DASFAM_19
"......"
The moment the question was asked, the entire room fell into silence.
Shang Yanxiao’s capabilities were widely recognized. Even after the unexpected incident involving the third branch of the family, there had never been any issues with their construction projects or financial reports.
Moreover, the Shang Group was still firmly under the control of the Old Master himself—
Even if age would eventually catch up to him and he wouldn’t always be around, who would dare to 'curse' the Old Master by speaking ill of him? And who would be bold enough to stir up a power struggle right under his nose?
For the time being, Shang Group would maintain its outward peace, and it was far from certain that the third branch had completely fallen.
The guests exchanged silent glances. Anyone with a bit of intelligence and experience had already understood the situation.
"Mr. Bai is right. With the Old Master overseeing the Shang Group, no matter what happens, the impact will be minimal."
Sun Miaochun took the initiative to conclude the conversation and then smiled gracefully, "I’ve always admired Old Master Shang. If the opportunity arises, could Mr. Bai introduce me to him?"
Bai Xu made no attempt to take credit for himself, "If Director Chun wishes to meet the Old Master, I’m sure you’ll have your own ways. I’m just a junior, so I won’t intrude."
He raised his champagne glass, "A toast to you all."
With that simple remark, he effortlessly controlled the atmosphere, shifting the conversation and avoiding any unnecessary troubles.
Sun Miaochun had no choice but to play along, raising her glass as well. She couldn't help but feel that she had underestimated this young man before her. However, some things couldn't be rushed, and as the hostess, she couldn’t let the banquet remain awkwardly stagnant.
She raised her voice, "Everyone, I apologize for my poor hospitality earlier. I’ve arranged for a new banquet and live music in the adjacent hall. Please, do me the honor of moving there."
At gatherings like this, food and drink were never the main focus, networking was.
Everyone gave her face and moved toward the adjacent hall.
Bai Xu, knowing that his presence had already made enough of an impact for the night, chose not to follow the crowd.
His gaze shifted to Zhang Changning, who had also remained in place, "Young Master Zhang, you’re not going? And thanks for earlier."
"Just call me by my name. ‘Young Master’ sounds weird," Zhang Changning responded casually, clearly at ease, "I’ve never been interested in these kinds of banquets."
Bai Xu asked, "Then why come? Oh, by the way, Zhang Changxu is your brother, right?"
"Yeah!" Zhang Changning’s eyes lit up the moment his brother was mentioned, "You know my second brother?"
Before Bai Xu could answer, Zhang Changning continued, "Well, of course. My brother and Third Brother have always been close, and since you’re now… engaged to Third Brother, you must’ve met him."
Zhang Changxu and Shang Yanxiao were best friends. The latter was often referred to as 'Third Young Master' by others, but in Zhang Changning’s eyes, he was simply 'Third Brother'.
Bai Xu didn’t deny it. He now had a much clearer understanding of the situation in his mind.
The Zhang Changning in front of him was one of the important supporting characters in the original novel. He had known the original protagonist, Shang Queyan, since childhood. Since both of them had studied at the same overseas institution, they had naturally become good friends.
Zhang Changning had grown up doted on by his entire family. He had two older brother. His eldest brother, Zhang Changfeng, was in business, while his second brother, Zhang Changxu, was a doctor. As for Zhang Changning himself, he had pursued a career in art and design.
During the time when the third branch of the Shang family was in crisis, Zhang Changning had been busy with the first art exhibition of his career. As soon as the exhibition ended, he rushed back home without delay.
“I’ve only been back for two days, and I’ve already heard all sorts of rumors. I messaged Queyan, but he didn’t reply. I originally wanted to go find him, but my second brother told me not to disturb him recklessly and affect his emotions.”
Thinking about what his good friend had gone through, Zhang Changning’s concern was evident.
Bai Xu asked, “So, you thought the person from the third branch attending tonight’s banquet would be Queyan?”
Zhang Changning nodded, “Yeah. With everything that happened to the third branch, who knows what awful things people are saying behind their backs? I was worried that if Queyan showed up, he’d be bullied. But I didn’t expect…”
He looked at Bai Xu with a hint of pleasant surprise, “The one representing the third branch tonight was you. Bai Xu, you’re actually pretty amazing. You were both impressive and tough back there!”
Zhang Changning didn’t like attending these kinds of banquets, and since he had spent most of his years studying abroad—
His previous impression of Bai Xu had been almost nonexistent. But tonight, watching Bai Xu handle everything so seamlessly in public was truly astonishing. He couldn’t help but be in awe.
