Picked Up the Female Lead When She Was Young (GL) - Chapter 20

After soothing Zhou Qinglang, it was time for dinner.

Zhao Tianhang came to knock on the door. Just as Xia Wanshuang was about to put on her shoes, Zhou Qinglang stopped her.

“Sister, your foot hurts. Why don’t I bring the food over for you?”

“It’s okay, it doesn’t hurt much.”

Xia Wanshuang didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. It was just a few blisters, but Zhou Qinglang was acting as if her foot was seriously injured.

“This is just between you and me. Don’t let Aunt Jiang or Brother Tianhang know, okay?”

“Okay.”

Zhou Qinglang looked a little confused, not understanding why she couldn’t mention it, but since her sister said not to, she wouldn’t.

After dinner, Zhao Tianhang lingered by the door, looking at Xia Wanshuang.

“Sister Shuangshuang, I’ve finished my homework. Can I come over and help you again tonight?”

“No need, Sister isn’t selling anything today,” Zhou Qinglang quickly answered before Xia Wanshuang could speak.

“Why not?” Zhao Tianhang looked a little puzzled.

Mind your own business!!!

This person asks so many questions!

Zhou Qinglang didn’t know the reason herself, so she pouted and looked to Xia Wanshuang.

“I couldn’t buy some ingredients, so I’m not selling anything tonight.”

“Oh, I see,” Zhao Tianhang’s expression was a little regretful. “Then why don’t you watch TV at my house? We can watch cartoons together.”

Zhou Qinglang was wildly shaking her head internally, full of resistance.

“Langlang, do you want to watch TV with Brother Tianhang?” Xia Wanshuang’s tone was like a parent addressing a child’s playdate invitation, though neither child noticed.

“I want to go home with Sister.”

No, she absolutely did not want to.

“Alright. Brother Tianhang, let’s play together some other time.”

Xia Wanshuang waved at Zhao Tianhang, subtly reinforcing the fact that she didn’t want to watch cartoons together.

Zhou Qinglang was secretly pleased. As Xia Wanshuang opened the door, she turned and made a face at Zhao Tianhang.

Nyah-nyah, I’m not playing with you.

Zhao Tianhang closed the door, suppressing a smile. Sister Langlang is so cute. She even made a funny face at me.

Zhou Qinglang, safely inside the door, didn’t know Zhao Tianhang’s thoughts, or she might have wanted to run back and hit him.

When the sky darkened and the sun was no longer beating down, Xia Wanshuang took Zhou Qinglang outside.

“Sister, doesn’t your foot hurt? Maybe we should just stay home.”

Zhou Qinglang didn’t necessarily need to go out. Staying home with her sister was fine, too.

She didn’t have much curiosity or yearning for the outside world. After all, she had seen more malice and misfortune than beauty.

“It’s okay. It’s a small thing.”

The pain wasn’t severe and was within Xia Wanshuang’s tolerance.

“We’ll just look around the neighborhood, not go too far.”

Xia Wanshuang stroked Zhou Qinglang’s hair, touched by the child’s thoughtfulness.

My daughter is so well-behaved, sensible, and caring. She’s truly Mommy’s little comfort.

[System]: Please be rational.

Xia Wanshuang checked her emotions and cleared her throat, then took the little girl out.

The sky wasn’t completely dark yet. The sunset glowed intensely, bringing a quiet yet passionate beauty.

In the neighborhood park, many grandmas were cooling off and chatting, and grandpas were playing chess under the trees.

As Xia Wanshuang walked around with Zhou Qinglang, those who knew her greeted her.

“Shuangshuang, are you out selling things so early today?”

“Auntie, not selling today. I’m just taking my little sister for a stroll.”

Xia Wanshuang smiled sweetly and pulled Zhou Qinglang closer, prompting her to greet the person.

Zhou Qinglang obediently did so, then remained silent.

“She’s quite cute. How old is she?”

“Seven.”

After answering, Zhou Qinglang tightened her grip on Xia Wanshuang’s hand, not wanting to talk to people very much.

“Well, Auntie, you continue your chat. I’ll take my sister to walk around over there.”

