In Baihu Park, a pavilion stood where the two brothers, finally freed from their constraints, were now enjoying themselves on the lawn. Even though they usually acted like little adults, they were still children at heart.
Jia Naji, using his natural talent, was showing off his street dance moves on the grass, his movements fluid and lively.
"Haha, this kid has better moves than you, Nana!" Zhen Fugui, sitting on a stone bench, teased, looking at his grandson with a smile.
"Just like his mother, always so energetic!" Chen Lina commented, thinking of how her daughter Nana could be just as spirited.
Jia Fuhai, reflecting on it, realized that his two children had inherited their personalities from their mothers. His elder son, like Qi, preferred not to move much, though he'd get active when his younger brother pulled him into it. The younger son was much more energetic, though he stayed more settled as long as his older brother was around.
"I've got a friend arriving, I'll go greet him," Zhen Fugui said, glancing at his vibrating phone before standing up and leaving the pavilion.
"What's going on?" Jia Fuhai asked, puzzled.
"I don't know, probably just one of his friends," Chen Lina responded, equally uncertain.
Soon, Zhen Fugui returned with a middle-aged man.
"This is my son-in-law, Jia Fuhai, you've met him before," Zhen Fugui introduced, pointing to Jia Fuhai. Then, turning to Jia Fuhai, he added, "This is my friend, Lao Bai. He came to your wedding, but I don't know if you remember him."
"Hello, Uncle Bai," Jia Fuhai greeted, still unable to recall much from the wedding, as he had only met Lao Bai once before and he only felt vaguely familiar.
"Yes, yes, nice to see you, Xiao Jia. I brought these for your sons," Lao Bai said with a warm smile, handing Jia Fuhai two jade pendants. "Once the children are old enough, you can put these on them."
Jia Fuhai accepted them gratefully with a smile, nodding in appreciation.
Chen Lina brought the two boys over.
"Uncle Bai," she greeted, familiar with the man as her father's old friend.
"Wow, Nana, you're looking more beautiful every day!" Lao Bai chuckled, praising her. Then, seeing the two children holding hands, he crouched down. "Do you remember me?"
"Yes!" The two brothers immediately recognized him as the person who came to play chess with their grandfather yesterday.
"Call me Grandpa Bai," Zhen Fugui prompted.
"Grandpa Bai!" Both boys shouted in unison, much to Lao Bai's delight. It was the first time he'd been called 'grandpa' despite being under 50.
The more Lao Bai looked at the two brothers, the more he liked them. It reminded him of his own son, but he felt he had been too lenient with him.
"Old Bai, want to play chess with my grandson?" Zhen Fugui teased, his eyes narrowing with a grin.
"...Forget it, I'm just an amateur," Lao Bai chuckled, knowing he couldn't beat the children.
"Haha, if you want to play with me, you'll have to first beat my grandson!" Zhen Fugui laughed proudly.
"You're shameless! Don't you know your own level?" Lao Bai almost spat in disbelief.
Zhen Fugui just grinned, unbothered, "Who said old people can't beat kids? You can't even beat my grandson, how can you challenge me?"
"Shameless!" Lao Bai shook his head in mock contempt, though inwardly he was impressed.
"I've got grandsons, that's enough for me!" Zhen Fugui beamed, completely satisfied.
Chen Lina rolled her eyes at their banter, amused at their playful rivalry.
"Your grandsons are remarkable. Have you had them tested?" Lao Bai asked softly, observing the energetic boys.
"Yes, we've tested them. They're just a little smarter and stronger, nothing special," Zhen Fugui responded casually.
"...Are they twins? And where's Qi?" Lao Bai inquired, noticing something seemed off.
"Qi? Oh, she's at home handling something," Zhen Fugui replied, casting a pointed glance at Jia Fuhai.
Lao Bai noticed Zhen Fugui's sudden shift in demeanor and became more curious. He looked at Chen Lina and Jia Fuhai, his suspicions rising.
"Wait, both your daughters aren't... with Xiao Jia, are they?" Lao Bai whispered, leaning closer to Zhen Fugui.
Zhen Fugui's face instantly darkened, his grip tightening on his phone. This was a humiliating defeat for him, the ultimate victory for Xiao Jia.
Lao Bai's eyes widened in shock as he processed the situation. He had never expected this—both of Zhen Fugui's daughters... were with Xiao Jia? At first, he had been puzzled by Xiao Jia marrying Qi, but now it seemed Xiao Jia had won over both sisters.
Looking at the increasingly displeased expression on Zhen Fugui's face, Lao Bai quickly sat back down, trying to steer the conversation away.
"Well, these grandsons of yours are truly impressive," Lao Bai said, trying to divert attention.
"Not bad. Too bad you won't dare play chess with them," Zhen Fugui muttered darkly, still not happy about the situation with his daughters but unable to say more.
Chen Lina noticed Lao Bai looking at Jia Fuhai with a mix of envy and admiration, realizing the situation had certainly shifted in Jia Fuhai's favor.
Lao Bai glanced back at Zhen Fugui with a new perspective, thinking about the past when he envied Zhen Fugui's two wives.
But now, seeing Jia Fuhai with two children who were so talented, Lao Bai felt a strange mix of admiration and jealousy.
Just as he was lost in thought, his phone rang.
"Hello?"
"Uncle Bai, it's Xiao Zhang," came the voice on the other end.
"Ah, Xiao Zhang, what's up?" Lao Bai immediately recalled the young player from yesterday.
"The head of our chess club wants to play with the two prodigies. Can you help me set it up?" Xiao Zhang asked quickly.
"I'm with them right now, let me check," Lao Bai said, raising an eyebrow as he glanced at the two boys still playing.
"Okay, thanks, Uncle Bai," Xiao Zhang responded.
Lao Bai turned to Zhen Fugui, holding the phone to his ear, "The head of the chess club wants to play with your grandsons. How about it?"
"It's almost lunchtime. Let's eat first," Zhen Fugui replied, thinking of how much his grandsons seemed to enjoy playing chess with others. He quickly added, "Let's just eat first."
"Okay, I'll tell him," Lao Bai replied, then turned back to the phone, "Xiao Zhang, it's best to wait until after lunch. Can you make that work?"
"Sure, no problem. We'll be ready after lunch," Xiao Zhang agreed.
"Alright," Lao Bai confirmed and hung up the phone.
"Well, time to head back and let you taste Xiao Hai's cooking," Zhen Fugui said as he stood up, preparing to leave.
"Ah, I knew it. Your son-in-law's cooking must be good," Lao Bai said with a smile, ready to leave.
After securely placing the boys back in their strollers, the group began heading home.