"Actually, there's no need to go through so much trouble. Next Friday, the Capital City will host the 10th Youth Games."
"Aside from university students, workers from some state-owned factories will also participate."
"Our sports bureau is sending two teams over. Why don’t you come with me, Third Sister-in-Law?"
"Let me tell you, there will be around 1,500 participants, plus roughly 5,000 spectators. That should be more than enough for your sketches."
At these words, Jiang Si’s eyes instantly lit up.
That’s true—even though the college entrance exams were canceled, many students from the Class of '65 are still enrolled.
Though, truth be told, there isn’t much to learn at universities these days.
Otherwise, they wouldn’t organize such a large-scale sports event.
"Ah, youth really is something."
Speaking of the games, Yang Meina, one of the table tennis referees, couldn’t hide her excitement.
But her enthusiastic expression didn’t quite sit right with the others.
Old Fourth and his wife exchanged glances, sensing something off but unable to pinpoint what.
Finally, Old Fourth turned to his second brother for answers.
Second Brother Huo glanced at the confused Old Fourth, then at his increasingly animated wife, and sighed inwardly.
If he remembered correctly, Third Brother had mentioned in his last call that he’d be back by the end of the month.
The exact date was uncertain.
But whether Third Brother returned soon or not wasn’t the issue—the problem was dragging Third Sister-in-Law to watch a competition filled with young, vibrant university students and promising factory workers. Was that really appropriate?
Then he suddenly recalled his wife mentioning that this year’s games had added a winter swimming event.
The thought instantly triggered Second Brother Huo’s alarm bells.
But he couldn’t outright object now.
After repeatedly trying to catch his wife’s eye with no success, he cleared his throat several times.
Finally, Yang Meina reacted: "What’s wrong? Did something get stuck in your throat?"
"N-no—"
"Then why are you coughing? You’re spitting all over my face. Move aside a bit."
She even shot him a reproachful look, clearly annoyed at the interruption during their sisterly chat.
Just as Second Brother Huo was struggling to find an excuse to stop her, Jiang Si spoke up.
"Second Sister-in-Law, won’t I be in the way if I tag along?"
Without thinking, Second Brother Huo blurted, "Yes!"
"What do you mean, ‘yes’?"
Yang Meina was genuinely irritated now, glaring at him.
"We’ll talk later."
Then, with a bright smile, she reassured Jiang Si, "Don’t listen to him. He’s just joking."
Second Brother Huo wanted to argue further, but when he looked up, he met Grandpa Huo’s wide, disapproving stare.
Grandma Huo didn’t glare, but her brows were furrowed so tightly they nearly knotted.
Second Brother Huo: "..."
Fine. He shouldn’t have opened his mouth.
He stayed quiet, but Yang Meina wasn’t about to let it go. Once their conversation ended, she confronted him in their room.
"What was that about? You kept blinking at me earlier!"
"So you did notice!"
"I’m not blind, of course I noticed."
She just couldn’t understand it. "What’s gotten into you lately?"
"Me? Changed?"
"Yes, you have!"
Yang Meina looked utterly exasperated. "Third Sister-in-Law has been so good to us. She didn’t take a single penny of that 30,000 yuan, leaving it all for the Huo family descendants. After benefiting so much from her kindness, what’s wrong with helping her out?"
"Didn’t Grandpa and Grandma say we should fully support her work? Even your two sons adore their Third Aunt."
"But you? You’re always holding the three of us back..."
Mid-rant, she glanced up and realized the man who had been sitting across from her had vanished.
"Hey, I’m talking to you! Why are you opening the window?"
"I’m checking if it’s snowing outside."
Yang Meina paused. What did that have to do with anything?
Annoyed, she snapped, "I’m speaking seriously, and you’re babbling about snow?"
"What else can I say? I’m wronged, that’s why."
Second Brother Huo sighed heavily and explained his earlier interruption.
Realizing her mistake, Yang Meina deflated.
"It’s... probably fine, right?"
"Third Brother isn’t the petty type."
Seeing his wife’s sudden meekness, Second Brother Huo could only shake his head.
Well, even if Third Brother got angry, he wouldn’t take it out on his sister-in-law.
But whether he’d go easy on his older brother was another matter.
