My Darling, My Dearest

Jack was sly as a fox. He did not visit home just to chat idly and play chess with his father.

Knowing that his son came for a reason, Jonathan took advantage of him without qualms. However, as the game progressed, he saw himself regretting his attempts.

He was determined to win, but his efforts fell in vain. He didn't understand what was happening. His brain might have deteriorated immensely, or his son was just too smart!

Jonathan found it hard to keep up. His pieces collapsed one by one. At one point, he almost locked his pieces on a checkmate.

Quickly realizing his error, he retrieved the piece he just laid and moved it to another place on the board.

'If I didn't move the piece to another place, Jack would win the game with a few steps,' Jonathan thought. When he raised his head, he saw Jack holding a black piece and staring at him with a frown. Caught red-handed, Jonathan explained in a calm voice, "I'm already old. My hand was trembling and dropped it in the wrong place."

He recently learned that his old age came with perks and used it as an excuse to gain an advantage. ■3

Jack placed the piece he was holding on the board casually. He figured his father was desperate to win the game.

The game status suddenly reversed. Jonathan, who was about to lose within two or three minutes, now had the upper hand in winning. It was obvious that Jack gave the game away.

If he competed earnestly now, maybe he would

win.

Jonathan didn't mind that Jack yielded. Instead, he felt happy. Smiling, he sighed, "Oh, you're a smart boy!"

Jack had no recourse, his pieces ultimately getting into trouble.

He ended the game by digging a hole for himself.

Predictably, Jonathan won in the end! Glad that he defeated Jack, Jonathan waved his hand and called for another bout. "Come! Let's play one more round!"

"Father, I'll find you a kindergarten challenger whom you can play with," Jack replied bluntly.

Surprised by his son's retort, Jonathan became angry. "You're looking down on me, aren't you? Why don't you give me a grandchild instead? That way, I would have someone to play with and not bother you!" he snapped.

Jack chose not to respond. He unhurriedly arranged the chess pieces to play another round.

Within ten seconds of the second game, Jack felt tortured. His father's skills were awful. 'What level is this?' he thought. He remembered that his father used to be very good at this game. The servant brought them tea and left quietly.

The old man took his cup and blew his tea as his eyes swept across the entire board.

Jonathan played the second round very seriously. He carefully considered every step to avoid the mistakes he made during the first round.

Jack didn't give enough attention to the game. His mind was on something else.

Eventually, he asked, "Dad, are you serious about what you said last night?"

Jonathan exhaled, his lips twitching with amusement. He probed, "What did I say?"

"Me and Rachel," Jack replied briefly.

Jonathan ignored his question and only gave him a meaningful smile.

Jack sat motionlessly and waited patiently for his father to answer. He would find a way to divorce Rachel once his father agreed.

They would be completely free from each other without any restraints holding back, Jack thought.

On another note, Jack wondered why his father mentioned this matter all of a sudden. His father opposed it for so long before.

He became apprehensive. Maybe his father got a few tricks up his sleeves, or something serious happened.

Jonathan observed his son, lost in his ■3

thoughts. He did not expect him to be so calm. It seemed Jack had grown up.

Aside from his progress in playing chess, he also became more thoughtful and patient every year. Jonathan sighed thoughtfully.

"Francis is going to take actions against the Wen family in a few days," Jonathan began.

A trace of surprise glinted in Jack's eyes. "Has he taken over the Cheng family?" he asked, his brows furrowed.

Jonathan nodded. His finger hovered over the board, deciding his next move. The corner of his lips rose as he placed another piece down. "I wonder if the Vincent could save at least some of their peers." Everyone knew that Francis' target was the Wen family. It was time for payback. The family would be engulfed in a fierce storm over the next few days. In the end, the family would lose, its conclusion already forgone.

Francis had long plotted his revenge. The Wen family had made plenty of enemies that it was no longer startling someone would rub salt on their wounds.

