Chapter 39

Overhead dim light shut off—only the starlit sunroof glowed.
No real consent needed. The moment Bai Xu asked, hormones took the wheel—he kissed him.
Right hand on Yanxiao's shoulder—tentative at first. No experience—instinct nibbled at those thin lips.
Warm. Soft.
Bai Xu pulled back slightly—discovery. "Shang Yanxiao? So soft."
"..."
Yanxiao's nose brushed his—breath barely contained. "Bai Xu—wine good?"
"Hm?"
Bai Xu slow murmur. "Good."
Yanxiao's hand left his wrist—cupped the back of his head. "Then I'll taste too."
"Mmh... mm!"
Kiss again.
Leftover wine passed lip to lip—heat building.
Bai Xu hooked Yanxiao's arm—folded almost fully into him. Yanxiao's palm tightened—soothe and force—fingers in soft hair.
Moon, breeze, waves, shadows—all tangled drunk and dizzy.
"Easy—breathe. Don't suffocate."
"...Don't need you teaching—mm."
Competitive streak still alive—probe, tease, intimacy—wild. Neither yielding.
Nobody knew how long.
Air in the cabin burned out—Yanxiao finally broke an inch.
Bai Xu lifted his head—breath ragged, shaking—eyes wet and tempting.
Yanxiao forehead to forehead—thumb wiped the corner of his eye. "More?"
"..."
One kiss—and Bai Xu was spent.
Didn't parse the word—eyes closed on his own—found a comfortable angle in Yanxiao's arms.
Yanxiao felt the sleepiness—still hungry. "Bai Xu?"
Bai Xu lifted a limp hand—slapped Yanxiao's cheek sloppy. "Quiet."
Click.
No pain—more like flirtation than hit.
"..."
First time in Yanxiao's life—handled like this. Surprise seconds—then "angry"—turned and bit Bai Xu's palm.
"Mm."
Bai Xu pulled back—hurt—still buried muttering, ignoring him.
Yanxiao helpless—held tighter. "Sleep. Good night. I'll get you home later."
...
Another dawn.
Chen Yufei—years in the military—iron clock. Six AM sharp, up and dressed.
Afraid to wake the second floor—opened the front door soft. Froze—
Yanxiao should've been upstairs—instead at the garage in thin silk pajamas—carefully lifting Bai Xu from the passenger seat.
Chen Yufei thought hallucination—Yanxiao looked over—he rushed up. "Third Young Master—what's wrong with Little Chairman Bai? You..."
Concern halfway—wrongness hit—
Yanxiao's pajama collar too open—neck to shoulder—a red scratch line.
Bai Xu in his arms—lips unusually red.
Men understand men. Chen Yufei's eyes dodged—mind exploding—
Which step did I miss?
Third Young Master and Little Chairman Bai—how did they jump this fast?
Midnight drive last night—for that? Too intense?
Yanxiao had no idea of the inner drama—no embarrassment caught. "Yufei—help tuck the blanket."
They should've driven home at dawn—but fresh off the high, Bai Xu passed out hard.
Yanxiao wouldn't wake him—lay with him—fell asleep too.
One blanket in the car—all night on Bai Xu.
Temperature gap now—Yanxiao couldn't adjust while holding him.
Chen Yufei secured the slipping blanket—fast retreat. "Done."
Yanxiao unconsciously held tighter. "Go run. I'll take him up."
"Okay."
Yanxiao carried Bai Xu to the second floor—paused barely between the two bedroom doors—then straight into the master without hesitation.
Car sleep wasn't rest—needed proper hold to recover.
...
Bai Xu woke—sun through the screens—master bright.
"Mm."
Dull headache stirring—instinct to hide—brows furrowed, burrowed under covers—then wrong—
Familiar scent on the sheets—strong.
"..."
Eyes open—navy-black bedding—sat up sharp.
Hangover headache—frowned at master decor—fragmented blackout slowly crystallized—painfully clear—
He chased Yanxiao for kisses. Yanxiao chased back.
Like a contest—couldn't separate—moonlight, distant waves, heavy breath and muffled sounds.
Replay ended on his own opening line: "Shang Yanxiao—I want to kiss you. Can I?"
"..."
Shit.
Dry swallow—self-roast. "Was I insane?"
Kissing Yanxiao?
That intense?
The more he thought—the weirder—forgot his pulse already racing from memory. Phone on nightstand—grabbed—
Two forty PM.
Post-drunk shame—couldn't stay in Yanxiao's master another second.
Luckily Yanxiao gone—no waking awkwardness. Bai Xu threw off covers to flee—feet hit floor—legs buckled—nearly ate it.
"..."
Staggered stable—muttering "alcohol ruins lives"—sprinted to his room.
...
Half hour later.
