With Lin Ruan’s arrival, the pavilion with the chess table filled with constant laughter. As Gu’s mother passed by, she happened to see Old Mr. Gu stroking Lin Ruan’s face. She returned to the living room just as Gu’s father was descending the stairs. They were alone. “What’s gotten into the old man?” she said. “He can’t have actually taken a liking to that Lin Ruan from the Lin family, can he?” G