Return to the City: The Strongest King
Chapter 326 - 327: Such a Father

Chapter 326: Chapter 327: Such a Father

Song Xiaodong stroked Lin Su’er’s hair, speaking softly, "Su’er, can you tell me about your family situation?"

Lin Su’er bit her lip and whispered, "Brother Dongzi, if I tell you, will you look down on me?"

"Of course not, you are you, and your family is your family. Why should I have any opinion about you just because of your family?"

Lin Su’er said with a sense of grievance, "But my family is different. In the area around my house, no one will act as a matchmaker for me, just because of my father like this. Even though I myself am not bad, everyone is scared."

"Su’er, don’t be so self-deprecating. You said it yourself, you’re not in a bad situation. You eventually have to live your own life, and you can’t spend your whole life with your father. Plus, you can’t run away from this problem; it always needs to be resolved. Maybe if you tell me about it, I can help you solve it," said Song Xiaodong.

Lin Su’er bit her lip again and then said, "My dad used to mix with the wrong crowds when he was young, always loitering, getting into fights, and he’d drink too. After drinking, he’d hit people. My mom, when I was very young, couldn’t endure his abuse and finally committed suicide."

Lin Su’er’s eyes reddened instantly, and after a pause, she continued, "I was still little at the time, and my dad basically neglected me, only handing me some living expenses occasionally. There were even days when I wouldn’t see him at all. Starting from the age of seven, I had to take care of myself. I washed my own clothes, cooked my own meals; I did everything by myself. Sometimes when he came back, I even had to wash his clothes and cook for him."

Song Xiaodong felt a surge of anger inside. What kind of despicable father could do such things?

"By the time I reached junior high, my dad cared even less, not even paying my tuition. I had no choice but to go to school during the day and work at night to earn money. And for the sake of earning money sooner, I didn’t go to high school. Instead, I went straight to nursing school, just so I could earn money earlier and support myself."

Song Xiaodong could completely understand Lin Su’er’s hardships; he and Song Xiaoru had gone through the same thing, but their parents had truly passed away, while Lin Su’er still had a father.

"I thought that once I started working, my difficult days would come to an end. I was genuinely happy for a while. I had a salary and could support myself. I even moved out and had my own friends and colleagues, and I met you, Brother Dongzi. I felt truly blessed, but..."

Lin Su’er’s tears began to flow again, her voice choked up as she said, "But then my father found me again. He said he had no money and asked me to lend him some. I didn’t think too much about it. No matter how he treated me, he was still my father. Besides, I didn’t spend much myself, so I just kept a little for living expenses and gave the rest to him."

"From then on, the nightmare started. As soon as I got my salary every month, he would demand money from me. Most of my salary went to him. This month I had to pay rent, so I didn’t have much left. When he came to ask for money again, I didn’t give him as much. He had been drinking, got angry, and... he hit me."

Song Xiaodong subconsciously clenched his fist, forgetting his right hand was still on Lin Su’er’s head, and accidentally pulled her hair, causing Lin Su’er to cry out in pain.

"Ah! I’m sorry." Song Xiaodong quickly let go and then began to rub the spot where her hair had been pulled.

"It’s okay! It’s okay." Lin Su’er could sense Song Xiaodong’s anger, "Brother Dongzi, I haven’t talked to anyone about this. I can choose other things, but I have no choice with my father. No matter how hard it is, I have to endure it."

Song Xiaodong shook his head and said, "Su’er, my parents passed away early and I didn’t get to feel much parental affection. But there’s one thing I understand: parents usually consider their children’s well-being. Your father is truly a rarity. And I feel that tolerating him isn’t a solution. If you’re willing, I could actually meet your father."

"Meet my father... That... That..." Lin Su’er’s face flushed suddenly. For her, Song Xiaodong meeting her father was like meeting the parents, which made her very happy.

"No, no! You can’t meet him." Lin Su’er suddenly shook her head decisively.

"Why?" Song Xiaodong asked, puzzled. "I’m trying to help you resolve this."

Lin Su’er was adamant, "It’s not possible... really not possible... If my father found out I have a capable man... I mean a male friend, he would definitely make me find ways to ask you for money," she insisted.

Song Xiaodong frowned again, feeling that Lin Su’er’s father was truly shameless. "I see. Well, how about I meet him posing as your boyfriend? If he really needs money, giving him some is okay. We can’t let him keep annoying you. Besides... I think we need to solve this problem from its root."

"Boyfriend..." Lin Su’er’s face turned bright red, she stuttered and couldn’t quite get the words out. As for what Song Xiaodong said after that, she did not register at all. The word "boyfriend" was the only thing on her mind.

Song Xiaodong smiled slightly and said, "You’re my friend, and I can’t stand to see you suffer. Let’s settle this matter. You should be getting off work late today and will have tomorrow off. How about I come pick you up tonight and we go see your father then?"

"Okay, okay..." Lin Su’er was completely dazed, only managing to nod.

"That’s settled then. I’ll go get ready and pick you up after work."

It wasn’t until Song Xiaodong had left that Lin Su’er finally got up from the bed, remaining dazed for a long while. She snapped back to reality upon hearing footsteps and quickly jumped out of bed and left the suite, only to see Vice President He Wenbai.

"Vice President He, I’m so sorry, I... I..." As soon as she remembered lying alone on the vice president’s bed, Lin Su’er felt embarrassed.

He Wenbai laughed and said, "No worries, no worries. From now on, when Mr. Song visits, this room will be yours. And all those beddings are freshly changed; I haven’t used them."

Lin Su’er’s face flushed with embarrassment as she hurriedly replied, "Vice President He, there’s really nothing between us." And yet inside, she was extremely happy, as Vice President He clearly treated her as if she were Song Xiaodong’s girlfriend.

"Ha... no need to explain anything to me." He Wenbai laughed heartily and then, looking into Lin Su’er’s eyes, he immediately praised, "Mr. Song truly is impressive. Your eyes have healed in no time at all. It’s really miraculous, truly miraculous."

I recommend a new book from my brother, "Huadu’s Little Security Guard". It’s a good read and quite entertaining. The protagonist becomes a security guard for a girls’ dormitory, just imagining it can be thrilling. You guys might want to take a look.