Time Is Slow - Chapter 4

The banks of the river were lined with lush green willows swaying gently in the breeze. A small boat glided southward along the Spring Blossom River.

On the deck, Chi Can and the man in blue sat opposite each other, engrossed in a game of chess. The man in green leaned lazily against the ship’s railing, staring absentmindedly at the rolling river waters left behind.

No one knew how long the boat had been traveling when a young boy in green robes emerged from the cabin, carrying a tray with four cups of tea. He placed two cups beside the chess players, then took another cup and walked toward the railing, offering it to the man in green.

The man accepted the tea, took a sip, and smiled. “Li San is always thoughtful, unlike those two. Once they start playing chess, they never stop, and I end up starving just to keep them company.”

In truth, the “young boy” was none other than Qiao Zhao in disguise.

She had pleaded—well, perhaps pestered was a more accurate term—until Chi Can finally relented and agreed to bring her along. The condition was that she had to dress as a man for convenience.

By now, they had been traveling for two days.

“Brother Yang, how much longer until we reach Jiafeng?”

After two days together, Qiao Zhao had learned that the man in blue was called Zhu Wu, while the man in green was Yang Er. It was obvious they had no intention of revealing their real names, but she didn’t mind.

“We should arrive shortly after noon,” Yang Er replied. “But we won’t be entering the city. Instead, we’ll switch to horseback and visit an estate to meet its owner.”

Qiao Zhao’s heart skipped a beat.

Three years ago, Chi Can had traveled to her grandfather’s secluded estate, seeking his guidance in painting.

Her grandfather had declined.

Chi Can, however, was persistent. He shamelessly stayed for three days until her grandfather, unable to chase him away, finally gifted him an old painting just to get rid of him.

That was when Qiao Zhao had first met Chi Can—though they had only exchanged brief encounters.

Now, if Chi Can and his companions were heading to an estate near Jiafeng… Could it be—

Thinking of this, Qiao Zhao’s breathing became somewhat rapid.

Could they be going to her home?

Could there really be such a coincidence in this world, or was it destined from the beginning that when she opened her eyes, she became Li Zhao?

Qiao Zhao lowered her gaze, staring at her hands.

The delicate fingers were soft and slender, like spring onions. They were different from the beautiful yet calloused hands she once had.

Even now, despite holding the memories of this young girl, Li Zhao, she couldn’t fully see herself as another person.

But as she gazed at these hands, a wave of uncertainty washed over her.

How was she supposed to return to her home as Li Zhao?

She sat back down, cradling her teacup in silence, lost in thought.

As countless questions churned in her mind, the voices of her companions’ bickering gradually reached her ears.

“Shi Xi, Zi Zhe, how long are you going to keep playing? Aren’t you going to eat?”

Qiao Zhao looked up, realizing that the ship’s cook had already brought out their meal. The fragrant aroma coming off from the meal made her stomach grumble.

Zhu Wu, holding a black piece, looked helpless.

“It’s not that I don’t want to end the game; Shi Xi has been thinking for fifteen minutes without making a move.”

Yang Er glanced at the chessboard and shook his head, saying, “Shi xi, this is already a losing game. Just admit defeat and stop wasting everyone’s time.”

Chi Can, who was holding a white piece between his slender fingers, frowned. “How can I admit defeat? I’ve never lost a game before!”

Yang Er scoffed and exposed him without mercy. “Of course, you’ve never lost. By the time you place one piece, your opponent has already played an entire game. In the end, they just get too frustrated to continue playing with you.”

Chi Can snorted. “What do you know? I’m just considering carefully!”

Yang Er turned away in exasperation.

What careful consideration? This is clearly just being shamelessly stubborn!

That day, the cook had prepared iron-pot braised fish, and its enticing aroma was making everyone restless. Finally, Zhu Wu couldn’t take it anymore and raised his hand. “Fine! I surrender. Can we eat now?”

Chi Can held him back. “That’s not how this works! We always play based on skill.”

