Chapter Ten Who Wins and Who Loses

  The next day, Wu Jiang waited for Si Tu Xuan on the way to school and asked her what had happened last night. After all, it was not her style to miss an appointment.

  Situ Xuan naturally poured out his grievances to his good friend, depicting the newly arrived cow ghosts and snake gods at home, as well as that guy's hypocrisy, meanness, and unpredictability in vivid detail.

  Wu Jiang listened and only felt fresh, and finally had a few points of laughter. He smiled and teased Sutu Xuan, "You say your dad means, will he take the opportunity to find an 'adoptive son-in-law' early on, so that you won't be unable to get married in the future."

  As soon as he finished speaking, he took off running, and Si Tu Xie, with her inverted eyebrows, chased him for half the length of the street.

  It seems that Situ will not return to her room for a short time, and sneaking out from under the eyes of her parents on the second floor has become a luxury. She is unlikely to participate in tonight's activities. Wu Jiang sympathized with her and generously took out the crickets he had caught, letting her choose one, and also asked everyone to change the time for fighting crickets to after school. They all felt that without Situ, something was missing, so during that time, Situ Xuan was often "kept after school" by the teacher.

  That evening, in the street heart park one stop away from home, the elderly men and women playing chess and enjoying the cool breeze around them all heard the shouts of a group of half-grown children huddled together, who were Wu Jiang, Si Tu Yue and their gang, enthusiastically fighting crickets.

  Wu Jiang was willing to share his hard-won spoils of war with Si Tu Jue, and Si Tu Jue didn't hesitate either. He directly chose Wu Jiang's most treasured "Black-headed General". Wu Jiang was heartbroken, but he couldn't do anything about it. In the end, not only did he lose to Si Tu, but he also watched as his own cricket, which had originally belonged to him, performed amazingly in Si Tu's hands, winning several matches in a row without meeting any opponents.

  We all live nearby, classmates from the same school, most of whom have known each other since childhood. Although playing this is just for fun, there are also some "benefits" attached, namely that the winner can enjoy not having to do chores, someone running errands or copying homework for them and other small perks.

  Situ Xuan had recently experienced the taste of being under the same roof as Yao Qiyun, because on that day he used a dirty trick to frame her, causing her to be severely scolded by her parents. From then on, she couldn't stand him anymore, but her father always protected him and her mother wouldn't let her cause trouble. Yao Qiyun was usually very cautious in his actions, making it hard for people to find fault with him. Situ Xuan could only give him the cold shoulder at the time, and couldn't do anything else to him, so he felt stifled inside.

  This time, the team won a big victory, and Situ Xuan was rarely delighted, sweeping away the gloom in her heart. Among a group of companions, she was the only girl, and everyone liked her lively and generous personality. Usually, she was the center of attention, but when they saw her being depressed for several days, they all made gestures of condolence under Wu Jiang's gaze, either pretending to be defeated or greatly praising her "Black-headed General" as invincible. Situ Xuan was also very grateful, laughing with joy and opening up completely.

  Just as she was delighted, her backpack was suddenly and gently pulled from behind, she turned back in shock, and her smile fell like seeing a plague god.

  The plague god looked a bit stiff, but didn't back down under Si Tu Jue's gaze that seemed to say "evil spirits scatter", not even glancing at others, and expressionlessly said to her: "Si Tu Jue, your mom is calling you home for dinner."

  Xī Tù Xīn raised his head to take a look, the sun had almost set behind the tall building. He was so happy that he forgot about the time flying by and missed dinner at home. But when those words came out of Yáo Qǐyún's mouth, they were spoken in a half-dead tone. Including Wú Jiāng, everyone else had an expression as if they were stifling a laugh.

  Situ Xuan's face turned red with embarrassment, feeling like he had lost face all the way back to his ancestors' home. He was originally thinking of hurrying back, but now he couldn't let things go smoothly. With a flick of his head, he returned to his original posture and called out to the others, "What are you staring at? Wu Jiang, didn't you say you weren't convinced earlier? Let's do it again!"

