DASFAM_42

Bai Xu froze, his gaze moving past Andrew and fixing on the balcony entrance—

He didn't know since when, but Shang Yanxiao had already been standing there.

Heavy light and shadow fell across his face, his eyes and brows carrying an unprecedented obvious coldness that could freeze someone in a matter of minutes.

Bai Xu felt inexplicably panicked.

The wine glass he had been using to fend off Andrew slipped from his hand and smashed on the ground, making a heart-stopping shattering sound.

Andrew sensed the aura emanating from Shang Yanxiao and inquired curiously, "This gentleman, may I ask who you are?"

Shang Yanxiao completely ignored Andrew's question. His gaze followed his steps as he closed in on Bai Xu, "Young Master Bai, why don't you introduce who I am? And while you're at it, introduce to me—"

He looked at Andrew, his voice tightening somewhat, "Who is he?"

"......"

Bai Xu choked up, wanting to speak but hesitating.

It's over, now the misunderstanding has inexplicably grown bigger.

Andrew detected clues from Shang Yanxiao's demeanor and guessed, "Mr. Bai, is this your boyfriend?"

Hearing the term 'boyfriend,' Bai Xu panicked and refuted, "No."

The words had just landed when Shang Yanxiao let out an unprecedented cold laugh.

"......"

Bai Xu instantly felt it was even more frightening. What's worse, Andrew 'added fuel to the fire' by joking, "Then is he Mr. Bai's pursuer? But it looks like he hasn't succeeded yet?"

"......"

Shang Yanxiao's expression darkened to its deepest, as if the next second he could coldly turn and leave.

Bai Xu sensed impending disaster and decisively grabbed his wrist, "Hey, Shang Yanxiao!"

He looked at Andrew, who was still lingering at the side, and brought out that nominal relationship with Shang Yanxiao, "Mr. Andrew, some of your jokes are not only inappropriate for Changning, but equally inappropriate to use on me."

"This is my fiancé."

Fiancé was a more intimate term than boyfriend.

The severity between Shang Yanxiao's brows eased slightly.

On the contrary, Andrew showed an expression as if 'the sky had fallen,' full of regret, "Mr. Bai, you don't look very old, but you're already engaged?"

"......"

It's not quite to that extent.

Bai Xu thought to himself but didn't make a sound, not planning to explain too much to a stranger.

Although Andrew indulged his private life, he still had a moral bottom line and would never interfere in any couple's relationship, "Mr. Bai, I was presumptuous just now. I apologize to you and this gentleman for my words and actions—"

"I'm very sorry. I wish you both a pleasant life."

With that, he tapped his empty wine glass and left gracefully.

Seeing him return inside the bar, Bai Xu secretly breathed a sigh of relief, "Finally he's gone."

Shang Yanxiao deliberately said, "Are you disappointed?"

Bai Xu suppressed that inexplicable guilty conscience and refuted, "Which eye of yours saw that I was disappointed? Shang Yanxiao, when did you arrive? Don't misunderstand, I..."

Shang Yanxiao cut him off, "I didn't misunderstand. Who you want to make friends with is your right."

"......"

You'd better be.

Bai Xu was left speechless for several seconds before his competitive spirit rallied again, "If that's the case, then I won't go home yet. I'll go back in and have a few more drinks?"

Before the words had finished, Shang Yanxiao gripped Bai Xu's wrist with an irresistible force.

"It's late, go home."

"Hey!"

Bai Xu didn't have time to voice his refusal at all. His body consciousness obeyed Shang Yanxiao's action faster than his brain, "Walk slower!"

...

When Zhang Changning followed his own brother back to the parking lot with a submissive expression, he happened to see his good friend being forcibly taken away by Shang Yanxiao. He immediately wanted to go over.

"Bai Xu, hey—"

Before he could finish speaking, Zhang Changxu grabbed him by the scruff of his neck, "Come back."

Zhang Changning stumbled unsteadily into his brother's arms, looked up and blinked in confusion, "Second Brother, what are you doing?"

Zhang Changxu asked back, "What are you trying to do?"

Zhang Changning watched helplessly as the other party's car drove off into the distance. After steadying himself, he said uncertainly, "Don't you think Third Brother's expression was a bit strange?"

Zhang Changxu saw through it but didn't say it, "That's a matter between husbands. You, a kid, should mind less."

"......"

Zhang Changning stuttered, his round eyes rolling several times. After a long while, he suddenly realized and pressed further, "My god, have Bai Xu and Third Brother really become that kind of relationship?"

