Chapter 47

Seaside nights—wind and waves—never truly quiet.
Yanxiao came prepared—earplugs, eye mask—nothing skipped. Thanks to his care Bai Xu slept solid all night.
Half-asleep—movement beside him—instinct pulled off eye mask.
Instant—blinding light.
"Mmh."
"Wait."
Same moment—Yanxiao's warm palm covered. "Don't rush open."
Clear roof panel left open—sun slanted in—harsh for fresh wake.
Dazed Bai Xu hadn't caught up—let Yanxiao shield a while.
Light through fingers—consciousness returned. "What time?"
Yanxiao said. "Almost eleven."
"...What?"
Bai Xu jolted—earplugs out—confirm. "Eleven?"
Yanxiao already dressed—obviously up much earlier.
Bai Xu shook head—last sleep fog. "I overslept? Why didn't you wake me?"
At home fine—natural wake lazy bed okay—but industry team build—oversleep awkward.
Yanxiao knew the worry. "Fine—I asked lead. Worried chairmen in tents sleep rough wake late—no morning schedule today."
Bai Xu eased slightly. "Everyone up?"
"All up."
"..."
Still last?
Knew it was his fault—met Yanxiao's eyes—mutter anyway. "Should've woken me earlier."
Yanxiao saw pillow crease on cheek—cute. "I tried once—Little Chairman Bai hm'd like he didn't hear—curled in blanket—lazy cat."
Slept too sound—couldn't bear second call.
"Who's lazy cat? Didn't hear anything."
Denied—pushed quality earplugs back to Yanxiao's palm. "Fine—I'll change and wash fast."
Yanxiao nod. "Okay—I'll wait outside."
...
Bai Xu washed quick—beach assembly—not alone late—Chu Yate strolled out slow too.
Association buffet—decent spread.
Both grabbed food—found long table seats.
Early Yanxiao saved Bai Xu a spot—wave sit.
Chu Yate diagonal—coffee sip—joined chat. "Morning, chairmen."
Cheng Ye said. "Chu Second Young Master—sun overhead—not exactly morning."
Beside him Chairman Qiu. "Young sleep well—unlike us—tent insomnia—gray dawn we were up."
Another agreed. "Light sleeper—woke even earlier today."
Chu Yate two more coffee gulps. "Insomnia brutal—barely slept past six—wash just now—dark circles about to fall off."
Looked across bright Bai Xu. "Little Chairman Bai—rest well last night?"
"..."
Bai Xu bit sandwich—mysterious guilt. "Okay."
Yanxiao cover. "Little Chairman Bai seasick yesterday—turned in early."
Chu Yate smiled—didn't argue—
Midnight bathroom pass—their tent—two sounds leaked—privacy rule—he ran.
Uncomfortable so slept early? Who buys that.
More like couple used to each other's hold and breath—sleep anywhere same.
Lead saw full house—today's plan. "Chairmen—no dinner provided tonight—you earn it yourselves."
"Three group options—one sea fishing—gear and boats ready."
"Two diving—lobster crab under these waters—nets provided."
"Three foraging—edible fungi wild greens in hills behind."
"All filed with authorities—pro guides each—pick soon."
Zhou Yangfan angler—option one. "Fishing group for me."
Others followed. "Me too—diving foraging too hard—constitution says no."
Yanxiao while debate—low to Bai Xu. "Seasick—don't force fishing—Zhou going—I'll follow."
Bai Xu remembered yesterday nausea—ruled one out. "Okay."
Bet on—Yanxiao wouldn't miss Zhou contact—the other—
Bai Xu eyes slid Cheng Ye. "Guess Chairman Cheng picks what?"
Cheng Ye announced. "Nobody diving? Lobster sounds fun."
Bai Xu catch. "Chairman Cheng—team with me? Try it."
Cheng Ye easy. "Sure."
Chu Yate bias too. "Diving—three of us?"
"Okay."
Groups set.
Boats out—fishing squad first.
Dive group wetsuits—changing tent—Bai Xu talk. "Chairman Cheng—dived before?"
Cheng Ye laugh. "Certified. Professional."
"Nice Chairman Cheng." Chu Yate—glance Bai Xu. "Lobster hunt—we follow your orders?"
Bai Xu said. "Where you point we strike."
Cheng Ye suited—smile ask. "Young still listen to old me? Thought we'd compete three-way."
Bai Xu read undertone—easy. "Chairman Cheng picks pro—Chu Yate picks fun—me simpler—seasick no fish—hiked already—"
"Dive newbie—but try everything."
Look Cheng Ye—light. "Cooperation wins—we beat fishing squad yeah?"
Cheng Ye meaningful glance. "True—cooperation has perks."
...
Permitted small harvest—with pro diver all three down.
Xisheng waters protected—sun in sapphire—fish coral—beautiful.
After awe—hunt—Bai Xu Chu Yate under Cheng Ye's command—rock crevices for lobster.
