Chapter 122 Then I'll Get You First Place
The silence lasted for about two minutes before Li Shang realized she might be treading on Tan Zheng's forbidden ground. She only knew the general outline of what happened back then. But… "Not even motorcycles?" What he was doing now had nothing to do with cars, and nothing detached from racing. Clearly, he couldn't let go. Li Wen also spoke up for her. "I haven't seen it in a long time either. I'm not asking for four wheels, just accompany her with two wheels." Li Wen knew why Tan Zheng retired. Tan Zheng lit a cigarette and took a deep drag. After exhaling, he turned to look at Song Ni. He didn't say anything, but his eyes told everyone that this was to be decided by Song Ni. Li Shang hadn't expected this, and Song Ni was even more surprised. An indescribable sense of satisfaction spread in her heart. How could Song Ni not understand Tan Zheng's intention? He had broken precedent to race with those kids from the club because of her. Before coming to Yu City, she had sat on the back of Tan Zheng's motorcycle, braving the wind and rain, experiencing the passion of speed. She had sat in his passenger seat, and she had sat on his back seat. She knew even more clearly that the joy speed brought Tan Zheng was incomparable to anything else. "Then you'll play with Miss Li?" Tan Zheng chuckled. "Okay, I'll play with her then." Tan Zheng finished his cigarette in one go, flicked the butt with his fingers, and looked at Li Shang, raising an eyebrow slightly. "When?" "Right now, it's not raining tonight." The meal was almost over, so they could move on to the next part. Tan Zheng refused without batting an eye. "You've had a drink, let's pick another time." In the past, no matter how fiercely or recklessly Tan Zheng played with cars, he would never do so after drinking. It was disrespectful to his own life and to the sport of racing. Li Shang paused for a moment, then forced a smile. "I'll punish myself with a drink." She, a professional racer, had forgotten about this. "Then you pick a time." Tan Zheng stopped smoking, but he had taken out a lighter at some point, fiddling with it idly. He lowered his eyes, looking at the silver light reflecting off the lighter's casing, and for some reason, he thought of Song Ni barefoot wiping shoes outside the bar. Her fair skin, her bright red nails. The stark contrast stimulated his eyes. He remembered that scene for a long time. What had he thought then? Oh, his little girl shouldn't wear a white dress. She should wear a beautiful and flamboyant red dress. Only such a vibrant color could match her grace and allure. She was a rose with thorns. But recently, Song Ni had been wearing mostly light-colored clothes, like a well-behaved white rose. Tan Zheng suddenly wanted to see the uninhibited little girl. So he asked Song Ni again. "Do you want to watch the sunrise?" Tomorrow was Song Ni's last day of vacation. Song Ni had seen many sunrises. Except for the first time she was profoundly shaken, the subsequent ones didn't have such a strong impact. She hadn't watched one with Tan Zheng yet. Song Ni nodded. "Okay." "Then we'll meet at the foot of the mountain tomorrow morning." After saying that, Tan Zheng suddenly reached out and ruffled Song Ni's hair, messing up the strands she had finally smoothed. "I'll take you to see the sunrise." ... At half past five in the morning, everyone gathered at the foot of the mountain. At first, Li Shang didn't understand what Tan Zheng meant by taking Song Ni to see the sunrise. After seeing the helmet in Song Ni's hand, she knew. Tan Zheng was going to ride with Song Ni and race against her. Li Shang popped a mint into her mouth. In the already cold weather, the mint cooled her to her core as she inhaled. "Don't scare her." Hearing this, Tan Zheng let out a wry laugh and looked at Song Ni, raising an eyebrow. "Scare her? She's very brave." Song Ni, not fully awake, threw the helmet against his chest and then looked at Li Shang. "It's fine, I've ridden before, it's quite thrilling." Li Shang's candy-chewing motion paused. "You've ridden?" Song Ni smiled faintly. "Yes, it was raining that day, and we both got soaked." Li Shang lowered her eyelids, chewed the mint to pieces, and took a deep breath, feeling the piercing cold. Tan Zheng's passenger seat and back seat had never allowed anyone before. But Song Ni had sat there. "I can't compete with four wheels, but motorcycles are my domain. Tan Zheng, I won't let you have it easy." Tan Zheng leaned down slightly and put on Song Ni's helmet. Hearing this, he said dismissively, letting out a lazy, short laugh. "Whatever." It was as if he didn't care about the outcome of this race, only wanting to take Song Ni to see the sunrise. Li Shang pushed her tongue against her cheek, somewhat displeased with Tan Zheng's attitude. Since he had agreed to the race, he should show full sincerity. That was respect. Song Ni noticed and punched his chest again. "Is this how you approach a race?" Tan Zheng smiled and took Song Ni's hand, squeezing it and popping a piece of gum into her mouth with a lazy grin. "Do you want to get first place?" It wasn't just Tan Zheng and Li Shang racing today; others had also come to join the fun. Song Ni, with her competitive nature, how could she not want first place? "Yes." Tan Zheng tore open the gum wrapper and threw a piece into his own mouth. After chewing for a bit, he grinned, his brow raised. "Then I'll get you first place." Arrogant, presumptuous, as if he were still the young and impetuous man from five years ago. *Bang bang bang.* Song Ni's heart raced wildly. The quiet early morning was set ablaze by Tan Zheng's words. The kids who hadn't woken up were suddenly energized. "Brother Tan, it's not certain who will get first place." "Yeah, Brother Tan, I can handle motorcycles." "Even if my sister-in-law is here, you don't have to push yourself this hard." "Brother Tan, if I get first place, can I ask you for a car?" "..." They chattered on, more annoying than the birdsong on a summer morning. Tan Zheng was wearing a motorcycle jacket, pants, and boots today, a complete contrast to his suit and tie from yesterday. "What are you all making such a fuss about? If I want first place, who can stop me?" Hearing this, Song Ni was momentarily dazed. It was as if she were on a time machine, traveling with Tan Zheng back to his youth. His tone was arrogant, presumptuous, and spirited. He was the wildly unrestrained youth who made countless girls fall for him. She was right. Only racing could allow Tan Zheng to unleash his true nature. Song Ni's heart burned, and she became even more determined to learn how to ride a motorcycle. The race began. Song Ni sat behind, her hands clasped tightly around his waist. Before they started, Tan Zheng said, "Hold on tight." The moment the words left his lips, the whistle blew, and amidst the roar, the motorcycle shot forward like an arrow loosed from a drawn bow. Song Ni wore a helmet, and Tan Zheng wore a helmet. She couldn't see the expression on his face, but inexplicably, Tan Zheng's face flashed in her mind. His brow was raised, the corners of his mouth were upturned, and he was grinning flirtatiously and brazenly. His eyes were calm, but they held an unwavering determination for victory.
Happy Dragon Boat Festival, my dears!
(End of this chapter)