Chapter 52

Kiss heavier.
Yanxiao sucked Bai Xu's lips—opened teeth—no corner spared.
One arm waist—one back head—fingers through hair light heavy stroke—gentlest soothe.
Bai Xu matched at first—later losing ground—
Pool heat soaked clothes—wet cling—airless net—blood brain—heart breath spiral.
Bai Xu palm Yanxiao chest—push pull. "Shang—Shang Yanxiao—mm!"
Underwater something shed—replaced worse grip.
Bai Xu lean back—gasp. "Mm."
Yanxiao slow look up. "Hm?"
One syllable pressure—neck side bite—underwater hand moved—slow strong advance.
Bai Xu whole pool like fire sea—burning.
"..."
Water slosh—thoughts drift.
Don't know how long—Bai Xu pale consciousness gathered.
Soft brows mist—broken words. "Too hot."
"Strip."
Yanxiao bit ear—fingers collar—zip down inch by inch.
Normal action—scene turned tease.
"Turn around."
"..."
No cloth barrier—Bai Xu forced pool wall contact.
Shiver. "Cold."
Yanxiao cover again—kiss nape mole—laughed. "Little Chairman Bai—water or bed—pick one?"
This far—no brake possible.
Bai Xu truth chose—panting. "Ad-adults don't choose."
"..."
Turned—eyes Yanxiao. "I want both."
Answer hit water—Yanxiao held move turned fierce.
...
...
Bai Xu like leaf on Yanxiao's sea—wave after wave—until last consciousness gone—seemed dawn light through window crack.
Sleep uneasy—body sore everywhere—wake worse.
"Hiss."
Brow knit—burrow covers avoid.
Soon Yanxiao gently lifted blanket. "Awake?"
Bai Xu won't answer—face pillow.
Yanxiao rub tight brow—lean coax. "Axu—eat something then sleep more? Good boy."
"..."
Weak eyes open. "What time?"
"Six."
Yanxiao clarify. "PM—six."
"..."
Bai Xu speechless—tired eyes blame culprit.
Yanxiao found cute face. "Can you get up? I help?"
"No."
Bai Xu tough sat up—no pain sound.
Thought "body fallen apart" was rhetoric—now knows accurate.
Mind back.
Scan suite—layout same—noticed. "Changed room?"
Yanxiao service bell food—then. "Mm—other sheets ruined."
Flat tone—like normal fact.
Bai Xu vague memory—face burn—
Pool to bed—couldn't stop—wet never dried—hotel condoms—used once then not—
Sheets naturally wrecked.
Yanxiao add. "You slept deep afternoon—I extended new suite on my own."
Bai Xu breath—acknowledged.
Yanxiao saw collar marks—good mood. "Cleaned you simple—eat later—rinse mouth again?"
Bai Xu saw satisfied ease—unhappy—hm only answer.
Yanxiao knew he was rough—let tantrum. "Fine—I carry you?"
Bai Xu voice hoarse—mouth hard. "No—I can myself."
Sore whole body—slow edge bed—feet floor—weakness hit.
"..."
Bai Xu frozen.
Not him weak—body constitution still trash!
Yanxiao read awkward—easy lift—walk bathroom.
Bai Xu shame. "Put me down."
Yanxiao laugh. "Little Chairman Bai—sometimes don't need win everything."
"..."
Saw smile corner—bit Yanxiao shoulder vent.
Yanxiao pain—hold didn't loosen. "—Hiss!"
No blood—but deep bite mark—fire curse. "Shang Yanxiao—you bastard!"
Proper outside—bed last night how brutal!
FWB mutual help—bullshit—he lost big!
Yanxiao set him sink—mirror shoulder wound. "Little Chairman Bai—dog bite? Fierce."
Bai Xu ignored—mouthwash.
Yanxiao wait rinse done. "Such temper—last night no sweetness? You didn't cling for more?"
"..."
Fit had flavor—got that.
Bai Xu remember first rounds—heart warm.
Clear throat—pivot. "No wonder you said don't book forest activities—planned this?"
Yanxiao only. "Interested—rest tonight—tomorrow fine."
Doorbell—butler voice. "Room service."
Bai Xu command Yanxiao. "You open—I can't face anyone."
Other room traces—too shameful—don't want third person see mess.
Yanxiao read mind. "Okay."
...
Rich dinner aroma.
Starving Bai Xu didn't act tough—filled fast.
Fatigue sore not gone—rinse—flop bed again.
Yanxiao tidy—hot towel bathroom. "Axu—turn over."
Bai Xu used intimate name—look. "What?"