Zhu Wu and Yang Er both rubbed their foreheads in exasperation.

Yang Er muttered under his breath, “I really wish those lovestruck ladies and young wives in the capital could see your true nature.”

Chi Can coughed heavily and shot Qiao Zhao a glance.

Realizing his slip in front of a young girl, Yang Er gave a sheepish smile.

“No talking while watching a game! Zi Zhe, let’s continue. There must be a way out for the white pieces. I just haven’t figured it out yet.”

Yang Er turned to Qiao Zhao and sighed. “Looks like we won’t be eating anytime soon.”

Qiao Zhao pressed a hand against her stomach.

Perhaps it was because the young girl Li Zhao had a weaker constitution, but even this short delay had already caused a faint ache in her stomach.

She had once endured the pain of an arrow piercing her heart on the northern walls of Yan City. Now, as long as she had the choice, she didn’t want to suffer even the slightest discomfort.

In this new life, she intended to be kinder to herself.

“If the game ends, we can eat, right?”

“Of course—”

Before Yang Er could finish his sentence, Qiao Zhao casually picked up a white piece from the container and placed it on the board.

Yang Er reached out to stop her but he was too late. His heart sank—Chi Can was easygoing most of the time, but he had a few pet peeves, and one of them was people interfering in his chess games.

Chi Can’s expression turned cold. “Li San, chess pieces aren’t toys.”

But before he could say more, Zhu Wu, who had been staring at the board, suddenly changed his tone. “Shi Xi, look—”

Chi Can ignored him and instead gave Qiao Zhao a sidelong glance, smiling brightly. “Li San, you messed up my game. What should we do about that?”

“Shi Xi—”

Chi Can cut Zhu Wu off. “I know you both want to speak up for this girl, but in my opinion, she’s smart enough. Hiring a carriage and returning to the capital by herself shouldn’t be a problem.”

Hmph! Not only did she interrupt his game, but after being saved, she didn’t even have the self-awareness to be grateful, let alone repay the favor. Worst of all, she called him ‘Uncle’!

A girl like this was absolutely not cute!

“Shi Xi, what I meant was… the white pieces won.” Zhu Wu’s voice sounded oddly strained as he said it, as if even he found it unbelievable.

His black pieces had clearly dominated the board—victory was within reach. Yet, with just a single move, Li San had reversed the situation, forcing the black pieces into a dead end with no chance of recovery.

Chi Can froze and immediately examined the board.

Yang Er leaned in as well, then looked at Qiao Zhao in disbelief.

“How did you do that?” Chi Can asked in astonishment.

The girl pursed her lips and replied softly, “I just placed it randomly… maybe I got lucky.”

Chi Can tapped the board with his fingers. “Say something that makes sense.”

Randomly placing a piece could win against his hours of strategizing? He knew Zhu Yan’s skill level well—very few young players in the capital could beat him.

This girl was clearly lying through her teeth.

“Oh, well… I guess my skill is just a little better,” she said lightly.

Chi Can and Zhu Yan exchanged glances, then simultaneously swept the board clear and spoke in unison. “Come on, let’s have a proper game.”

“I’m hungry,” Qiao Zhao said matter-of-factly.

—

After the meal.

Zhu Yan stared at the board for a long time before tossing his pieces back into the container with a sigh. “I’m not as good as you. I lost.”

He stood up, giving up his seat to Chi Can.

As the sun slowly sank westward, the docks of Jiafeng came into view in the distance.

Yet Chi Can was still holding a piece, deep in thought.

Across from him, the girl sat quietly with her head lowered, waiting patiently.

“To be able to sit still without rushing Shi Xi… Just for this patience alone, this girl is extraordinary,” Zhu Yan murmured to Yang Er, admitting his own lack in comparison.

Yang Er, impressed by her composure, took another deep look at Qiao Zhao. He suddenly paused, his tone turning odd.

“…Why do I feel like she actually fell asleep?”