Chapter 103: A Day on the Lake

After Chen Liang and Xiaoyu finished breakfast, they got ready to go boating in Shichahai Park—an activity that has become a favorite pastime among young people these days.

Taking the woman you love out onto the shimmering lake, drifting together in a world made just for the two of you—just thinking about it, one can’t help but feel that a lakeside date with a beautiful companion is truly a delightful affair!

They packed up their things, mainly some snacks and drinks. Never mind that both Xiaoyu and Chen Liang now held official positions and their combined monthly salary reached a solid seventy or eighty yuan—Xiaoyu still kept her good habit of thrift.

Even though Chen Liang ended up carrying all the goods, a man of tact knows when to shower his beloved with praise. “My wife is simply wonderful, absolutely the model of frugality and good management!” (And no, that’s not sarcasm.)

Just as they were about to leave, sharp-eyed Chen Hong spotted them. She immediately clung to her second uncle and aunt, refusing to let go.

Bored out of her mind at home, Chen Hong couldn’t believe her second uncle and aunt were trying to sneak out for a romantic outing without her. How could they go have fun and leave her behind?

Seeing that Chen Hong had made up her mind to be their third wheel, and finding even bribery with snacks ineffective, Chen Liang could only roll his eyes at her.

He spread his arms helplessly toward Xiaoyu, and so, with no other choice, they brought along their little mischief-maker.

As they left, they passed the mouth of the alley where Chen’s father sat under the shade of the trees, playing chess. He wore a threadbare undershirt with three holes in it, a cup of steaming bitter tea by his feet, a big palm-leaf fan in his left hand, and a chess piece in his right. Surrounded by men his own age, he looked perfectly content.

A crisp “snap!” as a piece was placed. “Check! Ha ha!” The old man across the board was brimming with excitement. No small feat!

Though Chen’s father was usually taciturn, not much for words, he was the undisputed chess champion of Wenhe Alley. Now, being taken down by the old man across from him, of course the other was elated.

“Dad, I—” Chen Liang began, but Chen Dashan waved him off before he could finish. Curious about the game, Chen Liang leaned over to glance at the board.

He couldn’t resist a snort. Was this really the top chess player of Wenhe Alley? Just a bunch of hopeless amateurs!

“In with the knight!” Pressed for time, Chen Liang moved quickly, leaping the horse right into the enemy’s lines and blocking the checkmate with a swift maneuver.

“Hey, boy, you can’t just move pieces!” the old man opposite protested, scowling at Chen Liang.

“It’s fine, it’s fine. Just this move,” Chen Dashan, ever the peacemaker, quickly reassured his chess friend.

“Don’t regret it… I’ll take it!” The black player captured Chen Liang’s horse, but Chen Liang didn’t hesitate—he brought out the rook. “Check!”

“I saw that coming! I’ll take it!” In a flurry of moves, Chen Liang orchestrated a series of exchanges. The old man was left with a rook and two cannons, while Chen Liang had only a knight and a cannon left—a pitiful arsenal, but it didn’t matter.

With a classic “horse-behind-cannon” checkmate, Chen Liang declared, “Checkmate! You’re done for!”

The old man leapt up in disbelief. “Wait, how did I lose? That doesn’t count! Chen Junior, don’t go—let’s play again!”

Chen Liang rolled his eyes. “Grandpa Zhang, you play by yourself. I’m in a hurry!”

Honestly, was he out of his mind? Why waste time playing chess here when he had a lovely wife waiting?

“Dad, I’m taking Chen Hong to Shichahai to go boating. Tell Mom we won’t be home for lunch!” Without another word, Chen Liang ignored Grandpa Zhang’s plaintive looks, hopped on his bicycle, and took Xiaoyu and Chen Hong with him.

Thanks to his son’s last-minute intervention, Chen’s father was in high spirits, raising his cup and downing a big gulp of bitter tea. His face twisted at the taste, but for the old men of Beijing’s inner city, this was pure enjoyment, especially in the dog days of summer. Even if the bitterness numbed their tongues, the satisfaction it brought was beyond words.

“Old Chen, that last round doesn’t count—your son played for you!” Grandpa Zhang cried, seeing Chen Liang had already gone and resorting to some shamelessness.

Before he could finish, Grandpa Sun, waiting for his turn, nudged him aside. “Give it a rest. Can’t even beat a kid and you still want another go? Move over!”

After quickly resetting the pieces, he challenged Chen’s father to a match. Winning, he immediately launched an all-out attack.

“Hurry up, Old Chen! Let’s go!” someone called.

Having let his guard down last round, Chen’s father set his tea aside and threw himself into the game. This time, he was determined to show these chess amateurs what was what.

Because the chess game had delayed them, by the time Chen Liang and his party arrived at Shichahai, the lake was already dotted with boats.

After parking the bike and buying tickets, the dashing Chen Liang led his captivating wife, Xiaoyu—every glance and smile a study in charm—and the clever, impish Chen Hong, who was cute as could be. The three of them looked like celestial beings come down to earth, attracting countless admiring gazes as they walked to the dock.

After paying, Chen Liang chose a slightly newer boat and then trotted over to a nearby vendor to buy an elegant parasol for the ladies.

Once aboard, Chen Liang gripped the oar and pushed off from shore.

With Xiaoyu and Chen Hong sitting at the prow, shaded by the parasol and bathed in sunlight, Xiaoyu seemed to glow with a kind of sacred radiance. Her naturally reserved features took on a breathtaking beauty.

One beautiful, one adorable—both resting their chins in their hands, their bright eyes following Chen Liang as he rowed. For a moment, the entire lake seemed steeped in poetry.

Were the author more cultured, perhaps a verse destined to live through the ages would be composed. As it was, they could only marvel.

After rowing out to the middle of the lake, Chen Liang decided he’d done enough. In line with his philosophy of “why row when you can drift,” he put away the oar and drifted closer to Xiaoyu. The little couple, separated by Chen Hong, held hands and whispered to each other.

This infuriated Chen Hong, who shot Chen Liang a glare, hinting he should have some restraint. Wasn’t he aware there was a 36-watt lightbulb (herself!) sitting right between them?

Hello! I’m underage here! Second Uncle, please have some decency, or your beloved niece is going to be stuffed to death on all this public affection!

Aaaah! Second Uncle, are you even listening?