Chapter 33

Dinner rich—lesson learned—Yanxiao ordered Chinese Bai Xu knew—old favorites.
Bai Xu slow spoon rib soup warm belly. “You and Xie Qi where this afternoon? Day two New Country—casual outing—afraid First House tailing?”
“Guard yes—careful enough already.”
Yanxiao urgent matter. “One project hot—I need help Queyan land it—Group foothold fast.”
Bai Xu. “What project? Can you say?”
Yanxiao never planned hide. “German AW Tech’s AI-assisted medical devices.”
---
“AI medical assist?”
Bai Xu felt he’d heard—brow think—
Fast—memory clue. “Last family meeting—Chairman scolded Songming lost money on medical project—same type?”
“Mm.”
Everyone knows internet digital money—AI tech hottest recent years.
AI as higher-tier medical assist—market bright. Tasty meat—not everyone gets a bite.
“AW Tech years ago—new cancer-targeting electronic instrument—passed review—early spend huge—can’t fund R&D after.”
Month ago—top brass filed bankruptcy—domestic foreign companies eyeing—including Shang Group long in internet space.
Bai Xu got it. “You want this project?”
Yanxiao didn’t deny. “Want all—but missed best window.”
Bai Xu frown. “Meaning?”
Xie Qi for Yanxiao. “AW board and Juesheng Medical chairman close friends—latter signed intent first via that tie.”
Conservative—AW follow-up R&D needs hundred-million USD—not small.
Profitable—but keep investing—products iterate—never one-and-done.
Book skim—Bai Xu faint familiar—details blank.
“Juesheng Medical?”
“Mm.”
Yanxiao afternoon intel. “Juesheng growing well—public reports two years—full cash for deal would choke flow—so—”
Bai Xu jump. “So—they need external capital—dual equity structure after?”
“……”
Yanxiao right answer—pleasure appreciation flash.
Xie Qi shocked. “Mr. Bai—how you know all this?”
Terms not hard—but not pottery outsider vocabulary.
Bai Xu calm soup sip. “Just know.”
Yanxiao didn’t dig—continued. “Industry rumor—Chairman Zhang plans that—not public yet.”
“Xie Qi heard—intent deadline under one month.”
This month—Juesheng top Zhang Songyang must find “ally.”
Yanxiao clear. “Queyan’s first Group step—can’t too big—Third House gets equity slice—short-term score enough.”
Bai Xu nod. “Then rush meet Zhang Songyang?”
“That’s the point—”
Yanxiao look Bai Xu—ally request plus private wish. “Bai Xu—I can’t appear public yet—I ask you go for me.”
Bai Xu brow. “Me?”
Yanxiao clean. “Xie Qi—Zhang attends business banquet this Saturday—best recent chance formal talk—invite obtainable—attendance—”
Bai Xu easy finish. “Me?”
Yanxiao silent two seconds—wouldn’t push hard. “Your call—unwilling—I find another way.”
Bai Xu heard retreat—heart flicker.
Before—Bai Xu refused Third House business. Last night allergy—Yanxiao nursed him well.
Plus ally in New Country—deal negotiation his wheelhouse—can’t refuse.
Xie Qi boss proxy. “Mr. Bai?”
“Yes.” Bai Xu. “All project plus Juesheng and Chairman Zhang files—I prep.”
Monday today—five days—enough.
Ugly truth upfront. “Best effort—can’t guarantee win.”
Never doubt self—but not his project—leave margin.
Yanxiao corner smile. “Relax—I’m here—consult anytime—if fail—I carry it.”
Bai Xu scent. “You’re going too? Not public?”
Yanxiao rare riddle. “Saturday you’ll know.”
Bai Xu hid curiosity—mouth hard. “Fine—not dying to know.”
Yanxiao light laugh. “Eat more.”
“Mm.”
Bai Xu beef bite—casual. “Also—Elent gone after one day?”
Yanxiao chopstick pause—eyes Xie Qi.
“……”
Xie Qi synced look—smooth. “Oh—Elent background check thin—social circle messy off duty. Third Young Master and I swapped—safety.”
---
Bai Xu odd. “Really?”
Yanxiao meticulous—Xie Qi style—wouldn’t sudden swap.
Yanxiao lip press—cover topic. “Eat—food cold—meds again later.”
Bai Xu hm—dropped it.
…
Night again.
