Chapter 43

Living room pressure thickened.
Old Master Shang rose on his cane—anger and disappointment un faded. "You still know I'm your grandfather? Shang Yanxiao— you've opened my eyes wide!"
"..."
Facing the old man's reckoning—Yanxiao had a thousand thoughts—no words yet.
Bai Xu understood—stepped to help. "Old Master—Third Young Master he..."
"Shut your mouth!"
Cane slammed—no old indulgence for Bai Xu. "I'm talking to my grandson. Outsiders don't get to interrupt!"
Bai Xu stuck—dared not anger him further.
Yanxiao sent a "I've got this" look—half step—blocked the old man's line to Bai Xu.
"Grandfather—this has nothing to do with Bai Xu or the rest. My decision alone. Calm down—don't hurt yourself. Ask anything—you'll get a straight answer."
Neither servile nor defiant—respect intact as always.
Old Master Shang knew his temper. Low voice. "Where's the study?"
"Upstairs."
Yanxiao gestured. "I'll take you."
Grandfather and grandson—up the stairs.
Gone at the second-floor turn—downstairs eased a fraction.
Xie Qi pushed slipping glasses. "Scared me to death."
Chen Yufei met his eyes—tight. "Third Young Master okay?"
Long service—first time they'd seen the old master look at their boss like this.
Bai Xu knew they needed quiet—didn't follow up.
Forced eyes from upstairs back. "Why'd Old Master show up out of nowhere? Why didn't you warn us?"
Chen Yufei explained. "Little Chairman Bai—not that we didn't want—Old Master ordered silence."
Xie Qi as assistant tracked more—but blank this time. "We don't know how he found out."
Queyan in Huaguo—no advance warning. Yanxiao's people missed Old Master Shang slipping abroad.
This afternoon—bodyguard Xiao Deng on hospital duty as usual—Old Master alone like an uninvited guest—caught flat.
"Xiao Deng couldn't block him—let him in—blew the cover."
Old Master knew Xie Qi and crew were Yanxiao's inner circle—would tip off if he reached New City—ordered Xiao Deng to hide it first.
"Xiao Deng couldn't defy him—same gag on me and Old Chen when he got here—sat in the living room watching us—waiting for you."
Old Master's pressure—nobody moved under his eyes—afraid of the fuse.
Butler and staff true outsiders—neither Old Master nor Xie Qi wanted them in the loop—sent away on excuse.
Bai Xu heard—uneasy. "How long did he wait?"
Chen Yufei said. "Came at five."
"..."
Four plus hours? Disaster!
Their impromptu dinner tonight—costly delay!
Bai Xu regretted—brow tight—heart on Yanxiao.
Xie Qi asked. "Little Chairman Bai—now what? Old Master hates being deceived most."
Deceiver was his prized Yanxiao—anger and disappointment would hit harder.
Xie Qi weighed severity. "Old Madam not here—head butler didn't come either—if they fight upstairs—who stops it?"
Bai Xu's eyes flickered—thought. "Xie Qi—Old Master likes wellness tea—have any at home? Brew a cup—I go up soon."
Xie Qi and Chen Yufei exchanged looks—moving. "Should—I'll look."
Before finish—second floor—Old Master roaring—
"Shang Yanxiao—on your knees!"
"..."
Study pressure dropped.
Yanxiao didn't argue—knees hit floor hard—no cushion—pain to hear.
A man's knees are gold—unless rage this deep—wouldn't start with kneeling.
Old Master cold snort. "Tough guy!"
Yanxiao straight—eyes down. "Grandfather—sorry. Shouldn't have hidden from you and Grandmother—made you worry so long."
Old Master direct. "When did you actually wake?"
Yanxiao hesitated two seconds—truth. "Not long after the crash."
Old Master grip on cane tightened—
He'd thought Yanxiao woke after New Country treatment improved—hidden for unknown reasons.
Never imagined—half a year of play—whole family fools?
Most trusted, most prized grandson—deception he couldn't grasp—hated most!
Old Master shook—breath trembling—interrogation reset. "Shang Yanxiao—what were you thinking? What did you take our worry for?"
"I ask you—why run to New Country with Zhang the Second—what for? Queyan grinding in the group how hard?"
"Elder brother hiding here idle? If the crash scrambled your brain—get back to the hospital!"
Questions like hail.
Treatment Yanxiao never got as a child.
"..."
Yanxiao's throat moved—let the old man vent.
Cane hammered floor—roar. "Speak! What was all this hiding for?"
"Grandfather."
Yanxiao lifted head—eyes on the old man—long-stored pain mixed in. "Never wondered—Third House crash was deliberate?"
Old Master stiffened. "What?"
"Never thought—my parents shouldn't have died? And Queyan—"
"He had a future—racing—then both legs gone! Grandfather—you heard the gossip—how ugly."
"Queyan has grit—forced himself forward—but I as brother remember—for Third House I remember!"
Old Master tried steady breath—weakness in voice. "Overseas police issued findings—still doubting what?"