Zhang Changxu's falsely serious expression instantly couldn't hold, and he helplessly pinched his cheek, "If you have this energy, you might as well manage yourself. Who told you to take Bai Xu to this kind of bar? Can't keep an eye on you for one day and you run wild?"

"Stop slandering me here! Where did I run wild?"

Zhang Changning protested loudly, "This was my friend's celebration party! Bai Xu and I had nowhere to go, so we came upstairs to sit and wait for you guys. I haven't even blamed you for coming too late!"

"Yanxiao and I went back to get our luggage after finishing up. You were sleeping soundly this morning, and I had no way to pack."

The villa was quite a distance from the city center, and the two had also encountered rush hour traffic. Going back and forth indeed took more effort than expected.

Seeing him pouting angrily, Zhang Changxu turned to coax him instead, "Get in the car, I'll take you to eat."

Zhang Changning snorted and pretended to be angry as he walked forward on his own. After going two or three meters, he turned back and asked, "Which car?"

"Wrong, this way."

Zhang Changxu, understanding his little temperament, quickened his pace in the opposite direction.

Zhang Changning immediately ran anxiously, shouting as he followed, "Brother, wait for me!"

...

The car stopped smoothly in the villa's garage.

Shang Yanxiao extinguished the engine without saying a word, and for once, got out of the car first without informing Bai Xu.

Bai Xu thought of the silence along the way. Seeing the situation becoming more and more wrong, he hurriedly followed, "Shang Yanxiao? Shang Yanxiao, wait for me!"

Shang Yanxiao ignored him, his long legs walking very quickly.

Bai Xu followed him upstairs, still trying to explain, "Shang Yanxiao, I already said it was a misunderstanding. That person and I..."

Shang Yanxiao stopped in front of the master bedroom but didn't turn back to look at Bai Xu, "You don't need to explain. It's late, wash up and go to sleep."

After saying that, he entered the room without looking back.

—Click.

The door closed, locked, all in one smooth motion.

Bai Xu, shut out, blinked in disbelief, his feelings complicated for a moment.

Xie Qi, who had been working in the study, heard the commotion and carefully pushed the door open and came out, "Young Master Bai, did something happen between you and Third Young Master?"

Bai Xu was feeling frustrated. He looked at Xie Qi who appeared before him, remembered that he was Shang Yanxiao's assistant, and attacked indiscriminately—

"Wash up and go to sleep. Have you finished your work? Why are you asking so much?"

"......"

Xie Qi, innocently caught in the crossfire, fled quickly while holding his computer and documents.

Bai Xu turned his gaze back to the tightly closed door of the master bedroom and 'punched and kicked' at it from a distance a few times before returning to his own room, also deliberately slamming the door heavily—

What's this about?

Still saying he doesn't have a young master's temper?

Now closing the door and unwilling to listen, well then he won't explain either!

...

The night deepened.

After washing up, Bai Xu lay in bed without the slightest bit of sleepiness.

He turned over and stared at the small connecting door in the corner, his mind full of Shang Yanxiao on the other side of the wall. The more he thought about it, the more frustrated he felt—

Ever since that day when he had spouted that 'friend with benefits' nonsense and fled in panic, Shang Yanxiao hadn't brought up their private matters in front of him again, presumably silently rejecting his proposal.

Bai Xu was secretly glad that his relationship with Shang Yanxiao hadn't become distant because of that uncontrolled intimacy.

It was just that occasionally in the middle of the night, he would vaguely recall the intensity of Shang Yanxiao's kisses, the warmth of his embrace, and even have some indescribable impulses that annoyed him.

In contrast, Shang Yanxiao's behavior was completely normal.

He respected his decision to turn the page, became an ally with whom he could work on projects, had no boundary-crossing behavior, and lightly brushed everything aside.

It was only tonight, when he ran into his contact with Andrew, that Shang Yanxiao's face showed a brief loss of emotional control.

However, this 'loss of composure' was quickly hidden behind his mask.

"You don't need to explain."

"......"

Bai Xu thought of these four casually spoken words and felt stifled.

He really couldn't endure this inexplicable emotion. He got out of bed, tiptoed close to the small door in the corner of the room, then tilted his head and pressed his ear against it—

Next door was completely quiet, without the slightest extra sound.

"Is he asleep or not?"

Bai Xu uncertainly placed his hand on the doorknob, still unable to resist the impulse in his heart.

Click.

The small bedroom door opened along with it.