Washed Bai Xu bed—tossing no sleep—quilt nose special scent—
Cream mint shower gel mix—light—oddly nice—deep breath linger.
“……”
Calming scent in chest—Bai Xu late realize—brow micro regret.
“Midnight—why am I lying here?”
Said it—sat up—looked around—restless—out room.
Soft door open—surprise—master door almost same beat—
Yanxiao washed out—met thin-pajama Bai Xu.
Bai Xu freeze step. “Soundproof—this bad?”
“……”
Bed tossing—collar open too much—Yanxiao awkward flash—more nervous.
“You still up—sick again?”
Bai Xu wave. “No—slept day—can’t sleep—going study for sleep book.”
Phone at night—worse awake.
Yanxiao. “Just moved in—study empty—no books.”
Bai Xu killed book idea—pivot. “Yanxiao—you sleepy?”
“Okay.”
“Maybe—” Bai Xu probe. “Chat? Maybe sleepy talking?”
Yanxiao dark laugh. “Using me as sleep tool?”
Bai Xu remembered dawn lights-out peace—heart skip beat.
Cough. “Sort—of?”
Yanxiao didn’t refuse. “Your room—late—chilly—don’t catch cold again.”
“Won’t—I’m not that weak.”
Mouth argued—obedient back to his room.
Yanxiao followed—chair pull. “Talk what?”
Bai Xu shameless bed flop—look him—unsure. “Your parents? Chairman Shang and Madam Chi—what were they like?”
Bai Xu parents divorced young—little mother memory—book few lines—but Yanxiao’s mother felt gentle in text.
Yanxiao didn’t expect start—pause seconds. “Dad like elders—business management abroad. Mom young—Huaguo classical dance troupe lead.”
“One year troupe overseas tour—Dad dragged by friend to watch.”
Bai Xu blanket roll side—interested. “Love at first sight?”
Yanxiao smiled. “Should be—Dad said many pursued Mom—he worked hard.”
No love experience—even famous Second Son Shang Qi ate bitterness.
Shang family love like Old Master—locked on—won’t let go!
Even Keyi and Wu Wei—most opposed—persisted to end.
Bai Xu further. “Chairman didn’t oppose?”
“Didn’t.”
Maternal grandparents artists—Chi Li their star daughter—excellent.
Chairman checked—relieved—Second Son never trouble—both families blessed wedding.
Bai Xu curious. “You two cute as kids? Madam not strict?”
Yanxiao. “I okay—Queyan wilder young—parents stable—almost never angry—”
Pause—remembered. “Once both mad—trip—I didn’t stop Queyan climbing tree—he slipped fell.”
“I tried catch—strength not enough.”
Bai Xu tense flash. “Result?”
Yanxiao helpless. “We both fell—I scraped forearm—stones cut—several stitches.”
Sleeve up—old scar.
Bai Xu brow knit. “Hurt bad?”
Yanxiao forgot pain. “Queyan worse—right leg fracture—snot tears.”
Both hurt—Third House couple mad urgent—harsh words—forbidden out till healed.
Bai Xu tension turned laugh. “Queyan wild—you unlucky collateral.”
---
“Little brother—what can you do—endure.”
Yanxiao smiled—pivot Bai Xu. “You?”
“……”
Bai Xu silent seconds—safe truth pick. “Can’t remember—no memory of mom—should be pretty gentle woman.”
Birth mother overseas career after divorce—no contact years.
Bai Xu knew her new life—never disturbed.
Yanxiao eyes dim. “Sorry.”
Bai Xu smile back. “Fine—I started—Yanxiao—”
Yanxiao eyes steady on his face. “Mm?”
Bai Xu say what think. “Before accident—family push marriage?”
Pre-transmigration same age ~27—elders wanted blind dates.
Bai Xu never cared romance—no crush—always laugh defer.
Yanxiao surprised again—honest. “Never thought about it—love marriage not necessity for me.”
Bai Xu expected—corner smile.
Same type—rather none than wrong.
Yanxiao continued. “Mom mentioned once or twice—asked what type I like—she’d help find.”
Bai Xu laughed. “What’d you say?”
Yanxiao saw fun face—words “I deflected” swallowed—changed.
“I told her—I don’t like girls.”
“……”
Bai Xu face lost control—shocked blank eyes wide.
Yanxiao watched—extra joke. “Else why Grandmother’s master matched our birth charts—and found a boy like you?”
“……”
Huh?
That layer too?
