The Love Score || Zhuo Zhi

41: Enough With the Cheesiness

I sat back down on the bench, exhaling. I hadn't even realised that I was holding my breath. "Do you think we managed to knock some sense into him?"

Lu Xia gave a small shrug. "Don't know. But I hope so."

I nudged Lu Xia, grinning. "Since when did Little Lu Xia get so wise?"

"Stop calling me little!" Lu Xia shoved my hand away, his expression unchanging as I chuckled at his reaction.

The match continued, but Xiao Yu made no more attempts to use the Celestial Smash, staying safe with his Half Volleys. Zhuo Zhi used one more Swallow's Return, which was saved by Xiao Yu before the ball hit the ground. Xiao Yu hit out another Super Half Volley, that Zhuo Zhi managed to catch and return just by inches. Finally, Zhuo Zhi hit a high ball and Xiao Yu attempted tackling it with an overhead smash, but he overestimated and the ball bounced out of the court.

"Score: five to seven!" I hollered. "Zhuo Zhi wins."

I braced myself for the worst to happen. I half-expected Xiao Yu to lash out or leave the place furiously at losing the match. But what none of us had guessed was that Xiao Yu had moved up to the net, holding out a hand to shake, a slight smile on his face.

Zhuo Zhi froze at his spot, gaping. Like his brain stuttered for the moment, stunned. There was a sudden change in the heavy mood. The atmosphere felt lighthearted now. What happened?

Xiao Yu raised his eyebrows in amusement. "Brother, are you not going to show some good sportsmanship?"

Zhuo Zhi, who had been at a loss for words, blinked his eyes, his mouth opening and closing like a goldfish. "I... what?" he sputtered.

"Senior Zhuo Zhi, just go, jeez!" Lu Xia yelled out beside me in exasperation.

Zhuo Zhi shut his mouth, his eyes wary as he walked up to the net in hesitation to grasp Xiao Yu's hand. To everyone's shock, Xiao Yu reached his free hand out to slap Zhuo Zhi's shoulder. Zhuo Zhi jumped out of his stance at the sudden movement. Xiao Yu grinned, "Zhuo Zhi, what's gotten into you?"

Zhuo Zhi slowly broke out into a smile, a relieved breath escaping his lips. "What the heck, Zhuo Yu? Why are you so happy now?"

"Because," Xiao Yu glanced over to me and Lu Xia, then looked back at Zhuo Zhi. "I realised that I shouldn't be exchanging our brotherhood over a match."

Now it was my turn to smile widely as Zhuo Zhi pulled Xiao Yu into a warm hug. The stadium was so empty that I could hear Zhuo Yu's quiet words. "I missed you, brother. I'm sorry for not coming home."

"I promise to be a better brother next time. I swear," Zhuo Zhi promised, the two brothers still in their hug.

I held back an 'aw' as Lu Xia rolled his eyes. "Alright, enough with the cheesiness, you two!"

"Shut up and let them enjoy the moment." I slapped Lu Xia's arm as the two broke apart and came back to the bench.

"I'll go get some drinks for us," Xiao Yu suggested, grabbing his towel on the bench and walking away out of the stadium.

Lu Xia got up too, trailing after Xiao Yu. "I have to make sure that he knows I want my grape soda," he explained, exiting the stadium.

It was just me and Zhuo Zhi left. Zhuo Zhi dried the sweat off his black hair with his towel, the slight smile still etched on his lips. He looked peaceful now, that his main problem had finally gone away and he had nothing to worry about anymore. I chewed on my bottom lip nervously, silently watching him as I wondered what I should say.

His tennis racket clattered to the floor from leaning against the bench and I instinctively bent down to help him pick it up. At the same time, Zhuo Zhi's hand reached for the handle of his racket, and our hands touched. His felt warm, which I expected it to be. After all, he had been running around the court during that intense match. I retracted my hand away as Zhuo Zhi grasped the handle of his racket, his eyes meeting mine. His dark brown eyes that I knew they were a chocolate brown when the sun shone in them.