DASFAM_52

The kiss grew increasingly intense. 

Shang Yanxiao sucked at Bai Xu's lips, pried open his teeth, and delved in deeply, unwilling to let any part go untouched.

With one hand, he held the waist of the person in his embrace, while the other rested on the back of his head. His fingers threaded through the hair, rubbing with varying degrees of pressure, a tender and lingering comfort.

At first, Bai Xu could still hold his own against Shang Yanxiao, but as it went on, he found himself increasingly powerless—

The hot waves in the bath soaked through his clothes, clinging damply to his body like an airtight net, causing his blood to uncontrollably rush to his head. His heartbeat and breathing surged and swirled.

Bai Xu’s palm pressed against Shang Yanxiao’s chest, in a push-and-pull struggle, "Sh-Shang Yanxiao, umm!"

Something seemed to slip away under the water, only to be replaced in an instant by something even more dangerous.

Bai Xu leaned back slightly, gasping, "Mhmm."

Shang Yanxiao slowly lifted his gaze, "Hmm?" 

A single sound filled with absolute dominance, he tilted his head and sucked at the side of his neck. Under the bathwater, his palm quietly began to move, advancing with a forceful yet slow aggression.

Bai Xu felt as if the entire bath had turned into a sea of fire, soaking him until his entire body seemed to be burning.

"......"

The water splashed and swayed, stirring his thoughts into a daze.

He had no idea how much time had passed before Bai Xu’s pale consciousness gradually gathered again.

His naturally gentle features were veiled by the steam, and he could only speak intermittently, "It’s too hot."

"Take off your clothes."

Shang Yanxiao bit his ear, his fingers already feeling for the collar of the shirt, slowly pulling the zipper of the sweatshirt down bit by bit.

An action that should have been completely normal somehow took on a provocative feel in this scenario.

"Turn around."

"......"

Without the barrier of clothing, Bai Xu was forced into intimate contact with the wall of the bath.

He shivered from the cold, "It's chilly."

Shang Yanxiao covered him again, kissed the small mole on the back of his neck, and chuckled, "Young Master Bai, choose one: the water or the bed?"

Things had already progressed to this point; there was no possibility of stopping at the edge of the cliff.

Bai Xu let his true inner thoughts take over, breathing slightly heavily, "A-adults don't make choices."

"......"

He turned his head and met Shang Yanxiao's eyes, "I want both."

The moment the response sank into the water, Shang Yanxiao's long-restrained movements turned abruptly fierce.

...

......

Bai Xu felt like a small boat adrift, swaying and rocking in the sea controlled by Shang Yanxiao, intermittently weathering several crashing waves.

By the time his last shred of consciousness drifted away, it seemed he glimpsed the breaking dawn outside the floor-to-ceiling window.

Bai Xu’s sleep this time was far from restful, plagued by lingering aches all over his body. When he woke again, the soreness was even more intense than before.

"...Hiss."

Bai Xu furrowed his brows, shutting his eyes and burrowing under the covers in avoidance.

But soon, the blanket over his head was gently pulled back by Shang Yanxiao, "Awake?"

Bai Xu didn’t want to respond, turning his head to press into the pillow.

Shang Yanxiao reached out and rubbed at his tightly furrowed brow, leaning down to coax him, "A’Xu, how about eating something before going back to sleep? Be good."

"......"

Bai Xu opened his eyes weakly, "What time is it?"

"Six o'clock."

Shang Yanxiao told him the time, then worried he might not have grasped it, added, "Six in the evening."

"......"

Bai Xu was speechless, his still-tired eyes fixed intently on the culprit.

Shang Yanxiao, seeing his speechless little expression, found it utterly adorable, "Can you get up? Do you need help?"

"No."

Bai Xu stubbornly struggled to sit up, clenching his teeth to avoid letting out a single groan of pain.

He used to think that ‘feeling like one’s body was falling apart’ was just an exaggerated figure of speech, but now that it was his turn, he realized just how apt the description was.

His consciousness gradually returned.

Bai Xu glanced around the suite he was in. Although the layout was nearly identical, he still noticed, "We changed rooms?"

