As Si Yiyan accompanied Wen Xinya to visit Grampy, he chatted with her as he drove.
Wen Xinya suddenly asked, “I heard that in the Middle East, most men have several wives. Every man can have at least four legally-wedded wives, all of them holding equal status in the household, unlike our Country Z’s ancient times when a man could have several concubines but only one wife.”
Si Yiyan couldn’t help smiling slightly at her intense, probing gaze.
“The Quran teaches men how to treat their wives equally so that they can have four wives.”
Treat their wives equally!
This was how Middle Eastern men showed their deep respect for the family, as well as avoid any domestic conflicts.
Wen Xinya felt this was all rather interesting.
Si Yiyan gave another slight smile. “In Iraq, I had an old friend who offered to introduce me to a devout Muslim wife who is gentle and beautiful.”
He was not lying at all.
As expected, Wen Xinya looked completely outraged. She harrumphed. “How is one enough? You should have told him that you have four available slots.”
Her words were full of jealousy and petulance.
Si Yiyan grinned and he gazed at the Chinese roses growing by the roadside, gently swaying in the cold breeze. “But I rejected him.”
The Chinese rose was a common sight in Capital city, along the roads, the parks, and most leisure spots. Even in winter, one could still enjoy the brilliant colors of the Chinese rose.
He continued, “The Quran states very clearly that you have to be able to treat each wife equally, and I cannot do that. Now that I have you, I can’t see anyone else.”
Wen Xinya purposely pulled a long face. “Don’t think you can fool me with your sweet nothings. I won’t fall for it.”
Nevertheless, she couldn’t conceal the glee in her eyes.
Si Yiyan looked at her seriously and said, “I am speaking the truth!”
Wen Xinya suddenly noticed the red light ahead from the corner of her eyes. She hurriedly cried out. “Concentrate on driving!”
“I am really speaking the truth!” Si Yiyan continued looking at her.
Wen Xinya saw that their car was quickly closing in on the vehicle ahead of them and broke out in nervous sweat. “Alright, alright. I believe in you. Please concentrate on the car in front…”
This fellow could still play such tricks while driving.
Si Yiyan smirked as he stepped on the brakes. The car came to a gradual stop, without any sudden jerking.
Wen Xinya wiped off her cold sweat. She didn’t dare to engage Si Yiyan in a conversation for the rest of the journey.
***
When they arrived at the Mo Family residence, Si Yiyan immediately settled down to a game of chess with Grampy.
Wen Xinya sat by the side to observe.
This game was even more intense and exciting than before.
Wen Xinya saw that Si Yiyan was about to make his move and hurriedly said, “Don’t put it there, put it here…”
With a doting glance at her, Si Yiyan acceded to her instructions and placed his chess piece at the position she had pointed out.
Old Mr. Mo shot his granddaughter a mild look before glancing away. He decided to just tolerate her in silence.
In just a couple more moves, Si Yiyan ended up in a very bad position. Wen Xinya lowered her head despondently.
Old Mr. Mo finally couldn’t keep quiet anymore. She had disrupted their good game of chess. “A true gentleman never tries to interfere with a chess game. Didn’t I teach you that?”
He stared at her sternly.
Si Yiyan maintained his straight face, even as traces of a smile lingered at the corners of his mouth.
Wen Xinya answered meekly, “You did!” She then murmured softly. “But I am not a gentleman, so why should I adhere to a gentleman’s rules!”
Did she think he wouldn’t hear her just because she spoke softly?
“Go brew some tea!” Old Mr. Mo glared at her sternly. “Since you are not a gentleman but a lady, then go do something which a lady should do.”
He then proceeded to ignore her and concentrate on the chessboard.
Wen Xinya instantly yielded to her Grampy’s authoritative manner and obediently went to brew some tea.
Si Yiyan gazed at her back profile with much amusement.
Old Mr. Mo said disapprovingly, “You have spoiled her. She has become increasingly audacious!”
It was all because of Ninth Si’s indulgent treatment that Xinya now had all these bad habits.
“It doesn’t matter, no harm done.”
Si Yiyan didn’t care. Others observed him giving in to Xinya all the time, but didn’t realize how much he enjoyed doing so.
Old Mr. Mo glanced at him. He was at a loss for words.
It was because of Si Yiyan’s over-pampering that Xinya was behaving more and more daring in front of him.
With Wen Xinya away, the two of them were finally able to concentrate on their chess game.
Si Yiyan was able to very quickly reverse his earlier dire situation.
It was clear who the victor would be.
Old Mr. Mo lifted his eyes to look at him. “You are not holding back this time?”
Ninth Si’s chess skills had already far surpassed Old Mr. Mo’s. He had deliberately lost to Old Mr. Mo in those previous games.
Si Yiyan answered, “This time, let me win one game first.”
Previously, that girl had messaged him grumbling that she couldn’t win Grampy, and wanted him to come back and avenge her.
Yes! How could he not fulfill her request?
Let him win one game first. This meant he would still continue to deliberately lose to him in the future. Old Mr. Mo couldn’t understand Si Siyan at all. “I don’t need you to lose to me. Just continue this way.”
He was not a sore loser.
After so many years, his chess skills had not improved at all because he had no worthy opponent.
Si Yiyan smiled but kept silent.
Wen Xinya returned at this point carrying a pot of her Grampy’s favorite Wuyi tea. “Grampy, tea is ready.”
Wen Xinya brought the tea over to Grampy and Si Yiyan.
Si Yiyan took a sip and gently stroked her hair. “Your tea-brewing skills have improved quite a bit.”
Old Mr. Mo gave him a sideways glance. Si Siyan was lying through his teeth!
But since Ninth Si had already complimented Wen Xinya out loud, Old Mr. Mo didn’t want to pour cold water over the mood.
Wen Xinya was very happy at his praise. She glanced at the chessboard. “Have you finished playing?”
She was rather perplexed. She had only been gone for a while, how did the game end so quickly?
Old Mr. Mo put down his teacup. “Yes, we are done. Ninth Si won!”
“Really?”
Wen Xinya was overjoyed. She hurried over and scrutinized the board. Ninth Si had indeed turned the tide and won the game.
Si Yiyan had actually defeated Grampy.
In Wen Xinya’s eyes, her Grampy’s chess skills were formidable beyond reach. She couldn’t help feeling exhilarated now that he had fallen off his high pedestal.
“Si Yiyan, you are so awesome!” Wen Xinya couldn’t contain her glee. Right before her Grampy’s eyes, she leaped into Si Yiyan’s arms and gave him a great big kiss.
Si Yiyan gave her nose a gentle pinch as he gazed at her affectionately. “It was a close victory!”
Old Mr. Mo stared sourly at the two of them kissing as if no one else was around. “Are you that happy that Ninth Si defeated me?”
He had never been a sore loser, but he suddenly felt extremely unhappy now.
Wen Xinya nestled in Si Yiyan’s arms. With Si Yiyan by her side, she daringly stuck out her tongue at Grampy.
Damn, she had been so smug that she forgot to consider Grampy’s own pride.
