Thinking this, Zhu Pingniang shifted her attention from Xu Changâan and focused on completing her chess game. She clasped her hands together, leaned forward slightly, and stared intently at the black and white pieces.
Dividing her thoughts in half, Zhu Pingniang concentrated on the chessboard and no longer had the mind to think about anything else, placing one move after another.
Seeing this, Xu Changâanâs eyes instantly lit up.
He enjoyed music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, but if he had to say which he liked the most so far, it would indeed be chess.
Music, calligraphy, and painting were also good, after all, he had daydreamed about Yun Qian playing music for him.
But chess was different.
The basics were relatively simple, and he could quickly play chess with Yun Qian.
Therefore, having the desire to play chess with Yun Qian, he had a special fondness for chess from the beginning.
However, liking it was one thing; spending his days on Muyu Peak playing against young ladies, whether during mountain gatherings or festivals, they invariably called on him to play chess.
Thus...
Xu Changâan deeply understood how embarrassing his meager chess skills were. Any senior sister on Muyu Peak could easily defeat him.
As a husband, how could he want to embarrass himself in front of his wife?
So, practicing chess skills promptly to avoid too much embarrassment was an important cultivation for Xu Changâan, especially since he wanted to personally teach Yun Qian how to play chessâhow could he improve himself otherwise?
The Zhu Pingniang before him was undoubtedly a treasure in Xu Changâanâs eyes when it came to her chess thinking.
In terms of the game, her move with the white piece, Celestial Yuan, turned her advantageous position into an ordinary field. So, without going easy, she played against herself, and the chess skills were truly equal.
The tense situation made Xu Changâan itch with excitement, his breath unintentionally growing heavier.
Zhu Pingniang: "..."
It wasnât that she was distracted, but Xu Changâanâs burning gaze was affecting her.
She glanced up slightly and saw Xu Changâan lost in the world of black and white on the chessboard, his intense fascination evident.
Xu Changâan was too focused to notice that Zhu Pingniang was holding a piece, not making a move, but instead staring at him.
"..." Zhu Pingniang glanced down at her skirt, her lips twitching slightly.
This was the first time she had seen Xu Changâan showing such affection; this young man wouldnât bother to look at her no matter how flirtatious she acted, as if he were a meditating monk.
Though he had changed now, it wasnât her he liked, but the chess.
"What a quirk," Zhu Pingniang muttered softly, but her lips curled up slightly.
Her mood inexplicably improved.
Zhu Pingniang continued the game. She held the black pieces, hesitated for a long time before making a move, then immediately picked up a white piece to bring the black piece into a dangerous spot again, starting another round of deep contemplation.
Quickly.
As the chess game became increasingly complex, Zhu Pingniang took longer to think over each move.
The Celestial Essence Chess was designed to waste the advantage of the first move. Given the need to save face, the girl playing first must give a small concession to the other, so under challenging circumstances, the optimal move in Celestial Essence Chess is to mimic the opponentâs move, buying time to think while disrupting the opponentâs thoughts.
But the problem was, Zhu Pingniang was playing against herself; how could she disrupt her own thoughts?
Looking at the handsome young man next to her, was he disrupting her thoughts?
From him, she saw glimpses of Li Zhibaiâs elegant figure in the past; was this disrupting her thoughts?
Of course it was.
Looking at Xu Changâan, Zhu Pingniang seemed to travel back in time to when she opened the door of the Daoist Temple and saw Madam Li sitting in the stone pavilion sipping tea.
Zhu Pingniangâs breathing involuntarily quickened significantly.
Her mind was in chaos, but it didnât help the situation.
ââ
Fascinated by the situation, Xu Changâanâs forehead glistened slightly with moisture, his temples faintly ached.
He truly admired Senior Zhu more and more.
He wondered if it was because young women typically had scattered thoughts, always thinking too much, enabling them to multitask to such an extent?
But the problem was, Xu Changâan considered his own thoughts intricate and scattered; did this mean his chess skills wouldnât be lacking someday?
Hopefully.
The sound of rushing river waters echoed in his ears, blending with the patter of rain, making it seem when he closed his eyes that a storm had just passed, the sound of water bringing a tranquil mind.
At this moment, Zhu Pingniangâs movements suddenly changed; as if she had caught a flaw, her whole rhythm shifted momentarily.
Perhaps the lighting in the pavilion had dimmed a bit. Zhu Pingniang, while placing a piece, instinctively drew open the curtain beside her.
A splash of sunlight, mixed with slightly chilly rainwater, entered and spilled over her face.
She swayed slightly, her speed of placing pieces quickened, until finally, the moment of decisive victory became clear.
Quickly.
Much to Xu Changâanâs regret, this chess game also came to an end.
After letting out a long sigh, Xu Changâan reluctantly said, "The white piece... won."
Even though she had played the Celestial Essence Child, she still won, and the complexities made Xu Changâan appreciate the effort involved.
"Changâan."
"Yes."
Xu Changâan looked over, noticing Zhu Pingniangâs particularly serious expression.
Being stared at by someone with long black hair like this, Xu Changâan instinctively straightened his back.
"The black piece lost... do you feel regretful?" Zhu Pingniang asked.
"Yes." Xu Changâan nodded.
"Huh?" Seemingly hearing an unexpected answer, Zhu Pingniang tilted her head and momentarily lost herself in thought.