DASFAM_26

The monthly family dinner arrived as scheduled.

When Bai Xu finished tidying up and went downstairs, Shang Queyan and Butler Lin were already waiting downstairs. The latter was the first to notice him, "Mr. Xiao Bai, are you ready? The car is waiting at the door, we can leave anytime."

Bai Xu met Shang Queyan's gaze and smiled, "Oh, is the Fourth Young Master willing to wait for me this time? You left in quite a hurry last time."

"......"

Shang Queyan knew he was in the wrong but still stubbornly retorted, "I only waited out of respect for my brother."

Bai Xu nodded in agreement, "Okay~"

He stopped at the staircase and deliberately looked up towards the master bedroom on the second floor, "Thank you, Third Young Master, for the consideration~"

Teasing two at once.

In the master bedroom, Shang Yanxiao responded with silence, while downstairs, Shang Queyan couldn't hold back any longer, "I give up on you!"

With that, he quickly maneuvered his wheelchair out of the villa.

Butler Lin chuckled softly, "Mr. Xiao Bai, it's almost time. If we're late, the Old Master might not be pleased."

Bai Xu nodded, "En."

When the car arrived at the entrance of the main house, it coincidentally met another car that had just stopped. As luck would have it, the passengers were none other than the second branch of the family.

"What did I tell you?" Shang Queyan muttered under his breath, "Foes always cross paths."

Bai Xu maintained a positive attitude, "Since it's a family dinner, it's inevitable we'll meet. We'll handle whatever comes our way. What's there to fear?"

At the last family dinner, Fang Yuhua and Shang Songming, the mother-son duo, had provoked them and ended up suffering the consequences.

"Xiao Yan, you're here too?" Shang Yun, as usual, played the role of the peacemaker, "Songming, go help your brother with his wheelchair."

Shang Songming looked at Bai Xu and Butler Lin on the opposite car, once again recalling Bai Xu's previous 'butler' remarks, which left him feeling displeased.

"Can't we leave such tasks to the servants?" he grumbled through clenched teeth, "If you want to play the good guy, why don't you do it yourself? Why should I lower myself to help him?"

Shang Yun's smile stiffened, and he scolded in a low voice, "Watch your tone!"

Fang Yuhua used the motion of smoothing her hair to mask her expression, siding with her son as she complained to her husband, "What did Songming say wrong? If you want to put on a show, you might as well save it for the Old Master."

If they could please the Old Master, they might gain some benefits or advantages. Was there any need to be nice to the third branch?

During the brief exchange among the three family members, Bai Xu and the others had already smoothly disembarked from the car.

Shang Queyan maneuvered his wheelchair forward and greeted them with mixed feelings, "Uncle, Aunt."

Shang Yun put on his smiling mask again, "Ah, you're here? How's your health been lately?"

At the last family dinner, Shang Queyan and Bai Xu had teamed up, causing her and the second branch to suffer a significant setback. The Shang Group halted its cooperation intentions with Jinbai, a project that originally belonged to their branch!

The cooked duck had flown right before their eyes*!

*idiom; a situation where something that seemed certain or within reach is suddenly lost or slips away.

Because of this, her husband, Shang Yun, had not spared her from sarcastic remarks and criticism over the past month.

Shang Yun glanced subtly at his willful wife and tried to smooth things over, "Alright, let's all go inside."

Everyone filed into the house one after another.

Next to the small dining room, there was a sunken sofa seating area where the Old Master Shang was leaning back in the main seat, holding a copy of the day's financial newspaper.

Even in this era of information explosion, he still maintained this old reading habit.

Shang Yun was the first to speak, "Dad, we're here."

Old Master Shang responded without even looking up, neither inviting everyone to sit nor allowing them to enter the small dining area directly, leaving them hanging like that.

The second branch of the family, having received no instructions, stood still, not daring to move.

Bai Xu, standing at the back, noticed the situation and subtly patted the back of the wheelchair.

