Chapter 345: Chapter 345: Obsessed with Saving Face
"What a shaless move." Ye Fan was silently frustrated, casting a aningful look at Zhang Jiefang. Truly, the man was a big player who’s thrived in the bureaucracy, his ingrained habit of whitewashing and refusing to admit defeat on full display.
If that’s the case, by all ans, he must make Zhang Jiefang taste the bitterness of defeat.
It’s laughable to think Zhang Jiefang wants to act haughty in his presence—he’s certainly not qualified.
There’s no way Ye Fan will go easy on Zhang Jiefang. Sohow, he will make sure Zhang Jiefang pays for his actions.
"Alright, since the replay doesn’t count, shall we continue?" Ye Fan challenged provocatively. "As with chess, so with one’s character. Let’s put it to the test and see whose character is lacking."
In his mind, he had a plan. The first and second gas were interrupted by the three kids, Yaya and the rest. For the third ga, he’ll pay extra attention to guard the board, ensuring no one can sabotage it again. Zhang Jiefang must be made to lose face properly.
Zhang Jiefang deeply understood the saying ’once bitten, twice shy,’ and that there’s no such thing as ’third ti’s a charm.’ Having sabotaged two losing gas, he knew a third incident was impossible, so he decided not to compete with Ye Fan anymore.
Not daring to face the ga because he couldn’t afford the disgrace, he naturally avoided the challenge.
"No more playing; chess is boring, and you’re no match for . There’s no challenge lecturing you, so what’s the point in continuing?" Zhang Jiefang dismissed, his attitude haughty, not regarding Ye Fan as a worthy opponent at all.
"A joke, isn’t it? I’m not the opponent? Have you got a fever? Deep down, you know who’s not the opponent. Anyone with a hint of self-awareness would realize they’re not fit to challenge ," Ye Fan retorted bluntly.
"Boy, don’t be so cocky. Old man here has seen more salty grains than the roads you’ve walked. Humility is a virtue; arrogance is a vice." Zhang Jiefang lectured with airs of seniority.
"Don’t spout such nonsense. Just say it, do you dare to play another round?" Ye Fan sneered. "I think you’ve chickened out, scared of facing
again, right? If that’s the case, just admit it; don’t be a fool holding onto your pride."
"I’m not scared, and I haven’t chickened out. What a joke. When I road the officialdom, boy, you were still playing in the mud. How dare you speak so grandly in front of , unashad?" Zhang Jiefang laughed derisively.
"In that case, bring it on. Let’s see who’s the real deal." Ye Fan’s eyes glead with disdain as he provoked.
"I’m busy, no ti for gas, I’ll have to teach you a lesson so other day," Zhang Jiefang replied with a breezy attitude.
"Busy, or just scared?" Ye Fan chuckled.
"I have official duties; call
when dinner is ready," Zhang Jiefang said, turning away.
He had no choice but to leave. Ye Fan’s relentless pressing left him with no face to show. He saved himself the embarrassnt by tucking his tail and retreating.
"This wild guy that girl brought back has no decency. Instead of ingratiating himself, he only aims to embarrass —utterly useless." Zhang Jiefang mused as he locked himself in his study.
"That’s just being a scoundrel." Ye Fan laughed helplessly. Despite repeated provocations, he couldn’t get Zhang Jiefang to face him, proving Zhang Jiefang genuinely feared him. Afraid of losing, he wouldn’t dare accept the challenge.
Ye Fan couldn’t very well drag Zhang Jiefang out for a beating, or tie him up for a match. It just wasn’t feasible.
"Isn’t this squabbling a bit much?" Zhang Lu worriedly remarked.
"It’s great, how could it not be? Absolutely wonderful." Zhang’s mom laughed happily. "Your dad is such a stickler for face. Who’s ever dared to be so bold in front of him? Only Ye Fan has the guts to make him flee. If anyone else provoked him like this, he would have retaliated. Clearly, your dad has realized he’s outmatched, so he’s hiding away."
"Is it really?" Zhang Lu gasped, then laughed. "Mom, you do understand dad’s temper."
"Ye Fan, well done." Zhang’s mom praised.
"Auntie, do you think Uncle’s going to hate
and have the guards, or maybe himself, co after
with a gun?" Ye Fan joked.
"Don’t worry, Ye Fan, he can’t afford the loss of face." Zhang’s mom assured.
"That’s good." Ye Fan was sowhat relieved. He genuinely feared Zhang Jiefang might go to extres to reclaim his dignity.
"Don’t worry, Ye Fan, no one would dare touch you." Zhang’s mom comforted.
"..." Ye Fan chuckled slightly.
"Who’d dare ss with him? If dad really whipped out a gun, he’d probably be knocked down before he could do anything. He’s not scared, but dad’s limbs might be at risk of a fracture," Zhang Lu mused bitterly.
For the next few hours, Ye Fan was kept busy by the three kids, Mingming, Xuanxuan, and Yaya.
Zhang Lu assisted, and Zhang’s mom prepared a splendid feast.
Zhang Jiefang stayed locked in his study, not daring to step out, fearing that encountering Ye Fan would give him the chance to provoke him. So, for safety’s sake, he hid away.
At dinner.
The al couldn’t begin without Zhang Jiefang.
After finishing the last dish, Zhang’s mom invited Zhang Jiefang out.
Once Zhang Jiefang picked up his chopsticks, everyone began eating.
Ye Fan, being a guest and the fake boyfriend, was very polite and courteous, no longer ntioning the matter of winning or losing at chess.
Zhang Jiefang put on a brave front, but inwardly he had already conceded, and that understanding was enough.
Ye Fan gave Zhang Jiefang face, while Zhang Lu couldn’t help but nag at the three children, "In the future, when grandpa’s playing chess with soone, don’t destroy the board, got it?"
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"Got it. I didn’t an to—no, I did, but grandpa said, being a guest, it would be embarrassing if Uncle lost, so he told us to step in at the right ti to save Uncle’s face." The youngest, Yaya, cocked her head and spoke in her soft voice.
"Did grandpa really say that?" Zhang’s mom asked lovingly.
"Yes, grandma. The first ti, I saved Uncle’s face. The second ti, fearing I couldn’t keep it, Xuanxuan and Yaya both stepped in, and that’s how the board got ssed up," Mingming confessed honestly.
"Grandpa said if you lose chess, it’s as shaful as wetting your bed, and since we didn’t want Uncle to lose face, that’s what we did," Xuanxuan naively explained.
"You did well." Zhang’s mom praised, giving high comndation to the three honest children.
"When did I ever say to ruin the chessboard? That’s utter nonsense." Zhang Jiefang frowned, his voice stern.
"But wasn’t it just..." Yaya began, but was prodded by Xuanxuan, and seeing Zhang Jiefang’s expression, the joy on the three kids’ faces disappeared, replaced by earnest obedience.
With a "smack!" Zhang Jiefang tossed his chopsticks onto the table, "I’m done, full already."
With that, he turned and left, heading straight to the study.
The al barely started, yet he was too full already—too embarrassed to remain seated.
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