  Wu Jiang didn't even have time to respond before the voice sounded again from behind Si Tu Jue.

  "Situ Xuan, your mom is calling you home for dinner."

  His voice didn't have any obvious ups and downs, nor did he get annoyed by Sutu Xin's attitude. He repeated mechanically, as if he was born to only say this sentence.

  "Are you done yet?" Si Tu Xin got annoyed, pulled back his backpack and said: "I know the way back myself, no need for you to call."

  "Aunt Xue has already cooked dinner, everyone is waiting for you."

  Situ Xuan still remembered his viciousness that day and had wanted to say a few more hurtful words to humiliate him in front of so many people, but he restrained himself and only said: "My business has nothing to do with you, can't you see I'm busy?"

  During the stalemate, Wu Jiang put away his "defeated soldiers and remaining generals", patted Situ Ke's shoulder and said: "No comparison, you won today. I'm extremely hungry, next time I'll find you to settle the score."

  Everyone else followed suit and packed up their things, each going their separate ways.

  As Wu Jiang walked past Yao Qiyun, he remembered the joke he made about Si Tu that day and couldn't help but wink at her again. Turning his head around, he found that the "little rascal" in Si Tu's mouth seemed to be sizing him up with his eyes as well. This was still Wu Jiang's first encounter with Yao Qiyun, thinking that since their families had dealings with each other, he would inevitably have contact with Si Tu in the future, so he smiled and took the initiative to greet her.

  Yao Qiyun happened to lower his head at this moment, and Situ Xuan had an even worse impression of him. He glanced at Yao Qiyun slantingly and hurried a few steps to catch up with Wu Jiang. "Wait for me, I'll walk quickly with you. 'Black-headed General' will let you go home tonight."

  Yao Qiyun was left behind, following her at a distance of several steps, watching as she held the small bamboo basket in her hand like a treasure.

  "Situ Xuan, have you even forgotten to eat just to play this?"

  "Sidney Siu turned sideways and looked at him with a slanted gaze, 'What's your opinion?'"

  Yao Qiyun still averted her gaze, lowering her head to kick at the pebbles on the side of the road. "Only kids play like that."

  "Sour grapes." Si Tu Jue hummed softly.

  "Don't lie to you, our kids were done with this at a few years old. Besides, what good things can you catch in the cement cracks?" His tone was sincere, but these words were no different from ridicule for Situ Xue, who had just relied on "Black Head General" to sweep through the crowd.

  Although she knew he might be intentionally provoking her, how could Situ Xuan swallow this tone? She raised the small bamboo basket in her hand and said, "If you have the ability, don't just talk big. If you're really that capable, go find a few good ones to fight with me."

  Yao Qiyun said: "I didn't mean that, you just started playing and I won, it's not worth bragging about. Hurry back now, or else Uncle Situ and Aunt Xue will get angry."

  This finally enraged Si Tu Jue, who stood still and threw out the words: "You can win me, I'll give you a chance. Tomorrow after school is still here, if you really win me, I'll admit defeat to you!"

  Wu Jiang looked at Yao Qiyun who was silent and then at Situ Xuan who was furious, trying to gently push her away while persuading: "Alright alright, what's the point of getting angry for no reason, let's go."

  Situ Xuan was pushed forward a few steps, but still didn't give up. He turned his head and pointed at Yao Qiyun, saying: "You remember, tomorrow whoever doesn't come will be a turtle with its head shrunk in."

  After returning, Si Tu Xuan was still cold and distant to Yao Qi Yun. After finishing dinner, she went upstairs and heard Yao Qi Yun mention to her father that he wanted to go out for a walk. Si Tu Jiu An, who obviously favored him, agreed without hesitation, only reminding him not to go too far since he wasn't very familiar with the area yet.

  When the sound of closing doors came, Situ Xuan rushed downstairs to call Wu Jiang's home and reminded him that he must feed his "Black-headed General" well tonight, and absolutely cannot make any mistakes, giving others a chance to gain an advantage while losing one's own prestige.

