Chapter 44

Rain outside showed no sign of stopping.
Bai Xu finished shoulder meds. "Sleep careful tonight—if still swollen tomorrow—hospital check."
Yanxiao felt the care. "Mm—I know."
"Then I head back—you rest early?"
Bai Xu ointment to kit—stood—Yanxiao caught his hand. "Bai Xu."
Palm heat—Bai Xu dropped eyes dazed.
Yanxiao still bed edge—red in eyes not cleared—no noble heir mask—rare vulnerability.
Didn't release—thumb faint on wrist. "Stay tonight—okay?"
"..."
Calm thoughts tangled again. "Shang Yanxiao?"
Yanxiao pulled him close—head dropped on him—deflated. "I'm tired. Head hurts too."
Bai Xu heart stirred—seconds—other hand on back of head. "Okay."
After FWB stuff—sleeping together—what's the difference.
Bedside lamp lowest.
Swollen right shoulder—Yanxiao side sleep only.
Bai Xu left side—inevitable eyes on face—gaze hot—flush rising.
Bai Xu fake unaware—turned back. "Mm—sleeping..."
Not finished—body pressed from behind.
"Dodge what—ears red."
"..."
"Turn around."
Warm breath on ear—tingle chaos.
Bai Xu snapped turn—low huff. "Sleep or not? Shoulder hurt—still thinking that?"
Yanxiao laughed. "Oh~ Little Chairman Bai's head full of that?"
Arm tighter—closer. "Just want to hold you sleep—nothing else—but if Little Chairman Bai really wants—I can cooperate."
Bai Xu caught tease tail—wrong-footed awkward.
Swallowed—mouth hard. "Who wants? Third Young Master joking—wasted my comfort time."
Yanxiao smiled—kiss on earlobe.
Brief—skimming water—ripple after ripple in the heart.
"Axu—thank you."
"..."
First intimate nickname—stunned two three seconds—breath more chaotic.
Admitted defeat—eyes closed—body leaned Yanxiao anyway. "Sleep. Good night."
Palm on back—patting sleep. "Okay. Good night."
...
Old Master Shang—age—light sleep always.
After last night's fight—heart tight wave after wave—rough sleep—up early.
Alone in hotel suite—noon passing—more sour—
"Lived half a century—sons grandsons useless every one."
Pacing room muttering.
"Noon and nobody? Last night said visit today? Bai Xu rabbit mouth all for nothing."
—ding—
Doorbell.
Old Master eyes shifted—Bai Xu outside. "Old Master—you there?"
"..."
Brow unfurled instant—no cane—fast to door.
—ding!—ding!
Again. "Old Master—it's me—Bai Xu."
Near door—serious patriarch face back—opened. "Morning already—what's wrong with you kid?"
"..."
Nearly noon—where morning?
Bai Xu uncertain. "Old Master—still sleeping? I disturbed you?"
Side glance—Bai Xu alone—inner loss.
Face flat. "Why are you here?"
Bai Xu obedient smile—two food boxes. "Old Master—may I in? Yanxiao worried you'd miss home food—had me scout and bring lunch."
"Hmph."
Turned away—left door open.
Bai Xu in—boxes on table—warm aroma rose.
Old Master pressed mouth curve. "Where'd you buy this?"
"Bought?"
Bai Xu shook head—emphasis. "Old Master—Yanxiao made this early. I helped side line. He said—"
Clean utensils out. "Learned from Old Madam—dishes you love."
Old Master scan table—each favorite. "He can cook this?"
"Not Old Madam level." Bai Xu near—coax child—chopsticks offered. "Old Master—face us—try?"
Old Master took chopsticks—slow sit.
Bai Xu warm millet porridge bowl—spoon in. "Here."
Old Master blank face—two sips porridge—cool chicken shreds.
Bai Xu didn't eat—watched. "Old Master—how is it?"
"Passable."
Bai Xu bright. "Passable counts—apology in every bite."
Used to sweet mouth. "You say everything!"
Bai Xu unbothered. "Old Master—one question—don't rage yet."
Side glance—permission.
Bai Xu probe. "Why suddenly New Country? Family know?"
Old Master heard subtext—chopsticks pause. "You two fooled so many—now guilty scared?"
Bai Xu stuck.
Old Master didn't hide. "First Second don't know. Family doesn't know I'm here."
"..."
Bai Xu startled. "Then how'd you get word?"
Old Master hollow heart greens—stringing him. "Hmph—I Shang Hong—decades on the road—salt eaten more than you two walked—what trick hides from me?"
