Chapter 40

Half-asleep—Yanxiao felt a blur at the bed—instinct alert—then the voice disarmed him.
"Shang Yanxiao? Awake?"
"..."
Heavy lids—Bai Xu's worried eyes. "Why are you here?"
Voice smoked on exit.
Bai Xu felt the discomfort—stood—warm water—back. "Drink. Ease your throat."
Yanxiao propped sideways—drank most of the cup.
Looked at dark beyond the screen. "What time? Why aren't you resting?"
Bai Xu signaled lie down. "Not sleepy yet. Feel better? I checked—you still have a low fever."
Yanxiao fought dizziness. "Fine. Just a cold."
"Small cold knocks you out like this?"
Bai Xu didn't buy the tough act—brow up. "Big guy—weak constitution. Not just sleeping beauty—sick beauty now."
"Cough."
Yanxiao rare awkward—but true—
After the crash—long bed rest—irregular meals—body and immunity took hits.
"Sick means don't tough it out—Xie Qi told me—"
Bai Xu remembered the report—frowned. "You felt off last night—ignored it—worse today. How old—still this much trouble?"
Yanxiao saw the worry flecks— laughed. "Who insisted on mood—midnight beach drinking?"
"..."
"I was afraid you'd catch cold—coat on you, blanket on you—busy all night—didn't expect I'd go down first."
Buried memory—zero fiction.
Bai Xu guilty—hard pivot. "Hungry? I'll get food?"
Yanxiao saw through—didn't poke. "Skip it. Head spinning—sleep again later. You go rest."
Bai Xu had zero plan to leave—leaned closer. "Where hurts? Temples?"
Yanxiao breath stilled—bare nod.
Next second—Bai Xu's hands covered. "Close your eyes."
Yanxiao blank. "What?"
"You—close eyes and rest." Repeat. "I learned a little massage—might help?"
Soft fingertips on pounding temples—slow press—callused pads like magic—pain dropping each pass.
"..."
Yanxiao closed eyes—let exhaustion flood.
Blind—everything sharper—
Bai Xu's pressure, breath near his face—like that impulsive kiss again.
Yanxiao heard his own heartbeat—stronger each beat.
Time slow and tender—master silent.
Bai Xu watched Yanxiao's face—thought he slept—started to pull away—
Yanxiao "woke"—surged—pinned him below.
"..."
"..."
Bai Xu eyes wide—incredible. "Shang Yanxiao! What are you doing! Let go!"
"Don't move."
Yanxiao dropped dominance—buried in his neck—real weakness in voice. "Head's spinning."
Words said—wrist and waist grip didn't loosen.
Bodies flush.
Yanxiao's fever heat through clothes—breath on neck—strange rise.
Bai Xu frozen. "Shang Yanxiao—I—I can't breathe."
Two three seconds delay—Yanxiao rolled sideways—palm on Bai Xu's back—light force—circled him again.
"..."
Bai Xu barely against Yanxiao's chest—panic—wouldn't look up. "Shang Yanxiao—you—you clear-headed or fever stupid?"
Yanxiao threw it back. "You really blacked out—or pretending?"
Bai Xu choked—silent.
"Drunk and bold—sober and deny?"
Yanxiao wouldn't let go—hoarse complaint never heard before. "Little Chairman Bai—some skill."
Bai Xu deep breath—buzz protest. "Who's ignoring who? Third Young Master—dates every night—got time for me?"
Sick—Yanxiao slow. "You care about that?"
Bai Xu denied. "Just stating facts."
Yanxiao lowered head—lips grazed Bai Xu's hair. "Last night's meeting—college senior."
"She worked in the US—medical project development and ops—big name and experience."
"Queyan can't leave Huaguo—I can't show face—didn't want to keep burdening you—paid heavy to have her assist Third House and Juesheng handoff."
Project started—needs reliable oversight.
"Last night was that. Today was project work. Nothing else."
Even without asking—Yanxiao told everything.
Bai Xu's sourness vanished—casual. "Never heard you mention her?"
Yanxiao said, "Meant to tell you that night—you were drunk—I didn't get to."
Bai Xu barely "mm."
Yanxiao took the floor. "Your turn."
"What?"
"Really remember nothing?"
"..."
Bai Xu played dumb. "Don't know what you mean. Let go—I need sleep."
Yanxiao sure laugh—closer to his ear. "Little Chairman Bai—drunk hobby is forcing kisses?"
Bai Xu's ears hot—reflex. "Shang Yanxiao! When did I force you—we clearly..."
"Clearly what?"
Yanxiao caught the hole—wanted the answer. "You remember crystal clear—don't you?"
Bai Xu met his eyes—screw it. "So what? I—I said I was drunk."
