Chapter 49

Sunset through glass scattered the office.
Xie Qi submitted the final electronic bid to Hatchling Studios official portal—until "Delivery Confirmed" on screen—long exhale. "Done."
Employee craned neck. "Assistant Xie—success?"
Xie Qi nodded—look at Bai Xu and Yanxiao still in office. "All good."
After preliminary qualification—they refined bid details within official limits.
Formal live bid and deadline three days out—but early submit early ease—everyone confirmed done—collective sigh.
Team formed late—timeline brutal—nearly three months—
Bosses Bai Xu Yanxiao—staff Xie Qi Kailing—all burned hard—end stretch all-nighters common.
For everyone now—first taste of "release"!
Bai Xu glance Yanxiao—spoke for both. "Everyone worked hard—result aside—Little Chairman Bai and Chairman Shang thank you—overtime pay and bonuses won't be short."
"Tonight we treat—toast smooth win! If we win—project bonus doubled!"
Bai Xu strict at work—employee benefits flawless—words motivated and lifted morale.
Team like chicken blood—applause—
"Yes! Thanks Little Chairman Bai!"
"Long live Little Chairman Bai!"
Kailing offered. "I know a good restaurant—book private room?"
Bai Xu fine. "Sure—your pick."
...
Clock-out—everyone packed—heading dinner together.
Xie Qi bag ready—Su Yang still at desk dazed. "Su Yang—what's wrong—pack up—dinner."
Su Yang—one of six later hires—Huaguo national—excellent school and work record.
Three years ago Su Yang and girlfriend came New Country to start business—investment failed—even house savings gone.
Back to familiar jobs each.
Before Zhouye—Su Yang just laid off last company—exempted internship into project team—extra diligent careful.
"...Oh."
Su Yang shut phone fast—hesitation flicker.
Xie Qi behind glasses gaze narrowed. "What?"
"Assistant Xie—I skip dinner tonight." Su Yang pressed lips—awkward. "Girlfriend and I fighting—scheduled talk tonight."
Xie Qi concerned. "Nothing serious?"
Su Yang shake head. "Fine—years together—not first fight—talk it out."
"Okay—we go—call if need?"
"Yes."
Xie Qi pushed glasses—no push—followed crowd out.
Su Yang watched empty office—breath eased—password—phone open—
Screen—upscale restaurant address room number—meeting time tonight.
"..."
Stared—hesitated—lost in thought.
...
Underground parking.
Team cars in twos threes—Kailing's restaurant.
Xie Qi fast to bosses' car—knocked rear window—didn't enter. "Third Young Master, Little Chairman Bai."
Bai Xu window down. "Why not get in?"
Xie Qi glance Yanxiao—volume car only. "Su Yang not coming—girlfriend issue."
"..."
Bai Xu look Yanxiao—brow up. "That convenient?"
Yanxiao heard subtext. "At this timing—yes convenient."
Driver Chen Yufei knew rough picture—turn ask. "Third Young Master—you dine first—I tail Su Yang upstairs—report if odd?"
"No—tail bad—found out hurts trust."
Bai Xu respect for hires—eyes turn—normal excuse. "Left something office—up again—wait."
Yanxiao understood—low order. "Keep call open."
Safety anytime—recording evidence when key.
Bai Xu rare obedient. "Mm—Chairman Shang says so."
...
Last desk lamp off—hall dark.
Su Yang groped out—steps urgent nervous—about to push outer glass—
Click—
Overhead fluorescents on—hall bright.
"..."
Su Yang spin to master switch—jumped. "L-Little Chairman Bai—you—why here?"
Bai Xu leaned switch wall.
Met guilty eyes—fake not see. "Su Yang—what were you doing?"
Su Yang heart jump. "What?"
Bai Xu stare—smile no warmth. "Forgot something— you seemed focused—didn't hear me."
Su Yang force calm. "Sorry Little Chairman Bai—I didn't hear."
"Fine—Xie Qi said skip dinner—next time."
No accusation—care instead. "Don't delay girlfriend—real trouble tell me."
"Thanks Little Chairman Bai—I'll go."
Su Yang nod fast—pushed glass out.
"..."
Bai Xu watched hurried back—cold clearing eyes—before move—door opened again.
Su Yang returned—face conflict—want speak.
