Return to the City: The Strongest King
Chapter 236: Xuanxuan, You Pursue Him Too

Chapter 236: Chapter 236: Xuanxuan, You Pursue Him Too

"Dad!" Miao Qingqing and Miao Xuanxuan both stood up abruptly, looking somewhat panicked towards Miao Qingyuan, and also subconsciously shuffled a few steps to the side.

Until just now, sitting very close to Song Xiaodong hadn’t seemed like a big deal to them, but upon seeing their father, they couldn’t help but feel it was improper and instinctively moved away.

However, no sooner had they done so than they both felt they had overreacted. This undoubtedly was akin to admitting that what they had just been doing with Song Xiaodong was somewhat indecent.

Song Xiaodong, however, remained calmly seated, smiling as he greeted, "Uncle Miao has returned."

Miao Qingyuan nodded and took a seat on a nearby sofa, his piercing gaze fixed on Song Xiaodong, he asked, "What were you discussing?"

Miao Qingqing quickly responded, "Today I took Song Xiaodong to visit the Ding family."

"The Ding family?" Miao Qingyuan showed surprise, asking, "The Ding Hailong you know, is just a university professor. As far as I know, his status in the Ding family isn’t significant. Why did you go to the Ding family?"

Miao Qingqing immediately began to recount the day’s visit to the Ding family, with Miao Xuanxuan chiming in and adding details on the side.

Miao Qingqing detailed the facts, while Miao Xuanxuan mainly glorified how impressive Song Xiaodong had been. Together, their narratives virtually laid out the day’s events at the Ding family before Miao Qingyuan.

The more Miao Qingyuan heard, the brighter his eyes shone. If he weren’t so controlled, he would have shown his excited expression.

The Miao Family had been facing a bottleneck for two years now. He had been hoping for the company to achieve a greater development—his dream was to expand the company to be ten or a hundred times larger than it currently was. Only then would they qualify to challenge their competitors, and only then could he bring back Miao Qingqing and Miao Xuanxuan’s mother.

So, he had recently thought about connecting with Shen Dongyang and had hoped to establish ties with the Ding family. Although the Ding family’s enemies were somewhat less formidable, they could absolutely serve as a stepping stone for his company’s development.

But he had had no access nor opportunity to make contact with either family, yet now Song Xiaodong had managed it effortlessly, and how could that not be a pleasant surprise.

Taking a deep breath, Miao Qingyuan calmed himself down and looked at Song Xiaodong, saying, "Xiaodong, I truly did not expect you to be so capable. It seems Qingqing really has an eye for people."

Miao Qingqing immediately retorted with a frown, "Dad, what are you talking about?"

Miao Qingyuan laughed heartily, saying, "Dad has always been very strict with you, but after all, you’ve grown up, so from now on, I’ll stop meddling in your affairs. Well, there’s still one thing I have to mention. If things are suitable, we should arrange the wedding sooner rather than later. After all, our family has daughters, and marrying early would definitely set minds at ease."

"Marrying?" Miao Qingqing and Miao Xuanxuan exclaimed in unison.

"Yes, getting married. What’s wrong with that?" Miao Qingyuan frowned.

Miao Qingqing spoke darkly, "Dad, Song Xiaodong and I... We are not in that kind of relationship at all."

"What do you mean ’not that kind’?" Miao Qingyuan’s face instantly darkened as he demanded, "How have I raised you? As a girl, if you don’t like someone, let it be. But if you do, you should stick with it faithfully. You can’t be fickle. Since you have feelings for each other, you shouldn’t consider anything else. That settles it."

Miao Qingqing was on the verge of tears. What was all this about suddenly talking of marriage? She and Song Xiaodong weren’t even dating, but she knew that with her father taking this stance, explaining was already impossible. Her only option was to look desperately toward Song Xiaodong for help.

Song Xiaodong cleared his throat and said, "Uncle Miao, isn’t this a bit too hasty?"

Miao Qingyuan, with a grim face, looked at Song Xiaodong and asked, "What’s the matter? You’re not happy, thinking that my Qingqing isn’t good enough for you?"

"That’s not it, but Qingqing and I have known each other for less than a month in total, and we have only met a few times. Getting married so soon, I’m just afraid that our personalities won’t match."

"There is nothing about not matching. I know Qingqing, she may seem cold normally, but if she really marries, she can be a virtuous wife who is good at caring for her husband and teaching children. You don’t have to worry about that at all. Besides, you two have been together two years ago. What do you mean you’ve only known each other for a month? That’s not right, is it?"

Song Xiaodong was suddenly at a loss for words. Miao Qingyuan really was domineering. This coerced marriage was much more forceful than the Shen Dongyang couple’s.

"Alright, this matter is settled then. As for the wedding date, you and Qingqing can decide. I won’t interfere anymore. Xuanxuan, come with me for a moment."

"Oh..." Miao Xuanxuan responded, but her gaze was fixed on Song Xiaodong, filled with a kind of crumpled annoyance.

Song Xiaodong could only offer a dry laugh. This matter was indeed a bit rough. Other matters were manageable, as he could simply walk away, but walking away from this wasn’t so easy.

Miao Xuanxuan followed Miao Qingyuan upstairs to the study.

"Dad, what did you want to see me for?" Miao Xuanxuan pouted as she looked at Miao Qingyuan.

Miao Qingyuan sat down and sighed lightly, asking, "Xuanxuan, do you want to bring your mother back?"

"Yes!" Miao Xuanxuan immediately shouted excitedly.

"Do you know why I haven’t gone to get her?" Miao Qingyuan asked again.

Miao Xuanxuan excitedly said, "Why? I’ve asked you many times before, but you never tell me."

"Actually, your mother and I never really split up. She didn’t leave us by her own will, but was forced to by necessity."

"What do you mean? Who could force my mom to leave?" Miao Xuanxuan’s eyes widened, filled with even more questions.

Miao Qingyuan lit a cigarette and took a couple of puffs before explaining, "Actually, your mom isn’t from an ordinary family. Her family is a huge clan, much larger than you can imagine. I wasn’t accepted by them, so even though she had you, her family still forced her to return."

"There’s no way that’s true." Miao Xuanxuan frowned deeply.

"Well... such great families are beyond your understanding. I’m telling you this because if you want your mom to come back, then I must gain the approval of your mom’s family. I’ve been working hard all these years to grow the company, but it’s still not enough. Now, the only chance to expand our company lies with Song Xiaodong."

"So what you’re telling me..."

Miao Qingyuan took a deep drag from his cigarette before saying, "Your sister and Song Xiaodong might not genuinely be in love, so... I hope you’ll also pursue Song Xiaodong. If your sister doesn’t succeed, then you should marry him!"