“Mr. Qin, I’m sorry. I need to take a call first,” Shen Xi said to Qin Si Ye, who was not far away, before quickly swiping to answer.
“Hello? Brother Kai Cheng.”
“Yes. They’re all up and playing soccer in the community’s field.”
“Auntie is doing well. I contacted her just a few days ago; she’s always busy playing with her friends.”
…
“Okay, alright. Goodbye, Brother Kai Cheng!”
Qin Si Ye was not too far from her, but being outdoors, the sound diffused widely. He could only faintly hear the content of their conversation.
However, he heard the three words, “Brother Kai Cheng,” with absolute clarity.
For some reason, whenever he heard those three words, his heart felt as if it were being clenched by something, causing a dull ache.
Mr. Qin, Brother Kai Cheng. What a significant difference; who was closer and who was distant could be accurately judged from the way she addressed them.
At this moment, Shen Xi put away her phone, walked behind the soccer ball, and called out to Qin Si Ye, “Mr. Qin, I’m ready to kick.”
“Okay. Go ahead.” Qin Si Ye withdrew his thoughts, took his stance, and looked at her.
Shen Xi glanced to his right and made a motion. Affected by his recent emotions, Qin Si Ye didn’t think much and immediately leaned to his right, preparing to dive for the ball.
Unexpectedly, she suddenly changed direction and kicked with force towards Qin Si Ye’s left.
What followed on the field was a scene where Qin Si Ye lunged to his right, missed, and fell to the ground.
The soccer ball, however, rolled steadily into the net from his left.
Shen Xi stood with her hands on her hips, laughing heartily.
The three children jumped up excitedly, “Mommy, the ball’s in, the ball’s in!”
“Mommy, you’re amazing! We won!”
As they cheered and celebrated, they noticed Qin Si Ye still lying on the ground, motionless.
“Uncle Qin, what’s wrong?” The smiles vanished from the three children’s faces, and they ran towards him with concern.
However, despite their utmost efforts, they couldn’t help Qin Si Ye up. They yelled out to Shen Xi, “Mommy, hurry and help! Uncle Qin is too heavy; we can’t lift him!”
Shen Xi glanced at them dismissively. A grown man falls and can’t get up?
Wasn’t this a bit too pampered?
Yet, a trace of worry lingered in her heart, and she slowly walked over.
Seeing this, the three children exchanged glances, stood up, picked up the soccer ball from the net, and went off to play elsewhere.
Lying on the ground, Qin Si Ye half-closed his eyes, watching Shen Xi approach him step by step. The corners of his lips curved into a slight arc.
He held his leg and moaned softly, “Ouch.”
Shen Xi glared at him, “You fell once, and it’s that serious? You’re faking it, aren’t you?”
“No, it really hurts. Otherwise, could you check for me?” Qin Si Ye looked at her seriously, his face etched with a wronged expression.
“Alright, stop acting. You’re the CEO of a conglomerate, lying on the ground like this. Aren’t you afraid someone will see you and mock you?” Shen Xi still didn’t believe him.
Seeing that this tactic was not working, Qin Si Ye decided to press his advantage. “Pull me up.”
Looking at his outstretched arm, Shen Xi’s heart softened, and she actually reached out to pull him.
Qin Si Ye used the momentum to slowly stand up, then stumbled a step. Due to inertia, Shen Xi almost fell with him again.
He quickly straightened his body, extended his other arm, circled Shen Xi’s slender waist, and pulled her towards him.
In such close proximity, a man’s clear, crisp scent instantly enveloped her.
Shen Xi felt flustered and her body stiffened for two seconds before she quickly broke free from him and took two steps back.
“Didn’t you say you wanted to go to the hospital? Let’s go.”
With that, she lowered her head and walked towards the long bench by the side of the field.
Watching her retreating figure, a happy smile spread across Qin Si Ye’s face.
He had turned a setback into an opportunity, profiting from misfortune.
Although he lost the game, he won her bright smile and even managed to hold her hand and embrace her.
This was much better than sitting in the car, only able to observe from a distance without touching.
Compared to that distant address of “Brother Kai Cheng,” he felt this kind of contact was more substantial.
The three children quickly ran towards him, sharing a knowing glance. Then he walked off the soccer field, following Shen Xi’s steps.