Chapter 045 – Time Displacement 11

Chapter 045 - Time Displacement 11

Upon hearing this response, Yu Bai blinked in confusion.

Teach him tomorrow?

What... would he teach him?

A moment of bewilderment spread across his light brown eyes, revealing a rare touch of innocent naivety in the usually calm and composed individual.

The man standing so close seemed oblivious to his confusion. Their eyes met, and the shimmering blue lake still reflected the young man's bewildered expression.

It was the enthusiastic old man nearby who keenly picked up on the key word.

He promptly redirected his gaze, unable to contain his surprise as he asked, "Doctor Little Yu, you also play Go?!"

Doctor Little Yu froze for a moment, instinctively about to refute, "Huh? I don't..."

Then, he belatedly realized his mistake, hastily cutting himself off, and shot a startled glance at the person beside him.

When did he ever say he wanted to learn Go? !

The man continued to stare at him, a hint of confusion seemingly about to surface on his handsome face.

At that moment, Yu Bai forcefully tore his gaze away.

Fine, he had said it.

Not only did he express his strong desire to learn Go, but he also promised to do so the very next day.

...

Why does he have such a good memory? !

He's indeed not human! He can't read between the lines like a normal person!

Yu Bai finally realized the situation, feeling utterly devastated yet unable to shed tears. A faint blush suddenly spread across his fair cheeks.

Ever since encountering this guy, the number of times Yu Bai experienced social embarrassment and humiliation had surpassed the already roller-coaster-like journey of his first two decades of life.

And for the sake of human dignity, he could only swallow the bitter pill silently.

Halfway through his denial, Yu Bai's mind raced to prevent Xie Wufang from suspicion. He cleverly continued, "I... I'm not really skilled in Go, that's why I need someone to teach me."

"Oh!" Zhang Yunjiang nodded immediately. "So you have an interest in Go."

Then, he suddenly recalled, "Right, now I remember. It was you who led Comrade Little Xie to watch a game at the park this afternoon. But I thought you were more interested in Chinese chess..."

Hearing Zhang Yunjiang's reminiscence, Yu Bai hastily interrupted, "No, no, no! It's Go! I'm interested in Go!"

Upon hearing the old man mention something he didn't recall, Xie Wufang turned and listened intently.

Seeing this, Yu Bai's heart pounded with alarm, and he quickly added, "Of course, mainly it's him who's interested!"

This was because when he had explained the backstory to Xie Wufang earlier that afternoon, he had said that while passing by Sun Park, Xie Wufang had shown interest in Go and learned on the spot.

At that time, after listening, Xie Wufang had pondered and asked, "I'm interested in Go?"

...

Of course not.

Yu Bai had deliberately dragged him to watch the game, hoping to assess his learning capabilities. However, due to unforeseen circumstances and the intervention of the chess amateur Old Yuan, Xie Wufang ended up learning Go instead of the quicker Chinese Chess that Yu Bai had initially planned for him.

Yu Bai, who nearly embarrassed humanity again, barely managed to cover up this small lie. The meal felt like a roller-coaster ride, filled with excitement.

Yu Bai glanced at the silver-haired elder, who was completely oblivious to the situation, with a hint of resentment.

He remembered that Zhang Yunjiang had been earnestly focusing on the board that day; how could he have spared the attention to care about what strangers passing by were doing?

Can't you concentrate on the game a little more?

Zhang Yunjiang, with a look of reflection on his face, met Yu Bai's gaze, feeling slightly perplexed and noticing something amiss.

The elder asked with concern, "Doctor Little Yu, why does your face look..."

The words in red were yet to be spoken when Yu Bai turned away, giving a firm response, "Because of global warming!"

"..." The elder was even more puzzled now. "Huh? What?"

The muscular man, wiping his tears with a tissue, casually agreed, "Yeah, it's all because of global warming."

The little girl, after passing the tissues, held a freshly poured glass of cold water. After a moment of hesitation, she decided to offer it to the blushing elder brother. In a whisper, she said, "I remember, it's the... greenhouse effect... Big Brother Bai, do you want some water?"

Little Bai immediately took it and whispered back, "Thank you."

The little boy, who had been crying uncontrollably, commented on this strange turn of events, "...What nonsense is this?!"

In the midst of this inexplicable tangent, Yuan Yuhang finally managed to stop his tears. Looking at his friend, who wore a bewildered expression, he pretended not to understand and prompted, "Why look for a place? Can't we play chess at home?"

He recalled that Zhang Yunjiang had just been pondering where would be suitable to play chess.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yunjiang snapped out of his thoughts about global warming and smiled at him. "You're not crying anymore?"

"..." Yuan Yuhang, still a bit choked up, stubbornly retorted, "The spiciness has worn off."

