Return to the City: The Strongest King
Chapter 207: Agreement

Chapter 207: Chapter 207: Agreement

Song Xiaodong and Shen Yue were in the hospital room, and the atmosphere was extremely awkward. Shen Yue lowered her head, her right toe drawing circles on the floor.

Song Xiaodong felt that although the situation was absurd, Shen Yue was clearly also a victim. He shook his head, cleared his throat softly, and said, "Shen Yue, this..."

Shen Yue suddenly looked up, interrupting Song Xiaodong, and hurriedly said, "Doctor Song! I know my mom is forcing you into this, and I’m really sorry. I apologize on her behalf. Please don’t take it to heart, I’m sorry, I’m sorry."

Seeing Shen Yue in such panic, Song Xiaodong felt a bit embarrassed and said, "This... this matter is just too sudden for me. I’m really having some difficulty accepting it at the moment."

Shen Yue quickly responded, "It’s okay, it’s okay, I don’t mind, you don’t have to worry about it."

Watching Shen Yue insist like this, Song Xiaodong felt he was being somewhat cruel. Shen Yue, this girl, was clearly arranged by her parents; this was not her own idea.

Standing up, he patted Shen Yue on the shoulder and, with a smile emerging on his face, said, "Shen Yue, how about this, let’s start by being friends. Matters of the heart are too distant to talk about now; we needn’t force it nor avoid it. What do you think?"

Shen Yue’s eyes suddenly lit up with surprise, and she said with a flush on her face, "Big Brother Song, do you mean... that we go out?"

Song Xiaodong cleared his throat and said, "This going out isn’t like being in a real relationship. We can hang out as friends, like you do with your classmates, your friends, go out to eat, or go someplace fun."

Shen Yue, looking into Song Xiaodong’s eyes, showed a hint of disappointment but soon smiled and said, "Oh, I understand, let’s do just that. It’ll also appease my mom, otherwise, she’ll just keep nagging me endlessly."

Seeing Shen Yue agree, Song Xiaodong felt relieved and laughed, saying, "I really don’t understand. Given your family’s situation and your personal qualities, there must be many people wanting to become related to your family through marriage."

Shen Yue now seemed much more at ease and said, "My dad is quite upright. He says if we establish ties with officials, it would interfere with his work. If we were to marry into a wealthy family, he’d have to secure benefits for them, which he is firmly against. So, he wants to find someone talented but without a powerful background as a son-in-law."

Song Xiaodong gave a thumbs up and said, "Vice Mayor Song is indeed a good mayor. Just for the way he’s choosing a son-in-law, I have a hundred respects for him."

Before switching careers, Song Xiaodong had met many important people, and the partners for their children were always chosen based on family background. People like Shen Dongyang were truly rare.

Hearing Song Xiaodong praise her father, Shen Yue felt quite proud and said, "From elementary school to university, my dad sternly told me not to tell anyone about his position. So up to now, all my classmates still don’t know I have a father who is the vice mayor."

"Wow! That’s even more rare!" Song Xiaodong couldn’t help but praise again before chuckling to Shen Yue, "Then aren’t you missing out on the prestige of being an official’s daughter?"

Shen Yue chuckled and replied, "I’m just a girl, what do I need prestige for? Besides, this way is pretty good too; there aren’t people who try to get close to me just because of my dad’s position."

This conversation completely dissolved any awkwardness between them. Shen Yue then said, "Big Brother Song, can I ask you for a favor?"

"What is it? Just say it." Now having a very good impression of Shen Dongyang, Song Xiaodong’s impression of Shen Yue had also sharply increased, and he quickly agreed.

Shen Yue said somewhat shyly, "Now that my mom is forcing us to date, even if you disagree, she might still pressure me to ask you out and take the initiative."

Song Xiaodong rubbed his nose and said, "I’m indeed surprisingly flattered. I really don’t understand why your aunt holds me in such high regard."

"My grandfather was a doctor, so my mom has always liked doctors. She has long wanted me to find a doctor as a boyfriend. Seeing a skilled doctor like you, mature and steady, especially one who doesn’t like to mingle with influential people, my dad loves that even more."

"Is that so..." Song Xiaodong was somewhat speechless.

Shen Yue cleared her throat softly and said, "I’d like to ask, Big Brother Song, if in the future my mom asks me to invite you out, and you can’t make it, let’s form an offensive and defensive alliance. We can make up a white lie to say where we went to deceive them a bit and get them off our backs."

Song Xiaodong readily agreed, "No problem at all. If it becomes unbearable, I’ll definitely collaborate with you. Additionally, if you ever need help with anything, you can always come to me."

"Then it’s a deal." Shen Yue showed a radiant smile.

Song Xiaodong laughed and said, "Why would I ever deceive you, little sister?"

"I knew Big Brother Song was a good person."

The two talked a bit more, and Song Xiaodong learned that Shen Yue was studying at the teachers’ university in the city and would soon become a teacher. This was not only Shen Yue’s own aspiration but also supported by her parents.

After a while, Shen Dongyang and Sun Dongxiang came back, surprised to see how well the two were getting along.

Song Xiaodong stood up and said, "Deputy Mayor Shen, Auntie, I have other matters. I’ll come back tomorrow to administer acupuncture to Deputy Mayor Shen."

Sun Dongxiang immediately put on a stern face and said, "What deputy mayor, just call him Uncle Shen."

Song Xiaodong quickly nodded and said, "Alright, Uncle Shen it is from now on."

Sun Dongxiang escorted Song Xiaodong to the door and said, "By the way, Uncle Shen is being discharged from the hospital tomorrow. Why don’t you come over to our house for a meal and we can all celebrate together."

Song Xiaodong hesitated momentarily but then nodded, saying, "Alright."

Leaving the hospital, Song Xiaodong couldn’t help but feel a bit wry. These couple of days had truly brought an unexpected turn of romantic luck; first being forced into marriage by Miao Qingyuan, and now being pressured to go on a blind date by the deputy mayor.

Both a wealthy millionaire and a high-ranking deputy mayor had taken a liking to him. For others, this might seem like something to be incredibly proud of, but for Song Xiaodong, it was anything but good news; it just added to his worries.

"What kind of expressions would Miao Qingqing’s father and Shen Yue’s parents have if they knew they were competing for the same person?" Song Xiaodong suddenly thought to himself, and then he couldn’t help but laugh silently. That scene must be full of comedy."