I Married an Athlete Who is 1.85 Meters Tall, and We Fell in Love After Getting Married - Chapter 5

Since moving out of the apartment, Sang Xiao had been tearing off pages on the calendar every day. Fifteen days, she only had fifteen days. After fifteen days, Kuang Qingshang would be leaving for another city!

The brief half-month felt like half a year to Sang Xiao. When she tore the calendar to the eighth day, she saw Kuang Qingshang returning from the stadium, holding a basketball. As Kuang Qingshang stood in the doorway, the top of her head was not far from the doorframe, giving Sang Xiao another direct observation of her height.

Kuang Qingshang was wearing a loose-fitting tracksuit, yet it fit her perfectly, making her look like a freshly minted university student—no, Kuang Qingshang had even more vitality than a student.

Sang Xiao walked up to her, looking hesitant.

Kuang Qingshang asked, “Is something the matter?”

These past few days, Sang Xiao would vanish the moment she returned, so this was the first time Kuang Qingshang had seen her waiting by the door.

Sang Xiao asked, “Do you have plans tomorrow?”

Kuang Qingshang shook her head. “Do you?”

Sang Xiao hesitated. “Tomorrow is the weekend. I’m planning to go home for a visit. My parents want me to bring you along. If it’s inconvenient for you, I’ll tell them.”

Sang Xiao was prepared for Kuang Qingshang to refuse, given how busy she was. Unexpectedly, Kuang Qingshang agreed without a second thought, replying, “Yes, I will prepare well.”

Sang Xiao looked up, staring intently at Kuang Qingshang, trying to find a trace of deceit on her face, but saw nothing. She herself was extremely nervous about the prospect of taking Kuang Qingshang home.

Kuang Qingshang asked, “Anything else?”

Sang Xiao replied in defeat, “No.”

Kuang Qingshang walked back to her room in an awkward, stiff manner, then looked carefully in the mirror, confirming there was indeed nothing strange on her face.

“Uh, actually, you don’t need to be this formal,” Sang Xiao couldn’t help but say when she saw Kuang Qingshang dressed as if she were attending an awards ceremony.

Kuang Qingshang said, “It’s what’s proper when meeting parents.”

Kuang Qingshang wore a formal outfit: a loose-fitting silk shirt paired with tailored trousers, and she considerately wore flat shoes. She had even prepared a full set of gifts for Sang’s father, mother, and Sang Qi. After asking Sang Xiao, she selected gifts tailored to their interests; she was much better at social etiquette than Sang Xiao and had considered every aspect of the visit.

In contrast, Sang Xiao’s attire for the day was more strategic: a high-waisted, short top paired with an A-line skirt, in the classic black-and-white combination, designed to maximize the display of her waistline and legs. With a little “technology” tucked into her shoes, she appeared to be a solid 160cm (about 5’3″) or more to the naked eye. However, with the towering Kuang Qingshang standing next to her like a truth mirror, she instantly shrank back to 150cm (about 4’11”).

Kuang Qingshang caught Sang Xiao’s resentful gaze and felt quite helpless. Sang Xiao wasn’t tall, but her proportions were good, so she didn’t look short. Of course, that was in the eyes of others. In Kuang Qingshang’s eyes, Sang Xiao was petite and fair-skinned, and her overall delicate frame easily aroused a person’s protective instincts and… destructive desires.

Kuang Qingshang’s expression subtly changed, and she withdrew her gaze.

When the two drove to the Sang family home, Sang Xiao’s parents were naturally delighted and treated Kuang Qingshang like their own daughter.

“Sister,” Sang Qi ran over and hugged Sang Xiao’s thigh, then looked up at the unfamiliar Kuang Qingshang. Seeing that she was even taller than her father, a look of surprise crossed Sang Qi’s small face. But she was always timid with strangers, so she just hid behind Sang Xiao, looking at Kuang Qingshang timidly.

Sang Xiao said, “This is also an older sister.”

The little girl then quietly whispered, “Older sister.”

Sang Xiao expected Kuang Qingshang to be extremely resistant to children, at most giving a reluctant nod. Instead, Kuang Qingshang crouched down, looked at Sang Qi for a moment, and then extended her hand: “Hello, I am Kuang Qingshang.”

Only children know the significance of an adult crouching down to speak to them, demonstrating such respect.

Sang Qi excitedly stretched out her small hand and gently shook Kuang Qingshang’s large one. She said shyly, “Hello, Sister Kuang. I am Sang Qi, four years old. I’m… very happy to meet you.”

These were things her teacher had taught her, and she had never had a chance to practice them.

Even more surprising to Sang Xiao was that when she returned after leaving the living room for a short time, Kuang Qingshang and Sang Qi were already getting along—well, not exactly “getting along,” but Sang Qi really liked her.

