DASFAM_72

Butler Sun's expression froze. After confirming he wasn't hearing things, he asked, "Third Young Master, what do you mean by that?"

Bai Xu stood up and helped Old Madam Shang to her seat, "Butler Sun, I thought we had already been considerate enough of your dignity. Are you sure you still want to keep playing dumb?"

"......"

Butler Sun shook his head, urgency flooding his eyes, "Bai Little Young Master, words and actions need to be backed by evidence! I have worked in the Shang household for so many years, always diligent and never daring to slack off even the slightest!"

As he spoke, he seemed to regain a hint of confidence.

"Old Madam! I..."

Just as Butler Sun was about to approach Old Madam Shang, he was frightened back by a single look from Shang Yanxiao, "Old Madam, even if Third Young Master and the others don't know, surely you and the Old Master can't be in the dark?"

Shang Old Madam met his arguing expression and tightened her grip on the prayer beads in her hand, "Sun Chuan, the years I and A' Hong have treated you have not been thin. A' Hong in particular trusted you absolutely."

Sun Chuan held the title of head butler, but as he had gradually grown older, many of his daily duties had already been delegated to others.

Even so, his monthly salary and benefits had never been reduced.

Butler Sun's eyes flickered, "Yes, the kindness that the Old Master and Old Madam have shown me and my son, I remember it all."

"Since you remember, then you should have known better than to turn against us!"

A rare anger crept into Old Madam Shang's tone, "When you were colluding with others and betraying us, why didn't you think about how we had treated you all these years?"

Butler Sun grew anxious, "Old Madam, where is all this even coming from? The Old Master has been ill these past few days and I have been worried sick too!"

Seeing that Butler Sun was still stubbornly making excuses, Bai Xu decided to bluff a little, "Butler Sun, it seems I haven't made myself clear enough."

"Today at the banquet, it wasn't just Wu Wei who was arrested. The entire first branch family was taken away by the police!"

"......"

The butler was startled, clearly not having anticipated that things had gotten this serious.

"Wu Wei has already confessed that it was he who pushed the Old Master down! Grandmother didn't expose you because she was sparing your dignity!"

"If you insist on continuing to deny it, we don't mind having the police step in and take you away. But surely you don't want to spend time at the police station at your age?"

Those words came crashing down with the weight of a thousand pounds.

Butler Sun felt as though all the blood in his body had rushed to his head. His steps faltered twice, and then he dropped to his knees before Old Madam Shang without a shred of dignity.

"Old Madam, it was my fault. I have wronged the Old Master!"

Butler Sun's eyes reddened instantly, and he put on an expression of deep remorse, "But I never thought the Old Master's condition would become this serious. These past few days, I have been living in fear and unable to sleep at night."

As he spoke, he slapped himself hard across the face twice.

Bai Xu and Shang Yanxiao exchanged a glance but did not step forward to stop him. Instead, they quietly handed the right to question him over to Old Madam Shang.

Seeing him show a hint of genuine remorse, Old Madam Shang's tone softened but was filled with disappointment, "Sun Chuan, why did you do this?"

Butler Sun's eyes were red, and deep within his pupils lay helplessness and exhaustion, "Old Madam, my son is a disappointment. A few years ago he lost money in business, and I drained all my savings and borrowed from everywhere just to fill that hole for him."

"I thought he would settle down after that and run a small business, earning just enough to get by. But little did I know he was still dreaming of striking it rich overnight, and would often blame me for being useless."

Perhaps it was because he had grown up alongside Shang Yun and Shang Qi, but Butler Sun's son, Sun Yong, often felt that he too should stand above others and that he too deserved to be talking about projects worth hundreds of millions.

After graduating, he wanted to join the Shang Group to live a comfortable life. However, Butler Sun knew his son's overambitious nature, and also knew that Old Master Shang despised things like using backdoor connections, so he firmly refused to allow it.

After a fierce argument between father and son, Sun Yong simply went abroad, and later settled down and got married there with his girlfriend, never returning again.

"Two years ago, my grandson graduated from university and wanted to get into investment business. The two of them, father and son, pooled their money together, opened a company, and ended up not only making nothing but also being swindled out of nearly a million."