“If you ask me, someone should have stepped up long ago to put an end to all those ridiculous rumors about the third branch.”
Bai Xu found Zhang Changning rather likable, “It was all thanks to your video. The evidence was solid, so Song Qiancheng had no chance to stir up trouble again.”
“No need to be so polite.”
Zhang Changning lifted his chin slightly, carrying the kind of arrogance that came from being pampered since childhood, “I just couldn’t stand what they were doing.”
Bai Xu thought for a moment and said, “If there’s a chance, I should treat you to a meal as thanks.”
“A chance?” Zhang Changning’s round eyes flickered with an idea, “Why wait? Let’s go for a drink tonight!”
His family was strict, and his second brother, Zhang Changxu, was a doctor who cared deeply about maintaining a disciplined lifestyle. Ever since he returned home, he hadn’t had a proper drink at all.
"......"
Bai Xu was momentarily stunned by Zhang Changning’s sudden suggestion, “Right now?”
Zhang Changning countered, “Yeah. Or do you actually want to stay in this banquet hall? How boring would that be?”
Bai Xu’s gaze flickered slightly. Ever since he had entered this world, he hadn’t truly relaxed and had a proper drink, “You’re right. Let’s go?”
“Okay.”
...
Clink!
Their glasses collided, and the overflowing liquor arched beautifully through the air.
Zhang Changning tilted his head back and downed a glass of craft cocktail in one go, exhaling in satisfaction, “That hit the spot!”
Bai Xu was slightly taken aback, “Are you sure you can hold your liquor? If you get drunk, I’m not taking responsibility for getting you home.”
“Don’t worry, I can handle my alcohol.”
Zhang Changning refilled his own glass, and though there weren’t many people around, he still lowered his voice, “When I was studying abroad, I drank all the time. Queyan is actually the lightweight, he doesn’t like alcohol, only Coke.”
Then he turned the question on Bai Xu, “You can drink, right?”
Bai Xu didn’t answer and simply downed another glass in response.
Zhang Changning’s cat-like eyes gleamed with amusement, “Nice! By the way, we should be about the same age, right?”
"......"
Bai Xu hesitated for a couple of seconds, “En, I’m a year older than Queyan.”
In reality, his actual age in the real world was the same as Shang Yanxiao’s, but in this world, he could only go by the original host’s age.
Zhang Changning nodded, “Then we’re basically the same age. That makes us friends from now on!”
“……”
Friends?
Was it really that easy to become friends?
Bai Xu stared at Zhang Changning in surprise, not immediately responding.
Maybe it was because of the original host’s past experiences, but he had almost forgotten, not every wealthy young master was malicious or saw others as mere entertainment.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
Zhang Changning noticed the meaning hidden in Bai Xu’s gaze and huffed a little, his tone slightly proud, “I don’t make friends that easily, you know. You should be honored.”
Bai Xu couldn’t help but chuckle, “Your personality is the complete opposite of Dr. Zhang’s. It’s hard to believe you two are brothers.”
Not only were their personalities different, but even their appearances had little resemblance—
Zhang Changxu had a cold and stern look, always serious and reserved. In contrast, Zhang Changning was bright-eyed, strikingly good-looking, and unexpectedly lively.
Zhang Changning blinked, “Really?”
The shifting lights from the chandelier above cast fleeting patterns across the room, and for a brief moment, Bai Xu thought he saw a hint of loneliness flash through Zhang Changning’s eyes.
But as the lights moved on, Zhang Changning was already smiling again, “My second brother has never been talkative since we were kids, and after becoming a doctor, he’s been even stricter with me. When he gets serious and scolds me, I’m actually kinda scared of him.”
Bai Xu raised an eyebrow.
If he remembered correctly, in the original novel, Zhang Changning was extremely attached to his second brother, Zhang Changxu, so much so that even the protagonist, Shang Queyan, had openly complained about it multiple times.
“Compared to him, my eldest brother is way gentler and always smiling. Plus, he’s a genius in business,” Zhang Changning spoke of his brothers with both admiration and respect, “Come on, let’s have another drink~”
Bai Xu took another sip but reminded him, “Pace yourself. Drink too fast, and you’ll get drunk.”
Zhang Changning ignored him, “I don’t care. I finally got a chance to drink tonight. I’m going all out!”
Bai Xu asked casually, “Your family doesn’t let you drink?”
Zhang Changning clarified, “It’s my second brother who doesn’t let me. Bai Xu, you don’t have anyone controlling you, right? Third Brother is still unconscious, after all.”
