Chapter 71 — Exposure
Xie Jing tried to stand up, but Lord Bai Jiu pressed him down, saying, “Just say it like this.”
Xie Jing glanced toward the door, softly calling out, “Master.”
“When you climbed up here yourself, why weren’t you afraid?” Lord Bai Jiu’s hand rested on his side, patting lightly but firmly.
Xie Jing’s body stiffened slightly. He lowered his eyes and quietly recounted everything, in full detail.
He omitted only what he personally knew that didn’t need mentioning, recounting almost exactly what he had told Bai Mingyu before. Many of the numbers could indeed be inferred from small clues, though one or two points were slightly forced. But Xie Jing was utterly certain of them after investigating himself. When telling Lord Bai Jiu, Bai Mingyu’s boldness could cover for any minor exaggerations. Moreover, Bai Mingyu’s temperament had long been that of a risk-taker, always willing to go to extremes.
Lord Bai Jiu listened quietly. He neither nodded nor shook his head, pausing a moment before saying calmly, “You all are bold. There’s no shortage of orders now. Where is the cargo?”
Xie Jing said, “I… discussed with the Second Young Master. He said to learn from you, Lord Bai Jiu. This shipment shouldn’t be kept to ourselves alone. It should be like when you first provided machines to the merchants of Heihe—everyone should share the profit if they have the money.”
Lord Bai Jiu asked, “And what about you?”
Xie Jing replied, “Well… we’ll let everyone brew the wine. Our family can’t supply everything alone. There are so many distilleries in Heihe. Even if not, there are traveling merchants. We can’t just let the money pass by unearned, right?”
Lord Bai Jiu chuckled, “You’re smart—acting as if the money is already in your pocket.” His fingers traced along Xie Jing’s side, gliding slightly under the hem of his clothes.
Xie Jing blinked, his ears turning red, but he remained silent.
Lord Bai Jiu didn’t push further. He merely touched briefly and withdrew, saying, “You’re thinking too simply. The Russians have imposed alcohol bans more than once. If you can see a business opportunity, others certainly can too. Bai Mingyu is competent, has gathered quite a bit of intel. Transport, however, is the hardest part. There are only two river ports. Have you considered which side to take?”
Xie Jing pondered, “From Heihe?” He recalled that the Japanese merchant had done just that.
Lord Bai Jiu twirled a strand of his hair. Xie Jing’s hair was slightly long and soft, obediently winding around his fingers. “Heihe is fine, but if the volume is too large, you can’t take too long.”
“Then we go by land, through Aihu, using carriages and mules, then pass the customs checkpoints…”
“In less than three days, both the vehicles and cargo would be confiscated.”
Xie Jing lowered his head, pressing his forehead against Lord Bai Jiu’s, “I’ll follow your orders.”
Lord Bai Jiu laughed, “No thoughts of doing it your way?”
Xie Jing shook his head, murmuring softly.
Lord Bai Jiu pressed his nose to his, asking again, “Say it again—I didn’t hear clearly.”
Xie Jing nuzzled him and whispered, “I was wrong. I shouldn’t run off. Next time the Second Young Master calls me, I won’t follow recklessly. I wasn’t careful enough. From today on, I’ll follow your lead.”
Lord Bai Jiu, appeased, softened his tone. He didn’t press further and complimented, “You’ve reasoned all this out well. Rest for two days. Tomorrow I’ll have Zhang Huwei and his men take over. I’ll handle the rest.”
Xie Jing agreed and let out a sigh of relief, thinking he had managed to muddle through this time.
Had he handled it himself, they could indeed have made a substantial profit, but he couldn’t explain all the details to Lord Bai Jiu. And ultimately, Lord Bai Jiu’s plan was far more thorough. He remembered the Japanese merchant’s final shipment had suffered some losses—profits had been made, but not without risk.
Now that Lord Bai Jiu was in Heihe, entrusting everything to him put Xie Jing at ease.
Just as he was thinking this, he was suddenly lifted up. Startled, he tried to dodge, but his waist was held firmly. He could only hook his legs around and wrap his arms around Lord Bai Jiu’s neck, bewildered: “Master?”
Lord Bai Jiu had only intended to lift him and put him down. But as soon as he stood, Xie Jing clung to him like ivy on a tree, looking completely helpless. His black eyes reflected only Lord Bai Jiu—just him, alone.
Lord Bai Jiu looked at him a moment, unwilling to let go, and carried him to the bed.
Xie Jing’s room had a wooden bed. Though there was a stove, it hadn’t been lit yet; the bedding was slightly cold.
Xie Jing watched Lord Bai Jiu sit on the edge of the bed, removing his cloak and boots. He made room, tilting his head: “Master, you’re not going back to the small building to rest? It’s cold here; the floor heating isn’t on.” Lord Bai Jiu had a separate small building in the business hall, with glazed windows and floor heating, normally unused and off-limits to others.
Lord Bai Jiu replied, “Not going. I’ll sleep here.”
When Lord Bai Jiu lay down, Xie Jing wrapped them both in a thick quilt, instinctively snuggling closer to warm him.
Unexpectedly, Lord Bai Jiu didn’t feel as cold as usual. Xie Jing’s arms circled his chest and abdomen, pressing closer while gently urging, “Master, we’ll move over tomorrow. I’ll tell them to light the floor heating. In a couple of days it’ll be colder. Your things are all the same as before, just change the rug…”
Lord Bai Jiu’s hand brushed over his arm, asking, “Have you checked?”
Xie Jing replied, “Yes, I went as soon as I arrived.”
His answer was natural, without pride, as if it were a routine task.
