"……What?!!
"You're saying you're going to skip your honeymoon?!"

At 2:30 p.m. Beijing time, in a large apartment in Chongqing, China.

Upon hearing her husband's words, Wang Chenshu's expression clearly contorted:

"I finally spent half a year completely escaping the front lines, just so I could take advantage of your rare one-month break from competitions to plan a perfect honeymoon! And then..."

"You actually said you were going on some kind of 'secret mission'?!"

"If this gets out, your outrageous behavior will be posted online for years to come!!!"

Having just "honestly confessed," Ji Qiuqian knew that what his wife said was true.

As a renowned actress in the Chinese entertainment industry, Wang Chenshu has a considerable number of fans. Her official announcement of her retirement from acting at the end of last year caused a huge stir, sparking much speculation and even prompting paparazzi to dig deeper.

If it weren't for the sudden appearance of the "Athena of the chess world" in the special challenge match where the opponent gave up first, diverting attention, the captain of the Yuzhou team would have been genuinely worried that he would be exposed very quickly.

The husband of such a beautiful woman actually canceled the honeymoon his wife had meticulously planned?!

If this gets out, the slogan "With knife in hand, kill the bastard" will probably resound throughout the country in an instant!
But at this moment, Ji Jiuduan could only smile wryly and apologize to his wife:
"Uh... I'm sorry, Chen Shu."

"But this mission is indeed quite important. Coach Jiao just contacted me personally..."

"But you've already decided to start, haven't you?! Why do you still have to take on any more missions?!"

"Uh……

"It's just that we've stopped rolling it up, it's not as serious as it's become..."

Ji Qiuqian carefully corrected his wife's choice of words. But the famous Wang ignored her and interrupted her directly:
"I do not care!

"Unless you tell me that Rui Zhao has some huge problem and needs your help, then I can understand... Otherwise, I can't agree to this!"

But to everyone's surprise, upon hearing these words, the apology in Ji Qiuqian's smile visibly transformed into gratitude:

"Well... thank you for understanding, my dear wife!"

"???"

Three question marks instantly flashed across Wang Chenshu's head:
"Hey, no, you thank me..."

"...

"……Eh?!"

...

...

"...What? A secret mission?!"

"And it takes almost a month to complete?!"

Ten minutes later, in Huang Bonan's study in Pengze City, Greater Bay Area.

Upon hearing Lu Wenjie's invitation over the phone, Lao Longbo, who was watching the live broadcast of the Sanshuang Cup semi-finals, was momentarily puzzled.

"Vice Chairman Lu... what exactly is the mission? Why are you being so mysterious?"

He couldn't help but press for more information, while a hint of barely perceptible disdain seeped into his words.

However, Lu Wenjie on the other end of the phone seemed to have no intention of informing them in advance, stating simply and clearly:

"This... is still a confidential matter for now."

"As for what exactly you'll be doing, I can only say you'll find out when you come to Dajing!"

...Hmm? Keep it a secret?
What secrets?!
They called me over from all this way... and they wouldn't even give me a specific reason?!

The more Huang Bo Nan thought about this, the more his brows furrowed.

A man in his thirties... what secret mission could he possibly be carrying out all the way to Dajing?
These old bones of mine, how could I possibly manage such a fuss?!

Isn't this just messing with the old man?!

Isn't it more enjoyable to comfortably wait at home and watch the Sanshuang Cup matches? Or is it less appealing to slowly wait for the possible Dragon God handicap challenge or even an AI match afterward?!

Thinking of this, the veteran player from the Pengze team cleared his throat and said in a troubled tone:

"...Oh dear! Vice Chairman Lu!"
"Look at my situation... I've had a lot going on at home lately, and I was just trying to get things sorted out this month since there aren't any competitions! I guess I'm really too busy..."

However, Lu Wenjie seemed to have anticipated this.

He threw out a single sentence—his voice wasn't loud, but it seemed to explode in Huang Bo Nan's ears:

"...This matter is to help Rui Zhao! And it is of utmost importance!"

"The rest... you figure it out yourself!"

"Help Rui Zhao?"

Upon hearing this, Huang Bo Nan suddenly jumped up from the sofa and hurriedly asked:
"Has Rui Zhao encountered some trouble?"

