Return to the City: The Strongest King
Chapter 216: Comparing Status

Chapter 216: Chapter 216: Comparing Status

"Little Song, you also shouldn’t feel any burden about this," Uncle Shen said. "Your aunt and I have expectations, but that doesn’t mean we’re forcing you to agree to anything. You two can get to know each other first."

Song Xiaodong nodded and said, "Okay, I’ll just let this Su Zeyu give up this hope first."

Shen Dongyang laughed heartily and said, "It’s so simple to talk with a smart person."

Song Xiaodong shrugged his shoulders, giving a helpless, bitter smile.

Shen Dongyang continued, "Su Zeyu’s grandfather was formerly the third in command in our province. Although he has stepped down, his father is now the second in command in an important department in the province. Even though his rank is the same as mine, his potential for promotion is evidently greater. And with the network his grandfather has built up, I can’t afford to offend them. So despite knowing he’s not suitable for Shen Yue, I can’t act too unpleasantly. That’s why I need you to put in more effort."

"Of course, asking you to do this will definitely cause you some trouble. There are some matters that are done by young people that I shouldn’t interfere with too heavily. So you also need to be careful, especially because these children of privilege can often be too much."

Song Xiaodong nodded and said, "I understand. Don’t worry; I’ll handle it properly and won’t make things too difficult for you."

Shen Dongyang was taken aback by Song Xiaodong’s composure. Even with Song Xiaodong’s excellent medical skills, his indifference to the powerful elite was quite extraordinary. Clearly, this guy was not as simple as he appeared to be on the surface.

However, at this moment, Shen Dongyang didn’t ask further. He stood up, patted Song Xiaodong on the shoulder, and said, "Alright, I’m leaving this matter in your hands." He was curious to see just what was in Song Xiaodong’s hand, what made this young man capable of dismissing power and privilege so casually.

When the two left the study, in the living room, Shen Yue and Su Zeyu were sitting on the sofa, but quite far apart. Su Zeyu spoke enthusiastically, but Shen Yue was rather indifferent.

"Dad, Big Brother Song, are you done so soon?" Shen Yue immediately jumped up to greet them.

Shen Dongyang smiled and said, "We’ll continue this game of chess after dinner. For now, let’s have some tea and chat."

Song Xiaodong and Shen Dongyang took a seat, and Shen Yue poured tea for both of them. Then she hesitated briefly before sitting down next to Song Xiaodong.

Su Zeyu immediately frowned. He had previously asked Shen Yue, who only mentioned that Song Xiaodong was a friend of her parents. She hadn’t said much else, but Su Zeyu now felt there might be something wrong with the relationship between Shen Yue and Song Xiaodong, as she chose to sit next to him.

After drinking a few sips of tea, Shen Dongyang casually asked Su Zeyu about his work.

Su Zeyu spoke fluently, revealing that he was currently on a temporary assignment in a township as the Deputy Township Chief and was about to be transferred. After the transfer, he would take a position in an important department in the city, which indeed gave him something to be proud of.

Shen Dongyang listened with an unchanged expression, but inwardly he felt some aversion. The higher one’s office, the more composed one should be, that’s what qualifies one for greater responsibilities. This Su Zeyu was clearly too frivolous; such a person, even with the support of his family, wouldn’t achieve much in the end and might even run into problems.

While Su Zeyu talked, he also wanted Song Xiaodong to hear. Yet Song Xiaodong, sipping his tea, seemed contented and detached. Shen Yue was pouring tea for Song Xiaodong, her eyes brimming with affection, a coy, alluring charm that he had never experienced in front of him.

"Uncle, you haven’t introduced this gentleman to me yet."

Shen Dongyang let out an "oh" and then, as if he had just remembered, said, "This is Shen Yue’s boyfriend, Song Xiaodong, not an outsider."

"Shen Yue’s boyfriend? Since when did Shen Yue have a boyfriend?" Even if Su Zeyu had been mentally prepared, hearing it from Shen Dongyang’s mouth meant something entirely different—it signified that Song Xiaodong had already gained Shen Dongyang’s approval.

Shen Dongyang chuckled, "When kids grow up, they don’t follow their parents’ orders anymore. You young people chat; I’m going to see what your aunt has made. I haven’t had a proper meal in days, and just smelling it makes me hungry."

Shen Dongyang saw that Su Zeyu was only staring at Song Xiaodong and shook his head, feeling a bit exasperated. Besides feigning concern for his health in the study, Su Zeyu hadn’t asked a single question about it since coming out.

Su Zeyu turned to Shen Yue, pretending to be gentlemanly, "I say, Little Yue, when did you get a boyfriend? Why have I never heard you mention him?"

With no parents around, and wanting to show off to Su Zeyu on purpose, Shen Yue gently hugged Song Xiaodong’s arm, "It’s my private business. I wouldn’t dare say anything without my parents’ consent."

Su Zeyu’s expression subtly changed again as he turned to Song Xiaodong, "So what department does your boyfriend work in? And what position does he hold now?"

Song Xiaodong smiled faintly, "No, I don’t work in any government department."

Learning that he wasn’t a government official, Su Zeyu promptly asked, "Oh? Then what kind of business does your family run?"

With his smile unchanged, Song Xiaodong answered, "I’m not in business either. I’m just an ordinary guy. You’re thinking too much."

Su Zeyu looked at Song Xiaodong in surprise, "Then what does your family do?"

Song Xiaodong took a sip of tea, "You’re asking even more detailed questions than Uncle and Auntie."

Su Zeyu cleared his throat, "My family is very close with Uncle Shen’s family. I’ve known Shen Yue for a long time, so it’s only right that I take an interest."

Song Xiaodong turned to look at Shen Yue, and they shared a smile before he said, "Actually, your questions are not quite right. Shen Yue is not the type to despise the poor and love the rich. We like each other, and that’s enough. As for social status and family background, neither Shen Yue nor I care about that."

"Is that so?" Su Zeyu couldn’t help but curl his lip in disdain, "Shen Yue is the daughter of a Deputy Mayor. If an ordinary person were to marry her, that would be like a carp leaping through Dragon Gate, wouldn’t it? I’m not wrong, am I?"

Stroking his chin, Song Xiaodong replied, "You’re quite right. I should indeed ask Uncle Shen to find me a job. By the way, what’s your position again? Deputy Township Chief? Then I’ll just aim to be the Township Chief."

"Pfft!" Shen Yue couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

Dammit! Su Zeyu cursed inwardly, does this motherfucker really want to be a Township Chief, to overshadow me? Isn’t that a bit too pretentious?

But he soon scoffed to himself, finding Song Xiaodong to be a simpleton. Even if Shen Dongyang is the Deputy Mayor, even if he really becomes Shen Dongyang’s son-in-law, such things are not so easily achieved.