Leisurely Traveler with Check-in System

Chapter 174: Chapter 103: Reflections on the River

Elder Zhou said grumpily, ”Cut it out, were you really going easy on me yesterday?”

Elder Liao laughed heartily on the side and said triumphantly, ”I told you, we were letting you win to make you happy, but you started bragging about it. Today, I’ll let you see my granddaughter’s real skills. How’s that? Impressed yet?”

Elder Zhou gave a wry smile and suddenly noticed Li Younan nearby. He said, ”Come on, young man, have a game with her and see which of you youngsters has higher chess skills?”

At this moment, Liao Xinchun was also curiously sizing up Li Younan.

Li Younan thought for a moment. He was a bit bored anyway, so he nodded, ”Ha... okay, but I haven’t played in ages, so I might not be very good.”

Liao Xinchun replied leisurely, ”Yeah, I just play casually as a hobby.”

The two old men listened as the two young people claimed their skills were poor and couldn’t help sharing a glance.

The game officially began.

True to her background, Liao Xinchun, who studied Chinese Chess at the Youth Palace for years, played with precision and structure.

From her moves, Li Younan could easily spot influences of the Plum Blossom Manual; it was clear she remembered the chess guides well.

So, claiming it was just a casual hobby was definitely modest of her.

Liao Xinchun’s level, though not outstanding in professional arenas, would easily earn a Chinese Chess championship in any university.

However, she was up against Li Younan.

Li Younan knew more chess guides than her. Although he was less adept at blending them seamlessly, his vast options of strategies were overwhelming.

By the middle of the game, Liao Xinchun was still holding on but soon after, Li Younan employed a few moves that led the game into endgame territory, his true domain.

Once in the endgame, unless against someone like Li Tianyi, Li Younan hardly lost.

Liao Xinchun’s brows furrowed tighter and tighter.

The two elders watched the game, occasionally remarking, ”That move was well played.” ”This move... tsk tsk tsk.”

After one particular move, Liao Xinchun paused her hand from playing, pondered for a good minute or two, sighed, and said, ”I lost.”

The two elders were a bit taken aback. Elder Liao asked perplexedly, ”Where did you lose? Isn’t there still a move you can make?”

Then, the two elders started discussing the endgame piece.

”See, if you move like that, then your opponent will move like this, and it’s game over.”

”If you do it that way, advancing the knight here will lead to a trap.”

”Then how about this move?”

”If you move like that, you’re assuming your opponent’s piece isn’t going to take the bait? You’re going to regret it...”

Li Younan casually said, ”Just luck, just luck.”

Liao Xinchun looked up somewhat dejectedly.

It’s clear that this girl can tolerate letting others win deliberately, but truly being beaten by someone else dampens her spirits.

She lowered her head and asked, ”Another game?”

Li Younan checked the time and said, ”We should be nearing Fengdu Ghost City now, perhaps we play again after touring it?”

Liao Xinchun could only nod. Then, she casually mentioned, ”Actually, I opted for International Chess during university.”

Li Younan blinked and said, ”Oh, that... I know a little about it too.”

Liao Xinchun was somewhat surprised at Li Younan’s words but said nothing.

...

The cruise ship docked at the pier.

Disembarking, opposite the Yangtze River was Fengdu county town, a cityscape with high-rise buildings.

The guides divided the tourists into groups based on their room numbers.

Liao Xinchun had her own room and was grouped separately from her two grandpas, instead, grouped with Li Younan.

Being familiar with each other, the two naturally journeyed together.

The two elders were robust enough not to need constant supervision.

To reach Fengdu Ghost City, they needed to climb a long flight of stairs.

Though it was September, due to the lingering summer heat, the weather was unusually hot.

Li Younan curiously asked, ”Aren’t you bringing a sunshade?”

Liao Xinchun wasn’t wearing a sun hat either. She shrugged, ”No need, I won second place in a sprint event in college.”

She glanced at Li Younan humorously and said, ”But looking at you, your skin’s pretty fair; seems you haven’t been sunbathed much.”

Li Younan smiled silently, and the simple interaction gave Liao Xinchun a preliminary image of him.

At least for now, Liao Xinchun seemed unlike her gentle appearance, perhaps deep down she’s a fiercely determined girl.

Li Younan squinted at the stairs, saying, ”The sun... hasn’t really been on me.”

Liao Xinchun jested alongside, ”If you faint later, no worry, I can carry you down.”

Despite his lean appearance, Li Younan had well-defined muscles underneath his clothes due to regular workouts, leading to misconceptions.

Li Younan didn’t explain, just chuckled, ”But I’m heavy, can you manage?”

Liao Xinchun said, ”No problem, but don’t really faint on me.”

Then, they began climbing the stairs.

Liao Xinchun, also into photography, carried a Canon camera bag.

After a while, she started sweating slightly on her forehead, glancing at Li Younan beside her, noticing he had his hands behind his back, moving briskly without much effort.

She blinked and stayed silent.

Upon reaching Fengdu Ghost City, the place wasn’t as large as Li Younan had initially imagined.