Chapter 45

Zhouye Investment.
Yanxiao and Bai Xu pulled up as Chu Yate arrived—eyes exchanged—straight to the meeting room.
"Chairman Chu."
Deputy lead Kailing stood—nervous greetings one by one. "Little Chairman Bai. Chairman Shang."
Bai Xu pulled a chair. "Sit—talk."
In this team Kailing and Xie Qi led prep in different directions—rolled up to Bai Xu and company later.
Chu Yate trusted Kailing's ability—wouldn't disturb them unless truly stuck.
Chu Yate asked first. "Kailing—what happened?"
Group message was last resort—hard to explain on screen—recalled meeting.
Kailing looked at team—signal—two days of supplier lists handed to Bai Xu and company.
Bai Xu brow up. "I reviewed this invite list—wasn't it fine?"
Regulations for major amusement bids—detailed project plan plus underground material suppliers at build time.
All listed companies—qualified for audit.
Focus now—invite cooperation—quote comparison—final call Zhouye's hands.
Kailing brow knit. "Little Chairman Bai—problem's here."
"Every supplier heard we're Zhouye Investment—refused without exception."
"..."
"Reasons all polished."
Polite version—H2 booked full—no outside orders rest of year.
Rude version—won't work with unknown startup like Zhouye.
Negotiation staff muttered low. "August—already full year orders? Obviously brushing us off."
Bai Xu read the subtlety—eyes shifted.
Yanxiao closed list folder. "Contacted off-list suppliers?"
Kailing already had. "Same answers mostly. Small shops sniffing around—volume too small—not our tier."
Bai Xu nailed it. "Someone behind this—trying to stall our prep before bid."
Kailing about to say—hesitant glance at Chu Yate. "Yuansheng Steel Chairman Zhou's secretary—friend of mine—she hinted..."
First time some heard—couldn't help. "Hinted what?"
Bai Xu looked at Chu Yate—knew the answer. "What else? In New Country who has that 'voice'—suppliers ditch outside orders to stay friendly—how many families?"
Chu Yate's joke face gone—cold laugh. "Chu Yuncheng behind it."
Bai Xu thought that face—disgust and headache. "Bad start—stuck with..."
In public he swallowed the crude word.
Juesheng AW first—Hatchling bid after—grudge with Chu Yuncheng deepening.
Bai Xu speechless. "Last restaurant meet—he said we were delusional bidding Hatchling—turns around this petty?"
Using Chu Group status and ties to strangle competition in the cradle.
"Bidders getting clear now."
Yanxiao no personal heat—calm analysis. "From suppliers' view—they pick Chu Group likely winner—not bet on us."
Surface read—Chu wins more probable.
Offend rooted big group for unknown new company with unclear capital? Bad math.
"True enough."
Bai Xu equally calm—looked at stiff Chu Yate. "Lucky Yuncheng doesn't know you're our ally—or he'd lock down harder."
Kailing cared about progress. "Bosses—now what?"
Short prep window—stuck here—full bid file hard—not just winning hope.
Chu Yate frowned. "Can't land domestic suppliers—overseas?"
Obvious downside—
Shipping cost up—quote weak—margin squeezed.
"Two-track?"
"One—keep grinding New Country suppliers. Money talks. Raise quote within margin."
Can't exceed overseas shipping cost.
Bai Xu pause—look at Yanxiao.
Yanxiao seamless second track. "I'll use contacts in Huaguo and neighbors—right price. If shipping plus quote ≈ local bump—option two."
Chu Yate no objection—amazed. "Future meetings—one of you enough? Shared brain unmatched."
Bai Xu curved lips—didn't deny.
To the team. "Not your fault—no guilt. Tight time—I believe we solve it—fine."
Kailing string eased. "Yes, Little Chairman Bai—we'll coordinate."
Supplier stall—overtime pointless—Friday clock-out—Bai Xu spoke for all three.
"Friday—leave on time. Weekend rest. Monday fresh start."
"Okay."
"Thanks bosses."
Team packed—trickled out.
Chu Yate sighed. "Bai Xu—that boss speech—fits executive."
Bai Xu brow up—no modesty. "I am one."
Glance at Yanxiao—
Left hand on water cup—injured right shoulder still stiff—afraid to move.
Chu Yate again. "Dinner tonight?"
Bai Xu looked back—plot on him. "Chu Yate—favor."
Saw unkind smile in eyes—blank. "What?"
Five minutes later—Chu Yate mirror at Yanxiao and Bai Xu in back—pout.
