What was she afraid of? The moment she returned, she saw Kuang Qingshang’s cold face, so she subconsciously wanted to hide. Furthermore, Kuang Qingshang calling out to her so suddenly, of course she was scared.
Sang Xiao thought resentfully. Maybe it was because of Kuang Qingshang’s height, or maybe because of her poor impression of Kuang Qingshang, but seeing her was like a mouse seeing a cat.
In fact, Sang Xiao felt awkward the entire way back. Awkward for Kuang Qingshang. How could Kuang Qingshang think she would go to the airport to pick her up?
They weren’t close, and they hadn’t contacted each other beforehand. Did Kuang Qingshang think she would give her a surprise?! It seemed impossible. Sang Xiao’s gaze toward Kuang Qingshang changed; she thought she was especially narcissistic.
Meeting Sang Xiao’s gaze, Kuang Qingshang took out a small, exquisite jewelry box. From it, she took out an extremely delicate silver necklace. The end of the chain was adorned with two small circular rings, which interlocked, featuring an ingenious yet elegant design.
“I bought it while shopping. I immediately felt it would suit you. I don’t know if you’ll like it.”
Sang Xiao looked at the well-designed necklace. Although their marriage was rushed, they had gone through all the necessary steps, except for holding a wedding ceremony. They had wedding rings, but Sang Xiao had never worn hers, and Kuang Qingshang, being an athlete, hadn’t worn hers either.
“Let me put it on for you.” Kuang Qingshang leaned in to fasten the necklace around Sang Xiao’s neck, her fingers brushing past the back of her neck. They were so close that Sang Xiao could smell Kuang Qingshang’s perfume.
Sang Xiao was wearing a V-neck sweater today, and the silver necklace perfectly filled the gap at her neck.
Kuang Qingshang’s gaze reluctantly left Sang Xiao’s collarbone as she admired the necklace, which enhanced its wearer. “It really suits you.”
The cool, icy touch on her neck lingered, making Sang Xiao uncomfortable. She whispered, “Thank you.”
She thought Kuang Qingshang would avoid the topic of the airport, but Kuang Qingshang brought it up herself, showing no signs of embarrassment: “Which friend were you going to the airport to pick up earlier?”
Since Sang Xiao had accepted a gift, even though she didn’t want to, she could only answer honestly: “Bian Yan. I mentioned her to you before.”
Kuang Qingshang mused for a moment: “Hmm, she must be a very good friend of yours.”
“Yes, she’s my best friend.” Sang Xiao stopped there, not saying more.
Kuang Qingshang didn’t pry further: “I’d like to get to know your friends when there’s an opportunity.”
Sang Xiao thought she was just being polite and offered a polite reply, saying they could discuss it when the opportunity arose. She started heading back upstairs to her room. She had climbed halfway when Kuang Qingshang suddenly said, “Sang Xiao, I’m not as unreasonable as you imagine. You don’t need to be so afraid of me. I truly hope we can get along well.”
Sang Xiao paused, said nothing, then quickened her pace. Her heart was pounding when she got back to her room. Why did Kuang Qingshang give her a gift out of nowhere? Sang Xiao looked at the necklace on her neck in the mirror; it was indeed pretty. Then she messaged Bian Yan to report the situation.
Bian Yan asked with concern, “How is it? Kuang Qingshang didn’t get angry, did she?”
Sang Xiao shook her head: “She said she wants to meet you.”
Bian Yan was startled: “Why would she want to meet me?”
Sang Xiao speculated: “I don’t know, maybe she was just saying it casually. She’s so busy.”
Kuang Qingshang certainly wasn’t saying it casually, but before that, she had another matter to resolve. She called Kuang Xun. Kuang Xun sounded a little surprised: “Sis, have you eaten?”
Kuang Qingshang’s voice was low and cool: “No.”
She had been waiting for Sang Xiao ever since she returned. Predictably, Sang Xiao had eaten out and only returned slowly, and the first thing she did was avoid her.
“You guys haven’t eaten this late?”
Kuang Qingshang said gloomily: “She wasn’t going to pick me up today.”
“…” Kuang Xun fell silent.
After a long silence, Kuang Xun quietly asked: “Didn’t you call to confirm?”