Hatred flashed deep in Yanxiao's eyes. "I suspect First or Second House hired hitmen—I also suspect—"
Barely audible choke—eyes forced red. "Grandfather—you knew the crash was odd—and didn't push police to dig deeper!"
Deepest guess finally thrown.
Not doubt—statement.
Old Master enraged—cane full force on Yanxiao's right shoulder. "You bastard!"
—thwack!
Yanxiao didn't dodge—teeth locked—no sound of pain.
Next second—Bai Xu burst in. "Old Master!"
He'd had tea—quiet outside—planned timing—wrong strike sound—couldn't hold.
Old Master cane pointed. "Why are you in here? Out!"
Bai Xu saw Yanxiao's dropped right shoulder—chest tight. "Old Master—wellness tea—calm down—talk properly."
Old Master at the tea—no mood. "Talk properly? Does he look like he will?"
Aimed again at kneeling Yanxiao—complexity hidden. "You suspect I shielded First and Second—so even awake you hid from us—is that it?"
"..."
Yanxiao lips sealed—straightened crooked posture silent.
Old Master heart aching—cane up to strike again. "Shang Yanxiao—you—fine!"
Bai Xu saw it worsening—set tea—shielded Yanxiao. "Old Master—Yanxiao's loss of parents—same as your loss of son and daughter-in-law."
"Dijing says Third Young Master's temper is most like yours—how he treats you—what's in his heart—you know better than anyone?"
"..."
Old Master heaving—cane high—couldn't drop on him—smashed beside Yanxiao instead.
Two steps back—collapsed in chair—deflated. "Fine—I Shang Hong raised a fine grandson!"
Bai Xu turned to Yanxiao—worry and reminder. "Yanxiao? You okay?"
"..."
That address—Yanxiao's tension eased a trace.
Bai Xu half-kneeled level—low advise. "Talk properly to Old Master—okay?"
He'd told Queyan how to handle the old man—now he forgot himself?
Yanxiao micro nod—voice softer. "Grandfather—sorry. I just—I need the truth."
Still kneeling.
"Truth?"
Old Master still hard. "What did you find? No proof! You suspect your own aunt—uncle—harm to kin!"
Last words—Old Master's voice choked too.
Bai Xu stood—pushed tea closer again. "Old Master—you're right—everything needs evidence."
"Yanxiao knows—never spread rumors."
Soft tone—apology for Yanxiao. "Faking illness—worrying you and Old Madam—that was wrong—but you were always in his heart."
Remembered—added proof. "Right—the AI medical device deal Third House got for the group—you know?"
"Yanxiao knew you wanted expansion there—he personally closed it with Juesheng's Chairman Zhang."
"..."
Old Master half believed—look at peacemaker Bai Xu. "Stop pleading for him—didn't you help hide it too?"
"You were fierce—wanted no tie to Shang family—how long ago? Now you're his man?"
Last line choked Bai Xu—couldn't answer.
Yanxiao steadied—hidden investigation out. "I paid overseas PIs—"
"Dead driver Zha Li had a warehouse partner—Cherkin."
Bai Xu first hearing—face serious.
"Before the crash Cherkin sick leave—after quit for illness—PI through hospital networks—no treatment records that period."
"Instead—half month after crash—Cherkin hit high-end venues—tens of thousands USD luxury."
Bai Xu looked at Old Master—summary for Yanxiao. "Ordinary warehouse man—where's that money?"
Yanxiao to Old Master—key point. "Card account—Shang Group overseas bank."
Old Master stirred inside—face blank.
Yanxiao continued. "Later Xie Qi used overseas banking contacts—"
"Cherkin's card registered in his name—but large deposits were cash at branch."
Surveillance—depositor fully disguised—sunglasses mask cap.
"Height ~175—build doesn't match Cherkin—likely middleman."
Warehouse man sudden rich—masked depositor—can't be clean.
Find both—maybe break the crash case—needle in haystack though.
Three months passed—no Cherkin—no mystery depositor.
"Grandfather—I lack hard proof—but gut says crash isn't simple—I must find truth!"
Old Master eyes complex—stiff counter. "If it ends empty?"
Yanxiao rare stubborn. "It won't be empty."
"You've picked a side—my words useless."
For secret investigation—for no leak—he gave up the group—hid here—even ignored aging Grandmother!
Old Master disappointed—stood. "Shang Yanxiao—I can't control you—from today do as you please! Since you dumped everything on your brother—don't think of coming back!"
Bai Xu startled.
Old Master stood—walked around him.
Bai Xu grabbed cane—followed. "Old Master—where sleep tonight? I'll arrange—"
"No—hotel booked."
Cut off. "Same roof tonight—I'd die of anger!"
"..."
Bai Xu smooth talk. "Old Master—you're healthy—grandfather and grandson don't hold grudges overnight. Rest well—we visit tomorrow?"
Old Master snort—downstairs alone.
Bai Xu signaled Chen Yufei and Xie Qi in living room. "Get Old Master to hotel properly—clear?"
