DASFAM_79

"……"

Shang Yanxiao just quietly stared at Bai Xu like this, seemingly still immersed in that confession and unable to come back to his senses, yet the nervousness hidden beneath his brows and eyes was slowly easing.

Bai Xu had never said such heartfelt words to anyone else before, and after saying them, he felt a little uncomfortable.

He only felt as if he were about to drown in Shang Yanxiao's eyes, and the hands circling the other's arms subtly pulled back a little, "Y-you, have you looked enough?"

Shang Yanxiao laughed out loud, "What did you just say? Say it again."

Bai Xu only felt the ski jacket on his body growing thicker and hotter, "It's so hot. I said, have you looked enough?"

Shang Yanxiao leaned in closer, the smile in his voice completely unconcealed, "Young Master Bai, stop playing dumb. That's not the line I want you to repeat."

"……"

Bai Xu hummed and deliberately refused to give him what he wanted, "Some words I only say once. If you didn't hear them clearly, then forget it. I— Mmph!"

Shang Yanxiao kissed him, sealing off his stubborn comeback.

Unlike their usual passionate and tangled tongue kisses, this one was gentle and unhurried, filled with tender affection. It silently made its way into Bai Xu's heart, smoothing out the last trace of his lingering panic.

His heartbeat once again grew fierce.

Bai Xu had once felt that he was nothing more than a wandering soul who had drifted in from the real world, with no sense of belonging whatsoever in this 'fictional' world.

But now, he felt that his heart was no longer suspended in midair. Instead, it was firmly and steadily cradled in a warm embrace.

The two pairs of lips gently pulled apart.

Bai Xu gazed at the face before him, one he knew better than anything else, and his heart stirred even more, "Yanxiao."

Shang Yanxiao met his gaze, "Hm?"

Bai Xu steadied the thousand thoughts swirling inside him, and let them all condense into one single line, "I like you."

Shang Yanxiao caught his emotions with a soft smile, "I know. I've always been able to feel it. A' Xu—"

"I like you too, but it's not just liking."

What could be more intense, deeper, and heavier than liking? Naturally, it could only be love.

Bai Xu let out an amused hum and bit his lip, "Hm~ Third Young Master is good-looking, so of course his sweet nothings sound nicer."

"Likewise."

Shang Yanxiao kissed him again, no longer holding back.

The two of them passionately exchanged each other's most familiar breath, the warm and humid heat stirring up a tingling sensation. Just as the atmosphere was gradually growing heated and spiraling out of control—

Bai Xu's brow suddenly creased hard, nearly biting Shang Yanxiao's tongue, "Hiss."

"……"

Shang Yanxiao froze for a moment, and upon catching the pained expression on his face, immediately understood, "Your foot hurts a lot now?"

"It's, it's a little."

Bai Xu's breathing was unsteady, but he was too embarrassed to say it—

He had gotten a little too carried away with the kiss just now, and his legs had moved without thinking. As a result, his swollen right foot had probably knocked against the coffee table, jolting the swollen area.

Shang Yanxiao felt somewhat vexed at his own lack of attention, "I'll have the hotel front desk bring an ice pack and some anti-swelling medicine. Actually, forget it, let's just go straight to the hospital and get an X-ray."

"Hey, wait!"

Bai Xu called out to stop him, "I just need a moment for the pain to ease up, it's not serious. Besides, I worked up a sweat today, so I want to shower first before applying the medicine. Otherwise it won't be convenient to shower after."

Shang Yanxiao's brow furrowed slightly, "Your foot is badly swollen. We can't keep putting it off."

"I know, I'll just rinse off quickly and change clothes, it won't take long. Besides, it'll take some time for the hotel front desk to send the medicine up, right?"

Bai Xu knew that Shang Yanxiao was worried about him, but he genuinely felt uncomfortably hot. Seeing that the other still hadn't relented, he hooked their little fingers together and gave it a little shake, "Third Young Master, are you going to agree or not?"

Shang Yanxiao gave in, "Fine. It's rare to see you act cute."

Bai Xu's smile instantly dropped, "...Don't talk nonsense. Who was acting cute?"

