DASFAM_48

To avoid oversleeping again, Bai Xu insisted on setting another alarm. Yet, on the final morning, he unexpectedly woke up early.

A faint light filtered through the transparent cover of the tent. The sky was just beginning to brighten.

Glancing at Shang Yanxiao, who was still sound asleep, and feeling the tight grip around his waist, Bai Xu cautiously adjusted his position, careful not to wake him.

Outside the tent, the faint sound of waves could be heard, while beside his ear was Shang Yanxiao's steady, rhythmic breathing.

"......"

Bai Xu was no longer sleepy, nor was he in a hurry to get up.

Come to think of it, this wasn’t the first time he had observed Shang Yanxiao’s 'sleeping face'. Back when he first entered the Shang household, the other man had pretended to be a comatose patient, lying motionless in the master bedroom every day.

At that time, even while 'asleep', Shang Yanxiao always gave off an indescribable sense of defensiveness and aloofness, nothing like the relaxed and peaceful state he was in now.

Bai Xu extended a hand from under the blanket, his fingertips tracing the outline of Shang Yanxiao’s sleeping face from a distance.

"Shang. Yan. Xiao."

He silently read the name of the person before him, but his thoughts drifted away unconsciously.

Unbeknownst to him, it had been over half a year since he transmigrated into the book. The brief descriptions in the original text corresponded to each and every day he and Shang Yanxiao had genuinely lived through.

By rough estimation, once the bidding for the 'Eaglet Cinema' project concluded, the 'Shang Yanxiao' from the original book would also be due to wake up.

The Old Master Shang fell gravely ill and was hospitalized, no longer able to control the vast Shang Group. This triggered an increasingly brutal and intense internal struggle among the Shang family, with accidents and incidents occurring one after another.

"......"

Bai Xu recalled the description of Shang Yanxiao's fate in the book, his pupils trembling abruptly.

The original story was written from the perspective of the male lead, 'Shang Queyan'—

The elder brother 'Shang Yanxiao' awoke after being comatose for a long time, only to die once again while shielding his younger brother from disaster. This became the final straw that broke Shang Queyan's sanity.

From then on, driven solely by the desire to avenge his entire family and freed from all restraint, he allied with the Zhang family, purged all opposing relatives within the Shang Group, and firmly secured his position as Chairman.

"......"

Bai Xu stared at Shang Yanxiao's sleeping face, feeling a pang of panic that he couldn't shake off.

As early as his first encounter with Shang Queyan by the manor lake, Bai Xu had already reviewed the plots and fates of the two brothers, yet his emotions then weren't as complex and tangled as they were now.

Back then, he saw 'Shang Yanxiao' and the others merely as characters on paper, without any extra emotional investment. He only focused on considering his own future, more like a detached, rational transmigrator.

But now was different from the past. The current Bai Xu couldn't imagine—

If this world truly followed the predetermined timeline, then not only would something happen to the Old Master Shang, but also to Shang Yanxiao, who was sleeping right before him at this very moment!

Bai Xu's brows furrowed tightly, and the hand that had been hovering in the air finally came to rest against the man's cheek, "Shang Yanxiao."

In his sleep, Shang Yanxiao seemed to hear his call and instinctively grasped the hand pressed against his face, "Hmm?"

"......"

Bai Xu wanted to withdraw his hand, but it was already too late.

Shang Yanxiao woke up slowly, "Why are you awake so early? The alarm hasn't gone off yet, has it?"

His voice carried a hint of seductive laziness, easily captivating.

Bai Xu suppressed his chaotic emotions, "En, I just woke up suddenly and couldn't fall back asleep."

Noticing the hand he was holding, Shang Yanxiao guessed, "Couldn't sleep, so you were peeking at me? Even touching me?"

"Nothing like that."

Bai Xu took a deep breath and withdrew his hand, "Anyway, I'm not going back to sleep. I'll go freshen up first, you do as you please."

With that, he swiftly climbed out of the air mattress, moving so fast that Shang Yanxiao had no time to catch him.

The tightly closed tent flap was lifted.

The damp air unique to the sea in the early morning rushed to greet him, its coolness refreshing his heart and mind, quietly suppressing the turbulent thoughts born of overthinking.

After washing up, Bai Xu returned to find that even Chu Yate was already awake, standing by the campsite table preparing a cup of coffee for himself.

The two met face to face, each seeing surprise in the other's eyes.

