Chapter 286: Life as a Chess Game

In the early morning of Yan Capital, within a large suburban mansion adjacent to an outer province, the courtyard, designed in an ancient style, was adorned with abundant trees and flowers. Despite the dry climate and extremely low temperatures, the vast pines and cypresses remained lush. Two snow-white plum blossoms stood proudly against the wind, emitting a refreshing fragrance that filled the entire courtyard.

On a stone table in the courtyard, a large square Go board was intricately carved, with black and white stones scattered sparsely across it. A purple clay teapot sat in a corner, emitting wisps of white vapor from its spout.

Around the courtyard, in hidden corners, stood several tall figures silently keeping watch.

At this moment, an elderly man dressed in an old-fashioned black cotton coat and pants emerged from among a few pine trees. His hair was gray-white, and he had some age spots on his face. Despite his slightly diminutive stature, his features were strikingly handsome. He bent over, holding a small shovel in one hand and a few uprooted yellowed weeds in the other. His appearance was somewhat disheveled with dust.

The old man placed the shovel by the table and spread the weeds under a young golden pine sapling before sitting back on the stone bench. He picked up the purple clay teapot and drank several large gulps directly from its spout.

After finishing the tea quickly, he picked up a kettle of hot water from nearby and brewed another cup for himself. Then, he turned his attention to the remaining game on the Go board, contemplating deeply.

A kind-hearted elderly woman in a thick gray fabric blouse, with gray temples and slightly drooping cheeks, entered the courtyard through the pathway and approached the stone table with a smile. She bowed respectfully and said, "Sir, Yang Siling has returned and is waiting outside to see you."

The old man leisurely picked up a white stone, raised it, and suddenly dropped it onto the board with a loud "snap." The situation of the black stones on the board was now perilous.

Only then did the old man turn his head slowly and said in a calm voice, "Let him in."

"Yes," the elderly woman walked away slowly.

Before long, a tall and burly man dressed in dark green military uniform with the insignia of a commanding general stepped into the courtyard. His face was chiseled and handsome. Upon seeing the old man, he immediately straightened up and exuded profound respect. He was Yang Pojun.

"Father, I'm here," Yang Pojun bowed respectfully to the old man and spoke respectfully.

The old man waved at him, "Pojun, come sit. Help me see if this black group still has any way out."

Yang Pojun nodded in acknowledgment, without further ado. He straightened his back and sat on the chair opposite the old man. After carefully examining the board for a moment, he furrowed his brows in thought and finally said, "The black group has reached a dead end. There's no way out."

"Is that so?" The old man nodded, neither affirming nor denying. He lifted his head and gave Yang Pojun a faint smile. The two streaks of gray-white beard on his face trembled slightly. "It must have been exhausting rushing back here from the Southern Defense District overnight."

"Not at all tired. I only regret not being able to be by Father's side more often," Yang Pojun replied earnestly.

"Hehe," the old man chuckled, seeming content. "In my life, Yang Gongming, I have you and Jieyu—my son and daughter. Jieyu married into Zhonghai, and my only son is stationed in the Southern Defense District. To outsiders, I may seem like a lonely old man."

Yang Pojun frowned slightly, his expression tinged with helplessness. "Father, the elections are coming up soon. I am confident I have more than an eighty percent chance of returning to Yan Capital. By then, I'll be able to spend more time with you. Also, Lier can come back here to keep you company."

Yang Gongming seemed to recall something. "I heard that there are many envious eyes on the Vice Chairman position you're competing for in the military. If there's anything difficult for you, you can talk to me about it. I don't have many years left in this world. You've reached where you are today mostly by your own efforts, but while I'm still clear-minded, let me help you a bit more."

Yang Pojun suddenly looked up. "Father, please don't say that. You're healthy and vigorous. You have plenty of time ahead of you."

"Birth, old age, sickness, and death are the natural cycle of life. Children grow up, and parents grow old. When children can take care of their parents, it means the parents are nearing the end of their lives. I, Yang Gongming, have lived a far more splendid and fulfilling life than most people. There's nothing much to worry about."

"Father..."

"Pojun," Yang Gongming interrupted, "since you were young, you've been more steady and responsible than your peers, able to see the big picture, handle matters cleanly, and make wise decisions. Even among your peers with more affluent family backgrounds, they can only follow behind. With your abilities, you can step into the core power circle of Yanxia with just one step. Having a son like you has always been my pride and the glory of our Yang family."

"I owe it all to your father's legacy; otherwise, I wouldn't be where I am today," Yang Pojun said.

Yang Gongming didn't deny it. He picked up the purple clay teapot, took a sip of tea, then continued, "It's true that I've given you a legacy, but I could only do so with your cooperation."

