The media outlets and personal accounts that received the warning initially thought it was another meaningless statement, as such statements are common in the entertainment industry and lawyer’s letters are often just a formality. No one expected that Kuang Qingshang was serious this time. She was truly preparing to file lawsuits, pursuing criminal liability for anyone whose data constituted a crime, regardless of their level of fame. Many accounts that had previously been fearless quickly apologized.
Zhuang Zhe said indignantly, “Du Yan must have done it on purpose. She just wanted to provoke you into losing your temper. They know you have a bad temper.”
Kuang Qingshang’s temper wasn’t terribly bad, but aside from her daily training, she rarely socialized with others privately. Being isolated made her an easy target for bullying, but because of her skill, no one really dared to bully her. They could only resort to these underhanded tactics. In the sports world, being banned or expelled for hitting a teammate is quite common.
Zhuang Zhe nudged Kuang Qingshang, “I heard the coach found you and wants you to minimize the issue. What are you planning to do?”
Kuang Qingshang was not one to repay evil with kindness. This matter could be seen as major or minor. Minorly, it was a joke that went too far and couldn’t be contained. Majorly, it was malicious provocation and rumor-mongering.
Kuang Qingshang’s eyes were cold, and her tone was flat. “Nothing. Since they provoked me, they should know I’m not to be trifled with.”
Kuang Qingshang was indeed hard to mess with; sometimes even she was afraid of herself. It was just that she was practically two different people when she was with Sang Xiao and when she was with others.
Sang Xiao scrolled through online posts, lamenting that Kuang Qingshang actually had such a huge following. Logically, the sports circle is a niche community, and no amount of hype should cause such a stir unless it involves an Olympic champion or major news.
However, Kuang Qingshang’s following was significant, mainly because she was attractive. Many netizens suggested she could become a model and venture into the entertainment industry.
After a multitude of self-media accounts apologized online, some people still clung to conspiracy theories, suggesting they had been paid off or threatened.
Sang Xiao poked Kuang Qingshang’s profile picture, “A lot of people online don’t believe your refutation, huh.”
People seem more willing to see the negative side than the good, and they are more inclined to believe what they want to believe.
Sang Xiao felt a little guilty because some people in her own live stream didn’t believe it either. It was as if they would have much more fun and gossip if Kuang Qingshang were truly a pervert, and no fun if she wasn’t.
Kuang Qingshang replied, “If they don’t believe, they don’t believe. As long as you believe me, that’s enough. Do you believe me?”
“Of course I’m willing to believe you now,” Sang Xiao muttered silently. She wasn’t one of those people who couldn’t be reasoned with. “But it feels ridiculous to constantly see people demanding you to provide self-proof.”
“Self-proof? I won’t fall into that trap. If I had to prove I was a woman, would I have to show myself naked?”
“And I’m quite thankful for this incident. Otherwise, I would never have known that in your eyes, I was actually that kind of person. I already refuted the rumors.”
Sang Xiao: “…”
What Kuang Qingshang said made so much sense.
As for the last sentence… although Kuang Qingshang probably didn’t intend to be sarcastic at all, Sang Xiao still felt the jab.
She whispered to herself that online gossip is hard to verify, and she couldn’t just rush up and ask Kuang Qingshang when they had just married and were still strangers, “I heard you’re a pervert. Are those gossipy rumors about you true?”
Sang Xiao imagined the scene, and it was awkward. Either she would be embarrassed, or Kuang Qingshang would be embarrassed. Unless they weren’t planning on getting along, she concluded that she had been rash this time.
After saying goodbye to Kuang Qingshang, Sang Xiao confided in Bian Yan, “I feel like I’m the type of person who is easily swayed by rumors, even though I used to dislike those people so much.”
Bian Yan immediately reassured her, “How could you be? This is reasonable suspicion. You’re the party involved! Those irrelevant people online only care about the gossip; the truth has no real impact on them. But if you weren’t careful, you could be in danger.”
“It’s about the matter, not the person. This isn’t about targeting Kuang Qingshang; it would be the same with your ex-fiancé. Who knows if he has any strange habits or might contract some strange illness in the future? So, of course, you have to be extra careful.”
