Li Yan was 14 and Li Xuanyu had taught him Chinese chess for close to ten years, with nothing getting through, not even the basics. While Li Mo, at three years old he could hold his own in a match against Li Xuanyu. At 5, he was a chess genius, almost getting to beat Li Xuanyu.
Regarding behavior, Li Xuanyu wasn’t brash and obnoxious like Li Yan, taking after his parents in this and treating everyone with respect. One could say that Li Xuanyu was the most thrilled to have Li Mo back.
Who wouldn’t like such a bright grandson? When Shui Tingyun was driven to suicide and Li Mo left, Li Shili claimed that Shui Tingyun ran off with Li Mo. Since then, Li Xuanyu never got to see Li Mo again.
Li Xuanyu sent many to search for them, but they were all blocked by Li Shili. Of the whole household, only servant Li Zeng and Li Shizhong knew Li Mo’s location but they were also suffering and couldn’t gather the nerve to tell Li Xuanyu the truth.
Over the years, Li Xuanyu was starting to think he would never see Li Mo again. How could he not burst into tears when seeing him now?
Tears flowed down like a river as Li Mo held him and roamed his spiritual qi to protect his aged body, in fear his strong emotions might cause harm to his body.
Li Xuanyu cried for a long time before slowly regaining calm. Li Yan at the side wailed even louder seeing this.
He did manage to get Li Xuanyu’s attention, who said with a harsh face, “Leave, I have much to talk with your brother.”
Li Yan blinked, finding his grandfather unlike his usual self. Usually, when Li Yan bawled a bit, he’d handle everything.
Li Yan cried harder, “Grandpa, I am your grandson too. Li Mo hit me, so why don’t you even ask why?”
“I was about to! Now leave!”
Li Yan had no choice but to go.
“And you.”
Li Shizhong tactfully left.
“Where have you and your mother gone all these years? Why haven’t you ever come back? What of your mother?”
Li Mo spoke in a deep tone, “Grandpa, I will tell you all after your birthday celebration.”
Li Xuanyu frowned.
“Alright, let’s not talk about this and come play chess with grandpa. Do you still know how to?”
“I do.” Li Mo sat before the chessboard.
“Good!” Li Xuanyu relaxed.
Li Yan eavesdropped from outside, but not once did he hear any rebuke from Li Xuanyu directed at Li Mo.
“Come, what are you doing listening?” Li Shizhong pulled him away.
“Grandpa is biased. I was hit but he doesn’t even care!”
“Of course he’s biased. Who in this household doesn’t know? Not only you, but not even your dad can lift a finger at Li Mo with grandfather around.”
“I’m his grandson too! So why is he so biased?”
“I don’t know either. Come, I will take you to see some goldfish.”
“I don’t want to.”
“Then we’ll watch lotuses.”
“I don’t…”
Li Shizhong didn’t let Li Yan say anymore as he dragged him around.
In the room, Li Xuanyu and Li Mo were locked in a tight battle. Ten years ago, Li Mo was only a beginner. His gaming talent was average, but at chess, he was ace. Once he got on the internet, he played against others constantly, and increased his skill slowly.
In the first match, Li Xuanyu lost.
“Nice, kid. Again!”
In the second match, Li Xuanyu lost again.
“Not bad, kid. Again!”
The third match, Li Xuanyu lost yet again.
“Ah, I just can’t believe it. Again!”
The fourth match came and went, but Li Xuanyu still lost.
Fifth…
Sixth…
Bang!
Just when Li Xuanyu felt depressed, a beautiful woman in her thirties burst in, with Li Yan at her back.
She was Ning Baihe.
Li Xuanyu’s mood soured, “What are you doing?”
“Dad, is Li Yan your grandson?”
Li Xuanyu stopped playing and asked, “What are you trying to say?”
“Li Yan, your grandson you see every day, got beat up by your other grandson who you didn’t see for ten years. And you don’t even question it? It’s fine to be biased, but I’ve never seen you go so far!”
Li Xuanyu’s face was a hint rosy.
“You are partial, but my son suffered and I have to make it right!” Ning Baihe pulled her sleeves and stormed at Li Mo. It was clear she wanted to slap him.
“Don’t make trouble!” Li Xuanyu slammed the chess piece down, making Ning Baihe jerk to a stop.
“You say I’m biased. Fine, let me tell you. I am indeed biased but for a good reason. Do you know of your son’s conduct?
“No? Then let us ask. Why did Li Mo hit him? Li Yan, say it!”
Li Xuanyu had a stony face, scaring Li Yan from speaking a word.
“Yan’er, go ahead. Don’t be afraid, mother is here!”
“T-that time Li Mo just went and slapped me. I asked brother why. He said because you… I-I also don’t know why he hit me. I never did anything to him.” Li Yan played the victim.
“Dad, did you hear? Look what your good grandson had done!
“As a senior, you must be fair and not play favorites. He hit my son without rime or reason so my son must hit back. Yan’er go and slap him as hard as you can!”
“Ah?!” Li Yan jolted and reeled a step.
He was far from having the nerve to hit Li Mo.
“Look what your good eldest grandson did. Yan’er is so shy and he scared him. It may as well even affect his future. How can he be such a bully?” Ning Baihe was on the verge of tears, taking a handkerchief blew in it.
Li Xuanyu scowled. He could handle Ning Baihe playing tough, but her crying and bickering left him stumped.
“This is the difference between living outside and in the clan. Having never been educated, he grew up to be a thug.”
A white-faced middle-aged man and bearing some resemblance with Ning Baihe walked inside.
At his sight, Ning Baihe wailed harder.
He was her cousin, Zhang Peng. They’ve always been close since little and so he had been staying in the Li household.
Li Xuanyu and Ning Baihe were polite in their conversation, but now that Zhang Peng showed, Li Xuanyu’s face was a mask of rage, “Who do you think you are? This is a clan’s matter, an outsider has no right to butt in! Leave!”
“Grand-sir Li, I may be an outsider but I am still Yan’er’s uncle. Is it wrong to seek justice for my nephew?”
“Get the hell out!” Zhang Peng stomped and left.
“Little Mo, tell the truth. I will handle it for you!”
Ning Baihe kept on and on with her act and Li Xuanyu chose to not waste time with her.
Li Mo stood, “He called me a son of a bitch. Leaving him with his life is kindness enough.”
Li Xuanyu glowered at Li Yan.
“No, I didn’t, never! Mom, tell grandpa that I didn’t.” Li Yan lied and gesticulated fervently.
While Li Mo was calm, Li Yan was in a panic. How could Li Xuanyu not see who was lying here?
Li Xuanyu took out the whip on the wall with a grimace and walked to Li Yan.
“Stick out your hands!”
“M-mom.” Li Yan was terrified. He once got a taste of Li Xuanyu’s whip when he was younger and it hurt so much for over a month that he couldn’t use them to even eat.
“So what if Yan’er said it? Children talk nonsense all the time. Li Mo slapped my son till his face is all swollen. Thinking carefully, it is my son who suffered. Dad, you can be partial, but do you have to go that far?”
Ning Baihe stood in front of Li Yan.
Li Xuanyu said, “Men!”
Two servants entered.
“Take Ning Baihe out.”
The two pulled the lady away whose struggle and crying fell on deaf ears.
Li Yan stuck out his hands in tears, real tears this time. With sniffing and everything.
Bang!
Bang!
Bang!
Bang!
Li Xuanyu’s every lash cracked with all his strength and assaulting Li Yan with such pain that made him shriek each time…
