DASFAM_25

As night fell.

Bai Xu and Chen Yufei walked from the garage towards the main house of the villa. Before the two could enter, faint chatter could be heard from inside the house, though it was not clear enough to make out.

Bai Xu was somewhat surprised, "Do we have guests at home?"

Chen Yufei shook his head, offering no answer.

After the incident with the third branch of the family, Shang Queyan had become much more composed and quiet. Xie Qi and Butler Lin were not the type to make a fuss, and as for the 'head of the household' upstairs, he certainly didn't have the time to create such a commotion.

Before the two could exchange a glance to find an answer, the main door of the house clicked open from the inside.

"......"

Bai Xu's gaze fixed intently, and he immediately came face to face with the person who opened the door.

The person turned around and shouted to those inside, "I told you, there were footsteps outside!"

Bai Xu stared at the strikingly noticeable brown curly hair, "Zhang Changning? What are you doing here?"

Zhang Changning replied matter-of-factly, "What? Can't I be here? Bai Xu, I'm just as familiar with this house as you are."

Chen Yufei politely greeted, "Young Master Ning, is Dr. Zhang here as well?"

Zhang Changning walked inside while answering, "My brother brought his team to do a regular check-up on Third Brother. I had nothing to do, so I tagged along to see Queyan."

Bai Xu and Chen Yufei entered the house.

In the central area of the living room on the first floor, Shang Queyan was leaning back on the sofa, holding a game controller in his hand, "Zhang Changning, it's your own account, so don't blame me if we lose this round."

He seemed to be pressing buttons randomly, but his eyes revealed a desire to win.

Meanwhile, Uncle Lin and Auntie Zhuang, along with the servants, were bustling around in the kitchen, likely preparing a lavish meal.

Zhang Changning hurriedly ran back, the little tuft of hair on the back of his head quivering as he moved, "I knew you were all thumbs, damn, left, left, quick—"

GAME OVER!

"......"

The sound of a crushing defeat in the game replaced the earlier urgency.

Shang Queyan furrowed his brow and tossed the game controller to his friend.

Zhang Changning, seeing him sullen and silent, teased, "Shang Queyan, you're so clueless."

As he spoke, he didn't forget to glance at Bai Xu, who had just returned home, "Bai Xu, don't you think so? I only let him take over for a little while, and it was game over in no time."

Shang Queyan gritted his molars, stubbornly refusing to admit defeat, "I'm just rusty, and your stupid game isn't fun anyway."

"It's the latest release overseas! How is it not fun? I brought it back specially!"

"It's just not fun!"

"You have no taste!"

"......"

Although it was known that the two had been friends since childhood, witnessing this childish bickering firsthand still made Bai Xu chuckle softly.

Zhang Changning's attention was diverted by the laughter, "Bai Xu, I just heard from Xie Qi that you're planning to open a ceramic studio?"

Bai Xu replied, "Yes, it's still in the preparation stage. We're aiming for a trial opening at the end of June. Would you like to come and support us then?"

Zhang Changning immediately responded, "Of course! I know quite a few art enthusiasts from my time abroad. I can introduce them to your studio if you'd like?"

Bai Xu agreed, "That would be perfect."

Shang Queyan's gaze shifted between Bai Xu and Zhang Changning, surprised, "Wait, when did you two get to know each other? And you're already this close?"

Zhang Changning, not in a hurry to start another game, teased, "I'm not telling you~"

Shang Queyan's eyebrow twitched, torn between anger and the restraint not to lash out, "Don't think just because your brother is here, I won't dare to teach you a lesson."

As the youngest child of the Zhang family, his friend had been pampered and indulged by his family since childhood, especially by his second brother, Zhang Changxu—

Outwardly cool and indifferent, seemingly uninterested in anything, but in reality, he doted on his younger brother Zhang Changning to no end, never allowing anyone to 'bully' him.

Zhang Changning puffed up with pride and smugness, "Go ahead, I'll just call my brother down."