Only two dim lamps were lit in the room, with only some faint sounds coming from the bathroom. Just as Bai Xu was hesitating whether to approach, Shang Yanxiao walked out from inside—

The man had only wrapped a bath towel around his waist and hips, his upper body still bearing water droplets that hadn't been dried, slowly sliding down along the smooth lines of his chest muscles.

"……"

Bai Xu's gaze awkwardly dodged away, his throat inexplicably tightening, "Why did you just finish bathing? I thought you were already asleep?"

Shang Yanxiao noticed him standing barefoot on the cold floor, his brow suddenly furrowing, "Why did you come?"

Bai Xu momentarily misunderstood, "It's nothing, I'll leave now."

As he spoke, Shang Yanxiao quickly stepped forward and locked him in his embrace.

Powerful arms bound around his waist, effortlessly lifting the person before him off the ground.

Bai Xu tensed up, "Shang Yanxiao, what are you doing!"

—Bang.

The door behind him shut forcefully, and in an instant, the suspended center of gravity descended again.

But this time, what his feet touched was no longer the cold wooden floor. Bai Xu looked down and discovered he was standing on Shang Yanxiao's slippers.

Bai Xu understood Shang Yanxiao's caring intention, his emotions slightly easing, "I'm not cold, put me down."

Shang Yanxiao ignored his request, his breathing carrying an obvious trace of unevenness, "What are you doing running to my room in the middle of the night instead of sleeping?"

"……"

Bai Xu was forcibly trapped in Shang Yanxiao's embrace. With no way forward or back, he instinctively raised his hand, his fingertips touching Shang Yanxiao's skin, which carried a slightly damp coolness.

Bai Xu was stunned, "You took a cold shower?"

"Don't change the subject, I'm asking you a question!" Shang Yanxiao ignored his inquiry, dominantly taking control of the conversation.

"You were the one who said those things should be turned over to a new page, that even though we'd already kissed, in your view it wasn't a big deal, and we should interact normally from now on."

He pressed closer, his breath warm, "Young Master Bai, running to my room in the middle of the night instead of sleeping—what kind of 'interacting normally' is that? Hm?"

Shang Yanxiao thought he had been calm and restrained enough.

Because there was no appropriate relationship between them, he didn't want to bring his unseemly negative emotions before Bai Xu, which is why he chose to return to his room alone to digest his jealousy.

But instead, the other party had the audacity to come provoke him in the middle of the night?

"……"

Bai Xu knew he was in the wrong, but spoke stubbornly, "So you actually listen to what I say? But I also said we could be friend with benefits and mutually satisfy each other's needs, and you didn't agree to that either, did you?"

Shang Yanxiao didn't respond, the emotions rising and falling in his chest becoming more obvious.

"Since you're unwilling to do that, then when I was having a great conversation with Andrew today, why did you come out and pull that face?"

Bai Xu deliberately provoked him, exaggerating as he said, "Third Young Master, you're ruining my chances~"

"Ruining your chances?"

Shang Yanxiao knew he was being intentional, but the jealousy he'd been suppressing for so long still exploded wildly, "You just need a fuck buddy, and if I'm unwilling to agree, you can find someone else at any time?"

Bai Xu got his wish of seeing him lose control with jealousy, and his initial awkwardness disappeared completely, "Mm, it's a matter of mutual consent. Why fuss over it so much?"

He raised his eyebrows at Shang Yanxiao, getting addicted to the act, "Before, I thought it was better to have nothing than something inferior, but now I think people only live once, so rather than being bound by feelings and relationships, might as well~ just feel good."

"……"

A storm brewed in the depths of Shang Yanxiao's pupils as he suddenly gripped Bai Xu's jaw, "If Young Master Bai really thinks that way, then finding me is enough."

A fierce kiss suddenly descended.

Carrying the jealousy that had just exploded, and mixed with the desire that had accumulated over the days.

Bai Xu immediately realized he'd gone too far with his game. While his consciousness was still intact, his hand on Shang Yanxiao's shoulder pushed forcefully, "Shang Yanxiao, you…"

Shang Yanxiao pursued again, his voice low and hoarse, "Doesn't Young Master Bai need a fuck buddy? I now think your proposal is quite good. You're right—"

"Just. Feel. Good."

"Mmph."

Bai Xu's lips were sucked forcefully by Shang Yanxiao, and he couldn't help but let out a muffled groan.

Lips and teeth met, the familiar tingling sensation returned with full force, his nose filled with the unique scent of Shang Yanxiao's body wash.

The burning sensation between breaths gradually intensified.

Bai Xu felt all the blood in his body rushing to his brain, his whole person dizzy and disoriented. His originally refusing hand involuntarily hooked around Shang Yanxiao's arm, responding according to instinct.

