Chapter 24

“……”
Familiar silence spread.
Bai Xu stared hard. Yanxiao’s brow calm—no ripple—not even micro tremor.
Bai Xu rarely doubted himself. Half inch closer unbelieving. “Yanxiao?”
Noses almost touch. Breath tangle again. Warm humid ambiguity.
Silent standoff. Something climbing the air.
Thump—thump—thump—
Slow quiet—before Yanxiao moved—Bai Xu felt his own heart. Chest hammer—impossible to ignore.
Damn.
Can’t actually kiss?
Bai Xu throat click involuntary. Retreated first. “Really not awake?”
Disappointment he didn’t notice flickered. Hands braced to rise—
Wrist grabbed unguarded.
—Snap!
Breath locked. Look down—ink-dark eyes of Yanxiao.
Yanxiao like a panther long hidden. Strike—flip. Bai Xu lost initiative. Look up again—pinned under him wrist locked.
“……”
Eyes mirrored. Mutual knowing audit.
Bai Xu instinct struggle—underestimated Yanxiao’s build. Grip tightened—no escape.
Rare losing posture. Brow annoyed. “Yanxiao—let go!”
Yanxiao voice still low rough. Staring. “What? Little Master Bai drunk again like last time?”
“You—”
Bai Xu stopped. Got it. “So that night wasn’t dream? Third Young Master—good actor?”
Yanxiao neither confirm nor deny. Dominant press continued. “Not as good as Little Master Bai’s repeated tests. Many ways to probe—”
Thought of contact from those tests. Eyes narrow. “Why does Little Master Bai prefer this kind?”
---
“Can’t tease for stress relief? Let go!”
Bai Xu wrestled again. Won’t lose. “You’re right—I should’ve put a knife to your throat first round. More direct.”
Yanxiao silent. Micro laugh in throat.
“……”
Wrist numb pain. Breath sank. “When’d you wake? Who knows?”
Caregiver tests—his tests—Yanxiao held line. Plus book wake timeline still far out!
No wonder he missed it!
Yanxiao caught flash of pain on Bai Xu’s face. Eyes sideline—
Wrist white jade—red marks from his grip. Trying to break free—must hurt.
Yanxiao eased slightly. Threw back. “Little Master Bai’s smart. Guess when I woke. Who knows now?”
Before echo faded—Bai Xu seized the gap!
Free hands wrapped back—legs straddle—full force flipped “careless” Yanxiao under him.
Monitor lines tore floor. Noise.
Outside Chen Yufei sharp. “Mr. Bai—what happened?”
No time to answer. Ring blade on finger—soft edge at Yanxiao’s neck. Danger plus victory thrill.
“Don’t~ move~”
Bai Xu low. Brow up. “Now we’re even.”
Ring bought for self-defense—first use on Yanxiao—some kind of fate.
—Bang!
No answer—Chen Yufei burst in. “Mr. Bai—”
Words died. Steps stopped. From his angle—
Yanxiao under Bai Xu? Wait—what situation?
Chen Yufei brain less agile than Xie Qi—near crash. Uncertain. “Third Young Master?”
Yanxiao saw “win back a round” satisfaction in Bai Xu’s eyes. Amused.
Blade at neck wouldn’t cut—calm. “Withdraw. Don’t enter without order.”
Chen Yufei silent—exit fast.
Click.
Door shut again.
Yanxiao not rushing fight. “Satisfied now?”
“Decent.”
Bai Xu turned ring. Blade away. “You woke early right? Before returning to Shang house? Zhang Changxu knows—doctor cover.”
“Xie Qi, Chen Yufei, Xiao Deng—your inner circle. Daily life needs their coordination.”
Yanxiao. “What else?”
Bai Xu thought Queyan’s sudden mood lift lately—got it. “Your brother knows too. Zero poker face.”
Whole house acting troupe—gang-up on one outsider? Rude.
Bai Xu stood. Ended standoff.
Sat bed edge. Side look at Yanxiao. “Now I know too. What’ll you do about me?”
Fake coma had reasons. He was the variable who popped it—they couldn’t ignore.
Yanxiao leaned on bed. Cold eyes lit with interest. “Depends—short-term mutual shelter ally? Or die-now enemy?”
Bai Xu smart—ignored second half. “Third Young Master wants a deal? Fine—I keep quiet. What do I get?”
“Little Master Bai didn’t enjoy current benefits? Third House and whole Shang resources—Xie Qi on your private errands—few?”
Cut Jinbai via Old Master. Third House lawyers and PR crushed Song.