Composed enough—downstairs.
Butler spotted him first—smile. "Mr. Bai—you're up? Need a meal?"
Bai Xu nodded—quick scan. "Where's Shang Yanxiao?"
Butler said, "He and Assistant Xie stepped out—private appointment. Won't be back for dinner."
"..."
Private appointment? With who?
Yanxiao never mentioned it.
Light possessiveness curled—brow tightened.
Butler read his state. "Hangover tea? Mr. Shang ordered it before he left."
Bai Xu flat. "Mm."
Minutes later—hangover tea and hot food.
Bai Xu ate distracted—intimate scenes wouldn't leave—another frown when Chen Yufei finally emerged.
Eyes met.
Chen Yufei more stiff than usual. "Little Chairman Bai."
Bai Xu "mm"—tentative. "How did I get home last night? Did I go crazy drunk?"
After the kiss—blank.
Chen Yufei thought morning scene—honest. "Little Chairman Bai—Third Young Master carried you. You slept in his arms."
"..."
Didn't need that much detail.
Bai Xu scooped more soup—silence—couldn't hold. "Who's Yanxiao meeting tonight?"
Chen Yufei only confirmed facts. "Third Young Master has an old friend here in New Country—very reliable."
Bai Xu blurted. "Man or woman?"
Chen Yufei said, "Woman."
"..."
Bai Xu bit the spoon—uncontrolled huff.
Chen Yufei couldn't read him—pivot. "Little Chairman Bai—free this afternoon? Want to go out?"
Phone buzzed.
Bai Xu looked—Chu Yate: "Little Chairman Bai—free tonight? Didn't drink enough last night—let's meet again? Bring Chairman Shang—dinner's on me."
"..."
Why me?
Third Young Master Shang has friends everywhere—doesn't need dinner dates.
Bai Xu sour inside—typed reply: "Send address. I'll come."
...
Six PM—Disheng Private Restaurant.
Bai Xu entered the private room—Chu Yate flashy as ever. "Little Chairman Bai—here."
Bai Xu sat across. "Second Young Master Chu's fashion sense—something else."
Mixed-race face let him wear anything—butterfly print nearly blinding.
Chu Yate spread arms. "Not good? Custom-made."
Bai Xu smiled—default yes.
Some people born with it—outrageous shirt on Yate still read lush and romantic.
Yanxiao too.
Whatever he wore—rich heir arrogance.
"..."
Bai Xu realized he'd thought of Yanxiao again—annoyance flickered.
Yate still asked. "Where's Chairman Shang? Not coming again?"
Bai Xu grabbed warm water—fast. "Don't worry about him. He had plans tonight."
"Oh?"
Yate didn't taste the acid—snapped fingers at server. "Serve the food—and bring the wine I stored here. Proper hospitality for Little Chairman Bai."
"Wait." Bai Xu stopped. "No alcohol tonight—juice. Soda's fine."
Yate puzzled. "Not drinking?"
Bai Xu wouldn't spill last night—vague. "Not feeling well—more wine means trouble."
Yate bored—but wouldn't force. "Fine. I drink. You do you."
Food arrived fast.
Yate offered. "Little Chairman Bai—a toast?"
Bai Xu soda—clinked first. "You're what—two three years older? Call me Bai Xu. Skip the titles."
"Sure."
"Chu Yate—you didn't just call me for drinks?"
"Was drinks and chat—but if you can't drink, I'll cut to business."
"What?"
"You asked if I had projects worth investing in?"
Yate was straight—promises weren't empty. "Found two. Want to hear?"
Bai Xu pressed. "Go."
Yate launched. "First—actor friend leaving his label to start a production company. Strong resources and connections—good outlook."
Friend wanted Yate in—but Yate had zero interest in entertainment.
"Bai Xu—interested? I'll intro you. Friend takes majority—you put money in, hands-off shareholder—annual dividends."
Bai Xu raised brow. "Sounds easy."
Yate blunt. "Rich people's paths—plenty. Film company might lose money—but entertainment cash is fast."
One hit project—returns in minutes.
Bai Xu didn't argue. "Just—not much challenge."
Yate read him—mysterious. "Want challenge—I have something bigger."
More curiosity. "What?"
Yate countered. "Heard of North America's Hatchling Industry?"
Bai Xu nodded.
Book world mirrored reality—one-to-one copy—
Hatchling Industry—world's largest film base—ancient history—every major festival tied to it.
IPs under Hatchling—countless hits—Hatchling Studios theme parks globally famous.
Yate straight. "Inside word—New Country government and Hatchling reached intent to cooperate. Newest global film-entertainment base—New City."
"First round bidding in three months—from initial build to full operations."
Bai Xu knew the weight—face serious.
