Chapter 106 Tan Zheng Applies Medicine to Song Ni
Inspired by Zhang Jin, Chi Xia had come to understand many things. Knowing Song Ni's unusual background, she had expected a difficult artist before meeting her. However, after their encounter, Song Ni turned out to be far less pretentious than anticipated. Despite her resources, Song Ni remained diligent. Even though acting was merely an experience for her, she treated it with utmost seriousness. Yet, Chi Xia still felt apprehensive and constrained when interacting with Song Ni, as if an unbridgeable river separated them. But after listening to Zhang Jin, she had a sudden realization. People are not born to be compared with others. There are always those more skilled and experienced. Constant comparison is endless. Some are born with a starting line far ahead of others' finish lines. Comparing oneself to them would be overestimating one's own capabilities and incredibly cruel. The comparison should be with oneself. Pursuing excellence, striving to become a better version of oneself, and exploring the meaning of life are what we should focus on in this short existence. We are but tiny specks of dust in the universe; regardless of background, everyone is an ordinary mortal. There is no need to stand still. What we should do is take one step at a time, diligently striving to become outstanding within our own circles, and then engage with those who are more accomplished to broaden our horizons. This is what is called having vision.
"Brother Zhang, I understand! I will work hard! And I will take good care of Sister Ni Ni!"
Zhang Jin likely never imagined that his well-intentioned words would profoundly influence someone's life. Such is the reality: the more powerful people are, the broader their vision and perspective. Willingness to offer guidance indicates that they see potential in you; whether you can absorb it is your own fortune. Looking at Chi Xia, Zhang Jin saw his past self. All his regrets transformed into admiration after witnessing Song Jing's capabilities and vision. Why couldn't one admit the excellence of those superior to oneself? Legend had it that Song Ni was the pampered princess of the Song family, proud and willful, yet possessing admirable talent. Her ability to gain recognition from industry heavyweights in an unfamiliar field within a short period showcased the upbringing of a distinguished family. Zhang Jin was thoroughly won over by the Song family.
Song Ni, enjoying her late-night snack in the hospital room, was unaware of the admiration she had garnered from so many. She only knew that Tan Zheng was truly wicked, devouring the skewers Chi Xia had bought for her right in front of her while she was left with bland porridge. Song Ni threw her spoon back into the bowl. "You've gone too far." How could he be so cruel to a patient, and his own dear wife?
After finishing the last skewer, Tan Zheng slowly wiped his mouth and offered a plausible excuse. "I'm preventing any possibility of you sneaking food."
Song Ni: ...Did she look like someone who would sneak food?
"Don't you think it's unfair that you're feasting while I'm stuck with this miserable gruel?" Song Ni said, angrily jabbing the porridge with her spoon.
Tan Zheng nodded, affirming, "Indeed, it looks miserable." Adding fuel to the fire.
"Then..."
"Still, you can't eat it. I'll buy you more when you're recovered."
"..." Song Ni threw her spoon again. She didn't need this late-night snack anymore!
The man watched her sulk with unprecedented patience, a hint of indulgence in his eyes. He picked up the bowl of porridge and, to Song Ni's disbelief, scooped a spoonful and brought it to her lips. "Be good. Just have porridge for a few days."
Tan Zheng, who usually wouldn't even glance at someone offering him soup, was now tenderly feeding her. Song Ni couldn't help but be astonished. She thought him cooking her hangover soup had been the limit...
"Why the sudden change of heart?" She hesitated to drink the porridge.
Tan Zheng raised his eyes and looked at Song Ni faintly, chuckling. "Weren't you always wishing I'd serve you? Now that I am, you can't handle it? Then forget it." With that, the man was about to put the bowl down.
Song Ni quickly grabbed Tan Zheng's hand and drank the spoonful of porridge. "How could I possibly not be able to handle it?" She was too happy to refuse.
A fleeting smile crossed Tan Zheng's eyes. It was too easy to coax Song Ni into doing something.
After the bowl was empty, Song Ni belatedly realized that Tan Zheng's kind act of feeding her was simply to fill her stomach, thereby extinguishing her craving for skewers. But so what? How could skewers compare to being hand-fed by Tan Zheng? Song Ni let out a satisfied burp and smiled sweetly at Tan Zheng. "Thank you, husband." When she was happy, her words were always so sweet. Tan Zheng liked this straightforward Song Ni.
After clearing the table and waiting for Song Ni to digest, Tan Zheng asked her to lie on the bed again. "What for?"
"To apply medicine."
"Xia Xia already did."
"I'll give you a massage." Song Ni's unspoken thought, "Xia Xia can also massage," was swallowed. Such intimate actions were most conducive to deepening their bond. So, Song Ni stopped questioning and obediently lay on the bed, then herself lifted her clothes.
Seeing the condition of Song Ni's waist again, Tan Zheng's expression immediately darkened. Her waist was so slender he could grasp it with one hand. He first rubbed his hands together to warm them, using the heat to catalyze the medicinal oil, and then gently placed his hands on Song Ni's waist. He dared not apply too much force; Song Ni's waist was too delicate, and the bruises intertwined with it only added to its fragility. However, this light touch was ineffective and only made Song Ni's waist itch, sending a tingling sensation from the skin beneath his palms to every corner of her body. Song Ni's toes curled up from the stimulation.
"You can use a bit more force." Her waist was already sensitive, and Tan Zheng's actions felt more like torment than help. As she spoke, Song Ni didn't realize the slight panting in her voice. But Tan Zheng heard it clearly. His eyes, which were full of concern, now held a deeper, lustful intensity.
"If it hurts, speak up." His voice had also become hoarse.
Song Ni buried her face in the pillow. To her, Tan Zheng's hands, their warmth, and his low, husky voice were all too sensual. She could even imagine the scene, capable of igniting fire. His large hands, with veins bulging on the back, easily held her waist, pressing and kneading. Even more agonizing was her ability to distinctly feel his strength and warmth. Song Ni bit into the pillowcase, clutching the bedsheet with her hands, desperately trying to control her body's sensitivity and trembling. But she couldn't hold on any longer.
Song Ni: I shouldn't have agreed! I'm tormenting myself!
(End of this chapter)