"Morning."

"How come you're up so early?"

"Aren't you too?"

Chu Yate picked up his steaming, fragrant coffee and shook his head in resignation, "I didn't wake up early, I didn't sleep at all last night. Thank goodness we're heading back today. Another few days and I wouldn't be able to handle it."

Bai Xu teased, "I'm afraid if the event went on for one more day, you'd be swimming back overnight."

Chu Yate took a sip of coffee, "Guess why I came out of my tent?"

Bai Xu tilted his head, "Wasn't it to make coffee?"

Chu Yate shook his head, "I thought since I couldn't sleep, I'd come watch the sunrise. But after waiting forever, I finally remembered we're on the west side of the island."

"......"

Bai Xu chuckled once he realized, unable to resist teasing, "Indeed, lack of sleep makes people dumb."

While speaking, Shang Yanxiao, now changed into his clothes, emerged from the tent. He exchanged a glance with Bai Xu before heading straight toward the makeshift washing area.

Chu Yate glanced at Shang Yanxiao, as if remembering something, "Well, I'm not as good as Young Master Bai here. Every night he has someone keeping him company and coaxing him, sleeping well and full of energy."

Bai Xu coughed softly, "Don't talk nonsense."

"Where am I talking nonsense?" Chu Yate denied it, then quietly revealed, "After mahjong last night, Mr. Zhou even specifically asked me about it. It's obvious to anyone with eyes that you two are a pair."

"......"

A pair?

Bai Xu savored the term, not bothering to argue. 

After all, he couldn’t casually reveal a relationship like 'friends with benefits' to outsiders. Besides, between him and Shang Yanxiao, they had only gone as far as helping each other out. They hadn’t even taken things a step further yet.

Chu Yate’s curiosity burst forth, “Bai Xu, can I ask you something?”

“What?”

“Is Shang Yanxiao rough with you during… those times?”

“......”

Bai Xu reacted a beat slow, meeting Chu Yate’s eyes filled with a thirst for knowledge, “What are you asking?”

Chu Yate, inherently open-minded in that foreign way, had no sense of shame at all, “You’re my friend. What’s wrong with me asking out of concern? Could it be that you’re the one on top?”

As soon as the words were out, Chu Yate dismissed the idea himself, “No, impossible. You don’t look like you could outdo him.”

"......"

He wasn't as capable as Shang Yanxiao?

Who was being looked down on here!

Feeling the doubt, Bai Xu gritted his teeth. That innate unwillingness to lose surged up instantly, pushing aside the panic that had followed his wild thoughts.

"Hah?"

Bai Xu let out a cold laugh at Chu Yate, then turned to Shang Yanxiao, who had just finished washing up, and crooked his finger, "Come here."

Shang Yanxiao was already heading their way and quickened his pace, "What's wrong?"

Bai Xu pulled out a nearby chair, using fierce force to push the unsuspecting Shang Yanxiao onto it. Then, holding him down, he leaned in and kissed him.

Shang Yanxiao was momentarily stunned but didn't resist, accepting it without a struggle.

It was a brief, almost teasing kiss, yet unexpectedly firm—a good morning kiss.

Bai Xu looked at the dumbstruck Chu Yate beside them, pushing his competitive spirit to the limit, "Sorry, you guessed wrong. I can handle it!"

The last two words were bitten out with extra weight.

Chu Yate, half-believing and half-doubting, gave a round of applause, "Impressive."

Shang Yanxiao instantly understood what the two were discussing and chuckled, "Indeed, Young Master Bai is very capable, truly impressive."

Chu Yate watched in amazement, his applause trailing off, "Am I just a part of your public display of affection performance now?"

"......"

Meeting the increasingly warm amusement in Shang Yanxiao's eyes, Bai Xu's sense of shame finally caught up with him. He pulled the other man up from the chair and mumbled through gritted teeth, "Stop praising me! It makes things weird!"

"Young Master Bai, I'm just going along with you, aren't I?"

Shang Yanxiao, sharp-eyed, spotted other company executives emerging from their tents and reined in his playful mood.

Bai Xu also noticed the figures of the others and grumbled, "What kind of going along is that supposed to be?"

...

The schedule for the third day was simple.

After breakfast, everyone randomly drew lots to form two small teams, competed in some collaborative mini-games, and then took a couple of group photos for memories.

However, during the group photo session, Shang Yanxiao still found an excuse to avoid it.

