Chapter 156 – Dating Sister Xie? (1/2)

Garden of the villa.

There were a few white stone chairs and tables in the garden. Senior Xie, who was in his 70s, was playing chess with an old man in his 60s.

Dong Xuebing was nervous and excited to meet the former Communist Party General Secretary in real life. He had only seen him on TV when he was young. He still could not believe his eyes. He knew that Senior Xie was not only the former General Secretary. Even today, he still has enormous influence over the Communist Party and government. He might not have the most authority now, but he is definitely one of the top 3 most influential people in China!

That person is Xie Huilan’s grandfather?

This is Xie Huilan’s background?

“Hahaha, Old Zhang! This is a good move!” Senior Xie touched his beard and moved a chesspiece.

The old man sitting opposite him replied. “Senior Xie, Haha, your chess skills are getting better.”

Xie Huilan whispered softly. “My grandfather does not like to be disturbed when he is playing chess. Xiao Dong, let’s wait over there.”

Xie Hao saw Brother Dong was in shocked and laughed. “Brother Dong doesn’t think my grandfather is retired now and looks old. He still has great influence in the government. Just yesterday, our President came over to visit him. I heard from Sis that you want to be transferred to the grassroots level? Hehe…… it’s simple. All it takes is for Grandfather to nod his head, and you will be part of the Xie’s faction.”

Xie Huilan looked at her brother, sternly. “How many times have I told you not to say such things?!”

Xie Hao quickly bows his head.

Xie’s faction? Dong Xuebing wiped the sweat on his forehead. Fighting exists in politics, and when there are fighting, there will be factions. In the Western District Branch, Dong Xuebing was part of Xu Yan’s faction, and many people see him as a member of Xu’s faction. But Xu faction and Xie’s faction were not on the same level. One was within a branch bureau, and the other was the central government. Eh? Wait! Xie’s faction? Dong Xuebing suddenly remembered Beijing City’s Party Secretary…… seems to have the same surname. Ah! This can’t be true!!!

Dong Xuebing and Xie Huilan sat down at another chess table some distance away. Dong Xuebing asked cautiously. “Sister Xie, the City’s Party Secretary Xie is……”

Xie Huilan laughed: “He is my father.”

Dong Xuebing was dumbfounded. Beijing is the center of China’s politics. It is a direct-controlled municipality of the Central Government. All the former no. 1 of Beijing City had entered the Central Government as Sub-national leaders. The City’s party secretary is Xie Huilan’s father? The former Communist Party General Secretary is her grandfather? No wonder she could become a leader in the Publicity Department News division at her age! With her background, she can do whatever she wants in Beijing! Dong Xuebing looked at Xie Huilan and felt they were from different worlds. Sister Xie’s uncles and aunties should also be government officials! What Dong Xuebing saw was only the tip of the iceberg!

Dong Xuebing hid his feelings for Xie Huilan deeper in his heart. Xie Huilan was someone out of reach from him.

On the other side, Senior Xie’s chess game was still ongoing.

Xie Huilan looked at his grandfather and turned to Dong Xuebing with a smile. “Xiao Dong, didn’t you say you are quite good at Chess? Let’s play a game since we are still waiting.”

Xie Hao exclaimed. “Brother Hao, you are also an expert in Chinese chess? Is there anything that you do not know?”

Dong Xuebing humbly said something. Playing chess can calm his nerves and show off his skills to Xie Huilan at the same time. Ta, ta, ta. After arranging the chess pieces, Dong Xuebing said. “Ladies first. Sister Xie, you can go first.” Dong Xuebing thought Xie Huilan’s chess skills are about the same as him, and he can let her win by a small margin. It’s not good to win the leaders.

Xie Huilan laughed. “Ok. I will go first.” She moved the cannon.

Dong Xuebing also did not think much and moved his horse.

Xie Huilan made another move, and Dong Xuebing continued.

After about a dozen moves, Dong Xuebing’s facial expression becomes serious. He was shocked.

A few minutes later, Xie Huilan smiled and made her last move. “Checkmate. Haha, I win.”

Xie Hao cleared his throat. “Errr……. Brother Dong, do you really know how to play Chinese chess?”

Xie Huilan laughed. “Xiao Dong let me win on purpose.” Actually, Dong Xuebing had tried his best. Xie Huilan and Xie Hao could tell from his expression. Xie Huilan said that to make him feel better.

15 minutes!

Xie Huilan took only 15 minutes to win Dong Xuebing!

Dong Xuebing wanted to bury his head in the ground. Damn! Why was this happening? He was still thinking of letting Xie Huilan win. But even he tried his best, he could not beat her! Shit! This is too embarrassing! If I know Sister Xie is so good at chess, I will never say I am good.

