It was clear that Ding Linlang was also there to buy chess books.
She was eager to improve her Chinese chess skills in order to match Qian Quan's chess achievements.
Perhaps, this was a typical overachiever's mindset – quietly putting in effort and then achieving a remarkable comeback, astonishing everyone.
Unlike Qian Quan, although he also bragged about wanting to match Ding Linlang's basketball one-on-one record, he didn't specifically practice for it privately, nor did he get up at 4 a.m. to play basketball.
He also had a strong sense of competitiveness and a desire for revenge, but it depended on the person.
With Ding Linlang, he felt it was great to play Chinese chess and basketball with her continuously; winning or losing wasn't so important. The display of concern and the excuses were just to add an element of fun to the competition.
With Sun Shaokang and Song Xi, he would definitely hold onto the humiliation they had inflicted upon him. Until he could reclaim that day's dignity, he wouldn't reconcile or forgive. The apparent sense of relief and letting go was only because he couldn't do anything about it at the moment.
He walked up to Ding Linlang's side, patted her shoulder, and acted as if he was a stranger striking up a conversation, "Have you seen Qian Quan?"
Ding Linlang turned her head to look at him, smiled lightly, and said, "Why are you here?"
"Accompanying my dad to buy Chinese chess books. What are you looking at?"
"I'm also looking at Chinese chess books. Where's Mr. Qian?"
"He's at the front negotiating with the owner. He's not interested in the Chinese chess books on the shelves. He's interested in the owner's family heirloom Chinese chess book."
"Family heirloom Chinese chess book?" Ding Linlang's eyes brightened.
"Yes." Qian Quan nodded and absentmindedly grabbed a book from the shelf, flipping through it as he asked, "Is this thing effective?"
"It's decent. It helps you understand different chess strategies and broaden your thinking."
"I still prefer playing by intuition and countering moves on the fly."
"That's why we're both self-taught. Against those experts who plan and strategize, we'd quickly lose."
Qian Quan smiled and nodded.
At this moment, Qian Quan's father walked over with a beaming smile and looked at Ding Linlang, asking, "Linlang, buying Chinese chess books?"
"Yeah, I heard Qian Quan say that you bought the owner's family heirloom Chinese chess book?"
Qian Quan's father continued to smile and nodded slightly, saying, "The Chinese chess books on these shelves don't hold much value. They only cover superficial tactics. You can find similar content online easily. Let's go back, and I'll show you the real Chinese chess book."
"Sure." Ding Linlang quickly put the chess book back where it belonged.
The three of them left the bookstore and headed toward Qian Quan's home.
On the way back, Mr. Qian took the opportunity to provide Qian Quan and Ding Linlang with insights into Chinese chess positioning and strategy.
"In Chinese chess, calculating the pathways is the foundation. We make our moves step by step, each with a purpose. But if you focus solely on the pathways without positioning and strategy, even if you calculate several dozen or hundreds of steps ahead, you might not achieve much. Once your opponent stops your momentum and gains the upper hand, the game becomes difficult, and you might suffer defeat, cascading like a collapsing mountain..."
Mr. Qian was a teacher, and when discussing his area of expertise, he naturally spoke fluently and authoritatively.
Ding Linlang listened intently, lost in thought.
Qian Quan, on the other hand, furrowed his brow and muttered under his breath, "This sounds a bit esoteric."
Mr. Qian glanced at his son and said, "I haven't even mentioned the concepts of chess luck and chess philosophy yet. Those are even more profound."
After a moment of consideration, Qian Quan said, "But isn't the essence of Chinese chess about attack and defense? As long as you balance both, you can win every battle."
Before Mr. Qian could respond, Ding Linlang interjected, "You just said something obvious. Warfare is also about attack and defense. Sports competitions are also about attack and defense. The key lies in how to attack and how to defend."
Mr. Qian smiled and nodded, adding, "Furthermore, playing Chinese chess also emphasizes self-cultivation. For example, those who are impatient should slow down, while those who are slow-paced should speed up. The straightforward ones need to calculate, while the strategic ones need to reveal their strengths..."
