Inside the chess room, Zheng Qin stared at the board in front of him, playing as both Black and White, alternating moves.
But even though he was simply replaying and analyzing yesterday’s game alone, with no one sitting across from him, he could still feel an invisible, heavy pressure emanating from that vacant seat.
It was as if that high schooler, Yu Shao, was still sitting there, silently staring him down.
“It’s like he saw through every single one of my moves…”
But Zheng Qin quickly shook off the thought, denying it outright.
“No, that’s impossible!”
“In such a complicated game, how could a high schooler with no formal training possibly foresee every move—and even predict moves ten or more steps ahead?!”
“That’s absurd. Even professional Go players, trained from a young age, don’t necessarily have that level of calculation and vision. That kind of instinct—like a hyena hunting its prey—only comes from countless matches against top-tier opponents.”
Taking a deep breath, Zheng Qin reached into the Go box, pulling out another stone and placing it on the board.
“But maybe… that’s where my chance to win lies!”
Zheng Qin’s gaze shifted to the top left corner of the board. He reached into the box again, the cold touch of the Go stone sending a chill from his fingers to his heart.
“And then there was that 3-3 point…”
“Even though I lost yesterday’s game, no matter how I look at it, that 3-3 invasion was definitely a bad move.”
“Still, it was solid enough to be difficult to attack. When he suddenly took the initiative against me, I was caught off guard. In my haste to counterattack, my formation became unstable.”
“If I had stayed calm and thought it through, the best strategy in that moment would’ve been to defend while continuing to expand my influence outward. A more patient, measured approach.”
“I was too careless. I didn’t expect him to have that level of skill.”
Just then, the automatic glass doors of the chess hall opened again.
Hearing the sound, Zheng Qin immediately looked up at the entrance.
But when he saw the person who walked in, he froze for a moment.
It wasn’t Yu Shao. Instead, it was a girl wearing the same Jiangling High School uniform as Yu Shao. Her long hair reached her waist, and her delicate features were almost unfairly beautiful.
Zheng Qin vaguely remembered this girl. He had seen her yesterday in the chess hall.
After all, anyone—boy or girl—who saw someone as stunning as Xu Zijin wouldn’t easily forget her. What Zheng Qin hadn’t expected was that this girl was also a student at Jiangling High School.
Xu Zijin entered the chess hall, scanned the room, glanced briefly at Zheng Qin, then at the empty seat across from him, before withdrawing her gaze.
“Back again, little sister?” the receptionist greeted her with a smile. “Here to watch Zheng and that boy play Go again?”
“Mm.” Xu Zijin nodded lightly.
“But that boy hasn’t shown up yet,” the receptionist added. Then, noticing Xu Zijin’s uniform, her eyes lit up with surprise. “Wait, you’re from Jiangling High too? Do you know that boy, Yu Shao? Do you think he’ll come today?”
“Sorry, I don’t know,” Xu Zijin said, shaking her head politely. “I’ve only seen him at school, but we’re not acquainted.”
“Ah, I see,” the receptionist said, a little disappointed but still smiling. “So, are you going to wait for him too? Want a cup of milk tea while you wait?”
Xu Zijin thought for a moment and then asked, “Do you have lemon pomelo tea?”
“Yes, we do,” the receptionist replied, nodding. “Would you like it with ice?”
“Yes, please. Thank you.” Xu Zijin nodded, took out her phone, and scanned the QR code to pay. Then she walked into the chess room, found an empty chair, and sat down quietly.
The chess hall fell silent again.
Everyone seemed preoccupied with their thoughts, occasionally glancing toward the entrance. There weren’t many people playing Go, and even those who were seemed distracted.
Everyone was waiting.
Waiting for that high schooler, Yu Shao.
Minute by minute, time passed. The sky outside gradually darkened.
Now and then, someone would glance at their watch, then look back at the chess hall entrance.
“It’s already 6:30. He’s not coming, is he?” someone murmured.
As time dragged on, some grew impatient and left. But even more people chose to stay and continue waiting.
Perhaps they were hoping to see Zheng Qin redeem himself. But deep down, what truly kept them there was the anticipation of a thrilling game.
If that high schooler, Yu Shao, showed up, the match between him and Zheng Qin would undoubtedly be spectacular.
And they didn’t want to miss it.
Even though it would be possible to review the game records later, watching a match live and examining it afterward are two completely different experiences.
By 7:30 PM, the sky outside had fully darkened. Night had fallen, and the streets outside the chess hall were aglow with neon lights. Cars and people bustled along the busy streets, yet there was no sign of Yu Shao.
By now, everyone in the chess hall had realized that the high schooler named Yu Shao likely wasn’t coming today.
Xu Zijin stood up from her seat, preparing to leave as well.
“Hey, classmate, wait a moment,” Zheng Qin called out just as Xu Zijin was about to exit the Mountain-Sea Chess Hall.
She stopped in her tracks and turned to look at Zheng Qin, waiting for him to explain why he had called out to her.
“You’re classmates with that high schooler, Yu Shao, right?” Zheng Qin asked.
“I’m not close with him,” Xu Zijin replied flatly.
Hearing this, Zheng Qin was momentarily embarrassed. He hesitated for a second before gathering his courage and pressing on. “Could you… could you help me pass a message to him?”
Xu Zijin neither agreed nor refused. She simply stared at Zheng Qin with her clear, amber-like eyes, her gaze quiet and unyielding.
For reasons he couldn’t explain, being looked at by this much younger girl made Zheng Qin feel an immense pressure.
But in the end, Zheng Qin endured it and, with utmost sincerity, said, “Please tell him that I’ll be back at the chess hall tomorrow, waiting for him. Is that alright?”
After a brief pause, Xu Zijin finally nodded and replied, “Okay.”
“Or not? If it’s not okay, forget it—huh?”
Zheng Qin had already braced himself for rejection, so when Xu Zijin agreed, he was pleasantly surprised. Overjoyed, he quickly added, “Classmate, thank you so much! Next time you come to the chess hall to play, it’s on me!”
“Thank you, but that won’t be necessary.”
Xu Zijin politely declined with a shake of her head, then turned and walked out of the chess hall.