So, after all these years, the Frog God was delighted to finally be playing a human at chess again.
It didn't mind Old Master Xiao's chess skills.
It had plenty of patience.
Besides, he was Lord Xiao Xiao's grandfather.
It had no patience for other people, but it would never lose patience with Lord Xiao Xiao's grandfather.
Old Master Xiao slowly let out a breath.
He'd lost.
Just as expected.
He was used to losing by now.
After all, his opponent was far too good.
Old Master Xiao grinned.
"I lost."
"But I feel like I'm in great form today."
"Come on, let's play another round."
Strike while the iron was hot...
"Grandpa."
Xiao Xiao spoke up at just the right moment.
"Huh?"
Old Master Xiao jumped.
He whipped around.
"Xiao Xiao!?"
The old man's eyes widened.
"When did you get here?"
"I've been here for a while."
Xiao Xiao smiled.
"Ah."
The old man stood up.
"You should've said something, kid."
"You were playing chess."
Xiao Xiao's lips curved.
"And I didn't have to wait long."
"What brings you home today?"
The old man smiled warmly.
Seeing his grandson always made him happy.
He couldn't keep the smile off his face.
"It's not even a holiday."
"Did something happen?"
The old man wondered.
"I brought you this."
Xiao Xiao took a chess manual from the bag in his hand.
He passed it to the old man.
"I found it in a bookstore."
The old man accepted the book.
He took a closer look and realized it was a chess manual. His eyes lit up at once.
He ran a hand over its timeworn cover.
The slightly rough texture made his eyes shine even brighter.
"I don't have this one."