"Drunk?"
Yanxiao's palm on his back—up through soft hair. "So man woman anyone—drunk means anything goes?"
"Sober—see my face—no feeling—pretend amnesia?"
"..."
Bai Xu knew he was wrong—small swallow. "Stop twisting words—two men—one thing—not like anyone loses."
Yanxiao "oh." "Little Chairman Bai—kind of trash."
Bai Xu mute—struggled. "Let go."
"I said—head spins. Don't move."
Yanxiao used sickness—childish edge showing. "Forget—this cold is your fault. You ditch me cold?"
Bai Xu stopped. "What do you want?"
Yanxiao rode another wave of dizziness—voice lower. "Stay till I'm asleep. At least."
Too close.
Slight lift—eyes would collide.
Yanxiao's eyes deep—sick red rim—wild somehow—long look and you'd get eaten.
Bai Xu thought it—lashes down.
Yanxiao's collar open—neck vein faint—fine scratch neck to right shoulder—
Bai Xu had images he shouldn't.
Drunk too strong—kiss a power struggle.
Peak—fingers lost control—left that mark on Yanxiao.
"..."
Breaths close—temperature climbing.
Unspoken feeling—vine wrapping both.
Memory tingle returned—unexpectedly wanting more.
Bai Xu's brain messy—couldn't stop. "Shang Yanxiao."
Yanxiao knew—burned voice. "Drunk again?"
Reason snapped—desire doubled.
Twenty years restraint blurred—same moment both moved—kiss tangle—hold tight.
Attack—poke each other's nerves.
Still competing—neither losing.
Competitive—desire free—fatal pull—one kiss—no edge.
Heat spread organ to organ—Bai Xu broke first—turned away while Yanxiao unguarded.
Second—dragged back by force.
Bai Xu tried brake. "Enough—enough."
"..."
Yanxiao's eyes fully red—no answer—locked the brown mole on Bai Xu's nape—hard—savage bite.
"Mmh."
Pain—then the sound changed.
Yanxiao had him—hands too direct. "Turn around."
Hold burning—might incinerate both.
Bai Xu chaos—let him. "Shang Yanxiao—you bastard."
Yanxiao crisp. "Mm. I am."
...
Woke again—rain ticking outside.
Bai Xu drowsy—curled in soft bedding—lazy turn—forehead hit warmth—nose clean sharp scent.
Someone laughed low. "Awake?"
"..."
Bai Xu found clarity—opened eyes—Yanxiao.
Last night before sleep—face instant red. "Shang Yanxiao! You!"
Yanxiao read embarrassment—shame. "Mm. Morning."
"..."
Morning my ass.
Bai Xu vulgar thought—knife eyes.
Yanxiao easy. "Your words—two men—mutual help—nobody loses."
Bai Xu complex—no comeback.
Done is done—who started—who crossed—pointless. They only reached "mutual help."
Nothing further. Yet.
Still—last night—felt like he lost—vague displeasure.
Yanxiao saw it all. "You slept fast last night—I gave you a quick rinse. You..."
Bai Xu stop. "Enough. Shut up."
Rolled the blanket—back to Yanxiao. "Get out first."
Yanxiao didn't expect eviction from his own master—seconds helpless—obeyed. "Okay. Freshen up—eat downstairs."
"..."
Bai Xu silent—sulky back of head only.
Yanxiao got up—out fast. "Don't hide long—remember to eat."
Door shut—Bai Xu sat up. "Hiss."
Big move—neck sore—unexpected ache.
Careful touch—swollen raised bite mark—remembered—couldn't stop cursing:
Usually acts like proper rich heir?
In bed bite like a beast. Bastard.
—rush—
Warm water down.
Eyes closed—thoughts flood—past few days exceeded plan and control.
Bai Xu admitted—admired Yanxiao's face, respected his ability—over time "Shang Yanxiao" went from book character to living person.
Real world—he'd let feelings grow. Here—not real—no real belonging.
Knew most endings from the book—told himself from the start:
Stay clear-eyed. Stay distant.
Like leaving the Shang family—like never being lovers with Yanxiao.
Desire or fondness—
Already crossed the line—enjoy the moment.
Either way—surface only. Never further.
Water off.
Self-persuasion done—steady—loose T-shirt—downstairs calm.
...
Table—brunch spread rich.
Butler set last soup before Bai Xu—looked to head seat Yanxiao. "Mr. Shang—how's your body? Fever gone?"
Yanxiao glanced Bai Xu—loaded. "Thanks to Bai Xu's care last night—sweated it out. Fever's down."
"..."
Bai Xu stable mood cracked—look—silent threat.
Yanxiao tugged mouth—sent butler. "Kitchen—vegetable congee for me."
