Chapter 51

"..."
Familiar voice—Bai Xu stopped—look Yanxiao—silent lips: Chu Yuncheng's assistant?
Before Yanxiao nodded—Chu Yate's voice followed.
"Xiao Ge—I know you helped plenty—but someone who betrays an old boss for money—you think I'd keep you close?"
Smiling tone—cold detachment underneath.
"Money I gave you isn't small—figure out your future—don't be greedy—right?"
"Th-thank you Chu Second Young Master."
Under half minute—stairwell door cracked—Assistant Xiao Ge rushed out—saw Bai Xu Yanxiao steps away—eyes uneasy flicker.
Frozen two three seconds—ran opposite direction head down.
Then Chu Yate strolled out slow.
"..."
"..."
Eyes met—air turned odd.
Bai Xu Yanxiao neither walk nor stay—accidental passersby—but heard what they shouldn't.
Chu Yate zero caught guilt—walked up open. "You know?"
Bai Xu won't lie this—straight. "Chu Yate—I suddenly glad we're allies not enemies."
Playful face daily smile—but depth and method not small.
Used Xiao Ge on Chu Yuncheng—then discarded pawn clean—no mercy.
"Xiao Ge wanted off Chu Yuncheng anyway—I paid for his access—didn't expect real bribery dirt."
If Chu Yuncheng hadn't slipped—wouldn't get leverage so easy.
Big obstacle swept—Chu Yate ambition bare. "I said from start—target Chu Group chairman seat."
"Chu Yuncheng temper you know—even Dad divorced first Mom after—he calls me bastard son—words ugly years!"
Topic sours Chu Yate.
Group elders Old Chu Yuncheng mother's friends—Chu Yuncheng mess useless—they still give chances.
Chu Yate saw clear—"Small fights get smoothed—so go big once."
Miss this chance stomp Chu Yuncheng—few later!
Yanxiao reply. "Chu family internal—you decide—no need explain us."
Chu Yate smiled—familiar tone back. "Rest assured—I know friend from foe—you treat me ally—I am."
If Chu Yuncheng won bid first then report bribery with Sweet—heavier sentence.
And after report Zhouye still could win project.
Chu Yate still considered allies. "But I thought—Zhouye winning live—media blowup—better for your name and growth?"
Yanxiao no circles. "Allies still valid—Hatchling split talk starts."
Bai Xu nod. "Mm—separate matters."
Deal said from start—shared interest most reliable in business.
Chu Yate wave. "Not rush—I'll schedule next week—now bigger thing to do."
"What?"
"Chu Yuncheng taken—I use time—make sure he can't fight me again."
Chu Yate stopped—Bai Xu Yanxiao synced understood.
"Fine—schedule later."
"Okay."
...
Door shut—noise gone.
Bai Xu pressure fully off—long sigh. "Finally over—two three months felt long."
Yanxiao light laugh. "Little Chairman Bai—hard work."
Bai Xu tilt head. "Same Chairman Shang."
Yanxiao eyes seatbelt—remembered thing. "Remember our bet?"
Bai Xu not rush move—hm. "Of course."
Industry team build—they bet Zhou Yangfan and Cheng Ye—close deal—winner gets one request fulfilled.
Cooperation landed—bet live.
Busy bid prep—neither picked request—set aside.
Yanxiao sudden lean close. "Little Chairman Bai—decided what I do for you?"
"..."
Safe distance broken—Bai Xu throat subtle roll. "Y-you—why so close—sit straight talk."
Yanxiao laugh—pulled his seatbelt. "Why nervous?"
Both valued bid—career not hands-off—long time no FWB behavior.
Bai Xu deny. "Who's nervous?"
Yanxiao didn't poke—again. "So—what stake you cash in?"
"..."
Bai Xu eyes skim Yanxiao face—wild thought—didn't dare speak.
Yanxiao eyes deepened. "I decided mine."
Said—seatbelt clicked lock.
Click!
Clean sound—like hint.
Bai Xu eardrum vibrated—blurt. "Shang Yanxiao—mutual consent! Can't bet that!"
Yanxiao eyes ripple—seconds—laughed. "Little Chairman Bai—I wanted two days away from city quiet relax—what were you thinking? Hm?"
"..."
Misread—awkward push Yanxiao. "I wasn't thinking anything."
Yanxiao pressed. "If Little Chairman Bai wants that—I anytime."
