Ning Fan had already explained his purpose for coming here, and he did not blame Qian Nengde, after all, the other party had no malicious intent; at most, one could say it was cunning.
"Sigh, this was my mistake, God Doctor Ning, I've caused you trouble and created these embarrassing situations, I really feel sorry, my apologies!"
Qian Nengde looked embarrassed and ultimately had no choice but to admit to Ning Fan that he was wrong in this matter.
Since Ning Fan had already put it this way, if Qian Nengde still did not understand that it was the other's intent, one could only say he was truly wishful thinking.
Originally, when Qian Nengde saw Ning Fan and Qian Xiaorou standing together at the Qian Family's front door, he had some expectations, but as the previous conversation unfolded, all his expectations came crashing down. The greater the hope, the greater the disappointment.
He looked at Qian Xiaorou and sighed. It was time to let it go. Fortunately, Ning Fan did not blame the Qian Family for this incident. As long as Ning Fan remained a friend of the Qian Family, that was what mattered.
Gradually, Qian Nengde finally came to terms with it, and his gaze towards Qian Xiaorou also conveyed a hint of guilt.
"God Doctor Ning, it's been such a long time!"
Suddenly, a robust voice rang out in the hall. Following the source of the voice, they saw the head of the Qian Family, Qian Wujun, standing at the entrance to the hall, his face bearing a kind smile as he looked over here.
"Father!" "Grandfather!"
Qian Nengde quickly stood up, and Qian Xiaorou, brought back to her senses by Qian Wujun's voice, followed suit, calling out along with Qian Nengde.
Ning Fan got up and walked towards Qian Wujun, smiling and saying, "Old Master Qian is still as robust as ever, living another fifty years would be no problem at all."
"Hahaha, may your words be auspicious!" replied Qian Wujun with a hearty laugh, stroking his beard.
He had hurried over as soon as he heard that Ning Fan had arrived, especially to meet with Ning Fan.
Moreover, the reason Qian Nengde was so eager to please Ning Fan was also because of his hinting.
After Ning Fan had saved the life of the Qian Family's eldest grandson, Qian Haitao, Qian Wujun realized Ning Fan's extraordinary background; such a remarkable person was definitely worth winning over.
With Ning Fan's miraculous medical skills alone, he was worthy of being called a Divine Doctor. If they could win over God Doctor Ning, they would surely be saved in case of any future accidents.
"God Doctor Ning, would you care to play chess with this old man?"
Qian Wujun extended an invitation to Ning Fan. He had come over this time specifically to invite Ning Fan to a game of chess.
Ning Fan did not refuse and nodded in agreement.
Qian Wujun laughed loudly, and the old butler, Li Lao, immediately brought over the chessboard.
"God Doctor Ning is unparalleled in the field of medicine, but I wonder how you fare in chess?"
Qian Wujun casually grabbed a few chess pieces in his hand, waiting for Ning Fan to choose pieces.
"Not bad," Ning Fan casually replied, and showed a black piece.
Qian Xiaorou, half-drunk and half-awake, still thought that Ning Fan harbored resentment over her previous actions and couldn't help but make a snide comment: "Hmm, not bad? What does that mean? Don't cry when you get trounced by my grandfather!"
Qian Wujun shook his head, while Qian Nengde shot her a warning glance, finally smelling the alcohol on his daughter's breath, his expression turned somber.
Qian Wujun released the white pieces in his hand, revealing an odd number, shaking his head not because Qian Xiaorou was undermining Ning Fan, but because Ning Fan had guessed correctly.
Who got the black pieces was to be decided by guessing, and whether Ning Fan had simply guessed right by chance or was indeed confident, he had chosen correctly with just a casual guess. Moreover, his expression remained calm, as if everything was within his expectations.
Being the black side meant having the advantage of the first move. Now that Ning Fan had won the guess, he should take the black pieces.
The black piece landed in the center of the Go board, seemingly a casual first move. Qian Wujun promptly followed, and a crisp sound resonated across the board.
"God Doctor Ning is talented beyond his years. It seems that not only does he have great research in Medical Techniques, but his skill at Go is also commendable."
But it was only the tenth move when Qian Wujun began to express his admiration.
Ning Fan gave a slight smile, neither agreeing nor disagreeing. He always felt this game with Qian Wujun wasn't just about keeping an old man company; it seemed as if the other party was hinting at something.
"Life is like a game of Go, where the pieces on the board don't have the power to choose, but the player does..."
When Qian Wujun said this, it was unclear what he really meant.
Show off? Was he saying that he was the player and the world was just one big Go board?
Or was there another meaning?
"However, who's to say that the players themselves aren't pieces as well?"
On the fifty-fourth move, a white piece fell, and the situation on the board changed instantly. The white, benefiting from later moves, gained the upper hand, and the black was ensnared.
"Whether a piece or a player, everyone has the power to choose. It all depends on how they decide to use it."
The black piece still fell casually. Qian Wujun furrowed his brows, unable to understand Ning Fan's move. Continuing this way, his black pieces would be gradually captured; Ning Fan's play was akin to slow suicide.
"But whether a piece or a player, both have their times to pass."
Qian Wujun sighed and placed down a white piece, cutting off another escape route for the black.
The black, which initially had the advantage of the first move, was now being devoured by the white, being chewed away gradually.
"So, I have to find more safeguards."
Qian Wujun raised his head and locked eyes with Ning Fan.
Ning Fan understood the meaning in the old man's eyes.
The old man sitting in front of him was ninety years old this year, a veteran general. As one of the founding figures, he was the person in power of the Qian Family.
For Qian Wujun, the first priority in his heart was the country, the second was the family, and now, having stepped down from a high position, he was gradually considering the latter more.
"Pieces and players are different; the latter has control over much more, but risks are the same."
"I really have learned something..."
Ning Fan had realized what Qian Wujun was trying to express.
"You have the capability to become a national master."
The Qian Family needed a new person to take the reins. The situation on the Go board changes in the blink of an eye. Qian Wujun could still keep up now, but after he was gone, who would they rely on?
Qian Nengde was still lacking somewhat, and the Qian Family needed someone like Ning Fan.
"Actually, I don't really like playing Go, let alone playing it for others."
Ning Fan's own battlefield wasn't here. His goal was different from Qian Wujun's, as he was trying to restore his memories with the Nine Souls Jade, not concerned with family prosperity.
Qian Wujun's hand, hovering in mid-air with a piece, paused slightly, then he suddenly laughed, his smile tinged with a hint of regret.
"However, being friends is still fine." Ning Fan was tired of speaking in veiled language with Qian Wujun. He made his point clear; being friends was one thing, but joining the Qian Family was out of the question.