Chapter 35

The man looked barely past thirty—bespoke champagne suit, female companion, assistant—big entourage energy.
Zhang offered his hand first. “Chairman Chu—good evening.”
“Chairman Zhang—too kind.”
Chu Yuncheng returned the handshake briefly, cold glance at his assistant behind him. “My people dropped the ball—didn’t notify you the moment you arrived.”
Assistant trembled, head down, taking the blame. “Sorry, Chairman Chu—my mistake.”
Zhang smoothed it over. “Hey—I’m no VIP. I show up, I show up—no need for you to greet me personally. Don’t stand on ceremony.”
“Chairman Zhang is modest.”
“...”
Bai Xu listened to the pleasantries, sizing Chu up without being obvious.
Narrow eyes—hard to get along with. Every gesture screamed superiority and arrogance.
Zhang felt Bai Xu’s silence. “Let me introduce you—Little Chairman Bai, this is the Chu family’s eldest son, Chu Yuncheng—GM of Chu Group Investment.”
“Chairman Chu, this is Little Chairman Bai of Zhouye Investment—we just met ourselves.”
Courtesy demanded a faint smile. “Chairman Chu—first time—hello.”
Bai Xu offered his hand.
Chu Yuncheng didn’t return the courtesy—let it hang.
He scanned Bai Xu head to toe, raised his glass instead. “Little Chairman Bai? Face I don’t know—name I’ve never heard.”
Bai Xu withdrew calmly, not stooping to his level. “I’m from Huaguo—only in New Country a short while. Normal you wouldn’t know me.”
“No wonder.”
Chu tossed it off, looked back at Zhang. “Chairman Zhang—I was busy lately. How about tomorrow, Sunday—we set a time? Talk your AW project in detail?”
“...”
Bai Xu’s expression shifted instantly.
Zhang felt the weight of that stare, glanced back.
Chu caught the micro-exchange. “What—Little Chairman Bai interested in this project too?”
Zhang had his merchant playbook. “Little Chairman Bai brought it up—we were just chatting.”
“Oh? Chatting’s fine.” Chu laughed—preemptive edge in his tone.
“I trust Chairman Zhang knows—your project, across all New Country, Chu Group is top-tier partner material.”
Zhang skipped the circles. “If Chairman Chu is serious—that’s good.”
“Of course—I’ll have our assistants schedule?”
“Good.”
Before the words settled, another voice nearby—“Chairman Zhang!”
Zhang spotted a friend—excuse to exit the invisible battlefield. “Gentlemen—I’ll step away.”
Bai Xu nodded. “Chairman Zhang—at your leisure. I’ll visit another day.”
Zhang didn’t mind Chu still standing there. “Good.”
Meanwhile the assistant in back got a phone message, leaned in and whispered to Chu Yuncheng.
“...”
Chu’s face darkened. His gaze on Bai Xu turned blunt. “Little Chairman Bai?”
Bai Xu read the shift. “Chairman Chu—what’s the word?”
“Not a lecture—just a reminder.” Chu stepped half a pace closer. “As a Huaguo asset man, New Country isn’t easy pickings for you.”
“Don’t want projects you shouldn’t want. Don’t touch business you shouldn’t touch. Clear?”
Low volume—bare threat.
“Projects I want. People I want—unless I don’t want them, some new face doesn’t get to meddle.”
Repeated contempt—cold settled in Bai Xu’s chest. “Oh? Noted.”
He steadied, smiled with needles inside. “Chairman Chu—big talk. Impressive. Most people don’t have that.”
Last line double-edged—sounded like pure sarcasm.
Chu frowned. “You—”
—clink!
Bai Xu lightly tapped his champagne against Chu’s—cutting him off. “Sorry—excuse me.”
He turned fast—not one spare glance.
Chu watched the easy exit—punch into cotton. He downed champagne, fingers digging into his companion’s waist to vent.
She hurt—held it in.
Chu told his assistant. “Schedule tomorrow’s meeting with Chairman Zhang’s people—ASAP.”