Built—Hatchling still takes lion's share—but a slice is massive.
Yate stopped there. "Little Chairman Bai—interested?"
Bai Xu asked instead. "Project this good, local to New City—Chu Group Investment must be all in?"
Yate showed confidence—not ugly. "Project belongs to Chu Group—but lead negotiator is a fight. Same family—not one heart."
Bai Xu got it. "No wonder Juesheng and AW didn't matter—this is the real prize?"
"Yeah. Old man retires soon—who wins this gets the real key."
Yate didn't hide ambition—or limits. "Joined group later than Yuncheng—honestly—hard alone."
Same group—can't bid as two teams—laughingstock.
Bai Xu saw through. "You want me or Yanxiao fronting—split equity after?"
Yate nodded clear. "Win the project—I don't care final stake size."
"..."
Challenging. Tempting.
Real world with full capital—Bai Xu would say yes now. Currently short.
Bai Xu swallowed the no-money sigh. "I'll think about it."
Yate nodded—treated Bai Xu and Yanxiao as one unit. "Mm. Discuss with Chairman Shang. I'll wait."
...
Back at the villa past ten thirty.
Second floor study lit—images resurfaced—Bai Xu stuck at the stairs, afraid to go up.
Creak—
Soft door.
Seconds later—Yanxiao at the railing—eyes across distance. "Back?"
"Mm."
Bai Xu hardened up the stairs—seconds—emotion adjusted fast.
"When did you get back?"
"You ate with Chu Yate?"
Both asked—both quiet.
Bai Xu broke first. "Mm—Chu Yate invited. I went."
Yanxiao voice rough. "Known him how long—already close?"
He'd cut an old friend's dinner before eight—rushed home.
Result?
Bai Xu woke—no text—dinner till this hour.
Bai Xu heard the stiffness—reflex snap. "Third Young Master gets dates with beauties—I can't make one new friend?"
Yanxiao's eyes darkened. "That was..."
Bai Xu caught his tone—quick fix. "Joking."
Met Yanxiao's locked stare—unnameable panic—words out unfiltered.
"Right—I blacked out last night. Don't remember much."
"..."
"I didn't bother you, did I?"
Bai Xu knew the answer—tried light close. "Don't mind me—I'll drink less."
Yanxiao breath heavy—didn't answer—stepped close. "You forgot?"
Bai Xu retreated—fake shock. "Ah—I didn't actually do something?"
"..."
Yanxiao read retreat—silence—then gave him the out he wanted. "No. You tired yourself out and slept."
"Oh."
Bai Xu exhaled—couldn't stay near Yanxiao. "Nothing else—I'll head to my room? Tired."
Yanxiao sidestepped—path clear. "Okay."
Bai Xu pressed lips. "Good night."
Gone fast.
Click.
Soft door hit Yanxiao's ears—heart clenched.
Xie Qi delayed upstairs—cold medicine steaming. "Third Young Master—take this before bed. Call a doctor?"
Yanxiao took the cup—down in one—warm enough. "No. Sleep it off."
Xie Qi glanced at Bai Xu's closed door—tried. "Tell Little Chairman Bai?"
Yanxiao refused. "Small cold—why tell him? You rest too. Tomorrow contact Queyan—project handoff with Sister Lan."
Xie Qi nodded. "Yes, Third Young Master. Rest early."
"Mm."
...
Bai Xu didn't know the wall conversation—showered—bed.
Deep night—thoughts looped.
Last night replaying—couldn't drop—couldn't sleep.
Blanket burrow—spinning—
Why didn't Yanxiao push back? Thought last night was absurd—don't acknowledge?
Wrong—Yanxiao didn't drink last night—why allow it? Kissed back harder than me!
"..."
Messier—forced eyes shut—faint sleep flickered.
Dreams too tight—woke scared—couldn't stay under.
Wake-sleep till gray dawn—half the night gone—Bai Xu finally crashed deep.
Woke again—Yanxiao gone again—Chen Yufei and Xie Qi gone too.
Rare abandonment—no appetite—oat milk only—back upstairs.
Idle—researched New City land lease and large amusement regulations.
Hatchling project hooked him—focused dive—hours gone.
Stomach protested a full day—escaped the documents.
Meanwhile master next door—rustle—unclear.
Bai Xu couldn't help—door open.
Perfect timing—Xie Qi backing out with a doctor from Yanxiao's master. "Little Chairman Bai."
Face to face.
Stranger beside Xie Qi—unease rising. "When did you get back? What's wrong with Shang Yanxiao?"
"..."
Xie Qi meant "fine"—stopped mid-word—saw Bai Xu's worry—remembered his boss—
Years as assistant—weighted the line. "Little Chairman Bai—Third Young Master just got a fever shot. He's burning delirious!"