DASFAM_36


"......"

A casually uttered remark was enough to stir up a storm.

The smile at the corners of Bai Xu's lips faded slightly, while the sharpness in Shang Yanxiao's eyes, hidden beneath his cap, grew more pronounced.

Chu Yate sensed the icy aura emanating from both men opposite him, yet his demeanor remained relaxed, "Sir, I mean no harm. I simply believe that laying our cards on the table will make our subsequent communication more effective."

"If I'm not mistaken, Young Master Bai and Third Young Master Shang should have already dug up my identity last night? Fairness is key in all things, it’s only right that I know a thing or two about you as well."

As he spoke, he picked up two clean glasses and poured whiskey from the already opened bottle into them, "Sir, care to try it? This whiskey has an excellent flavor."

Bai Xu glanced at the glass placed before him and accepted it without a trace of emotion, "Why don’t you start by telling me, Second Young Master Chu. How much do you know about me?"

Still 'me', not 'us'.

Shang Yanxiao stood silently behind Bai Xu, his internal alarms blaring, yet he didn’t immediately confirm his identity.

Chu Yate was in no hurry. Instead, he cooperatively explained, "Last night, when Young Master Bai encountered that incident in the hallway, I was in the private lounge next door."

A slight gap in the door had been enough to witness everything.

"That young actress is named Qiao Xin. She just debuted not long ago and is Chu Yuncheng's latest target."  

Chu Yate and Chu Yuncheng had always been at odds with each other, engaging in covert and overt rivalry since childhood as sworn enemies. They kept tabs on each other's general movements.  

"As that man said last night, there are very few people in new city, or even the entire country, who dare to oppose the Chu family. Only Young Master Bai, fearless in his ignorance, would dare to step in and help."  

Had any other guest encountered that situation last night, the actress named Qiao Xin would never have escaped Chu Yuncheng's grasp.  

Chu Yate had learned early from his assistant that Qiao Xin had been brought to the banquet venue and had even anticipated the potential danger that might follow.  

However, he wasn’t as kind-hearted as Bai Xu.  

For one, he saw no reason to clash with Chu Yuncheng again over a stranger.  

Secondly, he had planned to exploit the aftermath, setting up a scheme for the media to expose Chu Yuncheng’s late-night rendezvous with an actress, painting his private life as still scandalous in order to stir dissatisfaction among the family elders.  

But Bai Xu and Shang Yanxiao’s intervention not only ruined Chu Yuncheng’s plans, it also disrupted Chu Yate’s own scheming.  

"Later, when I saw Young Master Bai take the initiative to speak with Chairman Zhang while showing no interest in the other guests, I guessed your true purpose for attending this banquet."  

"......"

Bai Xu didn’t respond, but he had to admit that the man before him possessed remarkable insight.  

Chu Yate took a sip of his drink, "I have no interest in Chairman Zhang’s project, but I refuse to let my so-called older brother secure it without a fight. In other words, you can consider me someone here to muddy the waters."  

Even if it weren’t Bai Xu, he would have secretly backed someone else to compete against Chu Yuncheng.  

Bai Xu swirled the glass in his hand and asked, "I’ve heard many are vying for a partnership with Chairman Zhang in new city. Why did you come to me first, Second Young Master Chu?"  

Chu Yate chuckled and tossed the question back, "Young Master Bai, you’re clever. This answer shouldn’t be hard to guess."  

As he spoke, his gaze flicked toward Shang Yanxiao, who stood further back.  

Shang Yanxiao met his glance, a dark glint flashing in his eyes—  

The answer really wasn’t hard to guess.  

The Chu family’s influence in Singapore was too overwhelming. If Chu Yuncheng publicly declared his intent to collaborate with Zhang Songyang, most of the eager companies would likely back down immediately.  

Even if Chu Yate wanted to secretly support another contender, few companies in Singapore would dare to wade into these troubled waters.  

Given that, it made more sense to place his bets on Bai Xu, who had come from China, especially since by helping Qiao Xin, he had already crossed Chu Yuncheng.  

What Shang Yanxiao could deduce, Bai Xu naturally understood as well.

"I’m new to Singapore, and Zhouye Investments is just a small and unremarkable company back in China."

Bai Xu deliberately downplayed his standing before countering, "So how can you be so sure, Second Young Master Chu, that I’d even dare to compete with Chu Yuncheng for this project? What if I backed out too?"

