Chapter 41

They shelved the crossed line by unspoken pact—never mentioned.
Maybe idle too long—Bai Xu's buried workaholic stirred. He agreed to Yanxiao's partnership after all—
One—Hatchling Studios hit his interest dead center.
Two—nobody fights money. Yanxiao betting on him—Bai Xu had nerve and confidence to take it all.
Business talk smooth—signed a proper cooperation agreement—strictly professional.
Word reached Chu Yate—he even found Zhouye Investment a temp office.
Ding—
Elevator opened.
Bai Xu saw the four characters **Zhouye Investment**—raised brow. "Not bad—decent face."
Yanxiao satisfied too. "Mm."
Chu Yate stepped from the meeting room—leaned on the door. "Both chairmen finally show? I bring my team and wait—since when?"
Xie Qi explained beside him. "Chairman Chu—sorry—accident on the main road. Traffic."
Chu Yate smiled—no blame.
Bai Xu and Yanxiao exchanged a look—walked up. "Enough talk—let's start."
First full team meet—mandatory.
Chu Yate sat back—straight in. "Chu Yuncheng leads Chu Group Investment on this bid. I can't openly fight family—future project runs under Zhouye Investment name."
"These four are my picks—capable." Chu Yate scanned the room—emphasis. "Tight lips. Won't blab."
Four staff uniform polite. "Good evening, Chairman Shang. Good evening, Little Chairman Bai."
Didn't know their real backgrounds—employees. Who pays is boss. No need to ask everything. Big mouth—office death.
Yanxiao slight nod—look to Xie Qi.
Veteran Xie Qi took cue—introduced with Chu Yate's team—opened flow. "Quick pass on all competitors first?"
"Good—I'll start—"
Staff jumped in—slides up. "Eight confirmed bidders so far..."
Three hours—meeting done.
Bai Xu zero fatigue—trace excitement for hard mode. "Not easy."
Besides Chu Group Investment—two overseas-backed firms aggressive. Zhouye Investment—small fish—easy to dismiss as filler.
Yanxiao caught the excitement he couldn't hide. "Hard is fun—isn't it?"
Underdog win beats sure thing from the start.
Bai Xu got it—smiled. "Mm."
...
They had their own bubble—world excluded.
Elevator B1—opened.
Chu Yate drained last coffee—tried interrupt. "Meeting's over—dinner together?"
Bai Xu about to yes—Yanxiao refused flat first. "Another day. Tonight we have plans—can't."
"..."
Plans? He didn't know?
Bai Xu confused look at Yanxiao. "Hm?"
Yanxiao stood—signal. "Airport pickup. Timing's about right."
Chu Yate didn't doubt. "Fine—next time. I'm off."
"Take care."
Car—doors shut—Bai Xu full suspicion. "Airport for what? Excuse to skip dinner?"
Yanxiao signaled seatbelt—answered sideways. "Notice I sent Xie Qi home in a cab?"
Bai Xu nodded. "So?"
Yanxiao looked at empty back seat. "So—we really are picking someone up."
More curious. "Who?"
Yanxiao played mystery. "You'll see."
Bai Xu clicked belt—grumble. "Why the secrecy?"
Yanxiao let him nag—accelerated out.
One hour—New City International Terminal.
Bai Xu bubble water from a kiosk—bored against the car. "Who? Still not out?"
Yanxiao in car checking info. "Any minute."
Bai Xu sipped—mock huff. "Let's see who's so big Third Young Master Shang picks up personally."
Before he finished—excited loud call:
"—Bai Xu!"
"?"
Bai Xu turned—before clear sight—hug full speed.
"..."
Bai Xu slammed to the car door—drink almost spilled—familiar brown curls—identity obvious.
"Changning? What are you doing here?"
Zhang Changning released him—proud as ever. "Surprised? Me too."
Bai Xu pressed. "Alone?"
Yanxiao from car. "Your brother?"
Changning bent—greeted Yanxiao inside. "Third Brother—Second Brother's still at baggage. I ran out—didn't want you waiting."
Bai Xu parsed. "You two visiting? How long?"
"Friend's art show in New City—opens tomorrow. I'm supporting. Brother has a medical seminar day after—came together."
Changning explained. "Three four days—fly back."
Bai Xu glanced at Yanxiao in car—teased. "No wonder Third Young Master picks up himself—welcome feast tonight?"
Changning never fake polite—spoiled since childhood. "Third Brother—I want seafood."
Yanxiao always treated him as little brother. "Your brother told me already. Home tonight—all set."
"Yes!"
Yanxiao thought of kin back home. "Queyan okay?"
Changning said, "Great. Rehab smooth—can walk normal stretches now."
Bai Xu followed. "Studio?"
Changning OK gesture. "Sister Qiu watching—all normal."
Bai Xu smiled. "Good."
Changning not rushing in car. "Brother should be out soon."
Wait—Zhang Changxu pushing two huge suitcases.
Changning eyes bright. "Bro! Here!"
Bai Xu shocked at size. "Three four days—you need two monsters?"