"Let’s sleep. Maybe I’m overthinking it."
Yang Meina patted her chest in relief. "Exactly! I knew you were exaggerating..."
Meanwhile, in another room...
After washing up, Guan Xue slipped under the covers and noticed her usually quiet husband staring blankly at a newspaper. She waved a hand in front of his face.
"What’s on your mind? You’re so focused."
"Wife, I think I finally figured out why something felt off earlier."
Guan Xue had nearly forgotten the earlier conversation, but since they were both slow to react and rarely spoke much, she humored him.
"What was it? Tell me."
As expected, Huo Tinghan’s lips curled into a faint smile.
"Earlier, when Second Sister-in-law invited Third Sister-in-law to the Capital City University games..."
"Yeah, what about it?"
"Just hypothetically—if I were transferred to Research Group Two and had to work with female colleagues every day, how would you feel?"
How would she feel?
Guan Xue pressed her lips together, thinking hard.
What was there to feel?
Work was work, no matter the team.
But something told her that wasn’t the right answer. With a serious expression, she asked, "Fourth Dummy, what reaction do you think I should have?"
Huo Tinghan, usually unflappable, suddenly felt the urge to tear his hair out.
Scratching his head, he pressed, "Wouldn’t you feel... unhappy? Or maybe a little sour?"
"No." Her reply was blunt.
Then she countered, "Right now, I’m in Group Five, surrounded by male colleagues. Do you feel unhappy or sour about that?"
Huo Tinghan thought, Of course I do!
But he didn’t dare say it.
Back when they were dating, Guan Xue had asked the same question.
Huo Tinghan remembered it clearly—he’d admitted, "Maybe just a little."
After all, having four or five men constantly around his future wife would make anyone uneasy.
But Guan Xue had simply replied, "That’s unavoidable. If you can’t accept it, we can go back to being friends."
Huo Tinghan knew better than to test that boundary now.
His wife immediately retorted, "If you can't accept it, then maybe we shouldn't be together anymore."
At this thought, Huo Tinghan quickly and "honestly" shook his head.
"Darling, I’m really not upset at all."
"Mm, I know. I believe you."
After making her stance clear, Guan Xue didn’t forget to steer the conversation back: "By the way, what does what you just said have to do with Third Sister-in-law going to the sports meet?"
"Nothing much. I just thought about it again—Third Sister-in-law, like you, is doing it for work."
"I don’t think Third Brother would mind these things either."
"Yeah, exactly."
Guan Xue nodded. She and Old Fourth were completely on the same page—no wonder they were family!
That night, Guan Xue and Yang Meina slept soundly until they woke up naturally.
In contrast, Second Brother Huo and Old Fourth tossed and turned all night, unable to sleep.
At breakfast, when the two came downstairs with dark circles under their eyes, Jiang Si found it quite odd.
But she didn’t ask further—she was busy with her own things.
Over the next few days, Jiang Si first dominated the entire compound with her exceptional chess skills.
Yet, despite this, elderly gentlemen kept coming in droves to play chess with her.
There was no helping it—they adored this young girl too much.
For one, she never rushed them during games, giving them all the respect they deserved.
For another, she didn’t mind if they occasionally took back a move.
Where else could they find such a perfect chess partner?
The only downside was that the girl was a bit stingy—she’d only play one game with each person.
Jiang Si also grew fond of these elderly gentlemen, especially since they took five to eight minutes to make each move.
That was more than enough time for her to study and memorize their facial features.
Jiang Si had her schedule perfectly arranged: mornings were for chess with the elders.
In the afternoons, she went to nearby middle and high schools to teach free art classes.
And so, within a week, Jiang Si had gathered all the facial features she needed from both the children’s and elderly groups.
The quantity was sufficient, but these were still rough drafts.
Once she finished collecting data from the remaining two groups, the real work would begin.
Time flew by, and soon, the day of the sports meet arrived.
Jiang Si had packed all her art supplies the night before. Right after breakfast that morning, Yang Meina took her to the event.
Not long after, the rest of the household left for work or school.
The spacious living room was left with only Grandpa Huo and Grandma Huo.
With nothing else to do, they turned on the radio and were just getting into a program when—
A sudden knock came at the door.