“Yes.”
...
Bai Xu returned to the lounge, dumped the “toast” champagne in the trash without expression.
Only facing Yanxiao did the real mood show. “Another rich-kid asshole who thinks the world owes him.”
Yanxiao removed his earpiece. “Don’t waste energy on that type.”
Bai Xu knew nothing about this sudden player. “You never heard of him?”
“Heard of Chu Group in New Country—not much detail. Never had project contact. I had Xie Qi run background on Chu Yuncheng.”
Unfortunate twist—they’d saved a young actress and walked straight into this mess.
Bai Xu swallowed irritation. “Xie Qi’s file never mentioned Chu Yuncheng wanting to work with Zhang Songyang.”
“True—I only learned tonight.”
Yanxiao’s brow creased, then cleared. “Probably not finalized—both sides keeping quiet for stability.”
Bai Xu added, “Right—before Chu walked up, Zhang clearly wanted to go deeper with us.”
“Zhang’s a doctor by training—but now he’s a chairman running a company. Business means comparing options—finding the best fit.”
Nobody’s stupid.
If talks with Chu Group went south, you needed a backup.
Zhang had played both sides—polite, subtle leverage—standard field tactics. Harmless.
Yanxiao checked the time. “Stay longer? I think tonight with Zhang ends here.”
Chu had moved openly—shown intent to partner. In public, Zhang couldn’t deepen anything with them now.
Bai Xu had zero love for glittering rooms full of strangers. “Go home? Not much fun.”
Yanxiao texted Chen Yufei. “Half an hour—then we leave.”
“Okay.”
...
Half an hour later—hotel underground parking.
Bai Xu and Yanxiao got in one after another. Doors shut—Xie Qi turned from the front. “Third Young Master, Little Chairman Bai—rough night?”
“Drive first.”
Yanxiao told Chen Yufei, pulled off his mask. “Talk at home.”
Bai Xu explained. “Hit a snag—long story. How’s the Chu family background check?”
Xie Qi checked the time. “Sent people already—should have something when we’re home.”
Before he finished—Chen Yufei braked hard.
—screech!
All three lurched forward. Yanxiao had buckled first—twisted to shield Bai Xu.
“Bai Xu—you okay?”
“...”
Bai Xu’s head hit the seat back—dizzy wave. He waved it off. “Fine.”
Yanxiao’s face wasn’t pretty. “What happened?”
Steady Chen Yufei flustered—explaining fast. “Third Young Master, Little Chairman Bai—sorry—a sports car cut in front.”
One second later—collision.
Bai Xu and Yanxiao looked through the windshield. Silver-red supercar dead ahead—dangerously close.
Yanxiao alert. “Careful.”
Beep beep.
Chen honked twice.
Within five seconds—a young man in a red suit got out.
Feeling their eyes, he leaned on his door, flashed a playful “surrender” gesture.
Xie Qi rolled the window down. “Sir, you—”
Red suit—light. “Sorry—rushed. I’m looking for someone—two words and I’m gone.”
He walked over step by step.
Bai Xu watched the distance shrink—confusion spiking. Then knocks on his window.
Tap. Tap-tap. Tap-tap-tap.
Cheerful rhythm—cut the frozen air.
“...”
Bai Xu and Yanxiao exchanged a look. Window down halfway.
Up close—mixed-race face. Green eyes, roguish smile—flashy, not hostile.
Red suit bent slightly—quick glance at Yanxiao inside. Mask back on. Eyes forward—half a profile only.
“...”
Green eyes flickered—more interest on Bai Xu. “Little Chairman Bai—first time. Sorry for the scare.”
Bai Xu’s look asked silently: Who are you?
Red suit raised a brow—meaningful. “I know what you wanted with Juesheng’s Chairman Zhang. I can bridge you.”
Bai Xu’s eyes sharpened. “Oh?”