Yanxiao bed edge. "Hot towel waist—rub—you sleep better."
Bai Xu saw serious eyes—accept service. "Better rub good then."
Yanxiao laugh. "Okay."
Hot towel worst sore lower back—finger through towel slow press—heat relax.
Bai Xu comfortable sigh.
Yanxiao more serious—no complaint.
Half hour later—sore eased—turn satisfied smile. "Done—thanks Third Young Master."
Yanxiao towel nightstand—close ask. "Not angry now?"
Bai Xu deny. "Wasn't angry—FWB mutual help agreed."
"...FWB?"
Yanxiao stare—bite words heavy.
Ungrateful—still that label.
Bai Xu felt mood—add. "Bet said one request each—your hike trip—I completed keeping you company?"
Now hike looked like excuse.
Yanxiao slight nod. "Mm—so Little Chairman Bai—what request for me?"
Bai Xu saw shoulder bite swelling—mind shift. "Actually... one."
Yanxiao ask. "What?"
Bai Xu close—hook chin. "Next time I'm on top."
"..."
Yanxiao brow raise—firm. "No—pick another."
Bai Xu chin grip. "Shang Yanxiao—you sore loser!"
Yanxiao catch wrist—shameless. "Mm—sore loser."
"..."
Admitted that fast!
Bai Xu fist cotton—pull hand—Yanxiao faster pin bed. "Anything else I'll agree."
Bai Xu chin up—stubborn. "Just this one."
"Even if I agree Axu..." Yanxiao laugh. "You sure you can top?"
Bai Xu cold hm. "Look down on me? Lost opening last night—or I'd—let you—got it?"
Yanxiao tease. "Got it—sky falls Little Chairman Bai's mouth holds it."
Bai Xu speechless.
Yanxiao stare—sudden change. "Fine—you on top."
"Huh?"
Bai Xu blank—pie from sky weird.
Yanxiao hold laugh—bit ear. "On top I mean you..."
Ambiguous whisper—fantasy crushed.
"..."
Ears hot—shove hard—roll blanket edge. "Sleep!"
Yanxiao half head out—laughed again. "Rest well—won't bother tonight."
...
Next day natural wake Bai Xu energy back.
Forest hotel activities done—return drive—four hours—New City border.
Dark again outside—Bai Xu ask. "Long drive—tired?"
Yanxiao said. "No."
Gas station twenty minute break—fine now.
Bai Xu thought. "After Hatchling formal sign—I'll get driver's license."
Yanxiao red light stop. "Not Chen Yufei?"
Bai Xu blurt. "Can't always bother him—if just us two later I at least..."
Before finish—Yanxiao laughed.
Bai Xu fix. "I mean—I want go out easier myself."
"Mm—I know."
Yanxiao add deliberate. "Little Chairman Bai not afraid I drive alone hard."
"..."
Bai Xu pretend deaf—green light coming. "Go."
Yanxiao green—accelerate—
Two seconds—left turn lane urgent honk!
Beep beep beep!
Yanxiao periphery van rush—heart gripped—instant hard steer avoid!
—bang!
Collision crossroad—screams pedestrians.
...
Eight PM—downtown hospital.
Xie Qi Chen Yufei ran ER—Xie Qi stopped nurse. "Sorry—question..."
Sharp-eyed Chen Yufei saw Yanxiao. "Xie Qi—Third Young Master here!"
ER far bed—two uniform traffic police around Yanxiao—questioning.
Both look—fast up. "Third Young Master! Status?"
Yanxiao turn—face tight serious.
Lead officer report Yanxiao. "Shang Yanxiao—sign confirm—when appraisal done—we notify."
"Thanks."
Yanxiao signed English name fast.
Police left—Xie Qi worry brow. "Third Young Master—that signature..."
Yanxiao knew worry. "I'm party—can't hide real ID from police."
Chen Yufei scan. "Third Young Master—Little Chairman Bai? Why accident?"
Bai Xu mention—Yanxiao brow guilt. "Green light normal go—van sudden from side lane—ran red."
Avoided fatal hit—but car hit light pole—right door glass wrecked.
Driver Yanxiao arm scrape—passenger Bai Xu no dodge—forehead hit glass—stitches.
"Stitched—nurse took him for brain scan."
Yanxiao heart panic—palm cold sweat—held calm for police staff.
Talk—nurse wheelchair Bai Xu back.
Yanxiao first close—squat before him. "How?"
Nurse said. "Mild concussion—home rest—no heavy exercise or fatigue—forehead stitch meds schedule."
Yanxiao uneasy. "No observation stay?"
