Fourty Years Ago
In the distant alleyways of Lei Fang district, Shanghai, a group of young men avoiding military conscription often gathered at the alley's end to gamble. Leading this crew was a 19-year-old with the uncanny ability to cheat at cards, so much so that he earned the nickname "Yunchang The Cheat" This one guy, who had run away from home at seven, had been living wherever he could, with no place to call his own. His saving grace was his “cheating” skill in cards, or as he called it, “a ten-year perfected technique.” One day, after Yunchang swindled some locals in Shanghai, a group chased him down, but he was taken under the wing of the local gang in Lei Fang, who made him the alley’s card dealer.
"Alright, last round! I’m betting it all. If you’re in, say so. If not, get lost."
“May I join?”
The group turned to see as a tall figure appeared behind them, an elderly woman, dressed in what seemed to be government attire, causing all the young gamblers to panic.
“SHIT! GOVERNMENT DOG!”
The gangsters scattered quickly, but with a wave of her hand, the woman split all of their bodies in half.
Only Yunchang remained, stunned in place.
“Hold on a sec, didn’t you say you were in?”
The woman looked back to see the scruffy 19-year-old, the leader of this bunch.
“What do you mean?”
"According to gambling rules, if you're in, you finish the game. Five cards, I’ll bet my life, but if I win, you let me leave safe and sound."
“You seem like the leader of this group. Do you even know what kind of crime dodging military service is? You’re not in a position to bet your life with me.”
“Afraid I’ll cheat?”
“Goodness me, why would I fear such low-level tricks? Fine, let’s see if your mouth is as big as your bets. But I’ll draw first, then you, to prevent any funny business.”
“You sound more like a girl my age rather than some 60 plus-year-old officer, honestly—not very mature for your age and rank.”
“Is that so?”
The woman looked at the cards on the table, and in a flash, she drew five cards—four kings and a queen.
“Done. Now, if you’re not all bark no bite, then prove me wrong.”
“I haven’t even drawn yet.”
“Your odds of drawing better than me are roughly 5.59 times 10 to the negative 80th power. Good luck.”
“You did all that in your head?”
“Routine. Take your turn quickly, it’ll save us both time.”
Yunchang looked at the cards and drew five: four aces and a queen.
The woman examined his hand, still smiling.
“Can I go now?”
“No problem.”
As soon as he stood to leave, a blow struck Yunchang from behind, knocking him cold. Who knows how long he was unconscious for, but when he woke up, he found himself in a lavish mansion, lying on a bed that seemed intended for a noble. The woman from earlier entered the room, causing him to shout in alarm.
“You perverted hag! What do you want?”
“I don’t know what you’re on about, but really despise being called ‘hag.’”
She pulled off a mask of wrinkled skin, revealing a face fair as snow and eyes like golden flames. She took off her cap, unveiling hair whiter than her own skin. This wasn’t the kind of white that hinted at fading youth; her hair was like the dazzling white of sunlight beaming into the infinite void of space, the distilled essence of all colors within the spectrum. Yunchang was momentarily speechless but still managed to stammer out a retort.
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“Kidnapping an innocent citizen like me in broad daylight, that’s outrageous.”
“Innocent? You, don’t make me laugh! Now, just how old are you, and who do you think you’re fooling with those cheap tricks of yours?”
“No need to be so tensed up. I’m Yunchang, 19, and every street corner knows my name. I’m skilled in every game there is, so don’t underestimate me.”
“Oh really?”
The woman turned her back to him, completely dismissing him. Irritated, Yunchang pulled an ace of spades from his pocket and threw it at the back of her head to prove himself. But just as the card flew towards her, she caught it mid-air without even turning, then tossed it back onto the table as she stirred her drink leisurely.
“Sugar in your tea? I was gifted this tea from Ping Ruan last month, but I haven’t had the time to savour it. Care for a drink, or do you want something else?”
Yunchang’s head spun. She had neutralized his card-throwing trick so effortlessly and was now casually offering him tea. Yet, he had to maintain his bravado and try to give the most shocking response he could muster.
