Xiao Jingchuan’s footsteps paused, and he gave Liu Aunt a sidelong glance. Liu Aunt jumped and hurried to explain, “Young Master, I’m not someone who gossips or causes trouble. I also know that Director Xiao treats Jiang Aunt specially, so I usually let minor things slide. If it weren’t that I truly couldn’t stand it this time, and knowing you genuinely care for the little master, I would have kept my distance and stayed out of it.”
Xiao Jingchuan lowered his eyelashes. “Understood.”
He strode into the room with long legs and saw the girl in rustic clothing sitting across from his father, playing Go.
She sat upright, playing very seriously. He stood silently behind his father, watching.
Xiao Tianwen smiled broadly. “The little girl is good. But compared to your mother’s play, you’re just slightly behind.”
Fu Yunzhu’s eyes curved into a smile. “I just learned, you know? It’s normal that I’m not as good as Mom.”
She placed another stone on the board.
Xiao Tianwen froze at her move. “Ah! You’re waiting here to trap me? Such cunning!”
He thought for a moment, then placed a decisive stone.
Fu Yunzhu’s hand froze. “Director, you’ve won again. My level still needs work. Shall I have Mom come and play with you instead?”
Xiao Tianwen laughed. “Even though you lost, your risky moves kept my heart in my throat again and again. Compared to your mother’s steady style, this is far more fun. But if you really want, you can switch your mother in.”
It had to be Youqing capable of producing a seemingly obedient but actually clever little girl.
Xiao Jingchuan’s lips curved slightly. This girl was indeed trying to be clever, deliberately flattering her father. Her last move was given up to him, and it was done skillfully.
What a little schemer.
Before leaving, Fu Yunzhu greeted Xiao Jingchuan. “Young Master.”
Xiao Jingchuan called her back. “Play two rounds with me.”
Xiao Tianwen hurriedly got up. “You brat, Yunzhu just learned yesterday. Don’t be too fierce, don’t scare her.”
“Understood. If you’re worried, just watch.”
Xiao Jingchuan sat in Xiao Tianwen’s seat and politely gestured. “Sister Yunzhu, let’s pretend we’re siblings. Play your best. If you win, I’ll give you a reward.”
“What reward?”
“Anything you ask watch, bicycle, or something else. As long as I can get it, it’s yours.”
“All right.”
Fu Yunzhu realized that the eldest son’s sudden request to play Go wasn’t idle curiosity. He must have noticed the strategic concession she made on the board. Offering a reward was to tempt her to reveal her real strength he clearly disliked little tricks.
If he could spot it immediately, it meant his skill surpassed even Director Xiao’s.
Most people can’t beat Director Xiao, her mother had said. It probably included his insight just now.
They set up the board. Xiao Tianwen smiled and advised Fu Yunzhu, “Don’t feel pressured, Yunzhu. If you lose, you’ll get a reward. I’ve played Go for many years; I’ve beaten everyone, but this boy? No one has beaten him. He’s undefeated, so even if you lose badly, don’t be discouraged.”
“Understood. Thank you, Director.”
Xiao Jingchuan politely gestured. “Sister Yunzhu, you go first.”
Fu Yunzhu noticed his confidence he was giving her the advantage of the first move. Her lips curved. “All right.”
The black stones went down, the white stones followed. They moved back and forth, attack and defense flowing naturally, with minimal difference, decided by half a point.
The white stones were precise, the black stones cleverly countered.
After a few rounds, Fu Yunzhu showed no sign of defeat.
Entering the second half, her strategy began to work. She counterattacked relentlessly. The final black stone was placed, and the white stones were in a dire situation.
Xiao Tianwen witnessed the entire game in disbelief. He took a long moment to react. “Yunzhu, were you teasing me just now?”
Fu Yunzhu calmly smiled. “Director, I wanted to make you happy, so I played thoughtfully with you.”
Her clear, bright eyes were full of laughter, utterly sincere.
Xiao Jingchuan was momentarily stunned. Someone with ulterior motives could speak so plainly and harmlessly and not cause irritation. She was the first.
Xiao Tianwen laughed. “Your daughter is considerate. Unlike that brat, who immediately tries to crush me as soon as we start.”
Fu Yunzhu’s lips curved slightly. “Director, that shows the eldest son never pretends in front of you. Many try to please you, but only he lets you see his true self. You should treasure that.”
She understood Xiao Tianwen’s mind he treated her like a daughter but she had no intention of competing for attention with Xiao Jingchuan.
Xiao Tianwen loved his mother, but had restrained himself all these years, waiting for his son’s attitude.
Before he fully accepted her mother, she couldn’t push the story in the opposite direction.
Xiao Jingchuan said, “I lost this game. How about two more rounds? Best two out of three to decide?”
Fu Yunzhu saw he accepted defeat gracefully a well-mannered person and naturally agreed. “All right.”
This time she let him go first.
Xiao Jingchuan placed a stone, and she followed. Midway, he spoke. “You really just started learning yesterday?”
Such skill was hard to believe.
“Yes. After learning, I used my free time to play against myself repeatedly until I found the subtleties.”
Xiao Jingchuan lowered his gaze, placed a stone, and remained silent.
Xiao Tianwen added, “You can’t judge a prodigy by ordinary standards.”
“Father is right,” he said, placing another stone.
When Fu Yunzhu placed her next stone, she realized he had not only figured out her earlier patterns but also used the opening advantage to disrupt her original plan. She was now on the defensive.
Sighing internally, she realized the true prodigy was here.
The final stone was placed. The game was decided. Xiao Jingchuan looked at her, lips curving slightly. “You lost.”
Fu Yunzhu paused, then silently nodded.
Xiao Tianwen saw her slight disappointment and said to Xiao Jingchuan, “Why use tricks on Yunzhu, big boy? That’s a little sly~”
“Didn’t you always say all’s fair in war?” he replied, sitting straight as a pine, calm and collected, eyes on the board.
Fu Yunzhu wasn’t disappointed she was reviewing the game in her mind.
In the third round, they fought closely. She didn’t expect he had also reviewed her weaknesses, and she let out a long breath.
Casually glancing up, she saw him still in uniform, sitting like a sheathed military sword, as if victory in this game was certain.
She was about to look away when she met his calm, warm eyes. Then she heard him say, “Don’t be nervous. Win or lose, you’ll get a reward.”
Fu Yunzhu didn’t respond. Truly, a man who reaches the pinnacle of power can remain outwardly calm, even when deadly intent is brewing.
Her gaze returned to the board, observing carefully, eyes curving slightly.