Chapter 25

Night fell.
Bai Xu and Chen Yufei walked from garage to main house. Before entry—muffled chat inside. Not clear.
Bai Xu surprised. “Guests?”
Chen Yufei shook head. No answer.
After Third House’s crash Queyan steadier and quieter. Xie Qi and Uncle Lin weren’t rowdy. Upstairs “head of house” had no time for this noise.
Before they traded guesses—the front door clicked open from inside.
“……”
Bai Xu’s gaze locked. Face-to-face with the opener.
He turned and shouted inside. “Told you—footsteps outside!”
Bai Xu stared at the loud brown curls. “Zhang Changning? What’re you doing here?”
Changning natural. “Why not? Bai Xu—I know this house no worse than you.”
Chen Yufei polite. “Young Master Ning—Dr. Zhang here too?”
Changning walked in answering. “Brother brought the team for Third Brother’s checkup. Free time—came to see Queyan.”
Bai Xu and Chen Yufei entered.
Living room center—Queyan on sofa with game controller. “Changning—your account your problem. Lost—not my fault.”
Random button mashing—eyes hungry for win.
Uncle Lin and Auntie Zhuang plus staff busy in kitchen—feast prep.
Changning sprinted back. Cowlick bouncing. “Knew you suck—left left—go—”
GAME OVER!
“……”
Defeat sound replaced urging.
Queyan frowned. Threw controller to friend.
Changning saw the sulk. “Queyan—you’re dumb.”
Looked at Bai Xu home. “Bai Xu—right? I let him play one minute—gone.”
Queyan ground teeth. Wouldn’t admit. “Just rusty. Your trash game sucks.”
“Latest overseas release! What trash! I brought it special!”
“Still trash!”
“No taste!”
“……”
Knew they were childhood friends—but watching primary-school bickering live—Bai Xu laughed soft.
Changning turned. “Bai Xu—I heard from Xie Qi—you’re opening a ceramic studio?”
Bai Xu. “Mm. Still prep. Soft open end of June—come support?”
Changning instant. “Yeah! I know art friends abroad—intro clients?”
Bai Xu. “Please do.”
Queyan eyes between Bai Xu and Changning. Surprised. “Wait—when’d you two meet? That close?”
Changning won’t restart. Teased. “Won’t tell~”
Queyan brow twitch. Mad but can’t hit. “Don’t think Brother Zhang saves you from me.”
Youngest Zhang kid—spoiled forever. Especially Second Brother Changxu—
Cold flat nothing-wants surface—actually spoils Changning boundless. Zero bullying allowed.
Changning proud smug. “Try it—I call Brother down.”
“……”
Bai Xu smiled. Stepped close explain. “Changning thought you’d go to the dinner—feared you’d get bullied alone. We met that night.”
Short—but kept Changning’s good intent.
Sure enough—Queyan’s brow eased at the first half. Tone soft. “Who’d bully me? You’re the twig—don’t get picked on.”
Changning proud hm. Topic shift. “Yeah—we drank that night too.”
Looked at Bai Xu again. “You okay? That booze hit hard—I headache all next day.”
Bai Xu shook head. Mind uncontrolled flash—
That night drunk hands on Yanxiao. He seemed to carry him back to guest room.
“Dream” fragments—clearer each recall.
Bai Xu eyes lit—pleasure he didn’t notice. “Mm. Fine. Slept it off next day.”
Tap tap tap.
Stairs—
Three on sofa looked up. Changxu descending met three stares. Rare blank.
---
Changning first. “Second Brother!”
Changxu looked over. Another greeting. “Dr. Zhang—meet again.”
Bai Xu.
Eyes collided. Bai Xu playing dumb. “Third Young Master’s condition?”
Changxu knew truth from friend—seamless. “Vitals steady. Some response to outside sound—just won’t wake.”
“I’ll contact overseas brain specialists. Maybe external stimulus with matched equipment—might help.”
“……”
No wonder top book side character. “Doctor friend” sells act—outsiders fooled clean.
Bai Xu brow micro lift. “Good. With Dr. Zhang—we’re reassured.”
Changxu heard subtext. Calm back. “Is that so? With Mr. Bai’s daily care for Yanxiao—we’re reassured too.”
Changning cut in. “Second Brother, Bai Xu—why you both talk like that?”
Changxu easy back to him. “Nothing. Mr. Bai looks familiar. Chatted two lines.”
Two lines—exactly two.
Uncle Lin out with a pot. Crowd complete. “Perfect—everyone sit. Dishes almost ready.”
Zhang and Shang families close—Yanxiao and Changxu, Queyan and Changning—childhood friends. Meals together common.
Queyan played host. “Second Brother—thanks. Sit.”
Careful edge of sofa. Pulled wheelchair. Bai Xu and Changning synced eyes—cruel zero help.
