Crazy! The school beauty's mother works as my secretary!

Black and white pieces are interspersed on the chessboard.

Bai Yulan frowned, staring intently at the black piece that Chen Mo had just placed.

The piece was placed on a seemingly insignificant spot on the chessboard, but it instantly revitalized the entire game.

Bai Yulan's smile froze instantly. She bent down and stared intently at the chessboard, her brows furrowing tightly.

Why would someone make this move?

Just a second ago, Black was completely restricted, so how did it suddenly gain the momentum to fight back?

She composed herself, suppressed her doubts, readjusted her strategy, and tried to trap the black pieces using the previous layout.

But Chen Mo's next move was like a thunderclap, every step was incredibly precise.

The black pieces seemed to suddenly come to life, moving swiftly and decisively across the board.

The previously scattered pieces instantly connected, forming a huge net that firmly trapped the white pieces.

"Wait a minute..."

Bai Yulan's voice carried a hint of panic.

She traced patterns on the chessboard with her fingers, trying to find a solution.

No matter how she placed her pieces, it was as if she was struggling in a trap that Chen Mo had already set up.

In just over ten rounds, her white pieces were divided and surrounded by the black pieces, and even her last escape route was cut off.

When Chen Mo placed another piece, firmly blocking the last living eye of the white stones.

Bai Yulan suddenly looked up, her beautiful eyes wide with disbelief as she stared at Chen Mo:

"You...you did this on purpose?"

She finally realized what Chen Mo's "narrow loss" was when he played chess with the old man earlier.

And the hesitation and slowness I showed when I was playing against myself just now, it was all an act!

Chen Mo concealed his embarrassment.

A relaxed smile appeared on his lips, and he lightly tapped the chessboard with his fingertips:

"Sister-in-law, you flatter me."

His calm and collected demeanor was completely different from before; he showed no sign of losing whatsoever.

Grandpa Bai, who was watching from the sidelines, was stunned for a few seconds.

He suddenly realized what was going on as he looked at the situation of the black and white pieces on the chessboard.

Recalling the scene of her playing chess with Chen Mo just now, she understood immediately.

This kid didn't almost lose; he was clearly just playing along the whole time!

Those seemingly thrilling matches before were probably all deliberately created by Chen Mo, just to make himself happy by winning.

"Well you brat!"

The old man couldn't help but chuckle and scold, pointing at Chen Mo with his finger, but there was no anger in his eyes, only admiration.

"So you've been playing dumb all along! You fooled me completely!"

Bai Yuqing, standing to the side, finally understood what had happened earlier.

She looked at Chen Mo, shaking her head with a mixture of helplessness and amusement.

Bai Yulan sat at the chessboard, her face flushed as she looked at the already decided outcome of the game.

She had just been thinking of dealing with Chen Mo, but he easily defeated her instead. This unexpected turn of events made her both angry and embarrassed. She glared at Chen Mo and said, "You deliberately tricked me!"

Chen Mo shrugged, looking completely innocent:

"I didn't. My sister-in-law wanted to play chess herself. I just got lucky and won."

He paused, then deliberately leaned closer and lowered his voice.

"If we play another game, I'm not sure I can win."

"..."

Want to play another round?

Do you think I'm stupid?

You still want to mess with me!

"Anyone who plays with you again is a fool."

Bai Yulan replied irritably.

Old Master Bai standing nearby: "..."

He really wanted to play with Chen Mo again.

"Yu Lan, it's just a game of chess. Even if you lose, you should still maintain your gentlemanly demeanor."

The old man, Bai, gave his guidance with great grace.

Bai Yulan immediately stopped looking angry and embarrassed, and obediently sat down to the side.

"Come on, Chen Mo, let's play another game. This time, you're not allowed to intentionally let us win. That's disrespectful to us chess players!"

"Uh...all out?"

"Give it your all, without holding back!"

The old man spoke with absolute certainty, his face serious.

Chen Mo nodded: "Okay."

So, the second round began.

Bai Yuqing, who was standing to the side, glanced at Chen Mo with some concern.

She wasn't afraid that Chen Mo would lose.

It's because I'm afraid the old man... will be discouraged.

Bai Yuqing and Chen Mo have been together for so many years, sharing the same bed, that she understands Chen Mo quite well.

He never does anything he's not confident about.

Moreover, once it's done, success is inevitable.

Even though Chen Mo practiced dancing with her to pursue her, he could achieve in just a few days what others had practiced for ten years.

Otherwise, Bai Yuqing wouldn't have been so 'doting' on him.

As expected, the situation unfolded exactly as she had predicted.

The old man lost even faster than Bai Yulan.

"Ahem, Chen Mo, we should go make some milk for Lingyi."

Bai Yuqing pulled Chen Mo away.

Bai Yulan couldn't help but comfort her as well:

"Grandpa, it's just a game of chess. Don't you always say that winning and losing are common occurrences in war? It's normal to have wins and losses."

"It's getting late, you should get some rest..."