Chapter 8

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Yun Family Manor? I have heard of it; it is quite famous in the martial world, isn't it? The master of Yun Family Manor, Fu Linchun, and Gongsun Xian, Gongsun Xian got married a few years ago, as for Fu Linchun...

Dulian did not mind her repeated denials at all; on the contrary, he intentionally or unintentionally led her to a corner and said

The person still watching us is very interested in you? He did not turn around, but he was aware that someone was watching from the second-floor window of Peng Wulou.

She did not move at all. Then, the sound of the flute played cheerfully, and for a moment, the music in the secret chamber was like spring, gradually replacing the thunder outside

Li Jinzhao left the window and approached the light weapons lined up on the table. She said with a smile

As they left Pengwulou, a light drizzle began to fall. Fu Linchun opened an umbrella, and the two walked together on the street

"Wait a moment!" She ran towards a nearby stall to buy some beans. Fu Linchun followed closely behind her, waiting for her to finish paying.

"Gambling?" He seemed quite interested: "What are we gambling on? Is it my person? Or is it you?"

His martial arts skills are high, and it is his duty to protect Yun Family Village; he is well-read, and this is also his obligation to Yun Family Village. He has never considered that he would have any "demands," yet this "demand" has been hidden in his heart for many years, which he has never confronted.

A gentleman named Du has come to visit

In particular, she discovered that his chess playing was exceptionally elegant, making her feel that the temperament of her opponents in chess was vastly inferior. However, she particularly enjoyed playing chess with him

Her eyes sparkled as she pretended to be in high spirits, softly singing while he was engrossed in observing the chessboard

He crossed the chessboard and gently touched her pale face. "You look a bit haggard."

But she does not care at all

She felt a heaviness in her heart, yet her lips were tightly pressed together. If she calculated the distance carefully, he would definitely appear today, having rushed back day and night; it would be strange if he wasn't tired. Could it be that he felt no attachment at all to the wandering heroine with whom he had spent nearly a month?

Fu Linchun's nature is absolutely not as aloof as that of a carefree young master. When he faces others, he is as warm as a spring breeze in the afternoon, casual and indifferent. However, when he kisses a woman, it is like a conflagration... She desperately wants to escape, but the flames do not let her go, pressing against the back of her head, entangling her with his lips and tongue, so passionately that she will never forget this first kiss until her dying day... She is utterly defeated, surrendering!

Why does it get wrinkled? Because this person, whether truly casual or merely pretending, actually brings their outer garment to bed when they sleep

What is there to be shocked about? Her subordinates are all trained by the Yun family estate back in the day, and one could say they have competed against each other and are good partners who know each other very well. ... Fu Linchun has been in her residence for not just a day or two, so there is no need for such fuss.

She buried her face deeper, feeling the bed gently tremble.

The man, resembling a pretty boy, smiled gently and said, "Am I being too blunt in my speech?"

His hand was warm, causing her to almost sigh contentedly like a cat

He really spoke very seriously, and she looked at him helplessly, opening her palm and allowing him to pick up a couple to eat. To her surprise, he actually bent down, wanting to learn to lick like a puppy

Thank you, brother. The items here are priced very high, and she can swear that between Fu Linchun and Li Jinchao, the latter is the wealthier one

Li Jinzhao originally had a somewhat haggard complexion, his skin was so pale that it appeared almost translucent, but at this moment, it was as if he had applied blush, turning an astonishing shade of red. He thought to himself, she doesn't possess such high skill to apply rouge in the blink of an eye, does she

A shiver ran down her spine, and her backbone nearly went weak. Why was it perfectly normal for her to call out "brother," but when she heard him say "sister," the tone made her feel so intimate that her bones felt soft and her flesh melted? Even Du Lian's expression was somewhat strange, which meant she wasn't mistaken!

I am doing well, there is nothing to be afraid of. She rolled her eyes and pouted, saying: Actually, you don't need to rush back.

Is that so

What? She was on edge

She thought he would mention the girl who had been with him for a month, but unexpectedly, he thought for a moment before replying

Isn't this the kind of thing she would do?

Speaking of the young master Fu Linchun of Chunxiang, I indeed saw him last month. He is truly a remarkable talent, with a countenance reminiscent of a warm spring. In terms of demeanor, he is incomparable to ordinary individuals. At that time, during the birthday banquet of the elder in the Jianghu, the people from Huajia Village were not originally invited, but it was the young master Chunxiang who brought them in, thus allowing Huajia Village to make its mark.

