Several days later, cries of amazement rang out in the classroom of the children's Chess Club on the third floor of Wushi City's southern district administrative center, followed by the teacher's praise and the children's innocent, sincere, thunderous applause.
Under the children's envious gazes, the teacher escorted Jing Jiu out of the classroom.
He looked around but did not see that familiar figure, and felt a little disappointed.
"Teacher Eve went to conduct a community survey," the teacher said with a smile, knowing whom he was looking for.
Jing Jiu bowed politely to the teacher, picked up Flower Creek from the waiting area, and took the subway home with her.
The advertising signs outside the subway windows had gone dark. The passengers quietly discussed what products might replace them tomorrow.
The blockade had lasted too long, and the economy was naturally depressed. Apart from daily necessities, only a very small number of products were still being manufactured and sold. The subway's advertising signs changed far less frequently, and even an occasional replacement had become news the residents cared about.
Flower Creek looked at Jing Jiu with wide eyes. "Big brother, did you win?"
Jing Jiu nodded.
Flower Creek's eyes widened further. "You're amazing, big brother."
The corners of Jing Jiu's lips slowly rose. With a faint hint of pride, he said, "The teacher said I was amazing, too."
He really was in a good mood, not because he no longer needed special board-game training or to take beatings, but because he liked the feeling of winning very much.
Even though he knew nothing now, he still had a powerful yearning for that feeling.
Back home at 720 Household, he sat by the window and began playing the piano, a smile still lingering on his lips. For the first time, the