"Yes, Little Chairman Bai."
Old Master snatched cane back—complaint or notice. "If you hadn't burst in—I would've crippled both his arms!"
Out first.
Three minutes—car gone—Bai Xu's string loosened—rushed upstairs.
...
Master door open—Bai Xu close—
Yanxiao back from study—standing at window—view below—watching Old Master leave.
Bai Xu understood—knocked—entered. "Relax—Xie Qi and them will get Old Master to hotel safe and sound."
"Mm."
Yanxiao barely audible—turned—met his eyes. "Thank you."
If not for Bai Xu softening middle—today wouldn't be one cane strike.
"Why thank me between us?"
Bai Xu's probing eyes on shoulder. "Shoulder how is it? That hit looked heavy."
Yanxiao shook head—no pain showing. "Fine. Late—you shower first? I want a quick rinse too."
Bai Xu knew he needed alone time. "Okay—talk after."
...
Rain drifted outside—heavier mood at home.
Bai Xu pajamas from bathroom—still worried—connecting door.
Click.
Master—something dropped.
Bai Xu knock—reminder—ask. "Shang Yanxiao—done showering?"
"Come in."
Yanxiao muffled—breath oddly floaty.
Bai Xu wrong feeling—pushed in.
Master—one dim bedside lamp—Yanxiao shirtless on bed edge—bending for fallen ointment.
Bai Xu close—heart shock—
Whole right shoulder swollen—worst purple-green with blood threads.
Yanxiao read stiffness—hoarse. "Scared you? Looks worse than it is."
"Cut that—swelled this fast—how not serious?"
Bai Xu frowned close—rare unhappiness at Old Master. "Too hard—said he dotes on you most—what if bones damaged?"
Yanxiao eyes down. "Lifetime—only hit me once today—I angered him bad."
Bai Xu felt low mood—took ointment. "Awkward angle—I'll apply."
Yanxiao didn't refuse. "Okay."
Five cotton swabs bunched—large ointment on swollen shoulder.
Swab touched—Yanxiao sharp inhale.
Bai Xu lighter. "Hang on."
Yanxiao endured. "Fine."
Bai Xu distract. "What you told Old Master—Queyan doesn't know?"
Parents' crash maybe human—family maybe culprit.
Yanxiao said. "He's suffered enough—before facts settle—I won't load him more."
Bai Xu sighed at the brother's weight. "Shouldn't have said that to Old Master tonight—he was mad you hid waking—apology would've been enough."
Yanxiao knew the old temper better. "He flew here—knew long deception—even if I stayed quiet—he'd dig to the bottom—can't hide."
"True."
Bai Xu comfort continued. "For him—your parents his children—First and Second his blood too—palm and back."
"'No proof' all gut—from his angle rage is normal—don't break over it."
Yanxiao nodded. "I know."
Hands never stopped—careful ask. "But—you really suspect Old Master?"
"..."
Yanxiao met his eyes—red not fully gone.
Bai Xu quick. "Not eavesdropping—I was at door with tea—timing when to enter."
"I know."
Yanxiao stopped restless unease. "No need explain—I trust you."
Because trust—full disclosure—
After initial ruling—accident on paper—police still noted delayed departure and sudden lane change—possible intent.
"They verbally suggested Old Master petition another round as family—he agreed at first—but three days before I woke—he withdrew."
No hard evidence—withdrawal smooth.
Yanxiao learned later.
"Grandfather proud—all his life pursues results—if suspicious—won't drop easy."
Yanxiao choked pause—holding acid. "I lost control tonight—words too harsh—hurt him—all my fault."
Parents' death—not a scar Yanxiao wipes easy—longer it festers—worse the rot.
As brother—he counsels Queyan forward—can't counsel himself.
Nobody knows Yanxiao's midnight turns—how often he wants that day back—
"I've thought—if that day I wasn't tired from work—didn't let Queyan drive instead—would it change?"
"Maybe I'd get them through—even if not—Queyan wouldn't lose his legs."
"Shang Yanxiao—enough—stop."
Bai Xu low stop—dull pain he couldn't name. "Can't blame any of you."
"Yeah—happened—can't change."
Yanxiao bitter smile—turned away—wouldn't show weakness. "Late—you rest—shoulder's nothing."
Bai Xu stared profile—inexplicable sadness.
Instinct—light grip on wrist. "Yanxiao."
Not full name—closer soft call.
Yanxiao heavy mood shifted—looked back.
Bai Xu met eyes—pressed shy flutter. "I'll stay with you."
Yanxiao blank. "What?"
Word by word. "I'll go with you tomorrow to apologize to Old Master. I'll wait with you till truth comes out."
Even without reading the book to the end—he remembered—the crash in the original was conspiracy.
"You're not wrong—don't blame yourself."
"And—we're allies right? So—" Bai Xu reason for himself. "Sky falls—I stay with you."
Yanxiao finally light laugh. "Sure you want to stay with me?"
Bai Xu smiled—forgot recent resolve. "Of course—I keep promises."