This was rare, as Sang Qi had been diagnosed with mild autism at the age of two, didn’t like to talk, and often drifted off in her own world. After intervention therapy, she became much more normal, but still didn’t like making friends and even refused to go to kindergarten; a private tutor came to the house instead.

Sang Qi’s eyes sparkled. “Sister Kuang, can I grow as tall as you someday?”

“If you eat well and sleep well, you can grow taller,” Kuang Qingshang answered earnestly. As for whether she could grow as tall as her, that was up to fate.

Sang Qi asked, “Taller than Sister?”

In her eyes, Sang Xiao was already very tall.

Sang Xiao: “…”

Why was she being victimized?

In front of the four-year-old, 115cm (about 3’9″) Sang Qi, Sang Xiao had always been a tall person—in front of all the children at the kindergarten, she was a tall person.

But not in front of Kuang Qingshang.

Sang Xiao’s current routine was to wake up every morning and go to the yard to do a set of stretching exercises that were rumored to help growth. She intended to firmly believe that girls could still grow taller before the age of 24, and after that, she would look for guides on how to grow taller before the age of 25.

Kuang Qingshang glanced up at Sang Xiao and nodded. “Of course, you can.”

The little girl, Sang Qi, immediately became cheerful.

Seeing Kuang Qingshang and Sang Qi getting along so well made Sang Xiao happy, and Sang Xiao’s parents adored Kuang Qingshang even more.

“Will Qingshang continue playing ball later?” Sang’s father was in his forties. He was middle-aged but didn’t have a beer belly or balding hair, and he was tall; his physical presence was very good.

Kuang Qingshang’s expression was more serious when speaking to elders: “I might play for another two years.”

“It must be very hard work, traveling all year round,” Sang’s father sighed. In this day and age, to become a professional athlete, one’s family must have some economic foundation, but which wealthy person would truly let their child endure such hardship?

Kuang Qingshang said thoughtfully, “It’s alright.”

It wasn’t that hard, because she needed the sport, but now she hoped to settle down more.

Sang’s father occasionally watched ball games, mostly men’s basketball, and wasn’t clear on the women’s basketball scene. In fact, he hadn’t initially imagined that his family could connect with the Kuang family’s “big ship.” When he learned that the Kuang family was interested in a marriage alliance with his family, his mind was utterly blank.

Sang’s father asked with concern, “This line of work is very damaging to the body. You should take good care of yourself and not let it be a loss in the long run.”

Kuang Qingshang nodded. “I will be careful. Dad, please don’t worry.”

“…” Sang Xiao was completely stunned, never expecting Kuang Qingshang to address her father so naturally. When Sang Xiao herself did it, it wasn’t this easy. Naturally, Sang’s father was very happy and said, “It’s rare for you two to come back. Don’t go home tonight. Xiao Qi misses her sister terribly and talks about you all the time.”

Sang Xiao: “!!!”

“Okay,” Kuang Qingshang agreed readily.

Sang Xiao’s face was dark. She thought they would leave quickly since the two homes weren’t far apart, making a round trip easy. Plus, didn’t Kuang Qingshang have to train every day? She hadn’t trained yet today! But she never expected Kuang Qingshang and Sang’s father to get along so well.

After dinner, the sky was still bright, and there was no need to restrict the two young people to stay with them. Sang’s mother gave Sang’s father a knowing look and told Sang Xiao, “There’s a park nearby. Sang Sang, take Qingshang out for a walk. It will help digest the food.”

Sang’s father added, “The scenery is quite nice.”

Sang Xiao was usually obedient and didn’t refuse the suggestion.

Kuang Qingshang, needless to say, was also agreeable.

The park must have just held an event; a banner was hanging over the main entrance, but since the event was over, the banner sagged into a concave shape. Sang Xiao estimated its height and instinctively lowered her body to avoid hitting her head on the banner.

Kuang Qingshang followed close behind, taking in Sang Xiao’s small gesture. She wondered where Sang Xiao got the confidence to think she would hit it. Kuang Qingshang’s lips curved slightly; the banner was about 180cm (about 5’11”) high. Sang Xiao couldn’t reach it even on her tiptoes.

Kuang Qingshang bent down and walked through. The extreme height difference between the two immediately drew the attention of onlookers, though most people strolling there were elderly. Sang Xiao thought the attention was mostly drawn by Kuang Qingshang’s height.

Being too tall wasn’t entirely good. If one gained weight, they would look bulky, and if they were thin, they would look like a bamboo pole. But Kuang Qingshang didn’t have this worry; her figure was perfect in every aspect. It wasn’t obvious with clothes on, but Sang Xiao knew how muscular and flawless Kuang Qingshang’s body was underneath.

The two sat down on a long bench by a river. The September weather was too hot, and the evening breeze was just right to dispel the heat.

Sang Xiao sat on the long bench, swinging her legs in the air. Seeing Kuang Qingshang’s long legs crossed and stretched out, looking like they had nowhere to rest, she dutifully stopped swinging her legs.

