The skies were clear — rare, perfect weather.
Just the day before, Yang Yang had lifted the World Youth Championship trophy. But despite the whirlwind of headlines, media frenzy, and mounting transfer speculation, his mood remained calm and content. Nothing could dampen the joy of what he'd accomplished.
That morning, as the sun rose gently over the Dutch countryside, he picked up a football and left his place quietly, heading out for a run.
He jogged eastward out of the town of Ouderkerk aan de Amstel, following the familiar path toward a hotel near the A2 ring road, southeast of Amsterdam.
There, waiting outside the front doors, stood Su Ye.
She wore a light gray athletic t-shirt, red running shorts, and simple running shoes. Her slim figure was graceful and athletic. Her head was bowed slightly, her ponytail swaying as she idly kicked at the edge of the pavement with the tip of her shoe. From where he stood across the road, Yang Yang couldn't quite see her expression — but somehow, that made the moment feel even more delicate.
During his time in Beijing, she had often accompanied him on walks through the Summer Palace, but back then, he'd barely noticed the details of her clothing.
Now, seeing her like this — relaxed, alone, waiting — something shifted.
Was this what first love felt like?
A quiet joy swelled in his chest — a kind of happiness that felt fresh and unfamiliar, but satisfying. He smiled without realizing it, then crossed the road toward her.
"Su Ye," he called softly.
She looked up with a start, her eyes widening with surprise before softening in a mix of joy and shyness. Even now, it seemed she hadn't yet fully adjusted to this new relationship — from longtime friend to something more.
"Have you been waiting long?" Yang Yang asked gently as he approached.
Su Ye shook her head quickly. "No, I just came down."
Yang Yang smiled. Without a word, he extended his left hand.
"Let's go, then."
Her cheeks turned red instantly. Though clearly embarrassed, she reached out her right hand and slid it into his. His palm was warm, and he held her hand firmly — not forcefully, but with a quiet confidence that made her heart flutter.
The moment her fingers laced into his, a soft, almost weightless feeling washed over her.
It was the kind of feeling that made you forget to breathe — the kind that told her she wouldn't be able to run away even if she wanted to.
Back in China, Yang Yang had often spoken to her about Lake Ouderkerk — the quiet body of water near his training routes in the Netherlands. He told her how he ran there every morning, how peaceful it was even in the cold.
She had told him then that if she ever had the chance, she'd love to see it.
Now, she did.
They had made plans the night before: to meet early and go running together. For Su Ye, it wasn't anything unusual — she'd run regularly for years, especially during her ballet and theater training. Back home in Beijing, her usual route circled the Summer Palace — ten kilometers, easily. A single lap around Lake Ouderkerk was nothing she couldn't handle.
The two of them jogged side by side, their fingers still intertwined, as they made their way down the lakeside path. The early light shimmered over the water's surface, and the breeze carried only the sound of birds and their quiet, rhythmic steps on the gravel.
The sun had not yet risen, and the air was cool with early morning quiet. Most of the Dutch were still asleep, and around the lake, there was not a soul in sight — just Yang Yang and Su Ye, running side by side.
Yang Yang kept glancing sideways every few strides. He couldn't help it. The more he looked at her, the more beautiful she seemed.
Even just her profile — graceful, soft, radiant in the early light — felt like a living work of art. The kind you couldn't take your eyes off, no matter how many times you saw it.
Each time her hand brushed against his, Su Ye blushed. Her face was warm with shyness and quiet happiness. She lowered her head to avoid his gaze, but she still held his hand tighter.
After completing a lap around Lake Ouderkerk, they reached the northeastern shore, where a narrow wooden bridge stretched across the water toward a small artificial island. From above, the island looked like two overlapping diamonds tucked among trees and wild grass.
The bridge was barely wide enough for one person and had no railings — originally built for boat rental clubs and water sports on the north shore, it had gradually become a secret spot for adventurous locals. Some residents used it to cross, but more often it was quiet couples who walked it for the thrill and the peace.
Yang Yang had told Su Ye about this place before. Back then, she had said she'd love to visit it someday.
Now that she was here, standing at the edge of the lake and staring at the narrow, slightly weathered bridge, she hesitated. It looked unstable, maybe even dangerous. But the island beyond — its trees, its calm — called to her.
Yang Yang could read it in her eyes.
With a smile, he scooped up his ball in one arm and gently raised their clasped hands with the other. "Don't worry," he said. "I'm right here. I'll take you."
Just those words were enough. Su Ye took a breath, nodded, and followed.
From a distance, the bridge had looked flimsy. Up close, it wasn't quite so bad. It swayed slightly with each step, and there were no guardrails, but as long as they stepped carefully, it held steady.
"If you're scared," Yang Yang teased, "just look at me. I'm not afraid."
Su Ye shot him a glare, half nervous, half amused. "If I look at you, I'll fall in!"
"Then don't worry," he laughed. "If you fall, I'll save you. Worst case, we go for a swim."
He had been swimming regularly anyway — he was confident.
They wobbled their way across. When they finally reached the island, Su Ye let out a long breath and clutched her chest. "That bridge almost scared me to death."
