Su Yang’s double cannon and chariot advanced in a straight line. Duan Xiaoqi saw that it was a dead end.
Exactly twelve steps, no more, no less.
“Brother Su, what kind of strategy is this?”
“Sacrificing the chariot for thirteen steps!”
Su Yang smiled. The first few steps were mainly about deploying the cannons and knights, and offering a chariot to block a position, giving Duan Xiaoqi a small advantage.
Whether Duan Xiaoqi took the chariot or not, it was a sacrifice for Su Yang.
“Sacrificing the chariot for thirteen steps?”
Duan Xiaoqi murmured, still unconvinced.
Su Yang was not in a hurry; he had plenty of time to play with her tonight.
After the two set up the chess pieces, Duan Xiaoqi chose to take the chariot this time.
Not only that, but Su Yang also gave her a knight.
Yet, after thirteen steps, the result was the same. Duan Xiaoqi lost again.
Different starting moves and different responses, but the outcome always fell within thirteen steps.
Duan Xiaoqi played three consecutive games and lost all three, becoming dejected.
“Brother Su’s chess skills are superb, I concede…”
Duan Xiaoliu washed her hands and face, then threw herself into Su Yang’s arms, sitting on his lap.
“Brother Su, you are too amazing. I never win when I play chess with Xiaoqi, but you do!”
“Want to learn?”
“Of course!”
“I’ll teach you another day! Beating Xiaoqi is just a small matter!”
Duan Xiaoliu was overjoyed. She hugged Su Yang, kissed him, and jumped around, nearly breaking his three legs.
Duan Wanjun was a little worried. “Alright, Xiaoliu, get down. You’re a girl, you need to mind your image.”
“Second Sister, let’s go help in the kitchen. You chat with Brother Su first.”
Duan Xiaoliu reluctantly bid farewell to Su Yang, wishing they could talk about chess all night.
After the twin sisters left, Duan Wanjun sat in Duan Xiaoqi’s seat.
“Little Yang brother, I didn’t expect you could play chess. Didn’t you say you couldn’t before?”
Duan Wanjun set up the chessboard, ready to compete with Su Yang.
“Hehehe, Second Sister, I’m a genius. I learned it in one night.”
Duan Wanjun pouted. “I don’t believe you, you little rascal. You’re very naughty.”
The two began their match. Duan Wanjun played with a calm demeanor, placing her pieces steadily and unhurriedly.
No matter what Su Yang offered, she took it, while also paying close attention to defense and check.
After dozens of moves, Su Yang was left with only five pawns and a crippled knight.
Duan Wanjun, on the other hand, still had a cannon, a knight, a chariot, and five pawns, along with advisors and guards.
However, Su Yang had achieved his goal. His five pawns advanced in a line, pushing forward step by step.
Duan Wanjun was stunned. She dared not capture any of the pawns, as doing so would allow her pieces to be captured by the adjacent pawns.
Her own pawns had not yet crossed the river and were waiting to die.
Without the five pawns, she could not checkmate Su Yang with just a single cannon, knight, and chariot.
Duan Wanjun calculated and realized she was five moves away from a dead end.
Further delay would be a waste of time. It was better to admit defeat early and start a new game.
“I lost, let’s continue!”
“Hehehe, Second Sister, that won’t do!”
“Why?”
“I’m teaching you chess, shouldn’t you pay some tuition?”
Su Yang had a mischievous smile on his face. Duan Wanjun suddenly understood.
“Then what kind of tuition do you want?”
“Like Xiaoliu!”
“This…”
Duan Wanjun hesitated for a moment. She considered herself proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and losing only spurred her competitive spirit.
Seeing that no one else was around, she gritted her teeth, stood up, sat on Su Yang’s lap, and kissed him on the forehead.
“Is that enough?”
“Since that’s the case, Little Yang brother should also reciprocate.”
Before Duan Wanjun could speak, Su Yang quickly kissed her flushed cheek.
“You’re annoying, always taking advantage of Second Sister.”