"Chu family second young master driving you two—Bai Xu—you're—" thumb back—"something."
Bai Xu swatted thumb down—no courtesy. "Emergency—Yanxiao's shoulder—no local license."
Chen Yufei and crew on leave—can't drag them in.
Belt clicked. "Sorry Chu Second Young Master—hospital run."
Chu Yate eyes forward. "Ahem—driver okay—but one rule—"
"What?"
"No back-seat couple show."
Floor it.
...
Scan better than feared—
Yanxiao's right shoulder—no bone damage—swelling and bruise block—daily medicated rub—no heavy lifting short term—avoid re-injury.
Bai Xu didn't trouble Chu Yate for ride back—called designated driver—home—simple staff dinner—then to their rooms to wash.
Knock knock.
Bai Xu head down. "In."
Yanxiao entered—bathrobe loose top—medicine bag from hospital—meaning obvious.
"Little Chairman Bai—help?"
"Sit."
Bai Xu agreed quick.
Took bag—watched hospital technique—rubbed medicine in bit by bit. "Hurt?"
Yanxiao met eyes straight. "No."
Heat from palm—skin—pain minor.
Bai Xu caught smile in Yanxiao's eyes—heart warm—pivot. "Grandfather's plane landed yet?"
New City to Dijing direct ~six and a half hours.
"Not yet—thirty forty more." Yanxiao same worry—added. "Told Queyan ahead—late landing—he'll send driver."
Bai Xu eased. "Good."
Yanxiao saw discomfort—work pivot. "Third House worked many material suppliers on projects—tomorrow Xie Qi lists them."
"I can't front negotiations—Queyan sends people—intent confirmed by next Wednesday."
"Okay."
Bai Xu still preferred local suppliers. "Tomorrow ask Chu Yate—channel to meet those chairmen?"
"Like Chairman Zhang—meet face—flip impression—talk deal."
"No channel—we host a banquet—make one."
Bai Xu always believed will beats fate—want it—done.
Yanxiao believed him. "Okay—your lead—I support."
More medicine in palm—teased hearing. "What merit—Chairman Shang supporting me?"
Yanxiao laughed. "Outward I'm your bodyguard assistant—should. Honor to have Little Chairman Bai apply medicine."
Bai Xu hm laugh—stopped. "Done—wash sleep—keep the bottle."
"Okay."
Bathroom—washed hands clean—turned—Yanxiao leaning doorway—not left.
Locked by his stare—dazed. "What?"
Yanxiao closed in. "One thing—I need confirmed."
Distance zero—Bai Xu tried escape—wrong angle—back hit wall.
Throat tight. "What?"
Yanxiao on his face—word by word. "Grandfather said at hotel—you told him we're a couple?"
"I..."
Light inhale—no denial.
Yanxiao inferred from Old Master—Bai Xu's reaction—seven eight correct.
Joy dense in eyes—closer. "Little Chairman Bai—FWB? Two scripts front and back?"
"..."
Caught smug Yanxiao—push awkward. "Shang Yanxiao—move."
"—Hiss!"
Palm hit medicated right shoulder—Yanxiao face shifted.
Bai Xu pulled back—
Yanxiao caught hand—persisted. "Answer first—couple or FWB?"
Still latter. "Of course latter."
Expected—Yanxiao brow twitch.
Bai Xu avoided eyes—explain. "You know Old Master's temper—say FWB—next second thrown from hotel."
Yanxiao silent—staring.
Bai Xu guilty under stare. "Done looking? Don't use injured shoulder—I can't get rough—let go."
Didn't—nose brushed his. "Axu."
Ears hot—breath unsteady. "Don't call that."
"What?"
Playing dumb. "FWB—care about names?"
Bai Xu buzz. "Stop twisting."
Yanxiao voice lower. "Then I want something only FWB do."
"..."
"I want to kiss you."
Invite scalding—Bai Xu burning.
Brain messy—brush off. "FWB—why kiss when bored?"
Yanxiao almost on lips—laughed back. "Who's twisting now?"
"..."
No push left—lashes tremble down.
Yanxiao saw all—held kiss urge—step back. "Fine."
Warm breath faded—Bai Xu blank open—Yanxiao's bright smile in eyes.
Yanxiao fishing back. "Respect Little Chairman Bai—no kiss."
Bai Xu dazed—uncertain look.
"Good night. Sleep well." Yanxiao pretended not see—turned room—held in.
Click.
