When they returned to the Ruan family home, everyone was asleep. Huo Haocheng brought hot water, and after the two washed up, they fell asleep in Huo Haocheng's arms.

She had been traveling a long way, and although she had bought a sleeper ticket, there were all sorts of people on the train, so she didn't dare to sleep too soundly. She only took a short rest. When she arrived, she had to cheer up and chat with her elders. It was rare for her to see them, as they were all waiting at home. She didn't want to appear too tired.

With Huo Haocheng by my side, I feel very safe, so I fell asleep as soon as I took the bed.

The next day, when she woke up, only her grandfather and maternal grandfather were at home.

"Good morning, Grandpa and Grandpa." When she came downstairs, the two old men were playing chess.

"Good morning. There's breakfast left for you in the kitchen, it's keeping warm in the pot. Go and eat." The old man saw that he was finally awake. He had asked Huo Haocheng to wake people up for breakfast this morning, but Huo Haocheng said that she was too tired last night and told her to sleep a little longer.

Later, Huo Songhuai and his wife came over and, upon learning that she was still asleep, they were not surprised. They said that she usually slept until almost noon at home. Afterward, Grandma Ruan and her great-aunt took the couple to buy gifts.

When they left, the old lady told them not to wake her and to let her sleep, adding that she wouldn't be able to sleep for many more days at home anyway.

Didn't they know? They just didn't expect her to sleep for so long.

After listening to her grandfather's words, she first went to the bathroom to wash up, then went into the kitchen to bring out a bowl of millet porridge. She stood behind her grandfather and watched them play chess.

"Girl, what do you think about Hao Cheng and the others' mission this time?" The two old men had been sitting and waiting all morning, just wanting to know if Ruan Ruan was sure about their trip. They had even come up with a story, hoping to hear more of the girl's true feelings.

However, since she got up and stood there for so long, they hadn't heard a single word from her. So, they decided to stop being vague and just ask her directly, to see if this girl was still being stubborn.

Ruan Ruan also realized that the old man was no longer going to play it safe this time, but was going straight for the kill!

However, after thinking about it, she still said very seriously, "It was a close call."

Hearing her answer, the old men were very satisfied, and their worries were relieved.

It's hard not to worry them. The people on this trip are all their juniors, and they can't accept the loss of any of them.

With Ruan Ruan's accurate reply, the two players' movements became lighter and more agile during the game.

"Hey, wait, wait, I made a mistake here. I was going to place it here." Grandpa Ruan saw that Grandpa Gu was about to make his move, but if he did, it would mean that Grandpa Ruan had lost. So he immediately snatched the piece from Grandpa Gu's hand and placed his own piece here.

"Old man Ruan, once a move is made, there's no going back, don't you understand? How can you do this, even trying to steal a piece!" Grandpa Gu was used to Grandpa Ruan's behavior. They were old friends, and everyone knew each other well. But knowing was one thing, saying it was another.

"Oh dear, I don't understand, I don't understand. I'm going down here, you go down quickly." Grandpa Ruan said impatiently, listening to Grandpa Gu's nagging.

"Are you sure? Let me tell you, this time I'm sure, and I won't let you have your way anymore." Grandpa Gu seemed oblivious to his impatience, still holding the chess pieces in his hand, confirming again and again.

"Oh, it's confirmed, it's confirmed. Why are you being so indecisive?"

"Alright, Ruan Ruan is watching. If you cheat again, you'll just have to admit defeat."

Hearing her grandfather mention her, Ruan Ruan was now certain that her grandfather had done it on purpose. It was all because her grandfather had taken back his move. He could have struggled a little longer, but now, with her grandfather's provocation, it was all over for him.

"Okay, okay, okay, hurry up and get off."

After Grandpa Gu finished playing his game, he placed a piece, marking the end of the game.

After a friendly exchange, Grandpa Gu placed his piece on the spot where Grandpa Ruan had just taken back his move, and then Grandpa Ruan lost.

"You old man Gu, you have no martial ethics, you've tricked me!"

"Who lied to you? Look at the chessboard carefully. No matter where you move, you're going to lose. I even kindly gave you a chance to regret it. Don't be ungrateful!"

Grandpa Gu ignored Grandpa Ruan's vehement accusations and calmly began picking up the chess pieces.

After finishing one round, the two old men didn't start a new one. They just kept arguing like children.

After Ruan Ruan finished her porridge and washed the bowl, she heard her grandfather say, "Alright, you go to the side, let me and the girl play the next round."

"Hey girl, come quick, play a game with me!"

"Alright, but please, Grandpa, show mercy."

After sitting down, Ruan Ruan started playing chess with her grandfather. At first, both of them played at a normal pace, but after 5 minutes, they both slowed down.

Grandpa Ruan sat in the middle, looking at this and that, then at the chessboard. He didn't quite understand. Both sides only had about ten pieces on the board, with so many empty spaces. Why were they playing so slowly?

He was getting annoyed watching them and thought he'd just help them each take one.

Although his chess skills were terrible, he still understood the principle of observing a game without speaking, but he could only watch with growing anxiety.

Before they knew it, there were more and more pieces on the chessboard, and the two players were moving their pieces at a slower and slower pace.

Ruan Ruan was thinking about how to make her grandfather win without being looked down upon. Indeed, for the next ten minutes, she kept thinking about how to make her grandfather win.

On Grandpa Gu's side, five minutes into the game, he sensed Ruan Ruan's superb chess skills. He was completely focused and dared not relax for a moment. He didn't want to be laughed at by Old Man Ruan, who said that he was not as good as a little girl. Of course, it wasn't that he couldn't accept defeat. However, winning or losing was not important. It was rare to meet someone who could match him, and that was his own niece. Therefore, he had to give it his all to see her abilities.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!