Chapter 36

“...”
One light sentence—enough to raise a storm.
Bai Xu’s smile pulled back. Yanxiao’s eyes under the cap turned sharp.
Yate felt the chill from both—still easy. “No malice. Putting cards on the table makes what comes next work better.”
“If I’m not wrong, you dug up my file last night? Fair’s fair—I didn’t come in blind either.”
He picked up two clean glasses, poured open whiskey. “Try it? Good bottle.”
Bai Xu took the glass without a flicker. “Mr. Chu Yate—how much do you know about me?”
“Me”—not “us.”
Yanxiao stood behind Bai Xu—alarm ringing—but didn’t confirm identity yet.
Yate wasn’t rushed—cooperative. “Last night when things happened in the corridor—I was in the next lounge.”
Door cracked—you saw everything.
“That actress is Qiao Xin—new to the industry. Chu Yuncheng’s recent target.”
Yate and Yuncheng had been enemies since childhood—knew each other’s moves roughly.
“That man was right—few in New City or New Country dare cross the Chu family. Only Little Chairman Bai, fearless, stepped in.”
Last night any other guest—Qiao Xin wouldn’t have escaped Yuncheng.
Yate had heard early from his assistant she was brought to the banquet—estimated the fallout.
But he wasn’t Bai Xu-good.
One—no reason to fight Yuncheng over a stranger.
Two—he wanted media to blast Yuncheng for late-night actress scandal—make elders unhappy.
Bai Xu and Yanxiao ruined Yuncheng’s fun—and broke Yate’s dirty scheme too.
“Later I saw Little Chairman Bai go straight to Chairman Zhang—zero interest in anyone else. Guessed your real reason for the banquet.”
“...”
Bai Xu didn’t answer—admitted the man had sharp eyes.
Yate drank. “I don’t care about Zhang’s project—I just don’t want my nominal big brother to win. Call me a troublemaker.”
Even without Bai Xu—he’d quietly boost anyone competing with Yuncheng.
Bai Xu swirled his glass. “I hear plenty in New City want Zhang’s deal—why pick me first?”
Yate smiled—threw it back. “Little Chairman Bai—you’re smart. Not hard to guess.”
Then looked at Yanxiao in back.
Yanxiao felt the stare—dark flash—
Not hard to guess.
Chu Group too strong in New Country. Once Yuncheng publicly claimed Zhang—every hungry company would back off.
Even if Yate wanted to help secretly—few would touch that water.
Better to bet on Bai Xu from Huaguo—especially after the Qiao Xin incident already offended Yuncheng.
Yanxiao’s read—Bai Xu had it too.
“I just arrived in New Country. Zhouye Investment is nobody in Huaguo either.”
Bai Xu deliberately lowered himself. “Why bet I’d fight Yuncheng for this project? What if I backed off too?”
Yate teased. “Then why show today? Your presence is the answer.”
Yanxiao’s stare deepened.
“...”
Bai Xu forgot that—small sip to hide it.
He missed the warning behind him. Yate caught the hostility—joke face sobered.
“Truth then—I didn’t know much about Little Chairman Bai at first. Worried you might not have the nerve.”
Until Yate found last night’s server—
“Little Chairman Bai’s bodyguard was fierce—big presence. Different clothes—you’d think VIP guest.”
One line—assistant ran it fast.
“Heard Third House of Huaguo’s Shang family had trouble—favorite Third Young Master Shang Yanxiao in a coma from a crash—months unresponsive—even got an arranged marriage.”
“Ten days ago Shang family spent heavy to send Third Young Master to New Country for treatment. His marriage partner Little Chairman Bai showed up at a business banquet he shouldn’t be at.”
“Most importantly—a bodyguard matching Third Young Master’s build. Too many coincidences, no?”
“...”
Said that plainly—pretending was pointless.
Yanxiao removed cap and mask—cold handsome face exposed. “You know who I am. What now, Mr. Chu Yate?”
Yate brighter when he admitted openly. “Relax—I never planned blackmail. Chu and Shang families have something in common, yeah?”
Guard against outsiders—guard harder against your own house.
Yate guessed Yanxiao’s disguise was against Shang family—no reason for an outsider to meddle.
“Plain talk—old man retires soon. One enemy in front of me.”
Yate pushed the remaining whiskey over. “I want allies—not pain.”
Zhouye Investment might be small—the Shang Third House behind it wasn’t.
“If Little Chairman Bai and Third Young Master block Yuncheng and Chairman Zhang—whenever you need me later, ask.”
“My target is Chu Group chairman. Third Young Master has his own ambitions in Huaguo, right?”
Unsaid—clear enough.
“No conflicting interests—plenty of win-win ahead. What do you say?”
