Only Wang Yi himself knew.
That had not been a simple "passing by."
It was her usual, restrained companionship.
Training continued.
Suicides, scrimmages, tactical drills.
Wang Yi stayed fully focused throughout.
He did not look toward the sideline again.
But for some reason.
The tightly wound string in his heart.
Seemed to have been gently loosened by that cup of hot honey water.
Even the exhaustion after training no longer felt so hard to endure.
The whistle signaling the end of practice blew.
The players began packing up their equipment one after another.
Wang Yi walked to the sideline.
He picked up the towel on the chair.
Scarlett was still standing where she had been.
When she saw him approach, she gave him a small wave.
"Practice is over."
"You went pretty hard today."
Wang Yi draped the towel over his shoulder.
"You should head back too."
"It's cold at night. Wear more."
"Okay."
Scarlett nodded.
She took a small step forward.
Just one step, without crossing the line.
"Wang Yi."
For the first time, she called him by his full name instead of "Wang."
"I still mean what I said."
"I won't pester you."
"And I won't put pressure on you."
"You just focus on playing."
"When you feel like talking about something else."
"I'll always be here."
After saying that.
She stepped back.
And returned to her place outside the railing.
A faint smile rested on her face.
There was no expectation, nor was there disappointment.
She simply looked very calm.
Wang Yi looked at her.
He was silent for two seconds.
"Mm."
That was his response to her.
Not warm, but not a rejection either.
Steady and reassuring.
Scarlett smiled.
She waved.
"I'm going."
"Good luck at practice tomorrow."
She turned and left.
Her footsteps were light.