Shang Yanxiao pressed the service bell to order a meal before responding, "En, the sheets and bedding over there were all soiled."

His tone was steady, as if the latter part of the sentence were an utterly ordinary matter.

Fragmented images from last night flickered in Bai Xu’s mind, making him flush instantly—

The two of them had gone from the bath to the bed last night, craving more after a taste, not even bothering to dry off properly. Although the hotel provided individually wrapped condoms, they seemed to have used only one before abandoning them.

Back and forth like that, naturally, the sheets and bedding couldn’t stay clean.

Shang Yanxiao continued, "You were sleeping deeply this afternoon, so I took the liberty of booking a new suite."

Bai Xu let out a soft breath, acknowledging it.

Shang Yanxiao caught sight of the red marks on his collarbone, his mood quite good, "I already cleaned you up a bit. Before we eat, do you want to go rinse your mouth in the bathroom?"

Bai Xu, seeing his so satisfied and relaxed demeanor, felt displeased and answered with another grunt.

Shang Yanxiao knew he had been somewhat ruthless in that matter, allowing Bai Xu’s temper to flare, "Alright, then shall I carry you over?"

Bai Xu’s voice still held a hint of hoarseness, yet he remained stubborn, "No need, I can manage myself."

Enduring the soreness that seemed to affect his whole body with every slight movement, he slowly shuffled to the edge of the bed. The moment his feet touched the wooden floor, that lingering sense of weakness washed over him.

"......"

Bai Xu fell silent, not moving again.

This definitely wasn’t because he was incapable; it was just that this body’s constitution was still too poor!

Shang Yanxiao saw the awkward stiffness in the person before him, effortlessly scooped him into his arms, stood up, and headed for the bathroom.

Bai Xu, feeling both embarrassed and annoyed, said, "Put me down."

Shang Yanxiao chuckled softly, "Young Master Bai, sometimes you don’t need to be quite so competitive."

"......"

Bai Xu caught the upward curve of his lips and, without overthinking, vented his frustration by opening his mouth and biting hard into Shang Yanxiao’s shoulder.

Shang Yanxiao winced in pain, but the strength of his embrace didn’t loosen, "—Hiss!"

Bai Xu didn’t draw blood from his shoulder, but he still bit down forcefully, leaving a deep, distinct tooth mark. Only then did he finally unleash his anger and scold, "Shang Yanxiao, you bastard!"

Usually pretending to be so proper, how could you be as ruthless as you were last night in bed?

What kind of mutually beneficial friends with benefits is this! Complete bullshit! I got the short end of the stick!

Shang Yanxiao gently placed him in front of the vanity, only then glancing at the fresh wound on his shoulder in the mirror, "Young Master Bai, are you a dog? Bit down pretty hard."

Bai Xu ignored him, picking up the mouthwash on his own.

Shang Yanxiao wasn’t in a hurry, waiting for the person in front of him to finish washing up, "Why such a temper? Didn’t you get any sweetness out of it last night? Didn’t cling to me, asking for more?"

"......"

This kind of thing naturally involves compatibility; of course, the expected pleasures were had.

Bai Xu remembered the first two or three times last night and couldn't help but feel a flush of heat.

He cleared his throat awkwardly, randomly shifting the topic, "No wonder you told me not to book the forest project in advance when we arrived yesterday. You’d already planned it, hadn’t you?"

Shang Yanxiao simply replied, "If you’re interested, rest well tonight. Going tomorrow isn’t too late either."

As soon as the words fell, the doorbell rang.

The butler's voice came through, "Hello, this is the room service delivery."

Bai Xu naturally ordered Shang Yanxiao around, "You go open the door. I can’t show my face right now."

Just thinking about the traces they’d left in the other room made Bai Xu feel too embarrassed; he absolutely didn’t want a third person to see his current ‘disheveled’ state.

Shang Yanxiao saw right through his little thoughts, "Alright."

...

The sumptuous dinner emitted an enticing aroma.

Having gone hungry all day, Bai Xu didn’t force himself in this matter and filled his stomach in minutes.