Yang Pojun paused, not understanding what Yang Gongming meant by this.

A bitter smile crossed Yang Gongming's lips as he retrieved a rolled-up piece of paper from his sleeve and placed it in front of Yang Pojun.

A sense of unease washed over Yang Pojun as he took the paper and unfolded it to glance at its contents.

With just one look, Yang Pojun's face turned pale.

"Father! How... how could this..." Yang Pojun's face was ashen, his eyes filled with shock.

The document turned out to be a DNA test report. Someone had secretly obtained DNA samples from both Yang Chen and Yang Pojun, conducted a test, and the results were unequivocal.

Yang Gongming sighed. "There's no need to be surprised. In fact, I knew about the existence of that child when you and your wife secretly gave birth to him and sent him away all those years ago."

Those words hit Yang Pojun like a thunderbolt. "Then why, Father? Why did you...?"

Yang Gongming smiled bitterly. "Back then, it coincided with a critical juncture in my competition for a seat in the Political Bureau. If I had succeeded, our Yang family would have securely entered the top ranks of Yan Capital's elite families. If I had failed, I couldn't guarantee the safety of our whole family. The fact that you and your wife had a child out of wedlock was scandalous even by today's standards within our circles. When you decided to send the child away, I was deeply reluctant, but I had to consider the entire family's interests. I had to endure the pain and pretend not to know. I never imagined that you wouldn't be able to find that child again."

Yang Pojun's face alternated between red and pale. He had thought that only he and his wife knew about this matter. Now, he realized his father had been carrying this secret all along, pretending not to know.

"Pojun, if this matter were in an ordinary family, you and your wife wouldn't have faced any problems with that child. He would have been cherished as a family treasure, and you wouldn't have had to abandon him," Yang Gongming said, his face pained. "But being born into a family like ours has made things difficult for you both. However, since you couldn't bear to terminate the pregnancy back then, there's no reason now to refuse to find that child. Even if this casts a shadow over our Yang family because of that child, it won't lead to our family being swallowed up by others as it might have years ago. Under these circumstances, we have no reason to continue pretending not to know, letting our own flesh and blood wander outside. This is not something our Yang family should do."

Yang Pojun's expression shifted several times as he asked, "Father, who delivered this DNA report?"

Yang Gongming sighed. "It was Lin Zhiguo, the head of the Lin family."

"Lin family's Lin Zhiguo," Yang Pojun's face darkened slightly. "Lin Zhiguo is just a deputy in the State Security, without substantial military power. How dare he interfere in our Yang family's private affairs? Could it be that he intends to use this matter to undermine my prestige in the military and our Yang family's position, to help another family rise?"

Furrowing his brow, Yang Gongming replied, "Pojun, although Lin Zhiguo is only a deputy, you must not underestimate him. The Lin family is not as simple as it appears on the surface. However, until you enter that circle, you won't know Lin Zhiguo's true identity. You must treat Lin Zhiguo with respect due to his seniority. This is my warning to you!"

Rarely had his retired father spoken with such seriousness. Yang Pojun immediately acknowledged, though he was filled with curiosity. If Lin Zhiguo wasn't just a deputy, then what was he?

After a moment of silence, Yang Pojun continued, "Father, since you have already revealed this matter and wish for that person to return to the Yang family, as your son, I have no reason to refuse. However, you know that my election day is approaching. I hope to wait until after the election to approach that person and explain this matter."

Yang Gongming's eyes held a hint of disappointment, but he nodded slightly. "I'm already of grandparent age. You're the child's father, so since this is your decision, I shouldn't say much. This family will eventually pass into your hands. I just hope you will treat that child well. Though I don't know how he will grow up, I imagine it won't be easy."

"I understand, Father." Yang Pojun stood up. "If there's nothing else, I'd like to return to the army."

"Go ahead. You've already been delayed enough," Yang Gongming waved his hand.

After Yang Pojun left, the elderly woman returned with a smile, saying to Yang Gongming, "Master, the matter you asked me to investigate is clear now. Young Master Chen is indeed married, and his wife happens to be General Lin Zhiguo's granddaughter, though not from the main lineage."

"I see. That explains it," Yang Gongming nodded.

Still smiling, the old woman continued, "Anyway, regardless of the circumstances, Young Master Chen's return is a joyous occasion for our Yang family. I wonder how Young Master Lie will react upon knowing he has an elder brother. The Madam must be overjoyed, after all these years her lost son has returned."

Yang Gongming picked up a black piece and sighed, "Life is like a chess game, full of unpredictable turns."

"Snap!" The black piece landed, and on the chessboard, the black piece that had been sent to the Silk Road suddenly came alive, countering and devouring the white piece!