CHAPTER 1028: CHAPTER 589: EXPOSED (PART 2)

Yan Bo glimpsed the scene, more fired up, his fragile dignity driving him to continue: "You may not be able to catch a blackfish, but I bet I can, right?"

"Buddy, you’re really narrow-minded, can’t stand seeing others do well, huh?"

Yan Bo landed another critical hit, feeling at the moment like a contestant in a middle school debate competition, unleashing a tirade that left the young man speechless and lacking confidence.

He even felt surrounded by a halo, commanding the situation, pointing out directions, and eloquently expressing ideas!

At this moment, Yan Bo faintly noticed the gaze of a pretty girl not far away.

’Is this your childhood sweetheart? See his true colors!’ Yan Bo felt a long-lost sense of justice triumphing over evil.

Jiang Ning noticed his empty bravado and feigned strength and coolly said: "Who catches two big blackfish and uses a black plastic bag to carry them?"

Jiang Ning’s voice, though not loud, was exceptionally clear.

Xue Yuantong cheered: "The boss who sells fish at the market loves using black plastic bags the most, because they’re sturdier and less likely to be punctured by fish fins and tails."

Yan Bo’s momentum deflated instantly, cursing inwardly: ’Damn it, how do they even know this?’

His facial expressions changed several times, but he finally insisted, "Is it not okay if I just like black plastic bags? I prefer to keep a low profile."

Jiang Ning looked again at the black plastic bag in his hand.

Yan Bo instinctively closed the bag, afraid the other party would find more clues.

When Aunt Gu stepped out, only the familiar three were left in the courtyard, and she asked, "Who was shouting just now?"

Jiang Ning nonchalantly said, "Guests from the neighboring rural tourism place, already sent them off."

Aunt Gu: "Wash up, it’s time to eat."

...

The lunch consisted of four dishes: squirrelfish, braised crucian carp, yellow beef, and stir-fried lotus pond vegetables.

Especially the aroma of the squirrelfish wafted over to the rural tourism place, making Yan Bo’s blackfish taste less appealing.

After the meal, the afternoon sun remained warm and pleasant.

Boss Yang brought out a chess set, playing chess with his father-in-law while basking in the sunshine.

After losing three games in a row, Tang Yaohan shook his head and sighed, "Why is your chess skill regressing?"

Boss Yang seized the chance to flatter, "It’s not that I’m regressing, it’s that your chess skills are improving too quickly, dad."

Yang Fei is no longer employed at his father-in-law’s company, but many connections at the rural tourism place are linked to him.

Besides, it’s his elder, so he always speaks very courteously.

Tang Yaohan advised, "You’re still too young, impatient. In chess, you need patience to study it slowly."

’Here we go, preaching about patience again.’ Yang Fei was exasperated.

Tang Yaohan gave his son-in-law a few more tips, and Yang Fei listened intently.

Regarding his father-in-law’s chess skills, Yang Fei had a rough idea; he was a level above the older men who played chess in the park, an amateur expert.

His skill was definitely sufficient; generally, people just couldn’t beat him, since meeting a professional player in real life wasn’t that easy.

Next door, Mr. Qian was enjoying the sun while snacking on sunflower seeds. With Mr. Qian’s twenty years of teaching experience, he could tell at a glance that the old man was anything but ordinary.

His attire and demeanor were right there, that old man talked with his nose in the air, impossibly arrogant.

Mr. Qian rolled his eyes, formulating a plan: "Want to play chess? Why not try that little Gu girl’s daughter; that little one is quite good at chess!"

Upon hearing this, Boss Yang glanced towards Sister Gu’s house and indeed saw Xue Yuantong sitting on a little stool.

"How old is she?" Boss Yang shook his head, not particularly interested.

Mr. Qian fanned the flames: "Don’t be fooled by her young age, she’s really good at chess!"

Tang Yaohan initially didn’t think it was worth engaging with youngsters, but recalling the morning’s fishing trip, the little girl had jabbed at his heart before leaving. Even though he was a big boss with a capacity to tolerate, he was still quite infuriated.

He shot a look at his son-in-law: "Call her over for a couple of games; I’m curious about the younger generation’s level!"

