I Married an Athlete Who is 1.85 Meters Tall, and We Fell in Love After Getting Married - Chapter 1

“Holy cow, you’re getting married?”

In the restaurant, the beautiful woman, Bian Yan, suddenly blurted out an expletive, making quite a scene and causing surrounding diners to turn their heads. The person involved, Sang Xiao, didn’t care and just stared intently at the woman in front of her.

Sang Xiao was getting married.

And her fiancé was Kuang Qingshang!

As Sang Xiao’s best friend, she was only finding out about this now. Bian Yan was very angry.

Knowing she was in the wrong, Sang Xiao ordered Bian Yan a glass of her favorite iced fruit tea and put on her signature smile: “It’s hot, calm down.”

Bian Yan glared at Sang Xiao, a breath caught in her throat, feeling like the anxious bystander when the emperor wasn’t worried. She quickly took a few sips of the fruit tea to quell her anger, but drank too fast and was chilled to the core by the choking sensation.

Sang Xiao thoughtfully handed her a tissue.

Looking at her friend’s soft, easily bullied demeanor, Bian Yan was afraid she would be sold out and even help count the money for the perpetrator. She immediately confirmed, “Are you really going to marry Kuang Qingshang?”

Sang Xiao nodded: “Yes, arranged by the family.”

Bian Yan bit the straw and fell silent. Although Sang Xiao didn’t explicitly say it, Bian Yan knew it was nothing more than a strategic marriage for the sake of maximizing family interests. This kind of thing was common, and Bian Yan understood Sang Xiao’s family situation. She should have been used to it, but she was still a little upset: Sang Xiao was only twenty-three, and she was already facing an early marriage, and to Kuang Qingshang, of all people.

Bian Yan asked, “Do you know anything about Kuang Qingshang?”

Sang Xiao nodded confidently: “Yes, she’s a basketball player, she’s very good, and she just won a championship not long ago.”

Bian Yan, disappointed, said, “Is that all?”

Sang Xiao: “That’s all I could find online.”

Bian Yan was speechless for a moment: “…”

Sang Xiao propped her chin up and thought for a moment, looking slightly worried: “And… she’s very tall.”

Kuang Qingshang was a basketball player who had won championships representing the provincial team multiple times and was rumored to be likely to join the national team. But these were not what Sang Xiao cared about most. What she cared about most was Kuang Qingshang’s height.

Kuang Qingshang’s official height was 185 cm, while Sang Xiao was only 155 cm.

In fact, Sang Xiao was 155 cm in elementary school. Just when she thought she would shoot up to over 170 cm, fate seemed to play a trick on her, permanently setting her height at 155 cm.

Seeing Sang Xiao’s somewhat “silly and sweet” look, Bian Yan couldn’t help but worry about her, lowering her voice: “Do you really think the only issue between you is the height difference? She’s a basketball player. Do you know how messy the sports circle has been these two years?”

Sang Xiao asked curiously, “How messy?”

Bian Yan choked: “…”

Bian Yan took out her phone and fiddled with it: “Come on, I’ll show you the recent glorious deeds of the sports circle right now.”

Sang Xiao leaned closer and saw a collection of scandalous events summarized by an anonymous gossip columnist about the sports circle’s dirt and mess: Star Player suspected of group activities, Coach suspected of cheating with a team member, Star Player cheating on multiple people.

A series of gossip with pictures and evidence.

Kuang Qingshang’s name was prominently featured among them.

Sang Xiao’s eyes widened. There was quite a bit of dirt on Kuang Qingshang, for example, that Kuang Qingshang appeared abstinent on the surface but was actually wild in private, having multiple secret lovers, accompanied by a blurry photo of Kuang Qingshang dating a certain mysterious, pixelated person. Another netizen claimed through reliable sources that Kuang Qingshang had unusual fetishes and had accidentally caused someone’s death, but because her fame and strength in the team were temporarily irreplaceable, the news was suppressed by the higher-ups.

Sang Xiao: “…”

Bian Yan explained to Sang Xiao: “Kuang Qingshang started playing professionally at eighteen. Although she entered the industry relatively late, she must be aware of how murky the waters are. Some of the gossip above is true, some is false, and it needs careful verification. But there’s one other thing you must have heard of.”

Bian Yan brought up a link. Sang Xiao clicked on it and saw a death notice for an obscure female celebrity.

