Return to the City: The Strongest King
Chapter 756 - 757: Low-key

Chapter 756: Chapter 757: Low-key

Secretary Shi Wei, whose name is Chen Yuping, had secured the position of city secretary in the economically developed city of Minghe. His ability was certainly very strong, and his background was equally impressive.

The Su Family had also supported him a lot initially. In many large families, it was often necessary to spend money and effort to support someone. Such actions often resembled gambling; if the person you supported rose smoothly in their career, it could bring benefits to the family. If, however, the supported individual failed and was suppressed by others, that family would also suffer losses.

"Secretary Chen, Mayor Li, I am late. I have kept you waiting for a long time, and I am truly sorry," Song Xiaodong said as he arrived at the reserved private room. Chen Yuping and Li Qiuhe, the mayor, were already there, each accompanied by their wives.

Chen Yuping smiled and said, "You are a very busy person. Even coming out for a meal is not easy for you, so this isn’t considered late."

Song Xiaodong replied hastily, "You’re making me blush with such comments. Both of you are the parents of our city of Minghe. You are the real deal, managing myriad matters every day. I am just busy chasing minor benefits for my own family, whereas you are busy working for the happiness of all the citizens. The nature of our tasks is completely different."

His words greatly pleased both Chen Yuping and Li Qiuhe. Usually, if someone made such comments, it would be regarded as mere flattery, and they wouldn’t take it to heart. But coming from Song Xiaodong, it often signified genuine admiration.

Everyone then introduced their wives. Shui Qingyue’s youth and beauty didn’t particularly impress the two leaders—that sort of thing was expected from someone in Song Xiaodong’s position.

However, when Shui Qingyue chatted with the wives of the two leaders, her appropriate comments and elegant demeanor exhibited a unique personal charm in front of the leaders.

As everyone ate and talked, the conversation was quite casual. However, due to the identities of the three men, it mostly concerned urban development and public welfare.

Chen Yuping and Li Qiuhe were career-minded individuals. Before reaching their positions, they might have thought about manoeuvring for advancement, but upon achieving their ranks, the thoughts of advancing faded. Instead, they were more concerned with performing their duties well.

This was also why Song Xiaodong was willing to interact with them. If they had been solely focused on promotion and wealth, he would have been reluctant to engage with them beyond weighing interests.

The dinner was relaxed, yet it did not last long. Everyone was busy, and they all got up to leave after less than two hours.

Song Xiaodong and Shui Qingyue then went to a banquet hall on the third floor, which was where Lin Su’er and others were attending a charity gala.

Song Xiaodong shook his head and said, "Qingyue, do you think this is ridiculous? Hosting a gala like this costs a lot of money. If they really had charitable intentions, why not just donate the money directly?"

Shui Qingyue, linking her arm with Song Xiaodong’s, replied, "This is just an excuse for a gathering while claiming it’s for charity. It’s something people in this circle love to do, and I’ve also been to a few."

Song Xiaodong shook his head again and said, "Well, it seems I’m still not fully integrated into the upper echelons of society."

As they were talking, they encountered Cheng Xiaoyue and Qiao Bin walking towards them.

"Big Brother Song, what are you doing here?" Cheng Xiaoyue, dressed in an evening gown, excitedly hurried over when she saw Song Xiaodong.

Song Xiaodong smiled and said, "We just finished dinner and thought we’d come over to have a look."

Qiao Bin also came over, initially dazzled by Shui Qingyue’s attire. However, his main concern was still Cheng Xiaoyue, and he quickly said, "What a coincidence! Would you like to join our charity dinner?"

Song Xiaodong smiled and said, "Sure, let’s go see what it’s like."

Qiao Bin replied, "Wait a moment then. I’ll accompany Xiaoyue to the restroom, and then I’ll bring you in."

Cheng Xiaoyue didn’t really need the restroom, but was trying to find an excuse to avoid Qiao Bin for a while. Now that Song Xiaodong was there, she immediately said, "No need, let’s just go in now."

"You’re not going to the restroom?" Qiao Bin still asked, puzzled.

"No." With Song Xiaodong there, Cheng Xiaoyue felt more confident, though she would have been completely unconcerned if they were in Tiannan, Song Xiaodong’s stronghold. There, no one would dare trouble him.

But Minghe was incomparable to Tiannan. Even if Song Xiaodong was powerful, a strong dragon could not suppress a local snake, so Cheng Xiaoyue didn’t expect Song Xiaodong could offer much protection here.

Seeing that Cheng Xiaoyue wanted to get away from Qiao Bin, Song Xiaodong smiled at her and said, "Why don’t you take Qingyue with you?"

"Of course, I’ll take good care of sister-in-law," Cheng Xiaoyue replied happily, now having a perfect excuse.

Qiao Bin rolled his eyes. Although he sensed that Cheng Xiaoyue didn’t really like him much, he walked ahead with Song Xiaodong and asked, "Bro, what are you doing here?"

"Just doing some small business," Song Xiaodong replied casually.

Qiao Bin said, "Doing business? With which company? Let me see if I can help you out, make sure you earn more."

Song Xiaodong chuckled and thanked him, "Thank you, but I’m just dealing with a small matter, so I won’t bother you."

Listening to Song Xiaodong downplaying it, Qiao Bin assumed he was talking about a business worth just a hundred thousand or so, and casually said, "That’s true, no point bothering about it unless it’s worth seven or eight hundred thousand. But if you have such a deal in the future, come to me and I’ll help you out."

Shui Qingyue, following behind, suppressed a smile. Cheng Xiaoyue whispered, "Sister-in-law, what’s making you laugh?"

Shui Qingyue shook her head, saying, "It’s nothing."

"Oh, you’re laughing at that guy being over his head, right? I know Brother Dongzi is quite capable," Cheng Xiaoyue said.

"Don’t mention that," Shui Qingyue quickly warned. "We’re just here to have some fun."

"Oh, I understand," Cheng Xiaoyue nodded repeatedly, though her thoughts differed greatly from Shui Qingyue’s. Shui Qingyue wanted to avoid drawing attention to Song Xiaodong’s identity and causing a sensation.

Whereas Cheng Xiaoyue thought that Song Xiaodong, being a foreigner, should not showcase his power here to avoid trouble.