Wiping away his tears nonchalantly, he changed the subject, "Ah, this restaurant is really chilly. I don't want to stay here anymore. I want to go home, anywhere will do."

As the little boy spoke, he secretly glanced at the two young men sitting side by side.

After hearing Yu Bai's general account of events in this time and space, he had also wished to play a game with Xie Wufang or observe his chess skills. However, he didn't dare to propose it.

Unexpectedly, the other party had offered an opportunity that he dared not even dream of at the moment.

There was the beloved Go game, the intriguing Go genius, and...

...his late senior brother who could once again engage in a match with someone.

Seeing the little boy's restless expression, Zhang Yunjiang chuckled and said, "Can't sit still, huh? Well, you've finished your meal, so it's time to leave."

Recalling his casual suggestion earlier, he hesitantly turned to the two young men and asked, "Speaking of which, I do have a chess room at home, and the environment is decent... Would you mind coming over to my place?"

It seemed a bit forward to invite someone to his home for a game after just one day of acquaintance. He was also concerned about their worries, considering it was already evening. A game of Go could take a long time, possibly stretching into the late hours of the night.

Xie Wufang, however, had no such reservations and calmly replied, "Sure."

Yu Bai managed to dispel the warmth on his cheeks, regaining his composure as he agreed, "Of course not. Uncle Zhang, don't feel that we're disturbing you."

"Absolutely not, it's rare to have so many guests at home," Zhang Yunjiang replied with an open-hearted smile, his tone sincere. "I'm not sure how late we'll play tonight. If you don't mind, you can rest at my place. There's a guest room, or there are also hotels nearby, the choice is yours."

Yu Bai naturally chose to stay at Zhang Yunjiang's house.

Being able to closely observe the elderly man's condition and prevent any accidents, as well as allowing Uncle Yuan more time with him, was a win-win situation.

Thus, he skipped the unnecessary formalities and declined, instead suggesting, "Shall we head over now?"

"Alright." The elder eagerly rose to his feet, a hint of excitement subtly etched on his face. "I can't wait to sit down at the chessboard."

Before leaving, Zhang Yunjiang carefully folded the piece of paper with his bold words, placing it gently back into the pocket over his heart.

"I'm really very happy today," he said, stepping out with a warm smile. "Doctor Little Yu, I don't even know how to thank you."

In the still bustling restaurant, the waiter called out a polite farewell. As the man with black hair and blue eyes pushed open the glass door, Doctor Little Yu, who was about to leave, looked up, her eyebrows arching in a smile.

"I'm also very happy today," he said.

Meanwhile, Yu Bai thought that Zhang Yunjiang wasn't the only one Zhang Yunjiang intended to thank.

The group, alternating between coldness and warmth, left the innocent restaurant and headed for Zhang Yunjiang's home.

The moon illuminated the street, casting long shadows of the three walking almost side by side. Yu Bai mostly engaged in casual conversation with the elderly man.

The elder's residence wasn't far; he claimed it was a ten-minute walk.

Besides, with so many people, it wouldn't be appropriate to call a car.

Three elongated shadows were followed by a trio - a larger figure flanked by two smaller ones.

Unsatisfied with not having tasted the sweet potato, Yan Jing asked for a pair of disposable chopsticks. Using them like wooden sticks, he rolled two cotton candy-like sugar threads, offering one to He Xi and keeping the other for himself.

As they walked, the little girl enjoying her sugar-coated cotton candy asked, "Brother Yan Jing, are we also going to Grandpa Zhang's house?"

"Yes," Yan Jing nodded matter-of-factly. "Little Bai is going, so I'll go too, but I'm not interested in Go. How about we watch TV later?"

"Sounds good," He Xi promptly agreed. After a moment's thought, she added softly, "Tomorrow is Friday."

"What's wrong with Friday?"

"He Xi, curiously asked, "Do you not have to go to work, Brother Yan Jing?"

"Of course I do—oh right, tomorrow is Friday, there's no holiday."

Yan Jing just realized this and managed to hold back the curse that almost slipped out. He suddenly became aware of a problem: "Shi... cough, I left the gym without taking leave! Oh no, I'll lose my wages!"

He Xi also grew concerned. "My backpack is still at Little Bai's place... If I get it in the morning, will I be late for school?"

The little boy, walking silently with his hands behind his back, couldn't help but interject with an incredulous expression. "You're still worried about work and school after traveling through time?"

"..."

The tall, muscular man and the short girl exchanged glances.

Yan Jing was in a dilemma. "You're right, with everything that's happened, what if Little Bai needs my help tomorrow? I'm afraid I won't make it in time."

Yuan Yuhang couldn't bear to listen any longer, his expression disdainful. "Stop pretending, big guy. You don't sound like you actually want to work."

Yan Jing dropped the pretense, beaming with joy. "For Little Bai, I won't go to work. They can deduct my salary if they want!"