"......"

Bai Xu chuckled along and stepped closer to explain, "Back then, Changning thought you might attend the banquet and was worried you'd be bullied if you went alone, so he went. That's when I met him."

Though brief, his explanation preserved the kind intentions behind Zhang Changning's decision to attend the banquet that night.

Sure enough, upon hearing the first part of the explanation, Shang Queyan's furrowed brow immediately relaxed, and his tone softened. "Who could bully me? With your skinny arms and legs, you should worry about not getting bullied yourself."

Zhang Changning snorted proudly and shifted the topic. "Yeah, Bai Xu and I even went out for drinks that night."

Mentioning this, he couldn't help but glance at Bai Xu. "Bai Xu, you were fine that night, right? That drink was really strong. I had a headache the entire next day."

Bai Xu shook his head, but his mind involuntarily conjured up some memories from that night:

Under the influence of alcohol, he had acted recklessly with Shang Yanxiao, who had seemingly taken the initiative to carry him back to the bedroom.

What he had initially thought were fragments of a 'dream' were now becoming clearer and more vivid with each recollection.

A glimmer of light flickered in Bai Xu's eyes, a hint of joy he hadn't even realized he felt. "Yeah, I was fine. I just needed some time to recover the next day."

Tap, tap, tap.

The sound of footsteps echoed from the staircase.

The three on the sofa simultaneously turned their gazes toward the source. Zhang Changxu, who was descending the stairs, suddenly found himself met with three pairs of eyes staring straight at him, momentarily caught off guard.

Zhang Changning was the first to speak up, "Second Brother!"

Zhang Changxu shifted his attention over and soon heard another greeting, "Dr. Zhang, we meet again."

It was Bai Xu.

Their gazes met in mid-air, and Bai Xu asked knowingly, "How is Third Young Master's condition?"

Zhang Changxu, already informed of the true situation by his friend, replied seamlessly, "All his vital signs are stable. I also noticed that he seems to be responding to external sounds, though he still hasn't woken up."

"I'll contact some neurology experts abroad. In a while, we might be able to use specialized medical equipment for external stimulation. It might help."

"......"

No wonder he was the most important supporting male character in the original story. This 'doctor friend' could really put on a convincing act, leaving outsiders completely baffled.

Bai Xu's eyebrow twitched almost imperceptibly, "That's good to hear. With Dr. Zhang around, it really puts everyone at ease."

Zhang Changxu caught the underlying meaning in his words and responded calmly, "Is that so? With Young Master Bai taking care of Yanxiao daily, it's also quite reassuring."

Zhang Changning chimed in, "Second Brother, Bai Xu, what are you two doing? Why do you sound so alike?"

Zhang Changxu's gaze easily returned to him. "Nothing much. I just thought Young Master Bai looked familiar, so I chatted with him a bit."

Though he said 'a bit', it really was just a couple of sentences.

Butler Lin emerged from the kitchen carrying a pot of soup and, seeing that everyone was present, said, "Perfect timing. Come and take a seat, everyone. The dishes are almost all served."

The Zhang and Shang families had always been close. Whether it was Shang Yanxiao and Zhang Changxu or Shang Queyan and Zhang Changning, they had all been friends since childhood, so having meals together was a common occurrence.

Shang Queyan took on the role of the 'head of the household' and actively called out, "Second Brother, you've worked hard. Take a seat."

As he spoke, he carefully moved to the edge of the sofa and pulled over a wheelchair. Bai Xu and Zhang Changning exchanged a glance, silently agreeing not to offer any help.

Only after Shang Queyan managed to sit in the wheelchair on his own did Zhang Changning eagerly pull his brother toward the dining table, "Uncle Lin, my brother and I have been craving the fish stew you and Auntie Zhuang make!"

Zhang Changxu corrected, "It's just you craving it."

Butler Lin chuckled warmly. "If you young masters like it, make sure to eat plenty tonight."