He pulled a scrap of paper—a phone number scribbled on it. “Tomorrow two-thirty—they’ll be at Steven Private Golf Course. If you trust me, call anytime before that.”
“...”
Bai Xu took it—wouldn’t trust a stranger who walked up cold.
Red suit didn’t care about the guard. “You will. I’ll move—clear your lane.”
True to word—back in the car, gone from the garage.
Window up.
Bai Xu handed the slip to Yanxiao. “Who is he?”
Yanxiao didn’t know either. “Whoever he is—he was watching you, Zhang Songyang, and Chu Yuncheng from somewhere.”
Bai Xu clicked. “If he wants to help us connect—does that mean he doesn’t want Zhang and Chu to deal?”
Enemy of an enemy—maybe a friend?
“Too early to call.”
Yanxiao stayed strict about gifts from strangers. “Home first. Investigate everyone—we’ll get answers.”
“Mm.”
...
Home past nine.
Upstairs together—before his room, Bai Xu called out. “Shang Yanxiao—wait.”
Yanxiao stopped. “What?”
Bai Xu smiled, pointed at cap and mask. “We’re home—still wearing those? Not suffocating?”
Yanxiao remembered—removed them. “Forgot.”
He’d taken them off in the car—put them back on for the man in red.
Yanxiao felt Bai Xu’s eyes still on his face. “What?”
“Here.”
Bai Xu reached out—teasing. “Mask left a red line here. Kind of cute~”
Soft fingertips almost brushed his cheek—didn’t quite touch—still raised a faint itch, unsettling.
Yanxiao caught the wandering fingers. “Bai Xu.”
“...”
Fingertip on fingertip—calluses meeting.
The weird sensation startled Bai Xu. He tried to pull free—underestimated Yanxiao’s grip. Didn't budge.
“Shang Yanxiao?”
Ordinary name—rare uncertainty in it.
Yanxiao released his fingers, swallowed without showing it. “Tired? Rest early if you are.”
Bai Xu cleared his throat. “I’m fine—aren’t we waiting on Xie Qi’s background file? I’ll shower first.”
“Sure.”
Door closed.
Alone, Bai Xu rubbed his fingertips, shook off the stray thought, headed for the bathroom.
Seconds later—muttering in the shower. “What’s Yanxiao doing? Why’d he tie this in a dead knot?”
...
Shower done—pajamas on—study light on to the right of the stairs.
He approached, knocked on the cracked door. “Shang Yanxiao?”
“Come in.”
Xie Qi inside. “Little Chairman Bai—perfect timing. I was about to brief Third Young Master on the Chu family.”
Yanxiao eyed the seat beside him. “Sit.”
Bai Xu sat—steaming oat milk on the desk. “Milk too?”
Xie Qi answered for him. “Third Young Master had staff make it—helps you sleep.”
Bai Xu cupped the warm glass—warmth reached somewhere deeper.
“Thanks~”
He smiled at Yanxiao—no outer cold act—voice soft.
Yanxiao smiled back. “Xie Qi—what’d you find?”
Xie Qi said, “Chu Group is a major New Country conglomerate—started in mining, expanded into everything. Family business.”
Bai Xu looked at Yanxiao. “Sounds like the Shang family?”
“Comparable.”
Xie Qi continued. “Current chairman is Chu Tian—Chu Yuncheng’s biological father. Seventy this year.”
Bai Xu wasn’t surprised. “How old is Chu Yuncheng? Chu Chairman married late?”
“Thirty-two. Famous playboy in his early twenties—only started serious group work four or five years ago.”
Yanxiao read it clear. “Old Chairman Chu should retire soon. If Yuncheng doesn’t take over and learn operations, the collateral branch gets the prize.”
Xie Qi nodded—but added. “Probably not just collateral watching him.”
Bai Xu caught the subtext. “Meaning? Other brothers?”
Xie Qi flipped the tablet—handed over the one photo they had. “Chu Yuncheng has a half-brother—seven or eight years younger. Chairman Chu divorced his first wife, had a late son with another woman.”
