CHAPTER 270: CHAPTER 270; OH? FOR ME?

Grandpa Liu watched her first few moves with a teasing glint. But when she trapped his bishop, he gave a low whistle and straightened his back in his chair. Hadn’t expected this move from her at all.

"You are a tricky one," he spoke up lightly giggling.

Feihao grinned, leaning forward like a general surveying her battlefield, sne needed to make some good moves. "I’m just warming up Grandpa Liu. Nothing that serious you should be wary of!"

"Hehe..." He lightly chuckled moving his chess pieces. He felt calm and lucky to have such a companion at that time and with her moves, it could be said to be a worthy opponent. He has been feeling bored and just one game would cheer him up.

Zhihao tugged lightly at Tang Fei’s sleeve, his voice soft. "Mommy, can I go talk to that grandma over there?"

Tang Fei followed his gaze and spotted the elderly woman resting against the pillows. Her silver hair was tied into a neat bun, and a Go board sat untouched beside her bed.

"Go on, but be polite, they are patients.." she responded, smoothing down his collar. "Take some fruit with you."

Zhihao nodded, carefully picking a small bunch of grapes and a tangerine from the fruit basket. Cradling them in both hands, he made his way across the ward.

He approached quietly, his steps light and thoughtful. When he reached the bedside, he gave a small bow, something he had been taught when greeting elders.

"Hello, Grandma," he politely greeted her. "Would you like some fruit?"

The woman turned her head, eyes dark and sharp behind the fine lines of her face. Her gaze fell to the offering in his hands before softening slightly.

"You are so polite.." she remarked, accepting the fruit. "Thank you, little one."

Zhihao gave a tiny smile and glanced at the Go board. "Do you play?"

Her lips twitched faintly. "Do you play?"

"I’m still on the learning stage, but I can still handle my opponent," he admitted, eyes gleaming with curiosity.

She placed a white stone on the board, tapping the spot. "Then sit. Let’s see what your young brain can do."

Zhihao quietly settled beside the elderly woman with her hair in a silver bun and eyes as sharp as obsidian. Her name tag read "Grandma Yuan." A Go board rested on a stand beside her bed, its stones neatly arranged, untouched.

"Choose your side." she notified him without looking up, her fingers slowly turning a white stone between them... "I hope you know the basics!"

"I’m just learning Grandma, not that knowledgeable," Zhihao responded with a quiet bow of his head respectfully. "Would you honor me with a game Grandma Yuan?"

She turned around to look at him fully now, studying his entire face. There was no mockery in her gaze, only the measuring kind of someone who had once commanded respect in boardrooms or war councils. His aura and eyes were tough but welcoming.

"Very well," she politely responded. "But I do not go easy on children."

Zhihao smiled faintly. "That’s good. I do not like being treated as one."

The game began in silence, then there was the gentle clack of stones, which was the only sound between them. It wasn’t long before a few nurses began to sneak glances at the two games unfolding in front of them.

One was fiery and loud with exclamations from Feihao and Grandpa Liu; the other was quiet and intense, a battle of wits between generations.

Aryana/ Anran, as Tang Fei now lovingly called her, stood quietly beside the fruit basket, her posture straight, her eyes scanning the ward with quiet awareness.

Anran sneaked a few peaks at the games, secretly watching both scenes unfold just beside Minghao and Tinghao who was also too lazy to do anything.

She was well-versed in both Chess and Go, not just because she enjoyed them, but because from the day she could sit upright, she’d been taught the importance of strategy, patience, and foresight. It wasn’t just games, it was training, survival, and pride. In her world, knowing how to win wasn’t optional. You learned. You endured and you perfected it.

Tang Fei reached over and gently tucked a loose strand of hair behind her daughter’s ear. "Anran," she said warmly, "would you like to offer someone some fruit?"

Aryana looked up at her. She was still nervous and awkward.

"There’s a grandma near the window who hasn’t received any yet," Tang Fei added, her voice soft. "Most of the grandpas and grandmas here stay for a long time copped up in these wardrooms. Their health is delicate, and complications can arise quickly. A little kindness goes a long way."

She couldn’t openly say that some of them were already abandoned by their sons and daughters to fend for themselves.

Aryana paused, then nodded once. With practiced grace, she selected a plump apple and a few lychees, cradling them gently in a napkin before making her way across the ward, her steps light and purposeful.

She was taking every possible step to calm herself and loosen up a little bit, to feel like she belonged, even just a little.

Thankfully, the old grandma by the window had a kind presence about her. Her expression was serene, her hands folded on her lap like a patient guardian of quiet time.

Aryana stood in front of her, hesitated for a beat, then extended the fruit with both hands and bowed slightly.

The old woman looked up, surprised at first, then softened into a smile. "Oh? For me?"

Aryana’s lips curved into a small, nervous smile. "Nǐ... nǐ hǎo," (Hello) she said slowly, carefully. "Wǒ... dài... guǒzi... gěi nín." (I brought some fruit for you.)

Her accent was thick, her tone unsure, but sincere. The words were shaky, picked from days of tutoring and repetition.

The grandma chuckled gently, her voice like warm tea. "Hǎo háizi. Nǐ de Zhōngwén hěn kě’ài." (Good child. Your Chinese is adorable.)