Volume One, Chapter 20: I’m Ready to Give You Up

After talking with Lin Xunan, Jiang Li finally felt at ease.

The next day, as promised, she arrived at the chess institute. Lin Xunan had agreed to accompany her for practice in the morning.

They had arranged to meet at 10 o’clock, but Jiang Li arrived an hour early and was surprised to find Lin Xunan already there.

He sat opposite Ding Yuqi, his long legs crossed gracefully, a black chess piece twirling between the distinct knuckles of his right hand.

Lin Xunan’s expression was relaxed, even strategic, while the senior apprentice brother across from him looked tense, his handsome features tightly drawn with worry.

Jiang Li silently greeted the others nearby and stood just behind Lin Xunan, gazing at the board.

The pieces were locked in fierce combat.

Black’s corner territory had been lost, white’s silver edge was under attack, and neither side was willing to concede.

Jiang Li understood why the senior apprentice brother was so anxious: a large dragon of stones at the corner was entangled in a ko fight.

Winning the ko meant the senior brother would claim a decisive victory.

Losing it meant all hope of victory would vanish.

After all, he was a professional eighth-dan player with twenty years of experience. A loss to Lin Xunan could be devastating.

Such a small ko battle could influence every piece on the board.

Time ticked by as both sides advanced cautiously, pressing ever closer.

At last, the final move was placed, and the senior brother exhaled deeply—he had won.

Lin Xunan bowed respectfully, “As expected of Teacher Cui’s top disciple, Brother Ding is formidable.”

The senior brother puffed up proudly, “It’s a small matter. You just need more practice; one day you might catch up to me.”

Lin Xunan smiled politely, “Very well, I look forward to our next match.”

He stood and stretched, then noticed Jiang Li smiling quietly behind him.

Approaching her, he said without a hint of displeasure, “I lost to Brother Ding.”

Jiang Li spread her hands, “That’s obvious. Brother Ding is a professional eighth-dan. Don’t underestimate professional players like us.”

He chuckled, ruffling her hair, “How could I underestimate President Jiang? I’m still waiting for your pointers.”

Jiang Li led him back to the practice room and sat down at the chess table. “Shall we review the game? You just finished one match; playing another immediately would be too exhausting.”

Lin Xunan shrugged indifferently, “I’ll do as President Jiang says.”

Jiang Li shot him a look, half reproachful, half affectionate, and Lin Xunan’s lips curved in a satisfied smile.

They earnestly reviewed the game, Jiang Li explaining carefully while Lin Xunan listened attentively.

Just as she reached the point about the large dragon, the practice room door was knocked.

The receptionist bowed apologetically and said cautiously, “President Jiang, someone is waiting for you in the reception room.”

“Who is it?”

The receptionist hesitated, “He didn’t give a name, but Teacher Cui knows him and told me to find you directly.”

Jiang Li was puzzled but figured that since Cui knew him, he must be an acquaintance.

“I’ll be right there.”

“I’ll wait for you.”

Jiang Li suddenly thought Lin Xunan resembled a trustworthy little dog left at home to guard the place.

She smiled softly at the thought, and Lin Xunan raised an eyebrow, puzzled.

With a good mood, Jiang Li opened the reception room door.

But the moment she did, her mood sank to the depths of a mountain.

“What are you doing here?”

Lu Jinye held a cigarette between his fingers, tapping the sofa armrest rhythmically.

He favored black shirts, and now the collar was slightly unbuttoned, giving him a casual, rakish air.

“President Jiang, don’t you welcome me?”

Jiang Li sat on the sofa opposite him, eyes filled with struggle and distress.

“Interrupting your date with General Manager Lin at the chess institute?”

“What exactly do you want?” Jiang Li didn’t know how he found out about her and Lin Xunan’s whereabouts, but someone like Lu Jinye, a national treasure-level figure, surely had extraordinary means.

“You don’t like me, huh?” Lu Jinye flicked the ash, took a deep drag, and stubbed the cigarette out in the ashtray.

He exhaled smoke close to Jiang Li, the scent lingering for a while.

Jiang Li coughed twice involuntarily. Lu Jinye’s brow twitched faintly and he turned to open the reception room window.

After a moment, his voice was hoarse. “Jiang Li.”

She looked up at him. The man by the bedside was broad-shouldered and narrow-waisted, his silk-like shirt exuding an air of nobility.

But perhaps because of her unsettled mood, Jiang Li felt an unusual loneliness surrounding Lu Jinye.

“My father died.”

Jiang Li sprang up from the sofa so suddenly the glass on the table jingled.

“My tone was harsh yesterday—don’t take it to heart.”

“…How did he die?” Her voice trembled.

She had met the kind man, a national first-class master sculptor and professor at two top universities.

Back in college, when she was with Lu Jinye, Lu Baisheng had invited her to dinner, perhaps curious about his son’s girlfriend or her career as a professional Go player.

Their time together was pleasant.

Lu Baisheng was unpretentious and always wore a loving smile, offering her food and caring for her.

Lu Jinye’s mother died early; raised by his father alone, his temperament was somewhat extreme and hard to approach.

Yet he was always patient and good-natured with Jiang Li, which pleased Lu Baisheng, who credited her for this.

Thus, she was often invited to family meals during holidays.

But she had never heard that he was ill.

“Heart attack.”

Two simple words, yet they carried an indescribable shock.

A heart attack was the hardest to accept. Unlike ordinary illnesses or cancer, which allow loved ones to prepare for the worst, it struck suddenly and unavoidably.

So, where had Lu Jinye been last night?

Hospital? Funeral home? Or… the crematorium?

Jiang Li was at a loss, her mind filled with the image of that kindly man calling her name with a gentle smile.

“Lu Jinye…”

He turned calmly, his voice devoid of sorrow. “I came today to apologize. I don’t want your image of me to suddenly become that of a ruthless, relentless man.”

“You don’t need to pity me. In our line of work, heart attacks aren’t uncommon.”

There was a hint of bitterness in his last words.

Jiang Li felt as if he was describing himself.

“Has Uncle already been buried? I… I want to see him.”

Lu Jinye’s gaze was probing. “Why?”

Jiang Li couldn’t explain her feelings, only said, “Uncle was always kind to me.”

“Hmph,” Lu Jinye chuckled lightly as he pushed open the reception room door, “So what? If I say no, then no.”

Watching his retreating figure, Jiang Li felt a deep ache.

She hurried after him, stopping a white Porsche, her expression serious. “I want to see Uncle.”

Lu Jinye poked his head out the driver’s seat, fingers holding a freshly lit cigarette.

“Jiang Li, what are you up to again?… I was already ready to give up on you.” His last words were so soft only he could hear them.