She knew about this news, but at the time, the news reports only said that the actress died suddenly from a heart attack, with no other details. However, many people engaged in conspiracy theories, suggesting it might be related to a certain rich second-generation, as playing around with online influencers and small celebrities had almost become a standard for prodigal rich heirs these past few years.

As a peripheral family member, Sang Xiao was a kindergarten teacher, routinely dealing with children. She never participated in those messy affairs, but she knew that some of the second-generation elites lived a very wild life.

Before Kuang Qingshang, Sang Xiao’s parents had introduced her to a rich second-generation named Chen Gan, a playboy. After Sang Xiao and Chen Gan met, the two sides quickly set an engagement date. However, something suddenly happened with the Chen family, and Sang Xiao’s marriage partner was then changed to Kuang Qingshang.

“Let me give you an insider scoop. It is said that this female celebrity died after attending a party within the industry, and the core figures at that party were celebrities, athletes, and rich second-generations, including Kuang Qingshang. Whether or not this matter is related to her, we don’t know, but the fact that she would attend such a party shows that she is not that ‘clean’.”

Sang Xiao was like a gerbil in a melon patch, jumping up and down. She had never cared about the sports circle before and didn’t know that these sports stars had so much gossip. She gently swallowed her saliva and asked, “If those rumors about Kuang Qingshang are true, why can she still continue to participate in competitions?”

Bian Yan said, “You don’t understand. Sports competitions only look at strength. As long as you can win, who cares if the player’s private life is messy?”

“As long as it doesn’t violate the law or cross the line, everyone turns a blind eye. To be honest, before I knew you were going to marry Kuang Qingshang, I didn’t think there was anything wrong with it. She plays basketball well, and that’s enough. But you are going to marry her, and don’t you find it suspicious?”

Sang Xiao’s face was already gradually turning pale. At first, she thought their biggest problem was the height difference, and since there was no emotional foundation, marriage was bound to happen, regardless. But now, this calmness had turned into panic, because she didn’t know what she would face in the future.

If it was true… if Kuang Qingshang was really that kind of person.

Sang Xiao’s mind was a mess. She asked, “What?”

Bian Yan worriedly said, “Kuang Qingshang is so much taller than you. Aren’t you afraid she has some special fetish?”

Sang Xiao froze. Before this, she had never considered that her partner would be 30 centimeters taller than her. She admitted that she desired the height of a tall person, but she wanted the other person to share a little with her, a few centimeters would be fine. She never thought about possessing the other person entirely.

With Sang Xiao’s height of 155 cm, she could easily blend in with the crowd by wearing slightly elevated shoes. Nowadays, the reported height of women online is often over 170 cm, but in real life, 155 cm, although petite, is definitely not rare. However, if her partner was 185 cm Kuang Qingshang, that would definitely be problematic, making them stand out like a beacon.

Sang Xiao vaguely knew what it meant, but still couldn’t believe it. She whispered, “What special fetish?”

Bian Yan gestured exaggeratedly: “What do you look like in front of 185 cm her?”

Sang Xiao hesitated: “A child?”

Bian Yan: “Exactly. You know it yourself. I don’t need to say the rest.”

After realizing what Bian Yan meant, Sang Xiao’s face flushed: “How could that be? That’s illegal, and I’m an adult, not a child.”

If that were the case, Kuang Qingshang would be a pervert.

Bian Yan said seriously, “I’m not trying to deliberately scare you, I just want to remind you that Kuang Qingshang is not as simple as you think.”

Sang Xiao said absentmindedly, “Okay.”

Bian Yan worried again: “Sang Sang, do you really have to marry her? Can’t it be changed?”

Sang Xiao lowered her eyes and said, “My parents are already preparing the engagement banquet, and you know, their company can’t wait any longer. That’s my parents’ life’s work.”

Unlike other families, the Sang family couldn’t be called truly wealthy. Compared to other families with deep foundations, they might be more like suddenly rich newcomers who haven’t yet established a firm foothold in this new city.

The Kuang family, on the other hand, was completely different. Under the management of Kuang Qingshang’s mother, the Kuang family’s business already covered various aspects. Although Kuang Qingshang was currently in the sports circle, she was a genuine heir to a wealthy family, and everyone knew that the Kuang family’s business would eventually fall into her hands.

Therefore, Kuang Qingshang was a sought-after prize, and Sang Xiao never thought that one day she would have the opportunity to acquire this prize.

Bian Yan’s kind reminder made Sang Xiao apprehensive. Her original attitude towards this marriage was one of peace—it was just moving to a different household to live in—but now that peace had turned into panic, because she didn’t know what she would face in the future.

