Chapter 19

“……”
The room went dead quiet.
Yanxiao’s ability—everyone knew. After Third House’s accident—their projects and books never wobbled.
Plus Shang Group sat under Old Master Shang’s fist—
Who’d curse the old man while he breathed? Who’d start a power scramble under his nose?
For now Shang kept surface peace. Third House wasn’t dead yet.
Guests traded looks. Anyone with a brain got the message.
“Mr. Bai’s right. With the Chairman—Shang weathers anything.”
Sun Miaochun took the close. Easy smile. “I’ve long admired the Chairman. Mr. Bai—could you introduce us someday?”
Bai Xu didn’t grab credit. “Chairman Chun wants to meet him—you’ve got your ways. A junior like me won’t crash that.”
Raised his champagne. “Bottoms up first.”
One light line—controlled the room. Buried the noise and trouble.
Sun Miaochun matched the toast. Still felt she’d underestimated this kid. Some things couldn’t rush. Her party couldn’t freeze here forever.
Sun Miaochun loud. “Everyone—my hospitality slipped. Side hall reset—food and music. Please move with me.”
At these dinners eating was the least part. Connections were everything.
Face given—guests shifted to the side hall.
Bai Xu knew his weight tonight was enough. Didn’t chase the crowd.
Eyes to Zhang Changning—also staying put. “Young Master Zhang—not going? Thanks for earlier.”
“Call me Changning. ‘Young Master’ sounds weird.” Super familiar. “I never liked these parties.”
Bai Xu. “No interest—why come? Zhang Changxu’s your brother?”
“Yeah!” Name lit his eyes. “You know my second brother?”
Self-answer fast. “Right—he and Third Brother Yanxiao are tight. You’re luck-married to Third Brother now—you’ve met him.”
Zhang Changxu and Yanxiao—best friends. Yanxiao “Third Young Master” outside—in Changning’s mouth, Third Brother.
Bai Xu default. Picture clear.
Zhang Changning—major side character in the book. Knew book hero Queyan since kids. Same overseas school—decent friends.
---
Changning grew up spoiled. Two older brothers—Eldest Zhang Changfeng in business. Second Zhang Changxu in medicine. Changning studied art design.
When Third House crashed Changning was mid first solo show. Show ended—flew home at once.
“Two days back and the gossip’s thick. Messaged Queyan—no reply. Wanted to visit—Second Brother said don’t barge. Bad for his mood.”
Worry for his friend showed plain.
Bai Xu. “So you thought Queyan would come tonight?”
Changning nodded. “Third House hit that hard—imagine the whispers. Feared he’d get bullied. Didn’t expect—”
Surprise and delight in his eyes at Bai Xu. “You came for Third House. Bai Xu—you’re something. That was cool and hard.”
Changning hated these parties. Years abroad—
Past knowledge of Bai Xu—zero. Tonight’s public play— jaw drop. Respect.
“Someone should’ve stood up for Third House and shut the stupid talk down.”
Bai Xu liked him. “Your video sealed it. Song Qiancheng couldn’t bounce back.”
“Don’t mention it.”
Changning chin up. Spoiled edge. “I just hate that crap.”
Bai Xu thought. “When there’s time—I’ll treat you. Thanks properly.”
“Later?” Changning’s round eyes spun. Idea instant. “Why later? Let’s drink now?”
Family strict. Zhang Changxu the doctor—sleep schedule tyrant. Back home—not one free drink yet.
“……”
Bai Xu blank at the pivot. “Now?”
Changning back. “Yeah. You wanna stay in this hall? Boring.”
Bai Xu eyes flicker. Since transmigration—never really unwound with a drink. “Fair. Go?”
“Yeah.”
…
Clink!
Glasses hit. Wine arc pretty in the air.
Changning downed a craft cocktail. Exhaled happy. “Hell yeah!”
Bai Xu paused. “You hold liquor? If you’re wasted—I’m not dragging you home.”
“Relax—I’m fine.”
Changning poured another. Nobody near—but voice low. “Overseas I drank plenty. Queyan’s the lightweight—hates booze, loves Coke.”
Reverse ask. “You drink?”
Bai Xu didn’t answer. Matched a cup.
Cat eyes happy. “Good! Hey—you’re about my age right?”
“……”
Two seconds. “Mm. One year older than Queyan.”
Real world—same age as Yanxiao. On paper—original’s age only.
Changning nodded. “Same gen then. Friends from now!”
“……”
Friends?
That easy?
