The Master's Mask Unveiled Again

Chapter 310: Chapter 309: Let’s Have a Go Match

Ye Jinwen watched Xiao Qimo’s demeanor and felt happy for him. The Xiao Qimo of the past was a gentleman, refined and elegant, who kept others at a distance, lofty and superior.

And Little Mianmian was initially a willful and cynical, indifferent girl wrapped in thick disguises.

When these two collided and sparks flew, the resulting changes were so gratifying.

Xiao Qimo became more lively, and Lu Mian became softer.

Both powerhouses still possessed their formidable capabilities, yet they both became more humane.

He was happy for them and felt fortunate that they had found good partners for each other.

Unlike him, who once had the best luck only to fumble it away, never to find it again.

He hastily swept away the messy old thoughts from his mind, comforting himself that it was all in the past now, yet Xiao Qimo still seemed preoccupied.

“Take something over to Lu Mian for me.”

——

Ye Jinwen, holding a carton of milk, found himself somewhat puzzled after locating Lu Mian.

However, it was Lu Mian who, after toying with the milk carton in her hand, concluded indifferently this was a carton of expired milk.

“Ah? Expired?”

Ye Jinwen contemplated that couldn’t be. How could Qimo give Little Mianmian expired milk?

Pampering and cherishing her were still not enough!

“Expired milk can produce harmful substances, turn sour, and stink. I don’t recommend drinking it, but it can be used to water flowers.” Lu Mian said, as she poured the milk into the school’s flower bed.

Ye Jinwen: “…”

Turning sour… it seemed like he got something, or rather, Qimo was conveying something to Lu Mian.

Tsk, that was quite a subtle way for a big shot to express jealousy.

But ironclad Mianmian seemed oblivious!

Ye Jinwen followed Lu Mian out of the school like a little puppy.

From behind, Sheng Zijin noticed their silhouettes and her gaze deepened for a moment. That was Young Master Ye, she remembered.

Was the relationship between Young Master Ye and Lu Mian really that ordinary? She had her doubts.

Lei Shuqi managed to get a bunch of delicate roses from somewhere and his approach made Sheng Zijin narrow her eyes.

The bouquet in his arms was somewhat dazzling.

Lei Shuqi, clueless, asked, “Zijin, have you seen Lu Mian?”

“She left.” Sheng Zijin answered coldly and proudly. Seeing Lei Shuqi about to chase after Lu Mian, she called out, “Shuqi, she left with Young Master Ye.”

Lei Shuqi froze.

Sheng Zijin slowly approached, with a hint of a sigh: “I told you long ago, don’t get too close to Lu Mian. I’m investigating her right now, and once I find out, I’ll know exactly what kind of person she is.”

Perhaps it was the numerous events that had recently transpired that left Sheng Zijin feeling weary and filled with reflections.

“Shuqi, I remember when we were in school, you were never like this. What happened to you?”

Lei Shuqi tossed the roses into the trash bin, regretful yet helpless: “Maybe I’m the one who’s infatuated to the point of stupidity…”

Sheng Zijin: …

Lei Shuqi left.

Watching his figure, Sheng Zijin felt an indescribable sense of desolation. Since arriving in Wucheng, it seemed as if many things had slipped beyond her control. It was just a small place, yet she found it filled with mysteries and disappointments.

“Sheng Sister!”

Sheng Zijin had just lifted her foot to leave when a voice called out from behind. She recognized who it was and didn’t really want to turn around.

But Bai Fangfei seemed not to notice her indifference. After catching up, she asked for her help in finding the real Ya Qing and Cang Xue. It had become her obsession; she was desperate to prove that Lu Mian was not Cang Xue.

Sheng Zijin had no interest in meddling in her affairs, so to prevent further entanglement, she gave Bai Fangfei a phone number, saying, “If you have any trouble, contact them,” and walked away without looking back.

Bai Fangfei watched her walk away, then looked at the phone number in her hand, her eyes flashing with a cold, flickering light.

——

Time shifted to the afternoon of January 4th.

Leading a group of student representatives, Su Luo was guiding the students from Era Middle School through a tour of the school’s computer room.

Kunpeng High School boasted the finest teaching staff and technological equipment in Wucheng, with brand-new, high-spec computers.

To Sheng Zixin, however, these were nothing special and paled in comparison to his own school’s resources.

Yet, there was something that did interest him.

Sheng Zixin glanced around the crowd, relieved not to see Lu Mian’s figure, then approached Su Luo. “Su student, I heard you’ve been in Go competitions since you were young and have won many international awards?”

Su Luo stepped back from him and asked calmly, “So what?”

Feeling the pressure that his team was only two school badges away from defeat, and being pushed by his sister to bring honor to Era Middle School and the Sheng Family, Sheng Zixin decided on a do-or-die approach.

But before, when Lu Mian was present, they did nothing but lose to that almost celestial girl, whether it was in academics or sports.

They were left with only two school badges.

Before they lost all their badges, he planned to take advantage of Lu Mian’s absence and win a round directly from Su Luo.

This way, his sister wouldn’t have to keep a stern face and say he was useless anymore.

Sheng Zixin slapped the computer and challenged directly, “Su Luo, how about a game of Go?”

“A Go match?” Chen Qin, seeing Sheng Zixin reckless, kindly reminded him, “Student Su Luo is a professional 7-dan player. You may want to think it over, Sheng student.”

“No need to think. I grew up watching my grandfather play chess every day. I might not necessarily lose. Just tell me, do we play or not?”

Since Sheng Zixin had made up his mind, Su Luo had nothing more to say; she could only accommodate his request.

Even now, they were so arrogant; she had no reason to be merciful.

Right there in the computer room, the two each started up a computer, installed Go software, logged into their accounts, and began the match.

“Oh, your level isn’t low.”

Su Luo looked at his account and smiled.

Sheng Zixin lifted his chin, “If I dare to challenge you, I must have some skills. I’m just worried whether you, the Go princess, can afford to lose.”

“…”

Su Luo decided not to engage in this pointless banter and promptly clicked to start the game.

The students gathered around to watch, with those from Kunpeng High School standing behind Su Luo and those from Era Middle School behind Sheng Zixin.

Some understood Go, some didn’t, but by watching the players’ expressions, they could discern a thing or two.

The battle between them was fierce, a game of cat and mouse. Each focused intently on the computer screen, strategizing their next move.

Playing Go was never about just thinking one move ahead, but rather three, ten, or even more. Some top players knew from the start how to navigate the entire game, leading their opponents step by step into the traps they had set.

Although Su Luo was young, she was a battle-hardened expert. In the first game, she deliberately lost to Sheng Zixin as a gesture of goodwill.

Because she didn’t want people to think she had taken too much of an advantage.