The Master’s Mask Unveiled Again
Chapter 873 - 872: Is This Dessert Sweet?

Chapter 873: Chapter 872: Is This Dessert Sweet?

52.0 huh...

The refined man’s deep, tranquil eyes were filled with a gentle softness. His thin lips curved into a charming arc, unable to hide his delight.

This girl was so straightforward that she rarely expressed affection in this way.

Such a unique, sudden gesture of romance filled Xiao Qimo’s heart with an indescribable warmth.

He replied, "This speed is just right."

Not a fraction too fast, not a fraction too slow.

In the back seat, Xiao Jianli and Mo Si were left baffled.

"Miss Lu, the speed limit in Jinjing City is between 40 and 60. You could go a bit faster," Mo Si remarked, staring at the retreating scenery outside the window. Compared to Lu Mian’s earlier devil-may-care speeding, this felt like a turtle’s pace.

Xiao Qimo suddenly let out a cold chuckle. "Oh really?"

Mo Si leaned forward slightly to glance at the dashboard of the driver’s seat. "Yeah, Master Mo, don’t you feel it’s a bit slow? The speed is just about 50..."

He was mid-sentence when he saw the steady number displayed on the instrument panel and promptly sank back into his seat.

His expression turned sour with envy.

A discreet PDA moment, and here he was butting in unnecessarily like an idiot!

"This speed... is great." He gave a thumbs-up and begrudgingly offered his approval.

When the master of subtle flirting, Lu Mian, was at work, there really wasn’t space for others.

Yet again, it was another day of tasting lemons in life.

——

The car cruised smoothly to the chess institute at a steady, unchanging speed, bringing Xiao Jianli safely to his destination.

After getting out, Xiao Jianli even muttered a complaint to Mo Si.

"Who said Mianmian can’t drive? Doesn’t it look like she’s handling it perfectly well?"

Mo Si: ...I’ve got grievances I can’t voice.

Mo Si parked the car in a designated area to wait.

Xiao Jianli then led Lu Mian and Xiao Qimo into the chess institute.

On the way, Xiao Jianli had already contacted the head of the chess institute, Zhuge Heng. At this point, it seemed the timing was just right, as Zhuge Heng was already waiting at the entrance.

Zhuge Heng appeared to be in his forties, a member of the junior generation compared to Xiao Jianli. He hailed from the influential Zhuge Family.

The Zhuge Family was strong in its own right, though still a step below the Xiao Family.

Therefore, having an esteemed Calligraphy and Painting Master like Xiao Jianli visit his chess institute was, to Zhuge Heng, a truly illustrious honor.

"Elder Xiao, what brings you here today? And this must be... Master Mo? You’re here too!"

Zhuge Heng was so flattered he could hardly contain himself. What was going on today? Elder Xiao had even brought his grandson to their modest little chess institute!

"Hahaha, it’s not just any ordinary wind—it’s my granddaughter-in... er, my grandson’s girlfriend wanting to visit!" Xiao Jianli introduced Lu Mian to Zhuge Heng, initially planning to call her his granddaughter-in-law but quickly correcting himself so as not to upset Lu Mian.

Zhuge Heng froze for a moment, clearly surprised by the notion that the notable Master Mo of the Xiao Family was in a relationship.

Even more surprising was that these two influential figures had accompanied this young lady here.

"Director Zhuge, let me introduce her—this is Lu Mian," Xiao Jianli said.

Lu Mian tipped her head slightly and greeted with poise, "Director Zhuge, hello."

True to her character, no matter who the other person was, she treated everyone the same. Observing basic manners was enough for her; she wasn’t one to engage in unnecessary small talk.

Zhuge Heng glanced briefly at Lu Mian, then leaned closer to Xiao Jianli and asked in a low voice, "Is she the daughter of the Lu Family?"

In Jinjing, any mention of the Lu Family naturally referred to the group led by Lu Beihua that had moved abroad years ago.

Back then, the Lu Family had enjoyed its fair share of prestige.

When the internet was still in its infancy, before computers, smartphones, and hardware/software technologies had matured, the Lu Family was quick to seize the opportunity and develop a range of core technologies, dominating that segment of the market early on.

However, due to certain incidents, the family eventually relocated overseas.

