Chapter 305: Siblings Meet

Chapter 305 Sibling Reunion

Ye Changsheng was currently attending his graduation ceremony at school.

Graduation dates vary among universities, but they all happen around July.

However, this had little to do with Ye Changsheng—he was just there to join in.

Ye Changsheng had already passed his grad school admissions for his university. Though he hadn’t officially enrolled yet, he’d been helping his advisor with research projects.

So he’d been around campus anyway.

One of his roommates had also gotten into grad school with him, while the other four were heading straight to jobs.

After speeches from the university president, deans, and outstanding student representatives, the graduation show began, ending amidst laughter and tears.

Ye Changsheng left early after watching just two performances. If his friend hadn’t dragged him along, he would have preferred staying in the lab.

The next morning, before Ye Changsheng was even awake, there was a knock on his door.

"Changsheng, there’s a telegram for you downstairs."

His roommate, who’d grabbed breakfast, brought the telegram up for him.

Who spends money on telegrams? "Who’s sending you a novel?" Wan Baonian asked curiously.

Ye Changsheng opened it and read. "My third brother."

It was a telegram from Ye Changning, pestering him to come to Beijing.

Ye Changsheng and his roommate had rented a place near the school since they wouldn’t get postgrad dorms until the semester started.

Originally, he hadn’t planned to go home, as he was already involved in his advisor’s project. But since Ye Changning was pushing so hard, he might as well check it out—Beijing was where everyone wants to go, after all.

The one who’d helped buy breakfast and deliver the telegram was his roommate, who’d also gotten into grad school. They’d been roommates for four years in undergrad and would likely stay together in grad school.

"So… what’s your brother want?"

Wan Baonian knew about Ye Changsheng’s third brother, who always spoiled him with stuff and cash. Over the past four years, Ye Changsheng’s standard of living had noticeably improved.

When he first arrived at university, he seemed kinda provincial. Now, whether in dress or demeanor, he came off polished and cultured, like some rich kid.

"My third brother wants me to visit Beijing for a few days."

Wan Baonian: "Hell yeah! It’s the capital, after all. But what about Professor Li’s project?"

Ye Changsheng: "We’ll finish it in the next couple of days. I haven’t officially enrolled yet—I’m just learning the ropes with Prof Li."

Wan Baonian: "You can’t say that. You’re Prof Li’s star pupil. Even if it’s just writing a paper, he’d slap your name on it."

Ye Changsheng smiled. "We’ll cross that bridge later."

Prof Li was one of the good ones. Many advisors these days steal credit for students’ work, but Prof Li always encouraged independent experimentation and study. Many projects he supervised didn’t even carry his name.

Ye Changsheng had chosen a great advisor—he was there to learn earnestly, not to sweat the small stuff.

Wan Baonian shook his head. "Whatever you say. What I envy is that you’re actually going to Beijing."

Ye Changsheng: "If you're not going home, do you want to come to the capital with me?"

Wan Baonian: "Huh? Me?"

The two were already very close, having been like brothers for four years. Ye Changsheng nodded.

"Come with me. It’s not like you were planning to go home."

Wan Baonian was really tempted. "Alright, I'll go with you then."

Ye Changsheng wasn’t the type to offer empty courtesies—if he invited someone, he meant it sincerely.

So the two happily agreed.

...

Capital Railway Station.

Ye Xiaoxiao came to pick up Ye Changsheng, planning to head straight to Ye Changning’s after picking him up.

"Fourth Brother, over here!"

Ye Xiaoxiao only noticed the other person when they got closer.

"This is my friend Wan Baonian."

"This is my younger sister Ye Xiaoxiao."

Ye Changsheng introduced them to each other.

"Hello."

Ye Xiaoxiao spoke first.

Wan Baonian got a little nervous when he saw Ye Xiaoxiao—he’d never seen a girl this pretty before.

"Hello..." Wan Baonian gave a shy smile.

"Hop in the car first. I’ll take you to Third Brother’s place. He’s stuck in a meeting at work, so I came to pick you up."

Ye Changsheng nodded.

Wan Baonian had no idea Ye Changsheng’s family was this well-off—this car must’ve cost a fortune.

And Ye Changsheng’s sister was probably even younger than they were.

Arriving at Ye Changning’s villa, Wan Baonian’s jaw nearly dropped. He hadn’t expected anything like this.

"This is way too fancy."

The housekeeper took their things, and their rooms were ready.

"Before leaving, the master had said that Young Master and Young Lady should feel at home. He’ll be back in the afternoon."

Hearing themselves called "Young Master" and "Young Lady" still bugged Ye Changsheng.

When they were kids, anyone who dared to address them like that would’ve gotten an earful.

Ye Changsheng said, "Just call me Changsheng."

The housekeepers were all handpicked and trained by Ye Changning and wouldn’t dare speak out of turn.

The housekeeper just smiled and nodded, then led Ye Changsheng to his room.

Ye Changning often had business partners over, so this kind of formality was normal here.

It had already been ten years since the reform and opening-up, and the country was rapidly changing. Western influences were making culture more diverse.

Even Ye Xiaoxiao wasn’t used to being called "young master" or "young lady."

Wan Baonian even had his own room—though it was a guest room, it was still luxurious enough.

Once he’d unpacked, he went to find Ye Changsheng.

"Changsheng, man, I totally underestimated how rich your family is."

"Nah, this is just my third brother’s place. He only expanded his business in recent years."

"I know—you mean going into business, right? These days, tons of people are getting rich from business."

"My parents say factory work isn’t reliable anymore. Who knows if state-run factories will even survive?"

Wan Baonian came from a working-class family, which had been the most enviable gig a few years back. But now, with all these private businesses popping up, it’s lost its shine.

Prices were going through the roof, but wages stayed flat.

This was already a problem back then.

"You all set? Do you want to rest first? I’ll go downstairs to find Xiao Xiao."

Wan Baonian was way too wired to sleep now.

"I’m not tired."

Ye Changsheng, on the other hand, couldn’t wait to chat more with Xiao Xiao.

Ye Xiaoxiao laid out her plans.

"Fourth Brother, I’m about to get married, and you still don’t have a girlfriend?"

When Ye Xiaoxiao brought this up, Ye Changsheng stayed silent.

Wan Baonian, however, got excited.

"Half the girls at school have a crush on Changsheng, but he’s not interested in any of them."

"Nah, Third Brother’s still single too. No rush."

Ye Xiaoxiao thought that if they were waiting for Third Brother, that could take forever.

But that was for their parents to worry about, not hers, so she shifted the topic back to herself.

"Once my place is finished, you can stay with me. Third Brother’s place is fancy, but it’s out in the boonies."

Ye Changsheng replied, "I can’t stick around that long, but I’ll definitely come for your wedding banquet."