Yang Fei felt his head throb, but had no choice. His father-in-law always had the final say, so he had to go over to Sister Gu’s place.

Two minutes later.

Xue Yuantong and Jiang Ning arrived at the entrance of the rural tourism area, Xue Chuchu joined in for the fun too.

Tang Yaohan, exuding the aura of a master, sat calmly, simply raising his eyebrows, muttering to himself: "Whenever I play chess in the company, from the marketing department to the factory, no one can beat me."

Xue Yuantong: "Impressive!"

Tang Yaohan laughed, a laugh like that of an old lion in the prairie, filled with authority despite his age.

The next second, Xue Yuantong remarked, "Or maybe they’re afraid to win against you? What if you fired them if they won?"

Tang Yaohan’s smile turned awkward.

He glanced at the little girl, cleared his throat, speaking loudly and cheerfully, "If they could beat me, I wouldn’t just avoid firing them, I’d even reward them!"

"The same goes for you today; if you win against me, I’ll have Xiao Fei pick out a gift for you."

Tang Yaohan had been the boss for many years, his words were not taken lightly.

Xue Yuantong: "Alright, Jiang Ning, Chuchu, you heard that!"

Joining in the excitement, Xue Chuchu, who was well aware of Tongtong’s chess skills, sympathetically looked at the old man, ’At his advanced age, I truly hope he can handle the blow.’

Yan Bo hadn’t left, still lingering at the rural tourism place, not only him but also the fishing man and two young women came running over upon hearing the commotion.

Yang Fei helped set the chessboard, Tang Yaohan reciting, "It’s a good thing for young people to play more chess, as it cultivates patience and perseverance."

He appeared calm and composed, in their circle, Tang Yaohan was considered a chess whiz, rarely defeated, and as for this little girl, he didn’t take her seriously.

Many young people’s chess skills might be outstanding among their peers, but once they encountered the older generation, they usually were defeated thoroughly.

Young people might rack their brains to see five moves ahead, but with age, it’s easy to foresee seven or nine moves.

Xue Yuantong picked the red side and began playing.

The first few rounds were quite uneventful, Xue Yuantong moved quickly in chess, with carriage and horse advancing in tandem, displaying prominence.

Tang Yaohan shook his head, educating, "Young folks like to be rash, unaware that chess is all about patience; only with enough patience can one wait for opportunities."

A while later.

Xue Yuantong’s combination of carriage and horse maneuvered smoothly like fish in water.

In contrast, Tang Yaohan’s pieces were clumped together, unable to move an inch.

Tang Yaohan spoke much less, frowning deeply, thinking hard.

After another while.

Staring at a missing ’advisor’, Tang Yaohan went silent.

Xue Yuantong gently reminded, "Grandpa, why aren’t you seizing the opportunity? I’m about to checkmate you!"

A while later, Tang Yaohan looked at his own board with only a remaining ’king’, looking at the little girl’s intact carriage, horse, and cannon; his eyes twitched.

It was still Yang Fei, unable to watch it any longer, who spoke up to end this game.

Next door, Mr. Qian was very satisfied, having been displeased with the arrogant old man for a while.

For the second game of chess, Tang Yaohan didn’t sermonize about his big principles anymore.

Xue Yuantong still used aggression as her defense, at most using flanks to restrain. She allowed Old Man Tang plenty of time to gradually eliminate his pieces, giving him the patience to find opportunities.

But Old Man Tang simply couldn’t find any opportunities.

Another three games ended.

As he watched all the pieces get removed, his own board only had a ’general’ left, and he glanced at the little girl’s intact array of chariots, horses, and soldiers, his eyelids twitched.

Even son-in-law Yang Fei couldn’t watch any longer and decided to end the game.

Tang Yaohan felt relieved, surprisingly light-hearted, it was finally over!

But in terms of pride, he feigned being enraged and scolded: "What did you do, now my board is all messed up when I was winning!"

Xue Yuantong giggled innocently, "Old grandpa, don’t panic, we can still continue, I remember the position of the pieces."

With that, she restored the pieces to their previous positions.

Tang Yaohan’s face turned green with embarrassment.