“Since you have already made up your mind, I won’t worry for you.” Zhai Hua put her mind on driving. Grandpa did not like the Qiu family. As long as Grandpa was there, it was impossible for Zhai Sheng and Qiu Chenxi to be engaged.
By the time Zhai Hua and Zhai Sheng reached home, Qiu Chenxi’s parents and Qiu Chenxi were getting ready to leave.
Father Qiu had an awkward smile on his face. “It’s rare that Uncle Zhai is here. We will not disturb you any further. After Uncle Zhai has a good rest, we will visit again.”
“Grandpa Zhai, I have been into Chinese chess recently. Next time, shall we have a game?” Qiu Chenxi, who wore a skirt, looked dignified and pretty, exuding the charm of a young lady. Anyone would find her to be very likable.
But there were always exceptions, and Grandpa Zhai was one of them.
Old Master Zhai was a veteran revolutionary who used to serve in the Red Army. He liked traditional things, and his favorite pastimes was to play chess. When he had nothing to do, he would get people to play a game of chess with him.
However, chess was not popular nowadays. The younger generation, particularly, were not good at chess.
Qiu Chenxi wanted to hit on what he liked. Once she had the approval of Old Master Zhai, it would be easy for her to be Old Master Zhai’s granddaughter-in-law.
“No need.” Old Master Zhai smiled and said, “I have grown old, not as quick as before. I want to train my brain through playing chess lest I get dementia.”
Old Master Zhai was very accomplished in playing chess. His level of competence was almost that of the national players.
Those who had been playing chess regularly were not Old Master Zhai’s opponents, not to mention Qiu Chenxi who only learned to play chess recently. She was no match for Old Master Zhai.
The older one was, the more one behaved like children.
Old Master Zhai might be old, but he refused to admit it. He liked to challenge himself. He would spend the whole day playing chess, improving on his skills. He had no wish to waste a few minutes of his time on novices like Qiu Chenxi.
If he were to play chess with Qiu Chenxi, one could not say for sure whether Qiu Chenxi was the one who spent time with him, or whether Old Master Zhai was the one who entertained her instead.
Qiu Chenxi’s face turned red. Did Grandpa Zhai mean that it was too boring to play chess with her? That she was not a challenge worthy of him to come up with strategies against her?
“Chenxi, don’t be mischievous. Although playing chess is Grandpa Zhai’s hobby, he is very good at it. He does not have the time to entertain you. If you are free, you can stay by the side and learn from Grandpa Zhai and Zhai Sheng when they play chess. With your dilettantish skills, you can only serve tea and water for Grandpa Zhai.” Qiu Qin was truly a politician. Although his daughter was being ridiculed, he could still be all smiles at Old Master Zhai.
“Dad, you’re right. Youth knows no fear. I have made a fool of myself in front of Grandpa Zhai. There is so much to learn about Chinese chess. I will learn and improve my skills so as to be able to play with Grandpa Zhai. Right now, I will stand by the side and watch.” Qiu Chenxi curled the corners of her lips and smiled.
If so, she would get to spend more time with Brother Zhai.
She believed that as long as she hung around Grandpa Zhai every day, serving him water and food, he would grow to like her eventually.
“Chenxi, come over when you have time.” Miao Jing pursed her lips. Although she had a look of displeasure on her face, she still agreed to let Qiu Chenxi come to their house. Nevertheless, she wanted her to know that she could not come and go as she pleased.
Since she was not in any way related to them, it would not be appropriate for Qiu Chenxi to always spend time at the Zhai’s residence.
“Auntie Miao, I will get going. When I have time, I will definitely come over to accompany Grandpa Zhai.” Qiu Chenxi did not notice that Miao Jing was displeased. After all, Miao Jing had been very good to her and would like for her and Zhai Sheng to be together. Hence, it never occurred to Qiu Chenxi that there would be a day where Miao Jing would be dissatisfied with her.
Qi Minlan stood next to her husband and daughter. “Then, we will go first. Next time, we will discuss what we talked about previously.”
“Let’s talk about it later,” Zhai Yaohui said in reply.
“Brother Zhai, you are back!” Qiu Chenxi turned when she heard the sound of a car approaching. Zhai Sheng and Zhai Hua came back home in the same car.
Today, at the Zhai’s residence, Qiu Chenxi’s biggest regret was that she did not get to see Zhai Sheng. She did not expect to see him right before she left. Obviously, she was destined to be together with him!
“Grandpa, Dad, Mom,” Zhai Sheng greeted his family before politely acknowledging the guests. “Secretary Qiu, Madam Qiu.”
“Zhai Sheng is back.” As soon as he saw his beloved grandson, a big smile broke across Old Master Zhai’s wrinkled face. “Come here. Let Grandpa have a good look at you. Recently, did you have a lot of missions in the army? You haven’t visited Grandpa for a long time that I had to come here personally to see you. If you were still young, I would give you a good spanking.”
“We must serve the country wholeheartedly. Grandpa used to teach me one’s loyalty to the family and country and the delicate balance between them. I have remembered your words by heart.” Upon seeing Old Master Zhai, it was as if a spring breeze had swept across the barren winter land. Zhai Sheng’s love for his grandpa could be seen from his eyes. “Grandpa, let’s have a seat inside.”
“Let’s go. I shall have a good chat with my grandson.”
Old Master Zhai kept nodding. His eyes shone with excitement and said, “Zhai Sheng, I came prepared this time. You will suffer a crushing defeat and beg me for mercy!”
Zhai Yaohui and Miao Jing, who stood behind, stiffened at Old Master Zhai’s words. They had no idea whether they should smile or be angry.
“Goodbye.” Her father-in-law walked into the house with her son with no regards to the guests. However, Miao Jing could not possibly leave them to stand awkwardly in the doorway.
“There’s no need to send us out. We will make a move first.” Fortunately, the chauffeur from the Qiu family had driven the car to the front door. Qiu Qin opened the door for his wife and daughter and they got into the car.
When the car was driven out of the Zhai’s residence, Qiu Qin said coldly, “Why did Old Master Zhai come back at this time?”
“I have no idea.” At the mention of Old Master Zhai, Qi Minlan felt uncomfortable and her face stiffened.
“What’s wrong, Mom?” Qiu Chenxi sensed that Qi Minlan’s hands were cold. She asked out of concern, “Mom, are you not feeling well? Do you want to go to the hospital?”
“No need…”
“After seeing Old Master Zhai, I suppose your mom will feel uncomfortable everywhere. Most important of all, her heart will not be at ease,” Qiu Qin said bitterly.
“Old Qiu!” Qi Minlan sounded helpless. “It has been ages ago. Why would you bring up something that happened a long time ago? Aren’t you afraid that your daughter will laugh at you?”
“What do you mean? Is it something I don’t know of?” Qiu Chenxi knitted her brows. “Mom, what happened between you and Grandpa Zhai?”
Qi Minlan shot Qiu Qin a warning look. She then smiled and patted Qiu Chenxi’s hand. “That is the adults’ affairs. You don’t have to know.”