Kuang Qingshang looked at the distant river embankment and suddenly spoke: “You don’t want me to stay, do you?”

Sang Xiao instinctively denied it: “No.”

Kuang Qingshang turned and looked at Sang Xiao. “I’m leaving the day after tomorrow.”

“Really?” Sang Xiao suppressed her intense joy but still symbolically asked with concern, “Didn’t you say you could stay for half a month?”

Kuang Qingshang observed Sang Xiao’s expression. “The coach is working on a new strategy, so I need to go back early.”

Sang Xiao knew nothing about basketball, the only thing she knew was a three-pointer—a shot taken from far away that scores three points when it goes in (that was her own understanding). She knew nothing else. She said, “Then good luck.”

Kuang Qingshang smiled. “Thank you.”

She didn’t tell Sang Xiao that she would have plenty of time to spend with her once the off-season began.

Kuang Qingshang withdrew her gaze. “I’m planning to visit Grandpa tomorrow. My mother and Kuang Xun are also back, and we’ll have dinner together.”

Sang Xiao instantly understood. “Oh, I’m free tomorrow. I’ll go with you.”

After hearing the good news that Kuang Qingshang was leaving, she would agree to do anything now.

On the way back, Kuang Qingshang extended her hand. Sang Xiao understood. Fulfilling her wifely duty, she placed her hand in Kuang Qingshang’s palm.

Kuang Qingshang’s hand was not sweaty even in summer; it was cool and clean. Sang Xiao thought her own hands were quite attractive, but her fingers were thin, which made them look long, whereas Kuang Qingshang’s fingers were genuinely long and distinctly jointed.

Like their height, Sang Xiao looked not-so-short because she was thin and well-proportioned, while Kuang Qingshang was genuinely tall.

Perhaps because they returned holding hands, they were arranged to sleep together that night.

It was then that Sang Xiao realized how much freedom she had in the marital home. Although her impression of Kuang Qingshang wasn’t great, she was at least free. Even if certain things were confirmed, it didn’t matter; after all, it was Kuang Qingshang’s business and had nothing to do with her.

The background was this: the night before last, after Sang Xiao finished writing her lesson plans, she went downstairs for water and saw Kuang Qingshang changing her clothes, ready to go out. Sang Xiao didn’t want to concern herself with Kuang Qingshang’s private life, so she planned to pretend she hadn’t seen anything. She had just quietly turned to slip away when Kuang Qingshang called out to her.

“Sang Xiao.”

Being called by her full name, Sang Xiao thought she had stumbled upon Kuang Qingshang’s secret. Then she thought that she and Kuang Qingshang weren’t close. Kuang Qingshang couldn’t possibly call her Sang Sang or Xiao Sang, and the ‘Teacher Sang’ Kuang Qingshang used before sounded more like a light, joking tone.

Kuang Qingshang proactively reported her plan: “I’m going out for a bit. Go to bed early.”

Sang Xiao looked at the time. It was 10:30 PM.

Kuang Qingshang probably realized it was late and explained, “I’m going to a bar to find someone. I have a friend waiting for me there.”

Sang Xiao realized. “Oh, okay.”

10:30 PM, going to a bar, to find a friend.

This confirmed the fact that Kuang Qingshang did indeed go out for a wild time late at night. But so what? It was irrelevant to her now.

But now that they were back at the Sang family home, Sang Xiao’s parents sincerely wanted her and Kuang Qingshang to sleep together. Sang Xiao was very troubled. When it was time for bed, she led Kuang Qingshang to her room.

Sang Xiao’s room was very feminine. Her lifelong aesthetic preference favored warm colors, and the room’s decor was slightly greenish.

Sang Xiao was used to being small, and she liked tender, fresh green things. But now, leading such a large Kuang Qingshang into the room, she felt a strong sense of incongruity.

Kuang Qingshang followed behind Sang Xiao, glancing at the room’s furnishings. The decor was very cute. Seeing Sang Xiao hesitate, she said considerately, “If it’s really inconvenient, I can tell Mom and Dad that I’ll sleep in the guest room.”

Sang Xiao was thrilled. “Really? That would be great.”

Kuang Qingshang: “…”

Why didn’t Sang Xiao follow the expected script?

Kuang Qingshang replied with a wooden face, “Of course.”

“Forget it, let’s not trouble them.” Since going to university, Sang Xiao hadn’t been familiar with the items in her home, and after moving out for work, tidying up the guest room would inconvenience Sang’s mother and likely lead to endless questioning.

Kuang Qingshang understood her concerns and promised, “Don’t worry, I’m a very peaceful sleeper.”

Seeing Kuang Qingshang’s serious expression, and given that Kuang Qingshang hadn’t lied to her so far, Sang Xiao felt reassured. Then, that night, she experienced firsthand what it was like to be crushed under a big person in real life.