Queyan self onto wheelchair—Changning dragged brother to table excited. “Uncle Lin—we missed you and Auntie Zhuang’s fried fish pot!”
Changxu. “You missed it.”
Uncle Lin chuckled. “Like it—eat more tonight.”
Bai Xu heard table buzz. Eyes drifted second floor.
Queyan saw him not sitting. “Bai Xu—not eating?”
Bai Xu flash. “Uncle Lin—plate separate? I’ll eat upstairs. Haven’t seen Yanxiao all day—keep him company.”
All looked.
Bai Xu zero awkward. “Why stare? Old Madam brought me for luck marriage—keep him company. My job.”
Staff still busy—couldn’t say too plain.
“Also hungry—extra food please.”
“……”
Those who knew—eyes wide. Only Changxu smooth. “Yanxiao needs irregular outside ‘stimulus’—sound or scent.”
Deep look at Bai Xu. “Mealtime company—good, Mr. Bai.”
Bai Xu lip curve subtle. “Right? Dr. Zhang’s word—solid.”
—
Door open. Locked again.
Bai Xu smiled at bed faker. “Me. Stop acting.”
Yanxiao slow eyes. Sat up. Full tray in Bai Xu’s hands—surprise rare. “Why you—”
“Downstairs loud and happy. Someone starving hiding in master bedroom—bit pitiful~”
Wave tail—teasing obvious.
Yanxiao no shame. Watched Bai Xu lay food on center desk. “Eating in front of me?”
Auntie Zhuang’s cooking—smell alone hungry.
Bai Xu back. “Can’t I?”
Yanxiao gave up. “Fine.”
“No joke—ally care package—”
Bai Xu serious invite. “No visitors this hour—eat together?”
Yanxiao glance locked door. Off bed.
Face to face at table. Bai Xu passed clean utensils. “Your act’s suffocating. Can’t go anywhere.”
Normal people couldn’t take these limits.
Yanxiao spoon of soup. “When you don’t see—I’m busy too.”
Bai Xu thought. “Xie Qi said after Third House crash—branch companies and projects held steady. Your hidden hand?”
Yanxiao didn’t deny. “Branches run separate. No new projects short term—old pipeline carries awhile.”
Bai Xu nod. “True. Group’s the hard part.”
Big group—faction war messier. Third House long absent—network gets picked apart.
Bai Xu. “Your brother steps up?”
Queyan never touched group work—but Yanxiao coaching behind—should hold.
Book hero grew fast—management hurdles solved perfect later.
Yanxiao. “Not urgent.”
Bai Xu frown. “Not urgent?”
“Xiao Yan’s priority—rehab. Group—I want him up eventually. Not hundred-percent perfect overnight.”
---
Others might spin dizzy. Bai Xu knew book plot plus corporate chess.
“You want Queyan to hide skill—Third House looks declining—draw rats from shadows?”
Bai Xu paused eating. Looked at Yanxiao again. “Fake coma since the crash—suspect someone orchestrated? First House or Second? What’s next?”
Knew Abyss arc and ending. Early/mid read—late property war fuzzy.
Knew Third House crash was murder—culprit unread before transmigration.
“……”
Sharp sudden—Yanxiao deflected light. “Full? Why not eat shrimp?”
Short-term ally—not full trust. Crash hurt too deep. No plan talk without iron proof.
Bai Xu read dodge. Didn’t push. “Like them. Shells messy—don’t want dirty hands.”
Yanxiao instinct looked at Bai Xu’s hands—
Fair long. Light callus. Faint pink tips—easy think skin buzz warmth.
Hands like that—shouldn’t peel shrimp.
Bai Xu still thinking. Missed the look. “Xie Qi said First House all overseas?”
Yanxiao wiped hands. “Mm. Soon after our crash—Shang Qishun took an overseas Shang project.”
Project Yanxiao built and prepped forever.
Bai Xu scoff laugh. “First House highway robbery? Rude.”
Yanxiao picked a shrimp. Calm peel. “That project—two governments involved. Critical. Shang can’t fail.”
Whole group—besides Yanxiao only Qishun fit. Old Master agreeing—reasonable.
Pity Qishun couldn’t stand his people.
First move—dissolved Yanxiao’s team. Xie Qi and crew’s work wasted—gift for others.
Bai Xu got the sketch. “No wonder.”
When Xie Qi mentioned First House—face wasn’t pretty.
Bai Xu swirled water cup. “How long overseas? Qishun not coming back soon?”
Yanxiao peel pause. Look up. “Curious about him?”
Bai Xu nod. “Pretty curious.”
Book Qishun—rival even with hero Queyan. Shadow trouble for Third House.
“……”
Answer—Yanxiao eyes deepened.
He and Qishun fought since kids. Polite before Old Master. Zero private contact. Born enemies.
Bai Xu saw disgust under cold shell. Truth continued. “Outside says among Shang heirs only Eldest and Third qualify as successors.”
