Chapter Ninety-Two: The Devoted Husband

After Gan Yanyan left, she felt that she might have been a bit too much—after all, it seemed like she had forcibly broken up a couple. She immediately shook her head. Chen Nan was clearly trying to steal someone else's love, and as Xia Xia’s close friend, she couldn’t just let him succeed. Besides, anyone could see that Xia Xia liked Song Chengyi quite a lot.

Thanks to Gan Yanyan’s interference, Luo Yixia finally had some peace and quiet. Yet recently she couldn’t shake off a strange feeling, as if there was a distant look of resentment always fixed upon her. Sometimes, when she turned around, she’d catch Chen Nan looking at her, but as soon as she met his gaze, he’d walk away. What on earth was going on?

Nevertheless, Luo Yixia had always been indifferent to things she didn’t care about. There was only one person she paid attention to.

That afternoon was a free period. After several days of training, everyone could finally relax. Luo Yixia, as usual, found a shady spot and sat down to chat with Gan Yanyan. Her knee had recovered after several days and was now completely healed.

Not far away, the boys were playing basketball on the court. They all wore identical uniforms, a dense sea of military green from afar. But even in the crowd, Luo Yixia could spot him at a glance.

Song Chengyi loved basketball—this she knew. He even kept several basketballs in his room. He also admired a certain basketball player, though Luo Yixia could never remember the name. Of course, none of this was told to her by Song Chengyi. She’d discovered it all through her own careful observation.

Loving someone meant understanding all of their interests. Song Chengyi was simply too outstanding, and even played basketball exceptionally well. A number of girls had gathered around the court, blocking Luo Yixia’s view. Despite sitting on the ground, she stretched her neck as much as she could.

“What has you so enthralled? Are you even listening to me?” Gan Yanyan turned and caught sight of Luo Yixia’s enraptured expression.

“Ah, go ahead, I’m listening,” Luo Yixia reluctantly tore her gaze away.

“I’m saying, why don’t we go over there to watch them play basketball? We can’t see anything from here.” Gan Yanyan’s suggestion was exactly what Luo Yixia wanted. Without waiting for a reply, Gan Yanyan got up and pulled Luo Yixia with her, squeezing toward the front.

The two of them made it to the very front.

“So Instructor Song is good at basketball too,” Gan Yanyan said, spotting Song Zeming immediately. But Luo Yixia’s eyes never left Song Chengyi.

A handsome three-pointer drew screams from all around. Gan Yanyan covered her ears in annoyance, but looking at the girl beside her, she realized she was just as much of a fangirl.

“Song Chengyi’s dunk wasn’t even that impressive. Why is everyone getting so worked up? Don’t you think so, Xia Xia?” Gan Yanyan nudged Luo Yixia with her shoulder on purpose.

“Y-yeah, you’re right,” Luo Yixia replied, conflicted.

“Xia Xia, who do you think looks the coolest playing basketball?”

“They all look pretty cool.”

“But who’s the coolest? I think Instructor Song is the best,” Gan Yanyan said genuinely. It seemed only Instructor Song and Song Chengyi were real contenders; the others were just background characters. Look at Yu Bin—he’d been staggering for ages and hadn’t even touched the ball. What was he even trying for?

“I think Instructor Song is great too,” Luo Yixia replied with a smile.

“Careful over there!” someone shouted just then, as a basketball flew out of control straight towards them. Hearing the shout, both girls instinctively looked over—and Luo Yixia watched helplessly as the basketball hurtled toward her.

With a loud “bang,” it struck her on the head.

“Ah!” Luo Yixia shrieked, and the entire basketball court fell silent. While everyone else was still frozen, Song Chengyi was the first to rush over. He had seen clearly who it was—Luo Yixia.

She clutched her head in pain and crouched down. Gan Yanyan snapped back to her senses. “Xia Xia, are you alright?” she asked, reaching out to help her. But suddenly someone darted past her, faster than Gan Yanyan herself, and helped the girl on the ground.

Gradually, the crowd also began to react. The players stopped and came over to check on her.

Luo Yixia’s eyes brimmed with tears. With so many onlookers, crying was embarrassing—but she couldn’t help it. Her head hurt terribly.

“Where are you hurt?” Song Chengyi asked anxiously.

Luo Yixia couldn’t answer, only holding her head as tears spilled down.

“Let me see.” Song Chengyi gently pulled her hands away to look at her forehead. The ball had struck the left side, and within seconds, a large bump had already formed.

Gan Yanyan’s voice was full of concern. “She’s got a bump. Better take her to the clinic.”

Song Zeming hurried over and, seeing the bump and the sobbing girl, felt a pang of sympathy. “Everyone, clear the way—get her to the clinic, quickly,” he ordered.

“Can you walk?” Song Chengyi tried to help Luo Yixia to her feet. But she seemed oblivious, still clutching her head and crying.