Shang Queyan, sensing his action and the unspoken question, silently gestured with his hand to 'not speak'.

"......"

Bai Xu's eyebrow twitched as he idly glanced around at the layout of the main house.

Old Master Shang finished reading the last line of the newspaper and then ruthlessly tossed it into the trash bin.

He stood up calmly, not forgetting to scan the group still standing in place. Soon after, he noticed Bai Xu hiding in the back row through the gaps—

While everyone else stood silently with a hint of cautious tension on their faces, only Bai Xu, shielded by the people in front, appeared completely at ease.

Old Master Shang shouted, "Bai Xu, come out."

Bai Xu was completely unprepared to be called out and froze for a moment.

Seeing that Bai Xu wasn't reacting, Butler Lin quickly whispered a reminder, "Mr. Xiao Bai?"

"......"

Isn't this a family dinner?

Why the sudden roll call?

Bai Xu steadied his breath and stepped forward under everyone's gaze, "Hello, Old Master Shang."

Old Master Shang scrutinized him from head to toe and suddenly asked, "I heard you've been quite active outside this month?"

Whether it was the counterattack and control at the Sun family banquet or Bai Xu's joint complaint with other graduates against Song Zhiqing, both incidents had caused quite a stir in their respective circles.

Hearing this, the second branch of the family immediately felt a sense of wariness—

To be noticed by the Old Master in this household, one either performed so poorly as to await criticism or did well enough to gain recognition.

Which category did Bai Xu fall into now? Could he really be boosting the third branch's presence?

Bai Xu pretended to be reserved, "No, not really."

Old Master Shang was well aware of his deliberate act but chose not to expose it, "How has Yanxiao been recently?"

In front of the second branch, Bai Xu naturally concealed many things about Shang Yanxiao, "Dr. Zhang came to see him just yesterday, still the same as before."

Hearing this, Old Master Shang made no further comment but shifted the topic to Shang Queyan, "Queyan, you should pull yourself together. Falling and not being able to get up is not the Shang family's way."

Shang Queyan maneuvered his wheelchair forward, "Grandfather, I understand."

Butler Lin added, "Old Master Shang, the Fourth Young Master has already started to get involved in the management of the subsidiary company, and we've contacted a professional team for his rehabilitation."

Hearing this, Old Master Shang's stern expression softened slightly, "That's more like it, at least you're stepping up for your brother."

"Yes."

"......"

Old Master Shang's roundabout remarks were all directed towards the third branch, leaving the second branch completely ignored.

Fang Yuhua watched anxiously, eager to say something to regain some presence, when the elevator door chimed open beside them—

Old Madam Shang, accompanied by a servant, slowly stepped out of the elevator.

Seeing the large family gathered, she twirled the sandalwood beads in her hand, "Everyone's here? You must all be starving. I overslept and ended up making you all wait for me."

Old Master Shang walked up and responded, "They're the younger generation, what's a little wait? Is your headache better?"

"Much better."

Old Madam Shang gently patted her husband's hand, "Let's have the dishes served and start the meal, we mustn't really starve the children."

Old Master Shang nodded, signaling everyone, "Alright, let's not stand around here anymore, let's move to the small dining room."

...

The meal time remained as quiet as usual. 

Bai Xu casually ate a few bites; after all, even the most delicious food seemed somewhat bland in such silence.

It wasn't until the Old Master Shang put down his bowl and chopsticks that he took the initiative to break the stiff atmosphere, "I do have something to announce tonight."

Shang Yun immediately followed up, "Dad, what is it? Please tell us."

Old Master Shang glanced at his wife beside him, a rare gentle smile appearing on his face, "It's almost June, and our wedding anniversary is coming up..."

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone at the table was taken aback.

"Ah, why bring this up?"

A hint of bashfulness flashed across Old Madam Shang's gentle expression as she quickly interjected, "We're such an old couple now, aren't you afraid the kids will laugh at us for mentioning this?"

