Chapter 42

Bai Xu froze—past Andrew to the entrance—
When had Yanxiao been standing there?
Heavy light and shadow on his face—cold never this obvious—could frostbite.
Bai Xu panicked for no reason.
Glass meant to block Andrew slipped—shattered—heart-skipping crack.
Andrew felt Yanxiao's pressure—curious. "Sir—who are you?"
Yanxiao ignored Andrew—steps toward Bai Xu. "Little Chairman Bai—introduce me? And introduce—"
Look at Andrew—voice tighter. "Him?"
"..."
Bai Xu choked—words stuck.
Done—misunderstanding absurdly huge.
Andrew read the stance—guessed. "Mr. Bai—is this your boyfriend?"
"Boyfriend"—Bai Xu panic deny. "No."
Land—Yanxiao rare cold laugh.
"..."
Scarier—Andrew added fuel joking. "Then a suitor? Just hasn't won yet?"
"..."
Yanxiao eyes bottomed—might turn and leave cold.
Bai Xu sensed disaster—grabbed his wrist. "Hey—Shang Yanxiao!"
Look at lingering Andrew—used their cover relation. "Mr. Andrew—jokes that don't suit Changning don't suit me either."
"This is my fiancé."
Fiancé—closer than boyfriend.
Yanxiao brow eased slightly.
Andrew "sky falling" face—full regret. "Mr. Bai—you look young—already engaged?"
"..."
Not quite that far.
Bai Xu thought—didn't explain to a stranger.
Andrew wild private life—but moral line—never breaks couples. "Mr. Bai—I offended—apologize to you and this gentleman—"
"Sorry. Wish you happiness."
Tapped empty glass—left smooth.
Bai Xu watched him into bar—exhaled. "Finally gone."
Yanxiao deliberate. "Disappointed?"
Bai Xu pressed vague guilt—snap back. "Which eye saw disappointment? Shang Yanxiao—when did you get here? Don't misunderstand—I..."
Yanxiao cut. "No misunderstanding. Who you befriend is your right."
"..."
Sure you don't.
Bai Xu choked seconds—competitive spirit rallied. "Then I'm not going home—few more drinks inside?"
Before finish—Yanxiao gripped his wrist—no refusal.
"Late. Home."
"Hey!"
Body obeyed before brain—Yanxiao's pull. "Slow down!"
...
Changning cowed following brother to parking—saw Yanxiao dragging Bai Xu—wanted to run up.
"Bai Xu—hey—"
Changxu caught his collar. "Back."
Changning stumbled into brother—blink up. "Second Brother—what?"
Watched car peel off—stood—uncertain. "Third Brother's face looked weird?"
Changxu saw through—didn't say. "Couple business—you're a kid—stay out."
"..."
Changning stuck—eyes spun—finally got it. "Oh my god—Bai Xu and Third Brother—really that?"
Changxu fake stern broke—pinch cheek. "Use that energy on yourself. Who took Bai Xu to a bar? One day unsupervised—you run wild?"
"Don't slander me! Where did I run wild?"
Changning loud. "Friend's celebration! Nowhere to wait—we sat upstairs for you—blame you for being late!"
"Yanxiao and I finished—went back for luggage. You slept heavy—I couldn't pack."
Villa to downtown—rush hour—longer than planned.
Changxu saw pout—coax. "Car. I'll feed you."
Changning huff—fake angry walk—three meters—turn back. "Which car?"
"Wrong—this way."
Changxu read his temper—fast opposite direction.
Changning sprint yelling. "Bro—wait!"
...
Car smooth in garage.
Yanxiao killed engine silent—got out first without telling Bai Xu.
Bai Xu remembered silence all ride—bad sign—chased. "Shang Yanxiao? Wait!"
Yanxiao ignored—long legs fast.
Bai Xu upstairs still explaining. "Shang Yanxiao—I said misunderstanding—we..."
Yanxiao stopped at master—didn't turn. "Don't explain. Late—wash and sleep."
In—door shut—lock—one motion.
Outside—Bai Xu blinked disbelief—complex taste.
Xie Qi heard noise—careful from study. "Little Chairman Bai—you and Third Young Master okay?"
Bai Xu sulking—look at Yanxiao's assistant—indiscriminate—
"Wash and sleep. Work done? Why so many questions?"
"..."
Xie Qi innocent hit—laptop files—fled.
Bai Xu at locked master—air punches—back to his room—slammed door too—
What's this?
Says he has no young master temper?
Won't listen behind closed door—then no explaining from me!
...
Night deep.
Showered—bed—zero sleep.
