Sweet Nostalgia of the 80s

”This is my sister,” Ning Chenguang introduced her.

”How come I never heard you have such a sister before? Huh? You two really don’t look alike at all?” Zhan Xiche said.

”She’s not my biological sister. We have no blood relation, but since she’s younger, she always calls me ’big brother.’ We’re not biological siblings, but our feelings are deeper than that of real siblings,” Ning Chenguang slightly curled his lips, looking at He Yue as he spoke.

These were the most touching and heartwarming words He Yue had heard in the past few days, yet they were also bittersweet for her.

Nevertheless, she smiled widely at Ning Chenguang’s gaze.

”Oh? I see,” Zhan Xiche’s eyes turned, and he revealed a meaningful smile.

”Come, everyone sit down. Why are you all standing and chatting?” An Hao invited the kids to sit down and rest.

”No, Mom, Zhan Xiche and I are heading out!” Ning Chenguang said.

”So late, where are you going? Aren’t you planning to have dinner?”

”To play basketball. We agreed to have a game tonight, everyone’s there, just missing me. I can’t keep everyone waiting.”

”Alright then. Since you made plans, just go quickly, finish early and come back soon, I’ll save dinner for you.”

”Thanks, Mom!”

”Let’s go! Hurry up, Chenguang! I can’t wait to watch you guys play basketball!” Zhan Xiche excitedly pulled Ning Chenguang’s arm, ready to head out.

He Yue’s gaze instantly fell on the arm of Ning Chenguang that Zhan Xiche was holding. In that moment, she felt very uneasy inside.

She frowned unhappily, opened her mouth but didn’t say anything.

Ning Chenguang noticed He Yue’s gaze, he looked down and realized Zhan Xiche was holding his arm. He gently brushed her arm off and stopped to look at He Yue, asking, ”We’re going to play basketball, do you want to watch?”

”I want to watch,” He Yue responded, her frown easing, and she followed behind Ning Chenguang, saying to An Hao as she walked, ”Auntie, I want to watch big brother play basketball too, I’ll have dinner when I get back.”

...............

At the basketball court in the military compound, six kids from the compound, along with a few warriors from the guard company, formed two teams preparing for a basketball game under the streetlights on this hot summer night.

Their bodies were agile, movements swift, dribbling like the wind, each dunking with extreme flair and bursting with power.

Amidst the flurry of dazzling actions, He Yue watched with her blood boiling, her eyes never leaving Ning Chenguang, her hands clenched tightly in nervousness for him.

When she saw Ning Chenguang make a three-step layup and dunk the ball, she instantly breathed a sigh of relief, clapping her hands to cheer him on, ”Big brother! You’re the best!”

Ning Chenguang heard her cheers, looked in her direction, and waved his hand as a response to her.

Zhan Xiche also jumped and waved at Ning Chenguang for a while, but saw his gaze sweep past her and return to the basketball court.

She frowned slightly, only then realizing that there was something special about the relationship between He Yue and Ning Chenguang.

”Do you understand what you’re watching?” Zhan Xiche leaned closer to He Yue, slightly raised her chin, glancing sideways at He Yue.

”I don’t get it,” He Yue answered truthfully.

”If you don’t get it, why are you coming along?” Zhan Xiche’s lips curled up, her face suddenly getting close to He Yue, ”Be honest, do you like Chenguang?”