Chapter 53.1

Principal Cai opened the door and said, “Why are you bringing things over? Come in and sit down. Dinner will be ready soon.”

Jiang Suihan brought her brother inside. Chief of Staff Xu was sitting on the sofa in the living room, reading the newspaper: “Hello, Uncle Xu.”

Chief of Staff Xu had a square face with a few streaks of white in his hair. His expression was somewhat stern, showing that he didn’t smile often: “You must be Xiao Jiang. Please, sit down.”

Jiang Leyun followed and cheerfully greeted him.

In the past month, life here had been good, and he had gained some weight. The child’s face had become rounder. The Jiang family’s children weren’t unattractive. Obedient and well-behaved kids were always liked by adults.

Chief of Staff Xu’s eldest grandson was about the same age as Jiang Leyun and hadn’t been seen for over a year. Chief of Staff Xu missed him and took a handful of candy from a dish on the table, placing it into the child’s hands: “Have some candy.”

Jiang Leyun held the candy with both hands and looked at Jiang Suihan. A few days ago, he had eaten too much candy and had a toothache at night. Since then, his sister had limited his candy intake to one piece per day, and he had to brush his teeth afterward. No amount of pleading or whining changed her mind. She was firm and unyielding.

Jiang Suihan gestured for her brother to take only two pieces and put the rest back.

Chief of Staff Xu looked at Jiang Suihan disapprovingly: “What child doesn’t love candy? Don’t be too strict. It’s just me and Aunt Cai at home. No one else will eat it.”

Jiang Suihan gave her brother a pointed look: “Take it, and thank Uncle Xu. Don’t sneak any candy when you get home. Don’t forget the toothache you had the few night before.”

Jiang Leyun was very happy to have candy!

At first, Jiang Leyun was a bit afraid of Chief of Staff Xu, thinking he was very stern and didn’t dare act out in front of him: “Thank you, Uncle Xu.”

Chief of Staff Xu knew that he could be too severe at times and that his grandchildren were afraid of him and kept their distance. It was rare to meet a child who wasn’t intimidated, so he couldn’t help but tease him a bit.

Jiang Suihan, feeling embarrassed, got up to help in the kitchen.

Principal Cai, seeing her enter, quickly said, “You don’t need to help here. Go back to the living room and sit with Uncle Xu. Have some tea and chat. I still need a little more time here.”

Jiang Suihan rolled up her sleeves: “It’s okay. With my brother here, he and Uncle Xu seem to get along well.”

Principal Cai peeked into the living room and saw the large and small figures sitting across from each other, with a game of Go set up between them. Both faces were serious.

“It really is hard for your younger brother,” Principal Cai said with a smile. “Your Uncle Xu loves playing Go, but his skill is not exactly impressive. Anyone who knows him avoids playing with him because he always ends up picking on the young ones. I don’t even bother correcting him anymore.”

Chief of Staff Xu has a great fondness for playing Go but lacks self-awareness about his skill level. He believes that with time, he could become a Go master. Every time guests come to his house, he always asks if they play Go and suggests they play a game.

His addiction to Go means he’s always looking for someone to play with. Unfortunately, Jiang Leyun, who was not aware of this, was easily tricked into playing with him. Poor kid.

Jiang Suihan chuckled lightly, “My dad used to love playing chess. My brother learned from him since he was little and is quite skilled among his peers. It seems Uncle Xu has finally found a like-minded person.”

Jiang Suihan herself wasn’t fond of Go. Sitting through a game could last one or two hours, testing one’s patience and focus. She didn’t expect her brother to be so sociable and good at interacting with people.

The scene of a man in his fifties and a child under ten, both deeply focused on the Go board, was quite amusing.

Principal Cai found it both frustrating and funny. “I think your brother is much better than your Uncle Xu. He’s just putting on a show, appearing impressive but lacking substance. He might end up being shameless again later.”

Chief of Staff Xu’s poor Go skills were notorious in the army. Whenever he mentioned playing Go, everyone tried to avoid him, fearing being dragged into a game that was more torturous than enjoyable.

Principal Cai feared that Chief of Staff Xu might end up losing to a seven-year-old and then resort to his usual tricks of being unreasonable with a child. She had a premonition that he might do something so shameless.

Jiang Suihan wondered how bad Chief of Staff Xu’s Go skills must be for Principal Cai to be so critical.

Jiang Leyun frowned and quickly said, “No, Uncle Xu, you can’t just pick up the pieces again after putting them down. That’s not right.”

The child had good manners when playing Go. He followed the rules strictly and couldn’t believe that today he met an elder who had no principles. In a short time, Uncle Xu had already made three illegal moves.

He clearly remembered his dad saying that once a piece was placed, it could not be moved back. Good manners in Go reflected one’s character, and one shouldn’t be dishonest.

Chief of Staff Xu, unfazed and calm, argued, “As I’ve gotten older, my hands are faster than my brain. This isn’t going back on my move, it’s correcting mistakes from earlier. Haven’t your elders told you to respect older people?”