Connecting door shut—ambience gone.
Bai Xu realized played—gasp—mutter. "Sleep your own sleep!"
Let's see who breaks first!
...
Monday.
Bai Xu scanned fresh supplier list—tablet background check—who to tackle first.
Buzz buzz buzz.
Call—Chu Yate—answered. "Hey Chu Yate."
Chu Yate excited through phone. "Bai Xu—free? Material suppliers—I found face-to-face path."
Bai Xu gripped phone. "What?"
Chu Yate short. "New Country official Construction Investment Association annual event—theme varies—builders, suppliers, developers invited."
Bai Xu clicked. "Industry team building?"
"You could say that—directors, execs, chairmen all names—like our list—"
Pause—
"Yuansheng Steel Chairman Zhou Yangfan, Saint Paulina's Chair Alice, Linggang's Cheng Ye."
Top of the supplier list.
Bai Xu got it. "I can get in?"
Chu Yate confident laugh. "Why else call? Chu Group gets invites yearly—Yuncheng hates it—my father dumps on me."
"Heads-up—you and Chairman Shang both come?"
Bai Xu wouldn't miss. "Yes—when where?"
"Details later."
"Mm."
Hung up.
Bai Xu next door Yanxiao—full relay. "You coming?"
Before answer—Chu Yate sent attendee list.
Yanxiao skimmed. "Yes."
Bai Xu hesitated. "Recognized?"
"Project isn't yours alone—I won't sit out." Yanxiao clear—old worry gone.
"Small crowd—no past business with Shang Group—Chu Yate gives me surname cover—few will care."
Even if cover drops—may not reach Shang family—worst First Second hear—
Old Master already knows—investigation continues.
Bai Xu respected. "Fine."
Yanxiao counter. "Theme?"
Bai Xu screen lit. "Checking—Chu Yate sent program."
Seconds—eyes bright unexpected. "Rich people's events—colorful."
Yanxiao curious. "What?"
Bai Xu handed phone—clicked tongue. "Uninhabited island team build—bold planners."
...
Nominal wilderness island drill—but all chairmen—association prepared fully.
Friday early—Bai Xu and Yanxiao at rally point—
New City Deep Island Pier.
Sea breeze cut heat.
Yanxiao scanned crowd. "Where's Chu Yate?"
"Flashiest peacock." Bai Xu out—sharp eyes. "See—blue white floral again."
"Let's go."
"Okay."
Side by side over.
Chu Yate spotted—waved. "Come—Little Chairman Bai—intro time."
"This is Yuansheng Steel Zhou Yangfan—Linggang Group Cheng Ye."
First plump—~175. Second lean—180 plus.
Sunglasses against sun—famous supplier bosses—contrast comedy.
Bai Xu couldn't read eyes—polite nod. "Gentlemen."
"Chairman Zhou, Chairman Cheng—Zhouye Investment Bai Xu, Little Chairman Bai—and—" Chu Yate and Yanxiao subtle look—"colleague Yan Xiao, Chairman Yan."
"..."
Creative.
Bai Xu fake cough—hid laugh.
Yanxiao accepted cover—low greeting.
Cheng Ye through sunglasses sized unlisted Bai Xu and Yan Xiao—remembered something—glance at Zhou.
Zhou Yangfan guessed too—smile ask. "Little Chairman Bai's Zhouye—sounds familiar?"
If memory serves—the firm Chu Yuncheng told everyone to squeeze.
Chu Yate same line as before. "Bai Xu—Germany friend—idle invite to play—you mind, gentlemen?"
Cheng Ye sharp—guessed—didn't poke.
"Heard lead say Xisheng uninhabited island—three hour sail. Little Chairman Bai's build—handle it?"
Bai Xu met Cheng Ye. "Thanks Chairman Cheng—I'm fine."
Start of event—no rush business—three day drill—time enough.
Ten o'clock—sun brutal.
Association lead megaphone. "Directors, chairmen—boats ready—embark!"
Pairs boarding—Bai Xu Yanxiao Chu Yate last.
Bai Xu watched boarding—low ask. "Where's Chair Alice?"
Chu Yate said. "GM came—foreign partner locked—they're out—we skip effort."
Bai Xu nod—excited. "Suddenly—I am looking forward."
Long time since charter sea.
Yanxiao boat size—uneasy look Bai Xu. "Not big—wind today—rocky ride."
Bai Xu heard care—shrugged. "Fine."
Real excitement—firm. "I don't get seasick."