Yang Yang laughed and tugged her toward a patch of soft grass on the southern edge of the island. He flopped down, arms stretched, breathing in deeply.
The grass was soft and cool beneath them, rich with the scent of morning earth.
"So happy," he said aloud, grinning.
Su Ye lay down beside him, easing close. She curled against him, her head resting on his shoulder, fingers still holding his hand. Her eyes never left his face.
For a long time, she said nothing — just lay there, content. As if this quiet moment could last forever.
But she knew it wouldn't.
Yang Yang had dreams to chase. So did she.
"Do you know something?" Yang Yang said suddenly, still looking up at the sky. "Yesterday… for the first time, I knew exactly what I want."
"What?"
"I want to be the greatest footballer in the world."
Su Ye smiled softly. That didn't surprise her. That was exactly the Yang Yang she had fallen for.
"I want to make you proud of me," he said.
Her heart swelled. She squeezed his hand even tighter, wishing in that moment that she could somehow hold on to him forever.
After a while, she asked gently, "Do you know what my dream is?"
Yang Yang nodded. "You want to be an actress. A good one."
She smiled. He hadn't forgotten.
"I always wondered," he said. "Your dad was so against it. What made him suddenly agree to let you try again?"
Su Ye laughed and leaned in closer. "We made a deal. Three conditions. Three promises."
Yang Yang raised an eyebrow. "What kind of promises?"
"My dad didn't want me to enter the industry because he thinks it's too messy. He didn't want his daughter caught in all that."
"That makes sense," Yang Yang said.
"So I promised him three things."
"Go on."
"First — no kissing scenes, no bed scenes, no intimate roles."
Yang Yang immediately agreed. "That's obvious. You're mine. No one else gets to touch you."
He reached out and gently brushed her cheek, his fingers warm on her skin. "This face is mine."
Su Ye reached up and hugged him tightly, then leaned in and kissed him deeply, pressing her lips to his with all the warmth and promise of a girl in love.
Their lips parted slowly, breathless, eyes locked.
"What was the second promise?" Yang Yang whispered, their foreheads touching.
"No wild roles, no indecent clothes, no trashy shows. I have to behave and dress properly."
"Uncle's not wrong," Yang Yang murmured. "I support that."
"The third one…" Su Ye smiled playfully, "…I can't use gossip or scandals to get famous. And if I ever have a boyfriend, I have to get his approval first."
Yang Yang laughed. "You mean I have to go talk to him? Introduce myself?"
"You dare?" Su Ye pinched his arm.
Her tone was scolding, but her smile gave her away.
"Don't worry," she whispered. "When the time is right, I'll tell them. About us."
Yang Yang blinked. "What will you tell them?"
"That… you and I…" She trailed off, blushing. "You're terrible!"
She playfully slapped his chest but held him tighter than ever.
For a while, they simply lay together on the grass, staring up at the pale blue sky, letting the breeze wash over them. The lake shimmered quietly. The air smelled of water and earth and summer.
"I almost forgot," Yang Yang said suddenly, "Maxwell's hosting dinner at his place tonight. He wants you to come."
Su Ye lifted her brows with a smile. "Do you want me to?"
"Of course."
"Why?"
He hesitated, just for a few seconds. "I don't know," he admitted. "I just really want the world to know that you're my girlfriend."
Su Ye smiled. "Then I'll go."
"I'll come pick you up."
"I'll be waiting."
They lay in silence again, wrapped in each other's arms, as the first golden light of morning touched their skin.
And in that quiet moment, coated in sunlight and laughter and something that felt like forever, the world around them faded away.
...
After leaving the artificial island, Yang Yang brought Su Ye to a small breakfast shop on the corner — a place he'd frequented since his early days in the Netherlands.
The owner recognized him immediately and welcomed him with a grin, but his gaze soon shifted to the young woman beside him. Su Ye, still gently holding Yang Yang's hand, tried to avoid the man's eyes, her cheeks turning a soft pink under the morning light.
Noticing the lingering look, Yang Yang couldn't help but smile proudly. "Don't stare, she's my girlfriend."
Su Ye lowered her head, too shy to meet the shop owner's amused expression, but there was no hiding the quiet happiness in her eyes.
The man clapped the counter with enthusiasm. "Breakfast is on me today," he said. "And if you try to argue, I'll pretend I don't know you."
Yang Yang laughed. "Alright then — thank you!"
Still holding Su Ye's hand, he turned to leave, but the man called after him.
"Yang! Treat her well. Be good to her — and stay happy!"
"I will!" Yang Yang shouted back with a wave, not bothering to look behind him.
The gesture was simple, the words a little theatrical — the kind of advice you'd expect from someone who watched too many dramas. But somehow, it meant something more.
Walking side by side with Su Ye under the clear Dutch sky, with the scent of warm breakfast in the air and the sound of bicycles rattling by in the distance, Yang Yang felt a kind of peace that he hadn't experienced in a long time.
Everything around him — the morning light, the breeze, the girl by his side — seemed to settle gently into place.
And for the first time in a long while, he didn't feel like he was chasing something.
He felt like he was exactly where he was meant to be.
...
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