Retired B-King, But I’m Raising My Nemesis

After the Daylight Cup World Championship, ninth-dan Bai Yuzhi quietly retires.

He settles into a peaceful life at home, growing flowers, experimenting with recipes, and raising little pets, while turning down every media invitation.

He thought life would be peaceful from then on. Who knew some inconsiderate busybody would dump a human-shaped piece of trash at his doorstep?

His sworn enemy, seventh-dan Shen Mo!

Bai Yuzhi never expected Shen Mo to have become so thin, unable to eat or sleep, barely able to speak, and unable to look at black-and-white things. Even the black-and-white guinea pig at home has to keep its distance.

Under the same roof, one tends to his heart, the other recovers from illness.

Even while caring for him, Bai Yuzhi decides to teach this brat, who overtook him and is always provoking him, a little lesson.

Shen Mo can't play Go, so Bai Yuzhi boldly writes five words:

A game tonight.

He makes Shen Mo play colorful games like Ludo and Snakes and Ladders, until the flame in Shen Mo's eyes lights up again and he vows to beat him.

Shen Mo can't eat, so Bai Yuzhi serves up his own inventions:

Charcoal-grilled watermelon seeds and caramelized watermelon rind.

So hungry his stomach cramps, Shen Mo gets up with a grim face to cook, lest they both starve to death.

When Shen Mo is lying there, unable to move, Bai Yuzhi sits by his bed and reads books in various languages in a soft, gentle voice, showing his sworn enemy how extensive his language skills are. Sometimes he reads authentic Chinese recipes, and occasionally strokes Shen Mo's face, damp with tears.

One time, when Shen Mo hasn't gotten out of bed for a long while, Bai Yuzhi helpfully suggests, "Want me to carry you to the bathroom? No? Then how about I bring you an empty bottle?"

Shen Mo pulls the blanket over his head, refusing to talk.

Bai Yuzhi presses on. "Don't be shy. Scooping up the poop and pee of a pet you're fostering temporarily is only natural."

Buried under the blanket, Shen Mo shouts in a muffled voice, "How can you be like this!"

Later, seventh-dan Shen says, "Whose turn is it tonight? One game to decide the winner?"

Seeing how impatient he is, Bai Yuzhi gently and steadily undoes the first button of his silk dressing gown. "Gomoku. I'll play black."

Shen Mo composes himself, swayed by him, but adds a rule: "Swap after three moves, two-for-one after five!"

Bai Yuzhi gives a slight nod, his tender gaze settling on Shen Mo's lips.

Before making a move, they share a kiss.

Long-haired, aloof top × younger rising star

*Gomoku has established strategies, and the player who goes first can win. The forbidden-move rule can be added to reduce Black's advantage and make up for White's weaker position.

Theme: On life's stage, we are all protagonists. Self-respect, confidence, and strength are the best forms of self-love.