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Eastern Small Town • Imperial Palace Restaurant
Fang Ming and Xia Yu sat together, reading the newspaper while enjoying their morning tea and dim sum. This teahouse, located near the site of the former Sacred Mother Elementary School, had stood for over fifty years in this impoverished neighborhood—a beloved local establishment. Fang Ming and Xia Yu grew up here as neighbors, and this restaurant was a cherished part of their shared childhood memories.
As children from poor families, pleasures were few and far between. To savor a few baskets of dim sum here was already a rare treat.
Xia Yu’s parents passed away when she was young, leaving only her aunt as her sole relative. In recent years, Xia Yu would return to the town every other year to visit her aunt. Every time she came back, she would sit here and enjoy her childhood favorites: tofu pudding and glutinous rice rolls.
Fang Ming only learned of Xia Yu’s habit after marrying her. Over the years, he too occasionally returned to reminisce, but somehow, he and Xia Yu never ran into each other at this place, making him marvel at the mysterious ways of fate—when and where people part and meet again seemed somehow predetermined.
This year, Fang Ming accompanied Xia Yu on her visit. Their pregnant daughter-in-law, Yin Mei, was being cared for in San Francisco by her mother and aunt, who had flown in from the small town for the time being.
Since it was a rare visit, the couple took their time, wandering around the town to ease their homesickness. It had been nearly a month now.
During this period, the topic people discussed most was the Bai family.
From the Bai Group’s troubled situation, to scandals involving their three sons, and even Bai Lao’s own romantic scandals—all were hot topics in town. The media, like a pack of bloodthirsty sharks, relentlessly hyped negative news about the Bai family, seemingly intent on biting away every last shred of their prestigious aura.
Xia Yu flipped open the newspaper to find several eye-catching headlines: the international section screamed, “Multiple Governments Concerned Over Security Risks: Bai Group’s Overseas Acquisitions Fail Repeatedly, Stock Plunges 30% in Two Days.” The local news read, “Current Government Fears Bai Monopoly Over Local Economy, Withdraws Years of Preferential Policies,” and “Lawmakers Condemn Bai Economic Hegemony, Call for Anti-Monopoly Investigation.” Turning to the features, there was even a column titled, “Bai Shikun’s Fate Reversed? All Three Sons in Trouble, Noble Family’s Aura Cracking,” accompanied by a lengthy essay.
Reading this, Xia Yu couldn’t help but frown with a sigh. “Sigh, who would have thought the deeply rooted Bai family would ever fall into such disgrace?”
Fang Ming, about to pop a siu mai into his mouth, sneered, “Serves them right.” He handed Xia Yu the local news section he was reading. “Look here: ‘Domestic Violence by Eldest Son, Sued for Divorce by Wife over Affair; Second Son’s Medical Research Plagued by Fraud Scandal; Third Son’s Investment Firm Near Bankruptcy.’ Hmph, I think that old man is immoral and failed to raise his sons properly.”
Perhaps because of Wang Rong’s death, Fang Ming held a strong prejudice against Bai Shikun.
Xia Yu knew this was Fang Ming’s sense of justice at play and could only shake her head with a wry smile. “There are two sides to everything. As a century-old local family, the Bais have always supported science and education, making considerable contributions to the economy and society. Just look around here—the Bai Group’s redevelopment has improved the city’s environment and public safety in recent years.”
Fang Ming rolled his eyes in disagreement. “Sure, but it’s nothing like the place I remember! The Bai Group tore down even the historic Sacred Mother buildings to build another cookie-cutter mall. I fear that in a few years, even this neighborhood restaurant will vanish!”
Xia Yu was left speechless. Although she was glad that her hometown had become cleaner and safer, the familiar warmth and vibrant energy of ordinary people had faded. All she could do was sigh, unable to resolve her inner conflict.
As Fang Ming sipped his tea and browsed the entertainment section, his gaze suddenly froze on a sensational headline: “Bai Shikun Secretly Marries Mysterious Young Woman in Casino, Insider Confirms,” with a crueler subtitle: “Ominous Beauty? Unlucky Girl Drags Down Bai Family’s Fortune?” The page was dominated by a large, candid photo.
Though blurry, the photo showed Bai Shikun—over seventy, still tall and imposing with silver hair—accompanied by a petite, graceful girl no older than eighteen. The two appeared close.