Dong Xuebing’s chess skills were quite good. He had learned chess since young as a hobby. He did not attend any classes or competitions. In Junior High, Dong Xuebing’s after school program was chess. In his High school and university, he did not take part in afterschool programs, but he still played chess with his classmates occasionally and seldom lose. This was why he felt confident. Now, he thought back and knew all the opponents he played with before were just novices. He had never played with a real expert before!

Dong Xuebing had finally met an expert and knew where he stands!

His standards were nowhere near average!

“Xiao Dong, want to play one more game?” Xie Huilan asked.

Play another game?! Dong Xuebing replied with an embarrassed look. “Sister Xie, I am not your match. You are very good at chess.”

Xie Huilan laughed and shook her head. “How can I consider good? I played with my grandfather and could not even win once in 10 games. Haha. Even Wei Nan is better than me.”

Dong Xuebing’s eyes opened wide. “Senior Xie is better than you?” Really? Sister Xie was the best chess player Dong Xuebing had ever met. Even with her skills, she cannot win Senior Xie? Was Xie Huilan letting his grandfather win?

Xie Huilan narrowed her eyes: “Haha, I know what you are thinking. I did not let my grandfather win because there is no need to. His skills might not be the top 10 in China, but he is definitely in the top 100.” Xie Huilan could see Dong Xuebing did not believe her from his expression and continued. “Do you know who is playing chess with my grandfather there?”

Dong Xuebing looked at that man. “He looks familiar.”

Xie Huilan smiled. “He is Grandpa Zhang, Zhang Wanxu. Chinese Chess grandmaster. He was formerly China’s top chess player and had multiple world and national championships. He might be in his 60s, but he is still outstanding. Even professional chess players can’t beat him.

Dong Xuebing remembered this name. Grandmaster Zhang Wanxu!

Xie Hao added: “My grandfather might not be as good as Zhang Wanxu, but out of 10 games, my grandfather can still win 2 games, and Zhang Wanxu can win 4 games. The remaining are all ties. Oh, that Wei Nan might not be a match for my grandfather, but he can still win 2 games out of 10. Hmph! That guy is irritating, but he is good at chess.”

Dong Xuebing nearly fainted. Senior Xie is so good at chess? Damn! I was still thinking of trying to impress him at chess. Now……. Shit! Even the former China number one chess grandmaster will occasionally lose to him. I will be embarrassing myself!

“Xiao Dong, let’s play one more game.” Xie Huilan placed the chess pieces.

Dong Xuebing smiled. He had no choice but to play with her.

Xie Huilan knew Dong Xuebing’s standard and give in to him on several moves. She could easily win him, but she did not. She just played around with him, and the game ended in a draw. Their skills were too far apart.

After they finished the game, Xie Huilan stood up and said: “I am going inside to get water. Haha.”

Xie Hao could tell Brother Dong’s standard. “Hehe, Brother Dong, let’s play a game?”

Dong Xuebing stared at him. Damn! You also want to bully me? If I still lose to you, I will bang my head against the wall!

Suddenly, Wei Nan, with bruises on his face, appeared in the gardens. He looked at Senior Xie and Zhang Wanxu and turned to Dong Xuebing. He looked at Dong Xuebing coldly. Dong Xuebing and Xie Hao saw him and did not say anything.

They stood there staring at each other for a few seconds, and Wei Nan smiled coldly. “You also know how to play chess?”

Dong Xuebing rebutted: “I know everything except for attacking someone sneakily from the back!” Xie Huilan had gone into the villa, and Senior Xie was too far away to hear what they were saying. Dong Xuebing did not hold back his words.

A fire could be seen in Wei Nan’s eyes. He walked forward. “Fine. Let’s play a game. I want to see how good you are!”

Xie Hao interrupted: “Go and wait by the side. Brother Dong is going to play with me.”

Wei Nan looked at Dong Xuebing and asked: “You are scared?”

Dong Xuebing did not want to play with Wei Nan. He could not even win Sister Xie, let alone Wei Nan. But he must not back away from his provocations. He patted Xie Hao on his shoulders and said: “Xiao Hao, our game can wait. I will play with him first!” Dong Xuebing turned to Wei Nan. “Bring it on!” Dong Xuebing was not in his best state during the previous two games with Xie Huilan as he had not played for a long time. But after those two games as a warm-up, Dong Xuebing felt he was prepared.

Wei Nan sat down opposite Dong Xuebing and started the game.