The smile shifted over to Shang Yanxiao's face, "Alright, I'll keep you company while you shower first, then we'll apply the medicine and rest after."

"You don't need to keep me company in the shower, do you?"

"I'm afraid you might lose your balance and fall again. Besides, what haven't we seen of each other by now?"

"Shang Yanxiao! Shut up!"

"Embarrassed? We're a real couple now. Anything goes."

...

The two of them took a quick hot shower, after which Shang Yanxiao personally applied the medicine for Bai Xu.

"Done."

Shang Yanxiao put the medicine back into the first aid kit, not forgetting to check on Bai Xu, "Check on your right foot again in a few hours. If the swelling hasn't gone down much, we'll make a trip to the hospital."

"Are you tired? Do you want to sleep for a bit?"

Bai Xu's tightly wound nerves finally loosened completely. He was indeed exhausted, "Mm, let's sleep for a bit. Remember to let Changning know that I won't be going out for dinner tonight."

"Alright."

Bai Xu shifted his body and lay down on the bed, still remembering to give careful instructions, "Oh right, also send a message to Queyan and the others to let them know we're safe. The news of the avalanche might not travel back home so quickly, but just in case, don't let them worry back in the country."

"Mm, I know."

Shang Yanxiao washed the smell of medicine off his hands and turned back, remembering to pick up a soft cushion to slightly elevate Bai Xu's right foot.

Only after doing all of this did he lie down beside Bai Xu, "Get some sleep. Once you wake up I'll call the hotel's room service. We won't be going out today."

"Okay."

Bai Xu unconsciously shifted closer to Shang Yanxiao's side, closed his eyes in peace, and let himself rest. The outing had drained quite a bit of energy, and drowsiness came quickly—

Bai Xu felt as though he had suddenly arrived at the mid-slope of a snow mountain, with nothing but a vast expanse of white stretching before his eyes. He hesitantly stared at the ski poles in his hands, lost in a daze.

Before he could even react, Shang Yanxiao had already shot past him, "A' Xu, keep up!"

"……"

Bai Xu stood frozen, and then suddenly heard the familiar rumbling of the mountain. Immediately after, massive sheets of snow came crashing and rolling down from above, like a great white dragon roaring across the mountain ridge.

Bai Xu chased after Shang Yanxiao's figure with every ounce of strength he had, desperately opening his mouth, yet not a single word came out.

The avalanche, vast as a collapsing mountain, swept over them, not only knocking him down without mercy but also completely swallowing Shang Yanxiao's figure whole.

"……"

When he opened his eyes again, everything around him had once more turned into a blanket of white.

Bai Xu looked around uncertainly, "Yanxiao?"

Suddenly, he caught sight of a small protrusion sticking out of the snow not far away. It was the tip of a ski pole.

On instinct alone, Bai Xu was certain it was Shang Yanxiao's ski pole. His heart skipped a beat, and he was almost about to break into a run.

But in the very next second, an unbearable surge of sharp pain shot through his right foot, sending him tumbling clumsily to the ground.

Bai Xu gritted his teeth against the pain and half-ran, half-stumbled toward that mound of snow. The moment his hands began digging downward, just two scoops in, he found Shang Yanxiao's hand.

"Yanxiao!"

"Shang Yanxiao!"

Bai Xu dug frantically at the snow with both hands while calling out with every ounce of strength he had, a name that received no answer.

He didn't know how long he had been digging. His hands felt as though they had long since gone numb from the cold, yet the mound of snow seemed as if it would never reach an end no matter how much he dug.

"Shang Yanxiao!"

"Stop calling out. No matter how much you call for him, something will still happen to him!"

"...Who's there?"

"Have you forgotten how the book ends? Even if he manages to escape by luck this time, it won't be long before he still meets an untimely death!"

"...You're lying!"

"Whether I'm lying or not, you know it in your own heart! Not only did you fail to pull away in time, you even stayed with the Shang family for his sake. That was a terrible mistake!"

"No, it's not like that! It's different... it won't be like that..."

Bai Xu felt as though every last bit of strength had been drained from his body. The snow around him seemed to take on a life of its own, slowly rolling and compressing, trapping him in its cold embrace, unable to move.

