Dad, Please Try a Little Harder

After five rounds of tests and training, Li Zhiyi’s “Two Times Nine” began to lag and throw errors. The Al, which had lost five matches in a row, seemed to have lost its composure.

For the first time since earning his master-level chess award, Qian Quan found himself breaking a sweat while playing chess.

“If this thing evolves a few more times and gains stronger computational power, beating it will be difficult,” he mused.

However, Qian Quan made an intriguing discovery. The stronger the chess style of “Two Times Nine”, the clearer and more rational his thinking became. It was as if he was approaching some kind of limit or entering a “zone status.”

It seemed that his “master level” wasn’t quite the same as the commonly understood meaning. He wondered what the ultimate state would be like.

“You…”

Li Zhiyi, who had watched the five rounds, was profoundly shocked. Her eyes widened as she looked at Qian Quan, uttering a single word, “You”, before losing her words.

“It’s really strong; it almost beat me,” Qian Quan said honestly. “Want to upgrade it again?”

Li Zhiyi nodded.

Qian Quan asked curiously, “Could you create a Go version? It doesn’t have to be high-level, just beginner’s level is fine. Or maybe one that adjusts according to the opponent’s level?”

“Sure,” said Li Zhiyi. “What do you need a Go version for?”

“I’ve been learning Go recently.”

“Go, huh…” Li Zhiyi pondered and then nodded. “I’ll bring it next time.”

“Okay.”

Li Zhiyi packed up her things to return to Jiaotong University, and Qian Quan offered to accompany her. She neither agreed nor declined.

As they walked toward the campus gate, Li Zhiyi retreated into her world, remaining silent the entire way.

Qian Quan initially wanted to strike up a conversation to lighten the mood but ultimately decided against it upon observing her.

After all, understanding boundaries is important in human interactions.

Li Zhiyi was a girl with a unique aura, an aura tinged with loneliness or perhaps a sense of individuality. She stood out in her unique way.

Qian Quan also noticed that her overall life trajectory seemed smooth. It wasn’t just her family’s support; her individual strength also promised her exceptional success in her future career.

Being a wealthy second-generation individual with specialized skills, a focused attitude, and a philosophy of “Don’t worry about unnecessary things,” it would be difficult for her not to succeed.

“Goodbye, see you next time.”

Qian Quan waved as she prepared to board her car.

Li Zhiyi glanced at him, waved back, and said softly yet audibly, “See you next time.”

That evening, Qian Quan was set to represent the basketball club and play a match against visiting students from the Jiao tong University Basketball Association.

Before the game, a member of the Jiaotong University team came over to greet him.

Recognizing the face but unable to place it, Qian Quan was enlightened when the student introduced himself, “Pang Haiyang, sixth place in the Freshmen Chess Competition.”

“Oh, 1 remember you,” said Qian Quan.

“You didn’t remember me, did you?”

“You’re right,” admitted Qian Quan, laughing. “But you do look familiar.”

Pang Haiyang didn’t mind. “That’s understandable. That day was more about you and Li Zhiyi. 1 just hope you’ll remember me today. After all, when it comes to basketball, I’ve got a slight edge over you.”

“Definitely.”

“Anyway, I just came over to say hi. We seem to have some sort of fate, meeting up in both chess and basketball competitions.”

“Yeah, it’s important to be well-rounded, both mentally and physically.”

“Oh, are you also a follower of the ancient Greek sages?”

The wise men and philosophers of Ancient Greece admired the perfect unity of mind and body. Many of their statues are of muscular, robust men with thick hair.

“I’m more of a follower of Confucius. He was the type to hit you with wisdom from the Analects, or if that didn’t work, hit you with his fists before schooling you.”

Pang Haiyang chuckled, “Alright then, make sure to unleash your full potential in the upcoming game.”

“I’ll give it my all.”

Forty minutes after Pang Haiyang uttered the words “unleash your full potential,” he came to know the true meaning of regret.

“Why did 1 have to show off? A simple greeting would’ve sufficed. Why did I do that?”