“Hehehe, who told you Second Sister is so beautiful that she makes people want to commit crimes!”
“Pah! What do you mean ‘so beautiful that she makes people want to commit crimes’? I’m not a streetwalker.”
Duan Wanjun cursed with a laugh and returned to her seat to continue the game.
Su Yang sat up straight. His Second Sister’s chess skills were far superior to Xiaoliu’s and Xiaoqi’s.
Even he had to play dozens of moves to achieve a hard-won victory.
To conquer Duan Wanjun, Su Yang took each game very seriously.
The two played increasingly fiercely, their skills evenly matched, and time flew by rapidly.
An hour later.
Duan Wanjun sighed, surrendered her pieces, and admitted defeat.
“Every time I feel like I’ve improved, you still win in the end!”
“Second Sister, you are welcome to find me for chess anytime, but bring enough tuition fees!”
“You scoundrel…”
Duan Wanjun cursed with a smile. At this moment, Duan Xiaosi ran over.
“Second Sister, Mr. Su, dinner is ready.”
“Alright, let’s go.”
Duan Wanjun stood up and walked towards the dining hall. Duan Xiaosi linked her arm with Su Yang’s.
“Mr. Su, you’re amazing. Second Sister actually lost at chess.”
Duan Xiaosi was completely transformed. From her previous disdain to surprise and then shock.
Now she was showering Su Yang with praise and even putting in extra effort to cook.
“Just a stroke of luck…”
Su Yang felt a little awkward. He wanted to pull his arm away, but Duan Xiaosi held on tightly.
He felt the softness against his arm and the faint scent mixed with the smell of cooking oil.
Su Yang walked quickly, and it was a while before they reached the dining hall, and Duan Xiaosi finally let go.
In the spacious dining hall, all six sisters were present, except for Duan Linglong who was still at the Cultural Relics Association.
Su Yang sat next to Duan Wanjun, and Duan Xiaosi followed close behind.
“Mr. Su, this is the Nu’er Hong brewed by our Duan Family Villa.”
Duan Xiaosi brought over several jars of wine wrapped in yellow mud, appearing to have been sealed for many years.
Duan Xiaosi introduced enthusiastically, “This was brewed by my father for us sisters when he was alive. There’s still a lot in the wine cellar, which he said would be part of our dowries when we get married.”
Su Yang sniffed. Even before the jars were opened, he could smell a rich aroma of wine.
“Since it’s dowry, isn’t it a bit inappropriate to drink it now?”
“Mr. Su, you’re too polite. We sisters all like you anyway, so this wine naturally belongs to you.”
After Duan Xiaosi spoke, the other sisters blushed.
Su Yang took a sip. The wine was pure and clear, with a frothy head.
“Not bad!”
“Then you must drink more. And try the dishes I made.”
Duan Xiaosi served him food from both sides, filling Su Yang’s bowl with dishes.
Duan Xiaoliu whispered, “What’s wrong with Fourth Sister? She’s been acting very strange lately~”
Duan Xiaoqi nodded, her eyes full of worry.
Duan Xiaosan didn’t forget to tease, “Fourth Sister, are you trying to choke Little Yang brother to death?”
Only then did Duan Xiaosi realize that she had been overly enthusiastic.
Duan Xiaosan looked at Su Yang and smiled, “Little Yang brother, when are you going to win over Eldest Sister? Otherwise, I’m afraid some people can’t wait any longer…”
All the sisters pretended to eat seriously but pricked up their ears to listen.
“Linglong only thinks of me when something comes up. You’ll probably have to wait another twenty years.”
Su Yang teased the sisters, scaring them pale.
If Duan Linglong didn’t get married, they would have to wait indefinitely. In another ten or eight years, they would all be old and faded.
A woman adorns herself for the one who fancies her. Who wouldn’t want to spend their youthful prime with the man they love?
Duan Xiaosan raised her chopsticks. “Little Yang brother, why don’t you take Second Sister first? Then we’ll have a reason to change this family rule!”
Duan Wanjun was shocked. “Third Sister, what nonsense are you talking about?”