Chapter 31

—Bang!
Hand-cranked confetti popped—electronic firecrackers chained after. Qiu Yi led studio members—lucky shouts at Bai Xu:
“Grand opening!”
“Studio smooth sailing!”
“Boss Bai—make money—raise our pay later!”
Bai Xu laughed yes. “Thanks for trust and joining—from today Ning Ceramic Studio needs everyone’s effort!”
“Yeah!”
“Of course!”
Qiu Yi hosted flow. “Come—sign first—ribbon cut!”
Bai Xu took custom studio plaque from her. “Okay.”
Original loner—few close friends. Bai Xu hated big openings—only invited Changning for fun.
Plus Queyan under Yanxiao’s nod sent ten luxury flower baskets—front yard two neat rows.
Changning saw fresh plaque—rushed admire. “Whoa—ceramic made?”
Bai Xu nod. “Mm. Sister Qiu’s idea—fits our vibe?”
“Yeah pretty.”
Changning praise free. “We’re fated—Ning—pinyin my Ning? I’ll buy shares?”
Qiu Yi. “Would love that!”
Bai Xu hung plaque steady—scissors to Changning. “Come—cut with me and Sister Qiu? Try?”
Changning never did this fun. “Sure.”
“Three two one!”
Snap! Ribbon done!
Ceramics unlike retail—opening day no sales chase.
After noise—everyone back to solo rooms—design create—easy normal.
Idle Bai Xu pushed by Changning into lounge break room—laughed. “Young Master Ning—whose studio is this—you or me?”
“Hey serious talk.”
“What?”
Both sofa sit.
Changning tablet from bag—design series. “Overseas art friend wants custom mini ceramics—show gifts—big batch—can you take it?”
“……”
Bai Xu didn’t expect business—straight face. “Wait.”
Not craft expert like original—WeChat called Qiu Yi.
Qiu Yi arrived fast. “Show designs.”
Changning handed. “Here.”
Qiu Yi read focused. “Not hard—bulk—we had kiln partners at Pot Mirror—call again—pricing though—”
Changning. “Friend wants precision—money fine—rich—else I wouldn’t recommend you.”
Bai Xu smile. “Your friend—we won’t rob.”
Changning zero doubt. “Mm.”
Qiu Yi. “I’ll do samples free from designs—client happy—then terms.”
Changning proxy. “Fine—I’ll send files later.”
Qiu Yi. “Okay.”
Door shut—Bai Xu serious thanks. “Changning—thanks.”
Changning grinned. “Don’t mention—friends—opening I support. And I wasn’t joking.”
Bai Xu surprised. “Really investing?”
Changning nod—curls bounce. “Art design major—ceramics in range—just not deep.”
---
“Grandma’s health worse these two years—family talked—I stay domestic awhile.”
Zhang family rich—Changning no job hunt worry.
“Idle anyway—inspire anywhere—I hate hassle—you’ve got studio—let me hitch ride? Money easy.”
Bai Xu got it—still warned. “Investment may not profit—could sink.”
Changning born confidence. “Really? My network’s huge—eye sharp—your studio’s long game—profit later share me—no profit—”
Round eyes sly. “Let Third Brother pay debt—you’re family.”
“……”
Family?
Him and Yanxiao?
Title stuck Bai Xu thought—unaware petty pride next. “My studio—won’t need Yanxiao—will profit.”
Projects he valued—never lost money.
Refuse free shareholder—boring.
Bai Xu yes. “Young Master Ning boards this pirate ship—welcome arms open?”
Changning chin up. “Better.”
More lounge chat—Qiu Yi WeChat: “Bai Xu—someone asking for you.”
Bai Xu brow up. “Someone wants me—out a bit—you chill.”
Changning fine. “Okay.”
…
Bai Xu out—far Qiu Yi receiving young woman in office wear—stranger.
“Sister Qiu.”
Steady close—eyes on her.
She met look—polite intro. “Mr. Bai—hello—I’m Chairman Chun’s assistant Yang Ya—my card.”
Bai Xu eyes tight—took card. “Chairman Chun?”
Yang Ya. “Chairman Chun heard studio opens today—sent flower basket—last banquet hospitality lacked—please forgive Mr. Bai.”
“……”
Studio not secret—but Bai Xu never advertised. Sun Miaochun sent someone to track?
Bai Xu took card. “Chairman Chun too kind.”
Yang Ya mission mode. “Mr. Bai—Chairman wants private ceramic batch—budget this much—who to talk details?”
“……”
Qiu Yi saw Yang Ya’s hand gesture—shock.
Changning pulled business—Sun’s custom order—under one hour—orders too fierce?
Qiu Yi looked at Bai Xu silent help.
Bai Xu eyes flicker. “Thanks Chairman Chun for patronage.”