Changxu met Bai Xu's look—calm as usual. "Mostly Ning's stuff. Ask him."
Bai Xu to Changning. "What'd you pack?"
Changning innocent. "Nothing—essentials."
Changxu only verbose with his brother. "Picky sleeper—pillow, sheets, duvet, aromatherapy machine every trip. Trouble since childhood."
Bai Xu silent thumbs-up.
Original book's pampered Third Young Master Zhang—peak refinement.
Changning suddenly shy—muttered at Changxu. "Second Brother—you packed both bags—stop mocking me in front of Bai Xu."
Changxu one shot. "Who ordered it?"
"..."
Changning proud turn—no reply.
Bai Xu held laugh—looked at Yanxiao out of car. "Go?"
"Mm. Now."
Yanxiao to trunk—signal friend. "Load up."
Changxu nodded. "Okay."
...
Dusk—duplex villa.
Butler and staff—Yanxiao's advance order—feast ready. Seafood scent filled the house.
"My god—drooling." Changning sat fast—pulled Changxu beside him. "Bro—sit!"
Bai Xu saw his usual seat taken—step paused.
Yanxiao read hesitation—moved head chair across from the brothers. "Come—sit by me."
No better option—Bai Xu went.
Butler asked. "Mr. Shang—open red wine?"
Changning instant. "Yes!"
Changxu helpless—light smack back of head. "You're guest—don't overstep."
Changning tiny mutter. "Third Brother's family."
"Fine—should open for welcome." Yanxiao mouth curved—asked Bai Xu first. "You pick?"
Bai Xu didn't defer. "That white from last time—still have it?"
Yanxiao smile deeper. "Still want that wine?"
"..."
Images flashed—quick deny. "Tastes good—problem?"
"Fine—you decide."
Yanxiao told butler chill it—table. "Eat first."
"Wait!"
Changning stopped—phone idea. "I'll video Queyan and flex."
Bai Xu laughed at him. "Know he's alone in Huaguo—still poke him?"
Changning grinned. "Because it's fun."
Recorded extra obnoxious clip—
Full table food—all three at table—ending Changning smug laugh.
Whoosh—
Sent to Shang Queyan far in Huaguo.
Changning satisfied. "Okay—eat!"
Changxu let brother feast—looked at friend across. "Before I left—Old Master specially told me to 'check on' you."
"Shang side hasn't caught wind yet—for realism—tomorrow hospital with me? Act it out? Video proof for the old man?"
Yanxiao gloved slow. "Fine."
Changning swallowed scallop—only among familiars. "Third Brother—I never got it—why fake coma? Something wrong with the crash?"
"..."
Yanxiao peeling shrimp paused—rare flash of dark.
Bai Xu and Changxu felt it—eyes split between them.
Changxu soft stop. "Ning."
Bai Xu watched silent Yanxiao—answered for him. "Shang family too messy—First and Second House fighting nonstop."
"Yanxiao didn't want energy wasted there—used 'coma' to restart in New Country."
True—not the whole truth.
Changning realized wrong question—patch fast. "Right—with Third Brother's skill—works anywhere!"
Yanxiao set peeled shrimp plate before Bai Xu—shift topic. "Eat. Peeled for you."
Bai Xu's heart flickered. "You skipped eating just to peel these?"
Yanxiao low. "You said you like them but hate mess—don't want dirty hands? Eat more—I'll peel more."
Bai Xu curved lips. "Thanks."
Changxu felt the closer intimacy between them—understanding in his eyes.
Later—butler returned with chilled white—poured four.
Changning remembered. "Wait—why hasn't Queyan replied?"
Phone—WeChat sent.
Instant—bright red exclamation:
"Message sent but blocked by recipient!"
"..."
Changning blank seconds—held up screen yelling. "Blocked me! Shang Queyan—can't take a joke?"
Bai Xu saw—laughed—choked.
Yanxiao concerned. "Slow—okay?"
"Fine." Bai Xu wine down throat—still amused by grade-school war. "Really blocked you?"
Changxu looked at puffed Changning—helpless. "Idle hands—had to poke him?"
Changning defiant. "Wait till I'm back in Huaguo—he's dead."
Happy meal overall.
Butler near end—asked. "Mr. Zhang gentlemen staying tonight?"
Changxu said, "We booked downtown hotel."
Bai Xu checked time. "Almost nine—don't fuss—stay here?"
Yanxiao agreed—staff prep guest room.
Staff nodded. "One guest room left—brothers share okay?"
Changning finishing last wine—cheeks red—looked at Changxu—idea—eyes on Bai Xu.
"Bai Xu—what if we squeeze together tonight! I'm not that picky about beds!"
Same instant—Yanxiao and Changxu. "No."
"..."
"..."
Bai Xu eyes narrowed subtle—Changning hiccup scared.
Changxu pat his back. "Sleep with me tonight—no nonsense."
Changning obedient. "Oh."
Yanxiao added. "Settled—brothers stay—hospital tomorrow easier."