Bai Xu had to admit—smart partner. Equal exchange—stable alliance.
But Third House needed this project.
He wouldn’t decide for Yanxiao—turned, waiting.
Yanxiao felt the look—met his eyes. “Little Chairman Bai—your call?”
Bai Xu blinked. “Hm?”
In front of Yate, Yanxiao handed him the wheel. “Our house—you’ve always been the one who decides?”
Bai Xu silently asked: Have we?
Yanxiao’s face said always. Told Yate, “I follow him.”
Yate wanted to speak—felt fed dog food instead. “You two—pretty solid, huh?”
“...”
Couple?
First time someone used that word for him and Yanxiao—strange little flutter.
“I think Mr. Chu Yate’s offer works.”
Bai Xu heard Yanxiao’s hint—shifted topic. “At least we still get face time with Chairman Zhang on this project.”
Yanxiao took the glass—calm toast. “Pleasure doing business, Chairman Chu.”
Not “Second Young Master Chu”—business title. Hit Yate’s sweet spot.
Yate satisfied. “Chairman Shang, Little Chairman Bai—cheers to partnership?”
—clink!
Three glasses—verbal deal sealed.
While Yanxiao wasn’t looking, Bai Xu downed half a glass—burn but good. “Chairman Chu’s whiskey—quality!”
Yanxiao missed the steal—helpless. “Watch your stomach.”
Bai Xu said, “Allergy’s gone—a little won’t hurt.”
Yate didn’t interrupt the sweetness—waited two seconds. “Standing long—sit?”
“Sure.”
Bai Xu on the sofa, looked at endless fairway through the window. “Chairman Chu—they really coming today?”
“Yeah.”
Yate certain. “Confirmed with course manager again—still two-thirty. We came early—won’t look too forced.”
“That so?”
Bai Xu teased. “One look from you near Yuncheng—he’ll suspect your motive.”
Yate clicked tongue. “Little Chairman Bai—see through me, don’t say it. Today’s your stage—handle it. I’ll keep a low profile.”
He eyed Bai Xu’s athletic wear. “You play golf, Little Chairman Bai?”
“Heads-up—I hate Yuncheng’s personality, but his game is solid. Chairman Zhang’s been a golf nut two years running.”
Besides banquets—bond over hobbies, success rate climbs.
Yanxiao heard the question—curious look at Bai Xu.
He’d forgotten to ask.
From what he knew of the Bai family—no access to this kind of sport.
Bai Xu felt both stares—calm. “Me? Passable. Swing a few if needed—even if I lose—”
Pause—joke. “I’ll say I want lessons from Chairman Zhang—more face time.”
Adapt—or stay small.
“...”
Yate stunned—silent thumbs-up to Bai Xu’s brain.
Yanxiao caught the cute under the banter—hid widening smile behind his drink.
Buzz.
Yate’s phone vibrated.
Glance—stood. “They’re here—A2 course. Shuttle over.”
“Okay.”
Bai Xu nodded—worried about Yanxiao. “You coming?”
Yanxiao thought—Yate answered first. “Third Young Master—cap and mask back on. Bodyguard follow—stand far.”
“Yuncheng doesn’t have my eyes. Arrogant—might ignore Little Chairman Bai—let alone your escort.”
“And if he sees me—half his attention goes to mocking me.”
Yanxiao heard that—odd calm. “I’ll follow. Just in case.”
Bai Xu thought. “Okay.”
...
Vast fairway edge.
Chu Yuncheng’s opening drive near perfect—proud. “Chairman Zhang—your turn.”
Unlike his ease—Zhang Songyang’s brow held a knot. He entered the tee box, gripped the club in silence.
Seconds ticked.
The instant Zhang swung—Yuncheng asked, almost vicious, “Chairman Zhang—what do you think of my proposal?”
—thwack!
Club face off—ball traced a weak arc, dropped soft.
Yuncheng’s faint laugh. “Chairman Zhang—off today.”
“...”
Silence spread.
Zhang signaled the caddie away—couldn’t hold back. “Chairman Chu—I genuinely want to partner with Chu Group.”
Yuncheng nodded casually. “I know. I’m more sincere than you, no?”
“Chu Group takes majority stake—Juesheng supports. Whatever capital you need—not a problem.”
Temporary, excessive terms—Zhang’s face tightened—
Give up majority—Juesheng loses decision power on the project. Against everything he wanted.
He’d fought to lock AW’s letter of intent—not to dress someone else’s bride.
Yuncheng saw hesitation—pressed harder. “Chairman Zhang—you know. If I say I want Juesheng Medical, nobody in New Country dares cut in.”
“Your AW intent period—one month? Miss the deadline—everything wasted.”
“Sadly—Juesheng alone probably can’t raise that much short-term, right?”
