Chapter 118: Know a little

After a while, Ji Lao greeted everyone again and then entered the private area from the corridor.

Rong Ci, Yu Moxun, Feng Tingshen, He Zhangbai, the Lin and Sun families, and others all went inside together.

There were quite a few people inside, and the Lin and Sun families didn't seem out of place.

Everyone sat down in the pavilion, and servants brought tea and snacks.

Ji Lao and Grandma Rong were chatting quite happily.

Besides Grandma Rong, Ji Lao also had two friends who had a certain level of accomplishment in traditional Chinese painting.

When the conversation got lively, Ji Lao and his two friends decided to paint one on the spot and invited Grandma Rong to join.

Then, Ji Lao instructed Ji Qingyue: "Qingyue, go help Grandpa get the brush, ink, paper, and inkstone from the study."

Ji Qingyue: "Okay."

After the painting was done, Ji Lao also highly praised Grandma Rong's painting.

Ji Lao, Grandma Rong, and the others began to chat about paintings.

Rong Ci and Yu Moxun didn't go over to disturb their conversation but sat in the long pavilion drinking tea and eating snacks.

Rong Ci's position was still quite far from the Lin and Sun families.

They didn't even have eye contact with each other.

Except for those who knew the inside story, no one knew they knew each other.

As for Feng Tingshen, he sat with Lin Wu, He Zhangbai, Qi Yuming, Ren Jifeng, and the others.

This group were all peers.

And as people in the circle, it was quite normal for them to sit together and communicate.

Seeing Rong Ci and Yu Moxun sitting alone on one side, looking like they wanted to keep their distance, Ji Qingyue lowered his voice and asked Ren Jifeng: "Haven't Yu Moxun and you guys reconciled yet?"

Didn't they say they had already cooperated?

Even if they hadn't fully reconciled, the relationship should have eased, right?

Why does it look like it's about the same as it was at the banquet?

Ren Jifeng's gaze fell on Yu Moxun not far away, thought for a moment, and said: "Yu Moxun and Feng Tingshen don't seem to get along either."

Ji Qingyue listened, quite surprised.

He hadn't heard of any grudge between them before.

He then guessed it might be because of Rong Ci and Lin Wu.

However, just as he thought of this, he stopped, not intending to learn too much about other people's private affairs.

Ji Qingyue didn't favor one over the other. After chatting with Feng Tingshen and the others for a while, he went over to greet Yu Moxun and Rong Ci: "There are more guests today than expected, please forgive me for any lack of hospitality."

Yu Moxun's attitude toward Ji Qingyue was still very good: "We came uninvited, Young Master Ji, no need to be polite."

Qin Lao was a good friend of Master Ji, but he didn't understand painting. He came today just to show support for his friend.

Seeing that he couldn't entertain him, Ji Lao had Ji Qingyue bring out the chessboard and tea table from the house and find someone to accompany Qin Lao in playing chess and drinking tea.

Ji Qingyue apologized to Rong Ci and Yu Moxun and went to get busy.

Qin Lao sat down, grabbed a handful of chess pieces, and looked at his friend, Li Lao.

Li Lao said impatiently: "I can't beat you every time, find someone else."

Qin Lao looked at Ji Qingyue: "Qingyue shouldn't have time today."

"Yes."

After all, there were so many guests to entertain.

Ji Huanying also had things to handle.

If he sat down to play chess and left other guests aside, it really wouldn't be appropriate.

"How about another young person?" Qin Lao said.

Qin Lao knew Feng Tingshen.

Feng Tingshen had been clever since childhood and was quite famous in the circle.

He set his gaze on Feng Tingshen: "Feng boy, you know how to play chess, right? I wonder if you'd mind playing a game with this old man today?"

Feng Tingshen put down his teacup and said politely: "It is my honor to play chess with Qin Lao."

Feng Tingshen walked over, sat down opposite Qin Lao, and said: "Then please instruct me, Qin Lao."

Lin Wu, He Zhangbai, and the others all came over to watch the game.

Rong Ci and Yu Moxun also came over.

However, they stood behind Qin Lao.

Lin Wu, He Zhangbai, and the others all knew how to play chess.

Seeing Rong Ci come over, looking quite serious, as if she also knew how to play, He Zhangbai walked toward them.

He asked Rong Ci: "Know how to play chess?"

Rong Ci: "Know a little."

Yu Moxun: "..."

It's not knowing a little, it's knowing "a billion little."

However, he didn't speak.

Perhaps because they weren't familiar with each other.

At first, both Qin Lao and Feng Tingshen's chess paths were quite blurry.

But slowly, perhaps having figured out each other's temperament, Qin Lao leaned toward aggressiveness.

As for Feng Tingshen, he resolved Qin Lao's attacks while finding new ways out for himself.

It looked like Feng Tingshen seemed to be struggling a bit.

In reality...

Rong Ci watched for a while, her gaze becoming more and more focused.

Yu Moxun also understood chess. After a while, he asked Rong Ci: "Who do you think will win?"

Rong Ci said: "Hard to say."

Lin Wu and Qi Yuming's positions weren't too far from Rong Ci.

Hearing Rong Ci's ambiguous words, they felt that what she said was the same as saying nothing.

Yu Moxun, however, knew she had more to say, but it wasn't easy to say it out loud.

Rong Ci indeed felt it was hard to say it out loud.

Because Feng Tingshen often made himself appear to be at a disadvantage.

In reality, he could always find opportunities to turn it back.

Or rather, it was possible he had been setting a trap all along, letting Qin Lao follow his pace.

But overall, it looked like they were evenly matched.

However...

Just now she said it was hard to say.

It wasn't because she didn't know the outcome.

She just didn't know if Feng Tingshen wanted to win.

As a junior, wanting to let Qin Lao win, not wanting to win himself...

Just as she thought of this, Qin Lao smiled and looked at Feng Tingshen, saying: "Feng boy, although this old man's accomplishments aren't very deep, you're letting me win too much, I'll be unhappy, you know."

Feng Tingshen smiled: "Haven't played for a while, a bit rusty."

Qin Lao huffed and ignored him.

Qin Lao actually had quite a bit of strength. After more than ten minutes, he finally let Feng Tingshen win by one piece.

Qin Lao, however, wasn't angry; instead, he became interested, excitedly wanting to test Feng Tingshen's real strength.

Feng Tingshen smiled and gestured for him to go ahead.

Qin Lao didn't stand on ceremony and continued playing.

This time Feng Tingshen's offensive was even fiercer. Qin Lao glared at him, and Feng Tingshen smiled: "I accept the concession."

Qin Lao was actually very happy because he hadn't lost so refreshingly for a long time.

He played another game with Feng Tingshen.

Before playing, he said: "Use your real strength, don't really treat me as an old man with failing eyes and try to fool me."

Feng Tingshen said: "Qin Lao, you really wronged me."

"Hmph." Qin Lao ignored him and played chess with him seriously.

Of course, in this game, unsurprisingly, he lost again.

He put down the chess piece and stood up, saying: "I am convinced."

Feng Tingshen hadn't spoken yet when Qin Lao said again: "Is there anyone else who wants to come? I won't say help me defeat him, just don't let him win so easily."