Chapter 4: Silent Observer, Irrevocable Move

The shopkeeper glanced up at him and chuckled, "Alright! It's been a while since you last came, Xiao Ruan. The sweet potato porridge is good today, I'll give you extra." "Thanks, Brother Wang. I was a bit busy recently, but today my vacation starts," Ruan Xingwen explained. Brother Wang skillfully and swiftly served a big bowl of sweet potato porridge, three buns, and a small plate of pickled vegetables on a tray and brought it over to Ruan Xingwen. Tasting the sweet potato porridge, Ruan Xingwen picked up a bun and took a bite, praising, "Our buns are still the best, full and flavorful!" This bun shop has been around for many years, passed down from Brother Wang's parents, and has always had a great reputation. When Ruan Xingwen's parents were still around, they were regular customers of this breakfast spot, so he'd come here for breakfast whenever he got up early or had no plans. While eating the bun, Ruan Xingwen felt like he was forgetting something... Ah! Little Qilin! He quickly turned to look at the chair next to him. Little Qilin curled up in grievance, looking at him with accusing eyes, as if saying he was a bad guy for not giving it tasty food... It pouted while wiping its nonexistent drool with its little paw. Such human-like actions made Ruan Xingwen laugh with his eyes crinkling. "It's not that I won't give you any, didn't you just eat at home? You still want more? Is that little belly of yours okay?" Ruan Xingwen looked at him skeptically. Little Qilin confidently nodded and pointed to his belly, meaning, I can, I can! Ruan Xingwen gave in and handed him a bun, which the little one devoured in two bites. But he didn't dare feed it more, as Little Qilin's belly was visibly round; if it got too full, who would treat a Divine Beast! After breakfast, carrying the round-bellied Little Qilin, Ruan Xingwen planned to take a walk in the neighborhood park to digest. "Old Zhang, we agreed before playing, no take-backs; don't pull that embarrassing move now!" A robust voice rang out from up ahead. Ruan Xingwen curiously looked over and saw two elderly gentlemen playing chess under a tree in the park. One of them, in a clean shirt, had a face red as a beetroot, "Old Yu, I didn't take back my move, I hadn't placed it yet, how can that be a take-back!" "Oh, cut it out, you always pull this stunt when playing chess and still call yourself a gentleman? Next time don't ask me to play, I can't stand your antics!" The other in a Zhongshan suit pushed the board aside, refusing to play any longer and turned his head with a "humph!" Ruan Xingwen found it amusing how these two elderly men, both of a considerable age, could still be so spirited and stubbornly turning away from each other. As they say, old children, indeed. The red-faced gentleman turned in Ruan Xingwen's direction and waved, "Just in time, here's a young man, he looks honest, come and judge for us! If I place this piece here, he loses, but he insists I just took it back! Can't I think about where to put it for a bit? Is a gesture not allowed?!" the old man excitedly narrated, his face getting even redder. Finding himself swept into this "gentlemen's dispute," Ruan Xingwen reluctantly approached while holding Little Qilin, and glanced at the board, indeed seeing the black piece about to lose. "Grandpa Zhang, are you black or white?" The elderly Mr. Yu in Zhongshan suit grumbled, "Hmph, he's white, I'm black." "I just overheard a bit, if Grandpa Zhang places this piece here, Grandpa Yu really would lose," Ruan Xingwen said truthfully. "You little rascal, you know..." Mr. Yu was about to object when Ruan Xingwen added hurriedly, "But, Grandpa Yu, look, if black places the next piece here, what do you think?" pointing to a corner of the board. Seeing the two elderly men focusing back on the board, Ruan Xingwen quietly sighed in relief, not daring to offend either, they're getting on in age, and it's not good to upset them. "Hey, young man, didn't expect you to know Go? Not many young people today can play this," Mr. Yu praised pleasantly after switching moods like in a Sichuan opera, then turned to sneer at Mr. Zhang, "Hmph, even if you play take-back, I still win, right?" Mr. Zhang's face remained red throughout, "I didn't take back my move, if it wasn't for this young man, how could you have won? Shameless!" He then turned and paused, surprised by Ruan Xingwen's appearance, asking suddenly, "Young man, what's your name? How old are you? What's your job? Do you have anyone special?" Ruan Xingwen was stunned by this unexpected line of questioning, standing there dazed with Little Qilin. "What are you doing, Old Zhang! Planning to introduce someone for your granddaughter again? You can't just set up anyone you see on the street! Besides, didn't she say she won't marry until after thirty?" Mr. Yu couldn't hold back anymore before Ruan Xingwen could respond. "Old Yu, stop lecturing me, aren't you anxious too? Your grandson is twenty-eight, almost thirty, and you're not worried? This isn't the time to chit-chat! Why are you so... uh, what's that phrase?" Mr. Zhang was at a loss for words. Ruan Xingwen cheekily chimed in, "Double standard?" Mr. Zhang promptly nodded in agreement, "Yes, that's the word, double standard!" then pleasantly repeated his questions, "Young man, what's your name, how old are you, what do you do for work?" This time, Ruan Xingwen didn't remain dazed, answering with a smile, "Grandpa Zhang, my name is Ruan Xingwen, 'Xing' from 'Galaxy Shining,' 'Wen' from 'Coming upon Sound.' I'm twenty-four this year, and job-wise, I'm a small celebrity." "Twenty-four, that's good, my granddaughter is twenty-seven this year, the older the girl, the richer the purse, how about it, young man, interested in getting to know my granddaughter?" Seeing Grandpa Zhang seriously thinking of introducing his granddaughter, Ruan Xingwen quickly waved his hands, "Grandpa Zhang, don't joke, I'm not in a rush to find someone, and your granddaughter and I aren't a match." "Nonsense, how do you know without getting to know each other!" Mr. Yu stood quietly, watching Mr. Zhang promote his granddaughter with a sarcastic expression. "And, Grandpa Zhang, I don't like girls, I like boys," Ruan Xingwen whispered into Mr. Zhang's ear. Despite their age, Mr. Yu, whose hearing was still sharp, couldn't stay calm upon hearing this, "Ruan, what did you just say? You like boys too?" Seeing Mr. Yu so excited, Ruan Xingwen was a bit confused, "Uh, yes, Grandpa Yu, if you can't accept it, I'll leave right away, don't get worked up." Mr. Yu waved dismissively, "Ah, what era do you think this is, same-sex marriage is legal now, I'm not that old-fashioned." This time, Mr. Zhang had the chance to mock him, "Hmph, you dare criticize me, aren't you anxious for your grandson too, double standard!" Mr. Yu ignored him, persistently looking at Ruan Xingwen. Ruan Xingwen roughly got the idea, "I don't have a boyfriend, is this about...?" "He wants to introduce his grandson to you!" ```