Bai Xu counter. "That precious? I'm fine—wheelchair unnecessary."
Yanxiao heavy. "This isn't fine—my fault."
"Enough."
Bai Xu soft stop worry—smile corner. "Yanxiao—I'm okay—I just want home lie down."
Look two others. "Xie Qi—pay bill—Chen—car here? We go now."
Yanxiao car totaled—police tow—repair two days.
Yanxiao agree. "Home then."
...
Ink night thick.
Whole ride home Yanxiao face never eased.
Garage in—Bai Xu front two. "You two go—we talk."
Xie Qi Chen Yufei smart—out fast.
Bang.
Door shut—alone sealed.
"Shang Yanxiao..."
"Sorry..."
Both same time—both stop.
Yanxiao deep breath—adjust. "Today my reaction slow—caused this."
Dark—Bai Xu read hidden emotion—
Guilt regret eyes—depth fear never seen.
Bai Xu sure—grab his hand. "Shang Yanxiao—listen."
Palm rare cold—slight tremble.
Heart ache. "Accident only—police said their fault—not you."
Yanxiao silent—grip back won't release.
Long while—hoarse murmur. "Same as last time—fault not ours."
Bai Xu knew Third House crash link—silent comfort.
"..."
Yanxiao throat roll—near collapse. "Thought I'd moved on."
Third House overseas crash ten plus months ago.
Yanxiao thought past the shadow—today learned—not—
Hates sharp honk—fears crash sound—breath stop heart clamp—can't think clear respond!
Yanxiao self mock. "Today I learned—maybe I'm a coward."
"Axu—I saw your forehead blood—slumped still—first reflex—I didn't dare touch you."
If Bai Xu hadn't groan first—Yanxiao heart might've burst!
"..."
Bai Xu heard rare exposed heart—more ache.
Those cut seconds—Yanxiao pulled him hard hug. "Thank god you're okay."
Or he'd never forgive self.
Bai Xu didn't refuse—pat head. "Mm—we're both fine—just accident—only that."
Yanxiao feel warm breath—repeat. "Just accident."
Bai Xu soothe own way. "Right—since you didn't honor yesterday's request—void—I make new one?"
Yanxiao release hug. "What?"
Bai Xu eyes low remaining—smooth brow crease. "Shang Yanxiao—promise me—courage look forward."
Queyan and Yanxiao both shouldn't be caged by that crash forever.
Truth needs time.
Not asking drop everything—asking courage face unknown.
Bai Xu said. "Your brother managed—you as big brother—can't lose to him."
Yanxiao read. "Okay."
Smile each other—air lighter.
Bai Xu serious gone—whine again. "Head dizzy—get out—patient needs rest."
Yanxiao quick. "Okay."
...
Mild concussion not severe—Bai Xu medicated deep sleep.
Yanxiao tucked blanket—quiet out—called Xie Qi.
Xie Qi awake—first ask. "Third Young Master—investigate driver secretly?"
"Mm."
Yanxiao nod—vague unease.
Even if accident—need peace of mind.
Xie Qi measured—other matter. "Third Young Master—PI message yesterday—found Cherkin location!"
Yanxiao press. "Where?"
"Remote island underground casino."
Xie Qi room—tablet surveillance Yanxiao. "They guess Cherkin lost heavy two months—if shows again—catch!"
"I added budget keep looking—send people find Cherkin."
Gamblers love money—cash on him—talk—including mystery man HS bank large deposit.
Yanxiao eyes dark. "Push fast!"
Xie Qi ask. "Tell Old Master?"
Yanxiao thought Huaguo grandfather—heart stir. "Wait till clear—don't add worry."
"Okay."
...
Five days later—Zhouye and Hatchling signed full build contract—Bai Xu forehead healing—follow doctor regular hospital dressing change.
Busy hospital corridor.
Bai Xu out dressing room—Yanxiao waiting outside.
"Done?"
"Mm—simple change—you didn't need come."
Bai Xu smile—look Yanxiao arm. "Your scrape?"
"Scabbing."
Yanxiao shrug small wound. "Hungry? Eat?"
Bai Xu yes. "Yeah—craving Huaguo food—Northeast cuisine—New City have any?"
Yanxiao heard. "I'll search."
"Mm."
Yanxiao phone—WeChat jump—Shang Queyan call.
"..."
Yanxiao brow knit—unease rise.
Bai Xu saw display. "Answer."
Yanxiao nod—answered front Bai Xu. "Hello?"
Next second Queyan urgent panic. "Bro—Grandfather's in trouble!"