She raised her eyes to glance at him, just about to speak, when suddenly she heard the old gentleman by the weapons platform say:

Mother, why hasn't she exploded yet

He chuckled and said in a very easygoing manner

Fu Linchun, stop playing around, take out the chess pieces; a person of quality does not engage in such behavior.

He let out a long sigh and patted his sleeves. "Then you can search, if you find me, I will concede."

She trembled all over, burying her face deep into the warm blanket, yet she did not cover her ears

This pair of rings is equivalent to her payment. However, she still feels somewhat pleased

He looked at her and smiled, saying, "If my sister wants to take another family's surname, she must first win against me in this game."

He slowly raised his beautiful eyes

It was alright. She instinctively brought the cup to her lips, remembered it was tea, and then set it back down.

Previously unfamiliar, but soon, Boss Jin was able to gain a comprehensive understanding of Du.

Since you think I am not suitable, then sing for me later, as I enjoy listening to you sing

Hmm? Are you still not asleep? Is your head still hurting?" His voice was slightly weary, concealing a yawn. "Is it too cold?"

Well, just a little, you don't need to knead it, it will be fine in a moment

Now she will strive to observe the vast differences between the two of them, so that when she finally gives up, she can do so completely. In the future, she will no longer be willing to go through fire and water for him upon hearing news of him; by then, her actions will only be to fulfill her obligations. At that time, returning to a carefree Li Jinzhao would be quite wonderful, wouldn't it

Her small ears automatically expanded, upgrading to the long ears of a white rabbit

Yun Jiazhuang has officially declared that it will be entangled with Blood Eagle to the end. To prevent Blood Eagle from tracing him, he always comes to her current hideout after disguising himself. Sometimes he stays for half a month, and a few days is also fine. He simply follows her into the den as a guest, clearly indicating that someone is taking care of him, and he is the happiest!

There is always a distance between him and her

This young man possesses an admirable demeanor and wears warm colors, but unfortunately, his appearance is rather ordinary. He holds the umbrella and, after scanning the merchants on the second floor one by one, his gaze settles in this corner

As you wish

This morning, Boss Jin's assistant stood at the entrance of the courtyard

"These are sugar-coated beans, which only children love to eat. You wouldn't like them." There is really no need to indulge her by pretending to enjoy them. Hmph, does she think I am a fool

The fine rain falls gently, and there is already the sound of thunder in the distance

A fire broke out in spring, and Li Jinzhao is on fire

In the past, whenever you returned, you would always go home first. Why did you come out to find me this time?

Indeed

She looks at the chessboard again

Her heart skipped a beat, and she quickly withdrew her hand, causing him to miss.

It sounds like this is equivalent to striking at the Blood Eagle organization, making the Yun family village an obvious target. The martial world has already begun to experience a bloody storm, and it is imperative to root out the Blood Eagles. Recently, it would be better for her to stay in her old nest.

The young man is walking this way

"Boss Jin?" Du Lianzhi tentatively whispered

Hmm? It's your turn now

As long as no one is looking for Fu Linchun, he absolutely cannot be bothered to step out even once, treating this place as if it were his home.

She got into bed, rolled directly to the inner side, snuggling against the soft, warm blanket, and tried to fall asleep

He watched her movements, concealing his worried expression, and said with a smile

Eating so voraciously, snacking, having three meals a day, and occasionally indulging in a late-night snack, what else could one be but a foodie? She initially thought he only loved eating sunflower seeds, and that he only ate the sweet beans coated in sugar to please her. Later, she discovered that he loved to eat anything small; he would eat whatever was offered, except for bitter herbs, which he truly avoided.

I am Du Lian. " The young man said with elegance

My surname is Du. Since Miss Li is unwilling to acknowledge it, allow me to reintroduce myself.

A swift horse galloped across the street, and someone on the second floor of the weapons building opened a window and took a glance.

An arm wrapped around her waist, and she widened her eyes, realizing that this arm was forcefully pulling her into the embrace of the person behind her

Brother

Is there a mistake? Is it this casual? Is this how Bo Linchun behaves in Yunji Village?

"Now that I have won, can I say what I want?" he said softly

Fu Linchun glanced at her and smiled, saying, "What are we to do about this?"

I do not know what you are talking about, Boss Jin. You must have mistaken me for someone else. My surname is Li, Li Jinchao.