Staring at connecting door corner—mind full of Yanxiao one wall away—more sulking—
Since the FWB bluff and escape—Yanxiao never raised private matters again—silent rejection of the proposal.
Bai Xu secretly glad—relationship didn't turn awkward from lost control.
Occasionally midnight dreams—Yanxiao's kiss force, hold warmth—even shameful urges he'd hate.
Yanxiao normal as ever.
Respected the page-turn—became project allies—no boundary cross—everything light.
Only tonight—Andrew contact—brief loss of control on Yanxiao's face.
Hidden fast under the mask.
"Don't explain."
"..."
Those four words—stuffy.
Couldn't stand the mood—off bed—quiet to connecting door—ear pressed—
Next room silent—nothing.
"Asleep or not?"
Hand on handle—impulse won.
Click.
Small door open.
Two dim lamps—bathroom faint sound—hesitate—Yanxiao walked out—
Towel at hips only—upper body water beads sliding chest lines.
"..."
Bai Xu eyes dodge—throat tight. "Just showered? Thought you were asleep?"
Yanxiao saw bare feet on cold floor—brow furrow. "Why are you here?"
Bai Xu misread. "Nothing—leaving."
Yanxiao fast—locked him in arms.
Strong arm waist—lifted off floor.
Bai Xu tense. "Shang Yanxiao—what!"
—bang.
Door slammed behind—weight dropped—
This time not cold wood—Bai Xu looked down—Yanxiao's slippers under his feet.
Understood the care—ease slightly. "Not cold—put me down."
Yanxiao ignored—breath uneven. "Midnight—not sleeping—what are you doing in my room?"
"..."
Trapped—hand up—fingers touched Yanxiao's skin—cool wet.
Bai Xu blank. "Cold shower?"
"Don't dodge—I asked you!" Yanxiao seized the floor.
"You said turn the page—even kisses aren't big—act normal after."
Closer—warm breath. "Little Chairman Bai—midnight in my room—which part of normal is that? Hm?"
Yanxiao thought he'd been calm enough.
No proper relationship—wouldn't dump ugly jealousy on Bai Xu—chose solo room to digest.
Then Bai Xu dares midnight provocation?
"..."
Bai Xu knew wrong—mouth tough. "So obedient to me? I also said FWB—mutual needs—you didn't agree either."
Yanxiao silent—chest heaving clearer.
"Since you won't—why the face when Andrew and I were talking fine?"
Bai Xu provoked on purpose. "Third Young Master—ruining my good thing~"
"Ruining your good thing?"
Yanxiao knew the bait—suppressed jealousy exploded. "Just need an FWB—I refuse so you find anyone?"
Bai Xu got the sour he wanted—first awkwardness gone. "Mm—mutual consent—why fuss?"
Brow up—played along. "Used to think quality over quantity—but life is short—better bound by feelings—just~ feel good."
"..."
Storm in Yanxiao's pupils—jaw locked Bai Xu's. "If Little Chairman Bai really thinks that—come to me."
Kiss crashed down.
Jealousy fresh—desire days stacked.
Bai Xu knew he overplayed—push shoulder hard mid-chaos. "Shang Yanxiao—you..."
Yanxiao chased—hoarse. "Little Chairman Bai wanted FWB—I think your idea works. You're right—"
"Feel. Good. Done."
"Mmh."
Lips sucked hard—muffled sound.
Mouth to mouth—familiar tingle—Yanxiao's soap scent in nose.
Breath burning thicker.
Blood to brain—dizzy—pushing hands hooked Yanxiao's arms—instinct answered.
Bodies flush—through towel—Bai Xu felt his urgency.
Next—pajama ripped open—buttons flew—cold hit back.
Bai Xu on soft bedding—breath shudder. "Shang Yanxiao?"
Yanxiao pressed again. "Don't talk."
Kisses not lips only—everywhere—fierce eased—slow worse—nowhere to block.
Underestimated sensitivity—eyes red rim—soften. "Shang Yanxiao—don't."
Original or him—zero experience here.
Mouth brave—face to face—panic.
"..."
No supplies tonight—some things can't finish.
Yanxiao back to lips—hands didn't stop. "Bai Xu—different way."
"Hm?"
"You help me."
Three words—full pressure.
"..."
Everything rerouted—mess.
Half-asleep dragged back into arms. "Tired?"
Bai Xu soul ascending—turned away—ignored.
Yanxiao bit nape again—delayed but had to ask. "Bai Xu—if not me—Andrew or anyone else okay?"
"..."
Couldn't dodge bite—open mouth to stop—brow furrowed.