Bai Xu listened to the lively chatter at the table, his gaze unconsciously drifting toward the second floor.

Shang Queyan noticed his hesitation to sit down. "Bai Xu? Aren't you going to eat?"

A thought flashed through Bai Xu's mind. "Uncle Lin, could you prepare a separate portion for me? I'll take it upstairs to eat. I haven't seen Yanxiao all day, so it's a good chance to keep him company."

Hearing this, everyone turned their attention to him.

Bai Xu didn't feel the slightest bit awkward. "Why are you all looking at me? Didn't the Old Madam bring me into this family to 'bring good fortune' by keeping him company? I'm just doing my job."

There were still other servants bustling around, so some things couldn't be said too bluntly.

"By the way, I'm really hungry, so make sure to prepare plenty of food."

"......"

Shang Queyan and the others, who knew the truth, exchanged wide-eyed glances, while only Zhang Changxu took it in stride. "Yanxiao needs occasional external 'stimulation' now, whether it's sound or scent."

He looked at Bai Xu with a meaningful gaze. "It's good that Young Master Bai is willing to keep him company during mealtime."

Bai Xu's lips curled into a subtle smile. "Right? Listening to Dr. Zhang is always the right move."

...

The door opened and then locked again.

Bai Xu smiled at the man still pretending to be unconscious on the bed. "It's me. You can stop pretending."

Shang Yanxiao slowly opened his eyes and sat up. He looked at the fully loaded tray in Bai Xu's hands, a rare expression of surprise crossing his face. "How did you…"

"I just thought it was a bit too pitiful that while everyone downstairs is enjoying a lively meal, someone has to go hungry and hide in the master bedroom to avoid being seen~"

The trailing tone carried a hint of a tilde, clearly meant to tease.

Shang Yanxiao didn't show any signs of being flustered by the jest. He simply watched as Bai Xu laid out the food he had brought on the desk in the central area of the room. "Are you planning to eat in front of me?"

Auntie Zhuang's cooking had always been excellent, and the aroma alone was enough to make him feel hungry.

Bai Xu countered, "Is that not allowed?"

Shang Yanxiao had no choice but to relent. "It's allowed."

"Enough joking around. Consider this my thoughtful care for you, my ally—"

Bai Xu set aside the teasing and made a simple invitation. "At this hour, there shouldn't be any outsiders coming. Why don't you join me for a meal?"

Shang Yanxiao glanced at the locked door and decisively got out of bed.

The two sat facing each other at the table. Bai Xu handed over a clean set of utensils. "This act of yours is too stifling. You can't go anywhere."

Most people would never be able to endure such restrictions.

Shang Yanxiao took a small sip of the soup. "When you're not around, I've been busy too."

Bai Xu thought for a moment. "I heard from Xie Qi that after the incident with the third branch, the subsidiaries and projects haven't run into major issues. That must be your doing behind the scenes, right?"

Shang Yanxiao didn't deny it, simply saying, "Actually, the subsidiaries operate independently. Even if there are no new projects in the short term, the existing ones can sustain things for a while."

Bai Xu nodded. "True. The real challenge is the group."

The larger the corporation, the more chaotic and severe the internal factional struggles become. If the third branch remains absent for a long time without a replacement, their network and influence within the group will inevitably be dismantled and eroded by various parties.

Bai Xu asked, "Have your brother step in?"

Although Shang Queyan hadn't been involved in group projects before, with Shang Yanxiao guiding him from behind the scenes, there shouldn't be any major issues.

Moreover, the male lead in the original story grew quickly. Despite facing tough challenges after joining the group's management, he eventually resolved everything perfectly.

Shang Yanxiao replied, "No rush."

Bai Xu frowned. "No rush?"

"Queyan's top priority right now is rehabilitation. As for the group, I do have plans for him to step in, but I'm not in a hurry to have him perform perfectly right away."

