Chapter 37

"..."
Chu Yuncheng's tone was pure arrogance—bare provocation.
Zhang Songyang never thought a casual invite would lead to this. "Chairman Chu—friendly sparring is enough. No need to make it this serious."
Chu Yate jumped in. "Big brother—Bai Xu doesn't know this course. Those terms the moment he steps up—isn't that too sharp?"
Zhang's golf wasn't bad—this was his home turf. The match wasn't fair.
"Too sharp?"
Chu Yuncheng heard a joke, spun his club. "Business fights are sharper than this, Little Chairman Bai. You wouldn't lack the nerve for that, would you?"
Stroke play between two—fast, psychological. High pressure.
"Don't want to play?" Chu saw Bai Xu silent—gestured him out. "Leave now."
Next second—Bai Xu answered light. "Chairman Chu—I'll play you."
Chu Yuncheng didn't expect acceptance—pride flickered.
Bai Xu stepped closer. "But I've never tried this course. Warm up two or three swings first? No objection, Chairman Chu?"
Chu Yate feared Yuncheng would nitpick—jumped in. "What's to object? Big brother wouldn't be that petty."
Chu Yuncheng cold snort—didn't refuse.
In his head—Bai Xu was a half-baked newbie showing off for Zhang, tag-teaming with Yate to block him.
Confident in his game. The harder Bai Xu talked now—the uglier the loss later.
Bai Xu returned to Yanxiao. Yanxiao handed over club set from the shuttle—bought last minute, never broken in.
"Bai Xu—can you?" Yanxiao kept voice low. "Want me to go instead?"
Golf showed up at business retreats sometimes. Yanxiao had learned—played amateur matches.
Background said Bai Xu had zero golf contact.
Bai Xu matched his volume. "You're a 'bodyguard' stepping in now—eighty-nine percent we blow cover."
"Chu Yuncheng and Chu Yate aren't the same—can't really be allies. Watch yourself."
Yanxiao understood—brow didn't ease.
Bai Xu slid on sports wrist guards, met his focused eyes. "Shang Yanxiao—face matters. Lose the ball, don't lose the man. And..."
Yanxiao tracked his mood. "And what?"
"How do you know I can't?"
Bai Xu picked the best-feeling club—confidence in his eyes. "I need you to believe me."
Yanxiao's heartbeat skipped—found something bigger than winning. "Of course I do."
...
Bai Xu walked back with the club.
Chu Yuncheng raised a brow. "Little Chairman Bai—don't drag. Warm up—we finish fast."
Bai Xu ignored the hidden impatience—found his tee.
Side stance. Arms down—swing angle set. Movements fluent and standard—not rookie at all.
"..."
Zhang and Yate lit up. Chu Yuncheng's brow creased.
—thwack!
Instant result.
Chu's brow eased—faint sneer. "Little Chairman Bai—don't tense. That shot went absurdly wide."
"..."
Bai Xu unmoved—kept adjusting.
Unfamiliar course—true. New clubs—true.
Whatever Chu mocked—he allowed himself three warm-up mulligans.
Next ball—grazed the hole.
Chu saw it—more relaxed. "Little Chairman Bai—keep going. One swing left."
Zhang frowned—Chu's voice grating.
Beside him Yate lost all joke—eyes locked on Bai Xu's practice, heart on the outcome.
Thwack!
Another swing!
Yanxiao stood at the high vantage behind—watched Bai Xu's near-perfect form—settled—
This ball—no deviation. Rolled in clean.
Yate shouted. "Beautiful!"
Chu Yuncheng narrowed eyes—lucky cat hit a dead mouse. "Short putt—what's there to cheer?"
Bai Xu pretended not to hear. "Chairman Chu—only five holes? Rules?"
Chu had the caddie prep—proud gesture. "Simple. Same distance, five holes. Fewer strokes wins the hole. Total holes taken wins."
Simplified—but same core.
Bai Xu agreed. "Fine. Chairman Chu first?"
Chu wanted first strike—didn't offer. "Good."
Match on.
Chu picked his tee in the box—easy first swing—
Thwack! Perfect hole!
Expected result—Chu satisfied. "Little Chairman Bai—your turn."
Bai Xu stepped up—prepped—first swing. Short on power—ball stopped a few inches out.
"Tsk~"
Chu subtle sound. "Looks like I take hole one. Good start."
Bai Xu's chest tightened—blank face—yielded the tee.
Chu second swing—another crisp hole.
Yate and Zhang exchanged glances—silent sweat for Bai Xu:
However much they hated Chu's arrogance—his game was real.
Bai Xu met Chu's eyes—walked up again. Side stance—breath—full focus—second swing.
Whoosh! Short hole—in!
Yate exhaled. "This hole tied?"
Chu didn't deny. "Early days. What's the rush?"
Second hole even—but he still led one hole.
Bai Xu's unstable play—next three holes he'd crumble. Distance grows—he'd choke.
Chu swung with that thought—
"..."
Bai Xu read his form—eyes flashed.
