Return to the City: The Strongest King
Chapter 342 - 343: Extensive Connections

Chapter 342: Chapter 343: Extensive Connections

"Dongzi, you’re coming out with me without bringing Chairman Miao, could this cause a misunderstanding on his part?"

Ultimately, Su Yao and Song Xiaodong decided to attend the class reunion. However, upon arriving at the hotel’s entrance, Su Yao grew concerned. In her position, the last thing she wanted was rumors about her and Song Xiaodong. If Miao Qingqing got jealous, Su Yao wouldn’t stand a chance in the company. That’s why she had always been strictly professional with Song Xiaodong at work, exceedingly careful so as not to give anyone the opportunity to misunderstand their relationship.

Song Xiaodong chuckled, "It’s okay, we haven’t done anything wrong, and she’s not such a petty person."

Still cautious, Su Yao suggested, "Maybe you should still give Chairman Miao a heads-up. It’s always better to be safe than sorry. People can be two-faced, and who knows what the folks at the company might think if they see us together?"

Seeing Su Yao’s worried expression, Song Xiaodong sent a WeChat message to Song Xiaoru. He wasn’t in the habit of reporting his whereabouts to Miao Qingqing, but he was accustomed to telling his sister.

Upon seeing that Song Xiaodong had sent a message, Su Yao felt relieved, and they went inside together.

"Brother Song!" Just as the two walked in, several people followed them, and one person called out to Song Xiaodong.

When Su Yao glanced at the group, she immediately felt nervous. Except for one in the middle who looked somewhat fair and delicate, the other four exuded a tough bearing, clearly not ordinary folks. They were possibly even gangsters.

This guy was none other than Chen Zixu, certainly not a simple character; a well-known figure in Tiannan City’s underworld. The entourage following him consisted of notorious tough guys, all Chen Zixu’s trusted subordinates.

Song Xiaodong grinned, "Look at you, also here for a meal, huh?"

"Yeah, boss, I see you’ve... heh heh..." Noticing the unfamiliar girl next to Song Xiaodong, Chen Zixu winked at him and said, "Well then, I won’t bother you. I’ll take care of your bill later."

"No need, I’m here with some other friends. You just do your thing," Song Xiaodong replied.

"Alright, I’ll take you out to eat some other time," Chen Zixu said, winking again at Song Xiaodong before leading his group upstairs.

Just as they were about to head up, someone else came from behind, "Mr. Song, what a coincidence, you’re here for a meal too?"

Turning around, Song Xiaodong saw Chen Jun, Xiao Yingying’s personal bodyguard. Looking past him, Song Xiaodong didn’t see Xiao Yingying and asked, "Are you here by yourself?"

"Today, I’m dining with some comrades and have taken leave from the miss," Chen Jun replied.

Song Xiaodong said with a smile, "Oh, Yingying is alright now, you don’t have to stick with her all day."

Chen Jun hastily responded, "It’s my duty, Mr. Song. The miss has been asking about you these past few days. If you have time, please pay her a visit." Then, his gaze briefly settled on Su Yao, his brow furrowing slightly.

"Sure, I know. I was planning to see her soon anyway. I’m busy tomorrow morning, but I’ll visit her in the afternoon."

"Great, I’ll let the miss know. She’ll be delighted," Chen Jun said.

After finishing the conversation, Chen Jun was about to leave but then paused, "Mr. Song, let me pick up your tab in a bit."

"There’s no need... go on with your business. I’m here with some other friends who will cover it."

"Alright, then I won’t intrude any further."

No sooner had Chen Jun gone upstairs than another group arrived, each exuding an air of importance. At a glance, one could tell they were officials. Spotting Song Xiaodong, one of them immediately came forward, "Mr. Song, what a coincidence to see you here!"

Song Xiaodong smiled, "Isn’t this Director Zhao? I owe you thanks for the last time, and I haven’t had the chance to express my gratitude."

The man was none other than Zhao Yongbo, the director of the government office in the city.

Zhao Yongbo busily said, "Mr. Song, you are really too polite. It was just a trifle. By the way, I have a few friends joining me for dinner today. If Mr. Song has the time, why don’t you come over and have a few drinks with us?"

Song Xiaodong shook his head and said, "I’ll pass, it’s a class reunion."

"If it’s inconvenient, let’s leave it at that. I have many friends who want to get to know Mr. Song. I hope you can do me the honor of dining together sometime in the future."

"We’ll see about that." Song Xiaodong was non-committal, but it was essentially a polite refusal.

"Then I won’t disturb you any longer. I’m going to head upstairs first." Zhao Yongbo said, taking his leave with his group.

One of the people following Zhao Yongbo said, "Director Zhao, who was that? So arrogant, not even giving you face."

Zhao Yongbo immediately lowered his voice and said, "Don’t talk nonsense, that person has quite a background."

"Background? Who is he?"

"He’s likely to become Deputy Mayor Shen’s son-in-law in the future, so none of you should offend him."

They were all startled, and then they turned to give Song Xiaodong a profound look. In Tiannan City, Shen Dongyang was a real power broker, someone people clamored to curry favor with, not someone they’d want to offend.

As soon as he entered the room, three groups of people came over to greet Song Xiaodong. This left Su Yao staring in dumbfounded amazement, and she said, "Dongzi, you have such a wide network."

Song Xiaodong just smiled and said, "It’s just average."

Curious, Su Yao asked, "Who are these people? They all seem quite extraordinary."

"They’re just some friends," Song Xiaodong replied casually, as he didn’t have the habit of showing off his connections.

Seeing that Song Xiaodong didn’t wish to elaborate, Su Yao didn’t pry further, but she couldn’t help but ponder. It seemed that Song Xiaodong’s current status wasn’t only due to Miao Qingqing’s influence, especially the second group of people, who even mentioned how some young lady was thinking of Song Xiaodong. Perhaps that was one of Song Xiaodong’s lovers, something Miao Qingqing definitely wouldn’t be aware of.

In these past days, Su Yao felt she had gotten to know Song Xiaodong quite well, but now she suddenly realized she didn’t understand him at all. It appeared as though this guy was shrouded in mystery.

The two made their way to a private room on the second floor, and as they entered, seven or eight people already seated stood up to greet them.

"Ha... the class beauty has finally arrived."

"We’ve been waiting for you for ages."

However, when everyone saw Song Xiaodong, they all couldn’t help but frown. Wang Yuming even laughed and said, "I say Dongzi, you sure have nerve showing up uninvited. You have a real keen nose."

Zhou Peng laughed, "Now that you’re here, it’s just a matter of an extra pair of chopsticks."

Listening to everyone speaking to Song Xiaodong with a condescending tone, Su Yao’s mouth twitched, but upon turning, she saw that Song Xiaodong didn’t seem the least bit upset and was actually grinning. She suddenly started to admire him.

It seemed that this was truly the demeanor of a great leader, and compared to Song Xiaodong, these classmates seemed much too petty.

I recommend the riveting "My Co-renting Miss" by the author, Young Snail.