ch 5

Kim Kaichang’s eyes widened. Checkmate?!

How was that possible?! Was he hallucinating?!

The old master slumped back in defeat, having fought hard but ultimately lost. He stared at Kim Taehyung, realizing just how severely he had underestimated his pure, innocent grandson.

"Taehyung, when did you learn to play like this?" he asked eagerly, undeterred by his loss.

"In high school. I was bored, so I spent my free time studying strategies." Tae smiled faintly, looking incredibly sweet, while Kim Kaichang’s expression twisted as if he’d been force-fed something vile.

Everyone knew what Taehyung was supposed to be like back then—always focusing on cute looks, hanging out, and acting like a carefree boy. Since when did he have the patience for chess?

Bored in school? Did he even attend enough classes to be bored?

Wait—Kim Kaichang’s heart lurched. Had this seemingly naive boy been planning to win over the old man all along? Was he actually that calculating?

Watching as the old man, acting completely out of character, eagerly took Taehyung’s hand to lead him inside, Kim Kaichang’s temper flared. Without thinking, he grabbed Tae's delicate wrist.

"Wait!"

Both of them stopped, frowning at his sudden move—clearly annoyed.

Kim Kaichang’s throat tightened, but he pressed on. "Kim Taehyung, if you’ve known how to play all this time, why didn’t you ever accompany Grandfather before? Did you never once think to show him some filial respect?!"

This was nothing but a baseless accusation. Taehyung arched a brow, giving him a smile that was both indulgent and mocking as he glanced down at his grip.

"Well, of course—it’s because chess was always treated as an activity for the main heirs, wasn’t it?" His tone was light, as if merely stating a fact—even throwing Kaichang's earlier dismissive attitude right back at him.

But the remark struck like a blade, turning Kim Kaichang and Kim Yingjie’s faces ashen, their expressions stiff as corpses, hearts clogged with resentment. They had played for years and never once beaten the old man. Why did Taehyung have to phrase it so harshly?

Even the old master faltered, looking somewhat abashed before turning back. "It’s all you boys crowding around me—how was your brother supposed to join in? You think he'd want to play with a bunch of amateurs?"

"Taehyung, come. From now on, I won’t play with them anymore. You should visit more often..."

"Having you in the Kim family is truly our pride!"

Taehyung flicked his wrist effortlessly, easily shaking off Kim Kaichang’s grip. He lightly brushed his sleeve and walked away, following Old Master Kim.

Only Kim Kaichang was left behind, his face still marked with the stinging red palm print from the fly swatter, while Kim Yingjie stood there, his expression dark with fury. This was the first time in their lives they had completely lost to Taehyung.

Old Master Kim’s hands trembled with excitement as he dialed his old friend while walking.

"Old Qi, come quick! My descendant is extraordinary—he’s a chess prodigy!"

"What rank? Don’t ask about that, he’s not a professional! You’re just nitpicking now. Who doesn’t know you’re a FIDE Master, nearly IM level? Should you really be boasting about challenging a kid?"

Old Master Kim pulled the receiver away and whispered shakily to Taehyung, "This guy—he’s already riled up! He’s coming over right now to test you."

Taehyung merely smiled, looking perfectly pure and serene as he sat down. "Fine, I don’t mind."

Old Master Kim reassured him, "Don’t worry. If he bullies a younger one, he’s shameless, and I’ll scorn him for it."

Taehyung chuckled again, his tone oddly serious for a boy usually so soft. "I really don’t mind."

Old Master Kim paused, studying his grandson’s uncharacteristically calm demeanor. He didn’t seem like the fragile, simple Taehyung anymore—more like a seasoned entrepreneur, his emotions perfectly controlled, his expressions unreadable.

Muttering under his breath about how strange this was, he was about to ask more when Taehyung smoothly steered the conversation back to his original purpose for visiting.

"Grandpa, about the reality show Four Seasons of the Elite—which members of our family are participating?"

Old Master Kim finally remembered. He had approved the show, which aimed to showcase the lifestyle and values of high society. The Kim family’s public reputation wasn’t the best lately, and if they wanted to expand their influence in other fields, improving their public image was crucial. So he hadn’t interfered.

He frowned. "Kim Zhaoye, and... you, I suppose."

He hadn’t initially planned to include Taehyung. Kim Zhaoye, as the eldest son of the main branch and a prominent figure in the family business, was the ideal face of the Kim family. And then there was his girlfriend, Ruan Nian, who was quite popular with the public...

In high-society families like theirs, true marital fidelity wasn’t always the priority—public perception was. A woman named Fang Yining might actually be Kim Zhaoye’s real fiancée, but since their engagement wasn’t public, no one knew. So the family could let the misunderstanding slide and allow Ruan Nian to be seen on camera as Zhaoye’s official girlfriend. A well-received romance could only boost their corporate image.

But adding Taehyung? That was a first. Especially since he was already promised to Jeon Jungkook.

Taehyung nodded. Good—he hadn’t come here for nothing. "Understood. I’ll arrange a meeting with the director this weekend."

His hidden system-assigned task was to appear on this show, likely to display the family's prestige. He’d need to prepare.

Old Master Kim laughed at his sudden earnestness. "Why not tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow’s a workday. I have to go to the company." His tone was firm.

Old Master Kim nearly choked.

Him...? Work? Was he joking? Everyone knew Taehyung was usually a bit of a slacker, barely showing up even when assigned to a minor department. Was this for real? Had the boy actually turned over a new leaf?

He almost reached out to check if Tae had a fever, but restrained himself. This was a chess prodigy—he deserved respect.

So he solemnly nodded. "Good. I’m glad you’re taking work seriously... Ah! Old Qi’s here. Go crush him!"

Work was actually routine for Taehyung—he never took days off in his past life. He smiled faintly, knowing Old Master Kim would have many more reasons to be proud until it became the norm.

But with his new opponent arriving, he said no more.

Old Qi stormed in, dressed in traditional attire, carrying a set of beautiful translucent chess pieces. "Who’s the genius?" he boomed.

Taehyung sat across from him with perfect, gentle grace. "After you," he said politely.

Old Qi’s eyes nearly popped out. He recognized Kim Taehyung and almost recoiled, glaring at Old Master Kim. "You’re making me play against your good-for-nothing grandson? Are you mocking me?"

But Old Master Kim eagerly pushed him into the seat. "Just watch his skills! I guarantee you won’t win easily!"

Baffled but intrigued, Old Qi studied the delicate boy before finally sitting.

Taehyung calmly arranged the pieces, listening as they spoke, and finished setting up the board.

"Begin."

"I’m a certified FIDE Master, FM. If my moves are too aggressive—I won’t go easy," Old Qi warned. He recalled a popular endgame he and Old Master Kim had been studying. "I’ve nearly cracked it. If I pull it off, don’t cry."

At the mention of that specific endgame, Taehyung’s expression flickered oddly, but he steadied himself. "Very well."

His pure, unbothered composure unsettled Old Qi, who began the match with deep suspicion.

Old Master Kim held his breath. Taehyung remained completely unreadable

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