Return to the City: The Strongest King
Chapter 1042 - 1043: Not a Betrothal, Right?

Chapter 1042: Chapter 1043: Not a Betrothal, Right?

“By the way, I still don’t know how to address you?” Qi Lanqin looked at Song Xiaodong and asked.

“My name is Song Xiaodong.”

“Then can I call you… Big Brother Song? Is that a bit too forward, am I overstepping?”

Song Xiaodong smiled slightly and said, “It’s nothing. I know you’re not a money-driven girl, and I can truly treat you as a friend. You don’t need to consider my status; that makes things more pure.”

Qi Lanqin said, “Big Brother Song, you’re the least pretentious wealthy person I’ve ever met.”

“Money, when you have a lot, has many uses. But having less doesn’t mean you can’t survive.”

“That’s because you have money, Big Brother Song. People like me have to work hard for tuition and living expenses.”

Song Xiaodong chuckled and said, “That’s just temporary. I can see you have self-respect and are willing to work hard. You’ll definitely succeed in the future. After you graduate, if you’re interested, you can work at my company.”

Qi Lanqin didn’t refuse and said, “Thank you, Big Brother Song. I’ll start proving my abilities in the second half of the year. When the time comes, I hope you’ll give me that opportunity.”

Song Xiaodong admired Qi Lanqin’s honesty, as this girl clearly knew what she needed and what she shouldn’t ask for.

The dishes arrived, and Song Xiaodong drank two glasses of beer in succession. Qi Lanqin asked, “Big Brother Song, you just mentioned you’re in a bad mood. Why would someone like you, a big boss, be in a bad mood? Did you offend Deputy District Chief Zhao because of me, and now he’s causing trouble for you?”

“Him?” Song Xiaodong shook his head and said, “He’s just a deputy district chief; he doesn’t have that authority.”

Qi Lanqin twitched her mouth slightly; if someone else had said that, she would’ve thought they were bragging. But when Song Xiaodong said it, she didn’t feel that way. It seemed completely natural.

This made Qi Lanqin even more astonished. What kind of person exactly was this Song Xiaodong, to not even take a deputy district chief seriously?

However, she knew better than to probe further into this topic, and said, “Then… what else is troubling you? Is it a relationship issue?”

Song Xiaodong smiled bitterly, took another sip of beer, and said, “A relationship… It’s slightly related to love but not truly a romance. It’s complicated and just really frustrating.”

Qi Lanqin poured another beer for Song Xiaodong, saying, “Big Brother Song, if you don’t mind, you can tell me about it.”

Song Xiaodong looked at Qi Lanqin, gently shook his head, and said, “It’s complicated, and I can’t explain it to you. It’s the most mind-boggling situation I’ve ever encountered.” With that, he took another sip.

“Oh… Big Brother Song, slow down, you’ve finished the whole bottle.”

Song Xiaodong laughed and said, “No worries, I can handle my liquor. If I don’t want to get drunk, nobody can make me drunk.”

Seeing that Song Xiaodong’s countenance remained unchanged, Qi Lanqin didn’t try to stop him. Song Xiaodong took a bite of food and said, “It really does taste good. No wonder this little shop is so popular.”

“That’s good. I was worried that someone like you—all fancy—wouldn’t be used to eating in such a place, Big Brother Song.”

“I’m not that particular. Come on, tell me about yourself. How have you been surviving these past years as a young girl?”

“I… My parents didn’t have any siblings, and my grandparents also passed away early. After my parents died, I was sent to an orphanage where I lived until I went to university. Then I became independent. I had some savings left by my parents in the past few years, but now those have run out. I can only come out to work to support myself.”

“That’s really tough. Many girls in your situation might easily take a wrong path.”

“No matter how bitter or tiring, I won’t go down that road.”

Song Xiaodong nodded and said, “By the way, how did the conflict between you and Zhao Hua start?”

“With her…” Qi Lanqin laughed bitterly and said, “It wasn’t really a conflict. I did well in school, and she didn’t. I look… passable, I guess…”

“Not passable, but very pretty. Was she jealous of your looks and your talents, and that jealousy turned into hatred, so she targeted you?”

“Exactly. Someone like her, I can’t afford to provoke, so I just avoided her. After high school, we didn’t have any interactions. Who knew I’d run into her again?” Qi Lanqin said as she shook her head, feeling somewhat helpless.

Song Xiaodong snorted coldly and said, “What a jerk!”

“Big Brother Song, why are you so angry?” Qi Lanqin was startled and cautiously asked.

Song Xiaodong shook his head and said, “It’s nothing. But if you run into her again, don’t be afraid. If she bullies you, just slap her across the face.”

Qi Lanqin was taken aback and said, “I wouldn’t dare. I’ve never been in a fight with anyone before.”

“I’m not telling you to fight her, but people like her bully more if you fear them. You can’t indulge her behavior.”

Qi Lanqin smiled bitterly and said, “Big Brother Song, she’s the daughter of a deputy district chief; how can I dare?”

Song Xiaodong said angrily, “Why not? I’ve got your back. This damn girl needs a good beating.”

Qi Lanqin hesitated and said, “Big Brother Song, do you… have a special relationship with her?”

Yesterday, because Zhao Hua bullied her, Song Xiaodong gave her a bank card for compensation. Now hearing how Song Xiaodong talks about Zhao Hua, Qi Lanqin couldn’t help but connect the dots.

Song Xiaodong’s lip twitched uncontrollably, and he shook his head hard, drinking two more beers in succession. He said, “We have one of those damned awkward relationships.”

Qi Lanqin blushed instantly. Song Xiaodong realized he used some coarse language and apologetically said, “I got a bit agitated. I indeed have a certain type of relationship with her. It’s ridiculously complicated—one I want to end but can’t, and if I don’t, it’s just frustrating to watch.”

Qi Lanqin’s eyes widened in disbelief, “Big Brother Song, you guys aren’t… aren’t…”

“Aren’t what?” Song Xiaodong asked casually.

Qi Lanqin stammered, “Aren’t one of those political marriages… or childhood betrothals?”

“Ah, ha…” Song Xiaodong’s expression suddenly became quite odd. The relationship with the Princess was exactly a childhood betrothal. Qi Lanqin had hit the nail right on the head.

Seeing Song Xiaodong’s expression, Qi Lanqin’s face also turned incredibly odd. She opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but struggled to find the right words. It’s terrifying to think that someone as extraordinary as Song Xiaodong could be with someone like Zhao Hua.