There are no such coincidences in the world.

The book mentioned that the antagonist Cen Huai’an and the protagonist Qi Ming have known each other since childhood.

The book describes Cen Huai’an as highly intelligent and capable, but too ruthless.

While Qi Ming had loving parents, Cen Huai’an grew up wild and unrestrained, with no one to care for him.

As a result, their fates were drastically different—Cen Huai’an was doomed to destruction from birth.

Chu Xia had a vague impression of many of the scenes in the book but this particular passage stood out to her.

Especially when she heard the name Qi Ming, these words would automatically come to mind.

Unsurprisingly, the Qi Ming next door was the protagonist.

However, Chu Xia wasn’t too concerned since the plot was still a long way from unfolding.

The two would only begin their story when they grew up.

Right now, Qi Ming was just a kid still drinking malted milk, and Cen Huai’an was slowly changing.

A butterfly’s wings can cause a hurricane, and with more than one flap already made, the future wouldn’t develop as it did in the book.

Cen Huai’an’s fate would not follow the same path.

For the past couple of days, the neighbors had been moving things.

Chu Xia advised Cen Huai’an not to get too close to avoid any accidents.

Cen Huai’an wasn’t interested anyway; he was currently obsessed with playing Liuzibao (a chess-like game).

Chu Xia needed to focus on her studies, and since each game could last one or two hours, she told him to go play with Li Dajie’s (Sister Li’s) kids.

But Cen Huai’an refused and sat by himself, playing alone.

Chu Xia saw that he was enjoying himself and left him to it.

Half a month later, it was time for a hospital check-up.

Chu Xia took Cen Huai’an to the hospital on a Sunday.

This time, the old Chinese medicine doctor, Li Guanzhong, was in a much better mood. With a kindly smile, he said, “That’s the way! Follow the medical advice properly, and you’ll recover soon.”

He disliked patients who ignored his advice and then came back crying that they weren’t cured.

If they didn’t follow the diet or take the medicine properly, even a deity couldn’t cure them!

“Thank you, doctor.”

Chu Xia could feel the changes in Cen Huai’an herself.

Her own health was improving slowly but surely. “I’ll adjust the prescription again. Keep taking it, and come back in another half month for a follow-up.”

After leaving the hospital, the sun was shining brightly outside.

Chu Xia opened her umbrella and took Cen Huai’an’s hand to the department store to buy him some toys.

The toy counter was filled with colorful toys—plastic guns, spinning tops, small green accordions, balls—making for a delightful display.

“Do you see anything you like?” Chu Xia asked him.

Cen Huai’an had been thinking since last night that he wanted to ask his mother if he could go collect scrap with Bang Ge (Brother Bang).

But before he could ask after breakfast this morning, his mother took him to the hospital.

After they left the hospital, they went to the department store.

He thought his mother was going to buy something, but when they reached the toy counter, he hadn’t realized that she was actually there to buy him a toy.

He was still thinking his mother would shop quickly and be done soon.

When Chu Xia asked him, he finally understood that she wanted to buy him a toy, and his eyes showed surprise and happiness.

“I can choose anything I like?”

“Yes, whatever you like. But…” Chu Xia held up two fingers, “you can only pick two, so choose wisely. If you want more toys later, you’ll have to earn them by getting red flowers (a reward system).”

He looked at the toys.

He had always envied other kids with marbles, toy guns, and spinning tops, but now, looking at these toys, he didn’t feel like playing with them at all.

“It’s boring, not as fun as the six-piece chess Mom taught me,” he thought.

He looked around carefully and saw marble checkers, airplane chess, and glass five-in-a-row chess.

They were all types of chess, but he had never played them before. He wondered, “Are these games as fun as six-piece chess?”

Cen Huai’an wanted to buy and try them all, but his mom only allowed him to pick two.

He pointed at five-in-a-row chess and checkers and said, “I want these two.”

Airplane chess was the cheapest.

He counted the money he had saved; he could afford it.

“Mom, I have one dime and two pennies. I want to buy the airplane chess set myself. I’ll pay you back when we get home, okay?”

The five-in-a-row chess cost fifty cents, the checkers cost twenty cents, and airplane chess was the cheapest.

Chuxia looked at Cen Huai’an with a smile: “He’s pretty good at budgeting.”

“Sure. There’s also military chess, Chinese chess, and Go. Do you want any of those?”

Cen Huai’an’s eyes lit up as he looked at Chuxia expectantly: “Can I get them if I want?”

“No. You won’t be able to play all of them if you get too many. When you’ve earned ten little red flowers, you can exchange them with me for more.”

Cen Huai’an wasn’t disappointed; he knew his mom wouldn’t buy them.

She had said they could only get two, and that wouldn’t change.

But having three different chess games was already exciting.

As soon as they got home, he couldn’t wait to open the five-in-a-row chess and play.

But there was no doubt—it was much less fun playing alone than with someone else.

Chuxia wouldn’t play with him and told him to find a kid from the neighborhood.

She said to him, “You can’t always play games alone. If you don’t like the kids who used to bully you, then find someone who hasn’t.”

