Lost and Found: Return of My Mysterious Fiancee by KIKI

Chapter 879: Forgive My Modesty, I Am a Go Grandmaster

Ruud's face beamed with boundless joy and the pride of victory as he lifted Natalie into his arms, spinning her around in place.

Natalie, unbothered by any sense of propriety, wrapped her arms confidently around Ruud's neck and planted a kiss on his cheek. At over forty, she showed none of the typical reserve of adulthood, radiating the passion of a couple deeply in love.

"Don't get too excited. This is just the beginning," Natalie teased, tilting Ruud's chin up with a domineering smirk. "Wait until I win clean and clear. She'll cry and beg while calling me Mrs. Pace!" Ruud, shy and blushing, managed to stammer in his deep voice, "You're incredible! Absolutely incredible!"

Jared, ever the opportunist, recorded every moment of their interaction for the livestream, his face full of amusement as he glanced over at Tina.

Tina, however, only spared the scene a brief glance before looking away. She supported Natalie and Ruud's relationship, but that didn't mean she wanted to watch such displays of affection. The livestream chat exploded with comments:

> "Ahhh! I'm being blinded by this sweetness!"

> "General Praevion's twilight romance! Ruud is such an adorable little husband!"

Meanwhile, River Swanson's nails dug into her palms as she watched Natalie and Ruud, jealousy consuming her. She couldn't bear their happiness.

Luna Black, noticing River's turmoil, shot a glare in Natalie's direction before attempting to console her friend. "Miss Swanson, don't get upset. The competition's barely begun. There's no way she can keep showing off like this."

River's eyes glinted with suspicion. "I bet her harp performance wasn't even legitimate. Leo probably gave her a special harp to avoid embarrassing the Pace family. That's the only way she could've beaten me!"

The second round began: Go.

Natalie and River Swanson sat across from each other at the board. Natalie took the black pieces, while River had the white.

Black goes first. Natalie calmly placed her first piece on the intersection of the board. River, unwilling to fall behind, immediately blocked black's path with her white piece.

Natalie, unbothered, placed her second piece with the same composed expression. River followed suit, blocking again.

As the game progressed, Natalie captured River's first piece with ease and set it aside. River's brow furrowed. Within just ten moves, she found herself unable to decipher Natalie's strategy. Time ticked away, and River hesitated before placing her next piece.

assault with

placed, Natalie

the remaining white pieces in one swift move. All of River's pieces now lay in

her fists beneath the table, her knuckles

she win again? How is

kind of trickery are you pulling? I'm a Go player

the

and livid. "Nonsense! There's no way I'd lose to you. Just wait

remarked, "Forgive my modesty, but I'm ranked at the tenth

as easily as if she

crowd gasped

"Tenth dan in Go?!"

ever achieved a tenth dan rank. Such individuals were renowned for their exceptional intelligence, far above the norm. River scoffed coldly. "You expect us to believe you're a tenth dan just because you

propped her chin on her hand, holding back a laugh. "If I'm not tenth dan, then how did you, a

livestream chat erupted

"Tenth dan?! I can't even dream of

said it herself-she lost. Natalie must

captured those pieces just

The Third Round:

of the competition area. Natalie and River Swanson were given thirty minutes to each complete a piece of calligraphy. Determined to

an elegant air. Taking her brush in hand, she completed her piece in a single fluid motion, finishing within ten minutes. River, noticing Natalie had already stopped, grew increasingly uneasy and quickened her pace. In her haste, however, she forgot that her strength

several enthusiasts who collected calligraphy and eagerly stepped forward to examine the pieces. From the back of the crowd, an elderly man with snow-white hair and a long beard approached. His face, marked by the passage of time, radiated wisdom. His flowing robes swayed gently as he walked. Someone in

Ethan Maguire, the renowned calligraphy

banquet was full of

examined River Swanson's work. Her characters were delicate and graceful, displaying

I'll give you four words: 'Graceful as trees, serene as

erupted