Bai Xu shift. "You forget something too?"
Boss question—long silence—one line. "Little Chairman Bai—I—I need tell you something."
...
Decor clock hit six thirty.
Assistant endured smoke—sofa Chu Yuncheng. "Chairman Chu—past meeting time—they backing out?"
Knock outside.
Chu Yuncheng smoke ring. "What rush—here now—let him in."
Assistant opened—Su Yang tense outside.
Su Yang grip bag strap—hide nerves. "I need Chairman Chu—we had appointment."
Assistant hid contempt. "Chairman Chu waiting—enter."
Door shut.
Su Yang look sofa Chu Yuncheng—careful confirm. "Chairman Chu—I give you stuff—you really pay two hundred thousand as agreed?"
"Of course—do I look broke?"
Chu Yuncheng spread hands—cigarette point. "Do the job—every cent yours."
Superior arrogance in eyes. "If I recall—your girlfriend needs this for house down payment?"
"..."
Su Yang silent—hand tight memory card over. "Everything I could get is on the card."
"Project split clear—each section merges to Team Lead Xie—some not in my hands—couldn't shoot."
"Couldn't shoot?"
Chu Yuncheng displeased brow—assistant check content.
"I know what you need most—I peeked—" Su Yang pressed guilt down—word by word. "All quote lines and final floor—I wrote down—inside."
Assistant skim—tablet Chu Yuncheng. "Chairman Chu—data confirmed."
Chu Yuncheng cigarette—read key quotes.
Lower than expected—but eight nine accurate.
Still fake doubt. "How know you're scamming me?"
Su Yang choke. "Chairman Chu—I want money—scam helps how! If caught—who hires me—why come!"
Chu Yuncheng hm laugh. "Joke—don't rage."
Tablet back assistant—order. "Pay twenty thousand deposit first."
Su Yang eyes wide. "Chairman Chu—meaning?"
Twenty vs two hundred—not close!
Core secrets—not priced in cash!
"No other meaning—business not charity."
Chu Yuncheng drag smoke casual. "Three days after live quotes and winner—I confirm your data real."
"Match—I'll pay balance."
Su Yang chest heave—face red—furious. "Chairman Chu—going back on word! Wedding down payment needs this—you can't screw me!"
Cash for bid data—that was the deal!
Girlfriend since college—marriage age—wanted best—risked for money!
Chu Yuncheng unmoved.
Slow stand—contempt smoke in face. "My house my rules—take deposit leave—after success I pay."
"Or after success—I ruin you in New Country."
"..."
Su Yang choked smoke—face iron.
"Or tell Bai Xu—team reworks quotes overnight—see if they keep you?"
Bai Xu's temper—Su Yang won't dare after betrayal.
Chu Yuncheng crush butt. "Pick one."
No choice. "One."
"Tsk—should've from start—why fuss?"
Butt at Su Yang feet—use discard. "Go—deposit hits account."
"..."
Su Yang saw capitalist ugly—neck red—ordinary worker no fight.
Heart unwilling—silent out.
Door shut again.
Assistant private account transfer Su Yang—report Chu Yuncheng. "Chairman Chu—trust it?"
"Trust or not—we quoted better anyway."
Chu Yuncheng sneer. "Bai Xu Chu Yate all swagger—real strength this?"
This quote—their margin probably maxed.
Last wine sip. "Right—Sweet meeting what time?"
Assistant truth. "Seven thirty."
Knew real reason—couldn't help. "Chairman Chu—we have Zhouye bid files—why meet Sweet now?"
Before formal bid—private meet bidder forbidden—industry rule.
Money under table—malicious illegal bid!
"You know what? Chu Group not only fighting Bai Xu."
Besides Zhouye—foreign-backed firm aggressive—must guard!
Hatchling tied Chu chairman seat—any means any cost—must win!
Chu Yuncheng side eye assistant. "Your job—don't ask extra—I win—you're promoted soon."
Assistant lid shadow—flat. "Yes Chairman Chu—call driver?"
"Mm."
...
Tuesday afternoon.
Hatchling—biggest New Country inbound project in two years—public attention from start.
Bid at Grandish Hotel—government leaders—press—industry watchers filled hall.
Elevator Yanxiao black mask again.
No live stream—but cameras might catch seats—caution needed.
Yanxiao rising floors. "Today all you."
