Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
Therefore, he didn’t associate the girl in front of him with the so-called wild girl.
Claire was about to answer when Evans asked her another question. “Why is there no one in the house?”
Claire replied. “They went to visit the tomb of Old Mr. Smith.”
Evans didn’t say anything, but got up with his cane, and tottered towards the back garden.
Claire placed the teacup back in the kitchen. She was ready to go upstairs to catch up on sleep.
Sitting at the jade stone table in the back garden, Evans suddenly beckoned her. “Come, girl, come here.”
Claire stepped over.
There was a game of chess on the jade stone table.
Evans tapped the stone bench in front of her with his cane. “Sit down and play two games of chess with me.”
Claire didn’t speak and took a seat.
The sun was shining, and a sweet breeze with the fragrance of flowers fluttered their hair. The old man and the girl were sitting in the back garden and playing chess.
No one disturbed them. It was blissfully peaceful.
After a few games, Evans was surprised. “Girl, you’re quite good at playing chess. How many years have you studied it?”
Claire gently pushed her hair behind her ears. “I have never learned chess. This is the first time I played it.”
“The first time?!” Evans couldn’t believe it. “Are you kidding me?”
Claire’s expression was sincere. “I’m not.”
Evans hit the crutches against the ground in excitement and couldn’t help but exclaim. “Little girl, you are so talented. Why don’t you learn chess with me? I’m not bragging. When I was young, I was the president of the Chess Association. Countless people wanted to learn how to play chess from me, but you are the first person who makes me want to teach you.”
Claire smiled without saying a word.
After a few more sets.
Evans pointed to Claire, gently reproaching her. “Hey, little girl, did you deliberately make a mistake just now? Why did you lose to me deliberately? Are you afraid that I can’t afford to lose?”
Claire lowered her eyes, saying flatly. “No, it’s just that you’re better at playing chess than me.”
Seeing her humble attitude, Evans smiled.
He liked this girl.
“Grandpa!”
Suddenly, someone shouted in the distance.
Phoebe rushed into the back garden holding her skirt, breaking the silence.
She held Evans’s arm, and cast a provocative look at Claire. She said sweetly, “Grandpa, why didn’t you tell me that you were here…”
She acted as if someone stole her treasure.
Claire rested her cheek in one hand and played with a chess piece in the other, simply ignoring her.
Evans pinched Phoebe’s little nose, and said dotingly, “I just want to give you a surprise.”
Ada came over and glanced at the chessboard on the table, surprised.
This was a game between Claire and her father?
“Dad, so you and Claire already know each other.”
What?!
Hearing Ada’s words, Evans suddenly widened his eyes, and his old face was full of astonishment. “You mean she is… Claire?!”
How could that be!
That wild girl was rebellious and lawless.
But this girl in front of him was modest and polite.
How could they be the same person?!
Evans looked at Claire, and his face instantly darkened. His amiable attitude was completely gone, and a gleam of disgust flashed in his muddy eyes.
Ada beckoned to Claire. “Come here and call Grandpa.”
“Humph, no!” Evans snorted coldly and said impatiently, “Just call me Mr. Taylor like others.”
“Dad, why are you…”
Before Ada finished speaking, Claire yawned, and stood up. She put her hands into her pockets, and walked away leisurely.
Staring at Claire’s receding figure, Phoebe leaned into Evans’s ear and whispered. “Grandpa, you must not be fooled by her. She likes to play innocent to please others!”
Evans was in a complicated mood.
He felt that this girl was really very good.
She was completely different from what he had imagined.
Was she… really pretending to be so?