HBWMA -Chapter 135 A Test

Shen Guiling glanced at Zhou Yanheng, a harmless smile lingering at the corner of his eyes. “Alright.”

Zhou Yanheng’s brows lifted slightly.

Zhou Guochao was also taken aback, his face full of surprise. “My grandson’s chess skills aren’t something just anyone can match. For your grandfather to boast like that, it seems you’ve got some real ability, kid?”

Shen Guiling remained modest. “Elder Zhou jests. I’ve only been figuring things out on my own—nothing but unorthodox tricks. Grandfather is just being protective.”

“Ah!” Zhou Guochao waved his hand. “It’s not mealtime yet anyway. Why not play a round right now?”

The Zhou family elder knew Shen Zhuang’s temperament well—he wasn’t someone who bragged without reason. Shen Guiling had only been in the Shen family for a short time, yet they were already willing to back him with something as valuable as a copper mine. This boy was definitely no ordinary person.

“Alright! Shen Zhi, set up the board!”

Shen Zhuang agreed immediately. He had intended to elevate Shen Guiling’s status in front of everyone anyway—so that certain ignorant people would stop overstepping their bounds.

Shen Qingyu lazily raised a hand. “Grandpa, chess is just between two players. With so many of us standing around, it’ll be boring. Why not add some stakes? Let’s bet on who wins.”

Su Jingliu hadn’t brought his grandson along, but the moment he heard about betting, he became interested. “That’s a good idea.”

Shen Zhuang naturally wouldn’t reject a guest’s suggestion. He nodded. “Fine. But let’s agree—just small stakes for fun. No going overboard.”

After speaking, he turned to the Zhou elder. “The two of us old men will act as the house. How about it?”

“Deal!” The Zhou elder stood up and patted Zhou Yanheng on the shoulder. “A-Heng, don’t hold back—wipe them out completely for your grandpa!”

Zhou Yanheng smiled faintly, his gaze sweeping lightly over Shen Guiling.

A child brought back midway—what kind of elite education could he have had? How could he possibly compare?

As they spoke, the chessboard was already set up by the tea table. Everyone chatted and laughed as they moved into the tea room.

Shen Zhuang sat by the tea table with the heads of the Zhou, Su, and Yao families, drinking tea. Shen Lanxi and Shen Qingyu stood nearby, watching the match.

“Shanshan, shall we join in?”

Jiang Huashan glanced at the crowd in the hall and shook her head. Then she pulled Fu Sui’er aside and whispered something to her.

“…”

Fu Sui’er froze for a moment, glanced at her, then immediately nodded. “Alright, got it.”

At that moment, Steward Shen approached, handing them several pens and red slips of paper.

Fu Sui’er picked one up, casually wrote a number, and passed it to Shen Zhi. “I’m betting on Brother A-Ling.”

Shen Zhi nodded. “Miss Jiang?”

Jiang Huashan replied, “Do I look like I have money to spend?”

“…”

Shen Zhi’s lips twitched.

“What’s going on here?”

Shen Mianzhi had just sent Yao Ge back to her room and rushed over. She had expected the situation to be tense and full of arguments, but instead, everyone was gathered harmoniously—drinking tea, playing chess.

Her face showed surprise as she looked at Jiang Huashan and Fu Sui’er in confusion.

The two pretended not to hear her. Shen Mianzhi’s smile stiffened slightly.

Seeing this, Shen Zhi quickly explained the betting arrangement and thoughtfully handed her a pen and paper. “Miss Mianzhi, you came at the perfect time. Want to join in the fun?”

Shen Mianzhi nodded. Her gaze drifted past the crowd to Zhou Yanheng, and for some reason, her face grew warm again.

She quickly lowered her eyes, wrote down a number, and handed it over. “Brother A-Ling.”

Jiang Huashan was slightly surprised—she hadn’t bet on Zhou Yanheng? It seemed Shen Mianzhi wasn’t the type to fall headfirst into love so easily after all.

Seeing the three girls chatting off to the side, Shen Zhuang waved them over. “The match is about to start. Aren’t you three coming to cheer for A-Ling?”

“Coming, Grandpa.”

Knowing Jiang Huashan and Fu Sui’er didn’t like her, Shen Mianzhi responded and jogged over.

Jiang Huashan and Fu Sui’er exchanged a glance before walking straight out of the main hall. Fu Sui’er then turned toward the tea table.

Seeing Jiang Huashan leave, Shen Zhuang looked at Fu Sui’er in confusion. “What’s with her?”

Fu Sui’er replied, “Nothing. Shanshan said she’s going back to change clothes and freshen up.”

Hearing this, Shen Zhuang didn’t ask further and waved his hand. “Go on, have fun over there.”

Jiang Huashan left the main hall and headed straight back to Chrysanthemum Garden.

Zhang Ru heard the noise and had just stepped out of the kitchen when she saw Jiang Huashan enter the attic, followed by the sound of the door locking.

Zhang Ru was puzzled. What happened? Her hair was all messy—did she get scolded?

Jiang Huashan locked the door and rushed to the desk, turning on the computer. Then she pulled out a batch of SIM cards from a locked drawer.

Back when she infiltrated Fang Mei’s club, she had bought a hundred unregistered SIM cards in one go.

She randomly took one, inserted it into a backup phone, and opened the file containing the list.

That girl had once said the Shen family was their last hope. That meant the power behind this criminal organization was no small matter.

The only ones capable of forcing someone to seek help from the Shen family—the Nine Great Families: the Four Elders and Five Rising Powers. Jiang Huashan couldn’t think of anyone else.

And today, the Zhou, Su, and Yao families were all present. Perfect for a test.

She opened the dialer and started calling the four numbers listed under the “Diamond” tier.

The first number was inactive.

The second went unanswered.

Have they already realized the leak and gone on guard?

Suppressing her doubts, Jiang Huashan dialed the third number.

Still no answer—just as she thought it would disconnect automatically, the call went through.

“!”

She froze for a moment before hearing three strange knocking sounds from the other end.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

What did that mean?

A code?

The thought had just formed when the other party seemed to sense something—and immediately hung up.

So it really was a code!

They were cautious to this extent… did that mean she had already exposed herself?

Without hesitation, Jiang Huashan dialed the last Diamond-tier number.

“Beep—”

Not an inactive number.

Just as she felt a flicker of relief, the call connected.

Knock. Knock. Knock—

This time, it wasn’t a crisp sound—more like fingers tapping against a screen.

Jiang Huashan didn’t have time to think. She tapped the table three times in the same rhythm.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

“Beep—”

The call was immediately cut off.

Jiang Huashan: “…”