Chapter 272 Would You Fall in Love at First Sight?

At that time, Tan Zheng was a key player in the academy's basketball team. After every game, someone would always come to give him water. There were even instances where a crowd would surround Tan Zheng, leaving him with no escape except to accept water from a girl. When asked about it then, Tan Zheng said, "It's fine if you don't drink it, but if I die of thirst, none of you will escape." Later, someone asked Tan Zheng why he was so insistent on not drinking water from girls. He replied, "My own water tastes better and is healthier." Can water really make that much of a difference? Then, people went to investigate the brand of water Tan Zheng drank; it was three digits per bottle. WeChat was not as popular back then, so those who couldn't get Tan Zheng's phone number would block his path and give him love letters in person. Tan Zheng usually wouldn't even glance at them, just walk away. However, there was one girl who was particularly persistent, believing that persistence would always yield results. She kept blocking Tan Zheng's way. Tan Zheng, annoyed by the constant harassment, said, "I don't have a rule about not hitting girls." After this incident, Tan Zheng's reputation for being ruthless in rejections spread. He enjoyed a period of peace, but there are always persistent individuals and brave souls driven by their affections. Tan Zheng, at his wit's end, took the broadcast system on campus. He declared, "If you bother me again, I'll call the police." Perhaps it's the case of denigrating what you can't have. Later, rumors started circulating that Tan Zheng was gay. It's unclear who started this ridiculous rumor. Tan Zheng, who seemed as straight as an arrow, how could he be gay? Yet, some people discussed it on the campus forum. Tan Zheng initially paid it no mind until a gay man showed up at his door, expressing his fervent affections. Tan Zheng couldn't understand why there were so many fools at the school, doing nothing but studying, fixated on him. Within two hours, Tan Zheng discovered that the person blackening his name on the forum was a male student. The dramatic twist was that this male student's crush was Tan Zheng's admirer, and the male student was retaliating on her behalf. To be a lovesick puppy to this extent was quite something. Tan Zheng directly posted the guy's information and his actions on the school forum, then stormed into the principal's office. What he said there is unknown, but the next day, the school organized lectures on love, which everyone was required to attend. A key takeaway from these lectures was: "Do not engage in self-satisfying actions driven by your affections; they only cause annoyance to others." People were already finding the lectures rather peculiar when Tan Zheng, sitting in the back, stood up. He said, "Let me give you an example: Liking me is not an option. Don't do any more foolish things that annoy people." It was then that the school realized Tan Zheng's initial indifference was his most merciful form of rejection. After hearing all this, Song Ni's heart was filled with a mix of emotions. She could even imagine those dramatic scenes of rejection. She looked at Tan Zheng and smiled, "I'm fortunate to have met you after you've been through the trials of time." While she couldn't bring herself to write love letters or offer water, she was determined to take some action to show Tan Zheng her feelings. If Tan Zheng rejected her in the same way he rejected those others, their connection would be severed. Song Ni knew her own nature; she had always gotten what she wanted since childhood. While not spoiled, she had her own pride. In simple terms, she valued her reputation and was unwilling to back down easily or be put at a disadvantage. If Tan Zheng rejected her like that, she would cease pursuing him for the sake of her pride and dignity. Why make herself uncomfortable for the sake of her affections? That was Song Ni's mindset before she had ever truly loved someone. Now, she had changed. When one truly loves someone, they will cast aside all pride and arrogance. Just like when Qin Yang couldn't understand her persistent secret investigation into the events of five years ago. When one is truly smitten, they become different from before. Of course, the foundation for these actions was that Song Ni believed Tan Zheng was worthy, and that she had felt care and love from him. Tan Zheng heard this and looked down at her. "Why do you say that?" Song Ni reached out and poked his chest. "If I had met you in college and confessed to you, wouldn't you have rejected me just as harshly?" In college, she was even more unrestrained, pursuing whatever she desired. Her actions would surely have annoyed Tan Zheng. Tan Zheng, however, cupped Song Ni's hand. "Why are you so sure? Perhaps it would have been different with you." Song Ni let out a scoff. "I thank you for flattering me." But Song Ni still felt it was unlikely. Without the demands of his family, would Tan Zheng really show her favor? Back then, she had received Tan Zheng's protection and favoritism simply based on the title of future Mrs. Tan. "This isn't flattery. If it were you, it would definitely be different." Song Ni, moved by the certainty in Tan Zheng's voice, couldn't help but ask, "Why would it be different? You met me once and immediately developed feelings, falling in love at first sight?" Tan Zheng smiled, recalling the scene from five years ago. Song Ni was in her third year of high school then. She was in her school uniform, helping a passerby catch a thief, and then leading a group of younger students in a brawl with students from a vocational school. She was so lively, so full of life. The sunlight shone on her, making her hair glow. When she smiled, the world seemed to brighten. If he had met Song Ni in college, he would have recognized her immediately and treated her differently from the start. Unfortunately, it was not possible; by the time he was graduating college, Song Ni was only just starting high school. Without receiving an answer, Song Ni reached out and poked Tan Zheng again. "Why? I'm still waiting here, don't just smile foolishly." Tan Zheng smiled and pinched Song Ni's finger. "Yes, love at first sight." Song Ni: ??? She didn't quite believe it. But she was still very happy. She huffed proudly, "You should thank my father, otherwise, you might have ended up alone for the rest of your life." Tan Zheng knew Song Ni was referring to the blind dates. However, Tan Yi had provided a list, not just Song Ni alone, though Song Ni was listed first. In essence, he had chosen Song Ni himself. "Instead of thanking him, I should thank you." Song Ni: ... Tan Zheng was becoming increasingly skilled at sweet talk. "Do you remember when we first met at the bar? I came to find you, and you were sitting in the private room watching the show." Tan Zheng: ... He knew old grievances would always surface. "That was my lack of foresight." Song Ni: ... "I didn't say anything, I just wanted to ask, why did you follow me out of the bar?" Tan Zheng just wanted to see what the girl from that year had grown up to look like up close. "Coincidence." Song Ni: ... Weren't you good at sweet talk just now? Why can't you speak now? "Really?" Tan Zheng smiled and replied in his heart, "No."