“……”
What does Shang Yanxiao have to do with this?
Bai Xu frowned slightly, not quite understanding, but then instinctively replied, “Even if he wakes up, he still can’t control me.”
Zhang Changning let out a small hiccup, looking inexplicably envious, “...Must be nice.”
As they talked and drank, it didn’t take long for them to finish an entire small keg of whiskey-based cocktails.
Zhang Changning’s face was already flushed, yet he still wasn’t satisfied, “Bai Xu, let’s switch to a different cocktail! Another keg!”
Bai Xu was starting to feel a slight dizziness creeping in. Maintaining his composure, he shook his head decisively. Just as he was about to refuse, Zhang Changning’s phone rang.
The moment he saw the caller ID, his arrogance deflated instantly.
He glanced at Bai Xu across from him, hesitated for a moment, then resigned himself to his fate and picked up, “Hello, Second Brother.”
On the other end, Zhang Changxu’s voice was short and to the point, “Where are you?”
Zhang Changning surrendered immediately, “I’ll send you the address right now!”
“……”
Sitting across from him, Bai Xu had witnessed the entire exchange and couldn’t help but chuckle through his light buzz, “Dr. Zhang?”
After sending his location, Zhang Changning exhaled in defeat, “Bai Xu, next time we’ll sneak off and continue.”
“Sure. I’ll go settle the bill first.”
...
The bar they had chosen wasn’t far from Qinya Residence, and Zhang Changxu arrived much faster than expected.
“Second Brother!”
Zhang Changning jumped up too quickly, nearly losing his balance and face-planting, “Gosh, that's almost.”
Zhang Changxu caught him just in time, his tone firm, “How much did you drink behind my back?”
“Just a little.”
Zhang Changning’s guilty voice wavered as he quickly changed the subject, glancing at Bai Xu, “Bai Xu, this alcohol is stronger than I expected. How are you feeling?”
"......"
Bai Xu was feeling extremely dizzy, but he instinctively forced himself to appear fine in front of others, “I’m good. You guys go ahead, I’ll take a cab back myself.”
Zhang Changning wasn’t convinced, “Brother, I was the one who dragged Bai Xu into drinking. You drove here tonight, right? Why don’t we give him a ride? Our houses are in the same direction anyway.”
Zhang Changxu sighed in resignation, “Alright.”
Bai Xu had initially wanted to refuse the offer, but the alcohol was hitting him much harder and faster than he had expected.
Leaving with familiar people was definitely better than passing out drunk in a stranger’s car, so he didn’t turn them down, “Then I’ll trouble you, Dr. Zhang.”
...
The night outside grew darker and deeper.
Outside the house, Xie Qi hurriedly ended his phone call and rushed back to the master bedroom, “Third Young Master, I just called the residence to confirm. They said that Mr. Xiao Bai got into… into a conflict at the banquet tonight.”
Shang Yanxiao frowned, “A conflict?”
He had never fully approved of Bai Xu attending such an event in place of the third branch, but since he was still ‘unconscious', he had no way to refuse directly.
Thinking that Shang Yanxiao was concerned about the conflict itself, Xie Qi quickly summarized, “It was with the Song family, the ones involved in venture investments, specifically Song Qiancheng. He drugged Mr. Xiao Bai’s drink, but Mr. Xiao Bai caught on in time. That’s when things escalated. I heard that the argument even dragged the Shang family into it.”
Shang Yanxiao instinctively asked, “Where is Bai Xu now?”
Xie Qi shook his head, “I’m not sure yet. Later, Director Chun stepped in to mediate, but Mr. Xiao Bai left on his own without saying a word. It’s been almost two hours.”
Shang Yanxiao’s expression darkened, “How does a banquet of that caliber manage to lose track of a guest? What are the Sun family’s people even doing?”
“……”
Xie Qi tensed up, “Yu Fei and I will drive out to look for him immediately.”
Just as he finished speaking, a phone, one Shang Yanxiao hadn’t used in a long time, buzzed with a message notification. His gaze flicked over to the screen, and the sender caught his attention.
It was a message from a close friend.
Casually, Shang Yanxiao opened WeChat, and within seconds, his expression subtly eased.
Zhang Changxu had sent a photo taken in the back seat of a car—
Bai Xu, wearing his seatbelt, was leaning his head against the window with his eyes closed, seemingly resting. His naturally gentle features were unusually flushed, making it clear he’d had a few drinks.
Below the picture was a teasing message, the kind only close friends could exchange:
—"Third Young Master, are you going to take care of your household or not?"
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