She was a bit distracted, but the "brother" who was holding her hand was even more absent-minded. Suddenly stopping, he caused her to bump into him.

It is nothing, I just think of how the big girl has been raised by Lan Qing to the point of being a divine pig, and I wonder how she will perceive her father when she grows up. In her home, there is a big-headed pig, as well as a very lazy spring fragrance pig that is reluctant to go out

Li Jinzhao's face immediately flushed with embarrassment upon hearing this. Today, she was wearing a white winter coat adorned with fur, and her earrings were large, fluffy round balls on both sides.

She covered her mouth and coughed, then laughed out loud

The body has relaxed, yet a dull pain has begun to throb in the mind

She murmured, "Can I turn over, please?"

Although it is said that such embraces and cuddles, disregarding minor details while sharing the same bed, indeed tarnish a woman's reputation, the price he must pay is a formal marriage. If he dares to act this way, he must have already considered this in his mind

She shot Xiao Gu a fierce glare, then turned to Fu Linchun and scolded him

"There is nothing to do outside, why should I go home?" The tone was utterly taken for granted

She is not a doll. Is he addicted to hugging?

"To accept the outcome of a bet is always my principle in life"

Yes, yes, yes, she plans to write a book titled "The True Face of Fu Linchun Revealed" for sale, and the first sentence of the inner pages is: Fu Linchun is inherently extremely lazy; as long as there is nothing to do, he will definitely return to her home as a guest!

Your Excellency? Today she is dressed in a simple and clean moon-white shirt and skirt

You send?

Merchants do not engage in business without capital, they absolutely do not engage in business without capital, they must thoroughly reap the benefits, recovering all the interest from ten years... recovering it... She kissed earnestly, resolutely not allowing his return kiss to confuse her mind.

She held back her internal injuries and gritted her teeth, asking: "Why?"

As his arm strength relaxed slightly, she immediately turned around, slipped into his embrace, and then moved his hand to the back of her ear

Hmm? No? Fu Linchun moved closer to her, his long fingers cradling her face, and he smiled, saying: "I do not ask for much; you only need to pay with a kiss." His request was quite modest, for he was a person of little ambition

Damn it! What the hell! She scolded, "What are you hiding?"

His kiss in return, his kiss in return... Is there a mistake? She has always been curious whether Fu Linchun's true nature is indeed somewhat like that of a carefree young master, possessing a celestial coldness. What would it be like for such coldness to accept a woman? But now she is certain and regrets it

Grandfather knows his goods; these wrist guards are meant for young ladies. They are very effective in blocking knives, guns, fire, and poison needles. Moreover, they are adorned with the Nanhai protective jade that young ladies love. Look, how beautiful they are set!

You look just like a large cotton candy, making one very tempted to take a lick

I have taste?'' He smiled happily. ''In terms of chess skills, I truly cannot compare to you. Do you know why?''

This pair of wrist guards is quite good. My brother took a pair of wrist guards from the brocade box on the table

Miss Li, currently in the south, there are three prominent merchant families known as the Jin, Peng, and Du families, collectively referred to as the Three Merchant Families. Each of these families holds significant influence in their respective regions. To be frank, the Du family business was started by my father from scratch, and now that he has passed away, I have taken over. As for the Jin family business, the owner is surnamed Jin and named Zhao. For decades, the Jin family business has remained stable, only engaging in legitimate enterprises. Consequently, they have been unable to absorb other competitive businesses, but due to their principled management, small downstream merchants have great trust in Boss Jin. As for Boss Peng..." Du Lianzhi glanced at the weapons building and sighed, "Miss Li, you are also here to investigate, aren't you?"

She played with the fluffy earrings by her cheeks, neither affirming nor denying directly, only smiling and saying

Fu Linchun pays? Yes, but she must first give Fu Linchun the money

As long as she perceives his gaze, she begins to pursue other girls; as long as she senses his regret, feeling that life has been wasted, she can immediately kick him out the door, allowing both to be liberated.

She was taken aback, quickly clasping her palms together, and hurriedly grasped the beans in her hand, saying:

She exaggeratedly looked around, her face flushed, then leaned out from under the umbrella to check the sky, and shouted loudly:

The door opened gently

Du Lianzhi? Here again? Very well, let's see if he intends to persuade me through marriage once more... Suddenly, she noticed her assistant staring at Fu Linchun in shock.