The two were pressed inseparably close. Even through the bath towel, Bai Xu could sense the intense impulse of the person before him.

The next second, his pajamas were violently torn open by the person before him, buttons scattering, coolness assaulting him.

Bai Xu's back pressed against the soft bedding, his breath trembling, "Shang Yanxiao?"

Shang Yanxiao pressed down over him once more, "Don't talk."

The dense kisses no longer fell solely on his lips, but branded every spot. The fierce aggression seemed to have eased somewhat, but this slower approach was even more impossible to resist.

Bai Xu still underestimated his own sensitivity. His reddened eye sockets grew even redder, with a hint of yielding, "Shang Yanxiao, don't."

Neither the original host nor he himself had any experience in this area.

No matter how much Bai Xu acted tough usually, he was still somewhat flustered facing this situation that was about to happen.

"……"

Nothing was prepared tonight, so certain things couldn't be done all the way.

Shang Yanxiao kissed his lips again, but the movements of his hands didn't stop, "Bai Xu, let's do it a different way."

"Hm?"

"Help me."

Three simple words, yet carrying immense pressure.

"……"

Everything became chaotic in a different way.

Half asleep and half awake, he was once again pulled into Shang Yanxiao's embrace, "Tired?"

Bai Xu only felt so exhausted his soul was about to ascend to heaven. He turned away, pretending not to hear.

Shang Yanxiao bit his nape again, insisting on getting an answer even if delayed, "Bai Xu, if it weren't me, would Andrew or others be fine too?"

"……"

Bai Xu couldn't escape his bite. The moment he opened his mouth to stop him, he furrowed his brow.

Although it was under the guise of 'mutual assistance,' the foreign sensation in his mouth hadn't faded, and his cheeks were severely sore and swollen.

Thinking that the culprit was still behind him asking questions, the trace of pride in Bai Xu that had been suppressed surged up again.

Without thinking twice, he turned and 'slapped' his hand over Shang Yanxiao's mouth, "Stop asking, I want to sleep."

Shang Yanxiao let him throw his little tantrum, but pursued relentlessly, "Bai Xu, explain clearly."

"No."

Bai Xu whimpered, "I'm not interested in him. You're much better than him, okay?"

Shang Yanxiao was rendered speechless by his perfunctory answer. He picked out the key point to ask, "Still just friend with benefits?"

Bai Xu was too tired to think, and casually said, "Mm, I'll look for you next time."

"……"

Next time?

Was he really ordering off a menu here?

Shang Yanxiao's temper was worn away by Bai Xu's capriciousness. After a long while, he indulged him, "Fine. Now that you have me, don't think about finding anyone else."

Whether fuck buddies or lovers, it was nothing more than a label for a relationship.

What he wanted was Bai Xu as a person. As long as the other party stayed by his side, once they spent enough time together in the future, how could there not be a time for 'official status'?

...

Four days later, the Zhang brothers finished their work and engagements here. Shang Yanxiao and Bai Xu personally sent the two to the airport, confirming they had smoothly passed through security before driving away.

Bai Xu glanced at the time and asked Shang Yanxiao, who was driving, "How about we go out to eat tonight?"

Shang Yanxiao asked, "Where do you want to go?"

Bai Xu didn't know much about the new city. After thinking for a moment, "That restaurant Second Chu took me to last time was pretty good. It has private rooms, but you need a membership, though I can ask Second Chu for one."

He searched for the location on navigation, "It's about half an hour's drive. Want to go?"

Shang Yanxiao went along with his idea, "Sure."

Disheng Private Restaurant.

The melodious live violin performance flowed through the speakers into the private room.

Bai Xu looked at the little food remaining on the table and sighed contentedly, "This chef's cooking skills are really excellent, and the atmosphere is nice too."

Shang Yanxiao also stopped eating, "Are you full?"

Bai Xu took a sip of warm water, "Mm, pretty much. I'm going to the restroom. Wait for me in the car?"

"Okay."

Bai Xu walked out of the private room and headed toward the restroom.

Whoosh.

The faucet automatically sensed and released water.

Bai Xu lowered his head to carefully wash the foam off his hands. Footsteps sounded as someone else walked in.

Bai Xu looked up at the sound and unexpectedly met a somewhat familiar figure in the mirror.

"……"

After nearly a month apart, the arrogance on Chu Yuncheng's face was still as irritating as ever.

After seeing Bai Xu's familiar face, he spoke sarcastically first, "What a coincidence, Mr. Bai. Don't tell me Second Young Master Chu brought you to this restaurant too?"