Old Master Shang insisted, "Our family has gone through a lot this year. I was thinking, since we have some free time, it would be nice to have a celebration."

Fang Yuhua quickly agreed, "That's right, we should have some fun! Dad, how many years has it been since you and Mom got married?"

Old Master Shang remembered clearly, "Sixty-five years."

Fang Yuhua chimed in, "That's a great number, we should definitely celebrate."

Old Madam Shang still felt it was unnecessary, "Forget it, why go through all that trouble? I'm afraid people will laugh at us if we make a fuss."

Bai Xu, recalling the plot from the book, instinctively added, "Old Madam."

"In one's lifetime, finding a partner to spend a lifetime with and reaching a sixty-fifth anniversary is no small feat. People would only envy you and the Old Master, no one would laugh at you."

The love and marriage of the Shang couple are renowned as a beautiful tale in the elite circles of the capital.

If the story continues as per the book's plot, this will indeed be the couple's last anniversary celebration.

Old Master Shang nodded in approval, "Bai Xu makes a good point."

Seeing Bai Xu being praised, Fang Yuhua felt a pang of discomfort and quickly nudged her son and husband under the table.

"Ouch."

Shang Songming promptly stifled his reaction and put on a smile, "Grandma, why not listen to Grandfather this once? Our family hasn't hosted any gatherings in a long time, it would be nice to have some fun."

Shang Yun chimed in, "Yes, don't worry about it, Mom. We're here to take care of things, aren't we?"

Fang Yuhua seized the opportunity, "Dad, since my sister and brother-in-law aren't in the country, and Queyan and the others are still young, they probably aren't familiar with the etiquette and procedures. Why not leave this matter to me to handle? Don't worry, I'll make sure everything is done properly!"

Bai Xu and Shang Queyan exchanged a glance, both understanding perfectly—

The second branch of the family wanted to use this banquet to showcase their capabilities and win the favor of the elderly couple!

Old Master Shang, sharp-eyed and clear-minded, didn't mind, "Alright, then I'll leave it to the Second daughter-in-law to handle. The funds will come from my account, no need to hold back, the most important thing is to do it well!"

"By the way, everything should prioritize your mother's preferences."

Old Madam Shang, knowing she couldn't sway her husband's will, sighed with a smile and agreed, "Alright, we'll do as you say. It'll be a lot of work for the Second daughter-in-law."

Fang Yuhua beamed with joy, "Oh, it's my pleasure."

The monthly family dinner, for once, concluded in a 'harmonious' atmosphere.

Upon returning home, Shang Queyan immediately rushed into the master bedroom and locked the door. He poured out everything that had happened at the family dinner to Shang Yanxiao, not forgetting to vent his frustrations:

"She's just managed to get a banquet approved by Grandfather, but look how thrilled that Second Aunt is!"

Only in front of his closest brother would Shang Queyan reveal the childlike demeanor that hadn't completely faded.

Bai Xu chuckled quietly, "Let the second branch handle it. Organizing a large banquet isn't as simple as it seems if you really put your heart into it."

Shang Queyan was still fuming, "Is she really going to put in the effort? It's obvious she'll just spend money and boss people around."

When Chi Li was still alive, she had co-hosted two Shang family banquets with Fang Yuhua, who was also her sister-in-law.

Back then, Fang Yuhua always played the 'elder sister-in-law' card, pushing all the challenging tasks onto Chi Li, and then shamelessly taking credit in front of everyone.

Perhaps reminded of his late mother, Shang Queyan's mood suddenly soured.

Bai Xu sensed this and instinctively looked towards Shang Yanxiao.

Their gazes met briefly before parting, and Shang Yanxiao spoke up, "Xiao Yan, don't overthink it. That car accident had nothing to do with you. Mom and Dad's deaths were never your fault, you were a victim too."

Bai Xu chimed in to console, "Yes, the dead cannot be brought back to life. Rather than being trapped in past pain and constantly tormenting yourself, it's better to grit your teeth and look forward."

