Chapter 413: Raise a Glass to Xu Shaochen

“As long as you’re satisfied, that’s good. But now it’s time to talk about my issue.”

Xu Shaochen nodded, walked around the table, and approached Ye Tao.

Ye Tao looked up at Xu Shaochen, bewildered, unsure of what he meant.

“You want an explanation, so I’ll give you one. But you picked a fight with me for no reason and wasted so much of my time. Don’t you think you owe me an explanation?”

Xu Shaochen leaned forward slightly, moving closer to Ye Tao. He spoke each word slowly and deliberately.

“What’s going on?”

At that moment, a calm male voice interrupted. In the silence of the moment, it stood out clearly.

Everyone instinctively looked back to see Ye Yang walking out from the direction of the restroom, a puzzled expression on his face.

“I just went to relieve myself, and now it’s all eerily quiet when I come back.”

“Young Master Ye, save me! Save me, Young Master Ye!”

Upon hearing this, both Ye Tao and Ma Chengwu seemed to have found a lifeline.

They ignored Xu Shaochen entirely and scrambled to run towards Ye Yang, who stood outside the crowd.

“What’s happened?”

Seeing Ye Tao’s bruised and battered face, Ye Yang frowned. “Just what on earth happened here?”

“Young Master Ye, you must stand up for me! That guy went way too far!” Ye Tao gritted his teeth, internally sneering at Xu Shaochen. With Yunyang Group’s Second Young Master here, you’re dead meat, Xu Shaochen.

“Indeed, Young Master Ye! That guy’s behavior was outrageous! Not only did he come here to cause trouble, but he also physically assaulted people. It’s bad enough for us nobodies, but to treat you like this—it’s totally disrespectful!”

Ma Chengwu added fuel to the fire from the side. He’s always been good at this kind of thing.

The onlookers sighed inwardly at what they were witnessing.

Ma Chengwu acting like this was expected; he was already a lowlife.

But Ye Tao? To see Ye Tao reduced to this level, it’s like… he’s like a dog wagging its tail to please its master. Is this still the Ye Tao we know?

“Such audacity! Who did this?”

Ye Yang asked coldly. Ye Tao was still his guy; he had to step in.

“I did.”

Xu Shaochen responded calmly. He hadn’t expected to run into Ye Yang here.

Ye Yang frowned. The voice sounded familiar to him. When he looked in Xu Shaochen’s direction, he froze.

What the hell? Isn’t Xu Shaochen supposed to be in Jiangzhou? Why is he in Songshan?

“Young Master Ye, it’s him! He’s the one who hit me! I want him dismembered!”

Ye Tao pointed at Xu Shaochen, his eyes filled with venom, and spoke through gritted teeth.

As soon as Ye Yang heard this, his face turned a shade as ugly as if he’d just eaten something vile. His expression was so dark it could drip water, and his fists clenched.

The main reason Ye Yang had left Yijing this time was to visit Xu Shaochen in Jiangzhou.

But now Ye Tao had somehow managed to offend Xu Shaochen. What if Xu Shaochen took it out on him?

But Ye Tao wasn’t aware of Ye Yang’s sudden anxiety and continued, “This Xu guy is out of control…”

“Slap!”

Ye Yang suddenly turned and slapped Ye Tao across the face, yelling, “Shut your mouth! If anyone should be dismembered, it’s you!”

Ye Yang was dead serious. He genuinely wanted to dismember Ye Tao then and there.

After all, everything Ye Yang had now was because of Xu Shaochen. How dare Ye Tao offend Xu Shaochen. If Ye Yang wasn’t angry, who would be?

There was an uproar. Seeing this, everyone was stunned and stared at Ye Yang in disbelief.

“Young… Young Master…”

Ye Tao was still in shock, his face burning with pain.

But Ye Yang had no time to bother with him. He quickly walked over to Xu Shaochen, his face full of apology: “Xu Shao, I was planning to visit you in Jiangzhou, but I didn’t expect you to be in Songshan. It’s my fault for not keeping control of my people. Please, forgive me for what’s happened tonight.”

Only now did the onlookers realize that Ye Yang knew Xu Shaochen. Suddenly, everything made sense.

Ye Tao and Ma Chengwu both turned pale, staring blankly as a chill ran up their spines.

“Thud!”

Ma Chengwu immediately fell to his knees, crawling over to Xu Shaochen. “Xu Shao, please spare me! Xu Shao, I had nothing to do with it! It was all Ye Tao’s fault. I swear it’s not my fault!”

“Ma Chengwu!” Ye Tao almost spat blood. How could Ma Chengwu be so shameless to pass the blame onto him?

“Bang!”

Xu Shaochen’s eyes flashed with disgust. He lifted his foot and kicked Ma Chengwu aside, then turned to Ye Yang and said, “Break one of his legs and throw him out. As for Ye Tao, let it go. He’s just a fool who got used.”

Ye Tao was dumbfounded by Xu Shaochen’s words. It took him a moment to process. He was used? Used by Ma Chengwu?

As the thought crossed his mind, he felt both shocked and furious.

It was apparent from Ye Yang’s reaction that Xu Shaochen was someone important.

Tang Siyu and the others must have known this, which is why they were all warning him earlier.

So, Ma Chengwu must have also known who Xu Shaochen was, yet he still said nothing. It was all to use him as a pawn!

To think a small-time thug like Ma Chengwu could manipulate him so easily. Ye Tao was utterly lost.

Ye Yang waved his hand, and his two bodyguards walked over from a distance, grabbing Ma Chengwu and dragging him away.

“No! Please, no! I was wrong! Help me! Please, someone help me! I swear I won’t do it again! I’m truly sorry!”

Ma Chengwu cried out in sheer desperation, struggling and begging those around him for help.

But everyone stood by silently, watching coldly. No one offered to help.

Eventually, Ma Chengwu was dragged out of the venue, his screams growing fainter. Moments later, a terrifying cry echoed from outside.

Then, Ye Yang’s two bodyguards returned, nodding at Ye Yang to indicate the task was done.

“You’ve got bodyguards now, huh? Moving up in the world, I see,” Xu Shaochen said, looking at Ye Yang.

Ye Yang gave a small smile. “It’s all thanks to you, Xu Shao. Without you, I’d still be a nobody in the Yun Clan.”

Ye Tao watched from a distance, suddenly realizing that Ye Yang’s behavior now seemed very familiar.

Thinking it over carefully, wasn’t that how he used to act when talking to Ma Chengwu? Pretending to be casual, yet always cautious and trying to please.

“Alright, now that the trash has been taken out, let’s continue. I suggest we all raise a glass to Xu Shao.”

Huang Wenqiang raised his voice, breaking the tense atmosphere in the room.

“Great idea, Young Master Huang. Let’s all raise a glass to Xu Shao.”

“Thanks to Xu Shao for getting rid of that rat, Ma Chengwu.”

Everyone began to chime in, raising their glasses to Xu Shaochen.

“Gentlemen, let’s drink!”

Xu Shaochen smiled, holding up his glass and looking around at everyone. With those words, he downed his drink in one gulp.

Everyone followed suit. What had originally been a welcome party for Ye Tao had now become Xu Shaochen’s show.