Not banquet—studio not tied Shang.
Sun smart—banquet heard he won’t bridge Shang—still sent apology and goodwill.
Fine—Bai Xu accepts.
Open shop—nobody hates money.
No instant yes—room left. “Sister Qiu—take Miss Yang to office—see if we can meet Chairman Chun’s custom need.”
“Okay.”
Qiu Yi polite. “Miss Yang—this way.”
Yang Ya quiet relief—nod Bai Xu—followed Qiu Yi inside.
…
Opening day smooth.
Bai Xu booked hotel private room—treat Qiu Yi and staff feast.
New shareholder Changning joined natural.
After rounds—scatter time.
Bai Xu light-support Changning out elevator—saw Changxu off black car.
Met eyes. “Dr. Zhang—why here?”
“Waiting him.”
Changxu caught dizzy Changning. “He messaged—invested your studio—dinner here.”
Bai Xu not surprised.
Zhang brothers famous brother-con in book—reality only thicker.
Bai Xu. “You approve his shares?”
Changning drunk loud. “My saved money! My call!”
Grand gesture—center wobble.
Changxu pulled tight—cold brow flash spoil helpless. “Fine—your call—nobody blocks invest.”
Bai Xu laughed.
Changxu heard laugh—eyes back Bai Xu—no outsiders. “Yanxiao leaves next week—you going?”
Bai Xu counter. “All ready?”
Changxu short. “Mm. Told Chairman—New Country trusted contacts waiting.”
Bai Xu faint worry. “If home suspects—”
---
Changxu knew Shang. “Suspects never dropped—wake or not—their plans don’t stop.”
Yanxiao abroad—not in Group—less threat—easier dirty moves behind.
Changxu proxy friend. “So—you going?”
Bai Xu back. “Why Dr. Zhang care if I go?”
Changxu corner almost-smile. “I think Yanxiao hopes you will.”
Bai Xu brow up. “Yeah?”
Changxu stopped short—didn’t spell out. “Of course—you there—smart cover partner extra.”
Changning sleepy yawn squint. “Second Brother—done talking?”
“Done.”
Changxu cut topic—look Bai Xu. “Leaving first—Yanxiao trouble—call me anytime.”
Bai Xu. “Okay.”
Zhang brothers gone—Qiu Yi paid elevator down. “Bai Xu—not left?”
“Just leaving.”
Bai Xu plus. “Sister Qiu—today’s bill from my private account end month.”
Qiu Yi waved invoice—business. “Got it—big sum—I won’t fight you.”
Bai Xu smiled thanks again. “Sister Qiu—thank you.”
Qiu Yi smiled back. “Siblings—no empty courtesy—and your pay’s high—I’ll run studio hard for myself too.”
Bai Xu heard joke tail. “Mm—need raise then—but after I’m back.”
Qiu Yi. “Back? Where you going?”
“New Country.” Bai Xu didn’t leak Shang much. “Family matter—I accompany—short three months long half year?”
Book timeline guess.
“Studio issues—online anytime. New Country close—urgent—I can fly back.”
Qiu Yi thought nod. “Fine—go handle—studio’s on me.”
Years in trade—routine orders fine.
Bai Xu eased. “Thanks Sister Qiu—driver drop you? Late.”
Qiu Yi didn’t refuse this time. “Okay.”
…
Bai Xu didn’t over-involve Yanxiao’s “treatment” abroad plan. Private jet landed New Country—only then travel felt real.
—Swish!
Private car door shut—blocked ground crew eyes.
Chen Yufei on overpass—rear Xie Qi exhale. “Third Young Master—no outsiders.”
Bai Xu looked at simple stretcher Yanxiao on.
“……”
Yanxiao slow eyes—caught his look—no hide fatigue.
Bai Xu saw tired stiff brow—teased. “Third Young Master—back must be stone this whole flight?”
Yanxiao let it—warm water from Xie Qi throat. “How long to residence?”
Xie Qi. “Two hours drive.”
Bai Xu startled. “Two hours? Not Yasheng Private Hospital?”
Xie Qi saw shock—low laugh. “Mr. Bai—hospital is cover story. Third Young Master here—won’t stay bed trapped like before.”
“Hospital staged—fake daily treatment. Xiao Deng and Fei rotate ‘guard.’ I’ll visit sometimes.”
Act continues—long as possible.
Abroad—First Second probe harder. Domestic Queyan watches.
Book skipped this—Bai Xu didn’t know real setup. “Where now?”
Yanxiao. “Separate private residence.”
Xie Qi nod. “Foreign staff and butler arranged.”
Bai Xu hm. “So me coming or not—little difference? Thought you needed cover.”
Yanxiao. “Since here—rest few days. Later—will need cover.”
Bai Xu brow. “Hm? Yeah?”