This three-day industry event finally concluded smoothly.

Having learned the lesson from getting seasick on the way there, under Shang Yanxiao's supervision, Bai Xu took motion sickness medicine and applied patches in advance. The return journey wasn't as uncomfortable as before.

The boat docked at the pier.

Before disembarking, Cheng Ye specifically patted Bai Xu on the shoulder, "Young Master Bai, find some time this week for a good chat? Old Zhou and I happen to be free."

Bai Xu would never turn down such a business opportunity delivered right to his doorstep, "Of course, no problem. I'll have my assistant coordinate a suitable time tomorrow?"

"Alright, see you then."

"Sure."

Zhou Yangfan disembarked shortly after, "Young Master Bai, Mr. Yan, it was a pleasure getting to know you."

Bai Xu and Shang Yanxiao shook his hand politely, "Mr. Zhou, there will be plenty of time in the future. See you again."

Watching the two get into their respective drivers' cars, Bai Xu finally let out a sigh of , "Finally sorted."

"Ah—"

Chu Yate, who had been accompanying them the whole time, couldn't fight off his exhaustion any longer. Yawning, he said, "I can't take it anymore. I'm heading home first to catch up on sleep. Bai Xu, Mr. Shang, call me directly if you need anything."

With that, he hurriedly got into his assistant's car.

Shang Yanxiao was the first to retract his gaze, "Shall we head back too?"

Bai Xu nodded, "Alright."

Their cars had been parked in the pier's parking lot the whole time, unmoved.

The car door closed, shutting out the outside noise.

Bai Xu finally let his guard down completely, letting out a long sigh, "It's finally over, and it turned out well in the end."

Shang Yanxiao responded, "Get some proper rest tonight."

Bai Xu nodded, "We'll need to re-divide the previously drafted list of building materials. After all, we're now cooperating with both the Zhou and Cheng families."

"That's simple. We can discuss it tomorrow."

Shang Yanxiao didn't bring up work matters again. Instead, he asked, "Did you have a nightmare this morning?"

Bai Xu was taken aback, "No."

"Then why were you in a bad mood?"

Even though he had just woken up at that time, Shang Yanxiao had still picked up on Bai Xu's subdued mood and had been concerned about it until now.

"......"

Bai Xu hadn't expected Shang Yanxiao to notice even that, and for a moment, he felt an indescribable, subtle sense of being moved.

He remembered the ending of 'Shang Yanxiao' in the original story and knew he couldn't just remain an observer anymore, "Well, I guess I did have a bad dream, but I can't really remember it now."

For Bai Xu, this place had long since become a different reality—

Whether it was Shang Yanxiao, Shang Queyan, the Zhang brothers, or the people of the Shang family, they had all become living, breathing individuals!

The gears of fate might keep turning, and the plotline might keep advancing, but subtle differences arise from the thoughts and actions of different individuals.

Bai Xu had never been someone who accepted fate, much less someone who would sit idly by because of a 'predetermined' outcome.

If that was the case, then what was there to worry about? It was better to press forward fearlessly.

After all, he believed in himself, and even more so in Shang Yanxiao.

Bai Xu tidied up those messy thoughts, and his eyes brightened, "Shang Yanxiao."

"Hm?"

"Let's go home."

Hearing his choice of words, Shang Yanxiao chuckled softly, "Alright."

...

With the obstacle of building material suppliers refusing them removed, the project preparation progressed very smoothly. For the sake of efficiency, the working group additionally recruited six employees, diligently making all necessary preparations for the bidding day after day.

In the blink of an eye, it was time for the bidding registration deadline.

Knock, knock.

The sound of knocking echoed.

Chu Yuncheng looked down, signing the submitted material requisition forms, "Come in."

His assistant, having received his permission, pushed the door open and entered, "Mr. Chu, here is the bidding list for the 'Eaglet Cinema' project you requested. It was just announced on the official website. There are a total of seven companies."

Two companies, probably aware they lacked sufficient strength, stopped at the registration stage.

This number was roughly what they had anticipated earlier.

Chu Yuncheng smiled smugly, "Zhouye Investments withdrew?"

Upon hearing this, the assistant's face showed a flicker of hesitation, "They... are still on the list. They passed the preliminary review and are qualified to participate in the subsequent bidding."

"......"

Chu Yuncheng's expression changed instantly. He immediately looked up and snatched the list from his assistant's hand, "Still on it? Did they find a building materials partner?"