"With the status you two brothers hold, neither of you can afford to be stuck in place, or it will only lead to a dead end."

His naturally soft voice carried a strong and calm core, creating a captivating contrast.

Hearing this, Shang Yanxiao's gaze towards Bai Xu deepened.

Shang Queyan lowered his head and took a deep breath, trying to suppress the sting in his eyes, "I know, I just don't like how the second branch acts like they've won. I... I don't like losing."

He looked up at Shang Yanxiao again, "Brother, the third branch can't lose to them!"

Bai Xu answered on his behalf, "With your brother here, we won't lose."

Shang Yanxiao's expression softened as he crouched down to meet his younger brother at eye level, "Queyan, don't worry, our family won't just fade into obscurity like this. Your top priority now is to cooperate with the medical team for your rehabilitation."

"There's a long road ahead, and you need to stand firm, understand?"

His words carried a double meaning.

Shang Queyan understood, "Yes, I understand."

Shang Yanxiao breathed a sigh of relief, "Go back and rest early, don't you have to meet with the medical team tomorrow?"

"Alright, brother, you should rest early too."

Shang Queyan agreed, then turned his wheelchair and looked at Bai Xu, "Aren't you leaving?"

Bai Xu couldn't resist teasing him, "What's my relationship with your brother? Isn't it normal for me to stay? Little brother-in-law~"

"......"

"......"

A single address stunned two people.

Shang Yanxiao, helpless, could only cough softly.

Shang Queyan, seeing that his elder brother did not refute the claim, looked back and forth in disbelief, but ultimately conceded defeat, quickly maneuvering his wheelchair away.

Bai Xu watched Shang Queyan's retreating figure and couldn't help but chuckle.

Shang Yanxiao sighed, "You seem to enjoy teasing Queyan?"

Bai Xu didn't deny it, "Just joking around to lighten the mood."

He glanced towards a row of bookshelves in the central hall and approached with a bit of curiosity, "Shang Yanxiao, could I borrow a couple of your books? Sometimes when I can't sleep at night, I like to read to pass the time."

Reading physical books was a habit Bai Xu had picked up from his time with the Old Mr. Bai.

Shang Yanxiao looked at the bookshelf he hadn't touched in a long time, "Sure."

Bai Xu quickly scanned the rows of books, his gaze suddenly stopping, "And this one?"

Shang Yanxiao stepped closer to look; it was an autobiography that the Old Master Shang had been invited to write seven or eight years ago. At that time, every member of the Shang family had been given a copy.

Shang Yanxiao had read it thoroughly once and then left it on the shelf ever since. Seeing the curiosity ignited in Bai Xu's eyes, he was somewhat surprised, "You're interested in this book?"

"En."

Bai Xu patted the cover of the book as if he had found a treasure, "After all, Old Master Shang is somewhat of a legendary figure in the business circles of China, isn't he? I should take a good look at his entrepreneurial history from his younger days."

Shang Yanxiao, recalling the contents of the book, cautioned, "Given the Old Master's character, the content is quite factual."

The implication was that the content was dry, not exactly lively or interesting reading material, and there were probably very few people who actually finished reading this autobiography.

Bai Xu understood the artful hint and laughed, "That's perfect then. It'll either help me pass the time or serve as a good bedtime sedative. So, I'll take it?"

"Okay."

Knock, knock.

The sound of knocking interrupted their conversation.

Xie Qi outside the door called out cautiously, "Mr. Xiao Bai, may I come in?"

"Sure, come in."

Bai Xu answered on his behalf, then looked at Shang Yanxiao, "Probably something urgent for you? I'll head back to my room then."

Shang Yanxiao nodded, "Alright, good night."

"Good night."

Before leaving, Bai Xu passed by Xie Qi who had just entered.