Sleep gone. “Shang—Yanxiao—you joking?”
Yanxiao unblinking—still teasing. “Mm—I told Mom—I like surface soft—inside competitive—smart—absolute common topic—even one look—”
Slow on purpose—deep eyes never left Bai Xu. “Know what I’m thinking.”
No invasion—but Bai Xu pinned in place.
Throat roll unbidden. “Oh—you—like that? I—I’m sleepy.”
Mismatch—rare muddle.
Yanxiao saw hidden nerves—laughed open.
“Bai Xu?”
“Huh?”
Bai Xu turn fake rub eyes. “Really sleepy.”
Yanxiao enough—stopped. “Teasing—why nervous?”
“……”
Bai Xu blank—got pranked—snap back. “Yanxiao!”
Joke face still—face save forced scold. “You—so—boring!”
Yanxiao neither deny. “Mm? Late—good night?”
Bai Xu blanket over head. “Who good night—you go.”
Yanxiao saw furious under covers—laugh—lights off. “Good night—sweet dreams.”
Stood—inner door convenient—handle down—blanket muffled back.
“Good night.”
…
Saturday—Bai Xu butler-prepared banquet wear—
New Country summer hotter—no suit three-piece—moonlight silk shirt—cool slick comfortable.
Collar no buttons—two wide sewn ties—easy knot—adjust front.
Mirror casual bow—not tight—slight collarbone peek.
“Decent.”
Mirror approve—brow up.
Knock knock.
Xie Qi outside. “Mr. Bai—may I enter?”
Bai Xu no turn. “Enter.”
Xie Qi large watch box—open before Bai Xu. “Mr. Bai—Third Young Master pick one wear.”
“……”
Eight luxury watches—millions to tens of millions.
Bai Xu scan—knows goods. “Must this show?”
Xie Qi. “Tonight banquet high spec—Third Young Master said—your face can’t lose.”
Business gala—women diamonds—men watches lapel pins—wealth shorthand.
Bai Xu got stakes. “Fine.”
Picked white-blue diamond—matches outfit.
Click.
Clasp light—
Price makes sound pretty.
Bai Xu rare rich feeling—quiet sigh. “Also—Yanxiao? Said he’d attend tonight?”
---
Checked time. “Five—should we go?”
Xie Qi closed box—mystery. “Mr. Bai—Third Young Master ready downstairs waiting.”
Curiosity up again. “Ready?”
Xie Qi nod. “Mm.”
“What’s the act—so secret.”
Mouth calm—steps faster.
Half spiral stairs—bar back far below—
Black thin shirt black pants—simple—body lines full show.
Shoulders waist legs—can’t look away—walking rack.
Stairs sound—Yanxiao turned. “Ready?”
Bai Xu faster down. “This is?”
Yanxiao cap mask black—full wrap. “How’s this—enough as your body double guard—blend into hall?”
All black—eyes deeper.
Bai Xu tiptoe—hook mask down. “Third Young Master—forgive me—you’re not guard material.”
“Dress plain cover tight—crowd you’re still brightest.”
Yanxiao heard praise—eyes bright. “So tonight—you cover me.”
Bai Xu smile—heels down. “Mm—I’ll try—but sure you want go?”
Yanxiao back business. “Real tycoons pick guards with taste.”
Like Chen Yufei—185+—suit stern—intimidating.
“Inside—you say I’m your escort—I play mute at side.”
Custom lapel pin on Bai Xu—“mini listener—scenes I can’t close—real-time your status.”
Bai Xu surprised. “Third Young Master—this prepared?”
“Just in case.”
Pin set—eyes slid up—
Few stairs—silk bow loose—collarbone and below half-hide half-show.
“……”
Yanxiao mind tight—hands faster.
Bai Xu felt tie pull—dodge back. “What?”
“Don’t move!”
Yanxiao close half step.
Fast retie—dead knot—cover all tease.
Bai Xu side unclear. “Yanxiao—not so high—too tight.”
Yanxiao confirmed—let go. “Fine—hall AC cold—shirt thin—cover proper.”
Bai Xu doubtful. “Thin jacket then?”
“Jacket ready—cold tell me—time go.” Yanxiao pivot—subtle lean close.
“Young master?”
“……”
Low voice in ear.
Bai Xu heard title—close face—answer float. “Mm?”
Yanxiao asked. “I can’t talk much tonight—all you lead—okay?”