“I can only say your parents are terrible. Under the circumstances that you two were strangers, these misunderstandings were highly likely to happen. Why else do people advocate for free love? Anyway, since it’s a misunderstanding, you’re safe. I was worried before that Kuang Qingshang might have some special hobbies and might bully you in bed, but now you don’t have to be afraid, and I’m relieved too.”
Sang Xiao’s cheeks flushed slightly, and she quietly said, “We probably won’t progress that quickly.”
Since the gossip about Kuang Qingshang was false, it meant she should be a proper gentleman, so she shouldn’t be in such a hurry.
The time they had spent together recently was the best proof. Sang Xiao suddenly became mysteriously confident.
Bian Yan wanted to say, You call this quick? but she also knew that Sang Xiao was a very slow-to-warm-up person. Finally, she just said, “Just let nature take its course.”
Sang Xiao asked, “Did you see that photo? Kuang Qingshang’s gaze is so gloomy. I’m quite curious. I always feel like Kuang Qingshang has a lot of stories, and I wonder what exactly happened when she was kidnapped back then.”
What would happen to a child after being kidnapped? Especially a girl. Sang Xiao’s mind conjured countless scenarios.
But they were too cruel, and she quickly stopped herself, unable to bear thinking further. For a moment, she thought of the children in her kindergarten. Kuang Qingshang wasn’t much older than them when she was kidnapped. Sang Xiao suddenly felt a surge of pity for Kuang Qingshang.
Bian Yan: “I’m curious too.”
Sang Xiao: “Do you think she would tell me if I asked her directly?”
Bian Yan playfully chided, “You’d be rushing to reopen an old wound. You’re asking for trouble.”
“I’m just kidding,” Sang Xiao said, her curiosity about Kuang Qingshang deepening.
That kidnapping incident must have greatly affected Kuang Qingshang: playing basketball despite not liking it, exercising late at night, having stress reactions, having strange habits though probably not the same ones netizens believed, that look in her eyes, and controlling her emotions in the video where she nearly hit someone.
Kuang Qingshang often controlled her emotions very well. Sang Xiao had heard a saying that people who can precisely control their emotions are more terrifying than those who frequently lose control.
In conclusion, Sang Xiao felt that Kuang Qingshang was still somewhat dangerous. Towards such a dangerous person, she could only keep a respectful distance.
The winter days quietly passed as the weather grew colder day by day.
“My next games will be the playoffs in March and the finals in May. Right now, I’m just doing scrimmage and getting familiar with the new players. We have a few very talented rookies on the team, and I plan to rest for a while.” Kuang Qingshang told Sang Xiao her schedule via video call.
Since the clarification of the previous incident, the frequency of her contact with Sang Xiao had visibly increased. Sang Xiao would sometimes tell her about things she encountered, although it seemed very procedural—she’d finish talking about the issue and then leave, rarely giving a chance for an extra word of conversation.
Sang Xiao nodded, resting her chin on her hand. “No wonder you haven’t been on the court recently.”
Kuang Qingshang asked, “Do you want to see me?”
Sang Xiao couldn’t help herself, “You’re so narcissistic.”
Kuang Qingshang smiled softly. It wasn’t narcissism; she just liked to tease Sang Xiao.
Talking to her felt very peaceful, and seeing her throw little tantrums was also very cute. She was eager to go back, but unfortunately, her vacation hadn’t started yet, so she couldn’t return temporarily.
Sang Xiao was wearing a green, full-body dinosaur onesie, the kind whose zipper could go all the way up to the top of her head. She was completely enveloped in the sleepsuit. She simply felt nervous when talking to Kuang Qingshang, and wearing this kind of onesie, only showing her face, gave her a greater sense of security.
However, in Kuang Qingshang’s eyes, Sang Xiao was currently a fluffy, adorable creature. Just looking at Sang Xiao across the network cable made her heart beat faster. Wanting to do something, Kuang Qingshang took a deep breath and calmed herself down.
Sang Xiao hugged her tablet, sitting cross-legged on the bed. She seemed unable to find a topic and softly hummed, “I’m starting my break in a couple of days.”
The kindergarten’s winter break was about to begin, and she would have a lot of free time. Sang Xiao’s tone carried a hint of unconscious bragging.
Kuang Qingshang: “Do you have any plans?”