"Well, otherwise why would I suddenly come to you for help out of the blue?"

"Vice Chairman Lu! Why didn't you say so sooner?!"

The languid impatience on Old Longbo's face vanished, replaced by unbelievable ecstasy and a sense of mission akin to a pilgrimage!

"When are we leaving?! I'll book the tickets right now!"

He straightened his back and answered the phone with a strong voice, as if his previous excuses had never existed:
"To be able to serve the Dragon God..."

"...That's an immense honor!!!"

...

...

"...If it's to help Rui Zhao..."

"Then there's no reason not to go!"

Five minutes later, at Shangguan Sheng's home in Qiantang City, China.

Upon hearing that Yongshi Zhaojun was in dire need of help, the official couldn't help but smile when he received the call from coach Xie Minghe.

“I feel a little embarrassed every time I think about what happened with Long Xingzhan... I have to find a chance to repay that favor.”

indeed.

Although the leader of her country was completely unaware of the various ways the group of fans had targeted her, Shangguan Sheng felt particularly embarrassed whenever she thought of the "Komaki-Nagakute" special operation during the Dragon Star Battle last year.

Therefore, upon hearing that he could do something for the eternal Zhaojun, the official readily agreed without hesitation.

However, upon hearing this, Xie Minghe on the other end of the phone was momentarily puzzled:
"...Returning the favor?"
What happened between you and Rui Zhao back then?

"Ahhh, no, no!"
"It's just that...it's just that she told me a lot of her shortcomings back then, she was very thoughtful, and I was very touched!"

Suddenly remembering that his team's coach was unaware of the "despicable act" committed with fermented bean curd, Shangguan Sheng quickly made a perfunctory remark.

Just as he was racking his brains to change the subject, he noticed his phone vibrate. Upon closer inspection, he saw it was a message from the QQ group "Gongdelin".

【Bian Lele:】

[Brothers! Listen to me!] [Vice Chairman Kong just contacted me, saying he needs my help with some secret matters concerning the Empress.]

If any of you encounter a similar situation, we, the members of Gongdelin, should do our utmost and remain utterly loyal to the Queen!

After all, I swore an oath to Ni Jue by pointing to the Gejiang River! I don't want to tarnish Gejiang's reputation!

...

...

"...Ugh...and it's ruined Gejiang's reputation..."

"Lele, where do you get such a big face!"

Meanwhile, in Lang Haishen's study in Dongjiang City, Huaxia.

Upon seeing the message that Bian Da, the class monitor, had just posted in the group, Lang Haishen, who was on the phone with Ke Mulan, the vice chairman of the Dongjiang Chess Association, couldn't help but raise his eyebrows and spit out a remark.

However, Ke Mulan on the other end of the phone was taken aback upon hearing this and couldn't help but confirm:
"Uh... Xiao Lang?"
"What did you just say?"

"Ah, it's nothing, Vice Chairman Ke."

“I said if Rui Zhao needs help, I will naturally do my best to help.”

After swiping through the messages in the QQ group, the veteran leader of the Dongjiang team replied very decisively:
“Our team was criticized by Dongjiang chess fans for making Rui Zhao leave his hometown before. If we don’t have a better attitude now, we will be criticized even more.”

"Ah... I don't doubt your attitude, I'm just a little worried about your plans!"

Ke Mulan, on the other end, immediately posed a practical question, her voice filled with concern:

"In a month, it will be the second Zhaomiao Cup Spring Tournament... This period should be a critical time for training and preparation!"

"You, the coach of the Tianxiang team..."

"I'm not so bad that I can't even tell what's important and what's urgent!"

Lang Haishen shook his head slightly upon hearing this:

"Even the Zhaomiao Cup itself was organized thanks to Rui Zhao. If preparing for the Zhaomiao Cup delays Rui Zhao's affairs, wouldn't that be putting the cart before the horse?"

"As for the Tianxiang team, Chairman Qian and the young players will understand!"
"after all……"

He paused, his gaze drifting to the gentle spring scenery of the Dongjiang River outside the window, his tone becoming increasingly wistful:
"She is our supreme ruler, Empress Zhaotian!"

...

...

"...Okay, okay! I understand, Chairman Shang!"
"Ah, it's nothing, it's nothing! There's nothing to be embarrassed about!"

