The two of them arrived just as a crowd had gathered around a table.
Curious, Qiu Xi pulled Ni Xue along to join the excitement.
Despite the crowd, the unspoken rule of "true gentlemen do not comment on the game" kept the atmosphere quiet.
Upon approaching, Qiu Xi realized the players were two elderly gentlemen who likely frequented this place often, otherwise, such a crowd wouldn't have gathered to watch.
"Old Man Bai, if you can't win, just admit defeat."
"You talk too much, who said I can't win!"
With a crowd watching, the two old men playing chess started arguing.
"Alright, alright, I won't play anymore. I never win against you, old fellow, it's no fun."
The elderly gentleman, previously referred to as Old Man Bai, finally put down his chess piece.
"Hahaha~ Then you still come looking to lose every day!"
"..."
"Actually... it can still be saved."
"Hm?"
"Where did this little girl come from?"
The two old men, who were about to pack up the chess set, were stopped by the sudden voice.
"Play here."
"Hmm... Li Datou, my game does seem like it can be saved."
As Qiu Xi placed her chess piece, the two old men didn't say anything further.
Old Man Bai even pulled up a stool next to him, inviting her to sit and play properly.
"Alright! Then I'll play a residual game with you, little girl."
Li Jianjun didn't mind; instead, he seemed a little surprised.
After playing here for so long, he had never encountered such an interesting young girl.
"Let's go!"
"Please guide me, Grandpa."
"Little girl, don't be polite with this old fellow."
With that, the old and young began to continue their chess match under the gaze of the crowd.
...
"Hahahaha!"
"I told you, Li Datou, I never thought you'd have a day like this!"
"What are you laughing at? You can't even beat a little girl, and you're laughing!"
As they spoke, the two old men started bickering again.
"This young lady, at such a young age, her chess skills are remarkably refined."
"Yes! Who would have thought Old Man Li would lose just like that."
"Truly unexpected!"
"..."
As soon as the game finished, the onlookers, who had just come to their senses, began to discuss.
It wasn't that they were uncultured; it was just that they were all regulars at this chess and card room. When Old Man Li first arrived, he was quite arrogant, having defeated almost all the regulars. From then on, he gained fame.
Since then, only Old Man Bai could occasionally win a game, but most of the time he lost.
Yet, he remained addicted, coming whenever he had free time.
Originally, the group of them was here to watch the excitement, to see if Old Man Bai could make a comeback.
However, what they witnessed was this outcome.
It was truly unexpected that Old Man Li would have a day like this; this was practically big news for the chess and card room.
Of course, Ni Xue was among the spectators.
Having known Qiu Xi for some time, in less than two years of university, her girlfriend had learned such a skill.
"Little girl, what's your name?"
"Qiu Xi."
"Alright, Qiu Yatou, come, play another game with me."
"Qiu Yatou, play with him, humble that old fellow's arrogance."
"Grandpa Li, please be gentle."
"No problem, let's start with a game."
...
"Little girl, we don't allow going easy here!"
Mid-game, Li Jianjun discovered that this young girl was secretly going easy on him.
After playing for so long, if he couldn't tell that, then he had truly wasted his time.
"..."
Qiu Xi hadn't expected that her initial intention of showing respect to the elders and going easy would be exposed the moment she made her move.
Truly an inauspicious start!
"Since Grandpa Li said so, then I won't hold back."
"Don't hold back! Play seriously!"
After another ten minutes, Li Jianjun looked at the outcome of being checkmated again, and couldn't help but sigh that this young girl's chess skills were indeed far superior to his.
"Grandpa Li, I've been taught."
"What are you saying! We gentlemen don't do that."
If you lost, you lost, no need for courtesy!
"Hahaha~"
"Grandpa Li is indeed more forthright!"
"Of course! Let's play another game, how about it?"
"What are you saying! It's my turn!"
"Qiu Yatou, I'm also very forthright, let's play a game."
"..."
"You, out of the times you've beaten me, nine out of ten times you cheated..."
"What nonsense are you talking, Li Datou!"
Although... he did do that sometimes, but that was also his skill, wasn't it?
All's fair in love and war!
"..."
The more Qiu Xi listened, the more she found the two old men amusing.
Unfortunately, her time out seemed to be getting a bit long.
"Xiao Xi, we've been out for quite a while, shouldn't we be going back?"
Just then, Ni Xue, who had been watching for a while, said this.
Qiu Xi nodded in response, "Mhm."
"Grandpa Li, Grandpa Bai, how about we stop here for today? If we have time, we'll come again, alright?"
Alas, Qiu Xi had to decline the two old men for today.
"..."
"Qiu Yatou, are you serious?"
The two old men had been coming here for so long, this was the first time they had seen this girl, so Qiu Xi's words lacked credibility in their eyes.
"..."
Qiu Xi knew this, but it was just a polite remark. Who knew the two old men would take it so seriously.
"Two grandpas, I..."
"Xiao Xi, Xiao Xuehua!"
Qiu Xi, who was about to explain, was called out by Hua Linglong, who was looking for them.
"Linglong, over here."
Seeing her, Ni Xue waved and called out.
"Where did you two take your break?"
Looking around at the mostly elderly people playing chess and Go, could these two understand them?
"We were just bored and wandered over here."
"Not at all, Linglong, let me tell you..."
"Grandpa."
"Hm? What grandpa?"
"Bai Yixuan, is this your grandpa?"
"Yes."
Bai Yixuan had nothing to do that day, so he came along with his grandfather. He didn't have the brains for chess, but he thought he was decent at mahjong and went to find someone to complete a set of four.
Then, coincidentally, Bai Yixuan, who was visiting for the first time, ran into Qiu Xi and the other two. Now, Qiu Xi had accidentally stumbled upon them watching others play chess.
Truly, fate is wonderfully unpredictable!