He wanted to pick her up, but just then, she grabbed his shirt, her eyes red and voice trembling. “I… I can walk by myself.”

Relieved, Song Chengyi helped her up and supported her toward the clinic. Gan Yanyan immediately followed.

Murmurs spread through the crowd.

“Who threw the ball just now?”

“I think it was when Chen Nan and Song Chengyi were fighting for it…”

“They were both going at it on the court, neither willing to give in.”

Far behind the crowd stood a boy, his face full of dejection. He had been contending with Song Chengyi for the ball, feeling a heaviness in his chest every time he saw him. He too had rushed forward but was a step slower than Song Chengyi.

He saw Song Chengyi gather Luo Yixia into his arms. He saw the girl he liked reveal her truest self in Song Chengyi’s embrace.

He had truly lost, hadn’t he? It was over before it even began.

Song Chengyi supported Luo Yixia as they walked, her hand still pressed to her head and sobbing softly. He knew she was already holding back as much as she could.

Seeing her walk so slowly, Song Chengyi didn’t hesitate—he scooped her up into his arms.

Surprised, Luo Yixia sniffled, “Put me down, I’m fine now.”

Song Chengyi said nothing, only carrying her swiftly toward the clinic.

Gan Yanyan, following behind, felt as if she’d just been force-fed a bowl of dog food—she could skip dinner tonight and still feel full, yet somehow she just felt bloated.

The nurse at the clinic was startled to see a man carrying a girl inside, fearing a serious injury, but relaxed when she realized it was just a bump on the head.

It didn’t seem that serious—not enough to prevent her from walking, at least. The nurse pressed gently on the swelling.

“It hurts!” cried Luo Yixia.

Song Chengyi’s heart clenched—he felt the pain more acutely than if it had been his own.

“What happened?” the nurse asked.

“She was hit by a basketball,” they replied.

“You kids are too careless! How can you get hit by a basketball like that?” the nurse scolded.

“Is it serious?” Song Chengyi was worried. Despite years of medical study, he lacked experience and couldn’t tell from the outside how badly she was hurt.

“It doesn’t look too bad for now. Apply ice to reduce the swelling and I’ll prescribe some anti-inflammatories. If you’re really worried, go to the hospital for a scan to check for concussion,” the nurse said, hands in her coat pockets.

“Is it that serious?” At the mention of a scan and the possibility of a concussion, Luo Yixia grew anxious.

“It’s just a possibility. You look pretty lively, so you’re probably fine,” the nurse said with a smile.

Luo Yixia thought to herself, “I’m in agony—what do you mean, lively?”

Seeing she could still worry about herself, Song Chengyi felt somewhat reassured, but insisted on taking her to the hospital just in case.

As they spoke, Gan Yanyan and Song Zeming arrived.

“Is she badly hurt?” Song Zeming asked.

“It should be fine, but if you’re worried, take her to the hospital for a scan,” the nurse repeated.

“I’ll take Xia Xia to the hospital. Will you—?” Song Zeming asked.

“I’ll go,” Song Chengyi replied at once, helping Luo Yixia up.

Gan Yanyan felt like a mere background prop, but couldn’t help worrying about Luo Yixia and chased after them. “I’ll come too,” she offered, noting the swelling on Luo Yixia’s forehead.

“It’s alright, I’ll take her. It’s already afternoon, so we’ll probably be back late,” Song Chengyi replied. It was more convenient to go himself, and besides, Gan Yanyan had already helped out a lot without Luo Yixia even knowing, especially with the whole Chen Nan situation.

“Alright, then take good care of her,” Gan Yanyan relented, unable to insist further.

Song Zeming took the car keys and drove them away.

Luo Yixia and Song Chengyi sat in the back seat. Though she’d stopped crying, her head still throbbed painfully. Song Chengyi’s heart ached for her, and Luo Yixia seized the opportunity, burrowing into his arms and whimpering, “It hurts so much—it’s all swollen.”

At some point, Song Chengyi had become completely susceptible to her charms. Whenever Luo Yixia acted coy and burrowed into his embrace, he would lose all his temper and give in to her every wish.

This time, Luo Yixia was quite pleased with herself. He held her gently, comforting her in a soft voice, “We’ll be at the hospital soon.”

In the front seat, Song Zeming felt he was about to lose it. Was this really his aloof younger brother? He’d turned into a hopeless wife-doting fool. When had this couple grown so close? Weren’t they always at odds before?

Being held in Song Chengyi’s arms, Luo Yixia found that even her pain seemed to subside, and her mood improved considerably.

Fortunately, when they arrived at the hospital, the doctors were still on duty. They hurried to get a scan, and the results came back quickly—thankfully, there was no serious injury. She only needed to stay at the hospital for an IV drip.