"Too much rigidity leads to failure, excessive flexibility leads to ruin. The essence lies within these concepts. Take you two as an example: Linlang, your flaw is being too rigid, not leaving room in your moves, and only seeking to attack. The outcome becomes simple win or lose. As for you..."
"I'm too passive?" Qian Quan interrupted.
"Not quite. You're too casual. You've absorbed a bit of the skill of using gentleness to overcome rigidity, which is why Linlang's mind is more agile than yours, yet she often can't beat you. This is the truth. As long as she reflects on this and becomes more composed, it will be harder for you to win against her in the future."
Ding Linlang nodded in agreement and acceptance.
Qian Quan turned to Ding Linlang with a smile and said, "You're just nodding and agreeing so readily."
"I think Mr. Qian is right." Ding Linlang replied matter-of-factly.
"All right, let's not talk much. Let's prove ourselves on the chessboard."
"I'm not afraid of you."
Back at home, the two immediately set up the chessboard and began their match. Mr. Qian sat beside them, watching.
"Ladies first, you may go ahead." Qian Quan gentlemanly offered.
Ding Linlang didn't refuse and initiated a frontal cannon move.
Due to their deep familiarity with each other's playing styles and strategies, the opening moves were made quickly. After about ten steps, Qian Quan gradually slowed down, and Ding Linlang's expression grew more serious.
By the thirtieth move, Qian Quan leaned back slightly and glanced at Ding Linlang, who seemed to be immersed in the chessboard, focusing to the point of being oblivious.
Mr. Qian, who had silently observed the game, smiled slightly and stood up to make some tea.
"I concede." After observing the board intently for nearly a minute, Ding Linlang resigned, setting the pieces back in place.
Qian Quan silently arranged the pieces.
"Linlang, play a bit more conservatively." Mr. Qian, having finished his tea, offered a piece of advice.
"Sure." Ding Linlang nodded.
The game resumed.
After another ten moves or so, Qian Quan suddenly exclaimed in frustration, making a mistaken move.
"You can take a step back." Ding Linlang's expression turned serious.
"I don't regret my moves. Let's continue."
Taking advantage, Ding Linlang launched a full-scale attack.
Qian Quan defended for a few moves, seizing the opportunity to exchange pieces.
After a fierce battle, Qian Quan declared, "Checkmate."
Ding Linlang remained silent.
Immediately, Qian Quan used his "rook" to capture Ding Linlang's "knight" and "cannon".
Thus, Ding Linlang was left with only one "rook", while Qian Quan still had both his "guards" and "elephants".
There's a classic knowledge in Chinese chess: a single rook is challenging to defeat when facing two guards and two elephants.
The game ended in a draw.
In the third game, both of them slowed down considerably, especially during the endgame, taking their time for every move.
Ding Linlang's brows furrowed, while Qian Quan subconsciously clenched his left fist.
Even Mr. Qian, usually composed, showed a rare contemplative expression as he watched.
After a few more moves, Mr. Qian chuckled and said, "Linlang wins."
Ding Linlang looked up and asked Qian Quan, "You didn't let me win, did you?"
"Don't be arrogant. We're currently tied." Qian Quan responded cheekily.
Ding Linlang smiled in response.
Mr. Qian then said, "I'm itching to play a game now. Who's up for the challenge?"
Naturally, Ding Linlang didn't hesitate to accept the challenge against a formidable opponent.
And so, she lost the first two matches.
In the third match, Qian Quan played with Mr. Qian, and he managed to hold out for about twenty moves.
"Mr. Qian, I noticed you used different opening moves each game. Is there a particular reason?" Ding Linlang curiously inquired.
"I'm trying out new pathways from the Chinese chess books I acquired today. I'm not very familiar with them yet. Otherwise, you both would have lost even faster."
Ding Linlang and Qian Quan were speechless.
Qian Quan asked, "So, Dad, when you played with us earlier, how did you position and strategize?"
Mr. Qian waved his hand, chuckling, "When playing against you, I don't need to go to such lengths. It's enough to play casually. Those strategies are only necessary when facing opponents of equal or higher skill levels."