It was just a shame that the weariness and soreness throughout his body hadn’t subsided yet. After a quick rinse, he slumped back onto the bed.

Shang Yanxiao tidied up a bit, then brought a hot towel from the bathroom, "A’Xu, turn over and lie down."

Bai Xu was gradually getting used to this intimate form of address and turned his head to look at him, "What for?"

Shang Yanxiao sat by the bed, "I’ll apply a hot towel for you, then give you a rub. You’ll sleep better tonight."

Seeing the seriousness in his eyes, Bai Xu didn’t refuse this offered, considerate service, "Then you better give me a proper rub."

Shang Yanxiao chuckled softly, "Alright."

The hot towel pressed against the lower back, where the soreness was most intense. Shang Yanxiao’s fingertips kneaded gently through the towel, the pleasant warmth easily inducing relaxation.

Bai Xu finally let out a comfortable sigh.

Seeing this, Shang Yanxiao massaged him even more earnestly, without a hint of complaint.

After continuing like this for over half an hour, Bai Xu felt the accumulated soreness finally easing. He turned over, a satisfied smile finally appearing, "Alright, thank you for your hard work, Third Young Master."

Shang Yanxiao placed the towel on the bedside table and leaned in to ask, "Not angry anymore?"

Bai Xu refused to admit it, "I wasn’t angry in the first place. We agreed it’s just friends with benefits helping each other out."

"…Friends with benefits?"

Shang Yanxiao stared at Bai Xu, deliberately emphasizing those two words.

Heartless little thing, even now he still stubbornly clings to that label and won’t change his tune.

Bai Xu sensed his subtle mood and added, "We agreed on it last time when we made the bet: one request each from the other. You asked for this hiking trek, and I’ve accompanied you to complete it, haven't I?"

Though now, it seemed more like the ‘hiking trek’ was just an excuse.

Shang Yanxiao gave a slight nod, "Hmm, so has Young Master Bai thought about what request you want to make of me?"

Bai Xu looked at the swollen bite mark on Shang Yanxiao’s shoulder that hadn’t yet faded, and his mind stirred, "There really... is one."

Shang Yanxiao asked, "What is it?"

Bai Xu leaned closer to Shang Yanxiao, raised a hand and hooked his chin, "Next time, I want to be on top."

"......"

Shang Yanxiao silently arched an eyebrow, stating firmly, "No. Change your request."

Bai Xu tightened his grip on the chin, "Shang Yanxiao, are you afraid to play fair?!"

Shang Yanxiao clasped his wrist in return, not looking the least bit guilty, "Yes, I'm afraid to play fair."

"......"

How could he admit to something like that so quickly!

Bai Xu felt like punching cotton, and angrily wanted to pull his hand back. But Shang Yanxiao was quicker, pressing him back onto the bed, "Anything else, I can agree to anything but this."

Bai Xu lifted his chin, stubbornly insisting, "That's the only request I have."

"Even if I agreed, A’Xu..." Shang Yanxiao chuckled, "Are you sure you can handle being on top?"

Bai Xu snorted coldly, "Who do you think you're looking down on? I just lost the initiative last night, that's why... I went easy on you, got it?"

Shang Yanxiao teased him, "Yeah, got it. If the sky falls, our Young Master Bai's mouth will hold it up."

Bai Xu was speechless.

Shang Yanxiao stared at him for a moment, then suddenly changed his tone, "Alright then, I'll let you be on top."

"Huh?"

Bai Xu was taken aback, suddenly feeling like this was a weird, too-good-to-be-true pie falling from the sky.

Shang Yanxiao held back a laugh, lowered his head, and nipped his ear, "When I say 'on top', I mean for you to..."

A suggestive tone, whispered intimately into his ear, easily shattering the small fantasy Bai Xu had just begun to entertain.

"......"

Bai Xu's ears burned hot. Too angry to speak, he forcefully pushed him away, rolled himself in the blanket to one side, "Going to sleep!"

Shang Yanxiao looked at the half of his head peeking out from the covers, and couldn't help but laugh again, "Rest well. I won't bother you tonight."

...

The next day, Bai Xu, who had slept until he woke naturally, regained his vitality.

