Tang Yue looked at those chess pieces that nearly looked identical and finally chose a set that was priced above average. The quality of the pieces was very good, unlike the cheaper ones, which sometimes had air bubbles or uneven coloring. The set she chose was excellent in both shine and the feel in her hands.
The seller packaged it very carefully in a gift box.
When Tang Yue arrived at the Xingyao Clothing Store, Qin Anyu had just rushed over from the motorcade.
"Xiao Yue, where did you go so early?"
Qin Anyu was worried that Tang Yue might oversleep, so she intentionally went a bit later, only to find out upon arriving at the motorcade that Tang Yue had left very early.
Qin Anyu, concerned that Tang Yue might not find the place, specially went to find Mo Siyu, and Mo Siyu asked her to return to the clothing store.
Sure enough, when she returned to the store, Tang Yue was there sipping tea and browsing through a fashion magazine.
"Just wandered around a bit." Tang Yue put down the magazine, stood up, and looking at Qin Anyu's flushed cheeks, she said apologetically, "Sister An Yu, I'm sorry, I didn't know you were coming to pick me up."
"It's nothing, let's go now." Qin Anyu pulled Tang Yue to leave, but Tang Yue quickly said, "Wait, I still have something."
Seeing the gift box in Tang Yue's hand, Qin Anyu immediately realized that Tang Yue had come out early to buy a gift.
"Xiao Yue, you really are..." Qin Anyu was both helpless and at a loss for words.
Tang Yue giggled and said, "Sister An Yu, it doesn't seem right to visit elders empty-handed."
"Suit yourself." Qin Anyu's task was to bring Tang Yue back to the Qin Family.
The Qin Family lived in a heavily guarded compound, and Qin Anyu's car naturally had free access.
"Xiao Yue, we live in the one at the very back." Qin Anyu explained as she drove the car straight into the Qin Family's gate and stopped.
Qin An's residence was a detached house with its own courtyard filled with various flowers and plants. The two-story building looked not exactly new but rather aged.
"Grandpa, I'm back!" Qin Anyu called out joyfully as soon as she entered.
Mr. Qin was sitting under the big tree in the courtyard sunbathing. Hearing Qin Anyu's voice, he immediately stood up and looked out towards the yard entrance.
Qin Anyu's own granddaughter, who has grown more vibrant and beautiful over the years, no longer worried him, an old man, with her aesthetic sense.
Following behind Qin Anyu, Tang Yue was wearing a black and white plaid wool coat and a pair of tall boots, which were both warm and made her legs appear longer. She was also wearing a bright red scarf, a color that greatly complemented her complexion and accentuated her temperament.
The clean aura coupled with Tang Yue's stunning appearance, and those clear, translucent eyes, pure and kind—eyes are said to be the windows to the soul, able to see through to one's heart. Just the sight of Tang Yue's clean and clear eyes made people like her.
"Grandpa, this is Tang Yue." Qin Anyu introduced, pulling Tang Yue forward: "Xiao Yue, this is my grandpa."
"Hello, Grandpa Qin." Tang Yue greeted respectfully with a bow, having heard about Grandpa Qin's formidable reputation during his younger years.
"Good." Grandpa Qin had a very good impression of Tang Yue and understood why Qin Anyu had changed so much.
"Grandpa Qin, I heard you enjoy playing go, so I bought a set. I hope you won't find it disappointing." Tang Yue handed over the set of go she had bought. Grandpa Qin had a very kind demeanor, but also an air of authority.
Mr. Qin glanced at the go set, and his smile widened cheerfully: "You're thoughtful. An Yu, really, how can you let someone bring a gift on their first visit?"
"I can't control her either," Qin Anyu said somewhat innocently.
Mr. Qin was in a good mood, having received a new go set, and couldn't sit still, itching to play a game.
Tang Yue didn't know how to play go, so Qin Anyu played with Mr. Qin, while Tang Yue sat on the side, seriously observing the game.
Go was something Tang Yue had never encountered in her past or present life. She didn't understand it, but she sat there earnestly, silently watching the game.
Not until Grandpa Qin won did Qin Anyu pull Tang Yue aside: "Grandpa, I'm not playing chess with you anymore. If you want to play chess, go find Grandpa Meng and Grandpa Xu."
"You girl." Grandpa Qin cheerfully put away the chess pieces and looked at Tang Yue to ask if she wanted to learn.
Tang Yue was very straightforward: "Grandpa, I don't understand it at all, even when I look at it."
"It's okay if you don't understand, I can teach you," Grandpa Qin said.
No sooner said than done, Grandpa Qin actually taught Tang Yue some basic rules of Go on the spot.
Tang Yue then began to try.
Perhaps devoid of talent, Tang Yue lost several games in a row.
Qin Anyu stood by, unable to bear watching.
The arrival of lunchtime spared Tang Yue from having to play chess with Grandpa Qin any longer.
"Xiao Yue, my grandpa just likes it, especially likes playing Go, don't mind him," Qin Anyu whispered to Tang Yue.
Tang Yue shook her head: "How could I? Grandpa Qin is very impressive, I just don't know how I end up losing every time."
Qin Anyu patted her shoulder: "Xiao Yue, my grandpa is very good at playing chess, and for a beginner at Go, being able to play until now is also pretty good."
During lunchtime, Grandpa Qin was evidently very enthusiastic, treating Tang Yue like his own granddaughter.
If it weren't for Qin Anyu telling him that Tang Yue was Mo Siyu's fiancée, Grandpa Qin would have wished to pull her over to be his granddaughter-in-law.
In his heart, Grandpa Qin truly felt regretful; if she were his granddaughter-in-law, how wonderful that would be.
Out of concern, Grandpa Qin started to call Qin Anhao, initiating the annual and daily campaign of urging marriage.
Qin Anyu took Tang Yue all around, but paid no mind to Grandpa Qin's regret and concern, nor could she understand Grandpa Qin's desire to have great-grandchildren.
In the courtyard, everyone was an acquaintance of Qin Anyu, and when they saw her bringing Tang Yue over, everyone asked who Tang Yue was.
Regarding this courtyard, Tang Yue couldn't help but be amazed; it was the richest courtyard she had ever seen, being a courtyard but in fact more like a high-end residential community of the future.
Qin Anyu introduced her enthusiastically, saying she was like a younger sister she had acknowledged, and everyone complimented Tang Yue on her distinguished and proper looks.
Qin Anyu was so pleased, happier even than if she received the compliments herself.
"Uncle Meng, you're back?" When Qin Anyu saw Meng Jin, she greeted him proactively.
As a child, she often played at the Meng Family's house, and besides when Uncle Meng was stern, he was generally nice, at least never letting her go without food or fun.
"Little Yu." Meng Jin's stern face broke into a smile.
"Is this a friend of yours?" Meng Jin's gaze fell on Tang Yue.
"Yes," Qin Anyu answered, a bit embarrassedly: "Her name is Tang Yue; I treat her like a sister."
"Tang Yue?" Meng Jin's gaze landed on Tang Yue once more, and then he said: "Miss Tang, on behalf of my unworthy son, I apologize to you."
Meng Jin's sincere words carried an apology.
Meng Jin continued: "Miss Tang, in the future, he will not bother you anymore."