If it were anyone else, they might have been confused by Shang Yanxiao's roundabout explanation, but Bai Xu not only understood the original story's plot but was also well-versed in the twists and turns of corporate battles and the scheming of human hearts.

"Are you planning to let Queyan appear less capable, making it seem like the third branch is in decline, so that those with ulterior motives hiding in the shadows will reveal themselves?"

As Bai Xu spoke, he suddenly remembered something—

The original book revolved around the protagonist, Shang Queyan. Regarding Shang Yanxiao's early coma, there were only a few fragments, with no hints of any pretense.

Now, in the real situation, since Shang Yanxiao was faking his coma, there must be a reason behind it.

Bai Xu paused his meal and looked at Shang Yanxiao again. "You've been pretending to be in a coma since the car accident. Do you suspect someone is secretly orchestrating things behind the scenes? Is it the first branch or the second branch? What's your next plan?"

Bai Xu was familiar with the general direction and ending of 'The Abyss', having listened to the entire early and mid-stage content. However, when it came to the core property disputes and corporate battles in the later stages, the details were less clear.

Just like how Bai Xu knew the car accident involving the third branch was orchestrated, but he hadn't had the chance to find out who the mastermind was before he transmigrated into the book.

"......"

Faced with Bai Xu's sudden sharp questioning, Shang Yanxiao casually shifted the topic. "Are you full? Why aren't you eating the shrimp?"

He regarded the person before him as a short-term ally, but that didn't mean he fully trusted them. The damage caused by the car accident was too great, and without collecting absolute evidence, he wouldn't casually reveal his plans to outsiders.

Bai Xu could tell the other was avoiding the key issue and didn't press further. "I like eating them, but peeling the shells is a hassle. I don't want to dirty my hands."

Hearing this, Shang Yanxiao instinctively glanced at Bai Xu's hands—

Pale and slender, with faintly red fingertips bearing thin calluses, they easily evoked the tingling warmth of touching skin.

Such hands indeed shouldn't be used for peeling shrimp shells.

Bai Xu, still lost in his thoughts, didn't notice Shang Yanxiao's brief scrutiny. "I heard from Xie Qi that the first branch is all overseas?"

Shang Yanxiao withdrew his gaze, picked up a wet wipe nearby, and wiped his hands. "Yes, not long after the incident with the third branch, Shang Qishun took over an overseas project of the Shang Group."

That project had originally been handled and prepared by Shang Yanxiao.

Bai Xu chuckled lightly. "So the first branch swooped in halfway? Not very honorable."

Shang Yanxiao picked up a shrimp, calmly peeling its shell. "That overseas project has always been handled by the relevant departments of both countries. It's very important, and the Shang Group can't afford any mistakes."

Looking across the entire group, aside from Shang Yanxiao, Shang Qishun was the only suitable person to take over. It made sense that Old Master Shang would agree to let him take charge.

Unfortunately, Shang Qishun couldn't tolerate his people.

The first thing Shang Qishun did after taking over was to disband the project team Shang Yanxiao had originally set up, causing the hard work of employees like Xie Qi to go to waste, benefiting others instead.

Bai Xu roughly understood from his explanation. "No wonder."

Back when Xie Qi mentioned the first branch to him, his expression hadn't been too pleasant.

Bai Xu swirled the water glass beside him. "How long is that overseas project going to last? Does Shang Qishun not plan to return to the country anytime soon?"

Shang Yanxiao paused his shrimp-peeling and looked up. "Are you that curious about him?"

Bai Xu nodded. "Quite curious."

After all, in the original story's portrayal, Shang Qishun was a rival who could stand toe-to-toe with the protagonist, 'Shang Queyan', and had secretly caused many thorny problems for the third branch.

"......"

Hearing this response, Shang Yanxiao's gaze deepened.

He and Shang Qishun had been rivals since childhood. In front of the Old Master, they maintained a facade of brotherly harmony, but privately, they had almost no contact. The two were more like natural adversaries.