The young man looked at her stunned expression and said with a smile, "You are quite suitable, little sister." He deftly fastened her wrists together. "When you are out in the world, even if you do not enter the martial realm, you cannot guarantee that there won't be some unexpected events, so just wear this."

She regained her composure, still holding the white piece in her hand, and looked up at her assistant

Upon hearing this, Du Lian knew that she was inclined to admit it, and he joyfully said: "Naturally, it is a collaboration..."

You are not like that!

He carefully caressed her hole, watching as she closed her eyes before following suit and closing his own eyes.

Isn't Li Jinchao just Boss Jin of the Jin Dynasty? he said with a smile

Is there a mistake? He is Fu Linchun! The elegant Fu Linchun! Her eyes are covered again, and her mouth is wide open.

"That is the young master of Huajia Village," someone said behind her

Hmm... it seems that Master Du has a point...

The tone is quite tired, somewhat like saying: I will go to sleep a step ahead of you, goodbye

"No, I won't." Jun's eyes sparkled with warmth. "That's quite interesting."

Her previously rolling eyes suddenly widened. She saw that he was indeed looking at her with anticipation, and she was determined! She directly hooked her arms around his neck and kissed him forcefully

She was left speechless. Was she to search through his clothes? To peel them off layer by layer and examine them closely?

There is nothing particularly interesting. This time, in Pingning City, under the leadership of the Wren Clan leader, with the assistance of the Yun Family Village, it was publicly announced that the antidote for the Blood Eagle has been prepared. Although it must be taken once a year, as long as one has been infected by the Blood Eagle, the Yun Family Village is willing to provide the antidote first, and then discuss the rights and wrongs.

She never intended to make it public, and the current situation is quite good. What she most wants to ask that female hero of the martial world is why she hasn't been following him all along, but when the words are on the tip of her tongue, she still chooses to remain silent. After all, when it's time to part ways, parting will happen, and no amount of force can keep someone from leaving.

She smiled cheerfully as she picked up a white piece, and then noticed him absentmindedly scooping a handful of sweet beans to eat

Her teeth clashed together as she said angrily

Hmm? He came to his senses and smiled slightly

This morning

Do I know you

She raised her eyes to look at him and smiled, saying, "I already told you, I don't know you, and my surname is not Jin!"

Let me give it a try. Sister, oh sister ... ...

His demeanor is languid, his sitting posture casual yet elegant, still adorned in a red robe with a black belt, simple yet generous, though... the robe is somewhat wrinkled

He expressed surprise, saying: "Is the timbre not good?" His singing voice should be quite good, after all

"Alright." He responded in a casual manner

Have you slept well

Li Jinzhao smiled and said, "He is not interested in me; he is interested in Boss Jin. His actions are so swift that he was actually able to uncover the foundation of the golden abacus."

Just as she was about to respond, she noticed that the blanket she was tightly holding was moving. She was taken aback and hurriedly tried to snatch it back, struggling to reclaim it, but ultimately, she was overpowered and declared defeated

Your residence here is discreet, and there are quite a few capable individuals around you. As long as we do not publicly associate with each other when outside and exercise extra caution, there will surely be a result in these coming years

My preferences are quite broad. He thought for a moment and added, "I do not eat bitter food, so do not ask the kitchen to prepare bitter dishes in the future"

Her parents were refined individuals, and naturally, she was somewhat influenced by them. Later, after becoming a member of the Yun family village, she often came into contact with these elegant melodies. To expand her business, she knew she could not rely solely on petty skills from the marketplace. She understood a little about everything and could do a bit of everything. The perspectives of scholars and gentlemen might not be better than hers, but she simply enjoyed eating heartily and laughing broadly. If she wanted to laugh, she would laugh; if she wanted to cry, she would cry; if she wanted to kick someone, she would kick. There was no need for her to sulk. She loved to roam around the marketplace.

The merchant from the other side came over to join the fun and said with a smile

Tea, tea, tea, only tea, no wine, she is almost on the verge of collapse! She cursed under her breath and glanced at the chessboard. He plays chess very slowly; everyone says that a smart person can create a good game, but she thinks that Fu Linchun might really be distracted. She cannot discern his strategy at all, yet she is certain that this person's chess skills are average.

The elegant Fu Linchun began to shatter in her heart.