Bai Xu frowned slightly, at a loss for words.

If you don't have the skills, don't take on the work. If commercial investment were truly that easy to profit from, wouldn't everyone be getting rich?

"By then they thought of me again, this old man. I ended up losing even my funeral savings."

At this, Butler Sun let fall two murky tears.

Old Madam Shang's heart softened, "You..."

Shang Yanxiao cut her off without a trace and steered straight to the matter at hand, "Butler Sun, when exactly did you get involved with the first branch? When did you start betraying Grandfather by siding with them?"

Butler Sun lowered his gaze and wiped his tears carelessly, "It was around that same time. I don't know how Wu Wei got word of my son's bankruptcy, but he came looking for me."

Old Madam Shang pressed further, "Does this have anything to do with Keyi or Qishun?"

"No, it was Wu Wei who came to me!"

Butler Sun swore firmly, "He said that as long as I tipped him off about any movements related to the group on the Old Master's side, I would be paid for it."

"At first I didn't dare reveal too much, and only dared to mention things that seemed insignificant."

"Later, Wu Wei turned around and threatened me, saying that if I kept deliberately giving him vague answers, he would tell the Eldest Young Miss about my leaking information and then pass it on to the Old Master."

Knowing Old Master Shang's character all too well, if the matter were exposed, he would have no choice but to be driven out of the household.

Butler Sun felt as though he had boarded a thief's boat and had no choice but to go along with the thieving. And so he gradually began leaking significant information related to the group to Wu Wei.

For instance, which major projects were about to be assigned, or that the Old Master was dissatisfied with a certain project of the second branch, or that senior shareholders had proposed spinning off the overseas division, and so on.

All of this was information he had come to know by being present at the side while the Old Master chatted casually with him, or during video conferences held at home.

"Of course, that also included your views toward the other two branches."

"The day the Old Master had his episode and collapsed, I had indeed been sent out to brew tea, but the moment I heard the sound of an argument I came back right away."

The moment Butler Sun rushed back to the master bedroom, he happened to walk in on Wu Wei, in a fit of rage and humiliation, shoving Old Master Shang to the ground.

"......"

Hearing Butler Sun admit to this with his own mouth, Old Madam Shang and Shang Yanxiao's expressions sank even further.

With gazes that pierced like needles, Butler Sun was too ashamed to lift his head, "Wu Wei silenced me on the spot and warned me not to breathe a word of it to anyone."

"He told me to help cover it up by making it look as though the Old Master had collapsed from a sudden onset of illness on his own, to get him off the hook."

At that moment, Old Master Shang had still been conscious, and in his dazed state had faintly heard the exchange between the two of them.

"Old Madam, I am sorry. I have wronged the Old Master."

Butler Sun's remorse came with even deeper anguish, "It was greed that clouded my judgment and led me to commit such a wrong. I had lost all conscience. Thankfully, thankfully the Old Master is alright."

Throughout this period, Butler Sun had feared both that the Old Master would wake up and reveal the truth to everyone, and that the Old Master might simply pass away just like that.

Upon learning that the Old Master had 'suffered cognitive impairment and impaired speech function,' Wu Wei had not been the only one who felt relieved in that moment.

But paper can never truly wrap fire. When one has done something that weighs on the conscience, it will always come to light in the end.

Shang Yanxiao's voice dropped as he held him accountable, "Butler Sun! Did you ever stop to think! If Grandmother had arrived even a little later that day! The way you covered up for Wu Wei and turned a blind eye, it could have genuinely cost Grandfather his life!"

"I..."

Butler Sun wept with aged tears streaming down his face, unable to say a single word in rebuttal.

Old Madam Shang shook her head in profound disappointment, "Sun Chuan, pack your things and leave on your own. In consideration of the fact that you truly were diligent and dedicated in your earlier years, I will spare you the loss of face in front of others."

Butler Sun's back bent deeply, and after a long while he finally managed to speak with difficulty, "Thank you, Old Madam, for showing leniency."