"My wife and kids... will definitely understand..."

At 2:30 p.m. on the same day, in Qiantang City, Zhejiang Province, at Ni Jue's home.

The room was filled with a faint milky scent, and soft lighting shone down. In the cradle, a six-month-old baby boy stared curiously at the spinning toy beside him with his big, dark eyes.

However, after hearing her husband's increasingly strange words, Xiao Mingran, who was shaking her son, keenly noticed the change in Ni Jue's expression.

After Ni Jue finally hung up the WeChat call, before the other party could speak, she preemptively posed a small challenge:

"...Eh eh eh!"

"Tao Tao is only six months old, and you're already saying 'he'll definitely understand'..."

"Even though he can't speak yet, do you think he won't protest by crying?"

"Ah this..."

Faced with his wife's subtle complaints, Ni Jueshua blushed, but still did not give in at all.

He leaned closer to his son, shaking him as he pretended to apologize:

"Tao Tao, please forgive Daddy, okay? Daddy has something really important to do right now!"

"When Daddy comes back, he'll buy you some really fun toys..."

"'return'?!"

Before her husband could finish comforting the child, Xiao Mingran frowned slightly upon hearing this key word:

Are you going to another city?

Ni Jue looked at his wife and children, a hint of guilt flashing across his face. He then lowered his head, leaned close to his wife's ear, and whispered a few words quickly.

"……what?!"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Mingran's eyes widened instantly:

"It might take almost a month... Is it really that long?!"

Ni Jue pursed her lips, her apology deepening.

He reached out and gently touched his son's soft cheek, then looked at his wife and nodded shyly.

However, to Ni Jue's surprise, the surprise and worry on Xiao Mingran's face quickly faded, and he smiled instead:
"But this matter... I can really understand it!"

She lowered her head and affectionately nuzzled her son's cheek with the tip of her nose, her voice gentle and proud:
"Including Tao Tao, he will definitely be proud of his father in the future!"
"...Right, Tao Tao?"

Xiao Mingran gently rocked her son in the cradle. Tao Tao seemed to sense his mother's emotions, grinning with his toothless little mouth and letting out a soft "giggle," innocent and adorable.

Xiao Mingran looked at her son's smile, her smile deepening, then looked back at her husband, her eyes filled with a hint of playfulness and expectation:

“…Ni Jue, you can go now!”
"We're both women, but Rui Zhao managed to drive North America into a frenzy. What's a month of taking care of a child compared to that!"

"Thank Wife!"

Upon hearing Xiao Mingran's agreement, Ni Jue quickly expressed her gratitude, but Xiao Mingran waved his hand again and continued to instruct her:
"Don't rush to thank me! This isn't like clocking in or signing out and that's it!"
"You guys in the male professions, don't hold Rui Zhao back, okay? Otherwise, later..."

"I wouldn't even bother telling my son about this!"

...

...

[Burning Ashes]: Sorry! My wedding, originally scheduled for April 30th, has been postponed due to personal reasons. The new date is pending, and I will let everyone know once it is confirmed!

【Ember】: @Everyone
[Geng Zhi]: Ah, this... Lao Dai.

[Straightforward]: You didn't cancel your wedding just to help Rui Zhao, did you?! @燃烬
[Ember]: Hmm

[Burned Out]: But it looks like you've been contacted too, Lao Geng?

[Straightforward]: Yes! But I heard it was Rui Zhao who needed help, so there's no reason to refuse.

[Ember]: So there's no need to make a fuss! It's perfectly normal for me to push the wedding, isn't it?!
[Bear Dad's World]: Hmm... It seems Rui Zhao is really in trouble this time? I've been taking care of the kids at home for three years and Elder Du has come looking for me too!
[Bear Dad's World]: Hmm, could this be related to Deepbrain's response to the challenge that just started today?!
……

...Uh, no...

What kind of riddles are you guys playing in the group chat?!
At 5 p.m. on the same day, in Bachuan County, Qin Guan Province.

Bai Yinhua, who was preparing to go on a blind date that night, was completely bewildered when she saw the new message in her group chat with her friends who had also graduated from the same year.

"Rui Zhao's matter?" "Need help?"
Why can't I understand even a little bit of this?! (End of Chapter)

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