Bai Xu deny. "Drive!"
Yanxiao stopped tease—cooperative start engine.
Car left garage—home road.
Bai Xu pressed restless heart—delayed. "Shang Yanxiao—where we going?"
Yanxiao said. "New Country has trail spots—if you can handle willing—I take you?"
Bai Xu surprised. "Hiking? You into that?"
"Mm."
Yanxiao real trail lover—stress high or vacation—hike empty nowhere reset.
Bai Xu no experience—willing try. "Sure—little trail history—all your plan?"
Yanxiao smiled. "Okay."
...
Night.
Idle Bai Xu downstairs—cold beer open—sofa lean—local industry forum scroll.
Today's hot—all Hatchling bid related—top two topics—
One Zhouye fame from win—two Chu Yuncheng bribery walkout.
Worlds apart.
Bai Xu sip beer—phone interest.
Someone filmed Chu Yuncheng dragged from bid hall—video everywhere—media forums—verdict before trial—unstoppable.
Footsteps stairs.
Bai Xu turn—Yanxiao down met eyes.
Yanxiao thin pajamas cold beer—disapprove brow. "Night—still drinking cold?"
Bai Xu said. "Weather fine."
New Country tropical—stable temps.
Mid-October still comfortable.
Yanxiao sat beside. "Reading what?"
Bai Xu phone him—analyze. "Chu Yuncheng video everywhere—Chu Group this big—didn't pay takedown?"
Yanxiao clear. "Whose hand?"
"Chu Yate ruthless."
Bai Xu knew puppet—praise undertone. "Crush rival—even throw own group reputation first."
Chu Yuncheng fallout hits Chu Group.
Yanxiao add. "Only then hurt executives reject Chu Yuncheng—support him more."
Bai Xu brow light. "Old Chairman Chu won't see calculation?"
Yanxiao shrug smile. "Chu Yate's problem to solve."
Bai Xu hm. "True."
Yanxiao pivot. "Right—I arranged—we leave tomorrow."
"Tomorrow? Where?"
"Congshan Forest Bay—raw forest scenic—four hours drive from New City."
Yanxiao plan out. "Ten AM leave—simple lunch there—hike two half to three hours—reach inner lodge before dark."
Pause—ask Bai Xu. "Tired?"
Bai Xu uncertain. "Sounds okay—need gear? My closet has none."
Yanxiao planned ahead. "Contacted sports brand boutique—deliver tomorrow morning."
Money solves—minimal effort.
Yanxiao continue. "One night there—day two free—natural return—or stay extra if you like."
Bai Xu nod. "Sounds easy—you drive more than me though."
Yanxiao indifferent commute. "As long as you're beside me—gladly."
"..."
Bai Xu blank—warmth chest.
Yanxiao not sweet talk type—but low voice too good—casual line—heart races.
Bai Xu lean slight—couldn't help close. "Shang Yanxiao."
"Hm?"
Bai Xu eyes wander his face—impulse unnamed. "You feel different from before."
Yanxiao direct—hand back head pull forward. "Hm? Different how?"
Noses brush—breath tangled.
Bai Xu still cold beer—bottle chill can't hold rising heat. "I think..."
Kiss about to land—front door unlock click.
Bai Xu instinct alert—push Yanxiao away.
Xie Qi in—sofa scene—frozen.
"..."
God.
Can I invisible retreat now?
Xie Qi felt the ambiguous vibe—hard greet. "Third Young Master, Little Chairman Bai—still up this late?"
Yanxiao back tight—no answer.
Bai Xu caught shame—beer sip calm. "Why back so late?"
Xie Qi followed script. "Little Chairman Bai—you and Third Young Master said win—me and Kailing treat team? Just finished feast."
Bai Xu remembered. "Oh—I rest upstairs—early trip tomorrow."
Gone upstairs fast.
Yanxiao helpless watch back vanish stairs—regret interrupted—turn stiff assistant.
Eye meet.
Xie Qi nervous glasses push—awkward. "Third Young Master."
"Close door—go rest."
Yanxiao rational—inner plan—
Need no third person—or every night like this.
...
Next morning.
Bai Xu sport set Yanxiao bought—excited in car.
Yanxiao staff early lunch box. "Hungry on road—sleep if tired—I wake you there."
Bai Xu belt. "Not tired—nice weather today."
Yanxiao smiled—start. "Then go?"