Bai Xu stared surprised. Silent.
Original’s life almost made him forget—not every rich kid was malicious trash for sport.
“Why you looking like that?”
Changning caught the meaning. Proud. “I don’t friend easy. You mad?”
Bai Xu laughed. “You’re nothing like Dr. Zhang. Hard to believe brothers.”
Not just personality—looks didn’t match—
Changxu cold and rigid. Changning pretty and bouncy.
Changning blink. “Yeah?”
Rotating bar light flashed—something lonely in his eyes. So brief Bai Xu thought he imagined it.
Light passed.
Changning grinned again. “Second Brother never talked much. Doctor now—controls me like crazy. Scary face—I’m scared of him.”
Bai Xu brow up.
Book Changning clung to Changxu. Even hero Queyan complained about it openly.
“Big Brother’s warmer—smiles more. Business beast too.” Worship and respect for both. “Another round~”
Bai Xu drank again. “Slow down. Fast gets you drunk.”
Changning ignored. “Don’t care. Finally free tonight—going all in!”
Bai Xu casual. “Family bans booze?”
Changning added. “Second Brother bans it. Bai Xu—nobody controls you right? Third Brother’s still out.”
“……”
What did Yanxiao have to do with it?
Bai Xu frowned. Assumed. “Even awake he couldn’t control me.”
Changning tiny hiccup. Weird envy. “……Nice.”
Talk and drink. Soon a whiskey bomb bucket—empty.
Changning flushed. Still not enough. “Bai Xu—switch flavor! Another bucket!”
---
Bai Xu felt light spin. Shook head—measured. About to refuse—Changning’s phone rang.
Caller ID—arrogance wilted instant.
Looked at Bai Xu. Resigned answer. “Hey, Second Brother.”
Changxu short. “Where?”
Changning surrendered. “Sending location now!”
“……”
Bai Xu watched. Fighting dizzy laugh. “Dr. Zhang?”
Changning pinged the location. Quiet breath. “Bai Xu—next time we sneak more.”
“Okay. I’ll pay.”
…
Bar near Qinya Manor. Changxu arrived faster than expected.
“Second Brother!”
Changning bolted up—almost face-planted. “Whoa—!”
Changxu caught him. Stern. “How much behind my back?”
“Just a little.”
Guilty. Deflect to Bai Xu. “Bai Xu—stronger than I thought. You okay?”
“……”
Bai Xu fought rising drunk. Slow stand. “Fine.”
Forgot—real-world tolerance ≠ this body.
Original barely drank. No training. Changning was right—first sips like soda. Hit came fast and brutal.
Changxu one arm on his brother. Eyes on equally drunk Bai Xu.
He didn’t know the luck-marriage partner well.
Tonight—hard surgery done. Heard little brother at the manor dinner—rushed over. Didn’t expect Bai Xu too—and early exit to drink here.
“Mr. Bai—you alright?”
“……”
Bai Xu spinning—but habit to front. “Fine. You go. I’ll rideshare.”
Changning uneasy. “Bro—you drove tonight? We drop Bai Xu? Same direction home.”
Changxu sigh. “Okay.”
Bai Xu wanted to refuse. Alcohol surged harder than expected.
Known people beat stranger’s car drunk—stopped refusing. “Trouble you, Dr. Zhang.”
…
Night thickened outside.
Xie Qi hung up urgent. Back to master bedroom. “Third Young Master—I called the manor. Mr. Bai made trouble at the party tonight.”
Yanxiao brow tight. “Trouble?”
He never loved Bai Xu going for Third House—only “coma” blocked saying no.
Xie Qi thought he meant the fight. Short version. “Song family—Song Qiancheng from finance. Drugged Mr. Bai’s wine. Mr. Bai caught it—they clashed. Shang got dragged in.”
Yanxiao reflex. “Where is Bai Xu now?”
Xie Qi shook head. “D-don’t know. Chairman Chun smoothed it. Mr. Bai left without a word—almost two hours ago.”
Yanxiao dark. “This tier of dinner—and you lose a guest? What are Sun’s people doing?”
“……”
Xie Qi chilled. “Chen Yufei and I drive to search.”
Before he moved—Yanxiao’s long-quiet phone buzzed. WeChat.
Opened. Face eased subtle in two seconds.
Changxu sent a back-seat photo—
Seatbelt on. Bai Xu head on window. Eyes closed. Usually good-boy face—rare flush. Drunk asleep.
Text below—tease only best friends get:
“Third Young Master—yours. Still managing?”