Chu Yate raised an eyebrow, teasing, "Then why did Young Master Bai show up today? Your presence here is the best answer, isn’t it?"

The moment those words fell, Shang Yanxiao’s gaze darkened as he stared straight at him.

"......"

Bai Xu had forgotten that angle. He took a sip of whiskey to mask his reaction.

Completely unaware of the warning glare being shot from behind him, it was Chu Yate who caught the subtle hostility. His playful expression sobered slightly.

"To be honest, at first, I didn’t know much about you, Young Master Bai, and I wasn’t sure if you had the nerve for it."

That was, until Chu Yate sought out the server who had attended to them the previous night, and picked up on a telling detail from their casual remark:

"That bodyguard beside Young Master Bai was quite intimidating, with an overwhelming presence. If he’d dressed differently, anyone might’ve mistaken him for a VIP guest from some prominent family."

That single offhand comment was enough to make Chu Yate order his assistant to dig deeper.

"I heard something happened to the third branch of the Shang family in China, Shang Yanxiao, the Third Young Master favored by the Old Master, fell into a coma after a car accident. For months, he showed no signs of waking up, and was even saddled with an arranged marriage."

"Ten days ago, the Shang family spent a fortune to transfer Third Young Master Shang to Singapore for further treatment. And yet, last night, his fiancé, Young Master Bai, just so happened to appear at a business banquet where he had no business being."

"Most importantly, the bodyguard beside Young Master Bai had a build almost identical to Shang Yanxiao’s. Isn’t that all just a bit too coincidental?"

"......"

At this point, there was no use in stubbornly keeping up the act.

Shang Yanxiao removed his cap and mask, revealing the striking, coldly handsome features hidden beneath, "Since you already know my real identity, what do you plan to do about it, Second Young Master Chu?"

Chu Yate’s smile deepened at his candid admission, "Relax, I never intended to use this against you. After all, the Chu and Shang families do share some... similarities, don’t they?"

No matter how tightly someone guard against outsiders, treachery often comes from within.

Chu Yate could guess that Shang Yanxiao’s disguise was likely meant to shield himself from his own family, something he, as an outsider, had no interest in meddling with.

"To put it bluntly, the old man at home is about to retire soon. Right now, I only have one enemy in front of me."

Chu Yate pushed the remaining glass of whiskey toward him again, "What I want is an ally, not another enemy to make life harder for myself."

Zhouye Investments might be an insignificant no-name company, but the true backers, the third branch of the Shang family, were an entirely different story.

"If Young Master Bai and Third Young Master Shang can help me block Chu Yuncheng’s deal with Chairman Zhang, then in the future, should you ever need my assistance, don’t hesitate to ask."

"My goal is the chairman’s seat at Chu Group. I imagine Third Young Master Shang has his own ambitions back in China as well?"

He didn’t spell it out, but the implication was clear.

"There’s no conflict of interest between us. On the contrary, there will be plenty of opportunities for mutual benefit in the future. What do you two think?"

Bai Xu had to admit, Chu Yate was a shrewd negotiator. Equivalent exchange of interests made for the most stable alliances.

But the ones who truly needed this project were the third branch of the Shang family.

Bai Xu didn’t presume to decide for Shang Yanxiao. Instead, he turned slightly, silently waiting for his answer.

Shang Yanxiao noticed his gaze and immediately met it, "Young Master Bai, what do you think?"

Right in front of Chu Yate, Shang Yanxiao handed the decision to him, "Doesn’t our household always defer to you?"

Bai Xu’s lashes fluttered in bewilderment, his eyes silently questioning: Since when?

Shang Yanxiao gave him a 'hasn’t it always been this way?' look before telling Chu Yate, "I’ll follow his lead."

Chu Yate opened his mouth, then closed it again, suddenly feeling like he’d been force-fed a mouthful of dog food, "You two are quite the loving couple, aren’t you?"

"......"

Couple?

This was the first time Bai Xu had heard an outsider refer to him and Shang Yanxiao that way. For some reason, a faint, indescribable feeling stirred in his chest.

"I think Second Young Master Chu’s proposal is sound."

Bai Xu had already understood the answer hidden in Shang Yanxiao’s earlier hint and swiftly changed the subject, "At the very least, this project gives us a chance to meet Chairman Zhang in person."