Yanxiao far back caught it too—angle too wide. Won't go in.
Ball flew wide of the hole—rolled and rolled.
Chu felt the miss—breath heavy. Met Bai Xu's eyes—didn't admit. "Little Chairman Bai—your turn."
Bai Xu didn't engage—found his tee.
Chu missed first—Bai Xu didn't slow down. Angle, position—swing.
Thwack!
Perfect arc—eyes on it—silky hole.
Zhang knew the weight. "Little Chairman Bai—that was something!"
Found the rhythm—zero amateur shadow.
Hole winner tees first.
Bai Xu didn't let Chu set pace—glanced once—repositioned—fourth swing.
Chu felt dismissed—grinding teeth. "Think you can chain holes?"
Before the words landed—Bai Xu chained another—slapped his face hard.
"Yes!"
Yate laughed—gloated at Yuncheng. "Big brother—miss this one and Bai Xu leads by a hole."
They were never close—needles constant.
"Chu Yate—shut up!"
Chu's face sank—anger showing—brushed past Bai Xu—teed up.
Yate wouldn't stop. "Big brother—don't tense. Take your time."
Chu felt the eyes—grip tightened.
"..."
Nervous? Miss? Impossible!
Thought formed—swing—
Wrong. More you care—worse you fail. Ball sailed ten thousand miles—splashed into water hazard.
Splash.
Distant spray—like ice water head to toe.
One hole left—but best outcome now was a tie. No clean sweep.
What's the difference from losing?
Chu burned—looked at assistant watching from sidelines. "Get over here—new club!"
Assistant scrambled over with the big bag. "Ch-Chairman Chu."
Assistant looked around—hard lie. "You have a cross-border video call at four—time's almost up. Maybe call it today?"
"..."
That sore a loser?
Bai Xu smiled at the lame excuse.
Yate wouldn't miss it. "Barely past three—what's the rush?"
"And big brother booked Chairman Zhang for talks—couldn't stagger the schedule?"
"Big brother—not trying to run, are you?"
"..."
Taunts—Chu choked—couldn't swallow, couldn't spit—
Play on—lose the match. Leave—lose face anyway.
Chu Yuncheng had never been this trapped—he built the trap himself.
Zhang didn't want Chu brother drama. "Chairman Chu—company calls matter. High-level play today—enough. Save suspense for next time?"
Chu crushed teeth for dignity. "Chairman Zhang—I go first. Another day."
Zhang nodded. "Good."
Bai Xu watched Chu flee—suppressed anger finally cleared.
He turned to Zhang. "Chairman Zhang—bathroom break. If you're not rushed—come back, play a couple holes with me?"
Zhang said, "Sure."
He hadn't played much today—Bai Xu's skill made him itch.
Yate volunteered. "Bai Xu—rest up. I'll keep Chairman Zhang company."
"Mm."
Bai Xu excused himself.
Turned to Yanxiao still holding position—tension snapped—steps unconsciously faster.
Yanxiao met his eyes—smile loosened under the cap brim.
Bai Xu tossed him the club. "See? Told you to believe me."
Yanxiao caught—praised. "Little Chairman Bai's game was a surprise. Zero amateur look."
No act in front of him—long exhale. "Warm-up swings were rusty—I almost thought I'd lose ugly. Palms sweating the whole time."
In his original world Bai Xu had wide hobbies.
System training in fencing, golf, equestrian, tennis—not expert—enough.
"Chu Yuncheng's better than me. Full stroke play today—I'd probably lose. Too bad he's arrogant."
Insult was the goal—Chu picked simplified match play, five holes—lower difficulty, gave Bai Xu a window.
More importantly—Chu thought he'd win. Mental game wasn't his.
"See? I steady, chase score—he breaks first."
They walked to the sink talking.
Yanxiao listened to the excited ramble—heart stirred. "Bai Xu."
Bai Xu washed sticky sweat, grabbed paper towel. "Hm?"
"..."
Yanxiao didn't answer—just watched.
Bai Xu steadied breath without showing. "Wh-what?"
Before the echo faded—Yanxiao reached. "Don't move."
Thumb pad at the tip of his nose—gentle swipe.
Tingle Bai Xu couldn't block—protest stuck. "Shang Yanxiao! You..."
"..."
Yanxiao pulled back—caught himself. "Sweat bead on your nose."
Bai Xu looked away. "Yeah? Match was tense. Hot."
Yanxiao pressed tissue to his forehead—deliberate. "Forehead too. Wipe before you go out."
Eyes met—both looked away.
"Oh."
Bai Xu scrubbed forehead—thoughts messy. "We should head out—don't keep Chairman Zhang waiting. Chu Yuncheng's gone—good time to talk project."
Yanxiao heard the panic under the speed—didn't poke. "Okay."
...
Breeze—another ball rolled in lazy.
Bai Xu clapped. "Chairman Zhang—nice shot."
Zhang's gloom lifted. "Little Chairman Bai—don't flatter me. Just scratching the itch. Can't match you young ones—eyes and stamina."
