The sky gradually darkened as night fell.
Several private cars pulled up at the entrance of the Tang family home.
“Click.”
The car doors opened, and a few of the younger generation from the Tang family stepped out, chatting excitedly among themselves.
“I heard that Uncle-in-law is coming today! Awesome, he’s so handsome—finally, we get to see him in person!”
“I want to see if those photos are filtered. If they’re not, then he’s genuinely stunning. We’ve got to take a few pictures to show my girlfriends—they’ll be so jealous!”
“Is that a good idea, though? What if Auntie gets jealous? I mean, Uncle-in-law is about the same age as me, maybe just a year or two older?”
“Shh, Big Sister, don’t let Auntie hear you say that, or else...”
The girls were the most excited—after all, who wouldn’t want to see a handsome guy?
In contrast, the boys among them seemed indifferent, even a bit dismissive.
They’d been hearing this kind of talk the whole way here, and compared to the girls’ enthusiasm, the boys felt completely overshadowed.
If they were fine with it, that would be a miracle.
“I’m not so sure. He might just be a little good-looking—probably photo-edited.”
“Exactly. Haven’t you heard of the Four Great Asian Beauty Spells? Run through that routine, and even a scrawny kid could look like the main dancer of a boy band.”
“Right, Big Brother?”
“...”
“You guys are just jealous. Hope you can keep that same energy when you meet Auntie later. Oh, by the way, I recorded everything you just said. You’re doomed.”
The boys were in shock.
“Are you serious? Playing dirty like that!”
It was Friday, and school let out early.
The two oldest kids—the eldest son of Tang Shouye and the eldest daughter of Tang Jianjun—were in their final year of high school, their time pressed.
The other siblings were in middle school or elementary school, so they weren’t in such a rush.
Still, they came along for the tutoring session.
The messages had been sent by the Tang mother, who told both her daughters-in-law that she’d arranged for an excellent tutor for the grandkids.
Old Madam Tang had absolute authority in the family, though she wasn’t overbearing—she always consulted others.
Neither daughter-in-law could refuse, since their mother-in-law had asked, so tutoring it was…
Which led to this scene.
In the car, the siblings had started gossiping, buzzing with excitement—all eager to meet their “legendary” Uncle-in-law, who had only existed in rumors until now.
They weren’t sure if he was smart, but they knew he was handsome—the girls had been thrilled for ages.
As they walked into the house, they cheerfully greeted their grandparents.
“Shh, something’s up. Don’t make a sound.” The Big Sister among them put a finger to her lips. The others stopped and tiptoed over, sneaking closer in the dark.
“What’s going on?”
“Looks like they’re playing chess?”
“With who?”
“No brainer—must be Grandpa. Who else? You don’t think you’d make Grandma play chess? Remember last time, when she cheated at Gomoku?”
“That's true, Grandma’s too stubborn, but Grandpa is still amazing at chess. I’ve never seen anyone better than him. Do you think Uncle-in-law can win?”
“Whoa, look, look! He’s really handsome!!!”
“What! Quick, let me see! Big Sister, move over a bit, please!”
“See, see? Now that’s what you call a handsome guy. Look at you all—ugly as weird-shaped gourds—and you still badmouth Uncle-in-law!”
“Tch, just a pretty face…”
“Yeah, yeah, a vase!”
“He actually does look quite presentable.” The second brother’s son finally said something fair, ending the sour, unconvinced yet secretly envious exchange among the boys.
“Hey, hold on—look, Uncle-in-law seems to be cheating!”
The sharpest-eyed among them caught something off, and everyone stared. The girls who had been loud earlier now wore less confident expressions.
But they still made a final defense for Ye Cheng.
“Cheating? Who says it’s cheating? Maybe he’s just scrolling through videos or replying to work messages. What do you know?”
“Oh, sure, replying to work messages! Isn’t he still a student, just like us?”
“Exactly. Cheating is cheating. Using AI to take on Grandpa—that’s too much!”
“This is bad. Grandpa’s spirit is crushed. Hey, do you think Grandpa will be furious when he finds out?”
Nearby, under a big tree.
Ye Cheng and Old Master Tang were playing chess in the last glow of the setting sun.
Old Master Tang had sobered up long ago, and after waking, he couldn’t resist going to chat with Ye Cheng again.
Being alone for too long, even with these younger folks around, still felt like something was missing. His old friends were scattered all over the country, only reachable by phone for a few words.
But the more they talked, the more regretful he felt, the more he wanted to gather together and share a drink. If he lingered on the phone like this, it only deepened the loneliness and emptiness, leaving him feeling worse than if he were alone.
Ye Cheng’s arrival perfectly filled that gap. Whatever questions Old Master Tang asked or topics he brought up, Ye Cheng could keep up and offer unique insights.