Only then did Shang Yanxiao take the glass, raising it calmly, "Pleasure doing business, Mr. Chu."

Not 'Second Young Master Chu', the outsider’s label, but 'Mr. Chu', a title that carried far more professional weight. The distinction clearly struck a chord with Chu Yate.

A satisfied smile spread across his face, "Mr. Shang, Young Master Bai, to a fruitful collaboration?"

Clink!

The crisp sound of three glasses meeting marked the beginning of their verbal alliance.

Seizing a moment when Shang Yanxiao wasn’t paying attention, Bai Xu quickly downed half his glass. The strong liquor burned his throat, harsh but exhilarating, "Mr. Chu wasn’t lying, this really is good stuff!"

Shang Yanxiao had barely looked away before the sneak attack succeeded, "Be careful with your stomach."

Bai Xu countered, "The allergies cleared up ages ago. A little won’t hurt." 

Chu Yate tactfully refrained from intruding on their sweet, private moment. After a pause, he gestured, "You’ve been standing long enough. Shall we sit?"

"Sure."

Settling onto the sofa, Bai Xu gazed through the floor-to-ceiling windows at the endless stretch of the golf course outside, "Mr. Chu, are you certain Chairman Zhang’s group is coming here today?"

"En."

Chu Yate was one hundred percent sure, "I confirmed with the course manager on my way in. Their tee time is still at 2:30. Getting there a little early keeps us from seeming too intentional."

"Oh?"

Bai Xu teased, "But the second Chu Yuncheng spots you, he’ll start questioning your motives."

Chu Yate clicked the tongue, "No need to call me out like that, Young Master Bai. Today’s your stage, just make sure you seize the moment. I’ll keep a low profile."

His eyes flicked to Bai Xu’s athletic wear, "By the way, do you even play golf?"

"Just a heads-up, although I don’t like Chu Yuncheng as a person, his golf skills are indeed quite impressive. From what I know, Zhang Songyang has also been a golf enthusiast for the past two years."

Apart from banquets and dinner parties, bonding over shared hobbies and interests can significantly increase the chances of successful collaboration.

Hearing Chu Yate’s question, Shang Yanxiao glanced at Bai Xu with a hint of curiosity.

He had indeed forgotten to ask about this.

But based on his understanding of the Bai family, Bai Xu likely hadn’t had much opportunity to be exposed to this kind of sport in his daily life.

Noticing the gazes from both sides, Bai Xu responded calmly, "Me? I’m passable, I guess. If necessary, I can swing a club or two. Even if I can’t win..."

He paused, then joked, "I’ll just turn around and say I want to learn from Zhang Songyang. It’d be a good way to stay on his radar."

Being adaptable is key to expanding one’s social network.

"......"

Chu Yate was utterly astonished and silently gave Bai Xu a thumbs-up for his creative approach.  

Shang Yanxiao noticed the adorable side of Bai Xu hidden beneath his teasing tone and couldn’t help but chuckle. To cover up his widening smile, he took a sip of his drink.  

Buzz.

Chu Yate’s phone vibrated with an incoming message.  

After a quick glance, he decisively stood up, "They’ve already arrived at Course A2. Let’s take the shuttle over."  

"Alright."  

Bai Xu nodded, then hesitated slightly as he turned to Shang Yanxiao, "Are you coming?"  

Shang Yanxiao remained silent, still considering, but Chu Yate answered first, "Third Young Master can just put his hat and mask back on and tag along as a bodyguard. Stay at a distance, and it’ll be fine."  

"Chu Yuncheng doesn’t have sharp observational skills like I do, he’s always looking down on everyone. He probably doesn’t even take Young Master Bai seriously, let alone a bodyguard trailing behind."  

"Besides, the moment he sees me, he’ll likely focus most of his energy on mocking me instead."  

Hearing this, Shang Yanxiao adopted a somewhat resigned yet calm attitude, "I’ll go along just in case."  

Bai Xu thought for a moment, then nodded, "Okay."

...

At the edge of the vast golf course.  

Chu Yuncheng swung a near-perfect opening drive, his expression brimming with self-satisfaction, "Chairman Zhang, your turn."  

Unlike his relaxed arrogance, Zhang Songyang's brow was furrowed with unshakable gloom as he stepped into the tee box, gripping his club in silence.  

The preparation time ticked by second by second.  

