Elder Zhou said grumpily, "Cut it out, were you really going easy on yesterday?"
Elder Liao laughed heartily on the side and said triumphantly, "I told you, we were letting you win to make you happy, but you started bragging about it. Today, I’ll let you see my granddaughter’s real skills. How’s that? Impressed yet?"
Elder Zhou gave a wry smile and suddenly noticed Li Younan nearby. He said, "Co on, young man, have a ga with her and see which of you youngsters has higher chess skills?"
At this mont, Liao Xinchun was also curiously sizing up Li Younan.
Li Younan thought for a mont. He was a bit bored anyway, so he nodded, "Ha... okay, but I haven’t played in ages, so I might not be very good."
Liao Xinchun replied leisurely, "Yeah, I just play casually as a hobby."
The two old n listened as the two young people claid their skills were poor and couldn’t help sharing a glance.
The ga officially began.
True to her background, Liao Xinchun, who studied Chinese Chess at the Youth Palace for years, played with precision and structure.
From her moves, Li Younan could easily spot influences of the Plum Blossom Manual; it was clear she rembered the chess guides well.
So, claiming it was just a casual hobby was definitely modest of her.
Liao Xinchun’s level, though not outstanding in professional arenas, would easily earn a Chinese Chess championship in any university.
However, she was up against Li Younan.
Li Younan knew more chess guides than her. Although he was less adept at blending them seamlessly, his vast options of strategies were overwhelming.
By the middle of the ga, Liao Xinchun was still holding on but soon after, Li Younan employed a few moves that led the ga into endga territory, his true domain.
Once in the endga, unless against soone like Li Tianyi, Li Younan hardly lost.
Liao Xinchun’s brows furrowed tighter and tighter.
The two elders watched the ga, occasionally remarking, "That move was well played." "This move... tsk tsk tsk."
After one particular move, Liao Xinchun paused her hand from playing, pondered for a good minute or two, sighed, and said, "I lost."
The two elders were a bit taken aback. Elder Liao asked perplexedly, "Where did you lose? Isn’t there still a move you can make?"
Then, the two elders started discussing the endga piece.
"See, if you move like that, then your opponent will move like this, and it’s ga over."
"If you do it that way, advancing the knight here will lead to a trap."
"Then how about this move?"
"If you move like that, you’re assuming your opponent’s piece isn’t going to take the bait? You’re going to regret it..."
Li Younan casually said, "Just luck, just luck."
Liao Xinchun looked up sowhat dejectedly.
It’s clear that this girl can tolerate letting others win deliberately, but truly being beaten by soone else dampens her spirits.
She lowered her head and asked, "Another ga?"
Li Younan checked the ti and said, "We should be nearing Fengdu Ghost City now, perhaps we play again after touring it?"
Liao Xinchun could only nod. Then, she casually ntioned, "Actually, I opted for International Chess during university."
Li Younan blinked and said, "Oh, that... I know a little about it too."
Liao Xinchun was sowhat surprised at Li Younan’s words but said nothing.
...
The cruise ship docked at the pier.
Disembarking, opposite the Yangtze River was Fengdu county town, a cityscape with high-rise buildings.
The guides divided the tourists into groups based on their room numbers.
Liao Xinchun had her own room and was grouped separately from her two grandpas, instead, grouped with Li Younan.
Being familiar with each other, the two naturally journeyed together.
The two elders were robust enough not to need constant supervision.
To reach Fengdu Ghost City, they needed to climb a long flight of stairs.
Though it was September, due to the lingering sumr heat, the weather was unusually hot.
Li Younan curiously asked, "Aren’t you bringing a sunshade?"
Liao Xinchun wasn’t wearing a sun hat either. She shrugged, "No need, I won second place in a sprint event in college."
She glanced at Li Younan humorously and said, "But looking at you, your skin’s pretty fair; seems you haven’t been sunbathed much."
Li Younan smiled silently, and the simple interaction gave Liao Xinchun a preliminary image of him.
At least for now, Liao Xinchun seed unlike her gentle appearance, perhaps deep down she’s a fiercely determined girl.
Li Younan squinted at the stairs, saying, "The sun... hasn’t really been on ."
Liao Xinchun jested alongside, "If you faint later, no worry, I can carry you down."
Despite his lean appearance, Li Younan had well-defined muscles underneath his clothes due to regular workouts, leading to misconceptions.
Li Younan didn’t explain, just chuckled, "But I’m heavy, can you manage?"
Liao Xinchun said, "No problem, but don’t really faint on ."
Then, they began climbing the stairs.
Liao Xinchun, also into photography, carried a Canon cara bag.
After a while, she started sweating slightly on her forehead, glancing at Li Younan beside her, noticing he had his hands behind his back, moving briskly without much effort.
She blinked and stayed silent.
Upon reaching Fengdu Ghost City, the place wasn’t as large as Li Younan had initially imagined.
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