Return to the City: The Strongest King
Chapter 408 - 409: This Tea Isn’t Drunk for Nothing

Chapter 408: Chapter 409: This Tea Isn’t Drunk for Nothing

Seeing the elders with gloomy faces, Ding Yuelin’s heart pounded more intensely, and his back felt cold as if a chill was rising from it. He thought of the Ding family’s Haixing, known to be the most capable among the third generation and the son of Ding Shanhuan. Within the younger members of the Ding family, Haixing was certainly ranked first.

Even Haixing, whose leg was broken by Song Xiaodong, didn’t prompt the Ding family to utter a word of protest. Then there was Ding Yuelin, who didn’t even have the "Sea" character in his name, not considered a core member of the Ding family at all. Now that he had offended someone like Song Xiaodong, how could the Ding family possibly stand up for him? They were likely all thinking about how to kill him.

Ding Yuelin’s legs gave way, and with a thump, he knelt in front of Song Xiaodong. His face drained of color as he stammered, "Mr. Song, Mr. Song, I really have the eyes of a dog and didn’t know the immensity of heaven and earth. It’s all my fault. Please, in your magnanimity, let me go as if I were nothing."

"Idiot!" Ding Shanhuan glared and barked, "What kind of thing are you to dare offend Mr. Song?" Then he lifted a foot and kicked right at Ding Yuelin’s chin.

Ding Yuelin’s head snapped back, and with a thud, he fell to the ground, his head also hitting the floor. He quickly scrambled up, not even bothering to wipe the blood from his mouth, and hastily said, "It’s my fault, my fault. Please punish me, Third Master."

At that moment, Ding Shanyue was also enraged and gave Ding Yuelin a kick, shouting, "What fault, you dimwit! Our Ding family has told again and again to treat Mr. Song with respect. Have dogs eaten your brain, pigs dug through it?"

Several of the Ding family members, now quite infuriated, began a quick succession of slapping and kicking, soon turning Ding Yuelin into a mess. At this moment, Ding Yuelin could only admit his faults repeatedly, daring not to resist. He preferred physical pain over the pain of broken arms and legs.

Song Yu and Song Deqing, who had been proud of Ding Yuelin, were now totally horrified. They thought about pleading for mercy, but now dared not utter a peep.

Song Xiaoru, having a soft heart, gently tugged at Song Xiaodong, who then said, "Enough, today is a day of celebration for my uncle’s family. It’s not good to be so rough. Let’s forget about this matter."

"Yes, yes!" The words of Song Xiaodong were more effective than anything else, causing Ding Shanhuan and the others to cease their actions. They then ordered Ding Yuelin, "Go back immediately, and await further handling."

Ding Yuelin, as if granted amnesty, struggled to get up. Song Yu and Song Deqing hesitated for a moment then hurried after him. They too feared staying any longer, worried that Song Xiaodong’s anger might turn towards them, something they could not afford.

Ding Shanhuan then turned towards Song Xiaodong, saying, "Mr. Song, this matter... it’s all due to our lack of strict discipline..."

Song Xiaodong waved his hand, smiling, "I was too impulsive as well. Such a small issue, and it troubled your Ding family like this. Let’s end this matter here."

Ding Shanhuan looked somewhat stunned. Could Song Xiaodong really be this easy-going? The last time, due to his son Haixing’s disrespect, the Ding family had paid a hefty price.

"Alright, come in and have some tea. Second Uncle, there’s still tea, right?"

"Yes! Of course!" Second Uncle hastily agreed, leading the Ding family members into the inner room, while those village officials brought by Ding Yuelin stood outside, uneasy, knowing they had no right to join these significant figures for tea.

Song Xiaodong truly did not intend to pursue the matter further. It was enough to have spoken out, especially since it was a time of celebration at Second Uncle’s home. He was more inclined to keep the peace.

However, for the Ding family members, it made them nervous. In their eyes, Song Xiaodong’s appetite was large, and inviting them in for tea definitely had significant implications.

"Come, come, thank you all for coming. We don’t have any particularly good tea here, but please have some to quench your thirst," Song Xiaodong offered as he poured a cup for each of the Ding family members.

This gesture made each of the Ding family members feel unexpectedly honored, each carefully sipping their tea while jovially chatting with Song Xiaodong on the surface but internally calculating the implication behind the tea.

Song Xiaodong felt they really didn’t fit in here. After chatting for a few moments, he said, "Let’s consider today’s incident closed. I apologize for the trouble of coming here; next time, I’ll invite everyone for a meal."

"Not at all, not at all." The Ding family members sensed Song Xiaodong’s indication for them to leave, exchanged pleasantries, and then left.

Once outside the village, sitting beside Ding Shanhuan, the Ding Family’s Fifth Son said, "Third Brother, Mr. Song wouldn’t just let this go so simply, right?"

Ding Shanhuan rolled his eyes, saying, "Don’t you get it? We went in for tea, seven people in total, each with a cup. A million per cup, that’s it."

"Ah, that’s some expensive tea," quivered a smile from the Fifth Elder.

Ding Shanhuan huffed, "That’s already Mr. Song giving us face. If he refuses to extend our old man’s life using this as an excuse, the loss will be much greater. A few million is nothing. Right, but this bill should be paid by that idiot Ding Yuelin. He’s simply blinded by dogs, I’ve told him countless times not to provoke Mr. Song, yet he dared."

"He probably hasn’t met Mr. Song and, given his status in the Ding family, he wouldn’t know the details, either."

"Well, regardless, this matter must be handled well. We need to satisfy Mr. Song and not lose out over a small issue."

"Exactly!"

Back at Second Uncle’s home, the atmosphere appeared even livelier. With the government officials from the Ding family gone, everyone relaxed even more. Coupled with a visiting opera troupe and a television host recording segments, it was impossible not to be lively.

And Song Xiaodong’s status had risen to an unimaginable level. No one had anticipated his immense energy, and with a girlfriend both wealthy and beautiful, it made the people to⟩