"Yes."
Yanxiao travel solid—on time out on time arrive.
Congshan Forest Bay huge—top forest oxygen bar New Country—trail hikers flock.
For tourists and environment protection—
Authorities stone steps wooden path—follow hard to get lost.
Forest air humid warm.
Bai Xu fresh breath—still keen. "Two hours walk shouldn't be bad."
Yanxiao lightened Bai Xu load—most weight his pack. "Energy water with me—thirst tell me."
"Got it—not three years old~"
Bai Xu poles open—ran few steps eager.
Yanxiao laugh follow—warn. "Moss on steps—slow—don't slip!"
Bai Xu cute reply. "Okay okay—hurry up!"
...
Nearly three hours hike—before dark—forest only lodge hotel.
"Gentlemen—all suites private courtyard design—stone and tempered glass double barrier—night wildlife block."
Butler led—intro dutiful.
"Hotel outdoor activities nearby—book tomorrow if interest—half hour advance minimum."
Bai Xu look Yanxiao. "Outdoor stuff—book now?"
Huaguo tradition—came all this way—try everything?
Yanxiao eyes micro flash. "Tomorrow—big exertion today—sore tomorrow—sleep in maybe?"
"Will I?"
Bai Xu confident body—still listened. "Fine."
Butler continue. "Meals half hour advance—room service bell—dinner prepped—serving soon."
"Mm."
Three reached private courtyard suite.
Butler stopped outer edge. "Gentlemen—key cards—courtyard pool standardized sanitized—fill twenty minutes if need."
"Thanks."
Bai Xu took cards—rushed main house.
Yanxiao followed.
Bai Xu opened suite door—silence at one big bed. "Shang Yanxiao—why one bed?"
Yanxiao bag down calm. "Booking only king room."
"..."
Liar.
Bai Xu didn't buy. "You did it on purpose."
Caught Yanxiao normal. "We've slept together—look at king size..."
Smile remind. "Plenty room tonight."
Bai Xu hm—silent.
Yanxiao faint sigh—retreat advance. "Don't want—I ask butler change?"
"Forget it—one night—sleep is sleep."
Bai Xu not opposed same bed itself. "Shang Yanxiao—I'm hungry."
Command clear.
Yanxiao inner "little ancestor"—willing. "Wait—I'll call dinner."
"Okay."
...
Deep forest—logistics hard—but food careful.
Hike drained—they cleaned dinner fast.
Yanxiao stood. "Hot soak—sleep better tonight?"
Bai Xu poured more wine. "Okay."
Yanxiao out to courtyard pool.
Bai Xu sit—eyes followed Yanxiao.
Felt like hunter dug trap—leading step by step—then feast full.
"..."
Knew danger ahead—no run thought—wine in hand—slow to pool.
Glass cut forest wind—not animal calls distant—wild night—danger and pull.
Yanxiao shed jacket—stepped half-filled hot pool.
Bai Xu close. "Said soak for me—why you first?"
Yanxiao counter. "Can't both? I test temperature."
Bai Xu eyes dropped—abs stopped—not first time—still dry throat every time.
"..."
Beauty temptation—beauty ruin person.
Bai Xu fits both.
Tilted rest wine down—sat pool edge stone. "Shang Yanxiao—trap too obvious—smart prey won't bite."
Yanxiao closer. "Oh? Little Chairman Bai thinks he's prey?"
Bai Xu let him close—bold mouth. "Tonight who's prey—not sure~"
Deep forest animal roar again.
Yanxiao deep look—jaw lock—took lips.
"..."
Gasp with roar—Bai Xu blank instant—met fight back.
One in pool one on edge—height perfect kiss.
Steam full pool.
Yanxiao wet soaked Bai Xu clothes—neither cared.
Tiger wolf bite—claim each other—work stress release—in suppressed desire vine wild—tangled inseparable.
"Mmh..."
Bai Xu whimper—Yanxiao force dragged into water.
Eyes snap—muffled. "I—I didn't undress."
"Fine—getting dirty anyway."
Yanxiao breath hot hoarse—last line held.
"Axu."
"..."
Desire messy—wet reply. "Hm?"
Yanxiao remembered first kiss ask. "I want you—okay?"
Question—but no room refuse—pressed pool wall—eyes prey locked.
Bai Xu throat roll—kissed corner again. "Okay."
What choice?
Knew trap—jumped willing anyway.