Chapter 26 Tan Ge! Danger! Come Quickly!
Song Ni had never been so curious about a man before. Even Tan Zheng, whom Song Jing had recommended, couldn't help but make her feel jealous now. The little kid who had followed him around like a shadow since childhood had grown up and was about to get married. The man in her eyes would no longer be just her brother.
Song Jing looked at Song Ni deeply. "You've only known him for a few days and you're already in love?"
Sensing the jealousy in Song Jing's words, Song Ni raised her eyebrows and teased, "It's all thanks to you, brother. Without you, how could I have met Tan Zheng."
Song Jing's expression turned a little grim. Men were always extremely rational when making a decision and only felt emotional fluctuations afterward. Song Ni was someone he had doted on since childhood. Now, before she had even married him, she was mentioning Tan Zheng's name one after another in front of him, which naturally made him feel uncomfortable.
Song Jing narrowed his eyes and playfully tapped Song Ni's forehead. The tap looked forceful, but he held back, landing on Song Ni's forehead with a feather-light touch. "I can also sabotage this marriage."
Song Ni knew Song Jing was capable of doing what he said. "I'm just curious about him now, not in love."
Song Jing snorted coldly, his gaze on Song Ni filled with displeasure. "Once you start being interested in someone, it's not far from liking them."
Song Ni chuckled and mischievously smeared the sticky residue from her palm, after applying medicine, onto him. "You want me to get married again, and to someone within our circle. If I truly fall for Tan Zheng, wouldn't that be the best of both worlds?" In this circle, how many couples were truly devoted to each other?
While what she said made sense, Song Jing also knew that the best outcome for this situation would be for Song Ni to like Tan Zheng, and Tan Zheng to like Song Ni. But his heart just wouldn't settle.
Seeing Song Jing remain silent, Song Ni couldn't help but roll her eyes. "I think it's clearly because your wife is away studying and socializing, and you can't get your wife, so you're taking it out on me."
Song Jing rubbed Song Ni's head, not refuting her, and his expression indeed softened. "That was five years ago. Tan Zheng wasn't in the best condition then, but I suspect he wasn't the one who was sick."
Five years ago... Song Ni's eyes flickered. Wasn't that the year Tan Zheng retired from racing? "Then who was sick? His old flame?" The words "old flame" tingled in Song Ni's heart, a feeling she couldn't quite place.
Song Jing smiled at her. "I don't know about that. I admire Tan Zheng. All the sensational stories in the past few years were about him. He's the only son in the Tan family, and eventually, he'll have to go back and take over." Song Jing admired Tan Zheng's willingness to risk his life to pursue racing and his dreams, considering him a man of integrity. In this circle, there were too many constraints, and most scions of families had many responsibilities, leading them to be more conventional. Perhaps it was Tan Zheng's wild and arrogant youth that he envied.
"Of course, I don't think he's the type to get tangled up in relationships. You'll have to find out what happened five years ago yourself. As for whether Tan Zheng is willing to tell you, that depends on your own capabilities."
Song Ni's eyes twinkled, finding it increasingly interesting. She was determined to make Tan Zheng voluntarily unveil the mystery surrounding him one day and tell her all about his passionate youth.
...
The first training session scheduled with Lu Hao Ting was on Sunday, and the location was the dojo where Song Ni usually trained. Song Jing had a sudden company emergency and canceled at the last minute, arranging for one of his friends to help out. Song Ni had met this friend before and trained with him several times; she was not unfamiliar with him.
"Pei Shixiong, thank you for your trouble today. My brother and I will treat you to a meal later."
Pei Xi Xu looked at Song Ni, a faint blush on his face. He adjusted his glasses and said in a gentle and humble tone, "It's just a small favor, don't worry about it."
Pei Xi Xu paused for a moment and called her "Shimei."
Song Ni waved her hand. "If you don't mind, you can call me by my nickname, like my brother does." She felt a bit awkward being called "Shixiong" and "Shimei." With that in mind, Song Ni added, "If it's okay, I'll call you Brother Xi Xu." Song Ni had a good impression of Pei Xi Xu. He was usually quiet, polite, and a true gentleman with his glasses. But once he put on his gi and stepped onto the mat for a match, his gaze sharpened, like a leopard's.
Upon hearing the address, Pei Xi Xu's ear tips turned red, his throat felt dry, and he softly, hoarsely called out "Nini," just as Song Jing did. However, Song Ni was adjusting the camera angle and didn't hear him.
Lu Hao Ting arrived a little late, panting. "Sister-in-law, I'm late. I ran into paparazzi on the way and had to shake them off for a while."
Lu Hao Ting wasn't alone; his agent, dressed in a crisp white casual business suit, was with him. She exuded an aura of a strong career woman. Song Ni nodded at her and then began the introductions. "This is my brother's friend, Pei Xi Xu. I had originally asked my brother to come, but he had a company matter. Brother Xi Xu is also very skilled."
Pei Xi Xu heard the address "Sister-in-law" and his lips tightened as he looked at Lu Hao Ting. Lu Hao Ting, oblivious, followed Song Ni's lead. "Hello, Brother Xi Xu. Thank you for your trouble today."
Song Ni then introduced Lu Hao Ting to Pei Xi Xu. Pei Xi Xu pushed his glasses up and extended his hand to Lu Hao Ting. Lu Hao Ting returned the handshake, but for a moment, he frowned and looked up at Pei Xi Xu. Seeing that Pei Xi Xu's expression was unperturbed, he let go of his hand. Lu Hao Ting was puzzled. Did all karate practitioners have such strong grips? It was just a handshake, and he felt like his bones were about to crack.
Pei Xi Xu no longer looked at Lu Hao Ting, his gaze fixed on Song Ni, and his brow furrowed slightly again. He hadn't heard from Song Jing that Song Ni was married. Given their relationship, he would have surely been invited if Song Ni got married. Moreover... wasn't Song Ni still a student?
"Nini, there are no new gis here. I need to get them from the warehouse in the back."
Song Ni blinked. She had been so busy that she had forgotten about the gis. "I'll go get them now." She couldn't have Lu Hao Ting learn in his street clothes, which were adorned with rivets and chains; he might have bled before even learning anything.
"The warehouse moved a few days ago. I'll take you." Saying that, he went to get the warehouse keys.
Lu Hao Ting, standing by, raised his eyebrows upon hearing the name "Nini." He finally understood. Not everyone who practices karate has such a grip. One person could go to get a gi; why did they have to accompany them? Lu Hao Ting clicked his tongue, pulled out his phone, and immediately sent a message to Tan Zheng. "Tan Ge, danger! Come quickly!" He also attached a location. After sending the message, seeing that the two were about to leave, Lu Hao Ting quickly followed.
"Sister-in-law, I'll come with you too."
Song Ni blinked, not understanding what he was doing. "Just tell me the sizes. You can rest here for a while." Lu Hao Ting scratched his red hair. "I've never been here before, and I'll be coming here often. Sister-in-law, why don't you show me around?"
Lu Hao Ting called her "Sister-in-law" repeatedly, and each time he did, he cast a meaningful glance at Pei Xi Xu beside him. Song Ni didn't notice. "Alright, I'll give you a quick tour."
(End of this chapter)