Yanxiao no answer—counter. “Tired? Sleep?”
Bai Xu hid fatigue. “Fine—rest when arrive—can’t sleep in car.”
Yanxiao pause two seconds—to Chen Yufei. “Drive faster if you can.”
“Yes Third Young Master.”
…
Arrived past seven PM.
Standalone duplex small—not Shang villa size—but refined décor quiet block. Xie Qi researched—
Rich neighbors—privacy good daily.
New butler British man early thirties—steady greet. “Good evening both. I’m Elent—happy long-term service.”
Elent no Chinese—Xie Qi deliberate.
Yanxiao slight nod—before speak Bai Xu first. “Dinner ready? I’m hungry.”
---
Fluent British accent—very clean.
Elent bright. “Of course Mr. Bai—your accent excellent.”
Bai Xu tilt head—joke easy. “Feed me first—I’ll be more excellent.”
Elent laughed.
In car Yanxiao saw brief interact—eyes deepened. Long stride out—past Elent cold. “Inside.”
No pause—cold aura strong.
Elent realized backbone—heart tight. “Yes Mr. Shang.”
Bai Xu felt Yanxiao flash chill—frowned—looked Xie Qi Chen Yufei. “What’s wrong with him?”
“……”
Xie Qi glasses push. “Third Young Master cold to outsiders Mr. Bai—we go in too.”
Bai Xu hid odd feeling—followed.
First arrival—dinner extra rich.
Bai Xu slight airsick—two hour fatigue—scent opened appetite.
Bai Xu salmon avocado bite—surprised to server. “Mm—good.”
Fish fine avocado sweet-sour paste—delicious.
Server busy soup—heard praise. “Mr. Bai—that’s Elent’s work.”
Elent. “Today’s avocado nice—want avocado smoothie?”
“Sure thanks.”
Bai Xu smiled—looked Yanxiao. “You want?”
Yanxiao spoon soup—flat. “No.”
Bai Xu caught cold in tone—light frown—back Elent. “One cup thanks~”
Soft voice—natural wavy coax.
“……”
Yanxiao spoon down bowl. “Xie Qi—come with me.”
Xie Qi watched Elent kitchen—glasses push. “Mr. Bai—eat slow.”
Bai Xu didn’t care line—stared Yanxiao hurry upstairs—mystery bigger.
Chopsticks down—appetite gone. Elent brought smoothie—Bai Xu stood took it—upstairs.
Tap tap tap—
Stairs sound.
Yanxiao Xie Qi out study—saw Bai Xu smoothie upstairs.
Eyes met—zero smile.
Bai Xu sip—unaware petulance at Xie Qi. “Where’s my room?”
Xie Qi glance Yanxiao—fast point. “There! Next to Third Young Master bedroom!”
Remembered assist. “Also—inner door between rooms—night help each other?”
“……”
Bai Xu last steps—closed distance Yanxiao. “Third Young Master so capable—what trouble?”
Yanxiao caught unusual tone—brow tight again.
Bai Xu bored cold face. “You continue—I rest.”
“……”
Close pass—no goodnight.
Yanxiao brow crack annoyance—hidden fast. “Xie Qi—what I said—rush.”
Xie Qi saw through. “Yes Third Young Master.”
…
Night.
Bai Xu half-asleep curled—pain on face hard to name.
Throat dry ache—stomach burn fierce—sheet touch skin sting.
“……”
Tried endure—worse—sleep gone.
Forced up—before water—dizzy hit gut tsunami—bathroom heave long.
—Swish!
Cold rinse face—burn nerves.
Mirror—eyes red fast—neck arms itch red dots.
—allergy? How?
Bai Xu disbelieving gasp—body confirmed—empty gut still cramp—cold hot sweat waves.
Strong type—weak steps out—warm water help—underestimated reaction.
“Ngh.”
Stomach cramp—hand shake—cup smashed floor—night loud.
“……”
No strength clean—leaned bar weak—wait wave pass.
Inner door knock. “Bai Xu?”
Yanxiao voice. “What happened?”
Bai Xu breath adjust—voice float. “Nothing—dropped a cup.”
---
Yanxiao didn’t buy. “Open the door.”
Bai Xu grit teeth. “I’m fine you—”
—Bang!
Inner door Yanxiao opened clean.
Saw Bai Xu wrong color—brow instant tense. “What’s wrong?”
“……”
Bai Xu pain tremble breath—mouth hard no pain word. “Room soundproof really bad.”
Yanxiao saw red dots—hand forehead. “Allergy? Or sick?”
Cool palm forehead—Bai Xu unconscious hum. “Yanxiao?”
Yanxiao saw wobble—grabbed. “Mm. I’m here.”
Bai Xu unguarded into Yanxiao—familiar scent wrapped—wall broke.
“Yanxiao—it hurts.”