DASFAM_100

Another week went by.

The various indicators in Bai Xu's body had gradually been rising and improving, with only his right hand, still in a cast, remaining inconvenient.

The specially hired senior nurse brought up the carefully prepared lunch. Shang Yanxiao set down the laptop in his hands and stood up, gesturing, "Nurse Zhao, let me."

The senior nurse adjusted the angle of Bai Xu's bed back and let go with a smile, "Of course, Mr. Shang."

She could tell Shang Yanxiao and Bai Xu were a couple, and a quiet thought stirred inside her—

She'd been in this line of work for almost ten years now. Because her professional skills were solid, most of the patients she cared for were wealthy people, but this was still the first time she'd seen someone as hands-on as Shang Yanxiao.

He not only stayed by Bai Xu's side day and night, but didn't neglect even small matters like eating and drinking water.

Before leaving, Nurse Zhao gestured to Shang Yanxiao, "Mr. Shang, this pot of bone soup was slow-simmered over low heat. You can feed Mr. Bai more of it, it'll help his right hand recover."

"Got it."

Shang Yanxiao sat down by the bedside out of habit.

Bai Xu watched the nurse leave, then voiced his 'dissatisfaction', "Why is Nurse Zhao even briefing you about meals? Aren't I right here? Does she really think of me as some little kid?"

Shang Yanxiao smiled and found a spoon, scooping up a mouthful of bone soup for Bai Xu, "Here, kiddo, drink some soup first to warm your stomach."

"I can eat with my left hand too."

Bai Xu had lost count of how many times he'd grumbled this, but he still obediently let himself be fed, "You eat too, don't just keep watching over me every single day."

Shang Yanxiao was perfectly willing, "I just want to watch over your eating, so you can put the weight back on sooner."

Bai Xu curved his lips into a smile and didn't argue back.

Out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of the laptop his lover had set aside, "Oh right, I keep forgetting to ask, what's the situation with the group right now?"

The shareholders' meeting that had originally been set for Monday seemed to have been postponed again, because of the sudden incident with the third branch of the family.

Bai Xu asked tentatively, "Is Queyan the chairman now?"

Shang Yanxiao didn't hide it, "Yeah, the shareholders' meeting got pushed back, but it was finally held yesterday."

Shang Queyan had been appointed the new chairman of Shang Group, while Shang Yanxiao, the one everyone had originally considered the top contender, voluntarily settled into the position of vice chairman of the group.

As for the first branch's Shang Keyi and the second branch, the Shang Yun family, they were holding the newly added shares granted to them by the Old Madam Shang, continuing to remain in their original positions.

The position of chairman of Shang Group, over which people had fought open and hidden battles for so many years, had finally settled.

Bai Xu never doubted the bond between the brothers Shang Yanxiao and Shang Queyan, and believed the two of them must have discussed this beforehand.

The current trajectory matched the original book exactly—

After going through a series of upheavals, the still-young Shang Queyan had still become the group's youngest chairman. The only thing that had changed was that Shang Yanxiao had broken free from that destined 'doomed' ending.

Everything was both subtly shifting and developing steadily.

Shang Yanxiao fed Bai Xu another mouthful of fish, then suddenly remembered something, "Oh right, I heard Shang Qishun woke up."

A flicker crossed Bai Xu's eyes, "His life really is tenacious, isn't it."

Fingers chopped off, a severe fall injury, a leg amputated, in a coma for nearly half a month, and he could still actually wake up one day?

When Shang Yanxiao mentioned this name, the hatred still lingered in his eyes, "The police have had people watching him at the hospital the whole time. It's just as well he won't die, living on like this, waiting for judgment, that's the real torment for him."

Moreover, Wu Chengwang, who'd been sentenced in prison, was apparently unwilling to accept it and kept shouting day after day that the third branch's car accident had been caused by Shang Qishun, and on top of that, the matters of the latter hiring people for kidnapping and murder had both been established—

The capital police had already reopened the investigation, and it was bound to come to a day when the whole truth came to light.

...

The two of them had just about finished with lunch when a knock sounded outside the hospital room.

Shang Yanxiao said casually, "Who is it? Come in."

The hospital room door opened, and a figure walked in 'with difficulty'.

The person had a heavy fruit basket in one hand and a massive bouquet of fresh flowers cradled in the other, almost completely hiding their figure.

