HBWMA -Chapter 136 A Cut Above

“Excellent move! That was beautifully played!”

Inside the teahouse, a crowd had gathered around both sides of the chessboard. The old master of the Su family couldn’t hold back and shouted out loud.

Zhou Guochao and Shen Zhuang had been leisurely sipping tea and chatting, but his outburst piqued their interest. They both stood up and walked over to the board, while Shen Lanxi and Shen Qingyu tactfully stepped aside to make room.

The match was fiercely contested, the two sides locked in a tight struggle—seemingly evenly matched.

At first glance, that was indeed the case. But upon closer inspection…

Shen Zhuang cast a subtle glance at Shen Guiling.

“Hiss—” The old master of the Zhou family drew in a sharp breath. A true chess fanatic with decades of experience, he immediately saw through the hidden intricacies.

This “evenly matched” situation hadn’t been fought into existence—it had been crafted.

Zhou Guochao’s expression turned strange as he sized up Shen Guiling in disbelief. This kid… was actually giving his grandson a guiding game?!

Both sides had suffered identical losses. After such an intense exchange, only three isolated “commanders” remained on each side, unable to break out of their positions. Zhou Guochao waved his hand. “Alright, it’s a draw.”

Zhou Yanheng’s expression darkened. In truth, by the latter half of the match, he had already realized that he had been led by the nose the entire time. He had tried numerous ways to break the stalemate, but his opponent was like a bottomless vortex enveloping him—no matter which piece of Shen Guiling’s he captured, Shen Guiling would always precisely take one back in the next move.

This style of play was nothing short of a blatant humiliation. But what Zhou Yanheng found even more intolerable was that this guy had the nerve to claim he was self-taught. Self-taught? Could someone really reach this level on their own? What, some kind of inborn chess prodigy?

Seeing that Zhou Yanheng still wanted to continue, Zhou Guochao lightly patted his shoulder. “A-Heng, that’s enough.”

Zhou Yanheng suppressed the urge to flip the table, forcing himself to steady his breathing before slowly lowering his hand back into place.

“I lost.”

Shen Guiling remained calm, a composed gentleness lingering at the corners of his eyes. “I didn’t win either. It’s a draw.”

In chess, victory and defeat are determined by the position on the board—not by words.

Zhou Yanheng slightly lifted his eyelids, finally beginning to take his opponent seriously.

In this game, he hadn’t even earned the right to concede. Whether it was a win or a loss was decided entirely by the other side. Shen Guiling wasn’t just winning—he was crushing his mentality.

Zhou Yanheng’s scrutinizing gaze was as sharp as a blade, yet Shen Guiling showed no reaction at all.

Though the Su family’s old master was a poor player himself, an observer sees more clearly than those involved. Just now, Shen Guiling had laid a trap and consecutively captured Zhou Yanheng’s cannon and horse—such scheming brilliance was beyond ordinary skill. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have shouted out in excitement.

Su Jingliu casually wiped his pipe and lightly patted Shen Guiling’s shoulder. “The younger generation is truly formidable.”

Shen Zhuang was very satisfied with Shen Guiling’s performance. However, since today’s gathering was hosted by the Shen family, it wouldn’t do to neglect the others. He laughed heartily and turned to Zhou Yanheng. “A-Heng, you underestimated your opponent, didn’t you?”

Zhou Yanheng’s eyes curved slightly, the sharpness hidden beneath. “I’m completely convinced.” Then he deliberately looked at Zhou Guochao with mock helplessness. “Grandpa, it’s all your fault for boasting too much. I’ve really lost face this time!”

For a moment, the atmosphere in the teahouse grew much more cheerful.

Shen Mianzhi quickly comforted him, “Brother A-Heng, you and Brother A-Ling are equally strong. Wasn’t it a draw?”

Zhou Yanheng’s smile stiffened for a split second before returning to normal.

Among everyone present, only Shen Mianzhi and Fu Sui’er truly believed it was a draw. But Fu Sui’er cared about something else entirely. She raised her hand and asked, “Grandpa, if it’s a draw, how do we settle the wager? Does that mean we all lose?”

Only then did everyone remember the matter of the stakes.

Shen Zhuang thought for a moment. “Since it’s a draw, then the stakes go to A-Ling and A-Heng.”

Shen Lanxi saw deeper than most—Shen Guiling hadn’t just slapped Zhou Yanheng in the face; he had also taken everyone’s stakes, all while keeping a low profile.

Shen Qingyu looked speechless. He had hoped to make a profit from this, but instead ended up losing everything.

Shen Zhi stepped forward to tally the wagers. Shen Zhuang had set limits beforehand, so the younger generation hadn’t bet much. But with figures like Yao Li and the Su family’s old master involved, even something casually taken off their person would be worth a considerable sum.

In the end, Su Jingliu’s turquoise bead bracelet went to Shen Guiling, while Yao Li’s luxury crocodile-skin watch went to Zhou Yanheng.