Horse, carriage, soldiers, cannons……

Miracles did not happen, and Dong Xuebing looked at his remaining chess pieces. There was no way he could win Wei Nan. He was too good at chess. He was much better than Xie Huilan. This was like a game of chess between a professional and an amateur!

Wei Nan thought Dong Xuebing had some moves and never expect him to be so weak at chess. He laughed. “That’s the best you can do?”

Dong Xuebing almost flipped the table out of anger. But Senior Xie was sitting not far away. He could only swear in his heart and continue with the game.

Wei Nan could win Dong Xuebing easily, but he purposely did not win immediately. He slowly takes out Dong Xuebing’s chess pieces one by one. At the end of the game, Dong Xuebing was left with only his general. Dong Xuebing knew Wei Nan was humiliating him, but he refused to admit defeat.

Xie Huilan returned with a servant, carrying a teapot.

Xie Hao walked over: “Sis, quick. Come and help Brother Dong take revenge!”

Xie Huilan looked at the chessboard and frowned. “Stop! Is there a need to continue this game?!”

Wei Nan put down his chess piece and felt much better. But when he remembered what Xie Huilan said in the garage, he got mad again. He does not want to see Xie Huilan marrying someone else. Wei Nan was determined to marry her. It was not only for himself. He needs to marry her for his family’s benefits too. When he heard Xie Huilan saying she will never marry him, he was furious!

“Hahaha……”

Senior Xie’s game had ended. He laughed: “Almost! I had almost lost to you! Luckily this game ended in a tie!”

Grandpa Zhang replied: “Your final 10 moves were good. I could hardly stop you.”

Senior Xie said: “Your mid-section is too powerful! I have no advantage at all!”

After discussing the game for a while, Senior Xie looked towards Xie Huilan’s direction. “Haha, you all are here?”

Wei Nan and Xie Hao greeted him as Grandfather. Dong Xuebing was not close to him and could only address him as Senior Xie.

Xie Huilan smiled and tapped Dong Xuebing on his shoulder. “Grandfather. This is Dong Xuebing.”

Senior Xie stroked his beard and nodded. “Good. Come, play a game of chess with me!”

“Why are you asking everyone to play chess with you?” Xie Huilan laughed. “I thought you want to speak with Xiao Dong?”

Senior Xie laughed. “We can talk while playing.”

Dong Xuebing did not dare to reject Senior Xie. He quickly walks over, and Grandpa Zhang lets him have a seat. Dong Xuebing sat down cautiously and said: “Senior Xie…… My chess skill is very poor. I am afraid that…….”

“It’s fine. Come. You go first!”

Xie Huilan, Xie Hao, and Wei Nan saw this and walked back to the other chess table.

Senior Xie was in his 70s, but his aura was much stronger than Xie Huilan. Dong Xuebing could feel the pressure in front of him. After two moves, Dong Xuebing was sweating profusely.

“Xiao Dong, thank you for saving my granddaughter.” Senior Xie said as he moved his “horse” piece.

Dong Xuebing straighten his back and quickly gave a reply. He could not talk while playing chess like Senior Xie. He had to look at Senior Xie when he was speaking. This was respect for the elders.

“You look quite young. Are you 25?”

“I am 24 this year.”

“Haha, when Xie Huilan told me that you are not even 30 years old, I thought you should be at least 28 or 29. I did not expect you to be so young.” Senior Xie looked at Dong Xuebing. “You should have joined the government not long ago. Why do you want to go to the grassroots level? The grassroots level’s environment is not as good as Beijing’s. Some places are very backward. Are you able to take the hardship?”

This is the main topic!

Dong Xuebing replied firmly: “Senior Xie, no matter how poor the environment is, or how backward the place is, I am willing to accept it. I wanted to go to the grassroots level is because I want to do something for the people there. The work at the grassroots level might not be as important as what I am doing now, but I feel it will be more meaningful.”

Senior Xie nodded and did not say a word.

Dong Xuebing does not know what Senior Xie was thinking and continued with the game.

Senior Xie was very good at Chinese chess. His overall view and control over the chessboard were extraordinary. Dong Xuebing could only predict two moves in advanced, but Senior Xie could see up to 7 steps ahead. He was unbeatable. No wonder Xie Huilan and Wei Nan could not win him. Senior Xie was a professional. Even with an opponent like Dong Xuebing, he did not hold back.

Zhang Wanxu, who was close to Senior Xie, was sitting beside watching the game. He smiled and shook his head as he watches Senior Xie “bullies” a novice. He knew Senior Xie well. He knows that Senior Xie does not like others to give in to him, and he does not like to give in to others. He will never hold back regardless who was sitting opposite him.