"What a shameless move." Ye Fan was silently frustrated, casting a meaningful look at Zhang Jiefang. Truly, the man was a big player who’s thrived in the bureaucracy, his ingrained habit of whitewashing and refusing to admit defeat on full display.
If that’s the case, by all means, he must make Zhang Jiefang taste the bitterness of defeat.
It’s laughable to think Zhang Jiefang wants to act haughty in his presence—he’s certainly not qualified.
There’s no way Ye Fan will go easy on Zhang Jiefang. Somehow, he will make sure Zhang Jiefang pays for his actions.
"Alright, since the replay doesn’t count, shall we continue?" Ye Fan challenged provocatively. "As with chess, so with one’s character. Let’s put it to the test and see whose character is lacking."
In his mind, he had a plan. The first and second games were interrupted by the three kids, Yaya and the rest. For the third game, he’ll pay extra attention to guard the board, ensuring no one can sabotage it again. Zhang Jiefang must be made to lose face properly.
Zhang Jiefang deeply understood the saying ’once bitten, twice shy,’ and that there’s no such thing as ’third time’s a charm.’ Having sabotaged two losing games, he knew a third incident was impossible, so he decided not to compete with Ye Fan anymore.
Not daring to face the game because he couldn’t afford the disgrace, he naturally avoided the challenge.
"No more playing; chess is boring, and you’re no match for me. There’s no challenge lecturing you, so what’s the point in continuing?" Zhang Jiefang dismissed, his attitude haughty, not regarding Ye Fan as a worthy opponent at all.
"A joke, isn’t it? I’m not the opponent? Have you got a fever? Deep down, you know who’s not the opponent. Anyone with a hint of self-awareness would realize they’re not fit to challenge me," Ye Fan retorted bluntly.
"Boy, don’t be so cocky. Old man here has seen more salty grains than the roads you’ve walked. Humility is a virtue; arrogance is a vice." Zhang Jiefang lectured with airs of seniority.
"Don’t spout such nonsense. Just say it, do you dare to play another round?" Ye Fan sneered. "I think you’ve chickened out, scared of facing me again, right? If that’s the case, just admit it; don’t be a fool holding onto your pride."
"I’m not scared, and I haven’t chickened out. What a joke. When I roamed the officialdom, boy, you were still playing in the mud. How dare you speak so grandly in front of me, unashamed?" Zhang Jiefang laughed derisively.
"In that case, bring it on. Let’s see who’s the real deal." Ye Fan’s eyes gleamed with disdain as he provoked.
"I’m busy, no time for games, I’ll have to teach you a lesson some other day," Zhang Jiefang replied with a breezy attitude.
"Busy, or just scared?" Ye Fan chuckled.
"I have official duties; call me when dinner is ready," Zhang Jiefang said, turning away.
He had no choice but to leave. Ye Fan’s relentless pressing left him with no face to show. He saved himself the embarrassment by tucking his tail and retreating.
"This wild guy that girl brought back has no decency. Instead of ingratiating himself, he only aims to embarrass me—utterly useless." Zhang Jiefang mused as he locked himself in his study.
"That’s just being a scoundrel." Ye Fan laughed helplessly. Despite repeated provocations, he couldn’t get Zhang Jiefang to face him, proving Zhang Jiefang genuinely feared him. Afraid of losing, he wouldn’t dare accept the challenge.
Ye Fan couldn’t very well drag Zhang Jiefang out for a beating, or tie him up for a match. It just wasn’t feasible.
"Isn’t this squabbling a bit much?" Zhang Lu worriedly remarked.
"It’s great, how could it not be? Absolutely wonderful." Zhang’s mom laughed happily. "Your dad is such a stickler for face. Who’s ever dared to be so bold in front of him? Only Ye Fan has the guts to make him flee. If anyone else provoked him , he would have retaliated. Clearly, your dad has realized he’s outmatched, so he’s hiding away."
"Is it really?" Zhang Lu gasped, then laughed. "Mom, you do understand dad’s temper."
"Ye Fan, well done." Zhang’s mom praised.
"Auntie, do you think Uncle’s going to hate me and have the guards, or maybe himself, come after me with a gun?" Ye Fan joked.
"Don’t worry, Ye Fan, he can’t afford the loss of face." Zhang’s mom assured.
"That’s good." Ye Fan was somewhat relieved. He genuinely feared Zhang Jiefang might go to extremes to reclaim his dignity.
"Don’t worry, Ye Fan, no one would dare touch you." Zhang’s mom comforted.
"..." Ye Fan chuckled slightly.
"Who’d dare mess with him? If dad really whipped out a gun, he’d probably be knocked down before he could do anything. He’s not scared, but dad’s limbs might be at risk of a fracture," Zhang Lu mused bitterly.
For the next few hours, Ye Fan was kept busy by the three kids, Mingming, Xuanxuan, and Yaya.
Zhang Lu assisted, and Zhang’s mom prepared a splendid feast.
Zhang Jiefang stayed locked in his study, not daring to step out, fearing that encountering Ye Fan would give him the chance to provoke him. So, for safety’s sake, he hid away.
The meal couldn’t begin without Zhang Jiefang.
After finishing the last dish, Zhang’s mom invited Zhang Jiefang out.
Once Zhang Jiefang picked up his chopsticks, everyone began eating.
Ye Fan, being a guest and the fake boyfriend, was very polite and courteous, no longer mentioning the matter of winning or losing at chess.
Zhang Jiefang put on a brave front, but inwardly he had already conceded, and that understanding was enough.
Ye Fan gave Zhang Jiefang face, while Zhang Lu couldn’t help but nag at the three children, "In the future, when grandpa’s playing chess with someone, don’t destroy the board, got it?"
"Got it. I didn’t mean to—no, I did, but grandpa said, being a guest, it would be embarrassing if Uncle lost, so he told us to step in at the right time to save Uncle’s face." The youngest, Yaya, cocked her head and spoke in her soft voice.
"Did grandpa really say that?" Zhang’s mom asked lovingly.
"Yes, grandma. The first time, I saved Uncle’s face. The second time, fearing I couldn’t keep it, Xuanxuan and Yaya both stepped in, and that’s how the board got messed up," Mingming confessed honestly.
"Grandpa said if you lose chess, it’s as shameful as wetting your bed, and since we didn’t want Uncle to lose face, that’s what we did," Xuanxuan naively explained.
"You did well." Zhang’s mom praised, giving high commendation to the three honest children.
"When did I ever say to ruin the chessboard? That’s utter nonsense." Zhang Jiefang frowned, his voice stern.
"But wasn’t it just..." Yaya began, but was prodded by Xuanxuan, and seeing Zhang Jiefang’s expression, the joy on the three kids’ faces disappeared, replaced by earnest obedience.
With a "smack!" Zhang Jiefang tossed his chopsticks onto the table, "I’m done, full already."
With that, he turned and left, heading straight to the study.
The meal barely started, yet he was too full already—too embarrassed to remain seated.