If it was true… if Kuang Qingshang was really that kind of person.

Sang Xiao’s mind was in a complete mess.

In fact, Sang Xiao didn’t have much time to dwell on these things. From the time the marriage partner was chosen until the decision to marry, she had hardly met Kuang Qingshang seriously.

This was because Kuang Qingshang was very busy, but for Sang Xiao’s parents, Kuang Qingshang’s absence was not a big deal. Getting married sooner meant the company could get the Kuang family’s financial support sooner.

Everything else was important; Sang Xiao’s happiness was probably the least consequential.

“Sister, are you unhappy?” four-year-old Sang Qi held her sister’s hand and asked with concern.

Sang Xiao smiled: “No, I’m very happy.”

Looking at her young sister, Sang Xiao pinched her chubby cheek.

She was indeed not unhappy. On the contrary, she felt a sense of relief.

Sang Xiao and Kuang Qingshang’s marriage began quietly. Except for going to take wedding photos together on the day they registered, Sang Xiao had hardly spent any time alone with Kuang Qingshang. Even on the day they registered their marriage, Kuang Qingshang seemed very rushed.

Unlike the impression of a muscular athlete, Kuang Qingshang was lean, tall, but not bulky. On the day they met, Sang Xiao deliberately wore elevated shoes, but she only reached Kuang Qingshang’s chin. Kuang Qingshang also seemed very aloof, and she didn’t show much enthusiasm for marrying Sang Xiao. After registering the marriage, Kuang Qingshang finally took the time to speak with Sang Xiao.

“Do you want to have dinner together tonight?”

Kuang Qingshang’s voice was cold, with no noticeable fluctuations, and just like her expression, it revealed no emotion.

“No, I have something on tonight,” Sang Xiao subconsciously refused. After refusing, she felt that it might not be appropriate. It was rare for Kuang Qingshang to invite her; she shouldn’t have refused.

Kuang Qingshang just responded with a faint “Mmm,” as if she had just asked casually. After a few seconds, she said, “I’ll leave first then.”

Sang Xiao was about to say goodbye when Kuang Qingshang’s voice drifted down from above: “I have training tomorrow, and a competition next week.”

Sang Xiao tilted her head and blinked.

Was Kuang Qingshang explaining herself to her?

Kuang Qingshang probably wasn’t used to having a spouse and needing to report her itinerary. The whole explanation process was full of unnaturalness.

Of course, Sang Xiao was the same. She responded dryly, “Mmm, good luck.”

Kuang Qingshang nodded slightly: “Thank you.”

Kuang Qingshang left immediately after speaking. It was less like a deliberate marriage and more like squeezing out time from a busy schedule to complete a task.

Sang Xiao rubbed her slightly stiff facial muscles, looking down at the brand-new marriage certificate.

From now on, she was married. Kuang Qingshang was her wife. She had a family again. Although she didn’t know whether the outcome would be good or bad, she was getting married anyway, and it was the same with anyone. Sang Xiao’s heart didn’t feel much of a ripple.

After leaving the Civil Affairs Bureau alone, Sang Xiao reported the situation to her parents, and then received a call from Bian Yan.

Bian Yan had been paying close attention to Sang Xiao’s situation, almost more concerned than Sang Xiao’s own mother.

Bian Yan: “How is it? How is it?”

Sang Xiao wondered, “How is what?”

Bian Yan asked curiously, “Are those things rumored online true? You should have some idea after meeting Kuang Qingshang, right?”

Sang Xiao shook her head: “I can’t tell.”

Kuang Qingshang didn’t look like a bad person at first glance.

Bian Yan’s voice instantly became louder over the phone: “It’s simple! If she had ill intentions toward you, her gaze should be that kind of lewd, colored one.”

Sang Xiao thought back: “I haven’t really looked her in the eye properly. Let me think.”

Bian Yan: “…”

Sang Xiao also felt a bit useless, but Kuang Qingshang was so much taller than her. Every time she looked Kuang Qingshang in the eye, she had to crane her neck. She did notice that Kuang Qingshang’s gaze fell on her multiple times.

Sang Xiao thought for a moment and finally voiced her first impression of Kuang Qingshang.

“I feel like she has a sense of distance.”

Bian Yan waited for a long time and didn’t expect this answer. She gestured in the air, quite exasperated: “You two have a thirty-centimeter difference; of course, there’s a sense of distance!”

Sang Xiao: “…”

No, that’s not what she meant.