Smart moves—not denying.
Bai Xu calm admit. “Resources on hand—don’t use them—I’d look stupid. But—”
Yanxiao. “But?”
Bai Xu leaned slight—accusation tone. “Third House trouble’s plenty. I pulled weight too.”
Caregiver probe—him first. Songming vs Queyan—him. Sun dinner—him for face.
Finger brushed Yanxiao’s nearly healed burn. “Call it even?”
Arm tingled.
Yanxiao looked down. Small smile. “So Fang tax investigation—my welcome gift. Pleasure doing business?”
“Knew you reported.”
Bai Xu liked easy talkers. Smiled back. “You’re welcome. Pleasure.”
Yanxiao three rules. “Outside—still luck-marriage partners. Inside—allies—help when we can—without touching bottom lines.”
Bai Xu quick yes. “Fine. No problem.”
Shang was temporary shelter anyway. Enough chips—leave at right time.
Plot still rolling—no late-stage Shang blood war. Self-preservation wins.
Clean alliance. Smart ally like Yanxiao—exactly what he wanted now.
“……”
Yanxiao watched Bai Xu’s moves. Subtle stir again.
First real talk between them. Bai Xu clearer than imagined—excellence and confidence from bone. Can’t fake.
Background file floated back. Curiosity he didn’t notice. “Little Master Bai dropped the act after leaving Bai house?”
Bai Xu silent—let suspicion finish.
Yanxiao question and affirmation. “Why do I feel the person in front of me isn’t Bai family’s ‘Bai Xu’?”
“If I’m not—stop ‘Little Master Bai.’ I don’t want that title.”
Bai Xu met probe direct. Open intro. “The me in front of you is Bai Xu. Everyone’s got secrets living in this world.”
“……”
Yanxiao hid appreciation. Changed mouth. “Yes. You’re right.”
Bai Xu pivot. “Also—can I use Third House contacts and resources legit now?”
Yanxiao nod. “If you’ll take them.”
“Good.”
Confirmed—order direct. “Find me a quiet standalone—prefer two floors. Not too small. Ceramic studio.”
Pause. “Annual rent budget three hundred thousand max. Tight cash—for now.”
Original had little savings. Bride price limited—spend on what matters.
Yanxiao got it. “Opening a pottery studio?”
Bai Xu nod. “Sort of.”
Yanxiao didn’t refuse. “Why not tell Xie Qi? You order my assistant pretty freely.”
Bai Xu shrugged. “Your word hits harder. Want it fast.”
“Fine.”
Yanxiao agreed casual. Saw Bai Xu’s wrist again—red marks darker not faded?
“……”
That delicate?
Brief grip—already red bruise?
Yanxiao brow pinch. “Wrist okay? Rub medicated cream?”
Bai Xu looked down. Rubbed careless. “Third Young Master knows you gripped hard? Fine.”
Knock knock.
Xie Qi outside—cautious rare. “Mr. Bai—may I enter?”
“……”
Bai Xu and Yanxiao synced unexpected. “Enter.”
Xie Qi in. Chen Yufei briefed. Seeing awake Yanxiao with Bai Xu—zero shock.
“Third Young Master. Mr. Bai.”
Yanxiao reeled real feeling—back to usual cold mask.
Bai Xu stood. “You two talk.”
Passed Xie Qi. Light review. “Good acting lately. Assistant Xie.”
Xie Qi cough. “Duty.”
Bai Xu smiled. Around him out.
Door shut—Xie Qi nervous. “Third Young Master—you okay? Chen Yufei said—Mr. Bai didn’t trouble you?”
“No.”
Yanxiao off bed. “Can’t hide from him forever. Might as well lay cards out.”
Xie Qi. “Mr. Bai—no issue then?”
Yanxiao poured warm water. “Fine for now. Also—find a standalone villa—good location.”
Remembered Bai Xu’s ask. Detail. “Not too far from central mall—but quiet inside. Spacious. Studio use. Annual rent—”
Xie Qi waited. “Third Young Master—rent budget?”
Yanxiao sipped. Casual big spend. “Buy in my name. Give Bai Xu free use. Rent—his call.”
Xie Qi startled.
How’d we jump to buying property?
Yanxiao didn’t lack money. Didn’t explain. “Fast. His.”
Xie Qi pressed down shock. “Yes. Understood.”
…
Xie Qi efficient as ever.
Half month later—standalone matched Bai Xu’s needs. Paperwork done.
Bai Xu toured with Qiu Yi. “Sister Qiu—how’s this place?”
