A Full-Effort Match

The afternoon classes concluded, and with the ringing of the final bell, it was finally time to go home.

The physics teacher on the podium kept them for a while longer. After assigning homework, he finally left the classroom, carrying a thick stack of graded papers.

As soon as the physics teacher left, the classroom instantly erupted into a clamor.

"Wanna go online?"

Zhang Wenbo, as usual, came over to drag people to the internet cafe for a gaming session.

"Let's go! Today, I'll dominate!"

Zhou De immediately agreed, then turned to Yu Shao and said, "Old Yu, you coming?"

"I'm afraid I can't make it this time."

Yu Shao shook his head, a hint of helplessness in his voice. "The principal wants me to represent the school in this year's high school Go league. From now on, I have to go to the activity room to practice and study games every day after school."

Yu Shao was actually quite resistant to the idea of going to the activity room to practice every day after school, as he felt it was meaningless.

However, since the principal had already spoken, he couldn't very well refuse, as it would make him seem too unconventional.

But to Yu Shao's surprise, he found that deep down, he wasn't actually resistant to participating in the Go league, even though it wouldn't pose much of a challenge for him.

Perhaps he was just used to competing on the battlefield from his past life?

"You're participating in this year's Go league?"

Zhou De was initially surprised, then a look of schadenfreude spread across his face, and he chuckled, "Serves you right! Let's celebrate! You secretly learned Go to show off, and now you're getting what you deserve!"

Yu Shao glanced at Zhou De and said, "Xu Ziqin is also participating."

"Damn it!"

Zhou De was so angered that he immediately started cursing. "You're really asking for it!"

"Alright, I have to go."

Yu Shao found it amusing. He quickly packed his schoolbag, waved goodbye to Zhou De, and left the classroom.

"Old Zhou, if Old Yu can't make it, then forget it. Let's go, we're going to rank up today," Zhang Wenbo said to Zhou De, seeing that Yu Shao genuinely couldn't go.

"I'm not going!"

Zhou De waved his hand, gritted his teeth, and said, "You guys go ahead."

Zhang Wenbo was stunned and quickly asked, "Old Zhou, you're not joking, are you? Didn't you just say you were going?"

"Do I look like I'm joking?"

Zhou De made a solemn vow, "I've changed my mind. I'm going to play Go too. I, Zhou De, will also defy fate!"

Meanwhile, Yu Shao quickly arrived at the door of the activity room with his schoolbag and pushed the door open to enter.

Inside the activity room, Xu Ziqin and Zhong Yufei had already arrived. Wang Rui and the other two seemed to have been waiting for a long time.

Seeing Yu Shao push the door open and walk in, all eyes immediately turned to him.

"Sorry, the teacher kept us late. I'm a bit behind schedule."

Noticing he was the last to arrive, Yu Shao offered a brief explanation.

"It's okay, we're just glad you're here,"

Wang Rui shook his head, stood up, and got straight to the point. "Since everyone is here, let's not waste any more time. Let's play."

With that, Wang Rui walked to a Go table first. A Go board was already set up on the table, with the Go boxes placed on either side.

Wang Rui pulled out a chair and sat down. He then looked at Yu Shao and slowly exhaled, saying, "I'll play you."

Yu Shao nodded, put down his schoolbag, walked to the opposite side of Wang Rui, pulled out a chair, and sat down.

On the other side, Xu Ziqin and Zhong Yufei also quickly sat down opposite their respective opponents.

Although the game had not yet begun, the air was inexplicably filled with a tense and heavy atmosphere.

Wang Rui silently opened the Go box and grabbed a handful of white stones.

Seeing this, Yu Shao also reached into the Go box and grabbed a few black stones.

Wang Rui released his hand, and the stones fell, making soft clicking sounds on the board.

"Two, four, six, seven. Seven stones. An odd number."

Wang Rui counted the stones and looked up, speaking.

Yu Shao released his hand. In his palm were two black stones. An even number.

This meant that Yu Shao would play white, and Wang Rui, playing black, would go first.

"I'll play black."

Seeing the two black stones in Yu Shao's palm, Wang Rui said, then began tidying up the black stones on the board. Yu Shao also put the white stones back into the Go box.

"I'll give it my all. I hope you will too."

At this moment, Wang Rui suddenly spoke.

Hearing this, Yu Shao couldn't help but be slightly taken aback.

He hadn't really intended to play this game seriously. After all, he knew his own strength well. Without even going all out, he could probably win quite easily with just casual play.

However, when Yu Shao saw the fighting spirit in Wang Rui's eyes, he fell silent.

From the wheel battle that morning, Wang Rui had already seen the gap between them. But even so, he had still chosen to challenge Yu Shao.

So, it wasn't that he didn't know the difference between them. In fact, it was quite the opposite; he was very aware of the gap. But he actually didn't want Yu Shao to hold back at all, even if it meant he would lose badly.

He wanted to play a game where both sides went all out.

"I understand."

Yu Shao finally nodded and said, "I'll play seriously."

Upon hearing this, Wang Rui took a deep breath, then bowed his head to Yu Shao and said, "Please guide me."

"Please guide me."

Yu Shao immediately returned the gesture.

Wang Rui reached into the Go box but didn't place a stone immediately. Instead, he closed his eyes.

He's contemplating his first move?

Yu Shao was slightly surprised but didn't urge him. He sat opposite Wang Rui, quietly waiting for Black to make a move.

Wang Rui closed his eyes, recalling every move Yu Shao had made during the previous wheel battle.

Even recalling it now, every move Black had made still brought him unparalleled shock and pressure!

"He's strong... undeniably strong, especially his understanding of the game, which is far beyond mine."

"Last year, I suffered a crushing defeat in a competition. I've put in so much effort for this year's Go League... Even though he's strong, I have to win!"

"If it's just about Go skill, then I'm unlikely to be his opponent. So, how can I play to win?"

After a full two minutes, Wang Rui finally opened his eyes.

His eyes sparkled as he reached into the Go box and picked up a stone.

Then, with his wrist held high, he placed the stone down heavily!

Clack!

On the 16th file, 4th row, a Star Point!

Yu Shao remained silent, then also picked up a stone from the Go box and placed it down gently.

On the 4th file, 4th row, a Star Point!

Wang Rui followed suit, picking up a Black stone and placing it down.

On the 17th file, 16th row, a Mokuhou.

"Mokuhou?"

Looking at the Black stone on the board, Yu Shao pondered for two seconds before continuing to place his stone.

On the 4th file, 17th row, a Mokuhou.

"Creak."

Just then, the door to the activity room was gently pushed open, and Chen Jiaming, wearing gold-rimmed glasses, walked in.

Upon seeing the six people engaged in their games, Chen Jiaming couldn't help but be slightly surprised. Then, without saying a word, he quietly walked behind everyone and began observing the three games.

To my esteemed readers, a follow-up is the greatest support for an author. Of course, if you could also contribute some data, that would be even better. This little author thanks you!