“...”
Threat and truth.
Every word stuck in Zhang’s throat—no reply.
Yuncheng swapped clubs, lined up again. “Chairman Zhang—ambition’s good. Know who you’re standing in front of.”
“What Chu Yuncheng wants—from childhood to projects after taking the company—I never play the dependent.”
—thwack!
Another clean shot.
Yuncheng confirmed perfection—turned, more arrogant toward Zhang. “Chairman Zhang—you need Chu Group—not me begging you.”
“I could wait until after the deadline—but that’s courtesy to you. Trying to cooperate in good faith?”
“...”
Good faith?
All the polite talk before—act. This negotiation—raw and ruthless.
Zhang was a gentleman at core—years in business smoothed edges—still couldn’t match this aggression.
“Chairman Zhang—your answer?”
“...”
Nearly fifty—silenced by a younger man? Steady as Zhang was—face burned.
Honk from the lane nearby—broke the freezing air.
Then a light greeting. “Well, well—fancy meeting you.”
Yuncheng and Zhang looked—expressions split.
Yuncheng locked on Chu Yate stepping off the shuttle first—disgust barely hidden. “What are you doing here?”
“Interesting question, big brother.” Yate met the displeasure—needle in the reply. “You’re a member. So am I. Why can’t I come?”
Eyes on Zhang. “Juesheng Medical’s Chairman Zhang? Hello.”
Zhang suppressed complexity—polite nod. “Hello.”
Next second his gaze passed Yate—landed on a familiar face. “Little Chairman Bai?”
Bai Xu and Yanxiao traded a look. Bai Xu stepped up alone. “Chairman Zhang—what a coincidence.”
Yate played along—feigned surprise. “Bai Xu—you know Chairman Zhang?”
Zhang met Bai Xu’s friendly smile—tension eased slightly. “We met at last night’s banquet.”
Yate nodded like he just learned. “I see.”
“Bai Xu and I are old friends—free today to practice. Didn’t like the next hole—switched over—ran into you.”
Bai Xu heard the nonsense—didn’t deny.
Yuncheng tasted being ignored.
He stared at smooth-talking Yate—then swung displeasure at Bai Xu. “Little Chairman Bai—Huaguo man—since when are you old friends with my little brother?”
Bai Xu smiled back. “Chairman Chu—beachfront property? That much scope?”
“...”
“Met Mr. Chu Yate in Germany—years ago. Thick as thieves~”
Sharp comeback—bullshit fluent.
Yate couldn’t hold it— laughed out loud. “Big brother—I don’t need your permission to make friends, do I?”
Yuncheng’s face worsened—they were tag-teaming him.
Zhang felt the tension between the three.
Glanced at Yuncheng—warm invite instead. “Little Chairman Bai—why not stay and play with us?”
Normally—partnership talks don’t include third parties.
But Yuncheng had grabbed the wheel—majority demand Zhang couldn’t fight. Didn’t want to lose face and agree.
Bai Xu and Yate’s arrival—timely escape from talk he didn’t want.
Yuncheng frowned. “Chairman Zhang—this is our meeting.”
“Big brother—don’t be petty.” Yate stabbed again—played generous. “Put today’s tab on me. Golf’s better with a crowd.”
“...”
“New here—my game’s rusty.” Bai Xu joined the act—retreat to advance. “I’ll watch Chairman Zhang play? I’ll cover the bill.”
Yuncheng’s grip on the club tightened—mocking. “Who’s short on cash?”
After the hidden jabs—resentment full. “Little Chairman Bai—forget what I told you last night?”
Not the first time this man ruined his plans.
Yuncheng raised the club—pointed at Bai Xu. “What Chu Yuncheng wants—nobody else gets a sip.”
He wasn’t stupid—saw why Bai Xu and Yate were here.
Yanxiao saw the threat—face under the mask iced. Step forward—
Same instant—Yate knocked the club aside. “Big brother—what’s this?”
Roguish eyes turned serious. “In front of Chairman Zhang—be polite to my friend. Don’t embarrass everyone.”
After all—Zhang had invited them to stay.
Zhang caught the hint—cleared throat. “Chairman Chu—we’re here to play—don’t ruin the mood.”
“Play?” Yuncheng bit down rage. “Fine.”
He planted the club—looked across the course. “Then let skill talk—so nobody thinks I bully with power.”
Zhang said, “Chairman Chu—too harsh.”
Yuncheng ignored the smoothing—hostile eyes on Bai Xu again. “Little Chairman Bai—a match?”
Bai Xu didn’t flinch. “Match what?”
“Stroke play—five holes. Fewer strokes wins the hole. Quick. Loser—”
Yuncheng—sure he'd win—forced the invite. "Disappears from the other's sight. Immediately."