Ninety minutes—decent catch.
—splash!
Surface—masks off.
Cheng Ye enough. "Shore rest."
Chu Yate tired too. "Okay."
Bai Xu thought. "Chairman Cheng, Chu Yate—you up first—I dive bit more—back soon."
Cheng Ye no block. "Fine—we go—boat picks you later."
Near shore—pro with him—safe enough.
"Sure."
Watched boat leave—mask secure—signal—down again.
...
Sunset—camp beach noisy again.
Waiting Bai Xu heard—out of tent—
Fishing squad returns triumphant—Zhou Yanxiao last—Zhou talking animated—wave— even pat Yanxiao's shoulder.
Bai Xu marvel:
How fast—close with Zhou?
Walked up. "Chairman Zhou—what's so good?"
Zhou generous praise. "Little Chairman Bai—you don't know—Chairman Yan's fishing—forty fifty pound yellowfin."
Bai Xu surprised. "Real?"
Zhou said. "Oxygen keeping it fresh—sashimi tonight!"
Yanxiao humble. "Captain said yellowfin nearby—tried—luck."
Angler Zhou knew luck not enough. "Chairman Yan—don't modest—fishing group hit jackpot with you."
Everyone photographed yellowfin—natural flex for social media.
Zhou smiling ask. "Add contact—next trip sea together?"
Yanxiao said. "Anytime Chairman Zhou arranges."
Zhou satisfied. "Change clothes—talk later."
"Okay."
Bai Xu watched Zhou footprints to tent—eyes back Yanxiao.
Deliberate look up down—tease. "Not bad—Chairman~ Yan~"
Yanxiao accepted cover. "Bet with Little Chairman Bai last night—I won't lose."
Bai Xu low. "Cooperation locked?"
Yanxiao think—steady. "One more push—Cheng and Zhou together."
Industry rivals—private friends.
Open table talk—mutual push—maybe smoother deal.
Bai Xu got it. "Easy—I'll have Chu Yate arrange."
"Mm."
Chat into tent—curtain pull. "Shang Yanxiao."
"Hm?"
Yanxiao changing—turned back. "What?"
Bai Xu pocket pat. "Open hand—gift."
Yanxiao familiar motion—interest. "Mini gold beans on island now?"
"Not this time—"
Bai Xu fist above palm—open slow. "Look."
Seconds—tiny colorful shells scattered Yanxiao's palm.
"..."
Yanxiao blank.
Bai Xu wrist tap. "Fist—hold—don't drop."
Yanxiao obeyed slow. "Where picked? Meaning?"
"You wouldn't know."
Bai Xu remembered late Grandmother Bai's lore. "Old folks say—shells wealth and peace—hold shell hold fortune guard safety—good omen."
"Picked diving this afternoon—tiny—pretty."
Yanxiao first heard. "Real?"
"Believe if you want."
Bai Xu saw obedient fist—felt like teasing kindergarten kid.
Pat hand—laugh. "Kidding—idle good luck—don't believe toss—worthless."
"I believe."
Yanxiao opened—wouldn't discard. "Keep—hope they help us hold Hatchling Studios project."
Bai Xu didn't expect serious response—two seconds blank—joy unstoppable.
"Mm—we will."
...
Everyone's labor—feast dinner—free time after.
Bai Xu Yanxiao in tent—Chu Yate outside. "Little Chairman Bai—free?"
Bai Xu signal. "Free—come."
Chu Yate lifted flap—didn't enter. "Bai Xu—play mahjong?"
Bai Xu saw Cheng Zhou behind. "Mahjong—from where?"
Chu Yate quick blink. "Lead brought for fun—others playing—if you and Chairman Yan know—few rounds?"
Less golf—mahjong table leisure—deals over tiles.
Bai Xu knew the setup—won't miss. "Sure—rusty—need warm up."
Cheng Ye said. "Know rules—hands remember."
Zhou ask. "Chairman Yan—you?"
Yanxiao never played mahjong—no fear. "Never—watch learn first."
"Fine—my tent—fold table—enough."
"Yes!"
...
—shuffle!
Another round scatter—pleasant clack.
Chu Yate fake stretch—yield seat Yanxiao. "Chairman Yan—learned okay? Try hands?"
Yanxiao watched rounds—rules clear. "Try."
Chu Yate up—look exchange with Bai Xu—"Dizzy—air—back later."
Cheng Ye slow sort. "Okay."
Flap open close—night breeze slip.
Bai Xu signal. "Chairman Cheng—you first."
Cheng Ye draw—discard useless.
Eyes on tiles—mind Bai Xu. "Little Chairman Bai—heard Zhouye bidding Hatchling too?"
"..."
Cheng Ye opened—not expected—draw pause—no deny. "Yeah."
Zhou knew real purpose—follow Bai Xu's west discard—try. "Little Chairman Bai—big appetite—few in New City can swallow this."