Bai Xu shook the water droplets off his hands and deliberately poked at his sore spot, "Mr. Chu and Second Young Master Chu truly have deep brotherly affection. You even know such trivial details?"

Sure enough, Chu Yuncheng's face instantly darkened upon hearing this, "Deep brotherly affection? Stop making me sick!"

Bai Xu asked lightly, "Wasn't it Mr. Chu who brought up this matter first?"

Chu Yuncheng stopped continuing this topic with him, "Bai Xu, I heard your Zhouye Investment is also competing for the Eaglet Cinema project?"

Bai Xu pulled out some paper towels from the side and didn't deny it, "Mr. Chu's information network is quite well-informed."

Chu Yuncheng looked disdainful, "Mr. Bai, do you think that just because you landed a small cooperation like Juesheng Medical, you can stick your nose into any excitement?"

"Unfortunately, what I'm best at is sticking my nose into excitement. But Mr. Chu—"

Bai Xu turned and tossed the crumpled paper towel into the trash bin, "Is it so hard to focus on your own business? Why do you have to ask about everything?"

Chu Yuncheng's expression changed, "You!"

Bai Xu didn't care about his emotional reaction and put on a show for himself, "Aiya, I thought it was fine before, but now I keep feeling there's a foul smell in this restroom. Sorry, can't stay. I'm leaving first."

"……"

Chu Yuncheng came to his senses, grinding his teeth, "Bai Xu!"

Bai Xu pretended not to hear, his retreating figure carefree, leaving him fuming in place.

Chu Yuncheng's rage burned in his chest as he kicked over the nearby trash bin, "Just you wait!"

Still wanting to participate in the Eaglet Cinema project competition? Why don't you see whose territory this really is!

—Bang!

The car door closed.

Bai Xu efficiently fastened his seatbelt, "Did you wait long? I just ran into Chu Yuncheng in the restroom. Good thing you came back to the car first."

Shang Yanxiao frowned, "Did he give you any trouble?"

Bai Xu answered easily, "No."

Thinking of Chu Yuncheng's exasperated face, he even felt like laughing, "I now think that if Old Chairman Chu isn't foolish, he should hand everything over to Second Chu. Otherwise, with Chu Yuncheng's arrogant attitude of having high ambitions but low abilities—"

"Any corporation handed to him will be ruined."

Even if this kind of person mixed well and prospered, it would all be relying on his family background, not his own real capability.

Shang Yanxiao agreed with Bai Xu's view, "Mm."

Bai Xu withdrew from the discussion about Chu Yuncheng and indicated, "Let's go. Get home early to rest. Tomorrow we still have to continue the project meetings. Focus on our careers properly."

Shang Yanxiao chuckled softly, "Okay."

...

By the time they reached the villa, it was already past nine o'clock.

Bai Xu, leaning in the passenger seat, was groggily awakened by Shang Yanxiao. Yawning, he got out of the car, "So sleepy."

Shang Yanxiao responded gently, "Once we go upstairs, wash up and sleep."

The two walked side by side toward the villa's entrance, only to discover that the outer windows on the first floor weren't pitch black as usual, but instead revealed the excessively bright light from inside.

Bai Xu was somewhat surprised, "Xie Qi and the others still haven't gone to their rooms at this hour? Why are so many lights on?"

Shang Yanxiao shook his head and reached for the fingerprint lock on the door.

—Beep, beep.

The electronic lock opened in response.

At the same time, Xie Qi, who had been waiting on the inside, immediately rushed over upon hearing the unlocking sound, "Third Young Master, Young Master Bai, you're finally back!"

His face couldn't hide his urgency, yet he inexplicably kept his voice extremely low.

Bai Xu sensed something was wrong, "What happened?"

Just as he finished speaking, a long-absent voice containing suppressed anger came from the living room, "Xie Qi, what are you still covering up for them? Tell them to get in here!"

"……"

"……"

Shang Yanxiao and Bai Xu's expressions changed simultaneously.

Shang Yanxiao almost instantly went around Xie Qi and walked in—

Old Master Shang, who should have been in the country, was actually sitting on the sofa right now!

His cold, eagle-like gaze fixed on Shang Yanxiao's expression, showing undisguised anger toward this most beloved grandson for the first time in his life.

In the brightly lit living room, there was an oppressive feeling of an approaching storm.

Shang Yanxiao's heart instantly dropped to freezing point, but he had no choice but to steel himself and face reality, "Grandfather."

Previous | TOC | Next