Speaking of Ruan Hao, Shu Jiao couldnât help but miss him deeply. Without any pretension, she greeted Grandpa Shu before taking Ruan Jianguo to rest.
Xiu Xi also went to sleep in the room next to Jiaojiaoâs.
The Ruan Family had all gone to rest, leaving the spacious little house suddenly feeling empty. Grandpa Shu sat alone in the living room, yet his heart was completely full.
A lifetime of hard work, for what?
Wasnât it all for this moment of family reunion? Of course, it would be even better if those two troublemakers could hold off returning for a couple more days; it would save him the trouble of having to compete with them for company all day long.
Jiaojiao, having gone to sleep right after breakfast, woke up the earliest.
She came downstairs in loungewear that Grandpa Shu had prepared for her long ago, and found him playing Go with Uncle Liang. Next to them, a tea set was quietly letting out curling wisps of steam.
"Grandpa, Uncle Liang," she called out as she came down.
"Oh, my little darling is awake! Come over here to Grandpa." Grandpa Shu immediately looked up from the Go board and waved her over.
Jiaojiao ran over and was instantly pulled to sit by his side.
She curiously stared at the Go board in front of her. Thanks to Shu Jiao, she knew it was called Go and had learned a little about it, though she wasnât very skillful. At best, she knew just the basics, so she widened her eyes, closely observing Grandpa Shu and Uncle Liangâs game.
"Do you know how to play, Jiaojiao?" Uncle Liang noticed her wide-eyed gaze and asked with a smile.
Jiaojiao shook her head shyly. "Not really. Mom taught me a little."
Shu Jiao was the epitome of a cultivated, literary woman from a scholarly family. She excelled at piano, chess, calligraphy, and painting, yet never insisted her daughter follow her exact path. For her, Jiaojiaoâs happiness and well-being were enough.
Jiaojiao wasnât interested in piano or painting, but she had practiced calligraphy with Xiu Xi for three years. While her achievements couldnât compare to his, her work was still commendable. However, at school, Jiaojiao was rarely called upon for such tasks â Xiu Xi always took care of them, sparing her any trouble.
"Really? Then how about a game with Grandpa, Jiaojiao?" Grandpa Shu was genuinely surprised to hear she knew how to play and enthusiastically waved Uncle Liang away. "Old Liang, make way! Iâll play a game with Jiaojiao."
"..." Jiaojiao.
She silently set down the teacup sheâd just lifted to her lips. Could she take it back? Truthfully, when she learned Go, what she played most often was Gobang!
But seeing Grandpa Shu so excited, she couldnât bring herself to refuse. So, bracing herself, she sat down to play.
Uncle Liang didnât leave, instead staying to spectate.
Jiaojiao truly only understood the basics. From the moment she started, she kept losing. She had lost three or four games in a row now, and her frustration was starting to build. Meanwhile, Grandpa Shu was in high spirits, grinning ear to ear.
During the last game, Jiaojiao pursed her lips. With a look of grievance, she raised her head and complained, "Grandpa, why wonât you let me win? Didnât you always say that I was your little darling?"
What kind of grandpa mercilessly crushes his little darling on the battlefield!
"Hahaha, thatâs different. You canât be lenient in Go â itâs like going to war; thereâs no room for concessions." Grandpa Shu laughed brightly, clearly enjoying himself as he took a sip of tea.
"..." Jiaojiao puffed up her cheeks indignantly.
As her eye caught Xiu Xi coming down the stairs, she immediately waved him over for backup. "Brother Xiu, come here!" Then she turned back to Grandpa Shu and said, "Grandpa, Iâll play together with Brother Xiu against you."