He had agreed to be quiet and not interfere. It was an agreement he regretted making before the game even started. Absolutely no one would ever challenge the master strategist to a game of Shogi unless they had proficiency at playing. Jinshi had assumed Maomao did.

He had assumed wrong.

Oh, she knew the rules of the game, but she 'd either never played or it had been so long since she 'd played she was incredibly rusty. She 'd refused to play with a handicap. And even more damning? She 'd placed a wager with the man and added two additional rules to the game. Jinshi 's heart sank as he heard all of it take place. By the end of the first of the five games he knew he was going to lose Maomao completely. If the strategist won, Maomao would go live with him. That would be a bitter pill to swallow, but at least she 'd still be alive. It was a far better alternative to what else might happen.