Chapter 71: Future Daughter-in-Law, Jiu Jiu
Lin Yuejiu thought about the term “assistant” for a moment and laughed. “So you want me to go be an assistant?”
“Aren’t you good at chess? You could check out the competition. There are a lot of experts—you might even learn something.”
“Alright, I’ll go. When does the chess competition start? Where is it?”
“It’s at the center of that villa district. A bunch of old guys with nothing to do invented this chess game.”
Lin Yuejiu pursed her lips and smiled. “That’s their hobby.”
“I’ll tell my dad. He’ll be happy to know you’re going.”
Lin Yuejiu smiled. “Okay.”
The next day, after school, Lin Yuejiu made her way to the villa district center. Xu Shu was already waiting for her and waved happily as soon as he saw her.
“Uncle Xu,” Lin Yuejiu greeted.
“Good, you’re here. I got you a seat in the front row. My game will be on the first screen.”
“Perfect. I’ll watch carefully, Uncle Xu.”
Xu Shu grinned widely.
During the preparation stage of the chess competition, Xu Shu waved at her, and Lin Yuejiu nodded back.
When the match officially began, Lin Yuejiu was ready, her eyes fixed on the first screen.
Minute by minute passed. Every time a player won, they could rest for five minutes before the next challenger continued. Time flew, and finally, it came down to the last two: Xu Shu and Lin Shu.
The two nodded to each other, sat down, and the referee blew the whistle. The match began.
Lin Yuejiu watched intently. She knew Lin Shu was strong, but she hadn’t expected Xu Shu to be on the same level—maybe even slightly stronger. She shook her head in admiration; Lin Shu had met a worthy opponent.
Finally, the last piece was placed. Xu Shu won, and the audience applauded. Lin Yuejiu clapped as she got up and walked toward them.
Lin Shu stared at the board, paused for a moment, then smiled and cupped his hands toward Xu Shu. “Impressive.”
Xu Shu waved him off. “You’re too polite.”
“Uncle Xu! Uncle Xu!”
Both men turned to look. Lin Yuejiu was waving at him. Xu Shu waved back, and she quickly gave him a thumbs-up—with both hands.
Xu Shu couldn’t help laughing.
“You’re the best, Uncle Xu!”
Xu Shu’s grin stretched from ear to ear.
Lin Shu watched all this, his eyes shifting, then fixed on Lin Yuejiu’s beaming face. He felt a strange sense of déjà vu, as if he were seeing her cheer him on from the past. By the time he came back to reality, Xu Shu had already taken the trophy and appeared next to Lin Yuejiu.
Xu Shu cheerfully handed her the trophy.
Lin Yuejiu weighed it in her hands. “Wow, it’s pretty heavy. Uncle Xu, you’re amazing—champion of the chess competition!”
Xu Shu smiled. “It’s because Jiu Jiu cheered me on, that’s why I won.”
Lin Yuejiu’s expression turned playful. “Oh? Uncle, you’re quite something.”
Xu Shu chuckled. “Ah, flattery. I just like speaking the truth.”
Lin Yuejiu laughed, returning the trophy to him. “Uncle, let me take a photo of you. We should keep this moment.”
“Sure.”
She took out her phone, found a good angle, and snapped a photo. “Done, Uncle Xu. Come take a look.”
Xu Shu looked. “Not bad. Let’s take one together.”
“Okay.”
Lin Yuejiu set the trophy between them and snapped the photo.
“Jiu Jiu, let’s add each other on WeChat.”
“Huh?”
Xu Shu winked. “How else are you going to send me the photo?”
“Okay, let’s do it.”
“Alright, alright,” Xu Shu immediately took out his phone. “I’m adding you now, sir in action.”
They added each other on WeChat, and Lin Yuejiu sent the photo.
“Good, let’s head off now.”
“Mm-hmm.”
Lin Yuejiu had saved Xu Shu’s contact as “Uncle Xu,” but Xu Shu quietly changed her name to “Future Daughter-in-Law Jiu Jiu.”
Lin Shu watched the two of them laughing and chatting as they left, then turned and left himself.
Back at home, Lin’s mother had just returned. Seeing him walk in, she asked, “How was it? Did you win?”
“No.”
“??? Looks like he’s still a step ahead of you.”
Lin Rumeng’s window was open. She saw Lin Shu come in, quickly put down her pen, ran downstairs, and jumped into his arms. “Daddy!”
Lin Shu caught her.
Lin Rumeng tilted her head up, looking at him. “Daddy, did you win your match today?”
“No,” he shook his head.
“Ah, that’s a bit disappointing… but it’s okay. Daddy, you’re still the best!” she said with a smile.
Her words reminded Lin Shu of the past—
Back then, Lin Shu had also participated in a chess competition. He had just started learning the game and was quickly eliminated. When he returned home, Lin Yuejiu, who was on the sofa watching TV, immediately set aside her dessert and ran into his arms.
Lin Shu laughed and lightly flicked her nose with his hand. “Look at this little kitten—your mouth is all covered in cream.”
Lin Yuejiu lowered her head and wiped all the cream off her mouth onto Lin Shu’s black suit, grinning mischievously. “Guess who the little kitten is now?”
Lin Shu could only shake his head and laugh.
“Daddy, did you win your match?”
“No, I lost today.”
“Oh, that’s a shame. I thought I’d see a shiny golden trophy when you got home.” Lin Yuejiu hugged him, her face full of mock disappointment.
Lin Shu pinched her soft cheeks. “Don’t I have enough golden trophies at home already with you around?”
Lin Yuejiu giggled. “But none of them are Daddy’s! Even though you lost this time, failure is the mother of success. I believe you’ll succeed next time!”
“Why do you think I’ll definitely succeed next time?”
The little girl smiled brightly. “Because Daddy is the best!”
“Daddy? Daddy?”
Lin Shu came back to himself and looked down at her. “What is it?”
“Daddy, what were you thinking just now?”
“Nothing, Mengmeng…” Lin Shu thought for a moment.
“Hm?”
His eyes brightened. “Do you want to learn chess?”
“???”
“Do you want to try?”
Lin Rumeng’s eyes sparkled as she smiled. “Sure! Teach me, Daddy.”
“Alright.”
Lin’s mother glanced over, puzzled. How did they suddenly start teaching chess?
The two of them sat down on opposite sides of the chessboard.
Lin Rumeng picked up a piece. “Daddy, I’m not very good at chess. Don’t think I’m stupid, okay?”
“You won’t be,” Lin Shu replied.
After teaching her once, he asked, “Do you understand?”
“Seems like I do.”
“Then let’s play a proper game.”
“Okay.”
After one game, Lin Rumeng lost. She pouted and teased, “That’s not fair! Daddy is an expert and I’m a newbie—you’re bullying me!”
“I’m not bullying you. You just haven’t grasped what I taught you,” Lin Shu said, smiling as he collected the pieces.
“You only taught me once! I’m not a genius. How could I get it in one try?” Lin Rumeng muttered softly.
Lin Shu almost blurted out a certain word—but reason stopped him, because that person was Lin Yuejiu.
When he had first taught Lin Yuejiu chess, he had only gone over it once. She grasped it quickly. Even though she lost the first game, it wasn’t a total defeat like this one.