Lord Bai Jiu, in a good mood, wrapped him in an embrace, their breaths mingling. In a low voice he said, “Sleep. We’ll move tomorrow.”
The events at the hot spring pool were mutually understood. Lord Bai Jiu didn’t bring them up, and Xie Jing, pretending ignorance, cautiously tested boundaries. He felt Lord Bai Jiu’s care, different from anything before.
In the past, sitting on Lord Bai Jiu’s lap would have led to more. Now, Lord Bai Jiu only touched him briefly, nose brushing gently—restraint unlike before. Embarrassed, Xie Jing hid half his face under the quilt, closing his eyes to block the thoughts.
Not yet. Not for now.
Lord Bai Jiu, exhausted from travel, finally relaxed once holding him, drifting off to sleep.
Xie Jing took longer to fall asleep, unconsciously tugging at Lord Bai Jiu’s inner robe in his dreams. Later, when it got warm, he tried to turn but was held from behind, rubbing a few times before finding a more comfortable position.
Morning came. Xie Jing felt the chill—not from the quilt, but the frosty air. Yet he himself was warm, his breath forming a slight mist.
He moved slightly, and the person embracing him from behind slowly woke, unchanged in posture, whispering, “What time is it?”
Xie Jing pulled a pocket watch from under the pillow: “Chen hour (7AM-9AM), Master. Looks like it snowed outside.”
Lord Bai Jiu hummed, still resting his head against Xie Jing’s neck, rubbing: “Mm… all night.”
Xie Jing laughed softly: “How do you know?”
“Cold.”
Lord Bai Jiu hated cold.
Xie Jing got up, helped him change, adding a layer of fur vest for warmth.
Outside, Zhang Huwei and the others were already waiting. Lord Bai Jiu descended calmly, Xie Jing following. Glancing at the snow on the ground, it had accumulated just past boot height, confirming it had snowed all night.
Bai Mingzhe, head of the Bai family business, was already waiting. Seeing Lord Bai Jiu, he joyfully greeted him: “Master, we heard of your arrival late last night. You rested, so we didn’t disturb you. I’ve prepared some of your favorite breakfast dishes in the small hall—shall we start with that?”
Lord Bai Jiu nodded. Bai Mingzhe had Zhang Huwei and the others settled in the small building and personally led Lord Bai Jiu to breakfast.
Few people were in the small hall. Bai Mingzhe served the last dishes of porridge, dismissing others.
Xie Jing stood behind attending. Just as he was about to step back, Lord Bai Jiu said, “Jing’er isn’t an outsider. Sit down.”
Bai Mingzhe smiled: “Of course. Thanks to little Xie for managing messages these past days. Otherwise, we’d be lost. Little Xie, sit; I need to report to Lord Bai Jiu. You can listen too, and if something’s not done well, point it out.”
Xie Jing: “…”
Lord Bai Jiu glanced at him, lips curving slightly, then back down, saying calmly, “So, sit and listen.”
Xie Jing neither left nor moved, sweat forming on his forehead under Lord Bai Jiu’s gaze, forced to sit through the briefing. He couldn’t eat, squirming in tension.
He wished he could switch places with Bai Mingyu.
It would have been easier selling wine to the Russians than enduring this business hall ordeal.
Once Bai Mingzhe finished, Xie Jing sat still, ignoring everything. His plans had been fully exposed.
Lord Bai Jiu leisurely finished a bowl of porridge, wiped his lips, and didn’t publicly scold the little trickster. He instructed Bai Mingzhe: “Jing’er already told me last night; mostly correct, though a bit slow. Once the Russian alcohol ban hits, any route is difficult. From today, acquire all liquor on the market.”
Bai Mingzhe agreed, then asked, “All of it?”
Lord Bai Jiu nodded: “Yes. Take it to the factory, purify it, produce high-proof liquor. Containers can be porcelain jars, iron pots—prepare plenty.” He tapped the table thoughtfully, then continued: “Use the river route via the Amur, to Gangshika Town. Sparse population, wide land. Hire locals to build distilleries and reblend.”
Bai Mingzhe’s eyes lit up: “Yes! That reduces costs. Just transport across the river and rebottle. Ships won’t need constant trips. I’ll do as you say immediately!” He hurried off, excitement on his face.
After they left, Lord Bai Jiu looked at Xie Jing.
Xie Jing’s face was hot; he stayed put, letting Lord Bai Jiu handle him.
Lord Bai Jiu flicked his forehead lightly, smiling: “Still acting under my flag?”
Xie Jing didn’t dodge, getting flicked twice before looking up, then quickly lowering his head, muttering: “Second Young Master said only you are effective here. We didn’t intend to hide anything. Once we make a profit, we’ll return for your punishment.”
“What punishment? Bai Mingyu is reckless; you dared follow too.”
Lord Bai Jiu laughed at him, sipping tea slowly: “Bai Mingyu isn’t precise. Much of this is your patchwork, right? Doing this well is already rare. Keep monitoring, follow the plan. Only one rule: return before dark to report to me.”
Xie Jing agreed, sneaking off.
A few steps later, he returned, peeking from the hall doorway: “Master, I saw a distinguished guest in the past two days—” His face flushed. After thinking, he added: “She told me not to inform anyone here. She’ll come to the business in a few days. You should be ready.”
Lord Bai Jiu asked, “Who?”
Xie Jing spelled with his mouth “Old Madam,” then pointed toward the northeast hotel, and dashed away.
Lord Bai Jiu sat for a moment, stunned, then shook his head, smiling: “I wondered why I couldn’t see her the day of departure—so she still came to Heihe.”
