Time Is Slow - Chapter 5

Chi Can sat up straight, his eyes fixed on Qiao Zhao. “You actually fell asleep while playing chess with me?” he asked coolly.

 

Qiao Zhao jolted awake, quickly placing a piece on the board with a crisp click.

 

“You’re mistaken,” she replied sweetly, her voice soft and delicate.

 

She had merely dozed off for a moment.

 

“I was watching. Your eyes were definitely closed,” Chi Can said with a smile, though his tone carried an unsettling edge.

 

“If you don’t believe me, see for yourself. Did I make a wrong move?” Her slender, fair fingers lightly tapped the wooden chessboard.

 

During her secluded years, she had spent countless hours playing chess with her grandfather. Compared to those matches, playing against Chi Can was so effortless that she could practically do it with her eyes closed.

 

Thinking about it now, it almost felt like she was bullying him.

 

Chi Can’s gaze unconsciously followed her delicate fingers as she placed the piece. The moment it landed, he realized—he had suffered a devastating loss.

 

For the first time, he questioned his own judgment.

 

Had she really been asleep?

 

“Enough. Pack up. We’re about to dock,” Yang Er interrupted with a barely concealed laugh.

 

Soon, the boat reached the shore, just as Yang Er had predicted. They did not enter the city but instead made their way to a nearby stable, where Chi Can expertly selected three strong horses.

 

Patting one on the back, he turned to Qiao Zhao and said, “None of us can share a horse with you. I’ll take you into the city first and find an inn for you to stay in.”

 

“I can ride,” Qiao Zhao said.

 

Chi Can paused, looking down at the petite girl who barely reached his chest. His lips twitched slightly before he selected another horse. “If you say so. Take this one, then.”

 

“Thank you,” Qiao Zhao said with a bright smile, walking toward the chestnut horse.

 

Yang Er leaned over to Zhu Yan and whispered, “Why is Chi Can suddenly being so agreeable?”

 

Zhu Yan glanced at Qiao Zhao and smirked. “Probably because he thinks she won’t be able to mount the horse. He wants to see her struggle.”

 

“I think Chi Can is in for a surprise. That girl is something else—she already beat you at chess, and for all we know, her riding skills might surpass mine.”

 

Zhu Yan watched in silence as Qiao Zhao approached the horse.

 

The next moment, the chestnut horse snorted, threw its head back, and bolted away, leaving Qiao Zhao in the dust.

 

She landed ungracefully, coughing as dirt filled her nose.

 

“Ah, yes, truly exceptional riding skills,” Zhu Yan laughed heartily.

 

Qiao Zhao stared after the fleeing horse, momentarily stunned.

 

She did know how to ride…

 

“You can wait for us at the inn,” Chi Can said. He can barely conceal his amusement.

 

He clearly wouldn’t mind leaving her behind.

 

Qiao Zhao lowered her gaze.

 

She had no complaints.

 

To them, she was just a stranger they had saved in passing. She should already be grateful for their kindness.

 

But this time, she had no choice but to “repay kindness with trouble.”

 

“I want to go with you. Brother Chi, take me with you—”

 

“No. Men and women should not have physical contact!” Chi Can refused firmly.

 

This girl was too shameless!

 

“I don’t mind,” Qiao Zhao said innocently.

 

Chi Can rolled his eyes. “Of course you don’t, but I do!”

 

He wasn’t being heartless. If he were any softer, he wouldn’t even be able to step foot outside in the capital without attracting trouble.

 

Hearing his blunt rejection, Qiao Zhao chuckled.

 

She remembered how, years ago, this man had shamelessly pestered her grandfather for guidance.

 

And now, the tables had turned—it was her turn to pester him.

 

“What are you laughing at?” Chi Can frowned.

 

There was something uncanny about this girl. He couldn’t treat her like an ordinary twelve or thirteen-year-old.

 

“I’m laughing because if you don’t bring me along, you might not be able to accomplish what you set out to do.”

 

Chi Can’s eyes narrowed sharply. He met her gaze, her expression unreadable yet teasing.

 

Then, he chuckled. “Little girl, do you really think making vague statements like that will convince me? If you want to come, then tell me—where exactly are we headed?”

 

“Chi Can, stop teasing her,” Yang Er said, feeling bad for her.

 

Zhu Yan added, “Yeah, if you won’t take her, I can bring her along instead.”

 

Chi Can raised an eyebrow.

