Chapter 14

Cold air spread.
Mind finally leveled.
Yanxiao stood. Worked stiff limbs from lying so long. “The Bai Xu background check—I asked for it. Done?”
Xie Qi reported straight. “Earliest records—orphan before three or four? Abandoned baby. Elderly man alone found him—formal adoption.”
“……”
Yanxiao’s brow tight. Eyes: continue.
“Old man died when he was seven. No kids. Neighbors wouldn’t take him. Welfare took over.”
Abandoned—adopted—orphan again. Anyone would shake their head.
Luck and curse—Bai family picked him soon after. Title of young master.
Xie Qi half-believed what he heard. “Ex-Bai staff said—dead Old Master Bai believed in feng shui. Adopted Bai Xu for luck.”
Yanxiao barely blinked. “Nonsense.”
“Life in the Bai house was bad. ‘Young master’ on paper—nobody cared behind doors.”
---
“Few banquets—jokes, bullying—Bai family looked away.”
Yanxiao had heard pieces.
“University—mentor pushed him into a pottery studio. Intern pay patched living expenses.”
“Pottery studio?”
“Mm. Dijing University—ceramic design major.”
Xie Qi’s file was clean. “Month ago—Bai Rendao forced the marriage. Fought back—got hurt. Then what you know.”
Yanxiao listened. Linked to recent days. Question thick in his chest.
Xie Qi watched his boss. Low. “Third Young Master—doesn’t it feel off?”
Yanxiao short. “Yes.”
Weak? Useless? Everyone’s punchbag?
Today’s Bai Xu matched none of it. Wrong person—or years of act for the Bais?
“Right—Third Young Master—confirmed news—”
Xie Qi pushed glasses. Satisfaction deep down. “Chairman stopped Jinbai cooperation. Second House lost the project.”
Expected. Yanxiao flat. “Wasn’t top choice anyway.”
Jinbai declining. Old Master wanted new mall chains—ten-year plan from Huaguo overseas.
They’d considered Jinbai for overseas mall experience—and Old Master’s age, play safe.
Yanxiao’s view: Shang had own capital and supply. No need to share margin.
Better acquire or swallow—domestic base—replan. More time, money, sweat upfront.
Xie Qi nodded. “Good Second House didn’t get it—they’d skim hard.”
“Third Young Master—you didn’t see Songming yesterday at Fourth Young Master—barely hid it. Lucky Mr. Bai stepped in.”
“And stopping cooperation—he pushed that too.”
Yanxiao had mapped it. Depth in his eyes. “Bai Xu probably calculated everything—”
“First dinner after Third House’s crash. Third House name. Recent gossip as shield. Old Master’s hand—cut Jinbai’s lifeline.”
Jinbai—strong outside, hollow inside. No Shang medicine—clock running out.
“Chen Shaoxuan bullied on family—Bai Xu cut the root. Combo maybe even Second House and Xiao Yan didn’t see coming.”
Xie Qi startled. “How calculate that much?”
Yanxiao had no full answer yet. If true—Bai Xu earned a higher look.
“Guess for now. No harm to Third House yet—watch. Don’t guard him special at home.”
Thought of the contact just now. Throat moved. “Also—don’t let him in my room alone. Especially at night.”
Last five words—heavy bite.
Xie Qi tasted something subtle. Corner smile. “Yes, Third Young Master.”
…
Phone buzz woke Bai Xu.
Sleepy grab. Answer. “Hello?”
Morning voice rough. Soft nose in it.
Caller paused. Slower. “Little Bai—it’s me, Sister Qiu. Just up?”
“……”
Sister Qiu?
Brain booting. Instinct. “Mm. What’s up?”
“Almost a month away from the studio. How’s the competition piece? Boss wants you this afternoon. Two o’clock.”
“……”
Studio? Entry? Boss?
Keywords linked. Sleep gone.
Sat up. “Got it. I’ll come. Thanks, Sister Qiu.”
Qiu laughed. “See you then.”
Hang up.
Bai Xu stared at the screen. Opened WeChat Moments—
Outsiders saw empty feed. Original had everything hidden—self only.
