After chatting with Timothy Buosont for a while, Robin Bailey left. Instead of finding Frank House to give him a ride back, he decided to take a walk by himself.
Eventually, he arrived at a street where there was a large tree. Underneath the tree, many elderly men and women were chatting. The women were engaged in conversation, while the men were playing chess.
When people grow old, they lose ambition and spend their time playing chess, drinking tea, and chatting, embracing the retired life.
Just like in Robin Bailey’s memory, there was an old man sitting in front of a chessboard. Beside it, there were several large characters written: “Ten dollars per round, loser pays ten.”
No one was around, apparently too afraid to participate. However, Robin Bailey sat down without hesitation and said, “Boss, I’ll play.”
As soon as someone joined, the attention shifted to the chessboard. Since Orson Willis’s reputation had spread, hardly anyone dared to play against him.
Therefore, they all looked at Robin Bailey. “This kid, he must have never experienced Orson Willis’s torment before, and yet he dares to play against him.”
“After a few rounds, this kid’s face will turn green.” The surrounding old men laughed one after another. They had all experienced it.
Suddenly, a weak voice spoke up, “Hey, have you guys noticed that this kid looks a lot like the one who played chess a few months ago, the one who didn’t have any temper like Orson Willis?”
“It seems… it is that kid.”
“It really is.”
They rubbed their eyes and realized it was true. They still had a memory of it. Immediately, they looked at Orson Willis and burst into laughter, saying, “Orson Willis, you’re always arrogant, but this kid came to put you in your place. Let’s see if he can make you lose ten rounds in a row again.”
“That’s right, let’s see if he can bully us like you do.” Someone joked.
However, Orson Willis waved his hand dismissively and said, “You guys are talking nonsense. Last time it was just a fluke. Watch this time, I’ll definitely make him lose ten rounds.”
Then, Orson Willis looked at Robin Bailey with a smirk. “Kid, you’re back, huh? Let’s go. It’s been a while since I’ve seen you. Let’s play ten rounds, I’ll make you kneel ten times in a row.”
Orson Willis stroked his beard. “I accept the challenge,” Robin Bailey smiled and started playing chess. He was an old acquaintance.
However, their relationship wasn’t one of direct social interaction. It was because of Orson Willis’s granddaughter, Lacey Willis.
Initially, she had been after Robin Bailey all the time, but eventually, they got to know each other. Later on, Lacey Willis even followed him to South Province. “Kid, how’s my granddaughter doing? She didn’t cause you any trouble, did she?”
Orson Willis chuckled and asked. He referred to Robin Bailey as “kid” naturally because he was much older.
When he was in the military, Robin Bailey hadn’t been born yet. Now, Orson Willis was in his eighties. He was a senior.
Therefore, Robin Bailey only used respectful terms when addressing him. Although Orson Willis held a high position, Robin Bailey always showed respect and courtesy. “Lacey Willis has performed well on the battlefield and has been promoted to lieutenant.
She should still be in South Province, handling some follow-up matters. She’ll be back soon,” Robin Bailey explained. Initially, he hadn’t intended for Lacey Willis to go, but she insisted on following his orders, which were for all the soldiers to go. In the end, Robin Bailey had no choice but to let Lacey Willis accompany him. She had indeed played a significant role later on.
She proved to be capable in handling various matters. It wasn’t necessary for someone to be in the frontlines, displaying bravery to be considered important. If they could stabilize the situation from behind, it was also a great achievement and showed their competence.
“That girl is quite stubborn,” Orson Willis didn’t know what to say, so he just shook his head. But there was a hint of indulgence in his eyes. He really loved his granddaughter.
“Are you attending the wedding in a few days?” Orson Willis placed another chess piece and asked. The news of the wedding had already spread widely, and he was aware of it.
However, in the versions that circulated among ordinary people, it was naturally a story about a security guard marrying Elise Houry, the president of Landview Inc., and attempting to provoke Isaiah Clarke.
But in Orson Willis’ eyes, the Clarke family was nothing significant in front of Robin Bailey. They could easily be wiped out with a wave of his hand. They hadn’t been wiped out yet, he just didn’t want to do it, allowing them to survive a little longer.
“Yes,” Robin Bailey nodded. “You didn’t inform my granddaughter, did you? She admires you a lot. To be honest, when I lost to you back then, it was intentional. My main goal was to find a husband who could control her violent tendencies. She’s too aggressive, and no one can handle her. I thought you could. Unfortunately, you’re already married. But I never expected that my granddaughter would end up being your little fangirl.”
Orson Willis sighed. What a situation it was to find an old husband for his granddaughter and end up with a big-shot like Robin Bailey. But at this moment, Robin Bailey picked up a chess piece, and with a light thud, he gently put it down. “Is that so, Mr. Orson Willis? You lost.”
With that one move, the situation became clear. Orson Willis lost. The old men nearby burst into laughter. “Haha, Orson Willis, you really make me laugh. You boast about your skills, but you were just knocked down after bragging. You let us down with your talk.”
“Orson Willis, you bully us all the time, saying that you can beat us even without using your hands.”
“Now you’re being humiliated. Serves you right. Haha.”
The old men around them were all laughing. But it was all playful banter among friends. They were very familiar with this Orson Willis. They had been friends for many years, and Orson Willis used to bully them and often brought up chess.
These old men used to enjoy playing chess, but after being humiliated by Orson Willis, they no longer found it enjoyable.
“I underestimated him. I was careless in this game. This was just the first round, I gave him a handicap. Don’t laugh yet. Watch me in the second round, how I’ll dominate and make this kid lose more than ten games,” Orson Willis looked at the old men around him, his beard twitching in anger. He was determined to play a few more rounds to prove himself.
And then, he lost.
Lost again.
Lost once more.
… In a short while, they played more than ten rounds, and without exception, Orson Willis lost. He lost miserably, continuously losing. Finally, Orson Willis waved his hand, “That’s enough, that’s enough. I’m not in the right state today. Next time, next time, you’ll see, I’ll definitely make this kid lose completely.”
“Orson Willis, you’re just bluffing. You lost twice,” the people around him teased.
In the end, Orson Willis escaped with a pat on his chest. “If I lost, I lost. Why keep bringing it up? Didn’t I always bully you guys? Robin Bailey, let’s pretend next time, intentionally let them see.”
Robin Bailey smiled. He saw a glimpse of Lacey Willis in Orson Willis. They were indeed family. Equally stubborn.
“By the way, I actually informed my granddaughter. She’s on her way back.”
“Really?” Robin Bailey pondered for a moment. It had been a while since he last saw Lacey Willis, the girl who always wanted to catch him.