"No, no, no, I want to play this move instead." Latest content published on novel★fire.net She hurriedly placed the white piece in another spot, and Ninth Uncle chuckled again: "Wait, let me think again." She bit her lower lip, frowned, and hesitated several times before finally throwing the white piece down in frustration, muttering: "This isn’t fun anymore. I’m not playing! Ninth Uncle, I’ve played so many games with you, and I haven’t won a single one! You don’t even bother to let me win." Mr. Jiu took a sip of tea and said lightly, "You’re too foolish. I’ve gone easy on you so much, and you still lose. What do you want me to do?" "Ninth Uncle, you can’t just insult people . Chess and all that is too complicated; I can’t figure it out, so I’m not playing anymore." Mr. Jiu raised an eyebrow: "That won’t do. It’s very amusing to watch you lose. Keep playing with me." Mo Wenwan noticed that Mr. Jiu’s time was often scarce, and even when she did see him, she could barely get a few words in. She respected him, but more than anything, she feared him! He was always so reserved and seldom spoke, often wearing an expressionless face. Just standing before him could make her feel intimidated—she had never seen him act before! As it turned out, he *could* laugh, though he’d never smiled at her before. Why was it that Qin Miaomiao not only married Lu Qing but could also be so close to Mr. Jiu? It felt like all the benefits of life had somehow been handed exclusively to her! What was she even worth? She couldn’t even play chess properly. How could such a foolish woman make so many people adore her? Resentment swirled inside her! She carefully masked her contorted rage, replacing it with a sweet and gracious face. Walking forward, she gave a polite bow to Mr. Jiu, smiling as she said: "Mr. Jiu, today is your birthday. I asked a friend to find a piece of fine blue jade as a gift for you. I hope you won’t mind accepting it. Wishing you blessings as boundless as the sea and longevity as steadfast as the southern mountains." Mr. Jiu responded with an indifferent "Hm," and said flatly: "You’ve been thoughtful." The butler received the gift, but Mr. Jiu didn’t even glance at it. His attention remained fixed on the chessboard, not sparing her a look. Mo Wenwan stifled her dissatisfaction and spoke softly: "Mr. Jiu, I’ve dabbled in chess before. Shall I play a few rounds with you?" Mr. Jiu tossed the chess piece aside, suddenly losing all interest: "No need." A moment ago, he seemed quite invested, even pulling that shameless woman to play alongside him. She didn’t appreciate the opportunity, yet he indulged her! But now that Mo Wenwan leaned closer, Mr. Jiu didn’t give her so much as a passing glance! The sting of humiliation sent tremors through Mo Wenwan’s entire body, though she forced herself to suppress the seething rage. She couldn’t afford to let a single flaw show in front of Mr. Jiu. Mr. Jiu lifted his gaze slightly, casting her a cold glance, and said: "Little Jin’er, I’m thirsty. Brew me some more tea." "Ninth Uncle, I just made Da Hong Pao. I felt the flavor was a bit strong—I was thinking of switching to Pu’er. Or perhaps, trying some floral tea? Let me tell you, floral tea is great for beauty and skincare. Although you’re naturally radiant, as handsome as Pan An, you still need to take proper care of yourself." Mr. Jiu chuckled at her teasing: "You just want to drink it yourself, don’t you? Fine, brew floral tea." Qin Miaomiao grinned from ear to ear and immediately agreed: "Alright, I’ll go grab the floral tea!" As soon as she left, the smile on Mr. Jiu’s face faded, and his gaze toward Mo Wenwan grew colder: Mo Wenwan’s head shot up in shock, tears instantly streaming down her face: "Mr. Jiu, about what happened last time—it was my fault. I shouldn’t have brought my brother here. After returning home, I scolded him properly. To me, you’re like a father figure whom I deeply respect. If you’re angry, you can yell at me or hit me, but please don’t drive me away. Can’t I stay?"