1317 Farewell
“Hearing what you say is starting to change my opinion of this girl. Your mentor has been overwrought because of family matters recently. Don’t blame him for still being angry with you,” Sun Dai said gently.

“Yes, I just hope that Mentor can bury the hatchet with me soon,” Xia Zhe said with a sigh.

While they were talking, Qiao Mei beat Zheng Su in a jiffy. She proudly played her last move and said, “I win.”

Zheng Su looked at the chessboard in disbelief and said in shock, “How is this possible! How can you beat me! This is definitely not real! No! Let’s play another round!”

Qiao Mei quickly stood up and said, “That won’t do. We have a bet in place. Since I beat you, you have to fulfill your promise. Don’t go back on your word!”

Zheng Su really did not want to acknowledge what had just happened, but it was a fact that Qiao Mei had won. Moreover, there was nothing opportunistic or dishonest about the way she did it. Qiao Mei had won this game fair and square. He had played too carelessly.

“Alright, I promise you that I won’t be angry anymore,” Zheng Su said with a dark expression.

“Uncle Zheng, you look like I’m forcing you even though you have agreed to the conditions of this bet,” Qiao Mei said.

“I’m really not angry anymore. You’re quite capable, little girl! Let’s play another round! I must win you today!” Zheng Su said stubbornly.

Qiao Mei could tell that Zheng Su was actually feeling happy inside, but she did not intend to fulfill his wish for now. An old man like Zheng Su had to be kept on tenterhooks, otherwise he would still show her a long face the next time.

“No, no. If Uncle Zheng wants to play, I’ll come to visit you another day and play chess with you then,” Qiao Mei said with a smile.

Zheng Su looked to the side in a fit of pique and muttered softly, “As if I care…”

“Then I won’t come!” Qiao Mei threatened.

“You little girl! How dare you threaten me! It’s up to you whether you want to come or not! There’s no food for you here!” Zheng Su returned to the study upstairs after saying that in a huffy manner.

It was rare for Zheng Su to meet a chess opponent who could get along with him. If Qiao Mei really did not come over again, he was the one who would lose out!
Qiao Mei walked to Xia Zhe’s side smugly and said, “Done!”

Xia Zhe reached out dotingly and gently tapped the tip of Qiao Mei’s nose as he said, “You clever girl, why is it that I don’t know you know how to play chess.”

“My grandfather taught me,” Qiao Mei said after a moment of hesitation.

Qiao Qiang suddenly sneezed at home. There was no wind or dust, so it was really strange for him to suddenly sneeze.

Xia Zhe held back his laughter and did not expose Qiao Mei. It was not as if he had not played chess with Qiao Qiang at home before. His chess skills were simply a mess. If not for Xia Zhe often going easy on Qiao Qiang, he would not be able to win even one round!

“I don’t think you’re here just to visit us two elders,” Sun Dai said with a smile.

“You’re right, Auntie. I’m here today to pass a message on behalf of my good friend. Can you let me go up and visit Zheng Peng?” Qiao Mei looked at Sun Dai seriously.

Sun Dai thought for a moment and nodded. She smiled faintly and whispered, “Be quick. Don’t let Zheng Su find out, or you’ll make him angry again.”

Qiao Mei and Xia Zhe quietly made their way to Zheng Peng’s room. When they opened the door, there was an unpleasant smell inside. This was completely different from the Zheng Peng they were familiar with.

Zheng Peng lay quietly on the bed. His breathing was very weak, as if he would break his bones if he exerted too much strength. He was as fragile as a piece of paper.

“Zheng Peng, we’re here to see you,” Xia Zhe said softly.

Zheng Peng tried his best to open his eyelids. When he saw that it was Qiao Mei and Xia Zhe, he said agitatedly, “You’re here… cough, cough, cough… you’re here! Is she alright? How is she? Is she willing to see me? You… you’re here to tell me that she’s willing to see me, right?”

“No, we’re here to bid farewell to you on her behalf,” Qiao Mei said.

“Farewell? Why would she bid farewell… She won’t bid farewell to me… We have made a promise to be together forever…” Zheng Peng said helplessly as he looked at the ceiling with a look of emptiness in his eyes.

“Qian’e says that she hopes you can pull yourself together. The current you is not the person she met back then. Even without her, you have to live well.” Qiao Mei mechanically recited to Zheng Peng everything that Qian’e hoped for him.

Zheng Peng snorted coldly and said, “Without her, there’s no point in me being the person I was back then.”