On the way, Xiao Xiao gave the Plum Blossom Woman, who had appeared, a slight nod.
She curtseyed, then slowly drifted backward, blending into the White Plum Blossom until she disappeared.
"Come, play a game of chess with Grandpa."
Grandpa Xiao said with a smile.
"Let me see how your chess skills are these days."
Then the old man muttered under his breath, "I'm always getting crushed by the Frog God. I need to play someone else and lift my spirits."
Xiao Xiao: ...
So his own grandpa was using him to restore his confidence?
Xiao Xiao shook his head with an amused smile.
Xiao Xiao sat down opposite Grandpa Xiao and smiled at the Frog God on the stone table.
Bo Bo was there too.
He remembered that he still owed Bo Bo a game of chess.
Madam Xiao was clearing away the table used by the guests who had just left.
A sudden shaft of light made her look toward the entrance.
A young man pushed open the door and walked into the teahouse.
He looked about a year or two older than her son.
Madam Xiao wiped her hands and went over to greet him.
"Welcome."
The young man seemed startled by her. His face jerked up, and a look of alarm flickered across it.
"I'm sorry."
Madam Xiao smiled apologetically, her voice growing even softer.
A teahouse was supposed to be a quiet, peaceful place.
She was used to speaking softly, too.
A guest startled by her... This was the first time she'd ever encountered one.
Madam Xiao discreetly sized up the young man before her.
He had terrible dark circles.
And he looked utterly exhausted.
Had he not been sleeping well lately?
"No, no..."
The young man waved his hands