Fang Ming was stunned. The girl’s ethereal beauty surpassed even Xia Yu’s youthful looks. More importantly, she gave him an uncanny sense of familiarity.
“Heavens! How could it be her?” Fang Ming’s exclamation startled Xia Yu.
Before she could react, her husband pointed at the girl in the photo and said gravely, “Yu, remember the strange dream I told you about?”
Xia Yu was taken aback, then replied solemnly, “How could I forget? In your dream, Wang Rong transformed into someone else to seduce you. When she chased you, you turned around and raised the Guanyin jade pendant, and she revealed her true form—a demon with a half-rotted body and horns on her head. She turned into blood mist in white light, and you woke up!”
She remembered that morning, waking up in her husband’s arms as he recounted the terrifying nightmare—a memory that still gave her chills.
“Yes, and I told you, in the dream, a girl was singing on stage. I kept feeling I’d seen her somewhere before…” Staring at the candid photo, Fang Ming suppressed his shock. Pointing at the girl, he said slowly, “That girl in my dream—it was her, no mistake!”
Bai Group Tower • Executive Conference Room
The conference room door slammed shut as Bai Shikun and his eldest son, Bai Shaozu, exited. They had just finished a board meeting, and their grim faces showed it had not gone well.
The two walked in silence, their heavy footsteps echoing down the empty corridor. One side featured a row of floor-to-ceiling windows, but even at noon, smog caused by air pollution shrouded the city. Bai Shikun gazed across the harbor—skyscrapers on the far shore were barely visible, the entire city trapped in a thick, yellowish haze.
“Hey, this weather is even worse than a storm,” Bai Shikun suddenly remarked.
Shaozu noticed his father’s indifference to the board’s grilling and grew worried. “Father, the overseas acquisitions keep running into trouble, and the current government is openly hostile and targeting us. What should we…”
They reached the elevator. Bai Shikun waved a hand. “All our acquisitions were carefully planned and serve the long-term interests of the company. In my decades of business, at home and abroad, I’ve always stayed within the law. But times change, and there’s nothing we can do about it. If they want to nitpick, our worry does no good.”
Though in a foul mood, Bai Shikun quickly regained his composure, much calmer than his son. “Since the situation is unfavorable, our priority is to ensure cash flow, scale back investments, and adjust the group’s assets quickly to maintain stability.”
In the elevator, Bai Shikun’s face softened as he spoke to his son.
Shaozu could only mutter in agreement.
He knew his father’s plan was wise, but… he couldn’t shake the feeling that his father, who had always cared so deeply about the family legacy, now seemed oddly unconcerned.
Shaozu had worked alongside his father ever since graduating from university. Bai Shikun took the family business seriously, leading with unmatched drive and attention to detail, transforming the Bai Group from a local company into a major multinational.
But now…
Could it really be because of that girl?
Shaozu followed Bai Shikun back to the CEO’s office, where they found the youngest son, Shaohua, sprawled on the sofa, feet up on the coffee table, arms behind his head, the picture of casual insolence.
Bai Shikun’s silver brows furrowed at the sight, his mood souring again.
Noticing their return, Shaohua immediately jumped up and approached, smiling fawningly. “Father, you’re back. You know, my company’s had a few issues, but if you could help and invest, I’m sure I can pull through!”
As he spoke, Bai Shikun had seated himself. Shaozu glanced at Shaohua and stepped aside, ready to let their father “lecture” his brother.
Sure enough, Bai Shikun stared coldly at his youngest son. “Shaohua, I was followed and photographed in the casino, and those rumors about Long’er—was that your doing? I didn’t come looking for you, but you dare come see me and ask for money?”
Shaohua’s face stiffened, but he tried to protest, “Father, what are you talking about…? It wasn’t me…”
But Bai Shikun’s icy gaze silenced him.
“Shaohua, if you keep denying it, you insult my intelligence.” Bai Shikun’s voice was gentle but utterly devoid of warmth, sending a chill down Shaohua’s spine. Even Shaozu, uninvolved, was unnerved.
To the three sons, Bai Shikun was never just a father, but the embodiment of supreme authority. They all knew that when he spoke in that gentle, cold voice, he was truly furious.
“Yes… it was me… but I was doing it for your own good, for the family’s good! Those rumors are all true—she really is unlucky, bringing death to her parents and grandmother. Father, think about it—all our troubles started after you married her…” Shaohua’s voice trembled as he spoke, determined to get it out.
