Chapter 21

Night still over the estate. Top floor right study—lights on.
Old Master Shang in custom glasses. Grim audit of the new quarter financials. Eagle eyes hunting bugs in the numbers.
Knock knock.
Head butler light steps in. Health tea by his hand. “Chairman—you should rest.”
Shang Hong didn’t look up. “Is Yanan asleep?”
Yanan—Old Madam Shang’s name. Same surname as her family.
Young—they said she was the rich girl. He was broke. Under twenty—hit the market. She followed him everywhere. No complaint.
---
They built together. Few-person shop—to hundreds—to Shang Group today. Sixty years of weather. Shang rooted in Dijing nobility—untouchable rank.
Outsiders called Shang Hong odd and moody. Only Old Madam got decades of spoil, protect, respect.
Butler low. “Medicine worked. Headache stopped. Staff put her to bed.”
“Mm.”
Shang Hong’s brow eased a fraction. Report in peripheral vision. “After Third Son’s couple died—she’s never recovered. And the rest—none easy.”
Glasses off. Report closed. “Second House father and son—useless! Branch company growth—embarrassing!”
“All day scheming to bite Third House meat—never ask if they can chew!”
Butler read the room. Anger brewing again. “Chairman—sip tea. But I hear First House overseas project’s doing well?”
“……”
Shang Hong took tea. Two sips eyes down. “That project was Yanxiao’s originally. Qishun’s crew only looks good because the base was laid.”
Butler smiled. “Yes. Third Young Master—always excellent.”
Shang Hong thought of comatose Yanxiao. Tea turned tasteless. “Queyan still hiding indoors? Skipped Sun Miaochun’s banquet tonight?”
“Yes.”
“No spine.”
Cup slammed down. Anger at wasted potential. “How long? Self-pity has a limit. Alive—what can’t you do?”
Prosthetics and powered walkers—advanced now. Shang money plenty. If Queyan wanted—road was open.
“Sun Miaochun’s Dijing splash—invite to Third House—wanted to read their state.”
Shang Hong heated again. “Boy hides for pride—spoiled young—crisis hits—half his brother!”
He couldn’t shield them forever. Third House’s future—two brothers earn it themselves.
Butler saw the storm. Quick. “Chairman—don’t rage yet. I meant to tell you—Third House did send someone tonight.”
Shang Hong. “Who?”
Butler served years. Ran the estate—but ears everywhere. Knew everything.
“Mr. Bai Xu went.”
“……The luck-marriage partner?”
Shang Hong remembered first impression. “What for?”
“Yes—and quite a stir.”
Interest caught—Butler replayed the intel—
Drugged wine. Bai Xu caught it. Found the culprit. Public slap on Song father and son. Even Sun Miaochun had to mediate.
Plus that thunder line shielding Third House at the end.
Shang Hong listened to the vivid play-by-play. Tight brow loosened unknowing. “Truly?”
Butler nod. “Word for word.”
Prior anger flipped. Rare two laughs. “Interesting kid.”
Butler surprised at the mood—but rolled with it. “When I first heard—I almost didn’t believe. At the family dinner he looked somewhat—”
Searching words. “Timid?”
Shang Hong had seen everyone. One stab. “Act. Playing rabbit for favor.”
Now Butler confused.
Shang Hong didn’t explain. Eyes deep—already tasted it—
Last dinner—Bai Xu looked helpless while Second House spun lies. Plan set early.
Private feud with Jinbai—he lifted it to Third House whole. Pulled Queyan to speak.
Surface fight Second vs Third. Real controller—Bai Xu. Even Old Master Shang ending it—because Bai Xu read him—
Old Madam’s heart for Third House grandsons. And the chairman’s “family over outsiders” rule.
“……”
Young—but clever mind.
These days—not evil harm—some means for goals wasn’t always bad.
No anger at being played. Rare appreciation flickered. “Bai family called him trash? That eye? No wonder they slide.”
Butler flattered. “Old Madam saw right—always said Mr. Bai had no bad heart.”
Shang Hong calm now. “Yanan’s eye is good. If Yanxiao wakes—won’t hate this kid. They’d get along.”
