Chapter 14

Chapter 14

Lin Yi had been watching two elderly men play chess.

Throughout the process, he remained silent but had a clear understanding of the game, wearing a smile that suggested he saw everything without needing to say it.

From their conversation, he learned that one was called Old Zhang and the other was Old Li.

At this moment, Uncle Li addressed Lin Yi, "Young man, you've been watching for a while. Would you like to play a game?"

Lin Yi smiled, "No need, I'm fine just watching."

Uncle Li continued, "Come on, play with us. I'll go get some water from the convenience store to make tea."

With that, he stood up holding his teacup.

Seeing this, Lin Yi did not refuse further and took a seat at the chess table.

At this point, Uncle Zhang, who was about to play against Lin Yi, asked, "Young man, how is your chess skill?"

Lin Yi thought for a moment and replied, "It's okay; I've played a few times before."

In his previous life, his grandfather loved playing chess and often invited him for a game.

His grandfather was a wise and kind old man, always carrying a fan and gently fanning himself, speaking kindly to the younger generation, his face full of warmth.

He would spend his days drinking tea and strolling through the park.

Growing up, Lin Yi was influenced by his grandfather, inheriting a calm demeanor and a nonchalant attitude towards life's challenges.

However, there was a period when Lin Yi went astray.

During that time, he was very ambitious, relying on his talent to dive headfirst into the cutthroat world of investment banking, working day and night to achieve success.

In the end, he achieved his goals, but at the cost of his life.

Life is truly unpredictable.

Now, Lin Yi began playing chess with Uncle Zhang.

Chinese chess reflects one’s ability to control the entire board, where one wrong move can lead to a complete loss.

Thus, players often furrow their brows in deep thought, taking a long time to move each piece.

Lin Yi, however, was different from most players.

He sat casually, his expression relaxed, moving pieces swiftly after each opponent's turn, then calmly waiting for their next move.

This demonstrated both his composure and quick thinking.

"Wow, is Lin Yi so skilled at chess?"

"Is there anyone who understands Chinese chess well enough to comment on Lin Yi's performance?"

"I can only say that based on what we see now, Lin Yi is definitely going to win!"

"Lin Yi is amazing!"

Indeed, as the netizens predicted, Lin Yi won the game.

Uncle Zhang was clearly shocked, still staring at the board in disbelief.

He was a seasoned player, rarely finding an equal opponent, yet today he lost to a young man.

Uncle Li had already returned with the tea and chuckled, "Old Zhang, you lost this round."

Uncle Zhang, being stubborn and prideful, could not accept losing to a man in his twenties. He immediately challenged Lin Yi, "Young man, dare you play another round?"

Lin Yi laughed heartily, "Sure."

The second game began quickly.

By now, several onlookers had gathered, all intently watching the game.

Uncle Zhang, having lost the first game, was more cautious this time, thinking deeply before each move.

Lin Yi remained as calm as before.

Not only did he move quickly, but he also played boldly, making moves that surprised everyone.

After one particular move by Lin Yi, someone watching exclaimed, "Young man, that's too reckless."

After the reminder, the person remembered the etiquette of not speaking during a game and fell silent, though still looking regretful, believing Lin Yi would lose.

Lin Yi merely smiled, maintaining a composed demeanor as if he had everything under control.

Seeing Lin Yi's move, Uncle Zhang believed it was a mistake, became excited, and captured one of Lin Yi's pieces.

After losing a piece, Lin Yi remained unfazed and made another move.

Uncle Zhang followed suit.

Then, within a few moves, the board situation changed dramatically. Each of Lin Yi's moves was precise, cornering Uncle Zhang.

Uncle Zhang widened his eyes, speechless.

Lin Yi, smiling lightly, picked up a piece and placed it down, saying calmly, "Check."

His tone conveyed both the joy of victory and a sense of everything being as expected.

Lin Yi had a striking and charming appearance, with eyes that sparkled like the brightest stars, every smile and frown dazzling. But at this moment, his gaze held a calmness and tranquility uncommon for his age.

The combination of his striking looks and his composed demeanor gave off an indescribable feeling, making every move he made captivating.

"Ah, is anyone else thinking that Lin Yi looks incredibly handsome right now?!"

"Who isn't? I'm screaming my lungs out right now!!!"

"My god, how can this man be so charming?!"

"I'm officially a fan from this moment on; Lin Yi is my new favorite!!!"

Uncle Zhang stared at the chessboard, unable to comprehend where he had gone wrong. He was still in a daze, struggling to understand his mistake.

Uncle Li took a sip of tea and then smiled, "Come on, Old Zhang, even if you don't want to accept it, the outcome is already decided."

Uncle Zhang refused to admit defeat, "One last game!"

Lin Yi agreed, "Sure."

Soon after, the third game concluded.

Lin Yi won again.

After losing three times in a row, Uncle Zhang finally acknowledged that his chess skills were indeed inferior to Lin Yi's.

He looked at Lin Yi and said, "Young man, your mind is sharp. Keep working hard; you have a bright future ahead."

Lin Yi smiled faintly, "Thanks, I'll see what I can do."

But despite his words, he wouldn't push himself to the brink again. After all, in his previous life, he had worked too hard and died of overexertion in his early twenties.

Reborn into this life, he had gained some perspective.

Most importantly, this life was different from his past one.

This time, he had a husband, a powerful tycoon who gave him five million yuan as pocket money each month. There was no need for him to struggle anymore.