  The next day, perhaps due to Wu Jiang's rumor, there were more people waiting at the "old place" after school than yesterday. Wu Jiang did not disappoint Si Tu's entrustment, and the "Black-headed General" was well taken care of, showing a lively and energetic appearance in the small cage.

  Yao Qiyun arrived a bit later than expected, just when Situ Xuan's companions were about to conclude that he was only all talk and had chickened out at the last minute. He walked over from the direction of the Situ residence with an unhurried pace, still looking taciturn as before, without any intention of chatting with the people around him, neither appearing eager for battle nor flustered.

  Situ Xuan didn't waste words either, asking if he was ready and upon receiving a positive response, he took his stance.

  Yao Qiyun's small mud pot for raising crickets was dull and unattractive, with a rough surface. It wasn't until the two crickets were placed in the fighting bowl that Situ Xuan realized that Yao Qiyun had stayed out late the night before, not returning home until almost 11 pm, and as a result, he was scolded by his mother, Xue Shaoping. All this was for a small, unremarkable cricket, especially when compared to the fierce and powerful "Black-headed General" of Shan Ming, which was at least an inch larger, and immediately retreated to the edge of the bowl after being released.

  Situ Xuan had always believed in being open and aboveboard, so when he saw the "thing" that Situ Mo had brought back, he couldn't help but feel a little suspicious.

  "You're going to use this to compete with me?"

  Yao Qiyun didn't look at her and squatted down, "Enough."

  This is simply a subtle way of not putting her in the eyes. Situ Xuan bit his lip and said to himself, let's see how you will be proud later.

  At this time someone was already reminding: "It's started, it's started."

  She lowered her head and found that the two crickets had indeed started to touch each other with their antennae, and after a while they flapped their wings and chirped, revealing their large teeth as they entwined in battle. She quickly squatted down beside them, surrounded by a tight circle of onlookers who occasionally let out muffled cheers and cries of surprise.

  "Hei Tou Jiang Jun" was as fierce as yesterday, with a momentum that went all out without looking back. Yao Qi Yun's gray figure dodged and weaved in a single-minded manner. After several minutes, Si Tu Xuan had already seen Yao Qi Yun's tightly furrowed brow, and his heart felt greatly pleased. This was exactly what he wanted to make him understand - when speaking loudly, one must consider the occasion; not all turtles are ninjas, nor are all low-key individuals masters.

  That little cricket kept dodging and weaving in circles, and "General Blackhead" seemed to be getting impatient too, following its opponent in several circles. The onlookers had already started booing. Just then, the little cricket somehow managed to get behind "General Blackhead" into a very advantageous position, cunningly launching a fierce attack, waving its antennae, head-butting and kicking, each move aimed at a vital spot.

  Originally, Lao Shen was coldly watching from the side, but even Si Tu Jue felt that something was off, secretly clenching his fists, with sweat in his palms. Yao Qi Yun still had the same dead expression, not even relaxing his eyebrows.

  After several rounds, it was like a grasshopper version of the Great Counterattack. The "Black-headed General" who had been in an advantageous position was gradually showing signs of defeat under the unexpected and ruthless moves of the small grasshopper. Sito Jue watched with wide eyes, his anxiety filling his chest but having no outlet, hating that he couldn't replace the grasshopper and personally go on stage to fight with Yao Qiyun.

  Just ten minutes later, the "Black-headed General" finally hung its head in defeat and left the arena. The small cricket, which had initially been on the verge of death along with its owner, had changed its tune, raising its head high and proudly strutting around. In the small fighting bowl, victory and defeat were already decided.

  In the midst of silence, Situ Xuan's lips were tightly pursed, a beautiful face written with annoyance, unwillingness, and despair, yet still forcing himself to suppress the hatred in his heart, stood up, raised his chin and said coldly to Yao Qiyun: "Good, you win."

  Yao Qiyun didn't say a word and carefully put the cricket back into his unremarkable earthen jar.

  Before, Situ Xuan had also lost before, but he just laughed it off and wasn't someone who couldn't afford to lose. This was the first time Wu Jiang saw him so serious. Although Yao Qiyun looked like a sulky gourd, no matter how you looked at it, it felt like there were undercurrents between him and Situ, and their auras didn't match.

