Chapter 16

Sky gray. Fine rain.
Car cleared the first gate check. Headed for Qinya Manor.
Driver Xiao Deng eyed the building ahead. Couldn’t help it. “That’s grand. Assistant Xie—what’s the Sun family’s deal? First banquet and they pick this place?”
Qinya Manor—Republic-era tycoon’s private residence. Later embassy grounds. Empty—government protected it. Deep history.
Normal people didn’t get to throw parties here.
Even famous Shang Group—only one private dinner here ever. Old Master Shang found it a hassle—paid for venues elsewhere after.
Xie Qi in the passenger seat heard the question. Glanced back at Bai Xu—
For tonight Bai Xu wore bespoke suit. Hair styled. No bangs—fine features full show.
Rain beads on the window. Light crossed his brow. Less daily soft obedience—cold pride strangers shouldn’t touch. Like some returned young heir.
“Mr. Bai?”
Bai Xu’s eyes lifted. Not a syllable—but the whole car felt controlled.
Xie Qi blinked. Thought of Yanxiao still “in bed.” Tone respect without trying. “I looked them up. Sun family rooted in Shanghai—steel trade.”
Power and rank—Shang-tier.
“Fourth generation at Sun Miaochun now. But—”
Xie Qi paused one second. Bai Xu easy finish. “But she’s the only one left—a woman running the house.”
Xie Qi surprised. “You knew?”
“Background check. Not hard.”
Bai Xu couldn’t say he’d read the book—
Sun Miaochun unloved at home. Half-brother three years younger.
Brother no business brain—bad crowd—gambled away three generations. Jumped from a casino tower. Left a mess.
When it broke Sun Miaochun was just past thirty. Guts and mind matched any tycoon—beat most men—
Seven years—Sun back from bankruptcy in shipping. Broke the steel-only rule. Reached into other industries.
Sun Miaochun—few pages in the book—but sharp “profit first” type.
She’d set traps to steal hundred-million deals from Shang. Later maximize group gain—cooperate with the grown book hero.
Gray edges. Friend or foe. Standout woman.
Car stopped at Manor Gate One.
Xie Qi still uneasy. “Mr. Bai—you alone—really okay?”
Invite said Shang Third House and kin. Assistant—no entry.
They were drop-off on the way to group business.
Bai Xu watched the usher approach. Calm. “I represent Third House tonight. I know what to do and what not to.”
Turned the black ring on his finger—thick band. Slight twist showed a thin soft blade. Sharp enough.
Original’s body too slight. Last resort—self-defense.
Rear door open.
Usher respectful. “Sir—welcome. Your invitation please.”
Xie Qi handed the card. “Hello—I’m Third Young Master Shang’s assistant Xie Qi. This is Mr. Bai—Third Young Master’s fiancé.”
First time Third House formally acknowledged Bai Xu and Yanxiao’s bond outside.
“……”
Ushers trained—gossip memorized.
No surprise. “Understood. Mr. Bai—this way.”
Bai Xu stepped out. Didn’t look back. “Head back.”
This tier of party—dedicated drivers after. Guests home safe.
Xie Qi nodded. Title shifted. “Yes, sir. Call anytime.”
“Mm.”
…
Still time before dinner.
---
Song Qiancheng and a few rich boys clustered outside the hall. Vape and small talk.
“What’s the Sun family anyway? Dad forced me here.”
“Big in Shanghai—what’re they after in Dijing?”
“Who cares. Good you’re here—otherwise I’d die of boredom. All business small talk.”
Song Qiancheng exhaled vape. “Need some fun.”
Someone gasped. “Whoa—am I seeing right? That’s Bai Xu?”
All looked—
Not far off Bai Xu followed the usher into the main hall. Few steps like a runway walk. Zero trace of old timid.
“……”
Song Qiancheng squinted. Surprised. “Really him.”
Someone else. “Bai family didn’t come today. How’s he in?”
“You didn’t hear? He’s paired with Shang’s vegetable now.”
“Yeah—Mom said Old Master Shang protects him? Jinbai Chen Shaoxuan fight—Shang cut Jinbai cooperation.”
“Please—Old Master favors Yanxiao’s precious grandson. Watch the Shang branch wars get spicy.”
“……”
Song Qiancheng listened. Waved a server.
Server quick. “Young Master Song.”
Song Qiancheng direct. “That Bai Xu—whose invite? Alone?”
Truth. “Shang Third House. Just him.”
Song Qiancheng smiled. Brow up. Friends in view. “Bored—want fun? Here it is.”
Someone chimed. “Right—almost got fooled. Isn’t he the famous ‘banquet joke’?”
Hesitation. “Bad idea? He’s Shang-backed now—can’t offend?”
“Who knows how real that backing is? Coward stays coward.”
Song Qiancheng pressed the vape hard. Mean fun flashed. “We don’t go too hard. He embarrasses himself—that’s enough.”
Usher close. Whisper orders.
Server hated it. Didn’t dare kill the mood. “Yes, Young Master Song.”
“Done—you get a tip.”
Song Qiancheng flicked the name tag. Friends in. “Ball’s starting. Let’s in.”
Mood lifted.
“Yeah.”
“Popcorn time.”
…
Knock knock.
Second-floor main lounge off the ball hall.
“Enter.”
Sun Miaochun didn’t look up. Signed the contract. Tossed to secretary.
Event lead entered. “Chairman Chun.”
Sun surname—but she liked that title.
Lead handed off to secretary. Guest list confirmed. “Dinner starts soon. Seventy-four VIPs total.”
“Dijing doors gave me face.”
Sun Miaochun scanned the list. Extra ask. “Shang Group here? Third House?”
She couldn’t pull Old Master Shang—wanted the rumored favored Third House.
“Yes. Shang Queyan absent. Tonight—Shang Yanxiao’s luck-marriage partner. Bai Xu.”
Sun Miaochun stepped forward. Lifted curtain corner—from here she saw the whole hall below.
“Chairman Chun—the server just said—”
Lead close. Whispered the message. “What do we do?”
Sun Miaochun heard the cheap prank. Scoffed. “Spoiled parasites—fun from other people’s pain. Same as my useless brother. Termites eating their own house.”
Then her gaze locked—
At the dessert table Bai Xu caught her look from above. No flinch. Met it.
Raised his champagne. Smiled back.
Sun Miaochun startled. “Who is that? Dessert table—navy suit.”
Young face—but hunter pressure in the eyes.
Lead squinted. “That—that’s Bai Xu.”
Rare surprise. Curtain dropped.
Lead continued. “Chairman Chun—tell the server to ignore it? Not do what Young Master Song wants?”
“He’s here for Shang—if he’s humiliated— we’re—”
“No.”
Sun Miaochun cut in. Changed mind. “Have the server do what Song Qiancheng said.”
Lead blank. “Huh?”
Sun Miaochun straightened clothes in the mirror. Calculation and test in her eyes. “Do it. I’ll cover fallout.”
This Bai Xu—probably not simple.
The ones running the dirty trick weren’t her. Good chance to probe Shang—and Third House’s real state.