Mutual help in name—but mouth still foreign—cheeks sore.
Culprit still asking behind—pride surged.
Whatever—turned—slapped Yanxiao's mouth. "Stop asking—I need sleep."
Yanxiao let the tantrum—still pressed. "Bai Xu—clear."
"No."
Bai Xu whined. "Not interested in him—you're way better—okay?"
Yanxiao speechless at brush-off—key question. "Still just FWB?"
Bai Xu brain dead—random. "Mm—next time still you."
"..."
Next time?
Ordering off a menu?
Yanxiao ground down—long pause—indulged. "Fine. With me—don't look for others."
FWB or lover—just labels.
He wanted Bai Xu the person—stay long enough—formal title comes later?
...
Four days later—Zhang brothers done—Yanxiao and Bai Xu saw them to airport—watched customs—drove off.
Bai Xu checked time—to driving Yanxiao. "Eat out tonight?"
Yanxiao asked. "Where?"
Bai Xu knew little of New City—thought. "Disheng Chu Yate took me—good private room—membership—I can ask him."
Nav—half hour. "Go?"
Yanxiao followed. "Sure."
Disheng Private Restaurant.
Violin through speakers in the room.
Bai Xu looked at little food left—satisfied sigh. "Chef's real good. Nice vibe too."
Yanxiao stopped eating. "Full?"
Bai Xu warm water. "Mm—about. Bathroom—wait in car?"
"Okay."
Bai Xu out—toward restroom.
Whoosh—
Auto faucet.
Bai Xu rinsing foam—footsteps—someone else in.
Look up—mirror—familiar face.
"..."
Nearly a month—Chu Yuncheng's pride still annoying.
Saw Bai Xu—opened fire first. "Coincidence, Little Chairman Bai—Disheng Chu Yate bring you here too?"
Bai Xu shook hands—needle deliberate. "Chairman Chu and Second Young Master Chu so close—even trivia like this?"
Instant black face. "Close? Don't disgust me!"
Bai Xu light. "Didn't Chairman Chu bring it up?"
Chu Yuncheng dropped topic. "Bai Xu—heard Zhouye Investment bidding Hatchling Studios too?"
Paper towel—no deny. "Chairman Chu's intel is fast."
Chu Yuncheng scorn. "Little Chairman Bai—think one Juesheng deal means you join every party?"
"Unlucky—crowds are my specialty—but Chairman Chu—"
Turned—crumpled paper in bin. "Focus on your own lane—hard? Why poke into everything?"
Chu face changed. "You!"
Bai Xu ignored—acted. "Oh—was fine—now bathroom smells. Sorry—can't stay—bye."
"..."
Chu realized—teeth grit. "Bai Xu!"
Bai Xu didn't hear—back swagger—fury behind.
Chu rage burned—kicked trash can. "Just wait!"
Want Hatchling bid? Whose turf is this?
—slam!
Door shut.
Bai Xu belt fast. "Long wait? Ran into Chu Yuncheng in bathroom—good thing you stayed in the car."
Yanxiao frown. "He bother you?"
Bai Xu easy. "No."
Remembered Chu's face—almost laugh. "I think if Old Chairman Chu isn't stupid—hand everything to Chu Yate. Chu Yuncheng's arrogant empty swagger—"
"Any group in his hands dies."
That type thrives on family—not real skill.
Yanxiao agreed. "Mm."
Bai Xu dropped Chu talk—signal. "Go—early rest—project meeting tomorrow—serious business."
Yanxiao light laugh. "Okay."
...
Villa past nine.
Bai Xu drowsy in passenger—Yanxiao woke him—yawn out. "So sleepy."
Yanxiao soft. "Upstairs—wash—sleep."
Side by side to door—first floor windows not dark usual—too bright inside.
Bai Xu surprised. "Xie Qi still up? Why so many lights?"
Yanxiao shook head—fingerprint lock.
—beep.
Lock open.
Inside—Xie Qi heard—rushed low urgent. "Third Young Master, Little Chairman Bai—you're back!"
Face urgent—voice oddly hushed.
Bai Xu wrong feeling. "What happened?"
Before finish—familiar angry voice from living room. "Xie Qi—still covering for them? Get them in here!"
"..."
"..."
Both faces changed.
Yanxiao instant past Xie Qi—in—
Should be in Huaguo—Old Master Shang on the sofa!
Eagle-cold eyes locked Yanxiao's face—first time undisguised anger at the favorite grandson.
Bright living room—storm before rain.
Yanxiao's heart ice—still had to face it. "Grandfather."