Chapter 46

Like Yanxiao predicted—sunny sky—sea wind strong—mid-size hull rocked with swells—
Bai Xu fine at first—past two hours—head heavy feet light—bad.
Couldn't tough it out—cabin lounge sofa.
Through window—Chu Yate and Zhou Yangfan drinking chatting deck—Bai Xu bitter regret.
Bad with alcohol—avocado allergy—now seasick—transmigrated long—body still betrays.
Born rich—this constitution—pampered young master material.
"..."
More depressed sigh.
Yanxiao with meds in—Bai Xu hugging pillow half-closed corner—seasick pale—early excitement gone.
Wilted—pitiful cute.
Footsteps—Bai Xu alert—Yanxiao—dropped guard—flopped back.
"Still toughing it? Knew you get seasick—why no pill before?"
"..."
His fault?
After graduation—friends charter fishing—all day fine.
Yanxiao from lead—seasick pills—handed over. "Swallow—emergency."
Bai Xu took water—down fast.
Yanxiao sat beside. "Just dizzy—nausea?"
Bai Xu honest. "Light breakfast—okay for now."
Yanxiao patch from lead. "Turn slightly—behind ear."
"Works?" Bai Xu rare grimace—weak. "So dizzy."
Yanxiao hand—callused finger ear to behind ear—relax—patch careful.
Done—signal. "Lean on me? Acupressure?"
Bai Xu ask. "You know points?"
Yanxiao straight. "Next cabin chairman worse—learned two from lead getting meds."
Pulled Bai Xu in. "~40 minutes left—close eyes—better than open."
Meds slow—still spinning.
No refuse—collapsed on him—muffled. "Die before battle—so unlucky."
"Don't say that."
Yanxiao pinch nape—found points—slow press.
Callus grain—comfort—dizziness easing—Bai Xu hm—drilled into Yanxiao again.
"..."
Yanxiao felt natural dependence—mouth curve. "Blank out sleep—I'll wake you at island—no rush social with Chairman Zhou."
Nose—Yanxiao's light scent—foggy brain eased.
Bai Xu smile unconscious—soft yeah.
...
Half hour later—destination—Xisheng uninhabited island.
Beach distance—small boats batch—Yanxiao and Bai Xu last boat—Chu Yate with them.
Chu Yate saw Bai Xu wilt—worry tease. "Little Chairman Bai—you good? Three hours and done?"
"..."
Can men say no?
Competitive streak alive despite dizziness. "Relax—I'm great."
Chu Yate smiled—before shore—low report. "Deck talk with Chairman Zhou—they don't look down on Zhouye."
Rejecting Zhouye orders—following industry rumor.
Zhou Yangfan, Cheng Ye—built empires—not fools.
Before today—unknown Bai Xu behind Zhouye—self-preservation refuse.
Chu Yate summary. "Less fear Yuncheng—more fear Chu Group behind him."
See Chu Yate tight with Bai Xu Yanxiao—ideas shifting.
Yanxiao understood—look Bai Xu. "Hope then."
Bai Xu nod. "Mm."
Small boat beach.
Not barren year-round—official maintenance—decent ecology.
Bai Xu noticed helicopter on sand—before question—
Lead megaphone. "Chairmen—three day event starts now."
"Day one simple—before sunset—east shore here—cross this hill—west shore."
Xisheng not tiny—walk estimate three hours.
Dense vegetation—no brutal sun.
"Rest assured—filed with authorities—markers—guide front—west camp food and tents ready."
Added. "Unfit for hike—exit early—helicopter fly over."
Official team-building—but all chairmen—nobody make rich suffer.
Four five directors quit instantly—no self-torture.
"Knee surgery—pass."
"Constitution no good—skip fun."
Bai Xu brow—inner thought:
Rich can anything—helicopter rented—show enough—don't want sweat—don't sweat.
Chu Yate to Bai Xu. "Little Chairman Bai—helicopter?"
Nearby Cheng Ye heard. "Seasick? Didn't see you deck."
Bai Xu reply. "Thanks Chairman Cheng—fine now."
Eyes Cheng Ye—open topic. "Sports gear today—trail experience?"
Cheng Ye interested. "Okay—daughter loves climbing—I join sometimes—gear she bought."
