Chapter 141 Why are you acting like a lord?
The couple's first argument ended with Song Ni's fierce kiss. Tan Zheng had been longing for her and was about to hold her close for a proper kiss when she pushed him away. It was the proprietress who came to serve Tan Zheng with bowls and chopsticks. Seeing their intimate moment, she playfully teased, "Young lady, is this your boyfriend? He's so handsome."
Tan Zheng, interrupted, pressed his tongue against his cheek. He felt a dryness in his throat and had to drink an entire cup of water to quell it. Hearing the comment, he nodded slightly at the proprietress, then smiled at the young woman beside him. Song Ni's face flushed. "Auntie, he's my husband."
The proprietress was surprised. "Married? That's great, that's great. The more I look, the more you two are a perfect match. You're a well-behaved young lady, and your husband is also handsome and dashing."
This was the first time Song Ni had heard anyone say she and Tan Zheng were a good match. Before the blind date and even after marriage, she mostly heard they were "suitable." "Auntie, do you have anything lighter? For my husband, he just got out of the hospital and can't eat all this."
"Oh, certainly! Auntie also has my signature egg fried rice, how about that?" Song Ni looked at Tan Zheng. The man smiled. He had grown up in various alleyways and was most familiar with late-night snack stall fare; he was very down-to-earth. "Auntie, I have a big appetite, please fry more for me."
"Alright! Just wait, it'll be ready in ten minutes." The small late-night snack stall was bustling, even at two or three in the morning, all because of Song Ni and Tan Zheng's arrival. Their outstanding looks and demeanor, coupled with their approachability, blended into the lively atmosphere. People naturally gravitated towards beauty.
After observing them for a while, someone noticed Song Ni looked familiar. A young, bolder girl stepped forward. "Hello, excuse me for asking, are you Krist?" Krist was Song Ni's English name and her online handle.
Song Ni first glanced at Tan Zheng, then nodded at the girl, placing her index finger to her lips. "Shh."
The girl's mouth flew open in surprise, her eyes sparkling like they were filled with stars. She covered her mouth with one hand, her excitement barely contained in a hushed voice. "Can I take a picture with you?"
"Of course." The girl didn't dare bring her friends over. She first took a selfie with Song Ni and then wanted a full-body shot. So, Song Ni took her phone and handed it to Tan Zheng.
Tan Zheng: ???
Song Ni smiled, her eyes curving. "Take a good picture for us."
Tan Zheng's eyebrows twitched. The moment they stood in position, striking a generic pose with peace signs, Tan Zheng had already pressed the shutter several times. Song Ni was about to say something else when the girl, noticing the man's apparent displeasure, quickly said, "Thank you, that's enough. Thank you, Krist. Are you here to film? Good luck! I'm looking forward to your work." Before leaving, the girl couldn't help but ask, "Is this brother-in-law?"
Hearing the title, Song Ni was somewhat surprised. She found it pleasant and unexpectedly liked it. "Yes."
"Brother-in-law is very handsome! I wish you both everlasting sweetness and happiness!"
As soon as the girl left, Song Ni stepped forward and pinched the man's arm. "Why were you so fierce? You scared her away."
Tan Zheng felt innocent. How had he been fierce? But if Song Ni said so, then so be it. He really didn't want people coming up to disturb them. "She blessed us."
"Us?" Song Ni tilted her chin proudly, like a cat flicking its tail, as if she were proud of having a fan.
"Yes, she called you sister-in-law." Tan Zheng sat up straight, propping his chin with his hand, his eyes full of amusement. "Then shall I call her back so I can take more pictures for you?"
Song Ni rolled her eyes. The ambiguous and lingering romantic atmosphere between them, like that of a young couple, was incredibly sweet. Even being force-fed affection, onlookers couldn't help but want to keep watching.
The girl, having just returned to her seat, couldn't resist picking up her phone and taking a distant photo of the couple. She then contentedly prepared to check her album, only to find that all the photos Tan Zheng had taken of her and Song Ni were focused entirely on Song Ni, with her face mostly blurred. Fortunately, Tan Zheng hadn't been too harsh and had still included her in the frame. Instead of being unhappy, the girl felt a sense of "shipping" them. Brother-in-law treated sister so well! Brother-in-law's eyes were only on sister, boohoo! They were too perfect for each other!
...
By the time they finished eating, it was already three in the morning. Even the night market was slowly quieting down. The hotel wasn't far from here, so they walked back hand in hand at a leisurely pace. With Tan Zheng accompanying her, Song Ni felt quite satisfied. She swung his hand loosely, like young lovers strolling down the street, occasionally exchanging a few words. It was quite pleasant.
However, halfway through their walk, Song Ni still hadn't heard Tan Zheng wish her a happy birthday. This baffled her. He had rushed back overnight just to make it for her birthday. Earlier at the stall, he had also seen the proprietress serve the longevity noodles. "Don't you have anything to say to me?" Song Ni stopped walking, pulling Tan Zheng to a halt under a streetlight. In the quiet winter night, just this scene was romantic enough. Tan Zheng looked into her eyes with gentleness and indulgence.
The man looked down at Song Ni's sparkling eyes, knowing what she was thinking, but he deliberately didn't give her the answer. He feigned ignorance. "Say what?"
Song Ni frowned. "Nothing?"
The man thought for a moment, then shook his head. "No."
Song Ni: ... "Oh!"
Song Ni, quite displeased, shook off his hand and started walking briskly towards the hotel. She walked as fast now as she had walked slowly before. It was just a "happy birthday," who cared! Tan Zheng was left behind. The man watched Song Ni's retreating figure, his eyebrows moving, a faint smile on his lips. With his hands in his pockets, he leisurely followed behind her.
After about two minutes, seeing that she hadn't caught up, Song Ni stopped again. She suddenly turned to look at the leisurely walking Tan Zheng and huffed, "Why are you acting like a lord!"
It was too quiet late at night, and even from a distance, Tan Zheng could clearly hear Song Ni's dissatisfaction. The smile in his eyes deepened. He finally quickened his pace and then knelt down in front of Song Ni.
"What are you doing?" Tan Zheng looked at Song Ni.
"You said I'm like a lord, get on. I'll show you a lord's stamina and speed."
Song Ni: ... "Are you crazy?"
But after speaking, Song Ni's body obeyed. She leaned forward and lay on the man's broad back, wrapping her arms around his neck. Perhaps she was crazy too, to find even this very sweet. Having developed a mischievous idea, Song Ni patted the man's back like she was riding a horse. "Giddy up!"
Tan Zheng didn't stop her. Instead, he suddenly tightened his grip on her knees and tossed her upwards. "Ah!" The feeling of weightlessness made Song Ni's expression change drastically. Her hands obediently and firmly hugged his neck. Tan Zheng chuckled triumphantly.
Song Ni was both embarrassed and angry. "Tan Zheng, aren't you childish?"
(End of chapter)