The two deliberately enjoyed the forest activities arranged by the hotel before starting their return trip. It was still nearly four hours of driving before the car finally crossed back into the city limits.

Looking at the sky that had darkened once more, Bai Xu couldn't help but ask, "It's been so long. Aren't you tired?"

Shang Yanxiao replied, "Not tired."

They had briefly rested for twenty minutes when passing the gas station earlier; he was still feeling alright.

Bai Xu thought for a moment, "After the ‘Eaglet’ project is officially signed, I'll find some time to get my driver's license."

Shang Yanxiao, stopped at the red light, asked, "Isn't there Chen Yufei?"

Bai Xu blurted out, "I can't keep troubling him forever. What if it's just the two of us traveling in the future? At least I could..."

Before he could finish the sentence, Shang Yanxiao let out a light chuckle.

Bai Xu caught himself and changed his wording, "I mean, I'd just find it more convenient to get around on my own in the future."

"Hmm, I know."

Shang Yanxiao agreed, deliberately adding, "It's not that Young Master Bai is worried about me driving alone and getting tired."

"......"

Bai Xu pretended not to hear, staring at the green light about to appear outside the car window, "We can go now."

Shang Yanxiao confirmed the green light ahead and pressed down on the accelerator.

But barely two seconds after the car moved forward, urgent honking suddenly erupted from the lane turning left!

Beep! Beep! Beep!

Out of the corner of his eye, Shang Yanxiao caught sight of the minivan speeding up towards them. His heart instantly felt clenched by an invisible fist. Instinctively, he jerked the steering wheel hard to avoid it!

—Bang!

In an instant, a violent crash reverberated throughout the entire intersection, accompanied by the panicked screams of pedestrians.

...

Eight p.m., Central City Hospital.

Xie Qi and Chen Yufei, having received the news, rushed into the emergency department one after the other. Xie Qi casually stopped a nurse, "Excuse me, I'd like to ask—"

Eagle-eyed Chen Yufei spotted Shang Yanxiao first and quickly interrupted, "Xie Qi, Third Young Master is over here!"

At that moment, beside the bed at the far right of the emergency hall, two uniformed traffic police officers were gathered around Shang Yanxiao, asking something.

Xie Qi and Chen Yufei exchanged a look and hurried over, "Third Young Master! How are things?"

Shang Yanxiao turned his head to look at them, his tense expression extremely serious.

The lead traffic officer handed the accident report to Shang Yanxiao, "Shang Yanxiao, please sign to confirm. Once the accident investigation report is ready, we will notify you immediately."

"Thank you."

Shang Yanxiao took the police report and quickly signed his English name.

After watching the two officers leave, a flicker of concern passed through Xie Qi’s brow, "Third Young Master, the signature you just used…"

Shang Yanxiao knew what he was worried about and sighed, "I was one of the parties involved in the accident. We can’t avoid the police’s real identity checks."

Chen Yufei glanced around, "Third Young Master, where’s Young Master Bai? How did you suddenly get into an accident?"

Mentioning Bai Xu, a layer of self-blame and regret deepened on Shang Yanxiao’s brow, "I was driving normally after waiting for the green light at the intersection. The other vehicle suddenly charged out from the service lane at the corner, running the red light."

Although he avoided a fatal collision with the other vehicle, Shang Yanxiao’s car still ended up hitting the streetlight pole at the intersection, causing severe damage to the right-side door and window.

Shang Yanxiao in the driver’s seat only suffered minor abrasions on his arm. However, Bai Xu, in the passenger seat with no room to dodge, was thrown against the shattered window, adding another stitched wound to his forehead.

"He was taken for a brain scan by the nurse right after getting the stitches."

From the very beginning, Shang Yanxiao had felt a rising panic, his palms constantly breaking out in cold sweat. Only by forcibly restraining himself in front of the police and medical staff had he managed to maintain his composure.

As the three were talking, the nurse returned with Bai Xu in a wheelchair.

Shang Yanxiao immediately stepped closer, crouching down in front of Bai Xu, "How is it?"