Xia Wanshuang quickly cut off the conversation, said goodbye to the auntie, and pulled Zhou Qinglang away.

The group of grandmas started whispering behind her back.

“Where did she get a sister? Didn’t her dad die a few years ago?”

“Keep your voice down. What if she’s a relative?”

“Oh, please. Don’t you know? That girl was probably picked up. I saw her bringing a little beggar home last time.”

“No way. Her family isn’t… that child is too reckless.”

“Agh, even though I’ve seen her out selling things these past few days, what money can a little girl make? See, she couldn’t keep it up today.”

“Why did the person next door agree to this? Doesn’t she have a son to raise herself?”

The grandmas’ topic had already shifted from Xia Wanshuang and Zhou Qinglang to Jiang Wan, and they began to discuss gleefully whether Jiang Wan was a single mother or if she had gotten pregnant out of wedlock.

Zhou Qinglang frowned tightly, looking up at Xia Wanshuang with an unhappy face. Xia Wanshuang squeezed her fingers to soothe her.

“How can they talk like that?”

How can they talk about Sister like that, and how can they talk about Aunt Jiang like that?

“It’s okay. We can’t control other people’s mouths. The world is full of people who take things out of context and use their own assumptions to judge others. All we need to do is be ourselves.”

Xia Wanshuang’s expression was completely calm. When Zhou Qinglang grew up, she would know that this kind of gossip was normal, and there was no need to waste words arguing over right and wrong. Having a clear conscience is what matters most.

Zhou Qinglang seemed to understand a little, but she was mainly influenced by Xia Wanshuang’s composed demeanor. She let go of her indignation and continued walking with Xia Wanshuang.

Xia Wanshuang’s gaze settled on the grandpas playing chess under the trees. Many were playing, gathered in small groups. Xia Wanshuang watched for a while with interest, and when she saw one of the grandpas make a wrong move, she couldn’t help but sigh.

“What’s wrong, little girl? Do you think my move was wrong?” Grandpa Zhang noticed the little girl sighing beside him and asked with amusement.

“It is wrong.”

Xia Wanshuang nodded but didn’t elaborate on why it was wrong, choosing instead to quietly observe the board.

The grandpas were playing Chinese Chess. The board had nine vertical lines and ten horizontal lines, with ninety intersection points, separated by the “Chu River and Han Border.” Red and black each had sixteen pieces. At the moment, it looked like an evenly matched game, but Xia Wanshuang knew the black pieces were already at a disadvantage.

“Block it! Old Zhang, the little girl is right. You stinky chess player, you’re one move away from a mistake!”

The opposing grandpa laughed at Grandpa Zhang’s worried face and gave Xia Wanshuang a thumbs-up.

Zhou Qinglang was confused, but she knew Xia Wanshuang was right, and she was happy to be at her side.

Grandpa Zhang was utterly defeated and insisted on playing another round.

“Fine, let’s play one more. Otherwise, the old woman will be pulling my ear to go home for dinner.”

The winning grandpa chuckled and agreed, resetting the pieces on the board.

Grandpa Zhang went first, and his attack was aggressive. Xia Wanshuang watched, feeling he was about to fall behind again.

Just as Grandpa Zhang was about to make another mistake, Xia Wanshuang unconsciously shook her head again.

This time, Grandpa Zhang noticed. He stopped his piece mid-air and looked at Xia Wanshuang.

“Little girl, where do you think I should move?”

“Here.”

Xia Wanshuang gestured vaguely. Grandpa Zhang pondered for a moment, and his eyes lit up.

“You can’t do that! That’s cheating!” The grandpa opposite him was anxious, glaring at Grandpa Zhang.

“I haven’t moved yet! It’s not cheating! Old Liu, I’m playing it here.”

He moved the piece to the spot Xia Wanshuang had pointed out, and the situation on the board changed instantly.

“Breaking the check and attacking back! Brilliant!”

The move countered the opponent’s threat to the General while simultaneously checking the black side’s General. Grandpa Zhang clapped his hands in praise.

“Brilliant, my foot! And you let a little girl teach you! I’m not playing anymore. I’m going home.”

