That Nameless Summer Chapter 22

ice cream

On the third day after the snow stopped, the sun finally broke through the clouds and shone warmly on the snow at the entrance of the alley. The melted snow water dripped down the branches of the locust tree, ticking, ticking, like beating a fine beat.

Song Li was staring at the exercise book in a daze when his phone suddenly vibrated. It was the group chat of the high school basketball team that exploded.Captain Zhao Peng sent three messages in a row, with a loud voice: “Song Li! Come out and play! The snow has melted and there is no water on the court. I have an appointment with you to play, but you are the only one left!”

Followed by a series of messages of agreement, some people asked the losers to drink milk tea, and some people clamored to compete with Song Li in three-point shooting.

Song Li looked at the screen and paused with his fingertips.During this half of the winter vacation, he was either bored at home or waiting for news from Ling Qingye on his mobile phone, his whole person showing a wilting energy.

He thought for a moment, replied “I’ll be there soon”, grabbed his coat and walked out.

When passing by the living room, Xu Jiangyou was sitting on the sofa watching a TV series. He caught a glimpse of his rare joy and raised his eyebrows: “Have you changed your gender? Are you finally willing to go out?”

“Basketball team get together.” Song Li changed his shoes, with an imperceptible lightness in his voice.

“You should have gone a long time ago.” Xu Jiangyou threw him a bottle of sports drink, “Don’t show off, your arm was sprained last time you played ball and you haven’t recovered well yet.”

Song Li caught the drink and felt warm in his heart.This unrelated sister was always like this, speaking unforgivingly, but in her heart she missed him more than anyone else.”Got it.”

A lot of people had already gathered on the basketball court, all wearing school uniforms and jackets, which were warmed by the sun.When Zhao Peng saw him coming, he waved his hands and shouted from afar: “Song Li! This way!”

A group of teenagers rushed up to him, clapped their hands and patted his shoulders. Their noisy laughter made people’s ears ring.The familiar noise instantly dispelled the boredom that had accumulated for half a winter vacation in Song Li’s heart.

“What are you doing at home during the winter vacation?” Zhao Peng bumped his arm and winked, “Are you secretly in love?”

“Fuck you.” Song Li smiled and pushed him away, picked up the basketball and played it twice. His fingertips touched the familiar lines, and most of the depression in his heart disappeared.

The group competition was in full swing.The thud of the basketball hitting the ground and the shouts of the teenagers, mixed with the smell of sunshine, fermented the vigorous youthful spirit in the air.Song Li was sweating profusely from running. The hood of his sweatshirt slipped down, revealing his smooth forehead. The sweat dripped down his jawline. He raised his hand to wipe it away, turned around and made a beautiful pass, which caused a burst of cheers from his teammates.

He hadn’t been this happy for a long time.There is no need to think about the depression at home, no need to think about Ling Qingye’s troubles, no need to carry those heavy worries, just run, jump, shoot, and release all the emotions on the court.

During halftime, a group of people sat on the benches on the sidelines, drinking ice-cold drinks and chatting away.

“Have you heard? There will be a campus singing competition next semester.” Someone suddenly said.

“Tch, I’m tone-deaf and I don’t want to be embarrassed.”

“Hey Song Li, don’t you know how to play the guitar? Go and try it!”

Song Li was stunned for a moment, then shook his head: “Forget it, I’m too lazy to bother.”

He could indeed play the guitar. His mother saved up three months’ salary to buy it for him when he was a child. Later, when the guitar was moved around, the guitar’s neck was broken and it has been sitting on the top of the closet, collecting a layer of dust.

While they were chatting, Zhao Peng’s cell phone rang. He answered the phone and his tone instantly became flattering: “Mom, I’m playing ball… I’ll be back soon… I know, I know…”

After hanging up the phone, he wailed with a grimace: “It’s over, my mother is urging me to go home for dinner.”

The crowd burst into laughter.

As the sun set, the party broke up.Song Li walked home. His sweatshirt was soaked with sweat and stuck to his back. When the wind blew, it felt cool, but it was extremely comfortable.When passing by the canteen, he went in and bought two ice creams, one was the strawberry flavor that Xu Jiangyou loved, and the other was the original flavor.

When he reached the alley, he paused.

Ling Qingye was standing under the locust tree, holding a document in his hand and looking down at it.The afterglow of the setting sun shone on him, coating his black hair with a soft golden edge. The lines on his profile were still cold and hard, but less alienated than in the past.

Hearing the footsteps, Ling Qingye raised his head and his eyes fell on Song Li. Seeing his sweaty appearance, a faint smile flashed in his eyes.

“Going to play ball?” he said, with a hint of sunshine’s warmth in his voice.

“Yes.” Song Li walked up to him and handed over the original ice cream, “I just bought it and it hasn’t melted yet.”

Ling Qingye was stunned and reached out to take it.A cold touch came from the fingertips, dissipating the heat from holding the document.He looked at the white steam rising from the ice cream, then looked at Song Li’s red cheeks, his Adam’s apple moved, and whispered: “Thank you.”

The two stood side by side under the locust tree, saying nothing.The setting sun stretched their shadows very long, overlapping each other like a quiet painting.

Song Li bit into the strawberry-flavored ice cream, and the sweet taste spread on her tongue.He watched Ling Qingye lower his head and take a bite of the ice cream, with a little cream on the corner of his mouth.

The evening breeze blew gently, carrying the moist smell of melted snow and the flavor of youthful youth.