On the list, the name 'Zhouye Investments' was prominently listed.

The assistant shared the news he had just gathered, "Yes, it seems they are working with a Mr. Zhou from Yuansheng Steel..."

Before he could finish, Chu Yuncheng threw the folder back at him, "Seems? I pay you to hear a 'seems' from you?"

"I asked you to have people keep an eye on Zhouye Investments and Bai Xu. Is this how you handle things?!"

The assistant silently endured Chu Yuncheng's harsh scolding, not daring to utter a word in rebuttal, though inwardly he disagreed—

Open bidding is supposed to be fair and transparent, with everyone competing on their own merits. Yet, because of last time's setback, his boss had to view the head of Zhouye Investments as a thorn in his side?

He had even gone so far as to 'send a heads-up' to major material suppliers within the country beforehand. That was hardly honorable, more like malicious targeting.

Now that Zhouye Investments had found a way to break through and successfully entered the bidding list, how could that possibly be his fault?

Seeing his assistant remain silent for so long, Chu Yuncheng's anger flared even hotter, "What, you've gone mute? I'm telling you to speak!"

The assistant quickly pulled out the tablet he carried with him, presenting evidence, "Mr. Chu, I discovered that Bai Xu attended the recent team-building training camp organized by the Construction Investment Association. Look at the group photo—"

As he spoke, he handed the tablet over.

Chu Yuncheng's brow furrowed deeply, "How did Bai Xu qualify to attend? Where did he get the invitation?"

"The attendees included Mr. Zhou from Yuansheng Steel, Mr. Cheng from Ling Steel, and the general manager of Saint Paulona..." The assistant listed the potential building material suppliers who might cooperate with Bai Xu one by one, paused for two seconds, then added, "Look at the third person from the left in the back row."

"......"

Third from the left in the back row?

Chu Yuncheng looked accordingly. When his eyes met Chu Yate's smiling face in the photo, he understood everything in an instant.

"Good, him again!"

Chu Yuncheng's face darkened. Unable to contain his fury, he stood up, "Is he in the office right now?"

The assistant sensed the impending explosion of conflict but could only brace himself and answer, "He is."

...

Inside the vast office.

Chu Yate had also learned about the bidding list for the Eaglet Cinema project. Standing in front of the coffee machine, he watched with interest as the coffee dripped bit by bit into the cup.

Suddenly, a flurry of hurried footsteps echoed outside the office.

Three, two, one, bang!

Just as expected, Chu Yuncheng barged straight through the door, his face openly filled with disgust and anger, "Chu Yate, what is the meaning of this!"

Chu Yate's assistant was too late to stop him, "Young Master Chu, this..."

Knowing exactly why Chu Yuncheng had come, Chu Yate motioned for his assistant to leave first.

"Big brother, what's wrong? What has made you so angry?"

He feigned ignorance, picked up the coffee he had prepared in advance, and slowly walked it over to his half-brother, "How about a cup of coffee?"

"Stop playing dumb in front of me!"

Chu Yuncheng wasn't having any of it. He violently knocked the offered coffee aside.

—Bang!

The coffee cup hit the floor, shattering into two pieces.

The splashed coffee droplets landed on Chu Yate's clothes and cheeks, carrying a faint, stinging heat.

"......"

Chu Yate, caught in the splash, closed his eyes briefly. When he opened them again, all traces of a smile were gone. He pulled a tissue from the desk, meticulously wiping away the coffee.

His next words were equally sharp.

"I knew a wild boar wouldn't appreciate fine grain, so I only made you instant coffee. No great loss in wasting it."

Hearing this, Chu Yuncheng flushed red with anger, "Chu Yate, you bastard, say that again if you dare! Don't think I don't know about your cheap tricks and underhanded schemes?"

A flash of hatred crossed the depths of Chu Yate's pupils, and the force behind his wiping increased.

Chu Yuncheng continued his tirade, "Let me tell you, just like your mother could never marry into the Chu family back then, you have no right to stand beside me now either..."

—Bang!

The tightly shut office door was flung open forcefully once more.

Chu Tian, in his seventies, walked in, his face stern as he rebuked them, "What's all this commotion? It's supposed to be a perfectly fine day."

Chu Yuncheng hadn't expected his father to come and was momentarily stunned, his anger frozen, "Dad, what are you doing here?"

As the chairman, Chu Tian had been struggling with his energy levels lately and hadn't come to the group for quite some time.