"Okay."
...
Peaceful night.
Bai Xu woke natural—light lunch—back to room—computer on Hatchling Studios prep.
Sun moved slow outside—knock.
Changning outside. "Bai Xu—can I come in?"
Bai Xu pulled from focus—rubbed stiff neck. "Unlocked—come."
Changning entered.
Bai Xu turned chair. "Up? No hangover dizzy?"
"Fine—Second Brother gave hangover pills before bed. Just slept late—woke late."
One thirty PM now.
Changning saw document pile. "Busy? Am I bothering?"
Bai Xu shook head. "Almost done—was about to break."
Changning invite. "Want to see my friend's art show with me?"
"Me?"
"Mm."
Changning sure nod. "Bro messaged—they're at hospital with Third Brother. Meet after. Friend's performance art show is fun—come?"
Bai Xu hadn't gone out properly in ages—instant yes. "Wait—I change clothes?"
Changning bright. "Sure!"
...
Downtown venue—weekday first day—not crowded.
Changning signed in—room by room.
Last exit sign—Changning asked. "How is it? Good?"
Bai Xu agreed. "Interesting."
Friend had real imagination.
Performance art—not vulgar, not grotesque—each scene fresh elegant—immersive.
"Friend said—five countries, eleven cities—New Country is stop one."
Changning low. "Oh—German—older than me—non-marriage type—live in the moment, enjoy now."
Pause—weird. "Strange—I didn't see him inside?"
Before finish—call behind. "Ning~"
Speak of devil—Bai Xu and Changning turned—
Handsome foreign man walking fast—white tee covered in watercolor signatures layered unreadable.
Changning waved—middleman. "Bai Xu—Andrew, lead artist."
"Andrew—my good friend from Huaguo, Bai Xu."
"..."
Eyes met under Changning's intro.
Andrew read Bai Xu's face—amber eyes obvious interest—even Chinese. "Hello—first time—pleased to meet you."
Changning startled.
Usually English—Chinese this good?
Bai Xu same courtesy—fluent German. "Thank you—pleased too. Excellent exhibition."
Changning eyes wider. "Bai Xu—you speak German?"
Bai Xu modest. "A little—not fluent."
Andrew praised. "Already very good."
Changning asked. "Where you coming from?"
Andrew pointed up. "Bar upstairs—booked all day—celebration and guests. Friends and visitors."
Smiling invite. "Want to come up for a drink?"
Drink—Changning lit up. "Bai Xu—go?"
Bai Xu didn't instant yes. "How long till your brother's done?"
"No word—probably delayed."
"But they'll find us when done—I sent Second Brother the address."
Changning typed update—grabbed Bai Xu's wrist. "Come—sit upstairs—one two drinks max."
Andrew gesture invite. "Please—honored guests."
...
Night fell—bar heat rose with darkness.
Changning social butterfly—merged with friends fast. Bai Xu—ears tired after a while.
Pat Changning's shoulder. "Changning—open balcony for air."
Changning yeah. "Third Brother almost here—I'll get you later!"
Bai Xu grabbed half whiskey left—left the noise.
Balcony wind—mind quiet.
Involuntary sigh. "Finally quiet."
Next second—light laugh behind. "Mr. Bai doesn't like bars? My hospitality was lacking."
Bai Xu turned—Andrew approaching—polite distant smile. "My issue—not your arrangement."
"Bad guest experience—my fault." Andrew clinked his glass lightly. "Apology."
Down in one.
Bai Xu brow up—matched half. "I'll match half."
Andrew higher interest. "No wonder Mr. Bai and Ning are friends—you're both adorable."
"Adorable?"
Bai Xu didn't fit the word. "Changning's more adorable."
Andrew didn't argue—blunt. "Ning is adorable—but hard to get."
"..."
Bai Xu blink. "You're pursuing him?"
"Pursue?" Andrew shrugged—bold. "I never pursue stable relationships."
"Met Ning—I wanted intimacy bad—unfortunately he jumped up and refused."
Foreigners naked in expression—Bai Xu calm.
"Friend jumped refusing"—finally laughed. "Changning's better as friend."
Andrew said, "I think so too—when he refused he said he already liked someone."
"..."
Changning likes someone?
First Bai Xu heard—surprise gone—probably excuse to dodge Andrew.
Andrew watched Bai Xu's face—broke safe distance easy. "What about you, Mr. Bai?"
Bai Xu suppressed rejection—back to railing—nowhere back. "What?"
Andrew no hiding desire. "First glance I liked you—more attractive than New City night. If you're willing—I think..."
Bai Xu unmoved. "Think what?"
Andrew pressed. "We skip the rest—just share a beautiful night?"
Different attitudes—strangers one-night fits Andrew's live-for-now code.
Not Bai Xu's code.
Bai Xu lifted empty glass to Andrew's chest—no direct touch—refusal clear.
Andrew looked down. "Mr. Bai?"
About to refuse straight—balcony entrance—deep cold familiar voice.
"Sorry—am I interrupting?"