Bai Xu saw through the faint trace of disdain hidden beneath Shang Yanxiao's cold exterior and continued speaking honestly. "I've heard from outsiders that among the young masters and ladies of the Shang family, only the Eldest and Third Young Masters are truly qualified to be heirs."

Bai Xu leisurely scanned Shang Yanxiao, his eyes filled with unconcealed admiration. "Someone who can stand toe-to-toe with you, I really do want to meet them."

"......"

Shang Yanxiao didn't respond, but the coldness between his brows softened slightly.

Bai Xu caught the shift in his mood and smiled. "Don't worry, everyone outside knows I'm your arranged marriage partner, a part of the third branch. As your ally, there's no chance I'd betray you~"

Shang Yanxiao looked back at him, a rare hint of deliberate teasing in his tone. "True. Even if you 'defected' to Shang Qishun, it's not certain he'd trust you."

Bai Xu pondered thoughtfully, mimicking his serious tone. "True. He'd probably suspect I was a spy you sent over. He'd likely avoid me every day. How could we ever sit face-to-face and share a meal like this?"

As soon as the words fell, the two exchanged a smile.

Having an ally who could always keep up with the conversation, no matter what was said, felt pretty good.

Shang Yanxiao picked up the wet wipe again and wiped his hands. "Don't worry, the overseas project is already on track. They won't be gone for much longer."

Bai Xu caught on. "The overseas project is tempting, but the group's piece of the pie can't be neglected either."

Mentioning this, a cold glint flashed in Shang Yanxiao's eyes. "So, we'll see."

He had been pretending for so long that some people should have let their guard down and started to take real action. A fox will eventually reveal its tail, and a venomous snake will eventually hiss.

Shang Yanxiao proactively ended the topic and casually handed a plate of peeled shrimp to Bai Xu. "Here."

Bai Xu was surprised. "For me?"

He had thought Shang Yanxiao had been peeling shrimp for so long because he planned to indulge himself.

Shang Yanxiao said, "I don't like eating shrimp. You have it, so it doesn't go to waste."

After talking for so long, Bai Xu indeed hadn't had the chance to eat his fill. He took the plate without hesitation. "Thanks. I've been eyeing it since earlier."

Shang Yanxiao chuckled briefly, then heard a knock at the door.

"It's me."

Standing outside the door, Zhang Changxu spoke up in time to dispel their wariness.

Shang Yanxiao glanced at Bai Xu and took the initiative to open the door.

Zhang Changxu was cautious and hadn't let anyone follow him. He met Shang Yanxiao's gaze, but his eyes quickly shifted past his friend to the inside of the room—

At the desk in the central area, Bai Xu was still enjoying the shrimp on his plate, while across from him, a pile of shrimp shells on the table clearly marked Shang Yanxiao's spot.

Shang Yanxiao asked, "What's up? Come in and talk?"

"It's nothing. Dinner's almost over, so I just wanted to say goodbye before I take Changning and head out."

Zhang Changxu shifted his gaze back and gave a brief explanation. "Your act can't go on indefinitely. The longer you drag it out, the easier it is to slip up. Maybe you can find a 'treatment' excuse to stay away for a while longer."

Shang Yanxiao had already considered this. "Got it. I'll let you know if I need your help."

"Okay."

Zhang Changxu nodded but didn't leave immediately.

Shang Yanxiao, who had been about to close the door, paused and pressed, "What is it?"

Zhang Changxu couldn't resist leaning in and patted his friend's shoulder with a meaningful look, "This is what you meant by—"

"Don't. Need. To. Care?"

It hadn't even been that long, and not only had he easily revealed his act, but he was also proactively peeling shrimp for the other person?

"......"

Shang Yanxiao felt a moment of awkwardness. "What are you thinking? I'm not seeing you off."

Zhang Changxu hid a smile. "I'm leaving."

Click.

The room door closed again.

But this time, Shang Yanxiao's force in closing the door seemed inexplicably heavier.