Just as Zhang Songyang swung to hit the ball, Chu Yuncheng asked with a hint of malice, "Chairman Zhang, what do you think of my proposal from earlier?"  

Thwack!

The clubhead skewed off-center, sending the golf ball into a weak, faltering arc before dropping limply to the ground.  

Chu Yuncheng let out a barely noticeable chuckle, "Chairman Zhang, you're off your game today."  

"......"  

A heavy silence spread between them.  

Zhang Songyang motioned for the nearby caddie to leave before finally speaking up, unable to hold back, "Mr. Chu, I genuinely want to collaborate with the Chu Group."  

Chu Yuncheng nodded dismissively, "I know. And isn’t my offer even more sincere?"  

"As long as the Chu Group holds a majority stake, with Juesheng playing a secondary role, the amount of capital needed, no matter how large, won’t be an issue."

Faced with this sudden and outrageous proposal, Zhang Songyang's expression tightened—  

Giving up majority equity would mean that Juesheng would lose higher decision-making power in this project, completely contradicting his original intentions!  

He had gone to such great lengths to secure the letter of intent with AW first, not to hand the benefits over to someone else on a silver platter!  

Chu Yuncheng noticed Zhang Songyang's hesitation and discomfort, pressing even harder, "Chairman Zhang, you should know. If I publicly declare my interest in partnering with Juesheng Medical, no one in the entire country would dare intercept the deal."  

"I heard your letter of intent with AW only lasts a month? If you can't complete the acquisition before the deadline, everything you've done so far will go to waste."  

"Pity, though, Juesheng probably can't raise that much capital on its own in such a short time, right?"  

"......"  

His words were both a threat and a fact.  

Each syllable lodged in Zhang Songyang's throat, leaving him unable to refute.  

Chu Yuncheng swapped his club with his assistant's, lining up another shot, "Chairman Zhang, it's good that you have ambition for expansion, but you should know who you're dealing with."  

"Since childhood, and especially after taking over the company, when I, Chu Yuncheng, want something, I never settle for being the 'dependent' party."  

Thwack!

Another ball soared through the air.

Chu Yuncheng confirmed yet another perfect swing, then turned back with an even more arrogant look at Zhang Songyang, "Chairman Zhang, right now, you need the Chu Group’s cooperation, not the other way around."

"If I were any less considerate, I could simply wait until after the deadline to step in. But out of respect for you, I’m offering a sincere partnership now. What do you say?"

"......"

Sincere?

What kind of sincerity was this?

All the polite niceties earlier had been nothing but pretense, this ruthless negotiation was his true face!

Zhang Songyang was, at heart, a refined man. Even after years of honing his shrewdness in the business world, he could never bring himself to be as aggressively domineering as Chu Yuncheng.

"So, Chairman Zhang, what do you think?"

"......"

Here he was, nearly fifty years old, being cornered into silence by a young man. No matter how steady and composed Zhang Songyang usually was, he couldn’t help but feel humiliated.

Suddenly, a sharp beep-beep of a car horn sounded from the nearby path, deftly shattering the suffocating tension in the air.

Then came a light, breezy greeting—

"Well, what a coincidence."

Chu Yuncheng and Zhang Songyang turned to look one after the other, their expressions shifting in starkly different ways.

Chu Yuncheng watched as the three people stepped off the shuttle cart, his gaze immediately locking onto Chu Yate’s face at the forefront, his eyes barely concealing his disgust, "What are you doing here?"  

"Elder Brother, what an interesting question," Chu Yate replied casually, meeting his displeasure with a pointed edge in his tone, "You’re a member of this golf club, and so am I. Why can’t I come?"  

With that, he turned his attention to Zhang Songyang beside him, "You must be Chairman Zhang of Juesheng Medical? Nice to meet you."  

Zhang Songyang suppressed his complicated emotions and nodded politely, "Nice to meet you."  

The next second, his gaze shifted past Chu Yate and landed on a familiar face behind him, "Young Master Bai?"  

Bai Xu and Shang Yanxiao exchanged a quick glance before Bai Xu stepped forward alone, "Chairman Zhang, what a coincidence."  

Chu Yate played along, feigning ignorance, "Hm? Bai Xu, you know Chairman Zhang?"  

Zhang Songyang, faced with Bai Xu’s friendly smile, relaxed slightly, "We met at last night’s banquet."  

