The old man, clad in a white short-sleeved shirt, had white hair but was full of vigor. Upon hearing this, he smiled and said, "Many people are very reserved when they come to see me, but you, young friend, are so casual."
Ye Cangtian grinned and said, "If you face flattering people every day, what's the point? Old sir, am I right?"
The old man's eyes lit up; this indeed hit the mark!
Given his current status, everyone around him, or those who came to visit, were always proper in his presence. This, in turn, made him feel a sense of loneliness.
He nodded, smiling broadly, "Do you play chess?"
"Chess? Hmm, I know a little!"
"Then play with this old man for a while!"
The old man was in a good mood, as very few people visited him, and even when they did, they were reserved juniors. Thus, he often played by himself.
Ye Cangtian was not polite either. He picked up the box full of black stones and placed it in front of him. He was bored anyway, and he didn't know how long it would take Tang Xinwan to visit her old family friends.
"You have the black pieces first, please!" the old man reminded him.
Ye Cangtian did not concede. He took out a black stone and placed it directly in the center of the board.
The old man raised an eyebrow, surprised.
This was because, under normal circumstances, players who placed their first move on the center point, the "Tengen," were very rare. They either had no idea how to play or were being provocative.
This young man is interesting. Is he provoking this old man?
The old man shook his head with a light chuckle, then picked up a white stone and placed it in the lower-left corner, adopting a seasoned and steady playing style.
However, Ye Cangtian then placed another stone, with two black stones aligned.
This made the old man furrow his brow. Was this a signal for an immediate attack at the opening? Could this young man actually be a chess master?
The old man pondered for a moment, feeling something was amiss.
Afterward, Ye Cangtian's moves finally made the old man realize what was wrong.
When the fifth move was placed, the black stones formed a row, creating a "five-star connection."
Ye Cangtian smiled brilliantly. Acting familiar, he poured himself a bowl of tea, drank it, and said, "I yield, old sir!"
The old man pondered for two seconds, his expression complicated. "So, you were playing Gomoku with me, weren't you?"
Ye Cangtian swallowed half a bowl of tea and said matter-of-factly, "Weren't we? I don't know how to play Go. I'm only familiar with Gomoku!"
The old man gasped, looking at Ye Cangtian with a much more resentful gaze.
If you were a soldier under my command, Iād have you confined for a week, believe it or not!
However, this young man is indeed interesting! The old man shook his head, gave a wry smile, and sighed.
"Gomoku it is, then!"
...
Time flew by. In the intense chess game between the old man and the young man, two hours passed quickly.
It had to be said that sometimes Gomoku could be quite addictive. The old man had initially disdained Gomoku, but after playing several rounds with Ye Cangtian, he gradually became serious.
Especially during intense moments, they would occasionally curse each other, calling each other names like "disgraceful old fellow who disregards propriety" and "brash kid who disrespects elders."
However, Ye Cangtian's phone soon rang.
It was Tang Xinwan calling. Her visit had concluded, and she was asking where Ye Cangtian was.
"Old sir, I have to go!" Ye Cangtian said to the old man with a smile after hanging up the phone.
"Yes, go ahead. Feel free to come find this old man to chat when you have time!" the old man nodded with a smile.
Ye Cangtian turned to leave, but before exiting the grape arbor, he casually plucked a bunch of grapes and then walked out of the courtyard.
Outside the courtyard stood a young military officer wearing glasses. He had been waiting outside the courtyard for a long time. Seeing Ye Cangtian leave, and even taking a bunch of grapes, his face showed a slight look of surprise.
He adjusted his glasses and walked into the courtyard.
Under the grape arbor, the old man was sipping tea and looking at the chessboard, his smile unconcealed.
The young military officer glanced at the chessboard, looking somewhat peculiar. After hesitating, he finally asked the question that was on his mind, "Chief, were you just playing chess with that young man? Go... Gomoku?"
"Heh heh, you know, after playing Go for so long, playing Gomoku occasionally is quite relaxing!" the old man chuckled.
...
The young military officer couldn't help but smile. Although he didn't know why the old man was playing Gomoku with that young man, he had to admit that the old man seemed to be in a very good mood.
It's just that the young man's guts were too much!
The young military officer looked up at the grape arbor. The few bunches of large grapes that had been hanging there were gone, especially remembering that the kid had taken a bunch with him when he left, and he felt speechless.
The old man asked, "Do you know why he came to the family compound?"
The young military officer nodded and explained, "I just asked the soldiers outside. He came with a woman named Tang Xinwan to visit Cheng Yuandong."
"Hmm? Get Cheng Yuandong to come over, I want to ask him about the situation!" the old man frowned.
Outside the family compound!
Tang Xinwan stood in the shade of the large locust tree. Seeing Ye Cangtian emerge, she asked, "Where did you go just now?"
Ye Cangtian smiled and said, "Playing chess with an old man. Let me tell you, he has a grape arbor in his house covered with grapes. I took a bunch when I left. Try it!"
Seeing him hand her a bunch of grapes, Tang Xinwan couldn't help but roll her eyes and reminded him, "The people living in this family compound are not ordinary. At least they are retired military officers. Don't offend them."
That old man is not simple, Ye Cangtian agreed with this statement in his heart.
Despite playing Gomoku with him for two hours, during which they even argued until their faces turned red, Ye Cangtian was well aware that throughout those two hours, someone had been constantly tracking him.
Clearly, there were hidden sentries near the courtyard!
What kind of person would have hidden sentries protecting them?
Therefore, Ye Cangtian knew long ago that this old man was no ordinary figure; he was likely a big shot who had retired from the military.
"By the way, you should go back to the hotel first!" Tang Xinwan said suddenly after eating two grapes.
"And you?" Ye Cangtian asked her in surprise.
Tang Xinwan's pretty face flushed, and she explained, "I've made plans for lunch with someone, and I'm going shopping in the afternoon."
Ye Cangtian smiled, "Let's eat together. I can accompany you shopping too, and even help you carry your bags!"
Tang Xinwan quickly refused, "You can't go!"
"Why!"
"You just can't go. You're free to arrange your day today, whether it's going back to the hotel or anything else!" Tang Xinwan refused decisively, simply not wanting him to follow.
... Ye Cangtian looked at her suspiciously.
Who did this girl arrange to meet that she wouldn't even let him accompany her? Could it be a man? A young master from the capital?
It couldn't be! Trust between husband and wife, so I firmly believe she wouldn't be unfaithful!
Ye Cangtian watched Tang Xinwan get into a taxi and leave. He then hailed a passing taxi.
"Driver, please follow the taxi in front!"