Kuang Qingshang had been skeptical at first, but the moment she saw Sang Xiao at the airport, her emotions took over, and she lost all reason, thinking Sang Xiao had truly come to pick her up. The facts proved she had overthought things.
Kuang Qingshang mumbled: “No.”
Both sisters fell silent again.
Kuang Xun said: “I made a mistake.”
“It has nothing to do with you,” Kuang Qingshang said, somewhat perplexed. “I just don’t know why, but I feel like she’s really afraid of me, trying to avoid me.”
Kuang Xun thought seriously for a moment and analyzed: “Maybe you two aren’t familiar yet. You’re not familiar, but you have such an intimate relationship. Of course, Sister-in-law would avoid you.”
Kuang Xun phrased it very tactfully, but Kuang Qingshang understood. Was Sang Xiao afraid she would use the guise of being wives to do something inappropriate? But they had already discussed taking things slowly, cultivating feelings, and not rushing intimacy.
Kuang Qingshang finally concluded that the distance in their relationship was simply because they weren’t familiar. Although they had been married for over three months, they had only spent a total of seven or eight days together. The rest of the time, they communicated through the internet. Even with the most intimate legal status, they were merely slightly closer strangers.
Kuang Qingshang’s eyes darkened.
She planned to dedicate more time to becoming familiar with her.
Sang Xiao clearly noticed that Kuang Qingshang’s return this time was different from the last. Last time, Kuang Qingshang stayed home for a short period, but this time, after visiting Grandpa, Kuang Qingshang also went to the company, clearly intending to stay for a while. Of course, she hadn’t skipped her training either. So, when Kuang Qingshang appeared in a professional suit, Sang Xiao couldn’t help but look at her twice. Kuang Qingshang was practically a walking clothes rack; she looked good in everything.
Sang Xiao was very envious. With such long legs, she had the height and the looks. If she wore other uniforms, just thinking about it made her feel how stunning she would look…
Sang Xiao quietly withdrew her envious gaze.
Perhaps every short person dream of being a police officer? Sang Xiao had once fantasized about wearing a police uniform, but now she felt Kuang Qingshang would definitely look better in it.
Noticing Sang Xiao’s gaze, Kuang Qingshang voluntarily explained: “I’m going to a company gathering with Mom tomorrow. Just trying out an outfit.”
Sang Xiao nodded: “Mm-hmm.”
Sang Xiao was preparing today’s “Good Child” certificates. The kindergarten recently launched a “Good Child” campaign, similar to receiving a small red flower. As long as a child didn’t make a major mistake during the campaign, essentially every child would receive a certificate. Perhaps children were simple and didn’t have a strong sense of competition yet, but seeing everyone else get something, they felt they had to have it too, so everyone had been quite well-behaved during this time.
Kuang Qingshang approached and asked: “What are you doing?”
“Certificates for the children.” Sang Xiao had customized the certificates online and only needed to fill in the children’s names and the date.
Kuang Qingshang watched beside her, thoroughly enjoying it, which made Sang Xiao awkward. She blurted out, “Do you want one too?”
Kuang Qingshang: “If you give it, I’ll take it.”
Sang Xiao: “…”
Sang Xiao imagined the scene: Little Kuang Qingshang behaving very well in front of her to get a “Good Child” certificate. Just thinking about it gave Sang Xiao goosebumps all over.
Fortunately, Kuang Qingshang was just joking.
After changing out of the outfit, she took a call and said, “I’m going to see a friend. I’ll be back late. Get some sleep early.”
“Mhm, mhm.” Sang Xiao suppressed the excitement in her heart, almost saying, Go quickly, go quickly.
Unexpectedly, Kuang Qingshang added, “I want to introduce her to you when I get the chance.”
Sang Xiao paused: “Okay.”
The late-night bar was filled with all sorts of people. Zhuang Zhe and Kuang Qingshang took a private room. Zhuang Zhe asked, “Calling you out so late, will your wife mind?”
Kuang Qingshang thought of Sang Xiao’s complete indifference and the way she seemed to want her to leave quickly. Her tone was cold: “No.”
Zhuang Zhe raised an eyebrow: “Oh?”
Although it wasn’t obvious, she had keenly noticed a difference in Kuang Qingshang. Since getting married, she seemed to be more devoted to home, rushing back whenever she had a chance.
