return. "Wait here."
Tan Zheng was thus ordered around by Song Ni to buy her milk. With his tall legs, he returned with a carton of milk in less than ten minutes. However, he hadn't expected that in such a short time, and right at the entrance of the Civil Affairs Bureau, Song Ni would attract the attention of another man. Tan Zheng didn't rush forward, content to watch Song Ni handle the situation with amusement. Perhaps it was because she was in a good mood, but Song Ni didn't give the man a cold shoulder.
"Brother, I'm here to register my marriage today. Aren't you afraid of my husband beating you up if you try to pick me up?"
"Then where's your husband? If he's not accompanying you to register, beautiful lady, your excuse is too weak."
"He went to buy me milk."
"I don't believe you." Song Ni smiled, curving her eyes. She crossed her arms. "Then do you believe me if I say I'll beat you to a pulp if you say one more word?"
Tan Zheng chuckled. This was the Song Ni he knew. However, today was a good day, and there was no need to resort to violence over some insignificant person. With that thought, Tan Zheng finally walked over.
Song Ni: I'm in a good mood today, so I'll tolerate it.
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(End of Chapter)