Chapter Sixty: Old Li, Run Fast

The crowd inside the Senior Activity Center gradually gathered, drawn by the unfolding spectacle. Surrounded by a host of elderly men and women, and countless viewers in Qin Nuanyin’s live stream, Yang Xiaofan and Old Li, the city-level Go champion, unveiled their duel.

“Sir, would you like to play first, or shall I?” Yang Xiaofan asked.

Old Li shot him a disdainful glance. “You go ahead.”

As an elder and the city-level Go champion, he already felt it was beneath him to face Yang Xiaofan, a junior. If he were to make the first move, surely those around would laugh out loud. To thoroughly humiliate Old Qin, he needed to rub his face in the dirt. So, without hesitation, he allowed Yang Xiaofan to take the first move.

Yang Xiaofan didn’t argue; after all, Old Li was no match for him. Once he won, he would marry Qin Nuanyu. As his stone landed, Qin’s father smiled sinisterly behind him. That morning, his own carelessness had cost him dearly, his face shattered by Yang Xiaofan’s skill. Now Old Li was posturing, walking the same path—he’d soon see how disgraceful it could get.

Old Li, of course, paid Yang Xiaofan no mind. Their abilities weren’t on the same level, so he couldn’t fathom the subtlety of Yang Xiaofan’s opening move. He played his stone, and Yang Xiaofan responded. Back and forth they went, each move smooth as flowing water, with no obvious signs to the onlookers.

Truthfully, neither those present nor the viewers could perceive the depth of their play, their Go skills too modest to grasp the nuances. Yet, suddenly, a comment appeared in the live stream:

“Brother-in-law might actually win.”

“Hiss! Are you kidding? The match just started, and his opponent is the city-level champion!”

“Exactly, how could brother-in-law possibly win? Old Li looks solid, not at all disadvantaged!”

The comment reappeared:

“You don’t understand. Brother-in-law’s moves seem ordinary, but from the start, he’s been weaving a trap. Every step leads Old Li deeper. The reason Old Li hasn’t fallen behind is that brother-in-law hasn’t yet closed the net. Once he does, Old Li will lose the entire board.”

“Stop boasting! You’re just talking nonsense. Do you even know Go? How dare you spout such wild claims here?”

“I don’t need to prove my Go knowledge. If you don’t believe me, just wait and see.”

While the live stream argued, Old Li began to sense something was amiss. He wasn’t foolish—he was the city-level champion, and with the ancient book’s guidance, his skill had ascended further. Though still far from Yang Xiaofan’s level and led around by the nose at first, he began to discern hints in the midgame.

The seniors on site and the viewers noticed Old Li’s furrowed brow and his hesitance to play. Their hearts skipped a beat.

“My goodness! Could it be? Could brother-in-law really know how to play?”

“His opponent is the city-level champion! If brother-in-law beats him, doesn’t that mean his Go is at least city-level? Damn! He’s handsome, rich, can paint, and now he’s a Go master? Heaven isn’t fair!”

Behind Yang Xiaofan, Qin’s father struggled to contain his pride, barely suppressing laughter. If not for decorum, he would have been rolling on the floor, howling with glee. Old Li, now you know what you’re up against!

After much hesitation, Old Li finally placed his stone. Yang Xiaofan smiled gently.

“Seems you’re no longer confident. In that case, I won’t waste any more time. Let me send you off ahead of schedule.”

With that, he played his move. Instantly, the grand formation emerged, and Old Li was utterly defeated, his composure shattered.

“What!” Old Li exclaimed, cold sweat pouring down his back, his eyes wide with shock.

No wonder he’d felt something was off earlier—he’d been surrounded by Yang Xiaofan the entire time. With a single casual move, Yang Xiaofan could destroy him. Heaven! This young man is incredible!

He hadn’t even realized he’d walked right into Yang Xiaofan’s trap.

At that moment, everyone in the activity center and the live stream blushed with excitement.

“My word! Brother-in-law actually won!”

“Incredible! I’ve studied Go for ten years but never noticed brother-in-law’s methods. He’s truly a genius. I’d guess he’s at least a provincial-level Go master!”

“Wait, wasn’t there someone who saw through brother-in-law’s tactics? Hey, come out and tell us, what’s his level?”

Soon, the comment appeared.

“I can’t say for certain what his exact level is, but I’m a provincial Go master myself. Even I only realized his layout after the tenth move. Judging by his expression, he wasn’t even serious. If I’m not mistaken, he might be at the national level. Even if not, he’s at least above provincial master.”

“Whoa! National-level Go master! Are you kidding us?”

The entire live stream was stunned into silence.

Qin Nuanyin, seeing the comments, stared in astonishment, her beautiful eyes fixed upon Yang Xiaofan’s back.

“Brother-in-law, who are you really?”

Qin’s father laughed heartily, feeling all the frustration from earlier vanish in an instant.

“Old Li, what do you think? Admit defeat? My apprentice’s skill isn’t inferior to yours, is it?”

Old Li snapped out of his shock. The match had left him shaken.

“You… how did you do it?”

“It was simple. Just played as I pleased,” Yang Xiaofan replied casually, making Old Li’s expression turn sour.

Was this a joke? The city-level Go champion, defeated so easily by a nobody? He refused to accept it.

“Let’s play again.”

Gritting his teeth, Old Li insisted on another game.

Yang Xiaofan frowned. “Is that necessary?”

“No!” Old Li barked. “I’m the city-level Go champion. I can’t accept such an unclear defeat. I want another match!”

The viewers in the live stream lit up with sympathetic comments.

“Old Li, run! You’re no match for him!”

“You’re only the city-level champion. Brother-in-law might be a national master!”