Chapter 554: Barely Assured

Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations

Realizing Chu Xuyao had gone to fetch juice, everyone smiled and accepted the drinks, praising the young man for his thoughtfulness.

Chu Xuyao then continued his guqin practice.

Downstairs, in the room, Chu Rong sat on the edge of the bed, his face troubled, hesitating to speak. “Qingyu, I…”

Li Qingyu looked at Chu Rong strangely. “If you have something to say, say it. Are you embarrassed to talk to me?”

Chu Rong took Li Qingyu’s hand gently, speaking slowly, “Do you remember my childhood friend who moved away ten years ago?

Li Qingyu sifted through her memories, “Chu Shi’an?”

Chu Rong nodded, “That’s him.”

Li Qingyu recalled, “Didn’t he go to be a live-in son-in-law? Is he back?”

Chu Rong didn’t know where to start. He lowered his head and whispered, “He is back, but he is chased back.”

Li Qingyu was taken aback, “What happened?”

Chu Rong sighed…

Chu Shi’an had originally married a wife, but for some reason, his wife died of a serious illness. After that, his parents passed away too, leaving him alone in the entire family. His life was very miserable.

When he was 27 years old, Matchmaker Chu in the village pitied him, so she talked to the matchmakers in the other villages to arrange a marriage for Chu Shi’an.

The woman, two years younger, had lost her husband and was left with a son and a daughter. Unwilling to remarry, she sought a live-in son-in-law. With nothing to lose, Chu Shi’an agreed.

After the two of them got married, they had a daughter. She was nine years old and was very sensible and obedient.

After ten years, the woman’s son and daughter had grown up. They no longer needed Chu Shi’an, so they chased him out of the house.

Chu Shi’an had been working hard in that family for ten years. He was busy all day and did whatever he had to do. He was the same age as Chu Rong, but he looked much older than Chu Rong. His hair was already white.

Being non-biological, when they drove him out, it was heartless, like turning their backs on a stranger.

As a man, Chu Shi’an still had his dignity. He took his daughter and returned to Chu village.

When he came back yesterday, Chu Rong happened to bump into him on the road.

Chu Rong was very conflicted. “Qingyu, should 1 help him? He’s had a hard life.”

Li Qingyu said wisely, “We can help, but don’t take the initiative to help. With our family’s current conditions, if you help, others might say that you’re showing off and think that you have bad intentions. Moreover, even if you help, you can only help once or twice. What if, I mean what if? If you help too much, your childhood friend will take your help for granted. If you don’t help in the future, you’ll become enemies.”

Chu Rong felt that it made sense. “I’ll remember what you said.” He asked again, “Then if he comes to me for help, how should 1 help?”

Li Qingyu thought for a moment, “If he’s in need of food, you can give some. When we return from the capital, it’ll be time to sow winter wheat. You could ask him to help with that.”

Chu Rong felt more clear about what to do and nodded, “I understand.”

“Good,” Li Qingyu patted Chu Rong’s hand, “Rest up. We need to check Qingyue’s dowry tomorrow, and then we’re off to the capital.”

Chu Rong immediately felt reluctant, “1 don’t want my daughter to get married.”

Li Qingyu playfully went along, “Then keep her at home until she becomes a spinster.”

Chu Rong really couldn’t bear to part with his daughter. When he thought about how his daughter was about to get married, he felt a little sad. “If she becomes a spinster, so be it. We can afford to support her.”

Li Qingyu smiled, “You might agree, but Qingyue wouldn’t. Let her go. The Ning family is a simple family, and Yuting cherishes Qingyue. She won’t be mistreated. Rest assured.”

“I’m barely assured.” Chu Rong changed the topic. “Why hasn’t Jiang Zhaoyong come to propose marriage?”

Li Qingyu couldn’t help but smack him playfully, scolding, “What kind of parent are you, urging someone to propose? It’s their decision.”

Chu Rong said worriedly, “Qingning is almost 17 years old. If she doesn’t get engaged soon, she’ll become an old maid.”

Li Qingyu chuckled, “You just said you wanted to keep Qingyue at home.”

Chu Rong defended himself, “Wanting to keep my daughter at home is one thing, but whether she gets married or finds someone is another.”

Li Qingyu replied, “Don’t worry about it. I’ll talk to Qingning. If she doesn’t like Jiang Zhaoyong, we’ll think of someone else. She’s seventeen; it’s time for her to get engaged.”

Chu Rong nodded, then expressed concern for Chu Xujin, “What about our third child and Lihua? Their house is ready, but there’s no progress. Could you gently remind Xujin to hurry up?”

Li Qingyu said, “We can’t rush him. It won’t be good if it backfires.”

“That’s true, but you still have to remind Xujin to treat Lihua better.”

“Why don’t you talk to him?”

“It’s better if you say it.”

“I’ll talk to them tomorrow.”

“Okay.” Chu Rong took his children’s matters to heart. He didn’t like to talk, but he cared about his children more than anyone else.

At Tang Jinghong’s house.

Beside the chessboard, Tang Jinghong was instructing Chu Xuyuan in chess, with Wen Shaoyuan observing.

“On your fifth game now. Have you gained any new insights?”

Chu Xuyuan, serious and focused on the board, nodded after a moment, “I have. I feel I can make it to sixty moves in this game.”

In the first game, he was defeated within fifteen moves.

In the second game, he lasted twenty-five moves.

By the third…

In the fourth game, he made it to fifty moves.

Under Tang Jinghong’s guidance, his chess skills were steadily improving.

Wen Shaoyuan brought them tea and snacks, “Xuyuan, eat and think. You mustn’t rush in chess; haste leads to chaos on the board.”

Chu Xuyuan nodded earnestly, “I’ll remember that.”

The room quieted, filled only with the crisp, clear sound of chess pieces hitting the board, echoing in the heart.

As the game progressed, Chu Xuyuan’s forehead glistened with sweat, his brain feeling especially taxed.

Tang Jinghong, playing with a chess piece, said with a smile, “You’re already at forty-five moves, just fifteen more to reach your goal.”

Chu Xuyuan looked up, “Brother Jinghong, I feel like I’m going to lose.”

Tang Jinghong patiently instructed, “Chess requires strategy, but it’s also about adapting to the situation. Each move can dramatically change the game, and a single piece can alter the entire board. It’s about seeing the possibilities…”

Chu Xuyuan couldn’t help asking, “Isn’t it said that you should plan several moves ahead? With the game constantly changing, how do you predict?”

Tang Jinghong made a move, reaching for another piece, “You’re learning the basics now. As for what you’re asking, you’ll understand once you gain more experience.”

Chu Xuyuan pursed his lips, asking curiously, “Brother Jinghong, how many moves ahead can you calculate?”

Tang Jinghong’s reply was modest, “At least all of your moves.”

Chu Xuyuan was speechless..

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