Sweet Oxygen - Chapter 33

Chapter 33 – Basketball

My little white-eyed wolves

——

“I actually wanted to say… I like you.”

When Qin Han spoke these words, her voice was so soft that if the electric fan’s breeze had been stronger, it might have scattered her sentence into the not-so-quiet daytime street.

But Zhang Yuqing heard her clearly.

Before this moment, he had sensed Qin Han’s growing dependence on him.

At first, Zhang Yuqing hadn’t given it much thought. The young girl had experienced quite a lot during this holiday, and with her parents’ divorce, she might naturally be seeking comfort from a trustworthy friend.

But her embrace gave her away.

When she clung tightly to him, Zhang Yuqing realized.

At least, she felt something positive toward him.

Since the girl hadn’t made her feelings clear before, he’d chosen to express his own attitude in a subtle way.

Now Qin Han had brought everything out into the open.

She looked extremely nervous, her fingertips digging into the wooden chair so hard that they turned white.

Her expression was tense.

But her gaze was clear and open.

In the eyes of this innocent young girl, liking someone wasn’t something to be hidden.

Her affection was pure and genuine.

Not lust, not possessiveness.

Just simple liking.

Pure liking.

Due to his upbringing and the need to earn money, Zhang Yuqing had been dealing with all kinds of people since childhood.

He’d worked part-time at tattoo shops since high school, learning the craft through observation before becoming a part-time tattoo artist himself. At 19, after dropping out of university, he opened his own shop.

Having seen and experienced much, he’d developed numerous ways to avoid answering questions he didn’t want to address.

He could have deflected the conversation, as he had before, with a quip like “I’m just a stand-in, right?” But he knew Qin Han wouldn’t have the courage to bring it up again.

If any other woman had confessed, Zhang Yuqing would have handled it this way.

But Qin Han was different.

Zhang Yuqing suddenly recalled that night when the girl had come running in the dead of night, drenched in sweat. She’d curled up in his coat, sobbing uncontrollably like a withered leaf trembling in autumn winds.

He sighed quietly, undetected.

Since she’d spoken plainly, he’d answer plainly too.

This was his special treatment for the little girl.

Zhang Yuqing paused briefly before returning his attention to the wound on Qin Han’s leg, continuing to disinfect it with iodine.

He asked with a faint smile, “You like me. And then?”

Qin Han froze, clearly not expecting this response. After a long moment, she asked in a confused tone, “What do you mean ‘and then’?”

The wound on Qin Han’s leg was quite severe. Zhang Yuqing, busy with disinfection, didn’t look up. “If you like me, then… is there something you want to do or ask for? Go on.”

His voice was gentle, like a river from Hai Zi’s poetry—

“My river is calm and vast now, wide enough to hold the murkiness of many streams.”

Qin Han hesitated for a moment. “And then? You want me to be your girlfriend?”

Zhang Yuqing suddenly laughed. “Little girl, that’s not possible.”

“Why not?”

In her anxiety, Qin Han’s leg twitched momentarily, effectively pressing her wound against the cotton swab in Zhang Yuqing’s hand.

She flinched from the pain but persisted with her question. “Why not?”

“You’re too young.”

“I’m going to be a college student soon!”

Zhang Yuqing arched an eyebrow and looked up at her. “I don’t do minors. No tattoos, no girlfriends. Understood?”

Perhaps Zhang Yuqing’s gentleness emboldened Qin Han. “Then have you had adult girlfriends before?”

Zhang Yuqing choked. “No.”

Outside, cicadas began their chorus. Qin Han declared solemnly, “Zhang Yuqing, I’m an adult now.”

“But you’re only 17!”

Qin Han shook her head, her voice dropping to a whisper. “I turned 18 in mid-August.”

Her parents had been too busy with divorce proceedings to remember her birthday.

Zhang Yuqing paused, likely recalling what Qin Han had experienced in August.

He finished treating her wounds, then put away the medicine and cotton swabs in his medical kit.

“Under my rules, anyone under 20 is still considered a minor.”

As he picked up the medical kit, Qin Han heard him say, “Happy birthday, young lady.”

This was Zhang Yuqing’s way.

Even after declining her request, he didn’t forget to wish her a happy birthday.

His gentleness was impossible not to like.

Perhaps this “liking” had transformed Qin Han into a new person before Zhang Yuqing. She developed the unique sensitivity one feels when falling for someone, along with a few petty concerns.

She knew Zhang Yuqing only softened his approach and engaged in serious conversation with her because of her youth and the unpleasant experiences she’d had during the holiday.

It wasn’t special favoritism.

He was simply being considerate due to his age difference.

This realization made Qin Han feel somewhat sad.

After a moment’s thought, Qin Han chose to change the subject.

She reached out her hand. “Do I get a birthday present?”

Zhang Yuqing glanced at her, swatted away her hand, and offered a dismissive response to her playful attempt, “May you remain carefree.”

Li Nan returned with Dandan and Beibei, bringing back the store’s lively atmosphere.

Qin Han appeared somewhat distracted.

She wasn’t particularly eager about Zhang Yuqing becoming her boyfriend.

In truth, when Zhang Yuqing asked her “So what’s next?” she’d been thinking the same thing—what’s next?

Qin Han felt she needed to sort out these questions properly.

Perhaps it was her own confusion that made Zhang Yuqing see her as a child.

She liked him.

She wanted him to be her boyfriend.

And then what?

Kisses? Hugs?

Or maybe hugs first, then kisses, then…

The more Qin Han thought about it, the redder her face grew.

