Shang Zhengxin was quite satisfied with the result, as was Chen Bing.

In interpersonal relationships, constantly pursuing victory and showing off one's talents is not necessarily a good thing. On the contrary, appropriately admitting defeat and being modest often yields better results.

The reason Chen Bing hadn't let Yunxuan have this opportunity before was mainly because she could tell that Yunxuan didn't take Go seriously and treated it like a game of poker.

Shang Zhengxin was clearly different; as he gradually fell into a disadvantageous position, his expression obviously turned terrible.

Moreover, through these two matches, Chen Bing gained a general understanding of Shang Zhengxin's strength, which was roughly similar to his own level three months ago.

That's enough. There's no need to embarrass him in front of others. It only makes you feel a little good inside, and it doesn't do you any good.

Chen Bing only gradually came to understand this principle after passing the civil service exam and working as a civil servant for several years.

"Uncle, you're amazing. When you get serious, I'm no match for you." Chen Bing's insincere flattery pleased Shang Zhengxin.

"Yes, yes, when your uncle was young, I was a master who achieved the sixth dan in amateur competition." Shang Zhengxin boasted proudly, already using the title "your uncle" in his words.

Then, feeling that it was beneath his dignity as an adult to say such a thing, he changed the subject and continued, "Little Chen, you're not bad either. You're so young and you already have this skill. If you like, you can come to me, and I'll teach you how to play chess."

Chen Bing readily agreed, and the two then played several more games of chess.

During the game, Shang Zhengxin gave Chen Bing a few pointers and shared some of his insights. Chen Bing, being very clever, immediately grasped the concepts and applied them to the following games, showing a noticeable improvement in his skill level.

This feeling of instant understanding is indeed addictive, but it's not Chen Bing who's addicted, it's Shang Zhengxin.

He was very pleased with Chen Bing's progress, just like when he tutored a very talented student.

He played the game with great enthusiasm, so much so that he almost forgot about his daughter beside him.

Shang Yunmiao couldn't understand the chess game the two men were playing, and soon she got bored. She looked around and saw that her mother had already gone to watch her daily legal program. So she went over to her mother and watched with her.

As dusk fell and the last rays of sunlight disappeared into the room, Shang Zhengxin rubbed his eyes and calmed himself down.

Before I knew it, I'd gotten so engrossed that almost two hours had passed. Playing chess is a real test of one's stamina; prolonged, high-intensity mental activity can easily make one drowsy.

Both Chen Bing and Shang Zhengxin were quite tired at this point.

When they looked up, they realized that Yunxuan and her daughter had started cooking sometime earlier.

The reason they are referred to as mother and daughter is because Shang Yunmiao was also helping out.

For a moment, Shang Zhengxin felt a little dazed. This scene felt like traveling back many years, and it seemed that his son-in-law would be like this when he came to visit in the future.

He rubbed his eyes, banishing the strange thoughts from his mind, and then got up to go back to his room to prepare for tomorrow's classes.

Just then, the doorbell rang.

Shang Zhengxin glanced at his wife, but she hadn't heard him because the range hood was making a lot of noise.

He then turned around and went to open the door himself to see who had come. The door was opened halfway, and a young couple appeared outside.

He vaguely remembered these two people; they were the new neighbors who moved in across the hall, Chen Bing's parents.

The other person was clearly a little surprised, not expecting a stranger to open the door. But they quickly realized that he must be the male head of the household.

"Hello, I'm here to pick up my child."

Because Shang Zhengxin looked somewhat serious and rigid, the two of them spoke in a more formal manner.

"Oh, hello. The child is inside now."

As Shang Zhengxin spoke, he opened the door, clearly intending to invite them to his home for a visit.

Chen Shichao and his companion did not refuse the other's offer of help, and after thanking them, they entered the house together.

At this moment, Yunxuan also heard the commotion at the door and came to check. Seeing that it was Liu Yue and her husband, she immediately put on a smile.

"You're back! Come in and have a seat. Dinner is almost ready, come and eat with us."

Liu Yue had originally intended to refuse, but she couldn't resist the other party's enthusiasm, so she had no choice but to agree. It wouldn't be appropriate to go to someone's house for dinner empty-handed, so she went back home to get a bottle of good wine and some takeout from the store to cook dinner.

Yunxuan smiled and didn't say much. She was fairly familiar with Chen Bing's family, so she wasn't too polite. Shang Zhengxin, on the other hand, felt bad because it was his first time meeting Chen Shichao and his wife, and seeing that the wine they brought was quite expensive, so he became more enthusiastic and urged Yunxuan to order a couple more dishes.

After putting down what she had brought, Liu Yue went to the kitchen to help Yun Xuan. Chen Shichao sat down next to Shang Zhengxin and chatted idly. Chen Bing also stayed beside him, quietly listening to the two men talk.

The slightly awkward atmosphere gradually dissipated as the toasts and drinks at the dinner table continued, and Chen Shichao and Shang Zhengxin began to chat more freely. Although Chen Shichao acted like a big kid at home and was quite unserious, he displayed a mature, smooth, and worldly-wise demeanor when interacting with people outside.

As they drank glass after glass of baijiu, the two men got to know each other a little better.

Chen Shichao learned that the man in front of him, who was six years older than him, was already a deputy section-level cadre at the age of thirty-five. He not only worked in the county education bureau, but also served as the director of the political education department of Shangping Experimental Middle School. He could be described as a promising young man.

At the same time, Shang Zhengxin also learned that this likable young man had started a large restaurant in town at the age of no more than thirty. He had visited that restaurant several times a few months ago when he went to attend students' graduation banquets.

To be honest, it's really well-run. Business seems to be booming; I'd estimate it's making at least a hundred thousand a month. Of that, I'd probably pocket forty or fifty thousand.

Shang Zhengxin was quite envious. Although he was young and had become a deputy section chief, his income was really not that great.

He worked diligently, not only holding a temporary position at the Education Bureau but also serving as a senior teacher in the most demanding senior high school department. Yet, even with all that, his income over 10 years was only six or seven thousand yuan.

Senior teachers can earn a lot of money by giving lectures at after-school tutoring institutions, but due to his special status, he certainly cannot earn that kind of extra income.

Therefore, he envied Chen Shichao, who was better off financially. At least Chen Shichao could provide his family with material comforts, something he himself couldn't do.

At this point in the conversation, Shang Zhengxin remembered that Chen Bing was very good at Go, so he asked the other person, "Your child is very good at Go. Did you have someone teach him?"