"A' Xu? A' Xu! Wake up!"

"...Ah!"

Bai Xu's eyes flew open. A knot of suffocating dread was lodged in his chest, pressing down so hard he could barely breathe.

Shang Yanxiao noticed his ashen face and was gripped with alarm, "What's wrong? Did you have a nightmare? It's okay, I'm right here. It's all okay now."

"……"

Only after confirming that everything before him was not a dream did Bai Xu let out a hard swallow, "I, I had a dream. I dreamed you were buried in the snow, and no matter how much I dug, I couldn't get you out."

His breathing was trembling and unsteady, clearly not yet fully free from the shadow of the nightmare.

Shang Yanxiao pulled him close with aching tenderness, "It's okay. It was just a dream. I'm perfectly fine. Don't be afraid."

Bai Xu closed his eyes briefly and couldn't help but reach out to clutch Shang Yanxiao's clothes tightly, "...Shang Yanxiao, you can't let anything happen to you."

Shang Yanxiao pressed a kiss to his hair, "Nothing will happen to me."

It took Bai Xu quite a while before he finally relaxed.

He looked back at Shang Yanxiao, who was right there beside him, and hesitated, "Yanxiao, there's actually something I haven't told you. But I don't know how to say it right now."

Whether it was about how he had transmigrated here from another world, or about the 'predetermined' ending that awaited everyone in the book, these things would all seem far too absurd and strange to any ordinary person.

Shang Yanxiao patted his back gently, "Then tell me when you're ready, when you know how to say it."

Bai Xu's voice was a little dry and hoarse, "Aren't you curious?"

Shang Yanxiao answered honestly, "I am, but I'm not in a rush."

He nuzzled the tip of Bai Xu's nose and patiently coaxed him in the gentlest of voices, "Nothing will happen to me. I'll be right here with you. We have all the time in the world."

"Okay."

"Since you're already awake, don't go back to sleep just yet. Are you hungry? Should I have the restaurant send dinner up?"

"Mm, I'm a bit hungry."

Just as he finished speaking, the doorbell rang from outside.

Bai Xu listened carefully to make sure he hadn't misheard, "Someone's ringing the doorbell?"

"Mm, maybe it's Changxu and the others?" Shang Yanxiao wasn't sure either, but he got up first all the same, "I'll go check. Wait here."

Bai Xu nodded.

Shang Yanxiao stepped out of the room and opened the villa door, and sure enough came face to face with the two Zhang brothers.

"Ta-da!"

Zhang Changning bounced on his heels and held up the two bags of food in his hands, "Third Brother, we're here to have dinner with you and Bai Xu! Surprised?"

Shang Yanxiao smiled and glanced at Zhang Changxu behind him.

Zhang Changxu was also carrying two large bags of food along with drinks, and shook his head with a mix of helplessness and indulgence, "This kid has loved having a crowd around him since he was little. He simply can't sit still. He absolutely insisted on packing food from that century-old restaurant to share with your Bai Xu."

"Hmph, what do you know, Second Brother?" Zhang Changning glanced back at Zhang Changxu, then squeezed past Shang Yanxiao and made his way inside.

"This restaurant is closed every Monday. We won't be able to get it tomorrow night."

No sooner had he finished speaking than Bai Xu emerged from the guest room downstairs.

Zhang Changning caught sight of his slow, limping gait and immediately tensed up, "Bai Xu, what happened to your foot?!"

He asked and then it clicked, "Was it when you lost your footing at the rest stop and twisted it?"

Bai Xu answered, "Mm, but I've already put medicine on it. The swelling has gone down a bit. It's nothing serious."

Zhang Changning set the food down wherever his hands found and stepped closer to help steady him, "Don't push yourself, okay? If it's still bothering you, let my Second Brother take a look."

"……"

Zhang Changxu was helpless, "Your brother is a neurosurgeon, not an orthopedist."

Zhang Changning let out a small sound, "Oh."

Bai Xu couldn't hold back a laugh, "What did you all buy? It smells so good."

Shang Yanxiao helped pick up the takeout bags from the floor, "Changning and the others packed it from that century-old restaurant. Said they specially wanted you to try it."

