1748 Improvement in Chess
Qiao Mei sped down the road all the way, scaring Xia Jun so much that he gripped his seatbelt tightly and did not let go. Xia Jun, who had never been afraid of going onto the battlefields and killing enemies in his entire life, was now afraid of Qiao Mei’s driving. Fortunately, Qiao Mei was a steady driver who had a tendency to drive too fast. After knowing how good a driver Qiao Mei was, Xia Jun was no longer scared.
“Yes, Grandfather. I’ll definitely be more careful next time! Both of you can go in first. I’ll go and park the car and I’ll be back soon.” Qiao Mei drove to the courtyard house at the side. She had modified the house into a parking space that could accommodate three cars. Although it was a pity to do so, it was otherwise impossible to park such a big car in the alley. It was already very good to be able to fit even one bicycle outside.
Qiao Qiang was playing chess in the backyard. When he heard noises, he thought that Qiao Mei had returned. He shouted happily in the direction of the sound, “Oh my! Mei Mei, come and play chess with me! That kid Zhang Wei is really not good at chess. You’re the one who can play at least a few rounds with me!”
“How dare you mock others with your chess skills? Even kids are better at chess than you!” Xia Jun stood beside Qiao Qiang and said with a smile.
“Why is it you, old thing? Why are you at my house? Where is Mei Mei? Who asks you to come to my house?” Qiao Qiang said with a frown.
“Why can’t I come? I’m here to see my great-grandchildren, not to see you. I just come and take a look at you because it’s on the way,” Xia Jun said as he sat opposite Qiao Qiang.
Qiao Qiang quickly covered the chessboard and said, “Who says you can sit opposite me? Shoo, shoo, shoo! If you want to see the children, then don’t come and disturb me! You still say it’s on the way! This place is only so big. You must be here to disturb me on purpose. You should go home. You’re not welcome at my house!”
“You’re so unreasonable. Didn’t you just say that you need someone to play chess with you? That’s why I’m here to play with you for a while even though I’m reluctant to do so. Who likes playing chess with you? I’m not that willing to play with a lousy chess player like you!” Xia Jun said disdainfully.
“What are you saying? I’ve improved a lot! Do you think you can always win! Back in the army, I was better than you in everything! Now, I’ll definitely surpass you in chess! Let’s play one round! Don’t cry if you lose!” Qiao Qiang said as he looked at Xia Jun stubbornly.
“So be it! I’m not afraid of you! Whoever loses is a puppy!” After saying that, Xia Jun started to arrange the pieces on the chessboard. Auntie Peanut stood at the side and watched quietly. This was her first time at Qiao Mei’s house and she did not know which room Qiao Mei had prepared for Xia Jun.
An hour passed and there was only one last move left before Qiao Qiang lost the game. Xia Jun looked at Qiao Qiang’s expression and decided to give him an advantage. Qiao Qiang took the opportunity to go for checkmate! In the end, Qiao Qiang won this game of chess and it was also the only time he had won in so many years.
“Look! Isn’t my chess skills much better!” Qiao Qiang said proudly.
“You’ve indeed improved!” Xia Jun coaxed Qiao Qiang.
“Come, let’s play another round. I want to beat you a few more times! If I win, give me five dollars!” Qiao Qiang said.
“Then if you lose, will you give me five dollars?” Xia Jun asked.
Qiao Qiang immediately replied, “No, I won’t. At most, I’ll cook for you. If you lose, I’ll cook you one dish. I do the cooking and you buy the ingredients.”
“Sure, sure, sure. Whatever you say!” Xia Jun said with a smile.
Qiao Mei asked Xu Kang to go and look for Auntie Peanut. They cleared out the room next to Qiao Qiang to be used as Xia Jun’s room in the future. Xia Jun could stay here whenever he came over. Auntie Peanut would take the room next to Xia Jun’s room so that it would be easier for her to take care of the two elders.
At night, Qiao Mei called Auntie Peanut over and said, “Auntie Peanut, we’re a family, so I’ll be frank with you. This house is big and there are definitely more chores here than at Grandfather’s house. Sister Xu Kang does the cooking and Sister Feng Hua takes care of the children. I wonder if you can help me clean up the house in the backyard and do laundry for the two elders.”
“Of course. This is what I do at your grandfather’s house. I’m very familiar with these things. In the next few days, I’ll try my best to learn from Sister Xu Kang about Old Mr. Qiao Qiang’s habits and preferences. I’ll definitely take care of Old Mr. Qiao Qiang like I do with Old Mr. Xia Jun!” Auntie Peanut said.
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