Butler laughed along. “Chairman—how sure? You said Third Young Master’s standards high—might never marry.”
“Eh—marry or not his call. I said get along. Friends count.”
Shang Hong slow rise. “Decades—I ever misread someone?”
---
Yanxiao—most valued grandson. Ability. Temper. Ambition under the polish.
Bai Xu navigated that crowd—words sharp—not empty shell. Just habit to hide skill.
Shang Hong walked out. “Late. Sleep. Third floor guest room tonight—don’t wake Yanan.”
Butler hurried after. “Yes. I’ll prep calming incense.”
…
Chaos night.
Bai Xu woke—head like crushed by weight. Blanket hug. Brow tight. Long beat before bathroom.
Hot water. Bit of clarity back.
Tried to replay drunk last night. Gaps big. Blurry scraps only—
Stormed Yanxiao’s room. Hands everywhere? And… Yanxiao’s eyes?!
Images half dream—sober shock. Shower off. Clothes on. Out fast.
Air—rich food smell.
Xiao Deng shift change. Door open. “Mr. Bai—up? Assistant Xie said you drank heavy. Uncle Lin had hangover meds ready. Down together?”
Bai Xu glance at closed master door. Suspicious. “Yanxiao didn’t wake?”
Xiao Deng blank. “Huh? No?”
“……”
Really?
Just drunk dream?
Bai Xu frowned. Hangover too brutal—pushed doubt down. Followed Xiao Deng downstairs.
First floor dining—Queyan and Xie Qi angled eating.
Stairs sound—both looked. Xie Qi. “Mr. Bai—better?”
Bai Xu waved. Too sick to talk.
Queyan two seconds. Called out. “Uncle Lin—hangover soup. And another bowl rice for me!”
Bai Xu took empty seat opposite. Knowing look. “Little brother-in-law—good mood today? Usually no appetite.”
“……”
Queyan brow pinch at the title. “Don’t call me that.”
Ready Uncle Lin from kitchen. Hot hangover soup to Bai Xu. “Mr. Bai—sip slow? Drink hurts the body. Health porridge cooking—I’ll bring a bowl?”
“Thanks, Uncle Lin.”
Accepted. Two slow sips. Warm belly—churn eased.
Misery faded. Mind active again.
Bai Xu to Xie Qi. “How’d I get home last night?”
Xie Qi normal as ever. Bounced back. “Mr. Bai—don’t remember? Dr. Zhang drove you. Said you were wasted. I met you at the gate.”
“You shook off my arm. Walked to your room yourself.”
Bai Xu faint memory—something off. “Yeah?”
Xie Qi nod. “Mm. What?”
Two more spoonfuls. Test eyes on Xie Qi. Direct. “Yanxiao didn’t wake?”
“……”
Xie Qi met his eyes. Nerve flicker.
Before answer—Queyan slammed chopsticks. “My brother woke? When? Why didn’t I know?”
“Fourth Young Master—if Third Young Master woke—you’d know.” Xie Qi helpless. To Bai Xu. “Mr. Bai—you drunk-confused?”
Queyan’s shock eased Bai Xu’s doubt some.
Right.
Yanxiao wakes—brother-con Queyan would know. Not this reaction. Plus book timeline—wake still ahead.
Mind drift—gate noise.
Three workers hauling unopened bed gear and mattress. Lead shout. “Uncle Lin? Sign for reimbursement.”
“Here.”
Uncle Lin quick. “Second floor far right room.”
“……”
Sudden bed swap?
Surprise—and flash of memory. Doubt back. “Who ordered my bed changed?”
“You drunk last night. Screamed your bed’s hard. Made Xie Qi swap it.” Queyan fast. Plus roast. “Drink less. Woke me up.”
Bai Xu denied. “……I never drunk-act out.”
Strong guard. Rare drunk—even now wouldn’t act wild at strangers.
Xie Qi light laugh. “Not quite a meltdown. But bed too hard—swap—true. Then you passed out.”
Bai Xu thought. That fit him better.
Xie Qi saw him stuck. Business pivot. “Also—Mr. Bai—lawyer team’s ready.”
Bai Xu. “All set?”
Xie Qi nod. “Mm. This week—file against Pot Mirror Studio per your plan!”