The man hurriedly greeted him with a 'Mr. Xiao Bai' and then entered the main room, his usually calm face showing a hint of gravity, as if something serious had happened.

Bai Xu's steps hesitated slightly.

Xiao Deng, who was on night duty, stood guard at the door, "Mr. Xiao Bai? Are you heading back to your room?"

"En."

Bai Xu snapped out of his thoughts, suppressing his curiosity, and walked towards his room with the books in hand.

...

The sound of the door locking echoed once again.

Xie Qi quickly approached Shang Yanxiao, his tone unable to hide his urgency, "Third Young Master."

Shang Yanxiao noticed his assistant's obvious anxiety and picked up a glass of water, "What's wrong?"

Xie Qi got straight to the point, "The car accident! We've found a lead!"

Shang Yanxiao paused mid-sip, his expression instantly turning serious, "Speak!"

Despite the official investigation results of the car accident being presented, after recovering from his injuries, Shang Yanxiao had secretly spent a fortune hiring overseas private investigators to delve deeper.

Over two months had passed in the blink of an eye, just when he thought everything had come to a dead end—

Unexpectedly, a lead had emerged?

Xie Qi immediately took out the tablet he carried with him and handed it to Shang Yanxiao, "This man is named Cherkin, formerly a cargo manager at HG Logistics."

Shang Yanxiao stared at the unfamiliar face on the screen, frowning, "What's his relationship with Charlie?"

Charlie was the truck driver for this logistics company, the very driver who crashed into the third branch of the family, and he also died in the accident after failing to be rescued.

Because of this, the overseas police had concluded that it was a major traffic accident.

"He was Charlie's work partner; the former was responsible for transportation, the latter for warehouse management."

"Half a month before the incident, Cherkin took two weeks of sick leave, and less than a week after the incident, he resigned for the same reason."

"But through covert hospital connections, the investigators found that there was no medical record of Cherkin during that time."

"......"

Shang Yanxiao wasn't so quick to jump to conclusions.

Xie Qi continued to relay the feedback, "Cherkin's family is of modest means, and he usually doesn't have big expenses. But not long after resigning, he spent nearly ten thousand dollars at a luxury store and has since disappeared."

"Most importantly, the transaction account he used was from HS Bank."

The so-called HS Bank is the abbreviation for Hua Shang Bank.

This is one of the private banks under the Shang family's overseas holdings, with the majority of its clients being business-oriented overseas Chinese and ethnic Chinese.

Shang Yanxiao's expression gradually darkened.

A single incident might be a coincidence, but too many coincidences together suggest something fishy.

The driver responsible for the car accident, his suddenly resigned and wealthy colleague, and the HS transaction account rarely used by foreigners.

If all these inferences hold true, then the mastermind behind this must be closely related to the Shang family?

"Investigate! Have them continue the investigation!"

Shang Yanxiao took a deep breath, the pain that had been accumulating in his chest was almost unbearable, "If the evidence is sufficient at the necessary moment, contact the local police directly, and we are ready to cooperate with the case report at any time!"

Xie Qi took back the tablet, his voice firm, "Understood!"

...

The next day.

When Bai Xu stepped out of his room again, he coincidentally ran into Xiao Deng and Chen Yufei who were changing shifts.

He let out a slight yawn, "Morning."

"Good morning."

"Good morning, Mr. Xiao Bai."

They responded one after the other. Xiao Deng noticed the rare look of drowsiness on Bai Xu's face, "Did you not rest well last night?"

Bai Xu waved his hand dismissively, gesturing with his eyes towards the master bedroom, "Is he awake?"

Xiao Deng nodded hurriedly, "Assistant Xie is inside... having breakfast."

Bai Xu raised an eyebrow in understanding, "Oh? I'll go in and take a look."

Xiao Deng and Chen Yufei exchanged glances, neither daring to stop him.

As soon as the door opened, the aroma of breakfast wafted out.

Shang Yanxiao was sitting by the bed, in front of him was a plate of exquisite breakfast, only a small portion of which had been eaten.

