Chapter 709

The college student who had come over to fetch the ball quickly jogged back to his friends, announcing that he’d found their fourth player.

Jamison, hand in hand with his wife, followed along behind.

This wasn’t a professional basketball court—just an old blacktop behind the men’s dorm, with no fences or boundaries, the kind of place where sneakers scuffed up the painted lines and laughter echoed off brick walls.

Jamison strolled over and greeted the group of guys, handing his coat to Ivy before reminding her, “Stay back a bit. If you see the ball coming your way, dodge it, alright? I don’t want you getting hit again.”

“Yeah, I know. Just focus on the game—and don’t embarrass yourself,” Ivy quipped, taking his jacket and stepping back.

Dr. Ludwig snorted derisively, stretching his arms as he sauntered toward the center of the court.

The college guys were all in hoodies and sweatpants, braving the chill like it was nothing—ah, to be young and invincible.

Meanwhile, Jamison in his dress shirt and slacks looked wildly out of place, yet somehow, he stood out all the more because of it. He rolled his sleeves up to his elbows and undid the top button of his shirt at his neck to loosen up.

The game started quickly.

Even though Jamison was a newcomer, his teamwork with the hastily assembled squad was surprisingly smooth.

Ivy watched, eyebrows raised, as he made the opening shot—a clean basket that left even his teammates taken aback.

As the minutes ticked by, more and more students gathered at the edge of the court to watch. Everyone was curious about this tall, sharp-looking man playing basketball in formal clothes. His height, the length of his arms, the way he leapt for a shot—it was like catching a glimpse of a comic book hero come to life.

When Jamison nailed a three-pointer, the crowd erupted in cheers and applause.

“Not only is he tall, he’s good-looking too! Did you see his face? Absolute dreamboat!”

“And he’s playing basketball in a dress shirt and slacks—he looks like some kind of action-movie gentleman: all polished on the surface, but with this wild energy underneath. It’s such a contradiction, but so attractive!”

Ivy stood quietly at the sidelines, arms wrapped around his coat. She listened to the excited chatter from the girls nearby about the star of the court, lips curving into a faint, satisfied smile. She didn’t say a word, but inside, she was brimming with pride.

Of course, the man she’d chosen was extraordinary. Jamison had said it himself at dinner: She had high standards and a clear head.

“Oh! He scored again! Who is this guy? He doesn’t look like a student—way too handsome!”

“Maybe he’s a grad student—already job-hunting, that’s why he’s dressed so formal.”

“Yeah, maybe! Wait, but… look closely—he’s got a ring on his left hand. He’s married!”

“Oh, come on! Why are all the good ones already taken?”

Ivy listened to the groans of disappointment and couldn’t help but laugh.

Twenty minutes in, the players called for a break. Sweat pouring down his face, Jamison turned and strode toward Ivy, calling out from a distance, “Babe, do you have any water in your bag?”

That one word—“babe”—whether intentional or not, made the whole crowd of onlookers fall silent. Heads whipped around to stare at Ivy.

At school, Ivy always carried a roomy backpack for convenience. With the weather turning cold, she’d packed a compact pink thermos.

Seeing her husband sweaty and out of breath, she instinctively shrugged off her bag and rummaged for the thermos.

Jamison grabbed it at once, twisted off the lid, and drank.

“Hey, wait! You can’t—” Ivy started to protest, suddenly recalling that he shouldn’t be using her water bottle. But Jamison had already finished and handed it back.

“It’s fine,” he murmured quietly, knowing exactly what she was worried about.