 

Zhu Yan was the heir to the Marquis of Taining—a noble with both status and talent, having passed the imperial examination at a young age. Despite his usually composed demeanor, he was now offering to escort a little girl?

 

That was rare.

 

Feeling Chi Can’s gaze, Zhu Yan coughed lightly. “Don’t overthink it. I just think it wouldn’t hurt to bring her along.”

 

A person’s chess skills reflect their character. A woman who could decisively defeat him in a game of chess was unlikely to be someone who would curry favor with the powerful.

 

Besides, she was still just a young girl.

 

“Qiao family of Apricot Grove,” Qiao Zhao said softly, uttering five words.

 

Three pairs of eyes instantly snapped toward her.

 

“How do you know that?” Yang Er blurted out.

 

Qiao Zhao secretly exhaled in relief.

 

She had gambled correctly!

 

Chi Can had visited her grandfather over three years ago. Though her grandfather was no longer around, her father and brothers had returned to Jiafeng. There was no way the esteemed son of a princess would endure such a long journey just for sightseeing.

 

They were most likely visiting her father.

 

If she had guessed right, Chi Can would take her along—whether out of curiosity or caution.

 

If she had guessed wrong…

 

If their destination wasn’t her home, then there would be no reason for her to follow them.

 

In the end, making this bold statement posed no risk to her.

 

But the three men’s gazes had changed.

 

Chi Can even forgot his earlier concerns about propriety, grabbing Qiao Zhao’s wrist. “How do you know that? Who are you?”

 

“I guessed,” Qiao Zhao replied with a smile. “I am the daughter of Li Xiuzhuan from the capital, and I live in Apricot Alley on West Street.”

 

She paused for a moment, slightly stunned.

 

Apricot Alley…

 

Her home was in Apricot Grove, while the young girl, Li Zhao’s, home was in Apricot Alley.

 

What a coincidence.

 

“Enough nonsense. You know that’s not what I was asking,” Chi Can said, scrutinizing her even more closely.

 

The first time he examined her, he had simply thought she was a clever girl.

 

This time, he thought this girl… was truly strange!

 

Qiao Zhao blinked, her innocent expression flawless. “It’s not as complicated as you think, Brother Chi. I only—”

 

She hesitated briefly before continuing, “I only deeply admire Master Qiao, so I guessed that the three of you came to Jiafeng to visit him.”

 

In the world of scholars, there was no definitive ranking—except in the case of Master Qiao Zhuo, who had been widely acknowledged as the most talented scholar of his time.

 

A young girl with such impressive chess skills was, naturally, someone well-versed in literature as well.

 

“Master Qiao… has already passed away,” Chi Can said with an inexplicable tone.

 

Pain flickered through Qiao Zhao’s heart, but she met his gaze steadily. “Yes. But Lord Qiao is still here.”

 

Lord Qiao was her father, the former Left Vice Censor-in-Chief. After the death of her grandfather, he returned to Jiafeng with his family to observe mourning.

 

Unlike her grandfather’s carefree and unrestrained nature, her father was a strict and serious man.

 

Unlike her grandfather’s carefree demeanor, her father had a serious temperament. When it came to the four arts—music, chess, calligraphy, and painting—he was not as proficient as she was.

 

“You really figured it out based on that?”

 

“Jiafeng isn’t known for its scenic beauty. There aren’t many reasons for three men from the capital to travel here.”

 

Chi Can stared at her for a long moment before asking, “And why are you so certain that without you, I wouldn’t get what I want?”

 

He had indeed come to Jiafeng with a purpose.

 

Qiao Zhao’s lips curved into a bright smile. Tilting her head playfully, she said, “Brother Chi will understand once we reach Apricot Grove.”

 

Chi Can swung himself onto his horse and extended a hand toward her. “Get on.”

 

Qiao Zhao placed her hand in his, and in the next instant, a strong force lifted her effortlessly onto the horse’s back.

 

As they galloped forward, the wind roared in her ears. From above her, Chi Can’s deep, lazy voice drifted down.

 

“Those two are much easier to persuade than I am. Why didn’t you ask them to take you along instead?”

 

Cough, cough. While his handsome face was indeed the most important reason, she hoped he’d offer a different perspective.

 

Qiao Zhao replied with a cheerful smile, “Naturally, I don’t want to trouble two people with one request.”

 

She was someone who repaid kindness with gratitude. She already owed Chi Can a favor—there was no need to owe another person as well.

 

Chi Can’s face darkened.

 

So she was perfectly fine inconveniencing him alone?

 

He knew it—this girl was not cute at all!