Bai Xu seized key—smile. "Then Chairman Cheng photo video lots—send daughter."
Daughter mention—Cheng Ye grin unstoppable. "Natural—she nagged this morning."
Look old friend. "Chairman Zhou—you?"
Zhou plump—hill not high—up down three hours—hard on stamina.
Zhou Yangfan said. "Chairman Cheng—don't underestimate—mountain kid—see who taps first."
Team with supply packs. "Last call helicopter?"
Yanxiao and Bai Xu eyes—took food packs.
Goal—tie with Zhou and Cheng—both confident hike—can't retreat.
~ dozen hiking squad—go.
Yanxiao close ask. "Better?"
Bai Xu bag on. "Mm—ground feels solid—move sweat maybe faster heal."
Yanxiao knew stubborn—no stop—pocket pat. "Chocolate—calories."
Bai Xu surprised. "Where?"
"Don't ask."
Yanxiao unwrapped—to lips.
Sweet smell—bit in. "Mmh."
"..."
Chu Yate witnessed—click tongue. "You two—really?"
Bai Xu chewing vague. "What?"
Chu Yate grabbed pack—pass teasing. "So~ clingy~"
"..."
Bai Xu got it—glance Yanxiao smiling eyes.
"Tasty?"
"Passable." Bai Xu dropped line—chased group. "Go go."
...
Distant sea wind—forest rustle.
Canopy blocked noon sun—occasional beams—stream birds—insect fun.
Summit—some chairman yelled. "No more—rest!"
Zhou Yangfan sweating—instant yes. "Y-yes—rest."
Guide obey—halt.
Cheng Ye two gulps water—tease Zhou. "Chairman Zhou—tired huh?"
Zhou surrendered wave—look fresh Bai Xu crew. "Ah—young—hour plus no puff."
Cheng Ye said. "Chairman Zhou—you're strong too."
Bai Xu timely. "Hope I have your stamina at your age."
Scan—point Cheng Ye. "Chairman Cheng—that angle nice—I'll shoot for your daughter?"
Cheng Ye wanted exactly that—heart hit.
"Great—trouble Little Chairman Bai."
"No trouble."
Bai Xu took Cheng Ye's phone—walked few steps with him.
Chu Yate energy bar—quiet near Yanxiao. "Bai Xu's targeted social game—how long with Cheng Ye already?"
Very low—others won't hear.
Yanxiao eyes always on Bai Xu—no hide praise. "Mm—always capable."
"..."
Chu Yate dog food mouthful—snap energy bar.
...
Summit done—downhill easier.
Hour plus to west beach camp—early helicopter squad tents up—ingredients dinner prep.
Chairman asked. "Enough tents?"
Early arrival answered. "Chairman Qiu—we left some—manual setup."
"Easy for you—helicopter—we climbed still build ourselves."
Lead said. "Share finished tents—space enough—your choice."
Strangers share?
Bai Xu inner rattle—look Yanxiao.
Yanxiao felt it—ask anyway. "Share with others—solo tent—or..."
Solo tent—time effort.
Bai Xu fake ask. "Or what—option three?"
Yanxiao shook head—hooked him. "None for now—Little Chairman Bai better idea?"
"..."
Bai Xu brow no bite—turn Chu Yate. "Chu Yate—we two tonight I—"
Before finish—Yanxiao grabbed arm—possessive burst. "You sleep with me."
Tool Chu Yate saw couple act—hand stop. "Both of you—happy forever—I need tent materials—solo."
Yanxiao walked with—over shoulder. "Blessings received."
Also got materials from lead.
Bai Xu stared back—wrist force memory. "Hmph—act cool."
...
Tent materials plenty.
Yanxiao both hands full—Bai Xu forgot spat—body faster than thought.
"Right shoulder not healed—no heavy."
Yanxiao saw him jog—light laugh. "Relax—mostly fine."
"Who worried you?"
Bai Xu contrary. "Give me—not solo tent."
Yanxiao shifted weight to left—lighter fabric bag Bai Xu. "Clear patch—we set up."
Bai Xu took. "Done before?"
"Similar—tutorial from lead—study on site."
"Okay."
Clear steps—both experienced—half hour—tent up.
Sun sea horizon—sunset—pink blue sky oil painting—romantic.