Slow scan Yanxiao—open admiration. “Someone who can match you—I want to meet.”
“……”
Yanxiao silent. Brow cold eased bit.
Bai Xu caught shift. Grinned. “Relax—everyone knows I’m your luck-marriage partner. Third House side. This ally won’t flip~”
Yanxiao looked back. Rare deliberate edge. “True—even if you ‘defect’ to Qishun—he might not trust you.”
Bai Xu thoughtful. Copied deadpan tone. “True—he’d think I’m your spy. Avoid me daily. Not like us eating face to face.”
Both laughed.
Ally who keeps up—nice feeling.
Yanxiao wiped hands again. “Relax—overseas project’s on track. They’ll return before long.”
Bai Xu followed. “Overseas meat tasty—Group steak can’t drop either.”
Topic—Yanxiao flash cold. “So—we wait and see.”
Faked this long—some should relax and move. Fox shows tail. Snake rattles.
Yanxiao closed topic. Pushed plate of peeled shrimp to Bai Xu. “Here.”
Bai Xu surprised. “For me?”
Thought he peeled for himself binge.
Yanxiao. “I don’t like shrimp. You eat—don’t waste.”
Talked so long—Bai Xu never filled up. Took it. “Thanks. Eyeing them since start.”
---
Yanxiao short laugh. Knock.
“It’s me.”
Changxu outside—alert down.
Yanxiao glance Bai Xu. Opened door.
Changxu careful—no followers. Met Yanxiao—eyes over friend to inside—
Center desk—Bai Xu enjoying shrimp plate. Opposite pile of shells—clearly Yanxiao’s seat.
Yanxiao. “What? Come in?”
“Nothing. Dinner done—saying bye. Taking Ning.”
Changxu looked back. Simple. “Your cover needs a deadline. Drag longer—easier exposed. Maybe ‘treatment’ excuse—go out hide awhile.”
Yanxiao knew. “Okay. I’ll call if needed.”
“Mm.”
Changxu nodded. Didn’t leave.
Yanxiao hand on door stopped. “What?”
Changxu couldn’t hold. Close. Meaningful shoulder pat. “This is your—”
“Don’t. Care?”
How long since exposed? Already peeling shrimp?
“……”
Yanxiao awkward flash. “Wrong idea. Not seeing anyone.”
Changxu hid smile. “Leaving.”
Click.
Door shut—harder this time.
Bai Xu last shrimp mumble. “What?”
“Nothing.”
Yanxiao saw empty plate. “Full? Leave dishes—I’ll call cleanup later.”
Bai Xu set utensils. “Okay. Borrow your bath—wash hands.”
Water on. Off.
Bai Xu out—Yanxiao back in bed. Tablet—file unclear.
Bai Xu dark laugh. “Third Young Master—all day no exercise—abs gone soon.”
“……”
Yanxiao remembered prior groping. “Train back later. Not hard.”
Bai Xu heard casual tone—rare jealous pout.
Abs that easy?
This thin frame—even real world he only got thin lines. Hard as hell.
“Right—gift for you.”
Important—hand to pocket.
Yanxiao saw move. Curiosity light on brow. “What?”
Bai Xu tossed. “Catch!”
—Whoosh!
Yanxiao one-hand caught. Plain plastic mini bottle.
One gold bean inside—tempting shine.
Bai Xu at rare confused face—grinned. “How’s that? Mall bought—pure gold 5g bean. Thanks for studio brick-and-mortar.”
Yanxiao amused. “Villa for one gold bean? Boss Bai—too good at business. I lost huge?”
“You don’t get it?”
Bai Xu finger wag. “This bean’s value here—not money. Solid favor.”
Yanxiao got it. “So whenever I need—I cash this bean with you?”
“Mm. Anytime~” Tone up. “If I owe you again—no gift idea—I send another bean.”
Yanxiao’s life—seen every luxury.
Symbolic beats—useful day both honor it.
Yanxiao thoughtful. “Fine. I’ll keep it.”
Bai Xu serious back. “Relax—favor is favor. Rent is rent. I’ll pay up.”
Yanxiao heard the line held. Eyes bright. “Fine. Got the bean—even trade. No loss.”
Bai Xu smiled. “Third Young Master generous. I’m out. Rest well.”
“Okay. Good night.”
…
Bai Xu gone not long—Xie Qi stepped in.
“Third Young Master.”
“Mm?”
Yanxiao answered casual. Still studying the gift.
Xie Qi saw bottle contents. “Third Young Master—why that little thing? Where from?”
By Yanxiao’s net worth—gold bean too small.
Yanxiao shook interested. “Bai Xu gave it.”
Bean clinked plastic—pleasant sound.
Xie Qi heard giver. Blank.
“You don’t get it—not a trinket.”
“……Huh?”
Before Xie Qi replied—Yanxiao muttered. “This bean’s upside huge. Lock the safe.”