  Wu Jiang, of course, was wholeheartedly helping his good friend, bent down to help Sutu pick up the "Black General" who was covered in wounds all over his body, and said with a smile: "Actually, this comparison is not fair, your cricket has already fought several battles yesterday, even the most powerful guy can't withstand this kind of battle."

  "That's right, I saw 'Blackhead General' had an injury on his foot yesterday."

  "This result doesn't count."

  The onlookers were all Situ's friends, and you spoke one after another.

  Yao Qiyun hid the cricket jar behind his back, ignoring their words and not arguing, with a hint of a smile at the corner of his mouth. He looked at Situ Yue, as if waiting for her reaction.

  Situ Xuan's hand that was hanging down still clenched into a fist, she feared that if she acted on impulse, she really would give him a couple of punches, and who knows, maybe it could make his face even more endearing.

  But this can't change the fact in front of us.

  "Hey, never mind, 'Hei Tou' was fine yesterday and today. Lost is lost."

  She took over the cage handed over by Wu Jiang and turned around to release the defeated "Black-headed General" back into the grass.

  A cricket can only lose once and then it will completely lose its fighting spirit, so it's better to let it go. But when a person loses a game, they can't afford to lose their dignity. Especially in front of a despicable person, she doesn't want to look like him.

  On the way home, Wu Jiang teased Si Tu Jue several times, but Si Tu Jue just said "stop messing around" and couldn't help but laugh. At night, she closed the door in her room to do homework, turning up the volume of her earphones to the maximum, carefully writing down vocabulary words, when suddenly she started scribbling furiously, until a draft was completely ruined, only then did she feel a bit better.

  Originally, winning or losing is a common occurrence in the military, perhaps she just hated that she lost to someone as despicable and contemptible as Yao Qiyun.

  As she walked back from the city park, before dinner was served at home, Siu Yuk-yin brushed past Yao Qi Yun who was helping Xue Shaoping in the kitchen doorway. She walked straight ahead, but Yao Qi Yun deliberately stepped aside to make way for her. As they were close enough to touch, she distinctly heard the humble, hardworking and considerate good kid whisper something in her ear.

  "A'wei, have you given up?"

  She glared at him fiercely. Her parents were present, especially her father who was sitting nearby, and might catch evidence of her "bullying" him at any time. A good man doesn't take advantage of the situation, so when Cao Yue ate, every piece of meat he imagined was bitten from Yao Qiyun's body. That meal was particularly delicious, almost to the point of bursting his stomach. As a result, Xue Shaoping, who didn't understand the situation, surprisingly said, "It seems that Qiyun's first time cooking really suits your taste."

  Situ Xuan heard this and almost rushed to the toilet to vomit.

  Thinking of this, Situ Xuan, who had just calmed down a bit, lay back on the bed, holding his head and twisting his body in agony under the quilt, silently screaming in his mouth: "God, take him away."

  God is deaf, often misinterpreting people's intentions, turning black into white. So, he not only didn't take Yao Qiyun away but instead immediately sent that guy over. Because Situ Xuan finally heard the persistent knocking sound through the music's screaming.

  The person who came was not her parents. Her mother would symbolically knock for a while before pushing the door open, while her father would skip the knocking process altogether and shout loudly at the entrance: "Sutu Xue, come out."

  Then, the one who came could only be the person she least wanted to see.

  Xīng Tuó used a pillow to cover his head, hoping he would be aware of his unwelcome presence and leave on his own accord. However, perhaps there was no one in the world more persistent than him, as the gentle knocking continued without any change in rhythm or tempo, not even speeding up by a single beat due to impatience.

  What if she never responds, what if it also doesn't alarm his parents, will he knock until the end of time?

  Situ Xuan thought for a moment, and suddenly felt a few points of fear.

  She turned over and jumped off the bed, pulling open the door with force.

  On the other side of the door was indeed Yao Qiyun. Situ Xuan's sudden response to his knock must have caught him off guard.