Then let us begin he said with a smile

I have come to pick you up said the young man, his voice warm and melodious

She was taken aback and said somewhat unwillingly, "Clearly, it was you who hid the pieces."

"Hide?" he exclaimed, "What is there to hide?"

He immediately opened his eyes and asked with concern, "Does your head still hurt?"

What interesting events did you encounter during your visit to the leader of Pingning City this time

Such a delightful sound always carries a light and agile quality, refreshing the hearts and minds of those who hear it, as if entering a spring forest, rejoicing with a hundred birds. It is very melodious, imbued with a touch of elegance, which does not quite align with her.

"Oh..." Her restless eyes darted around again, this time turning east and west, but she did not look at the young man. She said, "This is Master Du. Master Du, he is... my brother."

"Stop!" She jumped up, her face pale with shock and dizziness, her whole body still trembling. "You, you, you must not sing!"

She blinked her eyes forcefully

"What are you singing? You are simply not suited for it!" My goodness, it scared her to death! Fu Linchun singing such frivolous songs is just too, too, too unbelievable! He is suited for playing the xiao and the zheng, not for casually crossing his legs like an old man, shelling peanuts, and humming vulgar tunes.

"Hmm, dear brother." She said deliberately

It is truly a pity about this ancestral teaching. Otherwise, I have heard that during that month, Young Master Chunxiang was inseparable from a female hero. If both the young man and the young woman have feelings for each other, they could be considered a perfect match in the martial world

"You hid two white pieces from me! I saw it! Xiao Gu, come here and tell me, what did you just see?"

"Brother, oh brother, a glance and a smile can bring forth a hundred charms. After parting one day, when we meet again in the years to come, it will be amidst a hall full of grandchildren... Do you think it sounds unpleasant?" The slender eyes provocatively challenged.

Her eyes rolled around, and she finally asked, "Then, what does Young Master Du mean?"

Is that so? Then go ahead and kiss.

Du Lian turned back to look at Li Jinzhao and couldn't help but be startled

Her eyes were darting around nimbly, and after a moment, she said, "Shall we place a bet?"

Li Jinchao scratched his face, thinking that it wouldn't hurt to listen. Thus, he freed himself from the topics of the countless happy endings that Fu Linchun and the female heroes of the rivers and lakes might have in the future, and went to a corner where no one was present

Do you want to eat

She picked up a white piece and glanced at him

rumble

Her tone seemed to carry a hint of resentment towards Gongsun Xian. She deliberately smiled and said, "In fact, the Blood Eagle is not terrifying, and the antidote once a year is not frightening either. What is truly frightening is having to obey the Blood Eagle's orders to kill. Fortunately, I am not obliged to do so. Furthermore, as long as there is an antidote, the Blood Eagle will not die."

"The family precept of the Fu family dictates that one must marry only after turning forty, so it seems it will be several more years yet." someone responded.

"Isn't Miss Li the same?" Du Lianzhi glanced at the other merchants in the room. "The Peng family has been intending to expand northward in recent years, and their method of making money is completely different from that of the Jin family. I imagine you have already felt threatened, which is why you came here to take a look. This weapons shop is divided into three floors: the ground floor is for the creation of weapons for various sects by the people of the rivers and lakes, the second floor is for light weapons for the wealthy, and the third floor is exclusively for the leader of the martial arts world, Wen Renbu. This indicates that this weapons shop has gained recognition from the rivers and lakes, and in the future, it seems that the people of the rivers and lakes will primarily rely on weapons from the Peng family."

Damn it... I'm sorry, Madam Fu, I am not cursing at you. She almost struck the bed board with force.

"That is true. If I win..." He was also being innocent.

She habitually wanted to scratch her face, yet feared disturbing him, and could not help but let out a quiet sigh

She continued to mumble, "I am warming myself, I am warming myself, winter is so cold... I am going to sleep"

She glanced at his profile, cleared her throat, and said

Wow, the rain is about to get heavier, it's going to thunder, it's going to thunder! Let's hurry home!" The footsteps quickened, not daring to look back at him, and finally, feeling somewhat flustered, she started to run quickly.

He smiled faintly. "In the past, Yun Family Village did not intervene, not only because of its transcendent status, but mainly to protect the third master of Yun Family Village. Since you have already been marked by the Blood Eagle, there is nothing to fear now." After a pause, he said gently, "I will take care of you; this time, no one can harm you under my watch."