"Bai Xu, you have to try it! Their roasted lamb leg is absolutely incredible! Every time Queyan and I come here, we can finish several of them!"

The four of them gathered around the dining table, the food they had brought back spread out in a full spread across it.

Zhang Changning put on his gloves and stared eagerly at Zhang Changxu, who was cutting the lamb leg with a small knife, "Brother, hurry up!"

As he said this, he impatiently reached out wanting to tear into it himself.

"It's hot!"

Zhang Changxu stopped him just in time, "Sit properly. I'll get it for you."

Zhang Changning was called to a halt and obediently pulled his hands back, though he couldn't help muttering, "Then at least go faster."

Shang Yanxiao cut off a piece first and handed it to Bai Xu, "Try it. This place really does taste good."

"Okay," Bai Xu took a bite of the charcoal-grilled lamb. The flavor was surprisingly good, "Mm, it's quite tasty."

Zhang Changning had started eating too, and mumbled in agreement, "The food I vouch for is never bad."

Zhang Changxu kept stuffing more lamb into his mouth, "Sure, you've got a picky palate. Expensive to feed."

Shang Yanxiao was in quite a good mood today and even joined in on the teasing, "Queyan has eaten everything since he was little. You, on the other hand, hardly like anything."

Bai Xu smiled along, "Mm, I can imagine."

"……"

Zhang Changning 'ferociously' chewed on the lamb in his mouth, and only after swallowing did he change the subject, "Bai Xu, how many more days are you two planning to stay?"

"My Second Brother has fewer days off and is flying back the day after tomorrow. I, on the other hand, have plenty of time," Zhang Changning still hadn't had his fill of fun, "If you two aren't in a rush, I'll tag along and stay a few more days with you!"

"……"

The couple was out here on a vacation. What was he doing trying to squeeze in?

Zhang Changxu caught sight of his younger brother's oblivious expression and stepped in to put a stop to it, "Come back with me to celebrate the New Year. Stop causing trouble."

Bai Xu replied, "We actually also booked flights for the day after tomorrow."

Shang Yanxiao nodded, "This trip was a last-minute arrangement to begin with. We need to get back before New Year's Eve. A lot has happened at home recently, and Grandfather's health still hasn't fully recovered."

Zhang Changning nodded in understanding, "That makes sense. Once we're back in the country, I'll make time to visit Grandfather Shang too."

Zhang Changxu had some knowledge of the recent internal strife within the Shang family. He looked over at his old friend, "What's the situation on Shang Qishun's end now?"

Shang Yanxiao and Bai Xu exchanged a glance, "Probably regrouping and waiting for the right moment to strike. But the police are currently investigating the car accident case, so Shang Qishun won't be pulling any strings or making underhanded moves for the time being."

Bai Xu chimed in to add, "My guess is that after the New Year he'll start making moves in certain business areas."

Zhang Changxu nodded thoughtfully, "I don't have much involvement in business matters, but if there's anything the Zhang family can help with, the two of you just need to say the word."

The Zhang family was also in business, and their eldest brother Zhang Changfeng was likewise a well-known figure in the business world.

Shang Yanxiao accepted his old friend's goodwill, "Alright."

Zhang Changning stuffed a few more pieces of lamb into his mouth on his own, and only then contentedly took off his gloves for the time being.

"Okay, okay, don't talk about all this while we're eating. It kills the appetite!" He looked over at Bai Xu, feeling it was necessary to show off his skills, "Bai Xu, let me mix you a special cocktail!"

With that, he took out the various drinks and beverages he had carefully purchased.

Bai Xu was surprised, "You know how to do that?"

Zhang Changning boasted and let it slip, "Of course! After all these years of going to bars and drinking so much, it just came naturally!"

The moment he finished speaking, he caught Zhang Changxu's warning look.

Zhang Changning sheepishly shrank back and turned a pleading look toward Bai Xu, "What I meant was, mixology is also an art form worth appreciating. Isn't that right?"

Bai Xu played right along and nodded cooperatively, "Mm, please go ahead, Great Artist Ning!"

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