“Great of course.” Qiu Yi satisfied. “Way better than Fang Xu’s dump. Light design pass.”
Offices and public zones spacious. Front and back yards—gatherings, small shows—extra income.
Qiu Yi reality check. “Bai Xu—rent’s not cheap yeah?”
Bai Xu thought contract Xie Qi handed yesterday. Ripple in eyes. “Don’t worry Sister Qiu. I’ve got an ‘investor’ behind me.”
Qiu Yi startled. “Who?”
Bai Xu joked. “Rich god~ pretty too~”
“You—what nonsense?”
Qiu Yi laugh-cry. “You’re getting outgoing. More words lately than a whole year before.”
---
Bai Xu smiled. “People break to rebuild. Gotta change.”
Qiu Yi nodded. “Yeah. Good this way.”
Bai Xu serious. “Sister Qiu—as planned—I invest—you run daily ops.”
“Old Pot Mirror staff who want to grow—recruit.”
Pot Mirror name destroyed by Fang and Song. Bad boss—funding may die—better fresh start.
“Also alumni who spoke up on forums—promise unchanged—”
“Still making ceramics—studio takes original collab. Want to join—welcome anytime.”
Qiu Yi moved by the plan. “Mm. I know.”
Report valid—but trade messy. No guarantee fair treatment after. Some bosses hate “backstab mentor” hires.
Bai Xu using his pull to shield those who stood up.
Qiu Yi touched—but rational. “Bai Xu—business is hard—our field especially. Expand slow.”
“Loss later—easier to fold.”
Bai Xu understood goodwill. Serious back. “Staff pace—I’ll listen to you. Small steps at launch.”
“Profit or loss—I’ll keep investing this studio.”
Qiu Yi surprised second half. “Hm?”
Bai Xu no deep explain. “A wish of mine.”
Really—the original’s wish. Always wanted his own ceramic studio.
Book cannon fodder—mocked, scorned, called doormat. Bai Xu never thought so—
Hard life—never bitter.
Bai family cruel—still remembered adoption grace—never grabbed what wasn’t his.
Self-taught into Dijing U. Part-time work. Collected evidence against boss and mentor. Persisted in craft he loved.
Forced marriage—still refused—even head injury.
Original was a good person.
Soul from another world—occupied this life by accident—owed something—
Strike back at mockery. Reclaim originals.
Even now dust settled.
Bai Xu lacked original’s ceramic genius—but would leave a mark.
This studio—that mark.
Thoughts gathered. Smile. “Sister Qiu—I think we’ve got future. Not necessarily bad.”
Qiu Yi smiled too. “Yeah. Hard start—still hope good.”
“Mm.”
“Studio name picked? I’ll register.”
“Yes.”
Bai Xu opened WeChat—unchanged nickname and avatar to Qiu Yi. “This.”
Ning.
Original’s forever nickname. Avatar—self-designed logo.
Qiu Yi knew both long. Quick yes. “Okay—boss planned early. We’ll make the sign in days.”
“Thanks Sister Qiu.”
Bai Xu sent design team contact. “Layout talked through with designers—details need your eye?”
Qiu Yi nod. “No problem.”
“Good.”
Studio follow-ups—smooth long talk.
Dusk—Bai Xu wrapped. “Sister Qiu—late. Stop here? Dinner my treat?”
“Another day.”
Qiu Yi no fake politeness. “Didn’t say overnight—grandma cooked waiting.”
Bai Xu didn’t push. “Driver?”
Qiu Yi tsk. “Subway fine—traffic hell. Later!”
“Okay.”
Qiu Yi gone—Bai Xu to parking. Door open—Chen Yufei waiting looked back.
“Mr. Bai—done?”
“Mm.”
Bai Xu back seat. Seatbelt.
Chen Yufei assumed. “Back to estate?”
Bai Xu looked at the standalone row. Mind drift.
Good area—private art studios around. Normal rent—serious yearly cost.
Yanxiao knew he wanted “rent”—still had Xie Qi buy outright.
---
—Mr. Bai—Third Young Master said use freely within reason. Rent—your call.
Meaning—zero rent fine too.
Bai Xu brow smile unconscious:
Generous smooth luck-marriage ally on same side—feels pretty good?
Bai Xu signal. “Wait—not estate yet. Nearby mall first.”
Chen Yufei obeyed. Casual. “Mr. Bai—need something?”
Bai Xu window down. Warm breeze. “Early still—rare trip out—buy Yanxiao a little gift~”