Is that so

The thunder had ceased at an unknown time, and she felt warm all over, drowsy and on the verge of sleep. Suddenly, the bed shook gently for a moment, and she abruptly opened her eyes, staring at the inner wall of the bed.

Li Jinchao turned around and saw a young gentleman stepping up the stairs. The weapons on the second floor of "Peng Wulou" were inclined towards being lightweight and luxurious, which the people of the martial world generally did not favor, nor were they willing to spend excessive amounts of money on a weapon that was more decorative than practical. Therefore, the clientele for the items sold on the second floor consisted of wealthy merchants, young ladies, and young masters who had been carefully selected by the shop owner.

Behind Yun Family Village, there is the Jin Family business supporting it, and behind the leader of the martial arts world, there is the Peng Family business. Miss Li, what do you think, in the end, does the Peng Family business have the ability to swallow the Jin Family business?

"Hmm? It is I who will give it." He smiled, his eyes curving into crescents.

It is truly a pity to have gone ten years without any benefit! A businessman engaged in a no-capital venture would never let such an opportunity slip away, especially since she has already invested ten years. Even if she has to end it early, she must ensure that she recoups her investment before she can be satisfied

"It is going to rain. You are afraid of thunder, aren't you?" he said softly

Six months later

"This is food for children," she said with a smile, glancing at him and emphasizing, "I love to eat it too"

"Gamble..." she said, her eyes rolling restlessly as she smiled; "Based on this game of chess, if I win, you will tell me everything about your affairs in Pingning City in great detail... Why are you looking at me like that? I am not a person of the rivers and lakes, but I am quite interested in matters of the rivers and lakes!" She said innocently, with a thick skin.

He gently caressed her until she felt a bit warm, then withdrew his hand and said softly

She became a pig farmer

"It must be like that for there to be a ghost." She murmured softly, her heart racing, as the young man's fingers curled around her hand, a warmth subtly transferring to her cold palm

She turned around, about to place her final piece before meeting Du Lianzhi, when she caught sight of a movement.

She glared at him, sat back down in her chair, scratched her face, rolled her eyes again, and pretended to chat casually

Once again, footsteps approached. Du Lianzhi turned around and saw a young man coming up the stairs

She secretly smiled at the corners of her mouth, and then her hands slowly slid into his clothing with a very tortoise-like motion

Why does this man, this man, so casually look for a bed to sleep in

It is indeed very easy to take care of... um, just as easy as her. She feels a bit thirsty and instinctively reaches for the wine jug, damn it, the jug is filled with warm tea

Because there aren't many people in Yun Family Village willing to play chess with me. A game of chess takes a long time to play, as he easily becomes distracted. The outcome of the game is not important to him, and he has no particular obsession with the level of his chess skills, so naturally, he does not cultivate any chess skills.

Damn it! She was burned by Fu Linchun's flames

Someone is tense

The quilt covers both individuals... Who is feeling cold

"If your uncle Wu sees you like this, he will surely scold you until you have no choice but to repent. The way to maintain health is to moderate all kinds of food." He personally poured her a cup of warm tea, and after watching her obediently drink it, he asked, "What do you want to gamble on?"

It turns out that Young Master Du's intention in his drunkenness is not focused on the wine; he did not come to select weapons to gift to others, but rather to investigate the truth of the matter

The pitch-black pupils appeared noticeably indifferent, yet Du Lianzhi always felt that in an instant, this young man seemed to squint.

The shopkeeper on the second floor, who was specifically called over, hurriedly approached and said with a smile

The sound of the xiao transformed into a gentle and ethereal melody, as if it were lulling her into a trance. Her eyelids grew heavy, and the consequence of her intense focus on listening was that she truly fell into a state of hypnosis

She eavesdropped, absentmindedly touching the wristband on the stage

Xiao Gu's expression changed, and he shook his head. "I didn't see anything. I will go greet Young Master Du first..." He hurriedly exited, mumbling to himself, "Losing is losing; there's no need to dwell on it too much"

She is very curious about what he wants; it can't possibly be that he truly wants her, can it? She scratches her face, wondering whether she should lose or win. Clearly, his chess skills are not as good as hers, and there is no way she could let him win...

"Younger sister must hurry home before the heavy rain arrives; Master Du, let us discuss this another day." The young man said gently

She widened her eyes

She secretly pouted, scooped a handful into her palm, and slowly ate. She then deliberately said:

She glanced at the chessboard again, confirming that she could win, and said generously