Chapter 26

Monthly family dinner as scheduled.
Bai Xu downstairs ready—Queyan and Uncle Lin waiting. Latter spotted first. “Mr. Bai—ready? Shuttle at door. Anytime.”
Bai Xu met Queyan’s eyes. Grin. “Oh—Fourth Young Master waits me this time? Last time you bolted fast.”
---
“……”
Queyan guilty—but mouth hard. “I did it for my brother’s face.”
Bai Xu cooperative nod. “Sure~”
Stopped stairs. Deliberate look up at master bedroom. “Thanks Third Young Master for the face~”
Teased two at once.
Yanxiao upstairs—silent. Queyan downstairs cracked first. “I give up!”
Wheelchair out fast.
Uncle Lin hidden smile. “Mr. Bai—almost time. Late—Chairman won’t be happy.”
Bai Xu nod. “Mm.”
Shuttle reached main house—another shuttle parked. Second House family.
Queyan low mutter. “Told you—enemies cluster.”
Bai Xu easy. “Family dinner—bound to meet. Block water cover earth—what’s to fear?”
Last dinner—Fang Yuhua and Songming provoked—ate loss hard.
“Xiao Yan—you’re here?” Shang Yun played peacemaker as always. “Songming—help lift your brother’s wheelchair.”
Songming looked at Bai Xu and Uncle Lin on the other car—remembered last “butler” line. Gut sour.
“Let staff do that?” Teeth squeeze. “You want to play good guy—you do it. Why lower myself?”
Shang Yun smile stiff. Hiss. “Watch your mouth!”
Fang Yuhua fixed hair—hid face—blamed husband. “Songming’s not wrong. Save the show for the Chairman.”
Flatter the old man—benefits and margin. Why nice to Third House?
Brief exchange—Bai Xu’s group down safe.
Queyan wheelchair forward. Heart one mouth—greeted. “Second Uncle. Second Aunt.”
Shang Yun mask smile. “Ah—here? Health okay lately?”
Fang Yuhua head down clothes—fake deaf. Didn’t forget—
Last dinner Queyan and Bai Xu tag-teamed—Second House humiliated. Shang cut Jinbai deal—their project!
Cooked duck flew!
Shang Yun dug at her all month.
Shang Yun side-eye wife. Round off. “Let’s in.”
Everyone filed in.
Small dining room—sunken sofa reception. Old Master Shang main seat. Daily finance paper in hand.
Even digital explosion age—kept the old habit.
Shang Yun first. “Dad—we’re here.”
Shang Hong didn’t look up. Acknowledged—no sit order—no dining yet. Just left standing.
Second House frozen—no move without command.
Back row Bai Xu saw—quiet pat wheelchair back.
Queyan felt it. Hand sign: don’t speak.
“……”
Bai Xu brow twitch. Bored scan of main house layout.
Old Master finished last line. Paper—trash without mercy.
Rose calm. Swept the standing crowd. Through gaps—Bai Xu hiding back row—relaxed unlike everyone’s careful tension.
“Bai Xu. Step out.”
Bai Xu zero ready—stunned.
Uncle Lin whisper urgent. “Mr. Bai?”
“……”
Family dinner?
Sudden roll call?
Bai Xu steady breath. All eyes—stepped forward. “Chairman.”
Old Master head to toe audit. Sudden. “I hear you made noise outside this month?”
Sun banquet control. Alumni report on Song—both circles loud.
Second House alert—
Chairman’s notice means trash performance or praise.
Which was Bai Xu? Really fighting for Third House presence?
Bai Xu fake timid. “N-not really.”
Shang Hong knew the act—didn’t bust. “How’s Yanxiao lately?”
Second House present—Bai Xu hid plenty. “Dr. Zhang yesterday. Same as before.”
No extra comment—pivot to Queyan. “Queyan—you should rally. Fall and stay down—not Shang way.”
Queyan forward. “Grandfather—I understand.”
Uncle Lin added. “Chairman—Fourth Young Master started branch management. Rehab team booked professional.”
Shang Hong brow eased. “That’s right. Hold the line for your brother.”
“Mm.”
“……”
---
Back and forth—all Third House talk. Second House invisible.
Fang Yuhua watched—ached to speak—elevator ding—
Old Madam out with staff. Prayer beads turn. “Everyone here? Starving I bet. Overslept—made you wait.”
Shang Hong stepped close. “Juniors wait—so what? Head still hurt?”
“Much better.”
Soft pat his hand. “Serve food. Don’t starve the kids.”
Shang Hong nod. “Enough standing. Small dining room.”
…
Meal quiet as always.
Bai Xu few bites. Best food goes dull under silence.
Old Master set chopsticks down—Bai Xu broke the mold. “Tonight I do have something to announce.”
Shang Yun followed. “Dad—say it.”
Shang Hong glance at wife—rare warm smile. “June soon—our wedding anniversary approaches…”
Table stunned.
“Eh—why bring that up?”
