Enrolling

It was eerily quiet in the room. No one greeted Mei Lin and Su Lin as they walked in. The boys poring over the green and white chess boards weren't making any noise either. Mei Lin looked around and finally spotted a middle-aged man in a dark brown changshan with golden embroidery. He had a head of black hair with long bangs and large thick glasses that obscured his face. As soon as Mei walked towards him, he motioned with his hand to follow him to a smaller side room.

"I am Gao Han, the instructor here," the man introduced himself. "Are you here to enroll your child?"

"This is my daughter, Su Lin. I don't know anything about chess. I am not sure if she is talented in this field. If you teach her, can she play in tournaments? Can she win?" Mei Lin asked.

"This I do not know. Talent matters, but also how much effort she is putting in. Girls don't usually like to play chess. It's too boring for them to sit quietly for several hours," Gao Han explained.

"I understand. She will enroll," Mei Lin decided. Even though she was worried about the club fees as well as Su Lin's talent, she wanted to give it a try.

Just like that Su Lin was signed-up for the chess academy. She still had about a year before she turned six and enrolled in primary school, so there was time to explore. Chess classes were offered formally during the weekends, but one could also come during weekdays just to play with others. Of course, her mother couldn't take her to the academy on weekdays due to work, so she exhorted Su Lin to remember the path from the club to their home.

The next morning, a small figure could be seen walking out of an apartment all alone with a somber look on her face. Su Lin had chubby cheeks with baby fat, large brown eyes and short dark curly hair. Wearing a cute tangerine dress with persimmon motif, she looked like a doll. The grave look did not suit her face at all. But Su Lin was told to put all her efforts into this "chess" thing, and she wanted to do so. She wanted her mother to smile and praise her for doing well. That's why running on her short legs, she quickly made way to the academy.