Bai Xu looked long—phone record. "Beautiful."
Yanxiao behind copied—person and scene in album. "BBQ center—see if help needed."
"Okay."
Side by side walk.
Chu Yate skeleton up—already eating. "Bai Xu—come."
Beach bonfire.
Association not first year—old faces.
Chairmen at long grill—no business war—relaxed mutual help.
Cheng Ye saw Bai Xu—wave. "Little Chairman Bai—try my steak."
Day's stranger edge gone.
Bai Xu smile. "Thanks Chairman Cheng."
"Don't mention—I thank you."
Cheng Ye big piece—happy. "Sent daughter photos—she said your shots make me handsome."
Bai Xu said. "Anytime these two days."
Pro photographer whole event—not only Cheng Ye.
Cheng Ye impression up. "Great—thanks ahead."
Bai Xu steak—side eye Yanxiao low boast. "See—progress."
Yanxiao praise. "Mm—Little Chairman Bai delivers."
Bai Xu interested—others not looking—"Bet?"
Yanxiao ask. "What?"
Whisper. "Before event ends—I lock Cheng Ye intent—you lock Zhou Yangfan—speed irrelevant—result only."
Yanxiao didn't refuse bet—ask. "If someone fails?"
Bai Xu weighed huge steak—little proud. "Tsk—me fail? Worry yourself."
Zhou smiles—deal not easy.
Yanxiao calm. "Result only—winner gets one arbitrary demand from loser?"
Bai Xu bite juicy steak—didn't think deep—good deal. "Deal."
...
After dinner—night wind stronger.
Day one—no late talk—scatter soon.
Association shower stalls—crowd—Bai Xu and Yanxiao done two hours later.
Bai Xu supplies back—stars everywhere. "Away from city—stars clearer."
Yanxiao lifted tent flap. "In—night cold—clear roof plastic—stars lying down."
"Okay."
Tent roomy—inflatable pad—one plush blanket surprise.
Bai Xu slow—same bed unease. "Why one blanket?"
Yanxiao said. "Oh—few chairmen cold—took two each—I took one—big enough anyway."
Doubtful. "Really?"
Yanxiao read why—helpless. "Really—not lying."
Lay first—retreat advance. "Don't want—cover solo—I don't mind cold."
Bai Xu saw calm—lifted blanket lay down.
One two three—
Couldn't hold—other half blanket on Yanxiao.
Yanxiao look back. "Hm?"
Bai Xu eyes shut hide mood—reason. "Seaside cold—business tomorrow—I don't want you sick dawn—delay work."
Yanxiao sideways. "That way not warm."
Next second—pulled into arms.
Bai Xu felt grip—eyes snap. "Shang Yanxiao—you..."
Yanxiao down eyes. "Too far apart—gap leaks—this works."
"Twisted."
Struggle—waist tighter—flush close.
"Axu—don't move."
"..."
Understood meaning—froze.
Eyes inevitable stack.
Tent lamp soft—Yanxiao's features sharper—more fatal.
Eyes locked—breath heavy light hook. "Axu."
Bai Xu heat for no reason—warning him and self. "Tonight—no mess."
Tents spaced—but cloth no soundproof—
Noise heard—swim home shame.
Emphasis again. "Shang Yanxiao—hear me? Even FWB need occasion—mmph!"
Expected—Yanxiao kissed.
Unexpected—kiss not fierce—not control hunger.
Lips soft rub suck—tongue probe inch—slow tender tingle.
Bai Xu didn't dodge—didn't want to.
Never denied—Yanxiao fatal pull—FWB words can't cover—instinct craves kiss hold care.
Days suppressed feeling poured—dense net wrapped him.
Kiss didn't escalate—long stream addictive.
Breath shared—Yanxiao pulled back.
"..."
Bai Xu not out of kiss—soft eyes wet haze—obedient unfair.
Yanxiao nose brush—tease. "Who said FWB can't kiss? Hm?"
Ugly word became shared kink.
Bai Xu panting—stared seconds—suddenly straddled him. "Shang Yanxiao—"
Yanxiao saw bold move—circled waist—sat up ask. "Little Chairman Bai—orders?"
Bai Xu locked left shoulder—pressed—kissed him first.
Muffled in kiss—mouth hard same. "You're too loud."