Old Madam gentle—embarrassed flash—stop him. “Old couple—we’ll be laughed at.”
Shang Hong insisted. “Rough year for the family. Want some joy.”
Fang Yuhua quick agree. “Yes—celebrate! Dad—how many years married?”
Shang Hong exact. “Sixty-five.”
Fang Yuhua. “Good number—worth celebrating.”
Old Madam still reluctant. “Forget it—waste of effort. People will mock.”
Bai Xu book memory—spoke. “Old Madam.”
“One lifetime with a partner—sixty-five years rare. Envy only—no mockery.”
Shang couple’s marriage—Dijing legend.
Book plot—this would be their last anniversary.
Shang Hong approved. “Bai Xu—well said.”
Fang Yuhua sour at praise—kicked son and husband both sides.
“Ts.”
Songming swallowed sound. Smile up. “Grandma—listen to Grandpa once. Long since any family banquet—joy is good.”
Shang Yun chimed. “Yeah—rest easy. We’ve got this.”
Fang Yuhua seized timing. “Dad—Eldest branch overseas. Queyan’s young—won’t know etiquette. Let me run it? I’ll do it proper!”
Bai Xu and Queyan eye sync—knew—
Second House wanted the stage—curry favor hard.
Shang Hong saw clear—didn’t care. “Fine—Second daughter-in-law runs it. My account pays. Don’t pinch pennies—do it right!”
“Everything—Old Madam’s taste first.”
Old Madam knew husband’s stubbornness. Laugh sigh yes. “Okay. Your call. Thanks Second daughter-in-law.”
Fang Yuhua beaming. “Of course.”
Monthly dinner ended rare “harmony.”
Home—Queyan burst master bedroom. Locked door. Dumped whole dinner to Yanxiao. Roasted last—
“One banquet from Grandpa’s mouth—Second Aunt so happy!”
Only before closest brother—childish peeked out.
Bai Xu dark laugh. “Let Second House run it. Big banquet—harder than it looks.”
Queyan still mad. “She’ll work? Only spends and orders people.”
When Chi Li lived—she and Fang Yuhua co-hosted two Shang banquets.
Fang Yuhua played “sister-in-law”—hard parts to Chi Li—stole credit in public.
Memory of dead mother—Queyan mood dropped.
Bai Xu felt it. Looked at Yanxiao.
Eyes met split. Yanxiao spoke. “Xiao Yan—don’t spiral. The crash wasn’t you. Parents’ death—not your fault. You’re a victim too.”
Bai Xu counsel. “Mm. Dead don’t return. Better forward than endless self-eat.”
“Your brother statuses here—neither can freeze—or dead end.”
Soft voice—steel core. Contrast hooked.
Yanxiao looked deeper at Bai Xu.
Queyan deep breath. Pressed eye sting. “I know—I just hate Second House acting like they won. I—I hate losing.”
Looked up at Yanxiao. “Bro—Third House can’t lose to them!”
---
Bai Xu replaced. “With your brother here—you won’t lose.”
Yanxiao eased. Squatted eye-level with brother. “Queyan—relax. We won’t wilt. Your job now—rehab with the medical team.”
“Long road ahead—you need to stand firm. Got it?”
Double meaning.
Queyan understood. “Mm. Got it.”
Yanxiao exhale. “Rest early. Medical team tomorrow right?”
“Okay bro—you too.”
Queyan yes. Wheel turned to Bai Xu. “You not leaving?”
Bai Xu teased. “What am I to your brother? Staying normal~ Little brother-in-law~”
“……”
“……”
One title—stunned both.
Yanxiao helpless cough.
Queyan—brother didn’t deny—incredible eyes ping-pong—lost. Wheelchair flee fast.
Bai Xu watched escape—laughed.
Yanxiao helpless. “You love teasing Queyan?”
Bai Xu no deny. “Jokes kill boredom.”
Walked to center book wall. Curious close. “Yanxiao—borrow two books? Insomnia nights.”
Paper books—habit from Old Master Bai.
Yanxiao long untouched wall. “Fine.”
Bai Xu scanned rows. Stopped. “This one still here?”
Yanxiao close—Old Chairman Shang’s autobiography from seven-eight years ago. One copy per Shang household.
Yanxiao read once—shelved forever. Bai Xu eyes curious—surprised. “Interested in that?”
“Mm.”
Bai Xu treasure pat cover. “Chairman’s a Huaguo business legend right? I’ll study his startup years.”
Yanxiao remembered contents. Warning. “His personality—book’s very literal.”
Dry—not fun. Few finish.
Bai Xu got the art. Grinned. “Perfect—kill time or sleep aid. Borrowing?”
“Mm.”
Knock—talk cut.
Xie Qi careful outside. “Mr. Bai—may I enter?”
“Yes. Come in.”
Bai Xu answered for him. Looked at Yanxiao. “Probably your business—I’ll go.”
Yanxiao nod. “Good night.”
“Night.”