Only after Butler Sun had left the small dining room did Bai Xu ask uncertainly, "Old Madam, are you really just letting Butler Sun go like that? There's no need to bring the police in?"

Old Madam Shang turned the prayer beads in her hand and let out a sigh, "He's already at that age, and he wasn't the one who laid hands on anyone himself. How many days could he even be held?"

"Sun Chuan is a pitiable man. All these years, his son, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren have never spared him a single extra word of concern. He did wrong in this matter, so he can no longer remain in this household."

"As for the rest, in life it is always wise to leave a little room. Showing grace is always better than sowing resentment and bitterness, lest a man this old still ends up losing his way."

"......"

Bai Xu understood that Old Madam Shang was kind and soft-hearted by nature, and couldn't help but glance over at Shang Yanxiao.

The latter caught his gaze, "Let's do as Grandmother says. Tomorrow I'll have someone find a suitable butler to fill the position. You and Grandfather are both getting on in years, and going forward Grandfather will need to go to the hospital regularly for treatment. You can't be without someone."

Old Madam Shang nodded, "Alright."

...

When Bai Xu and Shang Yanxiao arrived home, Shang Queyan had already removed his prosthetic and settled back into his wheelchair.

Their eyes met, and Shang Queyan immediately wheeled himself closer, "Brother, is the matter with Butler Sun settled?"

Shang Yanxiao replied, "Yes, he confessed. Grandmother has already told him to pack up and leave."

Upon hearing the outcome, Shang Queyan murmured, "He got off easy."

Bai Xu replied, "Butler Sun has been by the old couple's side for so many years after all. It's understandable that the Old Madam would show leniency."

Shang Queyan nodded, "I know."

Shang Yanxiao glanced at the clock on the wall, "Today has been one twist after another and we're all thoroughly worn out. Let's all get some rest early. Starting tomorrow we'll be waiting on the investigation results from the police, so we can't let our guard down."

"I'll have someone keep a close watch. Brother, don't worry."

Shang Queyan added, then promptly wrapped up the conversation, "You two head upstairs and rest. I'm heading back to my room as well. Good night."

"Good night."

Bai Xu and Shang Yanxiao went upstairs together.

Compared to the master bedroom, Bai Xu's room was closer to the staircase. But before he could reach out for the door handle, Shang Yanxiao closed his hand around his wrist, "A' Xu."

"Hm?"

"Come to my room tonight. Sleep with me."

"......"

Bai Xu paused.

Shang Yanxiao asked in return, "You don't want to?"

Come to think of it, ever since the two of them had returned to the country, they had been busy dealing with all these troublemakers one after another, and their so-called friends-with-benefits arrangement had never really had a chance to be put into practice.

Bai Xu came back to his senses, and without any awkwardness at all replied, "No, I'll head back to my room to shower first and come over in a bit."

Seeing that he appeared to have misread the situation, Shang Yanxiao felt no rush to explain, "Alright."

...

The night in December was always steeped in a bone-chilling cold.

Just a few hurried steps down the corridor left Bai Xu thoroughly frozen. Fortunately, Shang Yanxiao had already turned on the heating in the master bedroom in time, which kept the cold from continuing its assault.

Shang Yanxiao noticed Bai Xu shiver without warning and quickly lifted the covers to usher him in, "Come here, quick."

Bai Xu got in without a second word, "It's quite cold."

Shang Yanxiao pulled the covers further around him, "Better now?"

"It's fine. It's just the temperature difference between the bathroom and the corridor. I'll warm up in a bit."

Bai Xu caught a faint scent at the tip of his nose, drifting from the covers or perhaps from Shang Yanxiao himself, bringing with it an inexplicable sense of comfort.

He let out a small laugh without thinking, unable to explain even to himself why.

Shang Yanxiao fixed his gaze on the curve at the corner of the other's lips, and his own mood lifted along with it, "What are you laughing at?"

Bai Xu offered a casual reply, "Nothing, I just thought back to when I first met you. You were lying on this very bed, putting on a perfectly serious act of being unconscious."

In the blink of an eye, the year had gone from beginning to end.

