Chapter 258: Meeting Third Brother

Chapter 258: Reuniting with Third Brother

The Lu family prepared an elaborate dinner to welcome Ye Xiaoxiao back.

"Xiao Xiao, won’t you stay here tonight? We have everything ready, and the guest room is clean."

Yun Chengxiu adored Xiao Xiao—her boy was truly fortunate to have found such a wonderful partner. Now that Xiao Xiao was about to graduate, it was time to make it official.

Yun Chengxiu thought of her nephew, who was a year older than Lu Hanchuan but already had a two-year-old son. Though she wasn’t in a hurry to become a grandmother, she did want to see her son start a family.

"Auntie, I’d better head home tonight. I’ll come back tomorrow."

Ye Xiaoxiao hadn’t brought anything with her and wasn’t used to staying over.

Yun Chengxiu replied, "Alright, but you must come back tomorrow."

"Yeah."

……

Ye Xiaoxiao started reaching out to family and friends, and soon, more and more people learned of her return.

Ye Changning had set up a factory in the capital, though he still spent most of his time in the south.

"Xiao Xiao, you’re back! Hold tight—I’ll swing by the capital soon."

Ye Xiaoxiao asked, "Third Brother, how’s work treating you? Is everything at home alright?"

Ye Changning answered, "Everything’s fine at home. I make sure Dad takes everyone for check-ups every six months. Grandpa, Grandma, and maternal grandpa are all healthy.

As for me? I’m doing even better."

"I can tell. I called you several times, but you never picked up."

"Ah, I’m hardly ever home. I’ll come see what’s new with our Xiao Xiao in a couple of days."

Ye Xiaoxiao laughed, "Same old me. I haven’t grown blond hair or blue eyes."

Ye Changning teased, "Well, my little sis is still the belle of the ball."

After catching up, they ended the call.

Ye Xiaoxiao went to work at Rende Pharmacy every day. In the afternoons, she split her time between Song Guangjing’s place and the Lu family, keeping both families charmed.

She made two more hospital visits.

General Chen was doing much better—with proper care, he had plenty of good years left.

When Bai Mengan heard about Ye Xiaoxiao’s return, she came running.

"Xiao Xiao! You’re back already? Chu Yunxiao’s letter said he wasn’t due back till term started."

Ye Xiaoxiao looked at Bai Mengan and smiled. "Sounds like your cross-ocean fling’s thriving!"

Bai Mengan got a little embarrassed, playing with her curls. "Not really. We haven’t officially confirmed our relationship yet. I’d say we’re just pen pals for now."

Ye Xiaoxiao teased, "If you two can click from across the ocean, imagine how inseparable you’ll be once he’s back."

Bai Mengan covered her face with her hands and sat down in front of Ye Xiaoxiao. "Come on! I’m not that aggressive."

Ye Xiaoxiao raised an eyebrow.

After a moment, Bai Mengan couldn’t resist asking, "Do you think he’d say yes if I confessed first? And... has Chu Yunxiao hooked up with any foreign girls abroad?"

Ye Xiaoxiao reassured her, "Don’t worry. Our class monitor really keeps to himself. He hasn’t been particularly close to anyone."

Bai Mengan sighed in relief. "That’s good to hear."

Ye Xiaoxiao smirked. "Still claiming you’re not being forward?"

Bai Mengan chuckled sheepishly. "Well, I’m not like you—drop-dead gorgeous. If I had your looks, I’d just wait for suitors to line up. But I’m not that confident, you know?"

Bai Mengan was far from unattractive, but her fiery temper often overshadowed her beauty. In truth, she had really pretty bone structure that grew more appealing over time.

Ye Xiaoxiao gazed at her intently. "You should have more confidence in yourself. Pretty faces are a dime a dozen, but someone really special is hard to find. Looks aren’t everything."

Though comforted, Bai Mengan still quipped, "Then please, heavens, grant me one of those dime-a-dozen pretty faces!"

Ye Xiaoxiao gave her a light flick on the forehead. "You’re hopeless."

"Lately, my parents have been setting me up on blind dates again. But I told them I already have someone—it’s just that he’s studying abroad as an exchange student and won’t be back for a while. So I absolutely must make sure Chu Yunxiao is mine."

Although Bai Mengan's parents had been introducing suitors to her, they didn’t push her to marry.

Otherwise, she wouldn’t still be single two years later.

Bai Mengan was an only child, and her parents spoiled her rotten.

Perhaps that was why she developed such a bubbly personality.

"What if the class president refuses?"

Bai Mengan: "Guess I’ll just have to step up my game."

Ye Xiaoxiao: "You got this!"

Bai Mengan asked Ye Xiaoxiao if she needed to prepare a big welcome party.

Ye Xiaoxiao: "No need. I’ve been quite busy lately. If you really want to gather with friends, why not wait till Chu Yunxiao gets back? That way, you’ll have a reason to invite him too."

"Right! Why didn’t I think of that?" Bai Mengan’s gaze at Ye Xiaoxiao changed. "Xiao Xiao, you’re next-level—no wonder you bagged Lu Hanchuan."

Ye Xiaoxiao: "..."

...

Ye Changning arrived in Shanghai first, then took a flight from Shanghai to the capital.

Ye Changning carried a brick phone in his pocket.

A lackey followed him, hauling his luggage.

He's becoming more mature now, having abandoned the flashy shirts in favor of a mature and understated style.

His face has also lost some of its roguishness, now he looks like a respectable guy.

But as soon as he speaks, his true personality is revealed.

"Xiao Xiao, come here and hug your Third Bro—I’ve missed you so much!"

Ye Xiaoxiao ran over and hugged Ye Changning.

"Third Brother, you’re making bank these days. The only thing missing from your successful tycoon look is a beer belly."

Ye Changning: "What are you talking about? Your third brother will never have a beer belly."

Ye Changning studied Xiao Xiao carefully.

"Just like I imagined—our Xiao Xiao’s all grown up."

Ye Xiaoxiao: "I even grew taller!"

"Let’s go, we should head home first."

Ye Changning: "Wanna check it out first?"

Ye Xiaoxiao: "Sure."

Ye Changning introduced his right-hand man to Xiao Xiao. "This is Jiang Nan. Hand him the keys—he’s the driver and knows the route."

Ye Xiaoxiao glanced at the lanky guy beside her third brother and nodded.

Jiang Nan tossed the bags in the trunk.

Then he drove toward Ye Changning’s mansion.

It was called a mansion because Ye Changning had bought a property in a high-end neighborhood.

The area was filled with villas, with upscale surroundings, top-notch amenities, private gardens, and expansive lawns.

After entering, Ye Xiaoxiao saw there was even a house manager in the villa.

"Third Brother, you’re amazing. You didn’t even need my help getting here."

Ye Changning patted Xiao Xiao’s head. "You don’t understand. Even though your third brother doesn’t like to show off, if you wanna get into the elite crowd, you gotta keep up appearances—otherwise, who’d take us seriously?"

When Ye Changning first arrived, he got the cold shoulder. It wasn’t until Old Song backed him up that things gradually improved.

In just three years, he’s amassed a fortune worth tens of millions—Ye Changning is undoubtedly the poster boy for making it big.