"ah?"

Bai Xiaoruo was stunned on the spot, wondering if she had misheard or misunderstood her grandmother's meaning.

"Little Ruo, are you willing?"

"this......"

How is she supposed to answer that?

Willing? Does that mean I'll really have to marry my grandmother's eldest grandson? That's impossible! My father and stepmother would definitely be the first to object. Besides, I'm only 18 at most; how could I possibly get married?

If I directly say I don't want to, will it hurt Grandma's feelings?

"Grandma, I really have no intention of getting married right now, and I don't think I can become your granddaughter-in-law. I'm very ordinary, I don't have any outstanding talents, and I can't do anything well. Grandma, please don't joke with me."

"How could that be? In Grandma's eyes, you are anything but ordinary. You are a truly kind and good child. Trust Grandma, Grandma really wants what's best for you and would never do anything to harm you! My eldest grandson is tall, handsome, and very good at making money. If you marry him, you'll be the young mistress of the Xian family, and he can give you everything you want."

"Grandma, I, I didn't mean that... I didn't mean your grandson is bad, it's just that I'm not good enough for him..." Bai Xiaoru hurriedly explained.

She had never thought about marriage, not even what her future boyfriend would look like, let alone a marriage partner... It was all too early for Bai Xiaoruo to answer.

Seeing Bai Xiaoruo's resistance, Lin Suqing didn't dare to bring it up again, for fear of scaring the little girl away.

Let's think of another way later.

"Grandma was just saying it casually, girl, don't take it to heart. If you don't like it, of course Grandma won't force you."

"Um... by the way, Grandma, I've been here for so long and I haven't seen Grandpa. Is Grandpa not home?"

"Of course he is. He started working on his chessboard in the backyard early this morning, and he still hasn't solved it."

"Oh, I see. I'm quite interested in playing chess too, Grandma. Can I go find Grandpa?"

"Of course you can. You can go with the housekeeper. Grandma is a little sleepy and wants to go upstairs for a nap." Lin Suqing gestured to the housekeeper beside her to lead the way for Bai Xiaoruo.

"Grandma, let me help you up first."

"No need, no need, it's just a few steps, Grandma can walk by herself, you go find Grandpa."

"good."

"Miss Bai, please come with me." The butler had already come to Bai Xiaoruo's side and was ready to lead the way for her.

"Um."

***

Upon arriving at the backyard, the butler who had been leading the way suddenly stopped.

"Miss Bai, the master is just ahead. Please go ahead yourself."

"good."

There are more trees in the backyard than in the front yard, mainly red maple trees. This season is when the red maple trees are at their most lush and leafy. It is midday, when the sun is at its most intense. The red maple leaves are as red as fire under the sun. A gentle breeze blows, and they look like sparks flickering and dancing. The whole yard is bathed in golden light, creating a particularly picturesque scene.

A long, winding cobblestone path leads to the backyard, where a wooden pergola is set up for shade. The pergola is covered with swathes of Rangoon creeper, with tender green vines, lush leaves, and pink flowers clinging tightly to it, forming a natural "roof".

Hsien Cheng-sen sat at a small wooden table under the wooden frame. On the table was a chessboard. Hsien Cheng-sen held a black piece in his hand, rubbing it carefully for a long time, but he couldn't decide where to place it on the chessboard.

Bai Xiaoruo tiptoed over, afraid of disturbing Xuan Zhengsen who was deep in thought.

However, before he even reached Hsien Cheng-sen, he was quickly spotted.

When Xian Zhengsen looked up and saw the person who had come, he put the black pieces in his hand back into the chess basket, smiled at her, and said, "Little Bai is here. Please sit down."

"Grandpa, did I disturb your train of thought while playing chess?" Bai Xiaoru sat down in the rattan chair opposite Xuan Zhengsen.

I didn't expect that even though I was being so careful, I was still discovered. I should have waited until Grandpa finished his game of chess.

"No, I've been pondering this game for ages, but I still can't solve it. I'm getting really frustrated and don't want to play anymore."

"I see... Well, I'm quite interested in playing chess, Grandpa, can I give it a try?"

"Of course." Xian Zhengsen nodded. He also wanted to see how this little girl would solve the puzzle that he had been trying to solve for so long.

Bai Xiaoruo first carefully observed the current layout of the entire chess game, took out a black piece from the chess basket, pondered it for a moment, and finally placed the black piece on one of the points. "Grandpa, what do you think, how about placing it here?"

"this......"

Xuan Zhengsen looked at the entire game again, as well as the spot where Bai Xiaoru had just placed her piece. He was somewhat surprised. He had been trying to solve it for a long time without any clue, but this little girl had only thought for a short while and was able to completely solve the entire game.

"Little Bai, how did you do that? Grandpa is truly impressed. I never imagined you were such a hidden master."

"I've just read some books on this subject and know a little bit about it. I'm not an expert at all; I'm still just a newbie."

"Don't be modest, come on, play another game with Grandpa. You little girl have finally solved my problem this morning. I haven't had enough yet."

"Yes, Grandpa."

Bai Xiaoruo and Xian Zhengsen put the chess pieces back into the chess basket one by one according to their colors and started the layout again.

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