Kuang Qingshang suddenly asked: “What kind of person do you think I am?”
Zhuang Zhe stroked her chin and thought: “Self-disciplined, aloof, very tough on yourself, but still a pretty easy person to get along with.”
“Actually, when I first met you, you always had a cold expression, and you trained like a maniac. Your eyes also… well, how should I put it? I thought you were a little psychologically dark, but later I found out you’re actually quite sunny, hahaha.”
Kuang Qingshang: “…”
“Don’t look at me like that. Although some people say you have a chaotic private life, I know you don’t. You have no idea how many fans on our team are there because of you. They’re just itching for you to sleep with them every day.”
The team’s fans were male and female. As a teammate and friend, Zhuang Zhe knew Kuang Qingshang best. Even at gatherings, Kuang Qingshang was always sober. Only once, a certain basketball player from the rival club, who considered herself a genius, tried to assault Kuang Qingshang, and almost got beaten half to death.
Zhuang Zhe was shocked when she heard the news. Kuang Qingshang was such a cold, strong person; how could someone want her to be a submissive partner? It seemed impossible, unless she volunteered.
The darker Kuang Qingshang’s face got; the more Zhuang Zhe spoke. Many athletes around them liked to go out. The bigger the stage athletes performed on, the greater the pressure, and they always liked to find a place to vent, and sex seemed to be the best way to do so.
But Kuang Qingshang was the exact opposite.
Kuang Qingshang said in a deep voice: “I’m planning to shift my focus to family matters later.”
“What do you mean? Are you going to retire?” Zhuang Zhe thought she had misheard. She had just sneaked out for some rare fun today, and she didn’t expect to hear such explosive news.
Kuang Qingshang’s expression was serious: “I have that intention. After this season ends, I plan to talk to the manager. I don’t plan to participate in the next phase. I’m going to let Xiao Yang play and give newcomers more opportunities to show themselves.”
“Are you crazy? Don’t you know everyone is looking forward to you winning this year’s FMVP?”
Kuang Qingshang showed no emotion: “I will participate fully in the finals, and I will work hard to compete for the FMVP.”
Zhuang Zhe fell silent, feeling that Kuang Qingshang’s career plan was contrary to that of an average player. Which player wasn’t fighting to reach the top? And Kuang Qingshang wanted to step down before she even reached it, as if playing basketball was only for a certain purpose.
She asked: “Why did you start playing basketball?”
Kuang Qingshang didn’t answer and asked in return: “What about you?”
Zhuang Zhe recalled: “Because I couldn’t do anything else. I didn’t like to study since I was little, and I was tall. My parents thought I had the makings of a basketball player and sent me to train for a few years, and then I became one. What about you?”
Kuang Qingshang closed her eyes, and a host of chaotic images immediately appeared in her mind. She rubbed her temples and said: “My mind was too cluttered, always attracted by strange things. High-intensity exercise can be used to distract myself and help me get a good night’s sleep.”
Zhuang Zhe clearly misunderstood: “I won’t lie to you; I used to suffer from insomnia. Ever since I joined the team, my sleep quality has been excellent. I basically fall asleep the moment my head touches the pillow.”
Kuang Qingshang did not explain further: “Mm-hmm.”
Zhuang Zhe was still unconvinced and confirmed again: “Are you really going to retire next year?”
Kuang Qingshang nodded: “I have plans to.”
Zhuang Zhe guessed: “For your wife?”
Kuang Qingshang: “For myself.”
Normally, she couldn’t drink alcohol, but today, the two of them indulged. When Kuang Qingshang returned home, Sang Xiao’s bedroom door was open. A stack of certificates lay on the desk, and Sang Xiao herself was asleep, slumped over the table.
She must have just showered. Sang Xiao had changed into a white camisole nightgown. The silky fabric had excellent drape, and one of the thin shoulder straps had slipped down, exposing her fair, rounded shoulder and the faint outline of the upper curve of her chest.
Kuang Qingshang stood quietly behind Sang Xiao like a statue, all her attention focused on Sang Xiao.
After what felt like a long time, Kuang Qingshang finally moved. She reached out and lightly stroked Sang Xiao’s shoulder. The skin beneath her fingertips was fair and delicate. Kuang Qingshang’s breathing gradually deepened…