Chapter 59: Should I Call Her Sister-in-law or Master’s Wife?

It was already late January of 2016, the heart of winter in Urumqi, where the wind howled relentlessly.

Aziguli Maimaiti had spent over two months at the training base. These months had been happy ones for her, first because her younger brother had found a path for his future. She knew just how much he loved basketball; growing up in solitude, he poured all his feelings into the sport, apart from the care from her and their family.

The second reason was that the base was genuinely a pleasant place. Although the salary was not high, the work was light, and there was none of the chaos found outside. Even if some of her older female colleagues gossiped from time to time, it was nothing of consequence. But most importantly for Aziguli, “he” was here.

Hawule Pulati had been intentionally getting close to her—Aziguli was well aware of this. She had encountered far more blatant approaches while working outside, and compared to some, Hawule, a university student, was pure as a blank page.

Yet, Aziguli’s heart already belonged to someone. She knew that nothing could ever come of it, but what girl doesn’t dream? She kept her secret fantasy hidden deep within, and it was enough to bring her joy each day.

From the first moment she met him, Aziguli felt an inexplicable attraction. His tall stature, his calm demeanor, and the warmth of his smile all captivated her deeply. Although he seemed evasive when they first met, Aziguli no longer cared about such things. She simply wished to quietly, and closely, watch him.

After finishing her work, Aziguli prepared to collect the camel milk she had ordered from outside the base. The training center was well equipped, with a cafeteria for athletes, but camel milk was not among the provisions—it was too niche, and much more expensive than cow or sheep’s milk. Camels only produce milk during a brief nursing period, so the supply is always limited and costly.

Because Turghun was physically weaker than others, Aili Maimaiti had recommended camel milk, which the team purchased from outside. Each day, a dedicated milk delivery worker would bring it to the gate, where Aziguli would collect it.

The security guards at the entrance, seeing the beautiful Aziguli coming for the milk, eagerly handed it to her. If they weren’t on duty, someone might have even offered to deliver it all the way to the youth team training hall. Beauty, sometimes, was a universal pass.

As two guards were trying to strike up a conversation, a taxi stopped at the entrance. From the back seat emerged a tall young woman. The cramped back seat of the gas-powered taxi had clearly been uncomfortable for her. After getting out, she stretched deeply; her upright figure, like a poplar tree, and her lovely smile left the guards stunned. Compared to Aziguli’s alluring beauty, this tall girl was just as striking, and her height was rare among ordinary people.

The young woman, carrying only a suitcase with a national flag emblem, approached the entrance.

“Excuse me, is the provincial youth basketball team training here?”

Her Mandarin was impeccable, clear and crisp.

“Yes, that’s right. Are you looking for someone?”

“Oh, I’m here to see the youth team’s head coach, Wang Lei. Could I go in?”

“Oh, you’re looking for Coach Wang? May I ask, what is your relation to her? Sorry, we need to register all visitors.”

“Ah, I see. I’m his girlfriend, just came to visit him.”

“Well, that’s convenient. Hey, someone call Aziguli over, have her take this guest inside—she says she’s Coach Wang’s girlfriend.”

The guards didn’t doubt her identity; they honestly didn’t believe a tall and beautiful woman would come here to cause trouble.

When Aziguli saw Ma Dongmei for the first time, she knew her “fantasy” would remain just that—a fantasy. Compared to herself, Ma Dongmei, much taller, obviously suited Wang Lei better.

“Hello, you’re Aziguli, right? Haha, that guy told me about you. Wow, you’re really beautiful.”

Ma Dongmei hadn’t expected that the first person she’d meet in Urumqi would be Aziguli. Wang Lei had mentioned her in phone calls, and Ma Dongmei had felt a pang of jealousy at the time. Now, seeing this Uyghur girl in person, she understood; Aziguli was indeed beautiful.

Ma Dongmei hadn’t told Wang Lei she was coming; she wanted to surprise him. The league was over, and after an easy cup victory, the Yangtze River women’s volleyball team was about to disband for vacation. Ma Dongmei had left two days early—no one would mind.

“You’re beautiful too. What’s your name?” Aziguli was clearly a bit self-conscious, her voice less steady than usual.

“My name’s Ma Dongmei. Hehe, what’s he doing now? Is he in the gym or the dormitory?”

“Oh, he should be in the gym now. The holidays are coming, so they’re training extra hard.”

Aziguli’s Mandarin was still not great, carrying a strong regional accent.

“Thank you. Could you take me to the gym? I’ve never seen him coach before, hehe.”

Ma Dongmei didn’t notice the self-doubt or touch of jealousy in Aziguli’s words. Aziguli’s accent was thick, and she hadn’t looked Ma Dongmei in the eye.

Aziguli led Ma Dongmei through the staff entrance to the gym. Training matches were still underway, but Wang Lei was giving more guidance now, constantly directing players on how to move.

“Cai Aihong, set a screen. Turghun, watch your teammate’s position. Wang Zhaohui has already cut behind.”

“Hawule, don’t chase the ball—hold your man.”

Both offense and defense listened to his instructions. After calling out for some time, Wang Lei’s voice was already hoarse.

Seeing her beloved commanding a crowd, Ma Dongmei was filled with excitement and joy.

“Brother Lei, haha!”

Sneaking up behind him while his attention was fully on the game, Ma Dongmei gave Wang Lei a huge surprise.

Wang Lei was startled, thinking he’d imagined it, but when he turned around, the girl’s beautiful face was right before him.

Still startled, Wang Lei was swept up in a hug by Ma Dongmei, her longing making her oblivious to the eyes around them.

The players on the court, seeing their coach embraced by a tall young woman, stopped what they were doing.

“Whoa, that must be our coach’s wife! Uh, should we call her ‘Coach’s wife’ or ‘sister-in-law’?”

Wang Zhaohui was always talkative, but this time he spoke what everyone was thinking—the girl in their coach’s arms didn’t look much older than themselves.