บท 81: Checkmate!

"Checkmate!"

A peal of laughter floated in the silent lounge. Grandfather Xiang stared at the woman before him and a small smile hung at the corner of his lips.

Only after Mu Chenyan got over her initial excitement did she take a deep breath and sobered up a little, "Sorry, Elder Xiang!"

"For what? For winning?" inquired Grandfather Xiang and shook his head at her. "The student has now become the master.[1] I should be happy about it."

Mu Chenyan lowered her eyes and grinned sheepishly to herself, "I think I can challenge our Elle now as well."

"That student was born a master," said Grandfather Xiang. "Don't court your own death."

Mu Chenyan thought about it before nodding her head, "I should really not play with her. She wouldn't even let me win out of courtesy." She picked up the chess pieces and was about to set the board as she said, "Let's play another round before dinner."

Grandfather Xiang stopped her, "Wait!" Mu Chenyan looked up inquisitively at him. "I have something important to discuss with you."

Mu Chenyan sat straight and gave him all her attention.

"Now that Yenay has married into a good family with a good husband, what have you decided?"

"About?"

"About yourself," said Grandfather Xiang. "Although you don't call me father, I've always treated you like a daughter. And just like I want to bring the whole world's happiness into Yenay's life, I want the same for you as well. You've wasted your life raising Yenay. Isn't it time to live your own life?"

Mu Chenyan's face looked rather gloomy now as she said, "I've never said I wasted my life on Elle. If anything, she became my reason to live all over again. And who said I haven't been living my own life?"

"Every day you're worried about Yenay. Did she eat on time? Is she fine? Is she happy? When do you have time to think about yourself?"

Mu Chenyan made a face at him, "I do all of that because all of that makes me happy."

Grandfather Xiang sighed at this stubborn one. "You really don't want to get married?"

"Is this my age to get married?" she shot back.

"What's age has to do with that?" questioned Grandfather Xiang. "You're always telling Yenay how one's age can't set boundaries for what they can or can't do then how come the same doesn't apply to yourself now?"

Mu Chenyan pursed her lips. "It's not that it doesn't apply to me. I just don't want to leave you."

Grandfather Xiang knocked on her head saying, "Don't want to leave me? No, my dear daughter, you just need an excuse to hold on to your memories. It really makes me want to slap you!"

Mu Chenyan looked aggrieved to hear that. She was wondering why did he come to think of all this again? He had been quiet for the past two years and she let her guard down. What a blunder!

She slid close to him as she said, "Elder Xiang, why can't you just let me take care of you? I'm truly happy doing that."

Grandfather Xiang gave her a stern look, "Are you trying to repay me for raising you? Is that why you want to give up on your own life entirely?" He took a pause before adding, "Back in G country, at least you used to leave the house. You had some activities but since the time we came here, you haven't left the house alone even once."

Mu Chenyan bit her bottom lip before saying, "Okay. I promise I'll look for something to do for myself. But don't ever say that I'm taking care of you because I'm trying to repay you. I genuinely care about you. You're like a father to me."

"Then I better not see you at home hovering around me again," warned Grandfather Xiang in his authoritative tone.

Mu Chenyan had to say that this air of nobility and dominance of a military man would never leave Grandfather Xiang. Even at this age, he inspired awe in people with his presence. And she didn't dare say no to him even now!

"Good evening, Uncle Yu!"

Both Grandfather Xiang and Mu Chenyan looked at the guest who just came to their house.

"Shing, what a pleasant surprise!" said Grandfather Xiang with a gentle smile as he greeted Shui Koshing.

"Uncle Yu, I brought you some home-brewed wine," said Shui Koshing as he placed a porcelain bottle on the coffee table. Grandfather Xiang eyed the wine before he looked at him suspiciously. Under his gaze, Shui Koshing blurted out, "Your friend, Zhai Feiyang sent some to me for the new year. I thought I should bring some for you as well."

"Don't bring up his name," said Grandfather Xiang in displeasure. "If I met him, I'm gonna punch his face for humiliating my granddaughter."

Shui Koshing pursed his lips to hold back his laughter, "Is this about how Uncle Yang's grandson didn't show up on the blind date with our Elle?"

"How do you know?" asked Mu Chenyan.

"In the morning, it was Uncle Yang's grandson who brought the wine over," told Shui Koshing.

"He met our Elle?" Mu Chenyan asked further.

"He did and he even apologized in person for not showing up," Shui Koshing decided to state everything in detail. He wasn't doing it for Zhai Yanjun but rather for his grandfather. He had known how close his father had been with his two friends and now that his father was no longer around, he didn't want his father's friends to have any disagreement between them that would leave a bad taste in their relationship. "So, I think you should not be upset with Uncle Yang. He was really innocent in what happened."

"Hmph!" Grandfather Xiang humphed. "I'll think about it."

Mu Chenyan looked at Shui Koshing and gave him a reassuring smile. Since Elder Xiang had said it this way, it meant he was already not upset with his friend any longer. But had to put up his pride for a little longer.

They both shared a look and decided not to disclose this old man's real thoughts.

[1] 'The student has now become the master': The student is now more skilled than the teacher.