He Xi mustered her courage. "Then... then I won't go to class either."

The elder brother leaned down to high-five her, and they both took a bite of the candy string in unison.

"Let's watch TV and play games!"

"Sounds good!"

The previously melancholic little boy couldn't help but laugh at this sight. He shook his head, an old soul in a young body, and muttered, "Two fools."

The slightly taller girl, who had overheard him, looked at him with her clear gaze. She didn't refute him but instead asked, reminded by something, "By the way, Grandpa, do you know what that poem with your name means?"

She had been curious about it since she heard it during dinner.

Yuan Yuhang answered her honestly, "Ask that old man. I don't even know which characters it is, let alone its meaning."

"What poem?" Yan Jing joined their conversation, recalling, "Was it something like 'gigantic something, depressed something, voyage'?"

"..." Yuan Yuhang shot him a look, then promptly replied, "When the Great River yearns to be crossed, it relies on a boat for conveyance!"

"Woah." Yan Jing was amazed. "You don't even know which poem it's from, yet you can remember these words so clearly!"

Yuan Yuhang paused and said, "That's because you're dumb!"

"Dumb or not, I have a phone." Yan Jing, unusually, didn't bicker with him tonight. Instead, he raised his voice to call out to the person in front. "Little Bai, lend me your phone for a bit!"

The brown-haired youth walking ahead was chatting with an elder. Hearing the request, he handed over his phone without further questioning.

Yan Jing stopped in his tracks, typed the verse into the browser, and read it aloud to the two kids beside him.

"This line means... Oh, here it is. It means that to reach the other side of a vast river, one ultimately needs a boat."

"A vast river?" He Xi listened with a puzzled expression. "What's the other side?"

"The other side is... uh, the opposite bank?"

Not wanting to mislead the children, Yan Jing quickly searched again before giving a confident answer, "Yes, the opposite bank. It's a metaphor for an ideal destination or realm one aspires to reach."

"It also signifies transcending life and death."

The innocent young girl expressed her admiration simply, "It sounds so impressive."

Yan Jing also nodded foolishly, "Yeah, no wonder Uncle Zhang said it has great symbolism."

Only the slightly hunched boy sitting beside them listened silently, saying nothing.

He didn't understand the meaning of the poem, or perhaps he wasn't certain about which exact characters were being referred to.

Yet he remembered this newfound verse with remarkable clarity.

Summer breeze carried a subtle chill as the cotton candy, pure white like clouds, melted slowly on the wooden stick. A magnificent, luminous moon sailed across the night sky.

The moonlight was exceptionally bright tonight.

At the entrance of the quaint and unassuming courtyard, Yu Bai stowed away the phone Yan Jing had returned to him without inquiring about its purpose; his attention was entirely captivated by the scenery beyond the gate.

From the previous dispute over inheritance that escalated to the funeral parlor, he could speculate that Zhang Yunjiang came from a well-off family, at least leaving behind a substantial fortune.

...Yet he hadn't expected it to be so impressive.

Before him stood a vast Chinese-style courtyard situated in the heart of the city, lush with verdant trees and softly glowing lanterns. The elegant architecture was partially hidden in the night, its full extent unseen, but it was enough to envelop first-time visitors in an otherworldly ambiance.

Gentle-looking servants greeted them, and Zhang Yunjiang felt a touch of embarrassment as he said, "Please come in, make yourselves at home. I haven't had this many guests in a long time. If there's anything lacking, do let me know."

Yu Bai thought to himself that he didn't possess a residence as cinematic as this.

No wonder there was a dedicated chess room and guest bedrooms capable of accommodating numerous visitors at any given moment.

In this environment, Yu Bai's imagination about playing chess tonight and tomorrow instantly escalated from a mundane room and simple table to a serene chess chamber, floor cushions, and gently sliding wooden lattice doors... accompanied by moonlight spilling onto the floor.

And, of course, the chessboard with its interweaving black and white pieces, and the firm fingertips that would place them.

The evening breeze swayed the shadows of the trees throughout the courtyard. Standing by the rustic corridor, the young visitors wore expressions of astonishment, their minds momentarily lost.

Aside from the boy pretending to be amazed out of fear of revealing himself, Xie Wufang was the only guest who remained unaffected by the scene before him.

He glanced sideways at the person beside him, clearly entranced. The serene glow of the courtyard illuminated the soft light brown strands of hair, creating a dreamlike aura.

He asked softly, "What are you thinking?"

The one lost in myriad thoughts was startled back to reality, gazing at him with a touch of daze.

"I was thinking..."

He paused, then suddenly broke into a smile. The moonlight shimmered in his eyes like tranquil water, reflecting a clear sense of wonder.

"It feels like an extraordinary encounter today."