The nurse said, "It’s just a mild concussion. The doctor recommends resting at home is fine. After going back, avoid strenuous activity and don’t overexert yourself. The stitches on the forehead need regular dressing changes."

Shang Yanxiao was still uneasy, "No need for hospital observation?"

Bai Xu countered, "Since when am I so precious? I feel perfectly fine. I don’t even need to be in this wheelchair."

Shang Yanxiao suppressed his heavy emotions, "How is this ‘fine’? It’s all my fault for not being careful."

"Alright."

Bai Xu gently stopped Shang Yanxiao’s worries, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly, "Yanxiao, I’m really fine. All I want now is to go home and lie down."

As he spoke, he looked at the other two nearby, "Xie Qi, please handle settling the fees for me first. Brother Chen, you came by car, right? Let’s head back now."

Shang Yanxiao’s car was now an accident vehicle, towed away by the police. It would take a couple of days before they could get it back for repairs.

Seeing this, Shang Yanxiao had no choice but to agree, "Alright, let’s go back first then."

...

The night was thick as ink.

Throughout the entire journey home, Shang Yanxiao's expression hadn't improved.

Only when the car drove into his own garage did Bai Xu finally speak to Xie Qi and Chen Yufei in the front seats, "You two head back first. I need to talk with Third Young Master."

Xie Qi and Chen Yufei were quick on the uptake and swiftly got out of the car.

Bang.

The car door closed, once again creating an enclosed space for just the two of them.

"Shang Yanxiao..."

"I'm sorry..."

They spoke almost simultaneously, then both fell silent.

Shang Yanxiao took a deep breath, trying hard to regulate his emotions, "Today, my reaction wasn't quick enough, that's why this happened."

In the dim light, Bai Xu easily discerned the emotion Shang Yanxiao was trying to conceal at this moment—

Guilt and self-blame were intertwined in his eyes, and deep within them brewed a fear he had never seen before.

Bai Xu became even more certain of something and simply grasped his hand, "Shang Yanxiao, listen to me."

The man's palm held an unusual chill, even carrying a faint, barely perceptible tremor.

Bai Xu's heart ached inexplicably, "This car accident was just an unexpected situation. The police even ruled it was the other party's fault; the mistake wasn't yours."

Shang Yanxiao didn't respond, only silently, heavily gripping Bai Xu's hand back, unwilling to let go.

After a long while, he finally rasped in a near-whisper, "Just like last time, the fault wasn't ours."

Bai Xu knew he was thinking of the previous car accident and silently offered comfort.

"......"

Shang Yanxiao's Adam's apple bobbed slightly, carrying a tone of near-exhausted helplessness, "I thought I had moved past it."

Over ten months had passed since that car accident involving the third branch overseas.

Shang Yanxiao had thought he had emerged from the shadow that accident cast. It was only now he realized it wasn't true—

He felt a visceral repulsion towards sharp honking sounds, a terror of the noise from vehicles violently colliding! That sudden cessation of breath, the clenching of his heart, made it impossible for him to maintain normal, rational composure to deal with it!

Shang Yanxiao mocked himself, "Only today did I realize I seem to be a coward."

"A’Xu, when I saw you covered in blood on your forehead, leaning motionless against the seat, my first reaction was actually... I didn't dare to touch you."

If Bai Xu hadn't made a sound of pain himself, Shang Yanxiao feared his heart might have burst on the spot!

"......"

Listening to his rarely revealed inner thoughts, Bai Xu felt his heart ache even more.

Remembering those brief yet fragmentary few seconds, Shang Yanxiao couldn't help but lean over and pull Bai Xu into an embrace, "Thank goodness you're alright."

Otherwise, he would never have been able to forgive himself.

Bai Xu didn't refuse this tight embrace. He reached up and patted Shang Yanxiao's head, "En, not only am I fine, you're fine too. It really was just an accident, nothing more."

Shang Yanxiao turned his head slightly, sensing his warm breath, and murmured a repetition, "Just an accident."

Bai Xu continued comforting him in his own way, "Right, since you didn't agree to the request I made yesterday, it doesn't count. Can I make a new one now?"

