Bei Sangyun enjoyed the city lights as they illuminated the road through the car’s window, a contented smile playing on her lips.
The earlier scene was playing on her mind. Fei Chuan’s expression, caught in that moment, was too adorable.
At first, he was flustered, but then, as if discovering the perfect justification, he began defending himself while trying to make himself cool.
According to him, it was just a bit of payback for all the vandalism incidents he had endured because of her. Well, since he guilt-tripped her, Bei Sangyun had no choice but to let it go.
When they prepared to part ways, she took Fei Chuan’s hand and held it for a brief three seconds. She remembered his stunned face- his neck and face turning red- was truly endearing, and she couldn’t resist teasing him a bit more.
She did not expect that Fei Chuan had such a cute side to him.
The memory of his flustered face and him hastily running away made her burst into laughter.
Glancing at her through the rearview mirror, the driver couldn’t help but be influenced by her good mood.
"It seems you had fun, young miss."
"I did. It’s been so long since I’ve enjoyed myself like this," Bei Sangyun replied with bright eyes.
In truth, the last time she was genuinely happy, freely laughing like this, was a lifetime ago. Back then, she was still in the village with her grandmother. It had been so long that she had forgotten what that kind of happiness felt like.
"I think I’ll have a good sleep tonight," Bei Sangyun muttered with a sincere smile.
****
In the massive Lin mansion’s library, the sound of the clock ticking resonated as two old men focused their gazes on the Go board.
"How long are you going to stare?" Old Master Lin broke the silence with a teasing question.
Mr. Simons harrumphed and began placing a Go piece on the board. "I still have enough time. Don’t rush me."
"No matter how much you think, you are going to lose this round to me," Old Master Lin declared, putting his own piece on the board. "Why don’t you surrender? It’s meaningless to continue."
The frown on Mr. Simon’s face deepened. This old friend of his was truly a monster at playing Go. In the three rounds they had played, he hadn’t won once. It seemed like he would lose this round as well.
Mr. Simon sighed dejectedly. "You’re still good at this. Fine. I surrender."
Old Master Lin laughed arrogantly, "I have always been good. And I am just getting better. Don’t be too sad. No one has won against me anyway."
Despite the loss, Mr. Simon suggested another round, hoping that the next one might turn the tables in his favor.
"By the way, my grandchildren are asking to attend the same school as your grandchildren." Mr. Simon suddenly brought up the topic that his grandchildren had requested. "They seem adamant about it. I won’t let them attend if you object."
"It’s your grandchildren; don’t bother concerning yourself about my approval. It’s your decision; you handle it," Old Master Lin replied nonchalantly.
"My twins are not as studious as your grandchildren. Their heads are full of fun and mischievous things. They are a constant source of trouble. There’s no doubt they have motives for wanting to attend. And I’m pretty sure it’s related to one of your grandchildren."
"Let them attend," Old Master Lin said, putting a Go piece on the board. "If my grandchildren can’t handle them, then they won’t be able to handle the future tests."
Mr. Simon shook his head and placed his Go piece on the board. "I warned you. Although I love my grandchildren, I know how naughty they can get. Someone might get hurt. I don’t want the children’s fights to affect our friendship."
"Look at you, worrying about our long-lasting friendship. Nothing will happen," Old Master Lin replied. But then he paused. "Ah, I also have to warn you. There’s a fearless tiger among my grandchildren. She will attack anyone, no matter who they are," Old Master Lin cautioned.
"Are you talking about your granddaughter who picked us up at the airport? Sangyun, right?"
"Yes. That girl is a feisty one. If your grandchildren provoke her, I can’t guarantee what might happen," Old Master Lin raised his brow. "Do you think you’ll be okay leaving your precious twins around that predator?"
Mr. Simon suddenly laughed. "Oh, please. Richard and Sophia might look like obedient and sweet children, but I’m telling you, they might not be any better than your granddaughter. This actually makes me curious. Who will come out victorious in the game they’re playing?"
"Wanna bet?" Old Master Lin asked.
"Sure. I bet for my twins to crush your granddaughter." Mr. Simon took out a blank check from his wallet. "You can write the amount."
Old Master Lin also took out his blank check. "Since you are supporting your grandchildren, then I’ll support mine. There’s no doubt that my granddaughter will send your grandchildren out of this country crying."
Mr. Simon and Old Master Lin faced each other with challenging gazes. Both were confident in their own blood kin and were rooting for their own. And both were determined enough to hone their children using any possible means necessary.
*****
"Young Miss, you should not come to school today. Did you forget that you are still recuperating? At least pretend to rest for two more days," Butler Xin cautioned as Bei Sangyun donned her school uniform blazer in front of the mirror.
"I’ll just be careful not to meet them. Besides, I’ll be safer in school than here. I won’t encounter them at school, so I’ll be fine," Bei Sangyun replied.
She couldn’t skip school. More precisely, she couldn’t afford to miss a day without seeing Fei Chuan. She believed that their bond had strengthened due to yesterday’s practice, and she couldn’t afford to lose momentum. She had to see him today.
"You haven’t heard the news, huh?"
"What news?" Bei Sangyun asked as Maid Ye Zhai passed her bag to her.
"The twins will start attending school today. Since Sophia needs to recuperate due to her injury, Richard will attend first," Butler Xin explained.
Bei Sangyun paused. Those two will attend school? That never happened in the past. What changed?