Identity not fully public—can't sit Zhouye head table—back row crowd.
Bai Xu Xie Qi Kailing attend—key pitch and speech Bai Xu full charge.
Elevator alone—Bai Xu pat Yanxiao hand. "Trust me—you did heavy lifting—my finish—believe me?"
Yanxiao calm face—smile. "Of course."
Ding—
Doors open.
Tenth floor tiered hall—hundred plus—intimidating.
Bai Xu sign-in—bold signature.
"Little Chairman Bai."
Xie Qi Kailing up—skipped Yanxiao title.
Bai Xu two staff—scan around. "Done?"
Early two hours for task.
Xie Qi low. "Done—per plan—resubmit partial bid last half hour before cutoff."
Bai Xu satisfied smile. "Good—Chu Group here?"
Before finish—familiar tired voice. "Little Chairman Bai—long time."
Speak devil appear.
All turn—Chu Yuncheng triumphant. "Heard Zhouye extra busy two months for this."
Bai Xu blank. "Likewise."
"But also—"
Chu Yuncheng no kindness—shoot. "Qualifying hard—face time enough—small company still wins—right?"
Needle words—Xie Qi Kailing boil first.
Who didn't start small?
Chu Yuncheng without family background today?
Before reply—Chu Yate loud red suit elevator. "Well everyone's at the door—perfect timing."
Chu Yuncheng see red—disgust instant. "What are you doing here?"
Since office fight—mutual silence.
Chu Tian declared year-end chairman exit—brothers war open.
Chu Yate smile Bai Xu—turn Chu Yuncheng. "Interesting big brother—public bid hall—industry watcher—normal?"
Chu Yuncheng warn. "Today—don't cause Chu Group trouble!"
Chu Yate same roguish. "Today I'm here—for—the—show."
Last words—bite hard—hint cruelty.
"..."
Chu Yuncheng won't engage.
Bai Xu Yanxiao heard emphasis—eyes sync.
Unknown "show" today?
Hall "five minutes" countdown—stopped gunfight.
Bai Xu Chu Yuncheng front row seats—audience Yanxiao Chu Yate back empty seats.
Two PM sharp start.
Each company rep brief speech—list order Chu Group first—Zhouye last.
Big hall—projection screen front row live.
Bai Xu speech—back row murmur—
"What is Zhouye anyway—never seen."
"Filler run? I back Chu local."
"Huaguo small company—registered capital high online—backers?"
"Shell washing dirty assets who knows."
Mixed talk.
Back row add. "Boss young though—steady speech."
"Hey Young Chairman Bai handsome—my niece single—introduce?"
"..."
Yanxiao calm eyes ripple.
Turn gossiping execs—cold drop. "He's married."
Caught off guard—awkward silence.
Chu Yate saw possessiveness sky high—silent shake head.
Still leaned ally speak. "Mm—Little Chairman Bai my friend—I vouch."
"Chu Second Young Master here too?"
Execs recognized Chu Yate—"Married good—family then career."
Yanxiao idea killed—blank face forward—front row focus.
Bid process fixed—even dull.
Competitors must track every number—partial public call—draining.
Time ticked.
Finally lead evaluator Sweet stood. "Everyone—ten minute break."
Substitute team. "Final opening next—thank you."
Sweet eyes down—Chu Yuncheng brief exchange—quick away—files backstage.
Bai Xu caught micro interaction—sharp brow. "Wrong."
Xie Qi startled. "What wrong?"
Kailing nervous low. "Little Chairman Bai—what? Didn't we expect Chu dirty tricks?"
"We guarded—still hole?"
"..."
Bai Xu didn't say guess—eyes slanted to their desk.
Chu Yuncheng stretching—looked over.
Eyes air clash—three seconds—Chu Yuncheng closed distance.
Knock table arrogant. "Little Chairman Bai—leave early? Spare yourself bad news."
Chest out—project in bag.
Bai Xu no smile. "Chairman Chu so confident?"
Chu Yuncheng slow bend—hotter. "Bai Xu—I said more than once—what I want you don't touch."
Competitive fire Bai Xu. "Said it—useless—even funny."
"You—"
Chu Yuncheng grit—swallowed rage. "Fine—results soon—I'll watch your losing face."
Bai Xu matched aura. "Likewise."