She had noticed for a while that Cen Huai’an didn’t like playing with the other kids in the neighborhood.

Especially after the last fight, she hadn’t seen him go out to play with anyone.

The teacher also mentioned that he often sat alone in class.

Except for sometimes playing a letter recognition game with Chenchen, he didn’t interact with anyone.

But she didn’t want him to remain so isolated.

“Bang Ge never bullied me. But he likes to collect trash.”

Chuxia paused, “…Besides him, isn’t there anyone else you’d want to play with?”

Cen Huai’an responded with a simple “Hmm.” He added, “They’re noisy, always crying, and immature.”

Chuxia was really surprised when she heard that.

He actually called others immature, but he’s just a kid himself!

She ruffled his hair and said, “You’re still so young, and you’re already calling others immature. Don’t underestimate anyone. Maybe you’re not as good at chess as they are.”

“Impossible!” Cen Huai’an said with absolute confidence.

“Well, go find someone to play with and see. Of course, you’d think you’re the best if you only play by yourself.”

Cen Huai’an frowned, thought for a moment, and then walked out with the five-in-a-row chess set in his arms.

Chuxia had just taught him how to play.

The rules were simple, but playing well was not easy.

When he reached the door, Cen Huai’an turned back and asked, “What if I win?”

“Here’s a little red flower for you as a reward.”

“Okay.” Cen Huai’an was now really excited about playing chess with others, and the little red flower was the thing he wanted most.

Chu Xia smiled triumphantly, feeling so pleased that she could study much faster.

Who would have thought that the kids in the residential compound weren’t very good at chess?

There wasn’t a single one who could beat him.

Cen Huai’an won every game of Five-in-a-Row against all the kids he played with.

Afraid that Chu Xia wouldn’t believe him, he even brought those kids home to testify.

Chu Xia pretended to be disappointed as she looked at the group of kids. “Not even one of you won?”

The children lowered their heads, feeling embarrassed that a whole group of them couldn’t win against just one person.

Chu Xia laughed and gave Cen Huai’an a thumbs up, her eyes full of pride.

Only Cen Huai’an noticed this, as she kept comforting the other kids, saying, “Alright, I understand. You should go home and practice more, then come back to play with An’an.”

The group of children hesitated, not wanting to leave.

Li Xiaohu, the eldest son of Aunt Li, gazed longingly at the television and carefully asked, “Auntie, can we watch TV with An’an?”

Before Chu Xia could respond, An’an, with a stern face, said, “No, my mom needs to study, and the TV will distract her.”

Chu Xia felt her heart softly touched, like a calm lake suddenly rippling, though only slightly.

It was a feeling she couldn’t quite describe, a mix of sourness and warmth.

The kids immediately dropped the idea of watching TV and obediently turned to go home.

Chu Xia was amazed. “They listen to you so well now? An’an, you’re incredible!”

Cen Huai’an’s stern face softened, and his ears turned a little red.

He pretended to be calm as he responded with a simple “Mm.”

“Mom, the red flowers.”

“You’ll get them.” Chu Xia drew seven little red flowers for him, one for each kid he had beaten.

She genuinely admired Cen Huai’an’s talent.

Many of those kids were older than him, yet he still won.

She couldn’t help but feel proud in her heart.

This was her son, a little genius who cared about her.

“Do you want to watch some TV? I could use a break too.”

Cen Huai’an shook his head. “I want to go find Bang Ge, Mom.”

She nodded, “Sure. How about you go in the afternoon? It’s almost lunchtime now.”

Cen Huai’an didn’t mind.

For lunch, Chu Xia made chicken stew with a free-range chicken she bought from an old farmer at the market.

The flavor was both fresh and nourishing.

While the chicken was stewing, several people passing by joked with Chu Xia, “Chu Xia, you’re stewing chicken again!”

“You must be living well; it’s always chicken or fish with you.”

Chu Xia replied nonchalantly, “What can I do? An’an and I are both too weak. The doctor said we need to eat well to stay healthy.”

The neighbors quickly nodded in agreement. “You definitely should! You need to eat well!”

Guan Yan, who lived next door, was also cooking.

Since Chu Xia had lent her water once, she always tried to chat with her, eager to get closer.

“I see you’ve added herbs to your chicken soup. Are you making a medicinal dish?”

Chu Xia actually preferred to keep her distance from Guan Yan’s family and would have liked to remain strangers.

But she couldn’t ignore someone who was speaking to her, so she nodded coolly, “Yes.”

Guan Yan didn’t seem to notice Chu Xia’s coldness and continued talking enthusiastically about medicinal cooking. “I grew up in Yangcheng, where we love to add herbs to our soups too. I know a lot of secret recipes for making soup. Would you like some?”

Chu Xia smiled politely, “No, thank you. An’an and I can’t eat just any medicinal dishes. Our recipes are prescribed by a doctor.”

Seeing that the chicken soup was almost ready, Chu Xia nodded to Guan Yan and took the soup into the house.

Noticing Chu Xia’s attitude, Guan Yan frowned.