17: Chapter 017 A Game of Chess on the Balcony
One evening a few days later, the setting sun plated the dilapidated urban village in a layer of warm gold. Lin Mo had just finished a round of study on the [Basic Energy Core Theory] and was standing by the narrow balcony of his rented room, stretching his stiff neck and gazing blankly at the bustling street scene below.
Just then, a steady, unhurried knock sounded at the door.
Lin Mo's heart stirred slightly. He walked alertly to the door and looked out through the peephole. Standing outside was a steady-looking middle-aged man in an ordinary gray jacket, holding a chessboard bag.
"Hello, I'm the new comprehensive administrator for the subdistrict, surname Long." The man's voice was calm, carrying an upright air that wasn't easily off-putting. "I'm making rounds to understand the basic situation of the tenants in this area to facilitate future work."
comprehensive administrator? Lin Mo's gaze swept over the man's seemingly casual stance, which was actually as steady as a rock, and his deep, unfathomable eyes. This person was definitely no ordinary man. He instantly thought of the incident in the alley a few days ago and the attention he might have already attracted.
A probe? Or...
He took a deep breath, suppressing the turmoil in his heart. There was no avoiding it; it was better to face it head-on. He adjusted his expression and opened the door.
"Hello, Officer Long." Lin Mo showed a slightly restrained smile that matched his current age and status. "Please, come in."
Long Zhantian—the head of National Security using the alias "Officer Long"—scanned the room with a seemingly casual glance. He took in the composure uncharacteristic of Lin Mo's age and the faint, lingering "industrial" aura in the room that differed from ordinary young men, yet he maintained a warm smile on his face. "I won't intrude. I see your balcony is quite nice with a wide view. How about we chat here? I'll take a breather while we're at it and play a game?"
He raised the chessboard bag in his hand; it was a common wooden Xiangqi set.
Thoughts whirled in Lin Mo's mind, and he then nodded. "Sure, the balcony is a bit cooler. After you."
The two sat on small folding stools on the balcony, with a small folding table set up between them. The chessboard was laid out, and the pieces were placed down with crisp sounds.
"What should I call you, young man? You don't sound like a local." Long Zhantian asked as if making small talk while setting up the pieces.
"Lin Mo. 'Lin' as in forest, 'Mo' as in ink. My hometown is in Jiangnan Province." Lin Mo answered cautiously, his gaze falling on the board as he opened with the most conventional Central Cannon.
"Lin Mo, a good name. Are you here for school or work?"
"Just graduated, I'm looking for a job." Lin Mo moved a Knight, his response quite standard.
"Oh? What was your major?" Long Zhantian seemingly casually moved an Elephant, his playing style steady and impassive.
"Aerospace Engineering." Lin Mo answered truthfully. This was clear in his records, so there was no point in hiding it. He moved a Rook, attempting to control the river boundary.
"Whoa, a top student!" Long Zhantian praised with a sincere tone, but his hand was relentless. With a clever Screen Horse Defense layout, he faintly suppressed the offensive of Lin Mo's Rook. "That's a great major; the country needs talent in this field. It's just that lately... the market hasn't been great, has it? I heard foreign countries are really strangling us."
His words were gentle, but his moves carried an invisible pressure, beginning to take the initiative in the game.
Lin Mo felt a chill in his heart, knowing the real probe had begun. While mobilizing his mental faculties to deal with the game, he weighed his words: "There are some difficulties, but I believe the country will definitely find a way to break through."
"Yes, someone has to find a way, someone has to break through." Long Zhantian gave Lin Mo a meaningful look and suddenly played a seemingly aggressive variation of the 'Thirteen Moves of Sacrificing the Horse,' luring the enemy in deep. "Sometimes, to break a deadlock, you need some unconventional thinking, or even... a 'stroke of genius' from an unexpected place."
Lin Mo's finger paused slightly, feeling the sharpness contained in the other's words and moves. He didn't take the bait, instead choosing a solid defensive move with his Elephant while saying, "You know chess well, Officer Long? This move is very risky, but the opportunity is also great."
"I know a thing or two." Long Zhantian smiled, seemingly unsurprised by Lin Mo's calm response. His offensive slowed slightly as he began to control the rhythm of the game, like weaving a large net. "Playing chess is like being a person; sometimes you can't just look at the gain or loss of a single piece in front of you. You have to consider the whole picture, thinking three steps ahead for every move. More importantly, you must be clear about what the pieces in your hand are ultimately fighting for."
His words were pointed, his gaze resting calmly on Lin Mo's face.
Lin Mo felt an invisible pressure descend upon him. He understood that the man definitely hadn't come just to play chess. He took a deep breath, forcing himself to stay calm. He poured all his concentration into the game, no longer speaking, silently mobilizing his system-enhanced calculation and logical thinking abilities to counter every move.
For a time, only the crisp sound of chess pieces being placed remained on the balcony. The afterglow of the setting sun stretched their shadows long. One seasoned and profound, the other just beginning to show his brilliance, they engaged in a silent contest on this small chessboard.
The game gradually entered the mid-stage. After the initial passivity, Lin Mo gradually stabilized his position with his powerful calculations, occasionally even making brilliant moves that caused a flash of surprise in Long Zhantian's eyes.
Finally, when the game ended, it was actually a draw.
"Good game!" Long Zhantian looked at the board and praised sincerely. The look in his eyes as he watched Lin Mo became more probing, but also held a trace of hard-to-detect admiration. "Young man, you have impressive chess skills and a meticulous mind. Rare indeed."
He stood up and packed away the chessboard, as if he had just completed an ordinary visit. "I've gathered enough information. I won't disturb your rest. If you have any difficulties in this area in the future, you can find me at the Subdistrict Office."
"Thank you, Officer Long."
At the door, Long Zhantian paused and looked back as if casually. "It's good for young people to have drive, but you also need to stay safe. This area has a mixed crowd; try to avoid walking alone at night."
Lin Mo's heart jolted, but his face remained impassive. "Thank you for the reminder, I'll be careful."
After seeing Long Zhantian off and closing the door, Lin Mo leaned against the doorframe and slowly exhaled. His back was slightly damp with cold sweat.
This game seemed like a draw, but he knew he had just walked along a dangerous edge. That "Officer Long's" identity was definitely not as simple as he claimed.
"It seems the real storm is coming soon." He whispered to himself, his gaze growing more determined.
Lin Mo returned to the balcony, watching the sky gradually darken as his thoughts drifted. He understood that he could no longer remain passive like this.
In the dead of night, Lin Mo opened his computer and began searching for information about the National Security department, while combining it with what he knew to try and find a way to respond.