"Isn't the competition the day after tomorrow?" Ye Qingqing asked curiously.

Ye Mingcheng laughed heartily, "It's just a regular game of chess, not a competition. Master Cui is a very kind person. He has given Xiaotong a lot of guidance these three days. Master Cui is truly magnanimous. No wonder he has become a master."

“A true master must have a broad mind; otherwise, he wouldn’t have achieved such great things. A narrow-minded person can never become a master.” Ye Qingqing was also very happy that Xiao Tong had met upright masters, which was Xiao Tong’s greatest fortune.

Ye Mingcheng led them to the top floor, which was the VIP room. Because of Cui Shi's special status, he received the most lavish treatment here, and Xiao Tong also benefited from it. Otherwise, given his qualifications, he would not have been able to enjoy VIP treatment.

Upon reaching the top floor, she felt an unusual quiet. The corridor was covered with thick carpets, making walking silent. Ye Qingqing even had to soften her breathing, afraid of disturbing the master.

Go masters are often quite nervous and particularly sensitive to noise, like Master Nie.

Upon entering the living room, one could see Ye Tong and a young man kneeling on the carpet, playing chess face to face. Master Nie was also kneeling to one side, his expression focused, seemingly oblivious to the arrival of Ye Qingqing and the others.

Ye Qingqing and Lu Mo couldn't help but slow their pace. Although the room was carpeted, they were still worried about making noise, so they tiptoed to the sofa and sat down, patiently waiting for the master and Xiao Tong to finish their game.

Although Cui Shi holds a high position, he is not old, only twenty-five years old, which is the prime of his life. However, for a chess player, 25 years old is already old, and generally speaking, he will start to decline.

Although Choi Suk is still ranked number one in the world, it is obvious that his condition is not as good as it was two years ago. However, his chess skills are too superb. Even though he is no longer at his peak, he is still invincible. No one has yet appeared who can defeat him.

Ye Qingqing was extremely bored, so she observed Master Cui from the side. He had a delicate appearance, a slightly pale complexion, and a rather thin figure, which clearly indicated that he was not a person who liked sports. Moreover, he had very obvious dark circles under his eyes, which showed that Master Cui also suffered from insomnia.

The room was completely silent, with only the soft sound of Go stones hitting the board. Time passed by, and finally Xiaotong spoke up, saying respectfully, "I lost, thank you, Master."

Ye Qingqing's spirits lifted; it was finally over.

"You're very capable; you'll surpass me in time."

Cui Shi could speak Chinese, though his accent was broken, but it was still quite standard, which made Ye Qingqing like him even more.

Xiao Tong shook her head, her expression becoming even more respectful, her sincerity genuine, "No... it's just that time has surpassed it..."

Cui Shi looked at the boy in front of him with some surprise. He didn't expect the child to say such philosophical words, which instantly soothed his heart that had been a little sad just now.

That's right, no one lost; they just lost to the relentless passage of time.

Cui Shi knew better than anyone that he was on a downward spiral, gradually declining since last year. He was very frustrated last year and kept adjusting his mindset, but this year he has been able to calmly accept reality.

But occasionally he still feels a sense of sadness, like a hero with no future. But now, he has been healed by a single sentence from Xiaotong.

He surpassed other masters in the past, but eventually he will be surpassed by those who come after him. This is a normal process of renewal and replacement, and there is nothing to be sad about.

"Haha, you're at the starting line of life now, keep it up!"

Cui Shilang laughed loudly, and only then did he notice Ye Qingqing and the others.