"Coma always had doubt in my heart—you hid well—not everyone around you hid well."
"Zhang Second sent hospital video of Yanxiao lying down—but airport pickup who? Same afternoon bar who?"
Bai Xu clicked. "Old Master—you—PIs on Dr. Zhang?"
Countless plans—leak here!
Old Master only. "Fake things—always a gap."
Bai Xu admit. "Yes."
Photos back—guessed Yanxiao hid for reason—told nobody—excuse "rest trip" abroad.
Old Master remembered last night—face shifted again.
Bai Xu read—spoke for Yanxiao. "Crash thing—built too long inside—can't tell Queyan—hard to tell us."
Emotion unvented—balloon inflating—must pop.
Old Master silent—eyes complex—unknown thoughts.
Bai Xu peacemaker again. "Old Master—Yanxiao regretted angering you last night—always respected you—you feel it—right?"
Old Master contrary. "Respect? If respect—why not come himself?"
Bai Xu seized timing. "Old Master—Yanxiao came with me! Afraid you're still angry—showing face makes worse—waited downstairs."
Phone out—probe. "I call him up now?"
"..."
Old Master bite food—allowed. "Mm—tastes decent."
Bai Xu hid smile—text downstairs Yanxiao fast.
Old Master saw excited typing—caught again. "You two together?"
"Huh?"
Bai Xu blank. "What?"
Old Master direct. "You and Yanxiao—dating?"
"I..."
Bai Xu stuck.
Beyond allies—but "FWB" to Old Master—Yanxiao needn't come up—Bai Xu gets thrown out too.
Old Master saw hesitation. "Stuttering why? I'm not closed-minded—won't split lovers."
Bai Xu helpless—hard admit. "Oh—we—we just started trying."
Old Master hm laugh—vague. "Knew it."
Bai Xu didn't get. "Huh? Knew what?"
Old Master no explain—slow chopsticks.
Soon—doorbell.
Bai Xu opened—eyes Yanxiao—whisper thrice. "Talk properly to Old Master—show weakness okay—not like last night."
Yanxiao agreed. "Got it."
Bai Xu know when stop. "I'll wait restaurant floor?"
Door talk—grandfather grandson alone better.
"Okay."
Hotel door closed again.
Yanxiao deep breath—steady to table. "Grandfather."
Old Master didn't look—adjusted empty porridge bowl.
Yanxiao read the step—reached. "Grandfather—more porridge?"
Warm bowl again—gap melted invisible.
Old Master signal. "Sit."
Yanxiao sat—long brewed apology. "Grandfather—sorry—I shouldn't deceive you—or say last night's words—I misspoke."
Apology heard—last night's rage gone from brow. "Yanxiao."
"Hm?"
"Overseas police did contact me—I did re-file—and withdraw."
"..."
"Not what you think—not found clues shielding First Second—because of your grandmother."
Yanxiao understood from fragments—guilt spiked.
Old Master detailed. "Your family's crash—devastation for her—white hair sending black—running between you brothers."
Could hire help—Old Madam couldn't rest easy.
She held grief—fainted several times.
Wife mention—Old Master gentler—even admitted. "I withdrew because I was afraid."
"..."
First time Yanxiao heard "afraid" from him.
Old Master sighed. "Besides your aunt never home never thinking marriage—I know three houses fight open and shadow over group."
"But what can I do? Your father—big aunt—second uncle—all mine and your grandmother's blood."
"If investigation ends accident—grief may fade in time—but if result like you say—"
"Considered me and your grandmother?"
Own children harming kin—plot killing brother and sister-in-law?
"I'm not sure I can bear it—your grandmother definitely can't—you understand? Don't want her age facing that."
Old Master smart—stubborn life—this one thing—wanted foolish peace for self and wife.
Yanxiao belatedly—no words. "Grandfather..."
"Everyone says your temper most like mine."
Deep breath—invisible surrender. "I know—without result—you never turn the page—never cross this."
"Can't stop you—won't—half in ground already—don't want underground facing your parents' blame—"
"Actually—I fear they'll ask: Dad—why didn't you investigate clear?"
Yanxiao acid rose. "Grandfather—don't think that."
Like hiding something—cleared throat. "Investigate if you want—those two men—I use my contacts too when back."
"But one thing—you must do."
Yanxiao nod. "Say it."
Old Master demand. "After I return—I won't leak outside—but video call—you report safe to your grandmother."
"She always doted on you—can't make her worry sick—clear?"