"There's a quarterly meeting today. Has big brother already forgotten that?"

Chu Yate deliberately prodded the sore spot, casually tossing the soiled tissue into the trash, "Dad, please have a seat. I'll have someone clean this up a bit."

Seeing the mess on the floor and the coffee stains on his younger son's clothes, Chu Tian couldn't help but look toward the culprit.

Chu Yuncheng met his silent inquiry and, after a choked pause, said, "Dad! Chu Yate is an ingrate, stabbing his own family in the back!"

"He knows perfectly well our group is determined to win the Eaglet Cinema project, yet he's helping another company against his own family!"

"......"

Chu Tian frowned, "Yate, is this true?"

Chu Yate sidestepped the question, "Big brother, do you have any proof? You barged into my office without a word, and when I kindly offered you coffee, you ended up splashing it all over me!"

"So many employees are outside, and you start by calling me a bastard."

When he said this word, he deliberately glanced at Chu Tian, "Dad, please tell me, who is the one with prejudice, deliberately targeting me?"

Chu Yuncheng gritted his teeth, "Chu Yate, don't you dare—"

"Enough!"

Chu Tian's face darkened, his displeased gaze shifting warningly between the two brothers, "Do you think the commotion you've caused isn't big enough? If you two want to fight, take it outside! Don't make fools of yourselves in the group!"

Both brothers fell silent at once.

Chu Tian steadied his breathing and stared directly at Chu Yate, "Answer me first. Did you really help a competitor against your own family?"

Chu Yate knew he couldn't avoid this question, "No!"

Chu Yuncheng refused to believe it, "You dare lie!"

"I've always been interested in this project. Wasn't it you, Big Brother, who wouldn't let me touch it?" Chu Yate stated this open fact, "Dad, I remember you once said—"

"Winning a project fair and square is the right way. So, I'm doing what I believe is right."

Bai Xu and Shang Yanxiao were competing for the Eaglet Cinema project, and due to his special status, he absolutely would not get involved in the crucial stages.

If they could secure it in the end, the two sides would then proceed with the pre-agreed division of benefits according to their 'alliance treaty'.

"Dad, what you value is the group. Whichever one of us it is, as long as this project ultimately falls into our hands, the group will always be the beneficiary."

Given that, how could it possibly be called stabbing his own family in the back?

Chu Yuncheng still wanted to press the attack, "Sophistry! What if you leaked project data..."

"Enough. Don't I know you?" Chu Tian cut him off with one sentence, "You've kept Yate under strict watch, how could he possibly see any data?"

"......"

Chu Tian knew about the enmity between the two brothers, but he didn't take it seriously, "Enough. Sometimes a little competition is good. Just rely on your own real abilities!"

Chu Yuncheng fumed with indignation, "Dad!"

Chu Tian raised a hand to stop him, "Getting so flustered and angry is a sign of being less capable. If you were truly outstanding, would you need to fear your competitors?"

Having received this permission, Chu Yate smiled, "What Dad says is true."

Chu Tian then instructed, "The meeting will start soon. Both of you, calm yourselves before entering the conference room! If either of you causes any more trouble, you can forget about attending the quarterly meeting."

With that, he was the first to leave the office.

Even though he was filled with a thousand grievances, Chu Yuncheng could only swallow them down.

Bang!

The office door was slammed shut with a force born of pent-up anger.

Chu Yate casually rubbed his ears, which were nearly deafened by the noise, before picking up his phone. Without delay, he sent an update to Bai Xu.

Buzz.

The phone vibrated.

Bai Xu quickly scanned the text message and then looked up at Shang Yanxiao opposite him, "Chu Yate sent a message. It seems Chu Yuncheng knows he's cooperating with us."

A flicker of thought passed through Shang Yanxiao's eyes, "It looks like we need to be extra cautious until the bidding starts."

Bai Xu shared the same thought and gave a cold laugh, "Indeed. After all, pricing is the most critical factor in a bid. There's always the worry that someone might get restless and try to cause trouble."

They wouldn't resort to unfair tactics to compete, but they couldn't guarantee their rivals wouldn't attempt malicious bidding.

Shang Yanxiao was certainly not one to sit back and do nothing, "Shall we make the first move?"

Bai Xu twirled the stylus in his hand, looking composed and ready, "Sure. Let's play along."

–

TL: Muji

Previous | TOC | Next