And the plan he had made to treat the Shang household as a temporary resting place, to leave once he had rested enough, had yet to come to fruition.

Shang Yanxiao followed with his own reply, "Back then I was faking unconsciousness because I didn't know the truth about the car accident. I wanted the first and second branches to let their guard down and show their true colors. Now I know everything."

Bringing up the car accident once more, Shang Yanxiao's face no longer carried the long-suppressed pain of days past. It looked more like the relief of someone who had finally learned the truth and seen their grievances avenged.

Bai Xu felt more at ease, "What did I say?"

"Hm?"

Shang Yanxiao was only stunned for a brief moment before it came back to him.

He drew closer to Bai Xu without a trace and recited the other's promise from that day, word by word, "You said you would stay by my side until everything came to light. That even if the sky came crashing down, you would be there with me."

Bai Xu gave a hum, "Third Young Master has quite a good memory."

"Young Master Bai, you've worked hard these past few months."

The smile in Shang Yanxiao's eyes deepened, and he teased him deliberately, "But what kind of friends-with-benefits, besides the bedroom matters, would also help take care of all of this? Hm?"

"......"

Bai Xu was at a loss for words.

Shang Yanxiao took the opportunity to brush the tip of his nose against his, "A' Xu, how much longer are you going to keep being stubborn?"

Breaths intermingled, the air between them thick with something unspoken.

Bai Xu felt the tips of his ears grow hot, "I have no idea what you're talking about. If you want to do something then hurry up, otherwise I'll... mhm..."

Shang Yanxiao captured his lips and bit down deliberately with some force.

"Hiss."

Bai Xu drew a sharp breath from the sting.

Shang Yanxiao released him promptly, then turned and adjusted the brightness of the bedside lamp, "I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint Young Master Bai tonight. Nothing is happening. I just want to hold you and sleep properly."

"......"

Bai Xu met his gaze, full of barely concealed amusement, and suddenly felt as though he had been toyed with.

He let out a disgruntled hum, yanked more than half the covers to his side, and lay down with his back to Shang Yanxiao, "Who's disappointed?"

Before long, Shang Yanxiao pressed close from behind and wrapped his arms around him, "A' Xu."

Bai Xu sent an elbow back and ignored him, "It's hot, move away."

"Is that so? Weren't you just saying you were cold?" Shang Yanxiao's soft laugh fell at the edge of his ear, leaving a tingling, numbing feeling.

Bai Xu felt a burning heat spread from the side of his ear all the way down to his neck. Before he could think of any way to deal with it, he felt something warm and wet suddenly make contact with the back of his neck.

Shang Yanxiao kissed the small mole at the nape of his neck, his voice dropping lower, "A' Xu, did you know there's a little mole right in the center of the back of your neck? It's a light brownish color. Very beautiful."

As he spoke, that warm, wet sensation pressed back again.

Bai Xu's breath trembled from the sensitivity, "Shang Yanxiao, don't... mhm..."

The kiss turned into a lingering pull. The grip at his waist grew tighter and tighter. Heat spread from the nape of his neck and travelled to every part of him.

Bai Xu tried to hold his breath, but the moment his lips parted, his voice betrayed him without warning, "Mhm."

Shang Yanxiao let out a quiet laugh, "Young Master Bai, what's the matter?"

Bai Xu, no longer able to hold back, turned over and reached back to cup the back of Shang Yanxiao's head, pulling him into a kiss.

Shang Yanxiao seemed to have long grown accustomed to Bai Xu's boldness. He yielded to the desire for control from the person in his arms, lips and breath meeting, heat rising naturally between them.

The two kissed freely for a little while before Shang Yanxiao pulled back slightly, and instead pressed a gentle kiss to the corner of Bai Xu's eye, still faintly damp.

"Young Master Bai, so fierce."

"......"

Bai Xu knew full well it was a deliberate trap, yet he walked into it willingly all the same, "Less talking. Do you want to or not?"

The words had barely fallen before Shang Yanxiao flipped over and pinned him beneath him, love and desire erupting together in his gaze, "Who am I to refuse? Of course I do."

–

TL: Muji

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