Bai Xu passed entering Xie Qi. Hurried “Mr. Bai”—into master. Usually calm face—heavy. Something up.
Bai Xu step pause.
Night watch Xiao Deng at door. “Mr. Bai—back to room?”
“Mm.”
Bai Xu shook question off. Books in hand—to his room.
…
Lock click again.
Xie Qi three steps to Yanxiao. Urgent buried. “Third Young Master.”
Yanxiao read assistant mood. Water cup. “What?”
Xie Qi direct. “Crash—lead found!”
Yanxiao drink pause. Eyes stone. “Talk!”
Official crash report filed—but awake Yanxiao spent heavy overseas on private investigators.
Two months—thought dead end—
Lead now?
Xie Qi tablet out. Handed over. “Name Cherkin. Former HG Logistics warehouse admin.”
Yanxiao stared stranger. Brow tight. “Relation to Zha Li?”
Zha Li—truck driver who hit Third House. Died in crash too.
Overseas police ruled major traffic accident.
“Zha Li’s partner—driver vs warehouse.”
“Half month before incident—Cherkin sick leave continuous. Within week after—resigned same excuse.”
“Investigators via hospital contacts—zero treatment records that period.”
“……”
Yanxiao wouldn’t bite easy.
Xie Qi continued feedback. “Cherkin modest means—no big spend. Soon after quit—luxury store near ten thousand USD. Vanished since.”
“Key—card account HS Bank.”
HS—Huaguo Overseas Bank shorthand.
Shang overseas private bank—majority clients overseas Chinese merchants.
Yanxiao face sank.
One coincidence—fine. Stack too many—fishy.
Crash driver. Partner quit rich vanished. HS account rare for foreigners.
If inference holds—mastermind tied to Shang family?
“Dig! Keep digging!”
Yanxiao deep breath. Chest pain almost overflow. “If evidence holds—contact local police. We cooperate report anytime!”
Xie Qi tablet back. Firm. “Yes!”
…
Next morning.
Bai Xu out door—shift change Xiao Deng and Chen Yufei.
Small yawn. “Morning.”
“Morning.”
“Morning Mr. Bai.”
Both answered. Xiao Deng saw rare tired. “Bad sleep?”
Bai Xu wave vague. Eyes master bedroom. “Awake?”
Xiao Deng fast nod. “Assistant Xie inside… eating breakfast.”
Bai Xu brow up amused. “Oh? I’ll look.”
Xiao Deng and Chen Yufei traded eyes—nobody blocked.
Door open—breakfast scent out.
Yanxiao bed edge. Fine breakfast plate—half touched.
Xie Qi looked over. “Mr. Bai.”
Bai Xu smiled. “Knew it—‘breakfast’ someone else. Not afraid sudden visitor?”
Yanxiao calm sip iced americano. “Besides you—who’d barge like that?”
Xie Qi explain. “Third Young Master—fewer ‘visitors’ lately.”
“Still—careful.” Bai Xu close counsel. Eyes on plate. “Oh—tuna sandwich?”
Yanxiao got it. “Eat it.”
Bai Xu chair drag sit. Grin. “Then I won’t polite. Future three meals—Xie Qi and I ‘join’ Third Young Master. Sudden attack—more believable.”
Xie Qi smile. “I fetch more downstairs?”
Bai Xu zero polite. “Hot oat milk please—wake up. Thanks.”
Glance at Yanxiao’s coffee—tiny disgust.
Yanxiao caught micro expressions. After Xie Qi left. “Wake up? You didn’t sleep?”
Bai Xu mouth full sandwich. Mumble. “Finished Chairman’s autobiography—3 AM before I knew.”
“……”
Yanxiao surprised. “Finished?”
Bai Xu nod. “Mm. Dry like you said—but fun bits. Young him—interesting soul.”
Pause think. Yanxiao tested. “Like?”
“Like—”
Bai Xu fluent. “Age thirty wanted jade trade in Cloud City—no seat on train.”
“Packed car—stood whole way. Feet numb at station.”
“Jade merchant thought disabled—sent a cane. Chairman feared awkward—feet really numb.”
Yanxiao remembered. Light laugh. “So he used the cane three days.”
Bai Xu laughed. “Right? Young Chairman fun—not moody weird like people say.”
“Grandfather rose and fell plenty—some temper normal.”
Yanxiao respect from bone for Old Master. “He’s good inside. Cares every family member. Third Son’s couple death—hurt him too.”
White hair burying black—for brothers and grandparents both.
Bai Xu agree. “So sixty-five anniversary banquet—joy makes sense.”
Living move forward.
Yanxiao didn’t oppose the party. “Fine idea—gift headache though. Many will break brains.”
Shang family and guests—all want Chairman favor. Pave future interest.
Bai Xu curious. “Third House sending what?”
Yanxiao shook head. Rare worry. “Can’t show face yet—still thinking.”
“……”
Bai Xu silent—same puzzle.
Flash in mind. “Yanxiao—I know what to send!”