"I can't feel a thing."
"When I was holding the pieces just now, they felt exactly the same as when I wasn't wearing gloves."
"I even wondered if I was wearing gloves at all."
Grandpa Xiao felt the chess pieces again, then made a motion as if holding one between his index and middle fingers.
The complete lack of obstruction left him utterly incredulous.
"These gloves..."
Grandpa Xiao smacked his lips, at a loss for how to describe his feelings.
"...They're incredible."
"But—"
Grandpa Xiao carefully took off the glove and was about to hand it to Xiao Xiao. "I'd better put away such precious gloves."
"Or you could keep them for yourself, Xiao Xiao."
"It'd be a waste to give them to me."
"It's not a waste."
Xiao Xiao didn't look at the glove his grandfather was holding out to him. "Grandpa, if you want to play chess in the courtyard, just wear the gloves."
"Or you can play indoors."
"Otherwise, you might lose your chess partner."
The old man was taken aback by Xiao Xiao's words, then laughed and scolded him. "You little rascal, threatening your own grandfather now?"
"Fine. Since you care so much about atmosphere, wear the gloves and play chess under the white plum tree in the courtyard."
Madam Xiao rolled her eyes at Grandpa Xiao. "Why be so polite with your own grandson?"
"Don't be so fussy."
Grandpa Xiao: ...
"Just be careful when you use them, old man. Don't be clumsy and tear the gloves."
Madam Xiao cautioned him again and again. "These gloves are very precious."
She didn't believe Xiao Xiao when he said they were "no big deal."
"It'd be such a shame if they got damaged."
"I know."
Grandpa Xiao replied with deep understanding.
"I've always been