Whenever he thought about this, Lin Yi couldn't help but laugh.

At that moment, someone in the crowd asked, "Young man, do you have a girlfriend?"

The question came from a middle-aged woman with her hair tied up.

She had been observing Lin Yi, impressed by his good looks and sharp mind, thinking he would make an excellent son-in-law. So she quickly inquired.

Lin Yi didn't expect such a turn of events and hadn't had a chance to respond when the woman continued, "I have a daughter, around your age, currently studying abroad. She'll be back soon..."

Lin Yi: "I..."

Another woman joined in, "There's also a suitable girl downstairs. She's a teacher, very quiet and gentle..."

Suddenly, several people were vying to introduce potential partners to Lin Yi.

One particularly progressive person even asked if he preferred men or women, offering to introduce him to either.

Lin Yi: "..."

He was caught off guard by the enthusiasm of these uncles and aunties.

"Hahaha, save me! This scene is terrifying!!"

"It's rare to see Lin Yi looking a bit lost."

"He probably hasn't encountered this before?"

"Hahaha, I'm dying of laughter!"

At that moment, Huo Mianmian, who had been sleeping, was woken up by the chatter.

He rubbed his eyes, confused about what was happening, and looked towards his little dad.

Initially, he didn't understand what the crowd was saying to his little dad.

But as he listened, his beautiful eyes widened.

They seemed to be trying to set his little dad up with someone?

Huo Mianmian: "!!"

How could this be?!

His little dad was already married to his dad!!

So Huo Mianmian slid down from the flower bed at unprecedented speed, then with his short legs, managed to squeeze through the crowd to reach his little dad.

He needed to protect his little dad!!

Everyone's attention was drawn to the sudden appearance of the little boy.

One person looked at Huo Mianmian and asked, "What a cute kid! Whose child is this?"

Seeing Huo Mianmian, Lin Yi breathed a sigh of relief.

He picked Huo Mianmian up onto his lap and smiled at the crowd, "This is my kid. Isn't he adorable?"

Crowd: "You have a kid?!?!"

It doesn't show at all!

Lin Yi was at most like a freshly graduated college student.

At this moment, Lin Yi admitted without any hesitation, "Yeah, I got married early, so I can't accept your kind offers."

Then he joked, "If I need help in the future, I'll come to you guys."

Everyone sighed collectively. Since he was already married and even had a child, there was nothing they could do but give up.

"Hahaha, that's hilarious."

"The uncles and aunties are too enthusiastic."

"By the way, who is Lin Yi's partner? No one has ever found out."

"I don't know, there's been no news at all."

"Powerful netizens, everyone, please try harder. I want to know who Lin Yi is married to! Otherwise, I won't know where to go to snatch a wife!"

"No, Lin Yi is my wife!!"

"He's mine!!"

"Hahaha, we're all scoundrels."

After successfully escaping the enthusiastic uncles and aunties, Lin Yi led Huo Mianmian back, preparing to find the other guests.

Huo Mianmian clearly breathed a sigh of relief, patting his little chest in relief.

Phew~ Thank goodness, Little Dad wasn't snatched away!!

He didn't even realize that he had become increasingly dependent on Lin Yi, following him like a little tail, inseparable for a moment.

Soon, they met up with the other guests.

Lin Yi immediately recommended the stall selling douhua, mentioning that both savory and sweet versions were available, inviting anyone interested to buy some.

After all, he had promised the vendor to introduce customers, and he remembered it well.

Lin Yi was such a person, very committed to his promises.

If he didn't promise something, it was fine, but once he did, he would fulfill it completely, without exception.

That was why, in his previous life, so many people in the investment banking industry were willing to trust and follow him.

Almost no one in the investment banking circle didn't know Lin Yi, and everyone was eager to work with him.

A person with such charisma is always admired wherever they go.

"Wah, so touching. I thought Lin Yi forgot about the promise he made to the vendor, but he remembered it all along."

"A trustworthy person is truly precious."

"Lin Yi is indeed my idol!!"

While the adults were talking, Huo Mianmian was daydreaming nearby.

He looked like a delicate porcelain doll, soft and cute, with his bangs particularly fluffy, making him appear both exquisite and adorable.

When he stood there daydreaming, he seemed even more endearing.

At this moment, a small cat balloon floated over from somewhere.

The cat balloon drifted next to Huo Mianmian and bumped into his little head.

Initially, Huo Mianmian didn't notice, until the balloon hit him several times.

Huo Mianmian turned around in confusion and saw the balloon.

His eyes instantly lit up, and he reached out with his chubby little hand to grab the balloon's string.

After grabbing the balloon, he eagerly wanted to share it with Lin Yi, calling out in a baby voice, "Little Dad, look at me~"

Lin Yi turned around and saw Huo Mianmian holding a small cat balloon, smiling sweetly at him, with dimples full of honey-like warmth on his cheeks.

Lin Yi couldn't help but smile, asking Huo Mianmian, "Where did you get the balloon?"

Huo Mianmian opened his clear big eyes and said innocently, "I don't know, maybe it got lost."

Lin Yi smiled and said, "Then take it home with you."

Huo Mianmian's eyes curved into crescents as he smiled, "Okay~"

He would take it home!

"What kind of anime scene is this? It's so cute, it makes me squeal!!"

"My heart is melting; all my troubles have vanished in this moment."

"Our little Mianmian must grow up happily!"