Butler gone.
Yanxiao remembered unfinished ask. "Bai Xu—that night with Chu Yate—just dinner?"
"Not really."
Bai Xu spooned soup—glad for pivot. "Two projects."
Yanxiao pressed. "Which?"
Bai Xu told straight. "One—friend's film company—invite me in. Simple split—annual dividends."
Not harsh terms—connections matter.
Bai Xu weighed reality—side investment okay.
Yanxiao didn't interfere. "Other? Chu Yate wouldn't only have small stuff."
"Of course—the other one's huge."
Bai Xu no suspense—Hatchling Studios project—full dump.
Summary at end. "Right—you wanted Third House separate brand? Good opportunity."
Yanxiao knew the weight—and the competition difficulty.
No instant answer—asked Bai Xu. "You? What do you think?"
Bai Xu blank. "What?"
Yanxiao met his eyes. "Chu Yate asked us as one unit—but I know you won't bind to Shang Group."
"You are you—no tie to Shang or Third House. Juesheng—you already did enough for me."
"..."
Warmth sudden in chest.
Yanxiao serious—zero joke—full respect. "Bai Xu—for you personally—want to try this project?"
Bai Xu recovered—helpless. "Wanting doesn't matter—not enough capital."
Best project—need money to run it.
Yanxiao like he'd planned. "If you want—we partner?"
Bai Xu stunned. "What?"
Yanxiao decisive. "Zhouye Investment gives you founding equity—if we win Hatchling—split by return on investment."
Pie from sky—Yanxiao handing it over.
Bai Xu disbelieving. "You're sure I can..."
Yanxiao jumped in. "Yes. I trust your ability—willing preset talent and equity dual bet. Little Chairman Bai—dare you take it?"
Bai Xu pressed down turmoil—parsed motive. "Shang Yanxiao—is this because yesterday—because..."
Yanxiao counter. "You think I'm sentimental? One impulse—I gamble company interest?"
Clearly not.
Bai Xu knew—still hesitated.
No free pie—especially this sweet.
Yanxiao saw hesitation—closer. "Bai Xu—aside from our arranged marriage—I need a business partner on my wavelength. Gut says—"
"You can."
"..."
"I'll pay for that gut—not forcing you. Your choice. Hatchling—with or without you—I cooperate with Chu Yate."
Ripple in Bai Xu's eyes—resolve loosened.
Hard to say—trust or challenge temptation.
Bai Xu cleared throat—again. "Shang Yanxiao—not sentimental—right? Business only—no personal—right?"
Yanxiao selective. "Separate matters."
Bai Xu thoughtful nod. "I—I'll think."
"Good."
Business paused—Bai Xu finally ate.
Footsteps—butler brought hot vegetable congee. "Mr. Shang—enjoy."
Yanxiao slight nod—didn't spoon yet.
Bai Xu felt his stare. "What?"
Yanxiao shook head—keep eating.
Bai Xu ignored—finished whole plate pasta—satisfied—stopped.
Yanxiao asked. "Full?"
Bai Xu wet wipe. "Mm—good pasta today."
Yanxiao stirred still-hot congee—reopened. "Full—then personal talk?"
"..."
Bai Xu got it—water dodge vague. "What's to talk? Said it—mutual help—nobody loses."
Yanxiao wouldn't let escape. "Meaning—pretend nothing—turn the page?"
Bai Xu did want that. "Can't I?"
Yanxiao narrowed. "No. You weren't drunk last night."
Bai Xu blocked—silent sigh.
Not a twisty person—issue unavoidable—deep breath—seized initiative.
"Shang Yanxiao—I'm not looking to date."
"..."
"If we partner—we definitely can't be lovers. Breakup makes everything messier."
"..."
"I admit—you're very attractive to me."
Otherwise drunk kiss—sober tempted—mutual release.
Yanxiao pressed. "So?"
Bai Xu met forcing eyes—played calm old hand. "So—we don't chase a relationship. Same roof—when there's need—like last night..."
Yanxiao grit teeth invisible—finished blunt. "Friends with benefits?"
"Mm—yeah?"
Bai Xu answer weak—add. "If you won't—forget it—not a big deal—we act normal—I won't drink around you again—never stupid."
Yanxiao laughed unclear—eyes on Bai Xu turned deep and dangerous.
Bai Xu wrong feeling—chair back—flee. "Full—upstairs first—you do you!"
Steps fast—ruthless.
"..."
Butler watched table turn weird—no Chinese—no idea what was said.
Butler looked at untouched congee. "Mr. Shang? Still eating?"
Yanxiao dropped spoon in bowl—first time furious in life. "Eat what? Already full on anger."
Friends with benefits?
That genius actually said it.