Versus deception rage—Yanxiao safe—what old couple prayed most.
Yanxiao serious. "Understood."
Old Master looked shoulder. "Shoulder?"
Yanxiao shake. "Fine."
Old Master knew his force. "Hospital when free—next nonsense—I hit again—remember?"
Yanxiao mouth finally curve. "Remembered—Grandfather taught well."
"Enough—yesterday done—stay New City or Dijing with me—even skip group for now—still need your career."
"But your parents and I fought life—not for you starting from zero—any project needs group resources—have Queyan help quiet."
Never hid favor—believed grandson could run any project.
Yanxiao finally eased. "Thank you Grandfather."
Old Master checked time. "Four PM flight—should head airport."
"..."
Yanxiao startled. "So soon? Not two more days?"
"Not soon how?"
Own plan. "Hid from family—don't return—your secret harder to keep."
Yanxiao moved—hiding for him. "Grandfather—thank you."
"Skip sentiment." Not sentimental type—gesture. "Go—you drive me airport."
"Okay."
Old Master little luggage—easy pack.
Saw leftover boxes on table—remembered ask. "Bai Xu hiding where?"
Yanxiao small case. "Restaurant waiting us done talking."
Old Master rare smile. "You lovebirds timed it—take turns talking to old man."
"..."
Lovebirds?
Yanxiao eyes bright. "Grandfather—Bai Xu told you our relationship?"
Old Master elevator button. "What's to tell? Not senile—last night he shielded you you shielded him—I become villain alone?"
Yanxiao tugged mouth—automatic. "Bai Xu is good."
Old Master saw real joy—mouth praise. "When did your grandmother's eye fail?"
"Luck marriage panic—actually matched you two—Grandmother learns—how happy."
Words forgot how much he hated the absurd match at first.
Restaurant floor—elevator open.
Yanxiao locked Bai Xu at window—voice smiled. "Grandfather—there."
Old Master saw mood spike—saw through—didn't say. "Go."
Bai Xu saw them—atmosphere not last night's weight.
Guessed outcome—smile. "Old Master—you talked it out?"
Old Master slight nod.
Yanxiao to him. "Mm—Grandfather four PM flight Huaguo—I drive him airport."
Bai Xu up instant. "I'll come too?"
"Okay."
...
Airport parking soon.
Yanxiao about out—Old Master stopped him. "Yanxiao—don't get out—still faking—stay low profile."
Airport crowds—run into acquaintance?
Yanxiao and Bai Xu eyes—latter smooth. "Then Old Master—I see you off?"
Old Master didn't refuse.
Both out.
Bai Xu took small suitcase—elevator to departures.
Rising slow.
Old Master looked Bai Xu—thought—called. "Bai Xu."
"Hm?"
"Yanxiao steady since childhood—doesn't cry fuss—holds things inside."
"Parents gone—big brother won't tell little brother—won't tell me or Grandmother."
Pause—casual line long brewed. "If you can—stay with him more."
"..."
Bai Xu heard care in calm—eyes acid unbidden.
Old Master forward—life-seen ease. "Grandmother and I this age—any day gone—of all children—I worry most about those two brothers."
Other houses' grandchildren—still elders to lean on.
Bai Xu remembered original serious illness plot—heart gripped invisible.
Reflex deny. "Old Master—you're hardy—why talk that?"
Door open.
Old Master gesture. "Enough—give bag—I go myself—you back."
"..."
Bai Xu wanted speak—risk anger anyway. "Old Master—heart check when free?"
Old Master eyes shift.
Bai Xu quick add. "Last night angry—you clutched chest—I worried."
Old Master took case. "My body I know—annual checks done—don't waste worry."
Bai Xu pressed lips. "Good then."
Body looked solid.
World not necessarily by the book—maybe "reality" diverges—plot won't happen?
Old Master didn't know complex thoughts. "Go back—don't keep Yanxiao waiting."
Bai Xu polite—took case back. "He's not rushed—I check you in—security first."
...
Half hour—back in car.
Eyes Yanxiao—report. "Relax—Old Master through security—boarding soon."
"Good."
Bai Xu belt—look at stiff shoulder. "Hospital anyway? I'm not easy about this."
Not that he wouldn't drive—original host no international license—can't.
Before finish—both phones buzz—Hatchling project group message.
Member @ all three—last resort.
"Little Chairman Bai, Chairman Shang, Chairman Chu—all bosses—sorry to disturb—prep hit a nasty snag—need you three to fix!"