Bai Xu watch Yanxiao discard—easy tone. "Chairman Zhou—not first to say small appetite."
"Oh? Who else?"
"Juesheng Chairman Zhang Songyang."
Casual mention. "Then I wanted his AI medical project—competitor Chu Yuncheng Chu Group."
"..."
"..."
Cheng Zhou exchanged look—subtle faces.
Bai Xu fake blind. "Zhouye new vs Chu Group—no win face—Yuncheng himself warned me off his projects."
"But I don't buy it—small company so what? Who didn't start small?"
Glance both sides. "Chairman Cheng, Chairman Zhou—right?"
Zhou resonated. "True—Yuansheng Steel was unknown little factory once."
Yanxiao's draw.
Brow twitch—fed six dots guess.
Cheng Ye lit up. "Chow!"
Took six into sequence—mood up.
Cheng Ye corner smile—plain talk. "Yuncheng rides Old Chairman Chu's empire—never bootstrapped—naturally arrogant."
Inside outside—offended plenty.
All tolerate for Old Chu face.
Cheng Ye point break. "Little Chairman Bai—fight Chu for that project? Hard no?"
"Of course—try and know."
Topic open—Bai Xu straight. "Know you two won't offend Chu Group—refused us—but ask—"
"If Chu wins bid—will they partner you two?"
Zhou bad tiles—shake head. "Chu projects many—prices crushed low."
Big projects—suppliers cut margin—maybe not even win.
Bai Xu saw Yanxiao feeding Cheng—fed Zhou thirty thousand. "Then why not switch partners?"
"Yuncheng is Chu eldest—Chu Yate isn't? Seat still contested."
Cheng Ye clicked. "Little Chairman Bai—you mean..."
Internal Chu fight—Bai Xu stopped—back to project. "I mean—I'll give another point."
"Zhouye needs big project—expand fast—open name—max profit not phase one goal—win means win-win with you two."
Zhou still worry. "If we lose..."
Flap again—Chu Yate timing perfect—promise. "If lose—I Chu Yate guarantee other project orders to both chairmen."
"Yuncheng blocks your money—I won't."
Cheng Ye tempted—last calculation in eyes.
Bai Xu not rush decision—stance only. "Hatchling bid looks shrimp vs shark—but who wins—not set."
Silence broken—Yanxiao flipped tiles. "Hu."
"..."
"..."
"..."
Four eyes together.
Zhou confirmed tiles—marvel. "Chairman Yan—first game hu?"
Yanxiao look Bai Xu across. "Maybe luck from Little Chairman Bai—since I met him—his gambles never lost."
Smile add. "Last Juesheng vs Yuncheng—Little Chairman Bai won easy."
Bai Xu confident. "Mm—very easy."
Cheng Zhou understood.
Face each other—Cheng first. "I'll bet with Little Chairman Bai? Chairman Zhou—try?"
Zhou thought—heart steel. "Cheng dares—I dare."
...
Mahjong ended graceful.
Bai Xu Yanxiao left Zhou's tent.
Distance out—Bai Xu curious. "Shang Yanxiao—really never played mahjong?"
"Mm—Old Master strict—family banned all card board games."
Mahjong national treasure—but money addiction—weak will corrupts.
Yanxiao simple—counter. "Don't believe first time?"
"No—you played well—learn fast."
Praise free—ask. "But you fed Cheng whole game—how hu yourself first?"
Dark flash eyes. "Feed him—saw he needed—goodwill for deal—doesn't mean I give what I need."
Business cooperation—not pure sacrifice.
Need Cheng Zhou—but if greedy or lion mouth—Yanxiao won't bleed forever.
Bai Xu simplify. "Keep hole cards—want own win bigger?"
Yanxiao counter. "Don't you?"
Bai Xu no hide competitive fire. "Yeah—so—we win this together."
Yanxiao never lacked skill nerve. "We will."
...
Back tent.
Bai Xu pajamas. "Shower spot open—I'll wash—you after?"
Yanxiao nod. "Okay."
Island low standard—partition stalls—bucket hot water manual rinse.
Bai Xu quick wash—returned—
Yanxiao at fold table—clear bag—patiently shell by shell from evening gift.
Bai Xu towel hair—close. "Where'd you get the bag?"
"Asked lead."
Yanxiao shook mini shells—good mood. "Googled shell meaning—really does say wealth and peace."
Bai Xu brow. "Mm-hm—that rigorous?"
Yanxiao continue. "Also another saying."
Bai Xu never dug this deep. "What else?"
Eyes brighter—knows it's web fluff—still word by word. "Gift shells—also means pursuing someone."
"...?"
Bai Xu frozen—long beat. "You believe internet copy? Childish."
Yanxiao bent close—same bit tease. "So do you want me to pursue you?"
Bai Xu dodge invasion—ears red wrong. "...No."