On some matters, their thoughts aligned completely.
He even shared things he wouldn’t normally say to outsiders, speaking without restraint, acting like a true friend across generations.
As for Ye Cheng, he had nothing better to do. Sure, lying in bed watching mindless short videos sounded nice, but since he was eating Old Master Tang’s food and staying under his roof, a little chat was the least he could do.
And so they talked… for half a day.
Then, during a casual remark from Old Master Tang, they ended up in a chess match, trading moves back and forth.
At first, Old Master Tang was thrilled, surprised that Ye Cheng was so “accomplished” in chess and could hold his own.
But as the games went on, something felt off.
How come… every match ended in a draw?
If he won the last round, no matter how careful he played or how closely he watched, he’d lose the next. Conversely, if he lost one, he would “barely” win the next, savoring the thrill of a comeback.
Once or twice could be excused, and Old Master Tang wouldn't think much of it, but after it happened several times in a row, he had already noticed something was off.
Ye Cheng... seemed to be holding back?
A business-style chess move?
Old Master Tang: "..."
"Little Cheng, you... you wouldn't be going easy on me, would you?" Old Master Tang asked hesitantly, his tone carrying some uncertainty.
When it came to chess, he still believed he had some achievements to his name. He had his own unique insights. When had he ever played against anyone and not crushed them?
When had he ever needed someone to go easy on him?
He had a vague feeling it was true, but he still needed to verify it. He also wanted to see just how big the gap between him and Ye Cheng really was!
At the very least, if he was going to lose, he wanted to lose with dignity!
Ye Cheng blinked innocently. "No way, Big Brother. How could I possibly go easy on you? I've been playing very seriously!"
Old Master Tang: "..."
Did you really believe that yourself? If you lose one round, you win the next. If you win one round, you're guaranteed to lose the next. Are you treating me like a three-year-old?
Old Master Tang was utterly speechless. But considering that Ye Cheng had entered society early and was very good at reading people—and that his own status must have been weighing on the kid's mind—he figured there was hesitation there.
From the very beginning, it hadn't been an equal match. Old Master Tang had unintentionally dominated him.
It was a very unpleasant feeling.
He himself had come from a poor background and had always hated the old privileged classes—landlords and the like. But now, ironically, he had ended up unconsciously bullying someone else, gaining an unfair advantage.
Even if unintentional, it was still the truth.
Old Master Tang put down the chess piece in his hand, his face growing much more serious. "Little Cheng, if you lose the next round... you'll only get one bowl of rice for dinner tonight."
Gasp...
Only one bowl of rice?
Wasn't that a bit too cruel?
Ye Cheng took a sharp breath, his gaze turning much more determined. "Alright, Big Brother, I'll go all out!"
Hearing Ye Cheng's promise, Old Master Tang's expression brightened a little. The two of them began the next game, and a faint smile crept onto his face.
Yeah, that's more like it. Play chess properly, why worry about all that stuff?
But soon, Old Master Tang couldn't smile anymore.
"Smack!"
"Checkmate!"
In fewer than ten moves, Old Master Tang was defeated. Checkmate!
Old Master Tang: "..."
The playing style had changed completely. Compared to the earlier "business-style" moves, this was far more aggressive. In fewer than ten moves, he was losing.
Old Master Tang straightened his back and started playing seriously, thinking... and thinking again... adjusting the board.
Why did Old Master Tang love playing chess so much?
And why was he so good at it?
Well, think about it. In the past, he had commanded so many men on a battlefield that changed in an instant, calculating at least dozens of outcomes every minute to arrive at the best solution.
Wasn't chess just a simplified version of military strategy? Planning three steps ahead was basic for Old Master Tang.
That was exactly why so many retired veterans loved playing chess—it reminded them of the old days and kept their minds sharp, preventing their skills from rusting when they were most needed.
Planning for danger in times of peace.
"Smack!"
"Checkmate!"
Old Master Tang: "..."
Old Master Tang’s brow furrowed tightly as he pondered the chessboard before him. Unknowingly, cold sweat began to bead on his forehead. Finally, a faint, relieved smile appeared on his wrinkled face.
“Xiao Cheng, you’re still a bit too young for this. There’s still a move here…”
Before Old Master Tang could finish, he saw Ye Cheng already picking up the next piece, ready to place it down—as if he had been waiting for the very “glimmer of hope” that Old Master Tang had just spotted.
Old Master Tang: “???”
Silently, Old Master Tang withdrew his hand. Ye Cheng withdrew his as well. Old Master Tang reached out again; Ye Cheng followed suit…
Withdrew; Ye Cheng withdrew again.
Old Master Tang: “…”
Alright, that move was off the table.
The game reached a stalemate. Old Master Tang sat upright, utterly serious, deep in thought over his next move. Growing bored of the wait, Ye Cheng pulled out his phone and began scrolling through some mindless, fun short videos.