Xie Qi looked over, "Mr. Xiao Bai."

Bai Xu smiled, "I knew it, someone else is having breakfast. Aren't you afraid someone might barge in unexpectedly?"

Shang Yanxiao calmly took a sip of his iced Americano, "In this house, apart from you, who would dare to 'barge' in like that?"

Xie Qi chimed in to explain, "Recently, very few people have come to 'visit' the Third Young Master."

"That's not the point, caution is the parent of safety," Bai Xu advised as he approached, but his gaze fell on the breakfast plate, "Oh, a tuna sandwich?"

Shang Yanxiao caught his drift, "Go ahead, eat it."

Bai Xu pulled over a chair and sat down, smiling, "Then I won't stand on ceremony. But from now on, for all three meals a day, Xie Qi and I can 'accompany' the Third Young Master. Even if someone does make a surprise visit, it would be more convincing this way."

Xie Qi smiled, "Shall I go downstairs to get some more?"

Bai Xu didn't stand on ceremony at all, "Could you please have someone make me a cup of hot oat milk? I need a little pick-me-up, thanks."

As he spoke, he glanced at the coffee in front of Shang Yanxiao, a hint of disdain in his eyes.

Shang Yanxiao caught his vivid little expression clearly and waited until Xie Qi had left before asking, "Pick-me-up? Did you not sleep well last night?"

Bai Xu, munching on his sandwich, mumbled, "Finished reading the Old Master's autobiography, and before I knew it, it was already three in the morning."

"......"

Shang Yanxiao was somewhat surprised, "You finished it?"

Bai Xu nodded, "Yes, although, as you said, it's quite rigid in its wording, there are some parts that are quite interesting. It seems Old Master Shang had a fascinating soul when he was young."

Bai Xu paused to think, and Shang Yanxiao, intending to test him, asked, "For example?"

"For example—"

Bai Xu thought carefully and answered fluently, "For example, the year he turned thirty, he wanted to go to Yuncheng to dabble in the jade business, but he couldn't get a seat."

"The train was packed, and he ended up standing the entire way. When he arrived, his feet were completely numb."

"The jade merchant who came to pick him up thought he was a disabled person with mobility issues and ended up sending him a cane. Old Master Shang, not wanting to embarrass the merchant and indeed with numb feet—"

Shang Yanxiao recalled the incident from the book and chuckled lightly, "So he ended up using the cane for three days."

Bai Xu couldn't help but laugh, "Right? I think Old Master Shang was quite interesting in his youth, not as temperamental and eccentric as others say."

"Grandpa has experienced too many ups and downs in his life, it's not strange for him to have a bit of a temper."

Shang Yanxiao had a deep-seated respect and admiration for the old merchant, "Actually, he's very good, deep down he cares deeply about everyone in the family. The death of my parents must have been hard on him too."

The death of the couple from the third branch was a heavy blow to both brothers, and for the old merchant couple, it was also the sorrow of seeing the younger generation pass before the old.

Bai Xu nodded in agreement, "So I think it's quite nice that Old Master Shang wants to celebrate his 65th anniversary and throw a party to liven things up."

After all, the living must continue to look forward and move ahead.

Shang Yanxiao wasn't opposed to the idea of hosting a banquet either, "It is quite nice, but the matter of giving gifts at the banquet is probably going to make a lot of people scratch their heads."

Whether it's the members of the Shang family or the invited guests, who wouldn't want to use this opportunity to win the favor and affection of the old merchant? Who wouldn't want to pave the way for future benefits?

Bai Xu was curious, "What does the third branch want to give?"

Shang Yanxiao shook his head, unusually troubled, "I can't show my face for now, I'll have to think about it some more."

"......"

Bai Xu didn't respond, also pondering this crucial question.

Suddenly, a spark of inspiration flashed through his mind, "Shang Yanxiao, I know what to give!"

–

TL: Muji

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