That night, the ‘unleashed’ Qian Quan scored 50 points, leading the Seacoast Normal University basketball team to a 25-point victory over the Jiaotong University Basketball Association.

After the game, Qian Quan approached Pang Haiyang for a congratulatory hug. “I thought I’d reclaim some dignity on the basketball court after losing to you in chess. Turns out, you’re hunting me down from chessboard to basketball court.”

Pang Haiyang was a jovial and open-minded individual, exceptionally talented, excelling both in chess and basketball.

Before meeting Qian Quan, he could confidently say to anyone, “I’m the best basketball player in the Chess Club and the best chess player in the Basketball Association.”

Although he felt a bit discouraged today, he wasn’t despondent. After all, how many Qian Quans could there be who excel in both chess and basketball?

After bidding farewell to Pang Haiyang, Qian Quan returned to his team, where the club president, Wang Teng, handed him a bag of fruit.

“Does the Most Valuable Player get fruit, too?” Qian Quan was surprised.

Wang Teng had a complicated expression. “No, a female spectator asked me to give this to you.”

“Oh, well.” Originally, Qian Quan had intended to share the fruit with everyone. However, realizing it was a gift, he kept it for himself.

Inside the bag was a sticky note that read.

“Great job tonight. Take good care of yourself.”

Random acts of kindness from strangers touched one’s heart.

On Monday, classes proceeded as usual.

That evening, Ding Linlang announced in her reader group that she would be releasing a new book this week.

Qian Quan already knew this and suspected the book would be a bestseller, making Ding Linlang a fortune.

It would possibly even be selling the rights.

Qian Quan wasn’t purposely snooping; he just couldn’t help but notice that Ding Linlang had ‘success written all over her face’ as if her prosperous future was hovering above her head.

It seemed that her good fortune was a combination of innate talent, hard work, and good karma.

Qian Quan couldn’t help but feel happy for her.

On Tuesday morning, after finishing two classes, they set off for Disney. Qian Quan had arranged to meet up with Ding Linlang on Line 11 of the subway.

Ding Linlang’s outfit for the day was a study in simplicity: a gray hoodie, straight-leg jeans, and a pair of white sneakers.

While on the subway, she found herself being approached by two men who asked for her contact information.

She ignored them. In the past, it had usually been women who approached her; it was only after growing her hair long that men started to take notice as well.

The two men didn’t persist but didn’t entirely back off either. They stood not too far away, glancing at her and talking with each other.

That was until Qian Quan appeared. He walked up to Ding Linlang and, without a word, placed his hand on her shoulder. Then he turned to look at the two men.

Seeing that Ding Linlang was “spoken for,” and by someone who didn’t seem to be trifled with, the men disembarked at the next station.

“I’ve helped you fend off so many admirers before; now it’s your turn to help me,” Ding Linlang said, smiling at Qian Quan.

“Well, what goes around comes around,” he replied.

“Enough with the drama. They’ve left. You can remove your hand now,” she suggested.

“No need. It’s good this way. Otherwise, we’d have to do this all over again if someone else tries to approach us,” he said.

“Just say you want to keep your hand there.”

Ding Linlang retorted though she didn’t press him to move his hand away.

So, arm in arm, pretending to be a couple, they made their way to the Disney subway station.

Upon exiting at Exit 2, they decided to have lunch at Disney Town first.

As they chatted and walked, Qian Quan suddenly noticed a forklift out of control at a nearby intersection. It had thrown its driver off and was wobbling its way onto the wrong side of the road.

A black Mercedes-Benz was approaching from a distance. Given its speed, a collision with the forklift seemed inevitable unless it swerved immediately.

Without a second thought, Qian Quan darted toward the forklift. Using his excellent driving skills, he managed to stabilize it and steer it to the side of the road.

The Mercedes-Benz made an emergency stop, its tires screeching loudly as it narrowly avoided a collision with the forklift.

Just then, a large truck whooshed by.

In other words, had the Mercedes-Benz tried to change lanes just then, it would have had a head-on collision with the truck..