But when he saw his father’s furious glare, he stuttered and fell silent.
“We may not be superstitious, but that girl’s background isn’t simple! Dad, we’re just worried about you…” Shaozu, seeing Shaohua’s pitiful state, interjected cautiously.
Bai Shikun turned to his eldest son. Though his gaze was not harsh, Shaozu quickly fell silent.
Shaozu, always steady, had carefully observed his father’s changes over the past six months. While Bai Shikun’s silver hair and spirited face remained, his temperament had become more unfathomable. Stranger still, the old man now exuded a mysterious, powerful aura.
Shaozu didn’t understand it, but he was sure it was connected to the girl.
Bai Shikun was silent for a while, then stood, eyes blazing. “Shaozu, I know you still care about your father. But understand this—my whole life, I have never believed in fate or spirits, and will never blame a woman for adversity. She is my wife now, and that’s an unchangeable fact. No one can influence my decisions.”
He walked past Shaohua, looking down at him, and—rarely—spoke earnestly. “Shaohua, your second brother isn’t cut out for business, and you have no interest in the family enterprise. Years ago, I gave you billions to start your own business, and you promised never to ask the family for another cent.”
Confused by this sudden warmth, Shaohua could only watch as Bai Shikun patted his shoulder. “Now, if you’re a man, keep your word.”
With that, Bai Shikun straightened and left the office without looking back.
The office door slammed shut, leaving the two brothers speechless.
Rejected by their father, Shaohua slumped on the sofa in despair. Shaozu broke the silence, scolding him.
“Shaohua, you’ve gone too far. We’re surrounded by crises, with so many waiting to see us fall. As a Bai, how could you make things worse now?”
Shaohua knew he was wrong but refused to admit it out loud—stubborn and argumentative by nature.
“Big brother, if you don’t want people to know, don’t do it. If I hadn’t leaked Dad’s story, someone else would have!”
Shaozu rolled his eyes. “I only lost my way in love, yet I’m branded a wife-beater. Do your media friends care about the facts?”
Sitting beside his brother, Shaozu felt exhausted. Head in hands, he sighed, “Great, now the three of us are a mess—one’s an adulterer and abuser, one’s faked research, one’s facing bankruptcy, and we have a father chasing much younger women. We’re the perfect cautionary tale.”
Shaohua leapt up, agitated. “You still don’t get it? Our real crisis is not public embarrassment, but that dangerous, mysterious woman by Dad’s side!”
“You mean Long’er? Of course, I can see she means more to Dad than Wang Rong ever did. But she’s just a seventeen or eighteen-year-old girl—what trouble could she cause?”
Shaozu couldn’t understand his brother’s obsession with the girl, given their current predicament.
Shaohua, now calm, grew uncharacteristically serious. “I had my people investigate her thoroughly. Guess what I found?”
“What did you find?” Shaozu asked.
“I found… nothing. Her father—unknown. Her mother died in childbirth at sixteen. Her grandmother, under forty, died in a car accident just two years later.”
“That’s… really strange,” Shaozu said, chilled by Long’er’s background.
Shaohua shook his head and walked to the window, staring out at the smog-covered harbor. “After her grandmother died, she was taken in by a small orphanage run by the Sacred Mother Society. As soon as she left, the orphanage became a daycare. I tried to check her past through old orphanage records, but they were all gone.”
Shaozu sat up straight, eyes narrowing. “So, now only she herself can verify her past?”
He realized the seriousness of the situation.
“Longer was introduced to Dad by a modeling agency boss. She approached the agency herself, and the boss, amazed by her beauty, signed her on immediately. But before she’d even shot a magazine spread, she was introduced to Dad, who fell for her at once. All within a month.”
“Since then, she’s stayed by his side.”
Shaozu added, “She has no relatives, no friends, no social circle. No one else can verify her past or origin. Then…” He shivered, unable to continue.
“This girl named Long’er seems to have never existed in society—like she appeared out of nowhere just to get close to Dad, right?” Shaohua said, enunciating each word. Thinking about how the Bai family’s troubles had all started since Dad married her, the brothers fell silent, gazing out at the thick, yellow haze.
End of Episode 4
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Episode 4: Undercurrents
Original work by Jing Xixian (Vampire L), all rights reserved. Without my written permission, please do not reproduce, reprint, adapt, repost, translate, or use for commercial purposes in any form.
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