Shang Yanxiao released the embrace, "What is it?"

Bai Xu looked at the lingering trace of despondency in Shang Yanxiao's eyes, reached out and smoothed the furrow between his brows, "Shang Yanxiao, promise me, have the courage to look forward."

Whether it was the former Shang Quèyan, or the current Shang Yanxiao, neither should be completely trapped in the future by that car accident.

Bai Xu knew that some truths and answers require time.

He didn’t want Shang Yanxiao to simply let go of all that, but rather hoped he could have the courage to face everything unknown.

Bai Xu said, "If your brother could manage it, you, as his older brother, can’t lose to him."

Shang Yanxiao understood Bai Xu’s meaning, "Alright."

The two exchanged a smile, and the oppressive atmosphere finally eased a bit.

Bai Xu put away his serious expression, returning to his usual fussy tone, "Alright, my head’s feeling a little dizzy. Let’s get out of the car quickly. You need to let this ‘patient’ get some proper rest."

Shang Yanxiao agreed immediately, "Alright."

...

Although a mild concussion wasn't serious, after taking the medicine, Bai Xu still fell into a deep sleep.

Shang Yanxiao carefully tucked him in, then quietly left the room and summoned Xie Qi.

Xie Qi, who hadn't slept yet anyway, asked immediately upon seeing Shang Yanxiao, "Third Young Master, should we investigate the driver who caused the accident again, behind the scenes?"

"Yes."

Shang Yanxiao nodded. He had an underlying sense of unease.

Even if it truly was just an accident, he needed to investigate thoroughly for peace of mind.

Xie Qi tactfully agreed, then brought up another urgent matter, "Third Young Master, the private investigator sent a message yesterday. They've already tracked down the whereabouts of Chelkin!"

Shang Yanxiao pressed, "Where?"

"In an underground black-market casino on a remote small island."

Xie Qi walked back into the room, showing Shang Yanxiao the surveillance footage recorded on a tablet, "They infer Chelkin has probably lost quite a bit of money at the black-market casino over the past two months. If he shows up again recently, they can nab him!"

"I took the liberty of increasing the payment to continue the investigation and had them set out to find Chelkin."

Gamblers are the most money-hungry creatures. As long as you throw money at them, you should be able to pry a lot of information from their mouths, including the mysterious man from the Lyon Bank who deposited a large sum for him.

Shang Yanxiao's eyes darkened, "Tell them to speed up the investigation!"

Xie Qi asked further, "Should we inform the Old Master about this?"

Shang Yanxiao thought of the elder, far away in China, and a wave of inexplicable unease rose in his heart, "Let's wait until we have a clear picture. No need to trouble the old man with unnecessary worries."

"Alright."

...

Five days later, Zhouye Investments and Eaglet Industries officially signed the full-service contract for the commissioned construction. The stitches on Bai Xu's forehead were gradually healing, and he strictly followed the doctor's orders, regularly going to the hospital to have the dressing changed.

In the bustling hospital corridor.

As soon as Bai Xu stepped out of the dressing room, he saw Shang Yanxiao waiting outside.

"All done?"

"En, it was just a simple dressing change. You insisted on coming with me," Bai Xu smiled, his gaze shifting to Shang Yanxiao's arm, "How's the abrasion on your arm?"

"Starting to scab over."

Shang Yanxiao was unconcerned about his minor injury, "Hungry? Should I take you to get something to eat?"

Bai Xu didn't refuse, "Sure, I've been really craving Chinese food these past couple of days, Northeastern cuisine. I wonder if this city has any?"

Hearing his request, Shang Yanxiao replied, "I'll check."

"En."

Shang Yanxiao had just taken out his phone when a call notification from Shang Queyan suddenly popped up on the WeChat interface.

"......"

Shang Yanxiao's brow involuntarily furrowed, an inexplicable unease welling up inside him.

Bai Xu also caught sight of the caller ID, "Answer it first."

Shang Yanxiao nodded and answered the call right in front of Bai Xu, "Hello?"

In the next second, Shang Queyan's panicked voice came through from the other end, "Brother, something's happened to Grandfather!"

–

TL: Muji

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