Hidden posts—ceramic design notes. Firing memos.
Cannon fodder in the book—but the original’s years were real—
Good grades. Self-taught into Dijing U ceramic design. Talent showed early. Sophomore—mentor projects.
Senior internship—mentor sent him to “Pot Mirror” studio. Signed independent ceramic designer.
Before the accident—boss demanded new work for an international show. One month deadline.
Original’s memory surged.
Bai Xu’s eyes changed. Phone off. Time to visit the studio—for the original.
…
Two p.m. Car stopped at a standalone villa.
---
Chen Yufei read the sign—Pot Mirror Studio. Turned to the back seat. “Mr. Bai—want me inside?”
“No. Park somewhere. Wait.”
Checked time. “Half hour max.”
Last night boss said—no “special” watch on Bai Xu. “Okay.”
Bai Xu out. Pushed the gate.
Short-haired woman in casual wear came out—health tea steaming. Bright smile.
“Little Bai—knew you’d be on time. You look good.”
Bai Xu placed her. “Sister Qiu.”
Qiu Yi—senior by three years. Design plus shows and ops. Sharp and capable.
Original shy—no social life. Qiu Yi like a big sister at events. Warm and kind.
Qiu Yi watched the black car leave. Curious. “Who drove you?”
Bai Xu simple. “Friend.”
Qiu Yi nodded. Pulled him low at the door. “Watch yourself—boss mood’s bad.”
“Also—Master Song’s here. Second-floor meeting room.”
“……”
Smile faded. “Got it. Thanks, Sister Qiu.”
“Master Song”—Song Zhiqing. Original’s university mentor. Famous ceramic master in Huaguo.
Two months ago boss wanted team entry for the international show. Deadline near—no progress from Bai Xu. Today—accountability day.
Up the spiral stairs. Through glass—two men inside—
Boss Fang Xu legs crossed easy, gesturing at Song Zhiqing on the side sofa.
Song Zhiqing older. Favorite modified mandarin jacket. Tea while he listened.
Bai Xu adjusted face. Knocked.
Both looked.
Fang Xu saw late employee Bai Xu. Face flipped—deep dislike.
Song Zhiqing still warm surface. “Bai Xu—you’re here. Come in.”
Bai Xu close. “Boss. Master Song.”
Fang Xu leaned back. Strike first. “Bai Xu—I’ve had it with you lately!”
“If Sister Qiu didn’t call—you weren’t coming back? I gave you freedom—not salary to slack!”
“……”
Bai Xu silent. Waited for act two.
Sure enough—Song Zhiqing “mediated.”
“Boss Fang—his fault. I apologize. My student—I know his character—”
Pouring tea for Fang Xu while talking.
“Little Bai’s not lazy. Family trouble held him up. For my sake—calm down.”
Fang Xu took tea. Eased a notch. “Master Song—you’re too kind. Your face—I must honor.”
Song “fixed” Fang. Back to Bai Xu—business. “Little Bai—I hear end of month there’s an international ceramic design show? Boss fought hard for one slot.”
“Boss gave you a chance—you need to earn it. Don’t shame the school or my old face. Good for your future too.”
Good cop bad cop—wave after wave of disgust—
Song Zhiqing looked gentle and upright. Behind—total fraud.
University days he eyed original’s talent. Mentor title—stole work more than once. Sold it as his.
Original caught on—Song used logic and “mentor” power to PUA. Open pressure.
He pushed original into Pot Mirror—family held shares. Keep profit in-house.
Not the first time—
Red face white face—squeeze timid original until he “gave” original designs away.
“Team work”—credit and cash to them. Shameless.
Original knew. Stayed for love of the craft—and no backup, no appeal—
Disobey—Fang Xu’s tricks plus Song’s prestige—career dead in the industry.
Fang Xu saw Bai Xu mute. Looked at Song. Tea cover—secret signal.
Fang Xu kept the black face. “Bai Xu—answer. How’s prep? Deadline’s almost here.”
Memory and buried pain rose together. Bai Xu looked over—cold eyes with mockery never there before.
“If the slot’s so precious—why don’t you two enter?”