Group photo on screen.
Center—Chu Tian, Chu Group chairman. Left—eldest Chu Yuncheng. Right—
Bai Xu recognized the mixed face, looked at Yanxiao. “Parking lot guy?”
Yanxiao surprised too. “Yeah.”
Xie Qi said, “Name’s Yate. Mother German—Chairman Chu hired her as interpreter on a Germany trip.”
Plain version—affair outside work. Never marriage.
Project ended—they parted ways.
“But the woman showed up after Yate was born. Didn’t want Chu Tian to marry her—just regular child support.”
Chu Tian confirmed blood relation—overjoyed. Didn’t hide it—publicly claimed the son.
These years Chu Yate split time between New Country and Germany—acknowledged second young master inside and outside the family.
Yanxiao guessed. “Those two probably don’t get along?”
Xie Qi said, “Never have—especially after Yate graduated and started taking projects in Chu Group.”
Retirement looming—brothers fighting in the open.
Bai Xu sipped milk—confirmed. “What did I say? Enemy of my enemy.”
Xie Qi had long served Yanxiao—anticipation built in. “Third Young Master—I checked while at it—”
“Steven Private Golf Course is ultra-exclusive—luxury membership only.”
“Needs a one-to-one sponsor nomination. Annual spend threshold to enter. We can’t buy our way in right now.”
Bai Xu raised a brow. “So we only get in through Chu Yate?”
No wonder the man said they’d call eventually.
If Chu Yuncheng and Zhang Songyang had a firm Sunday meeting at that course—Third House’s window was closing.
Bai Xu decided fast. “Shang Yanxiao—should I contact him?”
Yanxiao knew it was the only path left in time. “Yes. Have Xie Qi reach out as your assistant.”
Bai Xu didn’t overthink. “Mm—works.”
...
Luofu Manor, western New City—Steven Private Golf Course.
Yanxiao back in bodyguard gear, pulled up at the first gate.
Uniformed guard approached, knocked on the window. “Hello—ID check please.”
Bai Xu rolled it down. “Zhouye Investment, Bai Xu—invited by Mr. Chu Yate.”
Guard had the memo from his supervisor—eyes on the driver. “Little Chairman Bai—you’re Mr. Chu’s guest. Your driver probably can’t pass.”
If Bai Xu were a senior member—bodyguard, driver, assistant all cleared. Guest invite—no escort rights.
Guard kept it polite. “We have shuttle and guest lounge—could the driver wait there?”
“...”
Yanxiao glanced over—speechless.
First time in his life—turned away for identity. Absurd.
Bai Xu hid a laugh, polite to the dutiful guard. “One moment—I’ll call Mr. Chu Yate?”
Guard didn’t refuse. “Of course.”
Bai Xu dialed, explained, handed the phone to the guard. “Please listen.”
Guard took it politely.
Apparently Yate approved—after hang-up, guard stepped aside. Car through.
“Little Chairman Bai—Mr. Chu Yate waits at A3 lounge. Follow signs.”
“Thanks.”
Course was huge—fifteen minutes to A3 lounge.
Both got out, walked in. Door pushed—whistle from the bar.
Bai Xu turned—Chu Yate’s mixed-race grin.
Still red head to toe—glass raised. “Little Chairman Bai—under twenty-four hours—we meet again.”
Bai Xu signaled Yanxiao follow, extended hand. “Mr. Chu Yate—formal hello.”
“Zhouye Investment, Bai Xu—hello.”
“Hello.”
Yate shook friendly—eyes jumped back.
Bai Xu followed his gaze, introduced Yanxiao. “My assistant and bodyguard—I’ve been weak since childhood, need someone when I go out. Thanks for bending the rules earlier.”
Yanxiao—cap, mask—silent pillar beside him.
“Don’t mention it.”
Yate’s smiling eyes swept Yanxiao—casual sip. “Whether it’s Little Chairman Bai’s face or Third Young Master Shang’s—I give both.”