Chapter Five: A Change of Appearance

Compared to Old Master Chu getting scolded by the old lady, Chu Dong’s situation was far more awkward than his father's. He was going to visit the elders of the Tan family. Although he used to see them often when he was a child, it had been many years, and his memories were vague at best. The impression left by the two elders was nowhere near as deep as the one left by Tan Xue, so he couldn't act as casually as he usually did.

He chose a set of high-end blue suit, paired it with a crisp white shirt, transforming himself from a notorious playboy into a refined and successful gentleman. Satisfied after a glance in the mirror, he went to the mall and picked out several expensive health supplements. But upon further thought, he felt they were a bit tacky. Remembering how Uncle Tan used to play endless chess matches with his father when visiting, he drove home, found an old set of ivory chess pieces, had them beautifully wrapped at a gift shop, and placed the package on the back seat. Only then did he follow his mother's instructions and head to an upscale residential complex.

These gated communities required identity verification before entry. Chu Dong reported the Tan family's building number and his own name, watching as the security guard, suspicious as ever, called the Tan household to confirm. Only after everything checked out was he allowed inside.

He straightened his tie—though it felt a bit uncomfortable, he resisted the urge to take it off. Pressing the doorbell, he was met with Xiao Yu’er’s voice over the intercom, “Who is it now? My sister isn't home.” The voice cut off, but the door remained closed.

Chu Dong realized she must have mistaken him for some uninvited guest, but he couldn't just leave, so he pressed the bell once more.

“Yu’er, stop fooling around. We have guests today. Go back and read, will you?” This time it was Tan Xue’s voice. Then, speaking into the intercom, she asked, “Is that you, Chu Dong?” Upon his confirmation, there was a click and the door unlocked.

Chu Dong entered, climbed the stairs to the third floor, and as he reached the door, the security door opened. A kindly woman greeted him.

“Little Dongzi? Come in, let Aunt Tan have a look at you.” She ushered him inside.

“Dongzi, come, sit here,” Tan Songhai came over, took Chu Dong’s hand and led him to the sofa. “You’ve grown up, lad. You look so much like your father at your age, only you’re even more dashing! Haha…”

“Hello, Uncle Tan, Aunt Tan.” Normally unconcerned with anything, Chu Dong found himself feeling rather restrained, which was unusual for him.

“Let me see, let me see what he looks like, then I’ll go back to reading,” came Xiao Yu’er’s pleading voice. The sound of slippers slapping against the floor approached, and the little girl, eyes bright with mischief, ran over. At the sight of Chu Dong, her mouth fell open. One hand covered her mouth in exaggerated surprise, while the other pointed at him. “Him, him, how did he get here?”

“When did you two meet?” Tan Xue, dressed in a pale blue long dress, stood behind her sister, asking curiously.

“We don't know each other, not at all.” Xiao Yu’er quickly denied it, then darted behind her sister. Her glance at Chu Dong was a warning, her finger pressed to her lips, signaling him not to mention their encounter earlier that day.

“Go read in your room, we’ll call you when dinner’s ready.” Without so much as a greeting for Chu Dong, Tan Xue took her sister and left the living room.

“This child, she really is a handful,” Tan Songhai chided his daughter, though his tone was more affectionate than reproachful.

“No, no, Xue’er is just the same as always,” Chu Dong replied awkwardly, forcing a smile.

“Uncle Tan, I didn’t bring much, just this chess set for you, and some health supplements for Aunt Tan,” Chu Dong hurried to change the subject.

“There you go, bringing gifts again. Don’t do that in the future. You’re always welcome here, just like when you were a kid. Don’t be a stranger. Didn’t you always love your aunt’s cooking? See if it still suits your taste later.” Tan Songhai was much warmer than his daughter, completely without the airs of a successful businessman, more like a kindly neighbor.

“Heh,” The old man’s words reminded Chu Dong of how, as a child, he would linger at the dinner table in the Tan household, and he chuckled sheepishly.

“Oh, is this the chess set? Haha, it’s finally mine! I can’t tell you how many times I tried to get it from your father, but he never budged. You’re far more generous than your old man, my boy. Haha!” Tan Songhai was anything but formal. Opening the gift box, his laughter rang out when he saw the chess set.

“I just remember you and my father always played with this set when I was little, and you seemed to love it, so I brought it over,” Chu Dong said, though he now regretted it. Clearly, this chess set was one of his father’s prized possessions, but since he’d already given it as a gift, there was no taking it back. He comforted himself that even if his father got angry, his mother would shield him.

“My boy, do you know why it’s called ‘elephant chess’?” Tan Songhai asked, still fiddling lovingly with the pieces.

“Why?” Chu Dong really didn’t know the origin.

“It’s because, originally, the pieces were made of ivory, and over time, the name stuck. This set is quite old—not only is the material precious, but the characters carved on it were done by a famous calligrapher. That’s why your father was so stingy with it. But now I have a fine nephew-in-law! Haha!” His pride was unmistakable. Tan Songhai truly didn’t treat Chu Dong as an outsider, as if there hadn’t been a decade or two since their last meeting.

Chu Dong regretted it even more, but since there was no use crying over spilled milk, he decided he’d eat plenty at dinner, to make up for his loss.

Meanwhile, Tan Xue hid with her sister in the study, unsettled by Chu Dong’s transformation that evening. As a child, Chu Dong had been exactly as he was earlier that day—swaggering and unruly, never serious about anything. Tonight, however, he’d become proper and well-behaved, like some model youth.

“Fake,” she muttered, her lovely lips forming the word. Seeing Xiao Yu’er giggling, she smacked her sister lightly on the rear. “Go read your book.”

“Hey, why are you taking it out on me?” Xiao Yu’er pouted, went to the desk, and stuck out her tongue at her sister playfully. “Sis, is that the little troublemaker you always talk about? He doesn’t look that bad.”

“What do you know, kid? Mind your own book.” She shot her sister a glance, found a book for herself, and sat down, though her thoughts drifted far away.

“Xue’er, come here, let me see what’s on your mouth,” a little boy had called out solemnly.

Her big eyes blinked with confusion, but she went over anyway.

“Close your eyes, and don’t move,” the boy commanded.

Dressed like a little princess, Tan Xue obediently closed her eyes.

The boy cupped her rosy cheeks with both hands and planted a kiss on her small lips.

“There, it’s gone. No need to thank me, it’s my duty,” the triumphant boy declared, as though he’d performed a great deed.

“Scoundrel!” Remembering this, Tan Xue’s face flushed bright red, and she couldn’t help cursing under her breath.

“Sis, who are you talking about?” Her little sister’s ears were keen.

“None of your business,” Tan Xue scolded, righting the upside-down book she’d been holding.