Luo Shijin entered carrying melons and peaches, noticing Qin Han’s flushed face. “What’s wrong, Qin Han? Why’s your face so red?”

“Nothing! Just hot!”

Zhang Yuqing probably felt he hadn’t explained himself clearly. After Li Nan left, Dandan went upstairs to sleep, and Beibei followed Luo Shijin to the fruit stall, leaving only him and Qin Han in the tattoo studio.

He beckoned Qin Han over. “Come, let’s talk.”

Qin Han obediently approached.

Just then, a group of young boys in basketball uniforms walked past outside, dribbling balls that kicked up clouds of dust on the pavement.

Zhang Yuqing pointed at the boys outside. “See? To find a boyfriend, you should go to university. At your age, they’re more romantic and have the energy to keep you company in your silly games.”

Qin Han shot Zhang Yuqing a resentful glance. “How can you dismiss affection as childish nonsense? You’re being utterly disrespectful to the concept of liking someone.”

Zhang Yuqing frowned, dropping what he thought was a weighty retort, “I don’t have time to waste on children’s games. Got it?”

Qin Han responded with exaggerated sweetness, “I understand perfectly.”

The effect was like punching cotton—utterly ineffective. Whether the girl truly understood or not remained unclear, but Zhang Yuqing felt his internal organs might be damaged from the effort.

Despite her apparent comprehension, Qin Han showed up at Yaonan Alley the next day.

She arrived bouncing and humming, dressed in a sundress with a yellow fisherman’s cap, her radiant appearance betraying no trace of yesterday’s rejection.

As she entered, Zhang Yuqing regarded her with a critical eye.

Qin Han raised her hand. “I’m not here for you.”

Zhang Yuqing paused his work to observe her. He wanted to hear what excuse this girl could possibly concoct.

She showed him her phone screen. “I found a basketball court nearby. I’m going to check it out. Anyone with energy to spare for childish games is welcome to join.”

Zhang Yuqing wanted to curse.

Dandan, who adored Qin Han, clung to her, calling her “Qihan-jiejie” and begging her not to leave.

In the end, Qin Han simply took Dandan with her.

Zhang Yuqing was so angry he almost laughed. He snorted coldly, startling the customer lying on the bed whose tattoo he was working on. “Brother Qing, don’t take out your girlfriend troubles on me. Keep your wits about you—don’t stab me and leave a bloody hole in my back.”

“She’s not my girlfriend.”

Zhang Yuqing refused to waste breath. “You. Stop shaking.”

“Fuck! I’m not shaking from fear, you bastard!” the customer grumbled.

Zhang Yuqing said no more. He focused intently on his work, finishing efficiently without wasting time.

Only after completing the final step and putting away his tattoo tools did he furrowed his brow.

That sweet little girl—why would she suddenly act rebellious?

Qin Han had been gone for over three hours with Dandan.

Zhang Yuqing finished the tattoo and saw off the customer, but the two girls still hadn’t returned.

He called Qin Han, only to find her phone vibrating on the desk.

Frowning, worried something might have happened to the girls, Zhang Yuqing asked Luo Shijin to watch the shop while he went to look for them.

Yaonan Alley did have a small basketball court, not far from Zhang Yuqing’s shop.

Though calling it a court was generous—it was just a small patch of open ground with two basketball hoops.

The net on the basketball hoop had long since disappeared, leaving only a rusted iron ring, yet the court remained popular with players.

Zhang Yuqing knew all too well the kind of people who frequented that dilapidated court.

They’d shed their shirts entirely once heated up, their foul language outdoing even Luo Shijin’s. Arguments during games often escalated into full-blown brawls.

Yet these two girls had been watching for hours without returning home. What could possibly be worth staying for?

On such a scorching day, they might even risk heatstroke.

When Zhang Yuqing arrived, he realized his concerns had been unfounded.

Qin Han and Dandan sat on a large rock beneath the tree’s shade, each sipping cold wu mei juice while fanning themselves with wutong leaves. They looked utterly content.

The players sprinting across the court were all shirtless men. When an 18- or 19-year-old boy scored, Qin Han and Dandan cheered simultaneously, “Wow, amazing!”

Zhang Yuqing’s lips twitched.

With such amateurish skills, what exactly was so amazing about that?

He hadn’t expected Qin Han to have grown so familiar with both teams, even earning herself a referee position.

A player from the opposing team laughed, “A referee must be impartial. Why are you cheering only for one side? That’s not fair at all.”

Qin Han grabbed a small brick and earnestly drew brick-red numbers on the ground.

Only after recording the scores did she look up, foolishly shouting a slogan from some long-forgotten sports meet. “Strive, strive! Surpass yourself!”

Dandan chimed in cheerfully, “Apple, apple! Fried chicken necks!”

The basketball players burst into laughter.

“That referee’s too cute. If you win, we’ll treat you to ice cream.”

“Damn, how do you know they’ll win? What if we win instead?”

“Whoever wins treats us. Those two girls have been scoring for us all morning.”

“Right! Whoever wins treats us!”

“Big cups from the street vendor—the premium kind.”

Qin Han clutched the brick and turned to Dandan, “What flavor do you like?”

“Strawberry,” Dandan answered.

“Then strawberry it is. I like that too.”

As she spoke, a tall shadow appeared on the sun-bleached ground.

She looked up to see Zhang Yuqing’s impassive face. “What are you doing here?”

The corner of Zhang Yuqing’s mouth twitched. “I came to see how my two little white-eyed wolves got lured away by someone else’s ice cream.”