The pavilion beside the pond.
The autumn breeze was mild.
The fragrance of osmanthus filled Chunhe Garden.
Bright sunlight fell over Chen Yi as he lounged lazily in his rocking chair, swaying back and forth.
On the board beside him, black and white stones interlaced in a game formation called "Killing Three Warriors with Two Peaches."
The white stones seemed beyond saving, yet openings for survival remained along the edges and corners, allowing them to nibble away at the black stones forming the Great Dragon Momentum.
Unhurriedly, Chen Yi placed a white stone, "killing" three black stones, then placed a black stone and picked two white stones off the board, tossing them into their container.
Xiao Die sat beside him with her chin in her hands, watching him play against himself without blinking.
She could not see the fun in it, yet she watched with relish all the same.
Perhaps she could sense Chen Yi's mood at that moment, which made her relax for no particular reason.
"Sir, how long will we be staying in Tonglin Town?"
Chen Yi was about to answer when the stone in his hand paused. Turning toward her, he said seriously, "When we go to Tonglin Town this time, would you stay behind in Chunhe Garden?"
Xiao Die gasped and hurriedly stood, looking at him helplessly, her eyes already a little damp.
"S-sir, y-you aren't taking Xiao Die along?"
"Did Xiao Die do something badly and displease you?"
"Sir, I, I-"
Seeing her grow anxious, Chen Yi laughed without a care and said with a smile, "I have something important for you to do."
Xiao Die immediately sighed with relief. Seeing his half-smile, she could not help feeling she had overreacted.
Lowering her head, she said bashfully, "Well, you brought it up so suddenly, sir.