Recently, several key figures in the prominent families had heard rumors about the Lu Family possibly planning a return to Z Country.

Xiao Jianli hesitated briefly, then waved his hand dismissively. "No, Mianmian has nothing to do with Old Lu."

"Oh." The sparkle in Zhuge Heng’s eyes instantly dimmed.

When his gaze returned to Lu Mian, a mix of vague and inscrutable curiosity lingered.

In the eyes of those from aristocratic families, every pot had its lid; everything was predefined.

If she wasn’t a daughter of a prominent family yet was in a relationship with Master Mo of the Xiao Family, the outcome of such a relationship was anyone’s guess—it carried countless uncertainties.

"Elder Xiao, Master Mo, please, come inside."

The four of them entered the chess institute.

This time, Zhuge Heng led Lu Mian down a different corridor than the one she’d walked during her last visit, avoiding the Tian, Di, Xuan, and Huang courtyards.

Zhuge Heng and Xiao Jianli continued chatting as they walked, while Lu Mian and Xiao Qimo leisurely followed behind.

Eventually, Xiao Jianli glanced back and asked, "Mianmian, why did you decide to come here today? Are you thinking of learning Go? Director Zhuge is highly skilled—you could learn a lot from him."

Zhuge Heng bowed slightly. "I wouldn’t dare claim that, Elder Jing is the true master at the pinnacle of the Go world. Besides, your own skills are quite remarkable, Elder Xiao!"

"Oh, don’t flatter me. I only know a thing or two. Teaching Mianmian how to write characters might be within my reach, but Go isn’t my field."

"Hahaha, if what you know is ’just a thing or two,’ the rest of us must be mere specks of dust on the surface."

Zhuge Heng tactfully deflected the compliment, though he had no real intention of teaching Lu Mian.

With so many students to coach at the chess institute, where would he find the time to take a young woman under his wing?

Lu Mian didn’t pay any mind to his evasion. She simply smiled and said, "I’m just here to meet some friends."

"Oh, I see." Xiao Jianli nodded thoughtfully, glancing up at the summer sun. "It’s quite hot out right now. Let’s head upstairs to cool off first; you can see your friends later."

"Alright." Naturally, Lu Mian wouldn’t decline the kind offer of an elder.

Zhuge Heng’s expression faltered again—Elder Xiao seemed rather concerned about this young woman...

Perhaps he was eager to see a great-grandchild soon.

Lu Mian followed Xiao Jianli up to the chess institute’s pavilion, which was elegantly designed, exuding a traditional charm. From the higher vantage point, you could even see the neighboring calligraphy institute.

The area had been thoughtfully planned with all architecture steeped in a classical aesthetic—there were no obstructive modern skyscrapers, leaving the scenery quite picturesque.

Leaning one hand on the wooden chair back, Lu Mian gazed absentmindedly at the view outside the pavilion.

Her eyes stilled momentarily upon seeing a crowd of students gathered at the Xuan Class pavilion.

As she became distracted, Xiao Qimo quietly held out a small box in front of her.

"Here, I brought this for you."

The young woman’s eyes sparkled with clarity and brightness. Her slender fingers gently picked up a piece of pea cake and popped it into her mouth, smiling as she said, "It’s so sweet."

Her words carried a double meaning.

Xiao Qimo adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses. Clad in a tailored suit, he certainly looked refined, but in truth...

He leaned in slightly and whispered quickly into Lu Mian’s ear.

"With a snack warmed by my body heat, how could it not be sweet?"

Lu Mian: ...

Only now did she realize that the small box of snacks appeared to have been pulled out of his pants pocket...

This cultured rogue!

Lu Mian flashed a mischievous, rakish smile and gladly accepted the snacks imbued with a certain someone’s body heat.

Xiao Qimo handed her a cup of warm tea, which Lu Mian casually took and drained in one go.

All these interactions were observed by Zhuge Heng, who found himself increasingly puzzled—Master Mo seemed exceptionally attentive to his young girlfriend...

"Director Zhuge," Xiao Jianli broke the silence, unfazed by the display, "I noticed Lu Mian has been staring in a certain direction. What’s happening over there with all those people gathered?"

Zhuge Heng immediately found himself with plenty to say on the matter.

"Oh, it’s about a chess puzzle! Not a single student at the institute has been able to solve it!"