Qian Quan thought, "I should tell Mom the next time Dad hides the money."
Ding Linlang laughed and said, "Mr. Qian, I'd like to see the Chinese chess book you bought."
Mr. Qian handed the book to Ding Linlang, saying, "Qian Quan's mom will be back from work soon. I'll cook. Why not have lunch here?"
"Okay."
"You can certainly study the Chinese chess books, but remember one thing: chess pathways are fixed, but opponents are dynamic." Before heading to the kitchen, Mr. Qian offered a final piece of advice to both of them.
Ding Linlang and Qian Quan began studying the Chinese chess book. They sat side by side, their shoulders touching, their heads close together, their interactions reminiscent of an intimate conversation.
After a while, Qian Quan's mother returned from work. Seeing the scene, she immediately smiled warmly, "Linlang."
Ding Linlang stood up and greeted, "Mrs. Qian." Qian Quan's mother continued, "Don't mind me, continue what you were doing. I'll head to the kitchen to help."
Lunch was served quickly, consisting of four dishes and a soup.
Pork Stew, Baked Eggs, Cucumber Salad, Braised Sea Bass, and Corn and Pork Rib Chowder.
Ding Linlang had eaten countless meals at the Qian Quan's home, and she had developed a sense of being right at home.
The four of them chatted and ate, creating a joyful and harmonious atmosphere.
"Our Chinese chess club is considering registering for the city-wide Chinese chess tournament. I'm still unsure whether I should participate." Mr. Qian, who had spent 1,000 on a Chinese chess book, needed a logical reason.
"You're hesitant despite spending so much money on chess books?" Mrs. Qian challenged her husband.
"I did buy it, but I haven't fully studied it yet. After all, the tournament held by the city offers significant prize money. The competition is fierce." Mr. Qian responded.
Upon hearing this, Qian Quan paused and asked, "How significant is the prize money?"
"First place gets 100,000, second place receives 50,000, and third place gets 30,000."
Quickly calculating in his mind, even if his dad secured the third place, the system's reward that would eventually come his way would be... 300,000?
"My suggestion is that you participate." Qian Quan responded after a brief pause, earnestly presenting his advice, "The prize money isn't the main point. It's that you can use the tournament to consolidate your understanding of the new Chinese chess book you purchased."
Ding Linlang's movements paused. She tilted her head and looked at Qian Quan, seeing right through him, "You just want Mr. Qian to win the prize money."
Qian Quan retorted, "How vulgar! Can't you separate these refined matters from money?"
"Tsk, when Mr. Qian mentioned the prize money, your utensils even shook a bit. Don't think I didn't notice."
"Ahh, was I that obvious?" Qian Quan dropped the pretense.
The dining table was filled with a warm and cheerful atmosphere.
"Linlang, when you go to college, you can grow your hair out. Think about how you used to tie your hair into braids, looking like a little fairy." Qian Quan's mother brought up Ding Linlang's short hair.
Ding Linlang smiled, "Mrs. Qian, don't worry. When the time is right, I'll grow it out."
Mr. Qian chimed in, "Speaking of college, I'll add a few words. Both Rocky and Linlang, when you enter college, don't slack off. The idea that 'high school is hard for three years, college is easy for four years' is absolutely a misconception and misleading!"
"Your performance in high school only determines which college you can attend. It's your performance in college that ultimately decides how you'll enter society."
Ding Linlang nodded in agreement.
Qian Quan also affirmed with a serious "yes" and added, "Learning doesn't stop with age. In fact, not only in college but also when you enter the workforce in society, you mustn't abandon learning. You must continuously strive for improvement!"
"Whether it's at 30 or 40 years old, you should never let go of the ability to learn independently. You should keep up with the times, bravely seize every opportunity to challenge yourself, and enhance your skills!"
As his words hung in the air, his parents, along with Ding Linlang, looked at Qian Quan in astonishment.
Especially Mr. Qian, who was approaching middle age, had a suspicion arise in his mind, "Does he have something hidden in his words?"
