I Really Didn’t Mean to Play Go!
Chapter 40: "A Match Played in Earnest"

The afternoon classes passed, and as the final bell rang, it was finally time for dismissal.

The physics teacher lingered for a few extra minutes, assigning homework before gathering a hefty stack of notebooks and leaving the classroom.

As soon as the teacher left, the room burst into a lively chatter.

"Internet café?" Zhang Wenbo, as usual, came over to recruit players for a gaming session.

"Let’s go! Watch me dominate today!"

"Count me in!" Zhou De agreed immediately, then turned to Yu Shao. "Yu, join us?"

"I probably won’t be able to go for a while," Yu Shao said with a resigned smile. "The principal has me representing the school in this year’s high school Go league. From now on, I’ll have to spend my after-school hours practicing and studying game records in the activity room."

While Yu Shao wasn’t thrilled about the daily practice sessions, he felt obligated to go. Refusing the principal’s direct request would seem far too defiant.

Unexpectedly, he realized he didn’t truly mind participating in the league, even though it presented little challenge for him. Perhaps his past life, spent competing in tournaments, had ingrained a sense of comfort in the arena.

"You’re competing in this year’s league?" Zhou De looked surprised, then grinned wickedly. "Serves you right! Karma strikes back! You thought you could secretly study Go to show off? Now you’re paying for it!"

Yu Shao glanced at him and said, "Xu Zijin’s competing too."

"D*** it!" Zhou De cursed instantly. "You’re just impossible!"

"Alright, I need to go," Yu Shao said with a chuckle, packing up his bag and waving goodbye to the two.

"Forget it, Zhou. If Yu can’t come, let’s head out. Time to climb the ranks tonight," Zhang Wenbo said.

"No way!" Zhou De waved him off, gritting his teeth. "You guys go ahead. I’m staying."

Zhang Wenbo was stunned. "What? You were all in just now!"

"Do I look like I’m joking?" Zhou De declared. "I’ve changed my mind. I’m going to learn Go. I, Zhou De, will defy fate and achieve the impossible!"

Meanwhile, Yu Shao arrived at the activity room, pushed the door open, and stepped inside.

Inside, Xu Zijin and Zhong Yufei were already there, and Wang Rui’s group of three seemed to have been waiting for a while.

When Yu Shao entered, all eyes turned toward him.

"Sorry, the teacher ran over time, so I’m a bit late," Yu Shao explained upon realizing he was the last to arrive.

"No problem. You’re here now," Wang Rui said, standing up. He wasted no time getting to the point. "Since everyone’s here, let’s begin."

He walked to a table where a Go board had already been set up, complete with bowls of black and white stones on either side. Pulling out a chair, he sat down and looked at Yu Shao. "I’ll play you."

Yu Shao nodded, placed his bag aside, and took the seat across from Wang Rui.

At the same time, Xu Zijin and Zhong Yufei also took their places opposite their respective opponents.

Though no stones had yet been placed, the atmosphere was already heavy with tension.

Silently, Wang Rui opened his bowl of stones and grabbed a handful of white ones. Yu Shao followed suit, taking a few black stones in his hand.

Wang Rui released his grip, letting the stones clatter onto the board.

"Two, four, six… seven. Odd."

After counting his stones, Wang Rui looked up. Yu Shao opened his palm, revealing two black stones—an even number.

This meant Yu Shao would play white, and Wang Rui would take black and play first.

"I’ll take black," Wang Rui said, gathering the black stones back into the bowl while Yu Shao returned the white stones to their bowl.

"I’ll give it my all. I hope you will too," Wang Rui said suddenly, his tone resolute.

Yu Shao blinked in surprise.

He hadn’t planned to take this match seriously. Knowing his own skill level, he could win easily even without much effort. But seeing the determination in Wang Rui’s gaze, he fell silent.

From the morning’s simultaneous matches, Wang Rui had already understood the skill gap between them. Yet, he still chose to face Yu Shao directly.

Wang Rui knew the odds, but what he wanted was a match where neither side held back, even if it meant facing a crushing defeat.

"I understand," Yu Shao finally said. "I’ll play seriously."

Hearing this, Wang Rui exhaled deeply and bowed slightly. "Thank you."

"Let’s do our best," Yu Shao replied, bowing in return.

Wang Rui reached into the bowl for his first stone but paused, closing his eyes.

Taking this long on the first move? Yu Shao thought, surprised but not rushing him. He sat quietly, waiting for Wang Rui’s move.

With his eyes closed, Wang Rui replayed Yu Shao’s moves from the simultaneous match in his mind. Every move still left him in awe, radiating an overwhelming sense of pressure.

"He’s strong. Incredibly strong. His understanding of the game far surpasses mine."

"Last year’s defeat was humiliating. I’ve worked so hard for this year’s league… even if he’s stronger, I must win!"

"If it’s just raw skill, I’m no match. So, how do I play to win?"

After two minutes, Wang Rui finally opened his eyes, his gaze sharp.

He pulled out a stone, raised his hand high, and slammed it onto the board.

Pa!

Column 16, Row 4. Star Point.

Yu Shao remained silent, calmly placing his own stone.

Column 4, Row 4. Star Point.

Wang Rui quickly followed, placing a stone.

Column 17, Row 16. Small Point.

"A Small Point, huh?" Yu Shao murmured to himself, contemplating briefly before responding.

Column 4, Row 17. Small Point.

At that moment, the door to the activity room creaked open, and Mr. Chen Jiaming, wearing his gold-rimmed glasses, entered.

Seeing the six students fully engaged in their matches, he paused momentarily before quietly moving to observe the games from behind them.