The classroom didn't disappear.
It changed.
Desks slid back.
Walls dimmed.
Lights focused.
A large Xiangqi board formed in the center.
But this time—
It was elevated.
Everyone could see.
Students gathered outside.
At windows.
At the door.
Word spread fast.
"Forced match…"
"Who is she playing?"
"New players?"
Yue Ning's chest tightened.
"…They're watching…"
Mei Chen muttered:
"…Let them."
The girl sat down calmly.
"…Let's see if you're worth it."
Lin Xia sat across from her.
"…I'll play."
Mei Chen looked at her.
"…You sure?"
Lin Xia nodded once.
"…I won't panic."
The board lit up faintly.
GAME: XIANGQI
A timer appeared.
15:00
The match began.
OPENING
The girl moved first.
She picked up her soldier.
Placed it forward.
Center file. One step.
Lin Xia watched carefully.
"…Standard opening," she murmured.
She responded.
Moved her soldier forward.
Matching the center.
The crowd murmured.
"Balanced opening."
"She knows what she's doing."
MID-OPENING
The girl moved her horse.
Two forward.
One diagonal.
Yue Ning whispered:
"…It jumps…"
Lin Xia nodded slightly.
"…And it can be blocked."
She moved her cannon.
Positioning it behind her central soldier.
Click.
The girl's eyes flickered.
"…Cannon setup already?"
Lin Xia didn't answer.
BUILDING PRESSURE
The girl advanced her chariot.
Straight line.
Three spaces forward.
Aggressive.
Mei Chen leaned in.
"…She's pushing early…"
Lin Xia responded calmly.
She moved her advisor.
One diagonal step.
Protecting the general.
The crowd reacted.
"She's playing defensive."
"Smart."
FIRST ATTACK
The girl smiled slightly.
She moved her cannon.
Aligned it.
Targeting Lin Xia's central piece.
"…She's setting a capture," Yue Ning whispered.
Lin Xia's eyes sharpened.
"…Not yet."
She moved her horse.
Blocking the line.
The girl paused.
Then—
Smiled wider.
"…Good."
SHIFT
The pace changed.
The girl suddenly moved her chariot again.
Fast.
Direct.
Straight toward Lin Xia's side.
The board tension spiked.
"…She's forcing pressure," Mei Chen said.
Lin Xia didn't rush.
She moved her cannon sideways.
Repositioning.
Not reacting.
Planning.
THE TRAP
The girl leaned forward.
"…You're careful."
Then—
She made her move.
Her cannon jumped.
Using her own piece as a screen—
She captured Lin Xia's soldier.
The crowd reacted loudly.
"First capture!"
"Nice play!"
Yue Ning's heart raced.
"…Lin Xia…"
Lin Xia didn't react.
She was staring at the board.
"…You want me to panic," she said quietly.
Then—
She moved.
Her horse.
Into a dangerous position.
Right in range of the opponent's chariot.
The girl blinked.
"…That's a mistake."
Lin Xia finally looked up.
"…No."
A pause.
"…It's bait."
The crowd went silent.
The tension snapped tight.
And for a split second—
The screen above the board glitched.
Just once.
A distorted message flickered.
…watching…
Then disappeared.
Yue Ning froze.
"…Did you see that…?"
No one answered.
Because the game—
Was reaching its turning point.