Chapter 30: Revealing Talent

Thinking of this, Lin Jinyan already had a plan; she knew she needed to make more contact with this man, An Zhixian.

Having made up her mind, Lin Jinyan greeted him with a smile: "Great knowledge and leisure, broad-minded and open. A fine name, Boss An."

An Zhixian's eyes lit up upon hearing this: "As expected of Grand Tutor Lin's granddaughter. To possess such insight at such a young age—I stand corrected."

Pretending to be curious about the chess game, Lin Jinyan walked into the pavilion and smiled

"Boss An overpraises me. May I ask who is playing the black pieces in this game?"

Gu Yichen smiled and said, "Brother An is playing black."

An Zhixian sized up the child before him and smiled

"Seeing that Miss Lin wears her hair in a topknot and is still quite young, do you perhaps understand Go as well?"

Lin Jinyan smiled: "I often watch my grandfather and father play. I wouldn't dare say I understand it, but I know a thing or two."

An Zhixian asked, "Miss Lin, tell me, what can you see in this game?"

Lin Jinyan looked at Gu Yichen, her eyes curving into crescents as she smiled: "I can see that my cousin is definitely going to lose."

Gu Yichen took a step forward, leaning his hands on the stone table to look closely

"How could I be losing? How did I not see that? Could it be that your cousin is inferior to a girl not even nine years old?"

Lin Jinyan stood beside Gu Yichen with a beaming smile

"Although Boss An is currently at a disadvantage, his long-term layout is profound. Although my cousin's current position looks good, the further the game goes, the more dead stones without liberties he will have."

An Zhixian's eyes flickered, and a probing gaze fell upon Lin Jinyan's face.

Noticing the gaze, Lin Jinyan's expression remained unchanged, maintaining her innocent, childlike smile.

Gu Yichen walked around to An Zhixian's side and examined the board carefully again

"Indeed, indeed. Father always says my play is too aggressive. Brother An, I admit defeat in this game."

An Zhixian laughed: "The game isn't over yet, so the outcome is still unknown. Yichen, you are being too modest. It is your sister who is truly astonishing. Did you say she is not yet nine?"

Lin Jinyan met An Zhixian's gaze with a smile: "I will be nine years old in a month."

An Zhixian praised her: "Then I have truly misjudged you. I didn't believe Miss Lin could play just now, but your insight clearly marks you as an expert. I apologize for judging you by your appearance; I hope you won't take offense."

After speaking, he bowed with his hands clasped. Lin Jinyan smiled faintly: "Boss An overpraises me. As long as you don't blame me for ruining the flow of the game, it is fine. You are the true master; I can only understand the game, but I cannot play with such exquisite skill."

She then turned to Gu Yichen: "Cousin, you stay and play with Boss An. I will go to the inner courtyard to find Aunt. Once I've finished speaking with her, I'll come back to watch you play. I promise to watch without speaking a word."

She even covered her mouth while saying the last sentence, making Gu Yichen burst into laughter: "Go on, then."

Lin Jinyan bowed to the two men and was led away to the backyard by a servant.

Watching Lin Jinyan's retreating figure, An Zhixian said

"Yichen, your sister is not simple at all. To have such knowledge at this age, she will surely be a famous talent in Tai'an when she grows up."

Gu Yichen wore a look of immense pride

"Of course. My sister is bound to be the best."

Once she entered the inner courtyard, Lin Jinyan pondered as she walked: how to contact An Zhixian without leaving a trace.

With others, one needed to hide their talents and conceal themselves, but with An Zhixian, she had to attract his attention. Only by catching his eye could there be a possibility of befriending him, which was why she had deliberately revealed a bit of her talent.

In her past life, she had excelled in the four arts—zither, Go, calligraphy, and painting—and was known as a talented woman after her coming-of-age ceremony. Moreover, since she was currently a child, she would surely leave a deep impression on An Zhixian.

In her past life, this man had stepped in to help when the Gu family was in peril. Regardless of who he was, Lin Jinyan intended to form a connection with him.

(End of Chapter)