“I hate tea. Got any alcohol?”
She turned to him, smiling faintly.
“Alright, follow me.”
The white-haired woman led him to the balcony as the sun sets.
“It’s beautiful, isn’t it? What do you think?”
Increasingly perplexed, Yunchang blurted out, “What are you planning? This whole cat-and-mouse game—Tell me! Who are you, what’s your rank, and what do you want from me?”
She continued sipping her tea and watching the sunset, perfectly composed.
“Why don’t you have a seat? Standing will only put strains on your legs.”
Yunchang, filled with suspicion, took a seat. The table between them held a set of the finest chess pieces in northeastern China. Yunchang thought, "She must either be a high-ranking official or a privileged daughter of some big-shot. But if she’s capturing conscription dodgers, that means she has serious authority. It’s best for me to play it safe, talk politely, and get out of this mess as soon as possible.”
“I should address you as Commander, right? My apologies if I was rude earlier.”
For the first time, she set down her cup.
“Just call me Han Yin.”
“What do you want from me?”
“You said you were a master of every game there is, right?”
“That’s correct.”
“It’s been a while since I’ve had a worthy chess opponent. Care to indulge me in a game?”
“I never play without stakes. Today is no exception.”
“Fine. If you win, you can have anything—this chess set, a fine whiskey, or…anything else that you wish for.”
Han Yin smile made Yunchang’s heart race, but then she added,
“But if you lose, you’ll do exactly as I say.”
Yunchang calculated his odds: win, and he’d soar to heaven; lose, and…same thing, he figured. So he agreed.
Yunchang took the white pieces and opened with pawn to E4. Han Yin replied with pawn to E5. Knight to F3, then Knight to C6, Bishop to B5—the Ruy Lopez opening. She responded with Knight to F6, entering the Berlin Defense. The Berlin Defense was Han Yin’s undefeated strategy—a relic of chess from hundreds of years ago. It was the strongest defense for black, a true test of intelligence, technique, and mental strength.
Yunchang stared at her move, stunned; he’d never seen such a line before. He thought hard for nearly ten minutes before castling. This time, Han Yin was taken aback; she had never seen someone castle at this point. Calculating carefully, she took his pawn on E4, but he responded immediately with D4, surprising her once more.
The game dragged on, stretching across more than 60 moves, with no clear victor. Yunchang’s gaze kept drifting, distracted by her beauty. Despite his best efforts, exhaustion took the better of him. Losing his focus, he started slipping. Over the next five moves, Han Yin seized an overwhelming advantage. Yunchang sighed, glancing at the board, watching as the autumn leaves floated down outside.
He thought of his parents, whom he hadn’t seen in over a decade. He wondered if his father could still walk, if his mother had recovered, or if they had passed on long ago. Melancholy washed over him as memories flooded back. Resigned, he laid down his king. The first defeat in the legend of the unbeaten.
Only then did Han Yin finally speak.
“Giving up so soon? No one was rushing you. But winning is winning, losing is losing—Can’t say I forced you.”
“Yes, it’s just…losing for the first time is hard to accept.”
“You’ll get used to it.”
“Not sure I’ll even have enough time left for that...”
“I’m not going to kill you. Do I look like a merciless killer?”
Remembering her earlier display, he broke into cold sweat.
“Just…a little.”
“It’s late. Go downstairs; there’s food on the table, and a spare room you can sleep in. Tomorrow morning, you’ll come with me to the military camp.”
“So, this ‘do what you ask me to’ thing…what does that mean?”
“It means you’ll be my soldier starting from today. You don’t have many options, you know. You’re unemployed, a burden to society, and you dodged conscription. Either you rot in jail for life or face the firing squad.”
“Then why not just hand me over to the authorities?”
“Because I simply don’t feel like it. I’m going to shower; make yourself at home.”
Yunchang, still baffled by her intentions, decided to live for the moment. A good meal and a restful night in a warm bed under the care of such a beautiful woman—perhaps his first time in years after he left home. After all, how many joys in life could surpass these?