It was a long-awaited match. His opponent was also a player of renown from miles around. That day, the sun bl…
It was a long-awaited match. His opponent was also a player of renown from miles around.
That day, the sun blazed down. Du Buyi arrived early at the agreed spot. Perhaps from nerves, perhaps from the heated atmosphere around him, his mouth felt parched and dry.
A young boy hawked a copper box. "Ice-cold grapes! Sweet and chilled grapes!"
Hearing this, Du Buyi's eyes lit up.
"Over here! Quick, give me... three servings!"
Sweet, icy grapes burst in his mouth, sliding down his throat like a clear spring nourishing cracked, dry earth. Du Buyi let out a satisfied sigh.
"Five more! No, I'll take them all! Here's the money, keep the change!"
Du Buyi took the copper box and, under the admiring eyes of the crowd, sat right on the ground, eating the frozen grapes one by one until his opponent arrived.
They drew lots for first move. Du Buyi held his breath, waiting—
Suddenly, a gurgling sound came. It was as if shards of glass and boiling water had been poured into his stomach. Pain made cold sweat break out instantly.
Du Buyi took a deep breath, focused, gathered his strength. But the cramping wouldn't be controlled. His legs felt weak, the piece in his hand losing its force.
Gritting his teeth, Du Buyi launched his first piece—carrying the momentum of past victories, it shot straight... off the edge of the board.
"Oww—!" Whether from frustration or pain, a stifled cry escaped Du Buyi's clenched jaw.
The crowd only saw him flee in panic, scurrying away with an awkward gait.
At that moment, Du Buyi had no mind for victory or defeat—sometimes the hardest opponent to beat is your own body...