The Fu family never interfered with the businesses of the other two parties. They only watched in the background as it didn't concern them.

Jack didn't understand his father's sudden interest and was curious to know more. He took a piece and made a move without weighing too much. Jonathan dwelt for a second before executing ■3

his countermove. He was trying to gain the upper hand.

Although his skills were subpar compared to Jack's, Jonathan still played with full attention.

Jonathan pondered for a while and then prodded, "Do you know how Francis will deal with Windy?"

"They won't be together," Jack muttered, his voice cold.

"You think it's impossible?" Jonathan gazed at his son with curiosity.

Jack was again baffled by his father's interest in other people's marriage. He answered, "Once the Wen family is destroyed, Francis will abandon Wendy.

He would neither stay with someone who indirectly caused the death of his loved love, nor would he want a woman who not only hates him but also betrayed him," Jack reasoned, a confident smile on his face. His father reflected for a moment before complaining, "In my opinion, young people are always seeking for trouble. If you dislike someone, just stay away."

Jack dropped his gaze, trying to hide his emotions.

"I believed that you and Rachel had a chance to be together before. I've watched both of you grow up and understand your personalities.

As for the other woman," Jonathan paused. He shook his head helplessly. "You two are impossible. ■3

Just save your energy."

Jack froze. He did not accept what his father said and continued arguing, "Why is it impossible? We've been together for many years!" Jonathan laughed, making Jack embarrassed.

Jack stopped speaking, turned his head, and avoided his father's gaze. He closed his eyes and then opened again. He looked at his father seriously and said, "Father, please let me have a try. I want to live my own life!"

"Do as you wish and try. I am not going to force you if you do not like Rachel. I will even turn a blind eye if you are with that woman. But after so many years, you hasn't successfully dealt with anyone of them." Jack was uttered speechless. He didn't know how to refute his father.

It was true that he could deal with neither the one he love nor the one he did not love.

"I have been there," Jonathan reminded him. Just like before, Jack was not able to give any reason to stop his father.

"Okay, that's it. I no longer want to know any further about your relationship. You may get divorced if you want," Jonathan said dejectedly, his body sagging in his seat.

Jack's excitement was short-lived. His palms slowly turned cold when he saw his father disheartened.

Saddened, Jack tried to convince his father. "Celine...is a good girl. My decision to divorce ■3

Rachel had nothing to do with her. It's simply because I don't love Rachel at all."

The old man erupted into laughter again and waved his hand. He stared at the young man and turned serious in a snap. "I will agree to your divorce, but under one condition."

Sure enough, there was a catch. How could his father let him go so easily? Jack smiled with selfmockery.

"What is it?" he queried.

"I will agree to your divorce, but you have to spend a year with Rachel first."

Hearing his father's condition, Jack immediately frowned. He was about to react when Jonathan raised his hand to stop him.

"I know what you are going to say, but hear me out first, Son."

Obeying his father, Jack leaned back on his chair and waited for him to continue.

"Your grandfather promised you to each other," Jonathan began slowly. "Our family owes a lot to Rachel. In time I will explain everything to you, including the main reason why your grandfather arranged the marriage. He wanted to protect her and didn't want her to suffer."

Jonathan hesitated. His voice was tinged with regret as he went on, "It was my fault. I did not think your grandfather's idea was a problem and did not consider it carefully. These past years, you appeared to ge along well with each other. I always hoped that you could be together someday in the future, that's why I did not want you to divorce. ■3

Rachel is a good girl. I have seen her grow up into a fine lady. She is dedicated and persistent. She will cherish those people who treated her well. When she loves a person, she can be so selfless and will give him her whole heart.

I have met too many people in my life, and I have learned how to read personalities. I am not looking down upon Celine, but she seems very ambitious.

I understand that you might not take my words seriously, but I believe that you are not a fool. Think about it carefully. In the end, if you still decide to divorce Rachel, then you can look for another. If you find someone who loves you, for the sake of your happiness, I will accept her in our family."