Bai Xu was stunned for a couple of seconds before guessing, "Changning?"

Zhang Changning managed to reveal a small portion of his head, "It's me."

As he spoke, the giant bouquet in his hands tilted to one side, startling him into shouting for help right away, "Third Brother! Quick, quick, quick, quick! Help me out!"

Shang Yanxiao hurried over and freed his hands.

Zhang Changning let out a long breath of relief, shook out his sore, aching arms, and walked briskly to the bedside, "Bai Xu, I just finished up with the exhibition and got back. Are you feeling any better?"

Right after Bai Xu's accident happened, Zhang Changning had rushed to the hospital to see him.

The Ning Studio had received an invitation before the new year to attend the International Ceramic Art Festival in the middle of the month, and as the studio's curator, Zhang Changning had had to rush back for it.

So now, the moment work wrapped up, he'd rushed back again to visit his friend.

Shang Yanxiao set the rather exaggerated flower basket aside, glancing at his lover with some helplessness.

Bai Xu caught his glance and couldn't help laughing, "Changning, you could've just come, why'd you buy such a huge bouquet of flowers?"

Zhang Changning could hardly miss Shang Yanxiao's disdain and huffed proudly, "What does Third Brother know? I arranged this bouquet myself. Bai Xu, don't you think the color scheme looks great?"

Bai Xu seriously scanned over the floral arrangement, "Mm, our Great Artist Ning really does have an eye for it."

Zhang Changning looked satisfied, "I knew you'd appreciate it."

Shang Yanxiao let them go back and forth like this, "Why'd you even buy so much fruit? Poor little frame of yours, carrying all this the whole way here."

"It's the thought that counts, gotta show it somehow. And those pears are really sweet, you know."

Zhang Changning recalled the pear slices he'd sampled at the shop and made his request in a roundabout way, "Third Brother, I can tell Bai Xu really wants some, why don't you peel one right now, and just give me half later."

"……"

It seemed that last half-sentence was actually the whole point.

Bai Xu couldn't help but laugh, simply shooting Shang Yanxiao a meaningful look.

Shang Yanxiao, indulging his own lover, only teased Zhang Changning instead, "Watch out, or I'll get your Second Brother to come deal with you."

Zhang Changning swayed his head about, "My Second Brother's busy with work right now. I didn't even bother him coming here today. Third Brother, if you could call him over, that'd be best, get him to peel the pear for me."

"……"

Shang Yanxiao was at a loss for words and could only open up the fruit basket, take out two pears, and head to the bathroom.

Zhang Changning seized the chance to settle himself firmly beside Bai Xu, staring worriedly at his casted right hand, "Bai Xu, when's this hand of yours going to be better?"

Bai Xu said, "The doctor says it'll still be over half a month before the cast comes off. I'd love to go home sooner, but the old madam's been firmly stopping me."

She'd also said that even after being discharged and back home, he'd still need a private nurse to keep watching over him. Bai Xu figured it'd be too much trouble, so he simply stayed put, planning to head home once he'd healed up well enough.

Zhang Changning sighed, "You'd better just behave and rest up properly. A hundred days to mend broken bones and torn muscles, it's already a blessing that nothing worse happened this time. Let me tell you…"

He turned his head to glance at Shang Yanxiao, still washing the fruit, and lowered his voice, "Good thing you're okay. That day I rushed over and saw Third Brother outside the operating room, I swear his whole self looked like it was about to follow you in there."

"God, it scared me half to death."

"……"

Bai Xu watched his lover's busy figure, a warm current rising in his chest again, "Yeah, it's a blessing nothing happened."

Zhang Changning still wanted to keep talking, but footsteps drawing nearer sounded at the hospital room door just then.

Knock, knock.

The half-closed hospital room door was pushed open.

Bai Xu and Zhang Changning's gazes shifted in sync, and in the blink of an eye, both of them froze—

The one who'd arrived at the hospital room door was none other than Zhang Changxu, dressed in his white coat, with the Zhang couple even following right behind him.

"……"

Zhang Changning froze for a couple of seconds, then stood up from the hospital bed, "Dad, Mom, what are you two doing here?"

The couple of the Zhang family rarely found themselves unable to respond to their own youngest son's words, and even Zhang Changxu at the side revealed a hint of surprise.

"Ningning, when did you come to the hospital?"