Yate had left space—smart exit early.
Bai Xu handed bottled water. "Chairman Zhang—you've got two life cycles on me. You know why I'm here today."
Zhang took it—understood. "I know. Never met anyone more direct than Little Chairman Bai."
Bai Xu pressed. "Juesheng's AW project—I came in good faith. Consider it, Chairman Zhang?"
"Chu Group Investment has deep pockets—but I guess Chairman Chu won't settle for a small slice?"
"..."
Zhang silent—but furrowed brow was the answer. No hot yes—practical point:
"Little Chairman Bai—not small. Post-acquisition R&D capital is massive."
Not looking down on Zhouye Investment—future stability meant careful partner choice.
Bai Xu heard opportunity—about to push—
Zhang's phone rang.
"Sorry—one moment."
"Go ahead, Chairman Zhang."
Zhang stepped aside—finished the call.
Under a minute—back. "Little Chairman Bai—sorry. Dinner with my mentor tonight—almost time, I need to go."
Thought a beat—offered. "If you're willing—tomorrow afternoon, my office. Sit down properly?"
Good faith for good faith.
Deal or no deal—friendship stays.
Bai Xu said yes at once. "Of course."
...
Both walked to the path edge.
Yanxiao waiting—naturally took Bai Xu's clubs, handed prepared energy drink.
Quiet—but thoughtful.
Zhang noticed the extra man. "Little Chairman Bai—this is?"
Bai Xu sipped—same cover. "Private assistant and bodyguard. Quiet type—doesn't talk much."
Yanxiao took Zhang's club bag. "Chairman Zhang—I'll carry to the car."
"Thanks."
Zhang surprised at the height. "Little Chairman Bai—your assistant is something."
"Chairman Zhang—not the first to say it." Bai Xu tugged a smile. "Stand him beside me—intimidating enough?"
Zhang laughed. "Yeah—real presence."
Yanxiao waved shuttle—lowered voice. "Mr. Chu Yate left early. Chairman Zhang—heading to parking?"
Zhang said, "Yeah—driver's outside."
Bai Xu remembered their car at A3. "Chairman Zhang—tomorrow then? See you."
Zhang nodded. "Tomorrow—anytime welcome."
They watched Zhang's shuttle leave—took another to A3 for their car.
Click.
Doors shut.
Yanxiao finally relaxed—mask down slightly.
Bai Xu smiled. "Hot day—suffocating?"
"Manageable." Yanxiao signaled. "Buckle up."
Bai Xu obeyed—reported. "I think Zhang and Chu Yuncheng hit a wall. He's open to us now—only worry is whether our capital chain holds."
Yanxiao started the engine. "Easy fix. If he's in, Third House can show our hand."
"Mm—have Queyan prep the handoff." Bai Xu felt solid on trajectory. "Tomorrow I'll push equity terms—should lock it."
Yanxiao's heart steadied. "Mm."
Car rolled out—near outer parking, sharp-eyed Bai Xu saw something. "Wait."
Yanxiao braked.
Bai Xu glanced—Yanxiao understood, mask back on.
Window down.
Bai Xu called to the familiar figure. "Chairman Zhang—what's wrong?"
Zhang approached—helpless. "Car broke down. Driver's working on it."
Glanced at watch—anxiety showing.
Bai Xu remembered the dinner mention—offered. "Chairman Zhang—will you make it tonight? We can drop you? Let your driver stay."
Zhang gave an address. "Won't that delay you, Little Chairman Bai?"
Yanxiao said, "Not far from where we live. On the way."
Bai Xu grabbed goodwill. "No plans tonight anyway. No trouble."
"Fine—then thank you."
Zhang was rushed—told driver two words, got in back.
Engine on—left Luofu Manor.
Bai Xu made conversation. "Chairman Zhang—'mentor' tonight—med school professor?"
"Yes. Professor Yan Chunhui."
The old man taught thousands—retired recently.
Mentioning his mentor—Zhang's tone turned respectful.
"When I was lead surgeon—incident—patient family slandered me. He stood up for me in public, worked through my fallout, helped me replan my path..."
Gratitude Zhang never forgot.
Opened up—talked most of the ride.
Bai Xu listened—near destination asked, "How's the professor's health?"
"Worse these two years—family keeps him at the suburban old house to rest."
"Can't sit still—wanders. Few days ago at a mall— sudden heart attack. Lucky someone nearby knew first aid—no disaster."
Zhang helpless, worried.
"..."
Mall? Heart attack? First aid?
Bai Xu heard the familiar plot—before the thought finished, the car stopped at a standalone old villa.
Yanxiao checked mirror. "Chairman Zhang—we're here."
"Thanks."
Zhang saw the elderly figure at the door—hurried out. "Professor—why come out?"
"Thought you'd be about here. Came to meet you."
Smiling pat on the shoulder—eyes drifted to the black car at the gate. "This car is?"
Window down.
Bai Xu's probing gaze on the old man's face.
Next second—the old man seemed to recognize him—shocked forward. "You—you're Young Master Shang?"