Chapter 410: Ye Tao’s Changes Over the Years

Evening.

The Golden Splendor.

Once, this was the most famous high-end club in Songshan. It had outshined countless five-star hotels in its prime.

Because it was Ye Tao’s business.

When the Ye family moved away from Songshan, Ye Tao unceremoniously shut down this cash cow, although someone would still clean it every month.

Because in Ye Tao’s words:

“The Golden Splendor was something I created with my own hands. It thrived because of me.

Now that I’ve left, what’s the point of keeping it open? Can it still be called Golden Splendor without me?” But today, the long-shut doors of the Golden Splendor opened once again, because Ye Tao had returned.

In an instant, the entrance of the Golden Splendor regained its former glory as luxury cars lined up.

Well-dressed young men, dashing and full of charm, entered in groups of two or three, or with elegantly dressed female companions.

As if the years of closure at the Golden Splendor were just an illusion.

“Young Master Ye, welcome back to Songshan.”

“Young Master Ye, long time no see. You’re looking more handsome than ever.”

“Young Master Ye, we, the brothers who used to follow you, still remember you.”

The first thing everyone did after entering was greet Ye Tao enthusiastically, whether sincerely or just for show.

Ye Tao smiled and nodded at the crowd. It was obvious he enjoyed this familiar feeling.

Perhaps, since leaving Songshan, he hadn’t received such treatment in a long time. Once the protagonist greeted by all, he’d gradually become a supporting character who had to greet others first.

“You have strong influence in Songshan,” Ye Yang commented casually while holding a glass of wine.

Ye Tao smiled and humbly replied, “Songshan is just a small place. In Yijing, I still look up to you for care.”

Any city in Longguo with ‘Jing’ in its name holds unparalleled economic and political importance.

For example, Yanjing, Jingcheng, and Yijing. These three cities hold the utmost importance in Longguo. Jingcheng is the Capital, while Yanjing and Yijing are considered secondary capitals.

So, although the Ye family was once prominent in Songshan, after moving to Yijing, they quickly became just another family among many.

Someone of Ye Tao’s status might have been a leader in Songshan, but in Yijing, he could only serve as a sidekick to someone like Ye Yang.

They met during their studies abroad. Their relationship was lukewarm at best, never really close. After all, unequal relationships rarely excel.

Ye Yang merely smiled lightly at Ye Tao’s flattery, not taking it to heart.

As his status rose, more and more people flattered him. He realized that true strength was what mattered most.

So, he had to strive harder, clinging tightly to Xu Shaochen’s leg, to reach the pinnacle of life.

“Ye Shao, Tang Siyu is here. That guy next to him is Huang Wenqiang, the son of the current top official.”

Suddenly, Ma Chengwu approached Ye Tao and whispered.

Ye Tao and Ye Yang simultaneously looked towards the door.

They saw Tang Siyu and Huang Wenqiang, both wearing black suits, smiling as they walked over.

On their way inside, several people greeted them and exchanged a few words.

“Young Master Ye, long time no see! I’ve missed you!”

Tang Siyu quickened his pace, reaching out to Ye Tao with open arms.

Ye Tao also smiled and gave him a brief hug, then half-jokingly said, “Real miss or just saying so? I didn’t see you at the airport earlier, and that made me quite sad.”

Tang Siyu frowned slightly at this, casting a glance at Ma Chengwu, knowing immediately that he was the culprit. What a petty man, stirring up trouble.

But Ye Tao had changed too, growing more foolish with age. He even believed such cheap tricks now.

The past few years away from Songshan had left him a shadow of his former self, lacking the absolute confidence he once carried.

“Hahaha, just kidding. Let me introduce you—this is Ye Yang from Yijing.”

While Tang Siyu reflected on that, Ye Tao laughed it off and introduced Ye Yang to change the topic.

Tang Siyu smiled at Ye Yang. “Welcome to Songshan. I’ll toast to you.”

With that, he casually took a glass of wine from the waiter’s tray.

Ye Yang clinked glasses with him before downing the wine in one go.

Watching this, Ye Tao smiled and remarked, “Young Master Ye, that’s quite a drinker’s prowess, I’m impressed.”

Tang Siyu furrowed his brow once more. The Ye Tao of the past would never play second fiddle. He truly lacked the grandeur he once had.

The old Ye Tao was confident and domineering towards everyone.

But now, while that confidence remained with their group, it vanished entirely in front of Ye Fan, replaced by nothing but flattery.

This left Tang Siyu disappointed. On the surface, Ye Tao seemed unchanged, but he was no longer the same Ye Tao at heart.

“This must be Young Master Huang. Thank you for coming tonight. I’ll toast to you.”

Ye Tao didn’t notice Tang Siyu’s thoughts and greeted Huang Wenqiang instead.

Huang Wenqiang responded with a light smile, “Young Master Ye, you’re too kind. Your reputation precedes you. I should be the one to toast you.”

“You all carry on. I’ll head to the restroom.”

Now uninterested in the formalities, Ye Yang excused himself to the restroom.

“Siyu, you’re familiar with this place. Make yourself at home. I’ll go greet others.”

Shortly after Ye Yang left for the restroom, Ye Tao also excused himself. Ma Chengwu wanted to say something but stopped himself, eventually saying nothing as he looked at Tang Siyu and Huang Wenqiang.

“The Ye Shao you’re talking about is disappointing. Is this the same domineering figure you once compared to Xu Shaochen?”

Watching Ye Tao walk away, Huang Wenqiang mocked. He had clearly noticed Ye Tao’s flattery towards Ye Yang.

Tang Siyu sighed, “I didn’t expect such a big change. His confidence and domineering aura once earned him admiration from many of us in Songshan, including me.”

“Perhaps, you should step outside Songshan and see the bigger world. Not everyone can maintain their edge forever, Xu Shaochen being an exception, of course—because his background is deep enough to fear nothing.”

As he spoke, Huang Wenqiang patted Tang Siyu on the shoulder. Ye Tao had changed because he realized how many more powerful people there were after leaving Songshan.

After facing enough setbacks, one must learn to bend, but once that bow is bent for too long, it can never straighten out.

“Step outside?”

For the first time, Tang Siyu pondered the idea. Although he frequently traveled out of the province and abroad, he had never truly lived in a big city outside of Songshan.

Perhaps Huang Wenqiang’s suggestion was right.

“Where’s Xu Shaochen? Isn’t he coming?”

Huang Wenqiang disrupted Tang Siyu’s wandering thoughts.

Tang Siyu buried his recent thoughts and answered, “He’s picking up Mei Liangying. He’ll be here later.”

“Brother Tang, is this Young Master Ye the one you said changed so much over the years?”

Just then, Xie Tianlin walked over, one hand in his pocket and the other holding a glass of wine.