"Just now."

Zhang Changning didn't think much of it and quickly stepped forward to greet his parents.

"Dad, Mom, did you have Second Brother bring you here to visit Bai Xu? Why didn't you tell me earlier? We could have come together."

"……"

Zhang Du and his wife Shen Mian exchanged a glance, and both put on their usual smiles, "Oh, we happened to be passing by, so we came to take a look."

Shang Yanxiao walked out from the bathroom. He saw the Zhang family members suddenly appear here and immediately understood what was going on.

Bai Xu, mindful of his friends who were still unaware, could only put on a polite smile first, "Mr. Zhang, Madam Zhang, thank you for taking the time to come see me."

"……"

Though it was merely a simple sentence, it caused Shen Mian to lose her composure in an instant.

The longing, regret, and torment accumulated over more than twenty years completely broke through the dam, causing her to suddenly shed tears, wanting to stop them but powerless to do so.

She noticed her own loss of composure and hurriedly covered her mouth and turned away.

Zhang Changning was startled by her, "Mom, what's wrong?"

He was flustered and anxious as he tried to wipe away Shen Mian's tears, and also cast a pleading gaze toward Zhang Du and Zhang Changxu, "Dad, Second Brother, what- what is going on?"

Zhang Du imperceptibly steadied his breathing, knowing that some things couldn't be hidden.

He deliberated over his wording and tried to explain the situation, "Ningning, actually, besides you three brothers in our family, in the past…"

Shen Mian hurriedly tugged at her husband's wrist, "Old Zhang!"

"……"

Zhang Changning sensed the abnormality between his parents and sensitively picked up on some clues.

Bai Xu was about to speak but held back, having guessed the purpose of Zhang Changxu and the Zhang couple's visit this time, and the only unexpected variable at the moment was Zhang Changning.

Some things, the Zhang family didn't want to hurt Zhang Changning with, and he felt the same way.

Therefore, he had no way to speak as directly and decisively as he used to.

The atmosphere gradually fell into silence.

Seeing this, Shang Yanxiao took the initiative to break the deadlock, "Changxu, Uncle Zhang, why don't you come in and sit down, don't just stand in the doorway."

Since you're here, some things are bound to be explained clearly."

Zhang Changxu and his friend met each other's gaze, and also affirmed this, "Dad, Mom, let's go inside first."

Zhang Changning withdrew the hand that had been resting on Shen Mian's arm, and let it hang somewhat awkwardly at his sides.

He watched his parents sit down on the sofa, and he, who usually loved to be a "tag-along," unexpectedly didn't step forward this time.

Zhang Changxu's brow furrowed slightly, and he simply returned to Zhang Changning's side, giving his back a light pat, "What's wrong?"

Zhang Changning shook his head, "It's nothing."

His gaze, veiled with apprehension, avoided the three members of the Zhang family, but turned toward Bai Xu to press further, "Bai Xu, is there something you're all hiding from me?"

Bai Xu saw through the unease deep in Zhang Changning's heart and thought about what kind of opening to use.

Suddenly, Zhang Changxu spoke in his place, "Ningning, the family has never told you, Mom and Dad previously lost a child, the same age as you, a- a twin."

A straightforward statement of fact, except for that somewhat hesitant, unfamiliar lie.

Bai Xu was taken aback and could only observe his friend's reaction first.

Zhang Changning heard this opening that could be considered an excuse, and felt his breathing suddenly become viscous, "So, Bai Xu is the child who was accidentally lost back then?"

When did the Zhang family ever have twins?

From start to finish, the Zhang family's true young master was only one, and it wasn't him—it was actually Bai Xu?

"……"

The look Zhang Changning cast toward Bai Xu was tinged with an apology that was hard to put into words.

Bai Xu was the only person present who knew Zhang Changning's secret. He watched his friend's reaction, which was clearly somewhat off, and instinctively straightened his back in urgency.

Shang Yanxiao's attention had been on him all along, and he promptly held him back in a low voice, "A' Xu, you're still injured, don't move around carelessly."

"You all did a paternity test behind my back, didn't you? When did this happen?"

"……"

Zhang Changxu had a premonition that something was amiss and was preparing to explain further.

Zhang Changning met his gaze, his heart filled with mixed emotions, "After going around in circles, it turns out you two are actually biological brothers."

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