Jiang Leyun wasn’t easily fooled. He realized that Uncle Xu was using his age to pressure him. The child replied, “But isn’t respecting the elderly also about caring for a young child like me?”

The child’s quick thinking was impressive.

Chief of Staff Xu laughed heartily, “Respecting the elderly comes first, then caring for the young. I’m the elder, so I make the rules. This isn’t being unreasonable.”

Jiang Leyun glared, “You’re being unreasonable. I’m not playing with you anymore.”

It was problematic. He had managed to find someone willing to play Go with him, and he couldn’t let the opportunity slip away by upsetting them.

Chief of Staff Xu, with a somewhat ingratiating smile, said, “Alright, I admit I was wrong. I won’t do this again.”

Jiang Leyun, feeling unjust, said, “It’s not about admitting it. You were wrong from the start. If my brother-in-law were here, he would definitely say the same.”

Chief of Staff Xu responded calmly, “You’re mistaken. Your brother-in-law wouldn’t dare criticize me.”

Jiang Leyun asked, “Why not? Just because you’re an elder? Even elders should be held accountable for their mistakes.”

In the child’s view, doing well would earn praise from his sister and brother-in-law, while mistakes led to punishment. He once promised to go to bed but secretly read books under the covers, and as a result, he was punished by not being allowed to eat candy for five days.

Jiang’s family’s education was quite effective. Xu Zhao’s younger brother-in-law had been well taught, with his own ideas and principles, not simply obeying the elders.

Chief of Staff Xu lowered his voice and said mysteriously, “It’s not that. Your brother-in-law wouldn’t give me face just because I’m an elder. I have something on him that makes him afraid of me revealing it.”

Something on him?

Jiang Leyun was intrigued.

Jiang Leyun’s eyes lit up with curiosity, “What is it?”

The child’s expression gave away his interest. Chief of Staff Xu laughed heartily, “When your brother-in-law was young, he often came to my house for meals. I know all his embarrassing stories. Isn’t that something?”

Xu Zhao was very mischievous when he was young, always getting into trouble with his friends, breaking windows, stealing fruit, or fighting with kids from neighboring areas. He often got beaten at home for his misdeeds.

Xu Zhao changed greatly after growing up, becoming calm and self-contained. His father forced him into military school, and after a stint on the battlefield, he returned as a changed person, having faced life and death.

Jiang Leyun snorted, feeling that the information was unimportant.

The child then thought, “If I win, will you tell me about the embarrassing things my brother-in-law did when he was young?”

Smart kid, thinking quickly to use the situation to his advantage. If he continues on this path, he’ll surely be successful in the future.

Chief of Staff Xu is a sly old fox. How could he be easily fooled? “Then let’s see. You have to win against me first before I’ll tell you.”

A seven-year-old kid thinking he could win against him? Is he shameless?

“Dinner’s ready. Still playing? Who won?”

Principal Cai, carrying the dishes to the living room table, glanced over. She couldn’t tell who was winning since she didn’t know how to play Go.

Bringing up an old topic.

Chief of Staff Xu’s face darkened instantly. At his age, losing to a seven-year-old child in Go was quite embarrassing.

He stood up, accidentally kicking the table, then placed his hand on his face, intentionally disrupting the chessboard. He pretended to be frustrated, but inside, he was delighted. “Oh well, no more playing. I’m starving. Let’s go eat.”

Just as victory was in sight, it was all messed up by Chief of Staff Xu’s careless move. Jiang Leyun was almost boiling with anger. “I was about to win.”

He looked at Chief of Staff Xu with suspicion. He wondered if he was being overly sensitive, but it seemed like Chief of Staff Xu had just smiled.

Chief of Staff Xu’s attitude was remarkably stable. He said seriously, “No one can guarantee they’ll win until the end. In Go, overconfidence is the worst. Alright, let’s stop talking about this. Let’s eat. Aunt Cai made delicious braised pork ribs. Have a few more pieces.”

After thirty years of marriage, Principal Cai could see that her old husband was trying to charm the child again. Even at his age, he was still so shameless. She couldn’t help but give Chief of Staff Xu a look of disapproval.

The dishes were all served: braised pork ribs, pan-fried tofu, shredded pork with green peppers, and stir-fried cucumber with meat slices.

Jiang Suihan praised, “It smells great, and it looks delicious. Uncle Xu is in luck.”

Principal Cai served everyone rice and glanced at Chief of Staff Xu. “Of course. Out of the 365 days a year, I spend 360 days in the kitchen. He just waits like a lord for the food. Isn’t that luck?”

Chief of Staff Xu served Jiang Leyun a piece of pork rib, ignoring his wife’s minor complaints. “You’re right. I’m very grateful for my father-in-law’s wise choice back then. Principal Cai, you’ve worked hard. Try it.”

He was again subtly flattering himself. His thick skin was something else.

Principal Cai ignored him and urged Jiang Suihan and her brother to eat more and not be polite.