Heh heh, this is good stuff—love watching it!
And that was exactly what the younger generation of the Tang family had walked in on just moments ago.
To avoid disturbing Old Master Tang, who was deep in concentration across the table, Ye Cheng had his phone on silent. Both of them were completely absorbed—Ye Cheng in his videos, and Old Master Tang in the game.
Not far off, the younger members of the Tang family were also watching—very intently.
“How despicable! Using technology to cheat Grandpa! Let’s film this ugly side of his!” the brothers said, righteous indignation burning in their voices.
e bizarre and supernatural had descended. The previous emperor was a thoroughgoing tyrant; no longer satisfied with human women, he had set his sights on a stunningly beautiful supernatural entity. He met his end in his bedchamber, drained of all his vital essence. As the legitimate eldest son and crown prince, Wang Hao was thus hastily enthroned, becoming the young emperor of the Great Zhou Dynasty. No sooner had he awakened the "Imperial Sign-In Intelligence System" than he was assassinated by a Son of Destiny—a classic villain's opening. The Great Zhou, ravaged by the former emperor's excesses, was in national decline. The great families within its borders harbored their own treacherous schemes, martial sects began to defy the imperial court's decrees, and border armies, their pay and provisions in arrears, grumbled incessantly against the central government. Fortunately, the central capital was still held secure by the half-million Imperial Guards and fifty thousand Imperial Forest Army who obeyed the court's orders, along with the royal family's hidden reserves of power, barely managing to suppress the realm. As the Great Zhou's finances worsened and supernatural activities grew ever more frequent, the court sat atop a volcano. Ambitious plotters everywhere dreamed of overthrowing the dynasty, and even some reclusive ancient powers emerged, attempting to sway the tides of the world. At the first grand court assembly, the civil and military officials nearly came to blows, fighting tooth and nail over the allocation of fifty million taels of silver from the summer tax revenues. The spectacle opened Wang Hao's eyes—the Great Zhou's bureaucracy was not only corrupt but also martially proficient, a cabinet of all-rounders. Some officials even had the audacity to suggest the emperor release funds from the imperial privy purse to address the emergency. Wang Hao suddenly felt weary. Let it all burn.
to panic—he has a system. As long as an investment target dies, he can claim a reward. And since he is immortal, the one thing he has plenty of is time. ... Countless years later. “Immortal Emperor of Longevity? I invested in him.” “Supreme Celestial Venerable? I invested in him.” “Undying Empress? I invested in her.” “...” “Heh. Once they’ve all died, even the Heavenly Dao will have to kneel and call me Dad.”
agon king storylines. At the start, I obtained the "Ultimate Lackey System" - the more I act as a lackey, the stronger I become. What else could I do? I chose to become the personal henchman of the ultimate villain, Su Muwan. I provoke all sorts of chosen ones, snatch away their opportunities, and commit every evil deed imaginable. You ask who's behind me? Hmph! You're not worthy of knowing my lady's name! ...... ....... I am Su Muwan, the eldest daughter of the Su family. Since childhood, I've possessed extraordinary talent in martial arts, which led to my arrogant and domineering personality in my past life. I was even foolish enough to repeatedly challenge those favored by heaven, ultimately resulting in a tragic death. In this life, I must behave and absolutely cannot walk the same path again!! However... SLAP!! "So you're the Dragon King, huh?!" When I saw my little lackey swagger over and viciously slap the Dragon King who was hiding his identity, I felt my heart sink. Su Muwan's suspended heart finally died as she watched Qin Luo, her utterly loyal lackey, standing before her. She fainted on the spot from shock. Heaven is determined to destroy me!! (Pure love 1v1, light-hearted, no angst, single female lead, villain, reincarnation, lackey)
s the Eldest Princess, renowned for her cold and aloof detachment, became the most docile of lambs, obeying his every command without question. But when the final move was played on the chessboard, as Gu Chenghan seized everything and ascended on the verge of apotheosis, that very Princess suddenly embraced him from behind, her tone carrying a dependence never heard before: "Wait... you haven't yet... commanded me to love you forever." Gu Chenghan froze abruptly. She... hadn't been hypnotized?! ... [The Eldest Princess's Diary] [When my soul was extracted, becoming the sole spectator outside my own shell] [At first, there was overwhelming fury, until I saw] [How he used my sword to effortlessly shatter my inescapable doom] [How he wielded my authority to eradicate fatal conspiracies I had never even detected] [Like a deity, he rescued me from the deep mire I was trapped in] [If not for those annoying vixens, he and I would be a match made in heaven] [I think I am ill, gravely ill] [My deity should belong to me alone] ... "Hypnosis? Oh, it succeeded, my dear Master." "Only this time, it's my turn to hypnotize you."