Bai Xu finished the last bite of shrimp and asked vaguely, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

Shang Yanxiao noticed the empty plate in his hand. "Full? Just leave the dishes. I'll call someone to clean up later."

Bai Xu set down the chopsticks and plate. "Alright, I'll borrow your bathroom to wash my hands."

The sound of running water came and went.

By the time Bai Xu stepped out of the bathroom, Shang Yanxiao had already returned to sitting on the bed. He was holding a tablet displaying some document, though the content wasn't clear.

Bai Xu chuckled quietly. "Third Young Master, if you keep 'not exercising' like this every day, your abs will disappear soon."

"......"

Shang Yanxiao recalled his previous boldness. "I can always work them back later. It's not that hard."

Hearing his casual tone, Bai Xu couldn't help but pout with a hint of jealousy.

Are abs really that easy to build?

Not to mention his current slim frame, even in his real world, no matter how hard he trained, he could only manage a thin layer. It was clearly not easy.

"By the way, I have something for you."

Bai Xu remembered this important matter and reached into his pocket.

Shang Yanxiao noticed his movement, a faint curiosity appearing between his brows. "What is it?"

As soon as he spoke, Bai Xu tossed something toward him. "Catch!"

—Swish!

Shang Yanxiao swiftly caught it with one hand and, upon closer inspection, realized it was an ordinary plastic mini bottle.

Inside was a small golden bean, shimmering with an alluring golden light.

Seeing the rare look of confusion on Shang Yanxiao's face, Bai Xu smiled. "What do you think? I specially went to the mall to buy this 5g gold bean for you. Consider it a thank-you for Third Young Master's contribution to my studio."

Shang Yanxiao found it amusing and countered, "A villa in exchange for a tiny gold bean? Boss Bai, aren't you quite the shrewd businessman? Seems like I got the short end of the stick."

"You just don't get it, do you?"

Bai Xu wagged his index finger. "The value of this gold bean isn't measured in money. It's a genuine favor."

Shang Yanxiao caught on. "So, if I ever need something in the future, I can use this little gold bean to call in a favor?"

"Yep, redeemable anytime~" Bai Xu's tone lifted as he added, "If I ever owe you another favor and can't think of a gift, I'll just keep giving you these little gold beans."

For someone like Shang Yanxiao, who had seen it all, what rare treasures hadn't he encountered?

Sometimes, something symbolic is more meaningful, and when the time comes, both sides will naturally step up.

Shang Yanxiao pondered for a moment. "Alright, I'll accept it then."

Seeing his agreement, Bai Xu quickly turned serious again. "Don't worry, favors are favors, and rent is rent. They're separate matters. I'll make sure to pay up."

Shang Yanxiao detected the firm line in Bai Xu's words, his eyes lighting up slightly. "It's fine. Since I've accepted this gold bean, it's an even exchange. No loss here."

Bai Xu smiled. "Third Young Master is truly generous. I'll take my leave now. You should rest well too."

"Alright, goodnight."

...

Not long after Bai Xu left the master bedroom, Xie Qi walked back in.

"Third Young Master."

"Hmm?"

Shang Yanxiao responded absentmindedly, his gaze still fixed on the newly received gift.

Xie Qi took a closer look at the item in the bottle and asked curiously, "Third Young Master, why are you holding onto such a little trinket? Where did it come from?"

Given Shang Yanxiao's status, such a small gold bean seemed almost insignificant.

Shang Yanxiao shook it with some amusement. "Bai Xu gave it to me."

The gold bean clinked against the plastic bottle, producing a pleasant sound.

Xie Qi was momentarily stunned upon hearing who had given it.

"You don't understand. This isn't just some little trinket."

"...Huh?"

Before Xie Qi could figure out how to respond, Shang Yanxiao murmured to himself, "This gold bean has a lot of potential for appreciation. I should lock it in the safe."

–

TL: Muji

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