Since their marriage, this was the first time Chuxia took the initiative to hold Shi Che’s hand. She did it so decisively, so directly, just like she used to.
Her hand was small, very soft, yet she held his hand so firmly, so tightly as if she was using all her strength to grasp his.
Shi Che just stared blankly, and finally, his hand twitched slightly, inch by inch, it opened up and slowly intertwined with Ling Chuxia’s fingers, clasping tightly together.
They had done much more intimate things before, but now, the simple act of holding hands made both their hearts skip a beat unintentionally.
The warmth of their palms pressed together as if their hearts were touching too.
The two walked hand in hand along the school path. It was already evening, and most students had gone home. Only a few scattered students remained, some hurrying by alone, others laughing and playing in groups, and some playing basketball on the field, with the girls in the audience occasionally letting out eager screams.
Today, there appeared to be a basketball game. The young boys were running on the court, pouring out their youthful sweat, while the girls in the stands had their eyes fixed on the boys they liked or admired, cheering for every move.
When Ling Chuxia reached the basketball court, she suddenly changed direction, pulling Shi Che towards the stands, and chose a corner spot to sit down.
Shi Che raised an eyebrow, "Are you still interested in this?"
That’s something little girls usually enjoy.
Ling Chuxia glanced at the ongoing game on the court, her lips curling into a smile, then pointed towards the court, "You used to play there too, wearing the white number seven jersey." She paused, then laughed, "And back then, you were even more popular than them. Every time you played, the court would be surrounded inside and out, and there was no squeezing through."
Shi Che was caught off guard by her sudden memory, his expression briefly stunned before a warm light filled his eyes, "You remember?"
Ling Chuxia nodded firmly, "Of course, I remember everything crystal clear." As she spoke, she seemed to recall something, pouting her lips, clearly displeased, "Because back then, you were always bossing me around."
"Oh? How did I boss you around?"
Ling Chuxia stared at Shi Che with widened eyes, "Don’t you remember? Every time you played basketball, so many girls wanted to bring you water and towels, but you refused them. You always insisted that I hold the water and towel for you, to serve you all the time."
Listening to Ling Chuxia’s complaints, Shi Che couldn’t help but remember how she always looked reluctant, always muttering, "Why do you always boss me around? So many beautiful girls are willing to help you; can’t you see them? Are you blind?"
He thought, maybe he was blind. Otherwise, why would he have done such a foolish thing? Just so she would pay more attention to him?
He didn’t actually love playing basketball, nor did he love the attention it brought. But when he played, Ling Chuxia’s eyes would follow him, she would cheer for him, be happy for him, and celebrate for him.
He didn’t want anyone else’s attention; he only wanted hers.
Shi Che curled his lips into a slight smile and chuckled, "You didn’t lose out either. After every game, you’d make me buy you a bunch of snacks, claiming it was to compensate for your hard work."