Chu Yate nodded as if just realizing it, "Ah, I see."  

"Bai Xu and I are old friends. We had some free time today, so we came to practice our swings. We played a bit at the neighboring course but weren’t feeling it, so we thought we’d switch things up and try here instead. Didn’t expect to run into you two."  

Hearing Chu Yate’s blatant lie, Bai Xu didn’t correct him.

Chu Yuncheng, who was standing nearby, overheard the conversation between the three and found himself experiencing the rare taste of being 'ignored'.

He stared at Chu Yate, who was always slick with words, and questioned, "I’ve never seen you come here to play golf before. And..."  

Chu Yuncheng then redirected his displeasure toward Bai Xu, "Young Master Bai, as a Chinese national, how come I never knew you and my second brother were old friends?"  

Bai Xu smirked in response, "Do you own property by the sea, Mr. Chu? Why do you care so much?"  

"......"  

"We met in Germany years ago. We’ve been close ever since~"  

Bai Xu’s retort was sharp, and his dismissive remarks came effortlessly.  

Chu Yate couldn’t hold back and burst out laughing, "Elder Brother, do I really need your approval to make friends?"  

Hearing their coordinated sarcasm, Chu Yuncheng’s expression darkened further.  

Zhang Songyang was far from oblivious to the tension among the three.  

He glanced at Chu Yuncheng and, with a smile, extended an invitation, "Young Master Bai, why don’t you stay and play with us?"  

Under normal circumstances, a business discussion between two parties shouldn’t involve a third.

Little did he expect that Chu Yuncheng would immediately 'turn from guest to host' and attempt to seize control. Zhang Songyang currently lacked the strength to oppose him, but he wasn’t about to back down so easily and just agree to it.  

The sudden appearance of Bai Xu and Chu Yate happened to help him steer the conversation away from topics he’d rather avoid.  

Chu Yuncheng frowned, "Chairman Zhang, this was supposed to be just the two of us."  

"Elder Brother, no need to be so stingy, right?" Chu Yate seized the moment to jab at him, further playing the magnanimous role, "At worst, today’s expenses for you and Chairman Zhang can be charged to my account. Besides, golf is more fun with more people."  

"......"  

"As a newcomer here, my skills are still rusty, I’d better not intrude," Bai Xu played along, strategically retreating to advance, "How about I just watch from the sidelines while you and Chairman Zhang play? I’ll cover the expenses in the end."  

Chu Yuncheng’s grip on his golf club tightened slightly as he sneered, "Who here is short on money?"  

After all the veiled provocations, the resentment simmering inside him had already boiled over, "Young Master Bai, have you forgotten what I told you last night?"  

This wasn’t the first time this guy had ruined his plans!  

Chu Yuncheng raised his golf club, pointing it directly at Bai Xu, "When Chu Yuncheng wants something, no one else gets to take a share."  

He wasn’t a fool, he could see the real reason Bai Xu and Chu Yate had shown up here.

Shang Yanxiao, watching this threatening scene from a distance, felt his expression darken behind his mask. He instinctively took a step forward—  

Almost at the same time, Chu Yate reached out and pushed aside the golf club pointed at Bai Xu, "Elder Brother, what are you doing?"  

His usually playful gaze turned serious, "At least show some courtesy to my friend in front of Chairman Zhang. Don’t make things awkward for everyone."  

After all, it was Zhang Songyang who had invited them to stay and play.  

Catching the hint, Zhang Songyang cleared his throat loudly to assert his presence, "Mr. Chu, we’re all here to have a good time. Let’s not spoil the mood."  

"Here to have a good time?" Chu Yuncheng clenched his jaw, barely suppressing his anger, "Fine."  

He planted his club firmly on the ground and glanced across the vast golf course, "Then let’s settle this with skill, so no one can accuse me of bullying others."  

Zhang Songyang said, "Mr. Chu, that’s putting it too strongly."  

Ignoring his attempt to mediate, Chu Yuncheng fixed his hostile gaze back on Bai Xu, "Young Master Bai, care for a match?"  

Bai Xu didn’t back down, "What did you have in mind, Mr. Chu?"  

"For the match play, we'll compete over five holes. The one with the lower score on each hole wins it, quick and decisive. And whoever loses—"

Chu Yuncheng issued the challenge with an air of absolute confidence, "Must disappear from the other's sight immediately!"


TL: Muji




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