Grandpa Liu looked ready to explode, got up, and walked toward his house.

“Little girl, did you learn to play chess?”

Grandpa Zhang looked at Xia Wanshuang with curiosity. The girl had just helped him win a round, and he was delighted.

“My grandpa liked to play, so I learned a bit.”

When Xia Wanshuang’s grandfather was alive, he loved to play both Go and Chinese Chess, especially Chinese Chess. When no one could play with him, he taught his granddaughter and asked her to play against him.

Xia Wanshuang started learning chess at five and delivered a killing blow to an “old general” at seven. Her grandfather used to laugh and say that if Shuangshuang had been a boy, she would have grown up to be a commander.

Unfortunately, her grandfather passed away. Her father, a “Literary General,” was forced out of the center of power for being on the wrong side. Xia Wanshuang moved from the military compound to the political family district, and then to a small city to settle down. The rise and fall were too great to summarize in a few words.

Thinking back on the past, Xia Wanshuang’s mood slightly dampened.

Grandpa Zhang, however, was unaware of the change in the girl’s mood and enthusiastically urged Xia Wanshuang to play against him.

Old Zhang playing chess with a little girl quickly attracted the attention of many grandpas, who gathered around to watch.

“Hold onto my sleeve tightly,” Xia Wanshuang whispered to Zhou Qinglang, then raised her hand to arrange the pieces.

No regrets in a fallen piece. Xia Wanshuang played each move without much hesitation. Grandpa Zhang, in contrast, played slower and slower.

“This…”

Grandpa Zhang’s eyes widened as he saw his inevitable defeat.

“Again!”

Xia Wanshuang didn’t mind playing a couple more rounds with the grandpa. With one hand holding Zhou Qinglang’s small hand, her hand movements on the board had the commanding presence of a general leading a conquest.

Xia Wanshuang didn’t ruthlessly dominate the grandpa. In the third round, she deliberately made an easier move, allowing him to win. She then prepared to leave with Zhou Qinglang.

“Hey, hey, little girl, are you leaving already?”

Grandpa Zhang called out to keep her, and the other grandpas who were watching were also eager to play.

“Yes. It’s getting late. I need to take my sister home.”

“Does your grandpa live here, too? You can come and play a couple of rounds sometime.”

Grandpa Zhang thought that if the little girl’s skill was this profound, her teacher must have been extraordinary.

“My grandpa has passed away.”

“Oh… I didn’t mean to pry.”

Grandpa Zhang rubbed his head and asked Xia Wanshuang if she would come tomorrow.

“I’ll come if I have time.”

“Alright. Old man, I’ll be right here. If you come, remember to look for me.”

Seeing the chess game disperse, the onlookers also began to leave. Xia Wanshuang took Zhou Qinglang and started to walk away, but then she saw a familiar person approaching.

“Dad, are you still playing chess?”

“Just finished. What’s up?”

“A friend invited me out for a drink later. I was wondering if you could cover the store for me.”

“Sure, I’ll head over now,” Grandpa Zhang said while packing up the chessboard.

The man sighed in relief, then noticed Xia Wanshuang, looking surprised.

“Hey, little sister, what are you doing here?”

“You know this little girl?” Grandpa Zhang asked, surprised.

“She came to the store to buy fruit a few days ago. She was asking if I had any ice jelly fruit today. She didn’t buy any. By the way, little sister, did you find any somewhere else?”

“No.”

Xia Wanshuang shook her head. She was already contemplating using a substitute if she couldn’t find the real thing.

“Huh! You want that stuff? There’s a whole bunch of it in the mountains by our house. No one picks it, and it just rots. If you want it, I can bring you a sack tomorrow.”

Grandpa Zhang waved his hand and said with a smile.

He had initially felt it was a waste, which was why he brought some down from the mountain and put it in his son-in-law’s store, hoping someone would buy it to minimize waste. He never expected this little girl to be looking for it.

“Really, Grandpa?”

Xia Wanshuang was overjoyed, looking at Grandpa Zhang with a look of pleasant surprise.

Just when you thought all roads were blocked, a new way opened up. The ancients were absolutely right!