Sang Xiao thought for a moment. “Spend more time with Xiao Qi at home, and go out with Bian Yan. She’s going out to shoot a set of photos soon, so I can go with her. I haven’t figured out anything else. It will be time for the New Year then.”
She asked, “When does your break start?”
Kuang Qingshang said, “Probably the twenty-fourth day of the twelfth lunar month. After the New Year, I’ll report back to the headquarters on the fourth day of the first lunar month to start preparing for the playoffs. It will be quite busy then.”
Sang Xiao was surprised, “That short?”
Only ten days of vacation. Subtracting the travel time, that was only eight days. The last time her winter break was only eight days was in her senior year of high school.
Kuang Qingshang was a little pitiful then.
“After the finals in May, there’s a long five-month off-season. Aside from routine physical training, my time is almost completely flexible.”
As for the retirement after the finals, Kuang Qingshang wanted to give Sang Xiao a surprise. They could properly cultivate their feelings then. If it hadn’t been for Sang Xiao’s parents rushing her to marry Chen Gan, their marriage wouldn’t have been so hasty, which led to Sang Xiao constantly misunderstanding her.
“That long?” Sang Xiao withdrew her rare sympathy. This meant they would have a very long time together, and she was already starting to feel nervous.
Kuang Qingshang saw through her thoughts and stopped talking about it, instead asking, “When I come back this time, will you come to pick me up?”
“Ah?” Sang Xiao zipped her onesie up a little higher, her voice muffled as she said, “Of course.”
The winter break arrived, and Sang Xiao had over a month of vacation. Apart from a few days of traveling, she mostly stayed at home, bored.
Sang Xiao felt particularly degenerate but rightfully enjoyed this degeneration. She got up at six every morning when she worked, all so she could sleep until she naturally woke up during the holiday.
Time flew by quickly. Sang Xiao felt like she hadn’t been able to lounge around for very long before it was time for Kuang Qingshang to arrive.
Unlike the previous two surprise arrivals, Sang Xiao knew about Kuang Qingshang’s arrival in advance this time, so she was mentally prepared, but she was still nervous.
Kuang Xun caught Sang Xiao just as she was about to leave.
“Sister-in-law, are you going to pick up my sister?”
As the New Year approached, Sang Xiao had already moved in with Feng Shu and the others. She would temporarily stay there before the New Year to help prepare for the festivities until after the holiday.
Sang Xiao’s face lit up with joy, and she nodded vigorously, “Yes, do you want to come with me?”
Although she wasn’t very familiar with Kuang Xun, it would be wonderful if Kuang Xun was willing to go with her to pick up Kuang Qingshang.
Sang Xiao looked at Kuang Xun with eager eyes, giving frantic hints, but Kuang Xun cruelly refused her. “No, I just wanted to confirm.”
Sang Xiao: “…”
Kuang Xun smiled, “My sister will be very happy that you made a special trip to pick her up.”
“Alright.” Sang Xiao waved and left.
The cold wind blew, and Sang Xiao drove her Beetle toward the airport. The car had recently been serviced and was sparkling new, but the streets were full of traffic near the New Year.
Sang Xiao’s little Beetle was stuck in traffic the whole way. Fortunately, she had wisely left early, or Kuang Qingshang would have had to wait for her at the airport. Still, she was twenty minutes later than the agreed time.
When Sang Xiao arrived at the airport, it was crowded. Even with Kuang Qingshang’s height, it was difficult to spot her right away.
“Sang Xiao.”
A clear, cold voice sounded from behind her.
Kuang Qingshang didn’t pat her on the shoulder from behind, thank goodness. Sang Xiao quickly straightened her expression and stiffly turned around in a military-style pivot.
Kuang Qingshang was wearing a camel-colored wool coat with a beige scarf tied around her neck. She was pulling a suitcase, and the smile on her face was warm.
Sang Xiao raised her right hand, ready to say “Hi” as a greeting, when Kuang Qingshang suddenly frowned. She stepped forward, untied the scarf from her neck, and naturally wrapped it around Sang Xiao’s exposed neck.
Sang Xiao: “…”
She slowly lowered her hand. The “Hi” was lost in the arrival of the scarf. Her neck felt the warmth of the scarf, the warmth that had come from Kuang Qingshang’s body.