"Ayao," Si Lu looked at Heiyao with tenderness in her eyes.
This guy really knows how to sweet-talk.
Look at him, spitting out these sweet words so smoothly and sincerely!
"Ayao, how about the two of us play a game?" At this moment, Cheng Mo looked at Heiyao and asked.
He wanted to give it a try.
After all, he's always known that Heiyao isn't simple.
Whether it's his intelligence or strength, both seem to surpass his own.
Of course, it's not about being competitive; he just wants to resolve the doubts in his heart.
There's no other motive behind it.
"Sure!" Heiyao nodded, a little intrigued.
Playing a game with Cheng Mo? He was looking forward to it too.
This could be a clash of the strongest!
Si Lu was also thrilled!
"Great! You two should play a round. I'd love to see who wins!" Si Lu said excitedly, her curiosity piqued.
Both of them were the smartest and most capable in their household.
Si Lu was genuinely curious to see who would win in a head-to-head between Cheng Mo and Heiyao.
But, of course, they were both so outstanding that she couldn't guess the outcome herself.
Both Cheng Mo and Heiyao turned to Si Lu at the same time, noticing the bright sparkle in her eyes. Their lips curved into slight smiles. They were also curious.
Among everyone here, only the two of them could be considered to have exceptionally high intelligence.
Of course, that's not to say that the others weren't smart. It's just that they didn't like to think strategically. Take Bai Di, for instance—he simply didn't enjoy plotting and scheming. If he did, he might outsmart them all. After all, he's a fox.
They each had their own unique strengths.
The two began shuffling the cards, and after shuffling, they laid the cards face down.
Both were eager to let the other go first, but in the end, it was Cheng Mo who made the first move.
Si Lu sat between the two of them, carefully watching every move.
The game had begun.
The first card Cheng Mo placed down had a tiger on it, with stars underneath.
Heiyao's first card revealed a snake with a moon beneath it.
Before long, they were engaged in a fierce battle. The others couldn't help but gather around.
How could they not? One represented the strongest power in the group, and the other was the most reliable figure. Their duel was highly anticipated.
Even the usually noisy Da Lao Hu remained silent, quietly watching from the sidelines. Everyone's attention was fixed on the game, their hearts racing, especially Bai Di.
He sat next to Si Lu, watching the game while peeling shrimp for her.
Si Lu was nervously blinking her eyes. At this point, it seemed that Cheng Mo had the upper hand. Every move he made was careful and deliberate.
Just like his personality, every step was cautious.
But Heiyao was different. His moves were swift and ruthless.
Every step was decisive and precise, and when he made a move, it was like a strike of lightning.
The battle between the two grew increasingly intense, and the tension among the onlookers heightened.
Before long, the game reached its conclusion.
Everyone was still reeling from the excitement. It was too thrilling—this was a true clash of titans.
In the end, Heiyao won.
Si Lu wasn't too surprised by Heiyao's victory. After all, she had kind of expected it.
"Wow, Heiyao! You actually beat Cheng Mo!" Bai Di exclaimed in surprise.
Indeed, Cheng Mo was known for being meticulous and thorough, so it was quite unexpected for him to lose to Heiyao.
At the same time, they all came to truly realize that Heiyao was no ordinary guy. Not only was he strong, but his mind was also sharp.
Of course, there was no bitterness in this realization. In fact, Bai Di felt quite happy. After all, they were one big family. Having someone smart and powerful in the family was beneficial to everyone.
"It was just a narrow win. I almost lost," Heiyao humbly replied.
Cheng Mo didn't seem disheartened at all. He looked at Heiyao with respect in his eyes.
"A loss is a loss, but playing against you was truly exhilarating. I'd love to go again sometime," Cheng Mo said with a smile.
Although he had lost, it didn't affect his mood. In fact, it stirred a sense of fighting spirit within him. He believed that one day, he'd be able to win against Heiyao.
Playing against someone as capable as Heiyao was truly a challenge worth embracing.
"Sure," Heiyao nodded.
In truth, the game required quick thinking and sharp observation.
They felt that this game was quite stimulating and a good way to test each other's abilities. Not only that, but it also revealed more about the other person's character.
"Alright, alright. You guys keep playing, but I'm feeling a bit sleepy. I think I'll go take a nap." Si Lu yawned, suddenly feeling drowsy.
Because she was pregnant with a cub, she had been getting more and more tired lately.
Seeing Si Lu yawn, the others couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy. They all knew that pregnant females tend to get sleepy easily.
"If you're tired, go rest. We'll stay here and keep you company," Heiyao said gently, his eyes filled with warmth.
After all, they were all here, so nothing would happen.
"Mhm, you guys keep playing. I actually sleep better with some lively noise around," Si Lu said, and in the next second, she was scooped up by Cheng Mo, who carried her over to the pile of straw covered in animal pelts.
Si Lu relaxed and laid down on the pelts, quickly drifting off to sleep.
In no time, she was sound asleep.
The others watched her sleep peacefully, their hearts filled with affection.
They couldn't help but glance at Si Lu's gradually swelling belly.
"Alright, you all keep playing, but keep the noise down a little. She likes lively noise, but just keep it a bit quieter," Cheng Mo said softly to the group.
The group nodded and resumed their game, while Cheng Mo sat next to Si Lu, quietly watching over her, remaining alert to his surroundings.
Meanwhile, Heiyao coiled up nearby, transforming into his snake form and closing his eyes to rest.
Bai Di and Nans continued their game.
Da Lao Hu, on the other hand, sat in the middle of them, unable to contain his excitement.
Watching the two play so fiercely, he couldn't help but want to join in, but no one was willing to play with him.
He had no choice but to sit on the sidelines and watch. He was probably more excited and enthusiastic than the two actually playing. Every now and then, he'd shout instructions to Nans.
Bai Di kept winning round after round, while Nans kept losing, but Nans didn't get discouraged. Instead, he grew more determined with each round, and the two kept battling it out.
Meanwhile, outside, the rain gradually began to let up.