Seeing the younger generation looking miserable, Shen Zhuang chuckled. “What’s wrong? All lost?”

Shen Zhi replied, “Not exactly. Miss Jiang didn’t place a bet.”

“Good!” Shen Zhuang seized the opportunity to praise her. “That’s the right mindset. Gambling always has winners and losers—if you don’t want to lose, you shouldn’t rely on luck in the first place. Where is she?”

Shen Qingyu rolled his eyes. “You’re really going to force a compliment out of that? That little brat has that kind of awareness? She’s just broke. Grandpa, don’t forget—you just docked her allowance. I’m telling you, she’s basically obsessed with money. If you cut her funds, she’ll definitely be mad and ignore you.”

“Who said that? Shen Qingyu, gossiping behind someone’s back will come back to bite you.”

As soon as the words fell, Jiang Huashan came rushing in like the wind. “Grandpa~”

Shen Zhuang’s eyes lit up. He had never seen Jiang Huashan like this before—jeans, a white T-shirt, and a baseball cap. Compared to her usual delicate white, pink, or floral dresses, this look carried a youthful vitality.

Shen Qingyu knocked lightly on the brim of her cap, displeased. “Who are you calling Shen Qingyu? Where are your manners?”

“Who are you lecturing?” Shen Zhuang raised his hand and smacked Shen Qingyu on the head with his cane.

“….” Shen Qingyu was instantly speechless.

After a bit of commotion, the steward came in to inform them that lunch was ready. The attendants in the main hall pushed open the twelve carved huanghuali doors, instantly merging the tea room and the main hall into one large space.

Shen Zhuang, playing the perfect host, beamed at everyone. “Come, come, let’s eat.”

The heads of the Zhou, Su, and Yao families walked side by side with Shen Zhuang in front, while the younger generation trailed behind in small groups.

While they were taking their seats, Fu Sui’er grabbed Jiang Huashan’s shoulder and whispered, “Shanshan, when the chess game was halfway through, I saw the Yao family steward’s phone ring. I didn’t dare follow him out, but I listened to you—I noted the time it rang and the time he came back.”

Jiang Huashan glanced at the steward. She had only been taking a wild gamble—could it be that she actually got lucky?

If the time he answered the call perfectly matched the time she dialed, wouldn’t that narrow down one of the diamond members?

Things were going too smoothly. Jiang Huashan suddenly felt it was unreal.

“You two—what’s with all the whispering?”

Jiang Huashan and Fu Sui’er both looked up, only to realize that all the younger members had already stood up with their cups raised—except them. The two of them hurriedly jumped to their feet and picked up their glasses of milk.

Shen Zhuang didn’t scold them. Instead, he turned to the elders beside him. “Come, everyone.”

Everyone raised their cups and drank in one go.

“Alright, sit down. Today is a family banquet, no need to be so formal. You’re all around the same age and classmates, so you should have plenty to talk about. Don’t mind us old men—chat as you like.”

After Shen Zhuang finished speaking, Jiang Huashan and Fu Sui’er went right back to whispering. No one knew where they got so much to say—back and forth, they just wouldn’t stop.

In contrast, the others were noticeably cold, each staring at the dishes in front of them with no intention of starting a conversation.

Shen Mianzhi felt a little awkward and at a loss. She wanted to join Jiang Huashan and Fu Sui’er but was afraid of being brushed off.

Zhou Yanheng noticed her thoughts and leaned slightly toward her. “Zhizhi, do you eat crab?”

Shen Mianzhi had still been hesitating, but when Zhou Yanheng suddenly spoke to her, she nodded a little shyly. “I do.”

Zhou Yanheng nodded and picked out a large, plump female crab, handing it to the attendant behind him. The attendant quickly took it, and soon a neatly disassembled hairy crab was served back exactly as it had been.

“Eat.”

Zhou Yanheng took the plate and casually handed it to Shen Mianzhi, his tone gentle.

Shen Mianzhi froze for a moment. When she looked at him again, her eyes were full of gratitude. Since childhood, aside from her father, he was the only one who seemed to understand her little emotions.

“Thank you.”

She accepted the porcelain plate, picked up a silver spoon, and after just one small bite, felt her heart pounding uncontrollably.

She didn’t dare look at Zhou Yanheng, lowering her head so much it was almost buried in her bowl.

Zhou Yanheng, as if finding it amusing, even thoughtfully poured her a glass of milk.

Although Jiang Huashan was talking with Fu Sui’er, she had been keeping an eye on the two the whole time. Others might not know, but she understood Zhou Yanheng’s nature all too well.

He didn’t actually like Shen Mianzhi at all. At fourteen, she held no real appeal for him. All the kindness he was showing now was simply because he saw her as a plaything.

Zhou Yanheng was best at weaving nets—and he especially enjoyed watching his prey struggle and suffer within them.

Jiang Huashan quietly withdrew her gaze, telling herself not to meddle in other people’s business.