  He looked at Sze Yu, who was dressed in absolute home attire, with a loose T-shirt and sports shorts that exposed his long legs, his hair tied up and fluffy, barefoot, but his face was not very friendly.

  "Are you asleep?" he asked hesitantly.

  "Do you know I was sleeping, so you came knocking on purpose?"

  "Of course not, today's daytime things... I don't want to make it unpleasant."

  "If you're doing it for that reason, fine, I give in, are you satisfied?" she said.

  Yao Qiyun's hand rested on the door frame as he said, "Actually, you can be more skillful when selecting crickets, for example..."

  Situ Xuan didn't let him continue, and with a tone of unbearable patience said: "I've already admitted that I'm not as good as you, so can't we just drop it? Why do you still want to harp on this matter, is it that only by showing off in front of me can your sense of victory be more lasting?"

  Yao Qiyun lowered his head again, seemingly unsure of what to say either. His fingers slid over the uneven surface of the wooden door frame, as if he had suddenly remembered that he still had another hand behind his back.

  He stretched out his hand towards Sito Yan, and in it was the earthen jar that had been used to hold the crickets today.

  "This one's for you, it may not look impressive, but it can hit harder than that big one you had today."

  He speaks quickly and vaguely.

  Xīng Yùn however heard it clearly, and she also heard the chirping of crickets coming from a small jar.

  That cricket was defeated in front of everyone by her.

  "What do you mean?" asked Situ Xin.

  If it were Yao Qiyun, who later understood Si Tu Xing better, he would have stopped in time and left at this moment; or else, he wouldn't have tried to reconcile with her in such an absolutely stupid way from the beginning, but actually challenged her patience to the limit.

  It was clear to him later that Situ Xuan was a proud person. She would give the greatest kindness and sympathy to those in need, but she absolutely could not accept others thinking she was pitiful; similarly, she could accept her own defeat when she was outdone, but she deeply resented and despised charity that didn't belong to her.

  She's either all in or absolutely nothing at all.

  And later he loved and hated this Si Tu Xuan.

  "It was said that this is for you, and you can use it to win many games." Unfortunately, later on, Yao Qiyun stubbornly refused to let go of his hand.

  "Are you really giving it to me?"

  Yao Qiyun nodded slightly.

  She took it with one hand, walked a few steps to the window, pushed open the glass and threw out the entire jar containing the cricket. The gray earthenware pot disappeared in a parabolic curve, making a dull sound.

  "Now that you've given it to me, what I do with it is none of your business."

  Situ Xuan patted his hands, which had no dust on them, and finally revealed a smile. He returned to the door and was about to close it in front of him.

  Yao Qiyun's carefully woven mask of calmness was shattered, and he reached out to grab Situ Yue's arm as if he hadn't seen the door about to close, his eyes filled with not only anger but also deep confusion.

  He feared startling Mr. and Mrs. Sito, lowered his voice: "Since we are a family, why can't we get along well?"

  Situ Xuan was furious, but he still remembered his manners and managed to stop the door from crushing his arm just in time.

  "A family?" She sneered, "You really know how to flatter yourself, who is a family with you?"

  Yao Qiyun's breathing quickened, his face completely paled, and his eyes, which were already somewhat gloomy, became as cold as a frozen lake. Only then did he realize that it was ridiculously easy for Situ Xinyue to humiliate him - all it took was one sentence, and the little confidence and longing he had painstakingly built up became more laughable than anything else.

  "I'll count to three, if you don't withdraw your hand, I'll let my parents come over and see what you're doing!" Si Tu Xuan warned word by word.

  She didn't even need to count to three, as soon as her voice fell, the force on Yao Qiyun's hand had already begun to slowly dissipate.

  Situ Xiong suddenly turned sideways, shook off his restraints, as if shaking off a dirty thing, and then closed the door with disgust.

  Yao Qiyun was slow to come back to himself in the not-too-heavy sound of the door closing, he subconsciously wiped his hand hard on his pant leg, then slowly opened it, and began to despair.