Chapter 987: To Beidu (9)

"Alright, let’s do it." Grandpa Shu waved his hand carelessly, brimming with confidence. He sipped his tea leisurely, thinking two kids were no challenge at all.

Jiaojiao’s face lit up like a blooming flower. As soon as Xiu Xi sat down, she pulled him to sit beside her.

Of course, what she didn’t say was that she and Xiu Xi had learned Go together. They spent the same amount of time studying, but the results were worlds apart—she only grasped the basics, whereas Xiu Xi became so skilled that even Shu Jiao admitted defeat. Later, the school principal somehow got wind of Xiu Xi’s chess skills and frequently invited him for matches. The principal, a chess fanatic, eventually started avoiding Xiu Xi altogether after suffering repeated loses.

Xiu Xi was naturally intelligent, learning everything much faster than others. Shu Jiao once commented that Xiu Xi could compete and win awards at his current level, but Xiu Xi wasn’t interested. Otherwise, no one could say how many awards he’d already have under his belt.

Grandpa Shu didn’t know about any of this. Confident as ever, he sat down to play Go with Xiu Xi. At first, he was all smiles and relaxed. Half an hour later, however, his entire expression darkened.

Uncle Liang, standing to the side, discreetly took a few steps back. Just as he was about to turn and leave, Grandpa Shu suddenly erupted.

He tossed the chess piece in his hand aside, glaring at Xiu Xi. "You little punk! Did you cheat?!"

Xiu Xi looked up at him, his face utterly calm.

Grandpa Shu stared hard at the chessboard in front of him, clearly with no way out in the game. His eyes flickered, and, as if by accident, his hand tilted the teacup in his grasp, sending it and its contents dangerously toward the board. Xiu Xi swiftly reached out with one hand and firmly caught the cup.

"Be careful," Xiu Xi said.

"..." Grandpa Shu, silently fuming, felt a pang in his chest.

On the side, Jiaojiao held her teacup, taking small sips. At first, the tea tasted bitter, but after a few sips, it revealed a delightful sweetness. She had unknowingly downed two or three cups.

Watching the lively drama unfold, Jiaojiao was thoroughly entertained. Seeing Grandpa Shu frozen in place for a long time, she looked up and cheerfully reminded, "Grandpa, it’s your turn."

"I know," Grandpa Shu grumbled irritably. With a disgruntled humph, he placed a piece on the board—only for Xiu Xi to immediately counter with another move, sealing the fate of the already doomed game. Grandpa Shu instinctively reached out to retrieve his piece but was stopped by Jiaojiao as she pressed down on his hand.

"Grandpa, that’s not allowed. You can’t take back your move," Jiaojiao said, her bright eyes twinkling with mischief.

"Little Jiaojiao, you’re really not cute at all," Grandpa Shu muttered as he withdrew his hand.

Jiaojiao just laughed.

As expected, the game ended with Xiu Xi’s victory.

The match lasted over thirty minutes.

But Grandpa Shu refused to concede, insisting that it was impossible for him to lose to a kid. He grumbled about having another round. Sadly, in the second game, he lasted only twenty-five minutes before losing. The third game was over in fifteen minutes. As for the fourth game—well, there wasn’t one. Grandpa Shu stormed off angrily, ordering Uncle Liang to pack up the chessboard, declaring that such hobbies bred laziness and were not worth indulging in!

Ruan Jie was the third person to wake up. As he came downstairs, he was still a bit groggy and unsure of his surroundings. Before he could get his bearings, he heard Grandpa Shu snort coldly, "How impolite can you be? You don’t even know how to greet people? Is this what your father taught you?"

Clearly, Grandpa Shu was venting his frustration on Ruan Jie, who bore a striking resemblance to Ruan Jianguo.

"Good morning, Grandpa," Ruan Jie immediately straightened his neck and greeted him, looking sheepish.

"Hmph!" Grandpa Shu glared at him.

"Grandpa, that’s not fair. You’re just being a sore loser. Shame on you," Jiaojiao said with a smile, snuggling up to Grandpa Shu’s side. Her tiny, soft hand traced her cheek playfully.