Return to the City: The Strongest King
Chapter 826 - 827 New Year

Chapter 826: Chapter 827 New Year

The meal was a joyous one, though the elders seated with Song Xiaodong didn’t drink much. However, some of the younger folks were starting to liven up.

Their fathers were somewhat worried, thinking of stepping in, but Song Xiaodong simply smiled and said, "It’s a festive season, let’s all be happy. Let them drink to their heart’s content; today, there’s no distinction between elders and juniors."

No one dared to countermand Song Xiaodong’s words, so they could only let things take their course.

After a while, Song Xiaodong actively mingled with the young crowd. Usually, he had to uphold his dignity as the Family Head, but not today, which was also a show of being down-to-earth.

Additionally, Song Xiaodong intentionally wanted to nurture the Su Family’s youth. The younger generation has a plethora of ideas, and if given the opportunity, they would rather start their own businesses.

The development of a large family is a bit like the old communal pot, where regardless of one’s ability, earnings are thrown into a big pot for the Su Family, then distributed by the Family Head.

Those with capabilities would receive slightly more, but it would still fall short of the profits they made.

On the other hand, if they started their own business, what they earned would be theirs alone, which for the young was a better reflection of their life’s value. However, since they wouldn’t be contributing to the Su Family’s communal pot, the family’s cohesion would naturally weaken, and the large family system would gradually unravel.

Even as a Family Head, Song Xiaodong couldn’t just dissolve the Su Family outright; it had to be a gradual change.

During this time, Song Xiaodong had also got to know some of the Su Family youth. The one who left the deepest impression was Sixth Young Master Su, Su Qingmiao.

"Family Head! To you," Su Qingmiao approached, his face beaming with a radiant smile.

Song Xiaodong clinked glasses with Su Qingmiao and said, "Little Six has been doing well recently. Keep up the good work."

"Thank you for the compliment, Family Head," Su Qingmiao exulted, feeling lighter in spirit. It was a tremendous honor to be praised by the Family Head, especially in front of his siblings—a huge boost to his reputation.

Song Xiaodong said with a smile, "Good work deserves praise."

Seeing how approachable Song Xiaodong was in conversing with Su Qingmiao, everyone’s awe of him lessened a bit, and the youths started drinking and chatting with Song Xiaodong too.

"Family Head!" A sweet-looking girl approached, pursing her lips and gazing up at Song Xiaodong with her round, bright eyes. "My name is Su Bifei."

"Hmm-hmm!" Song Xiaodong nodded, acknowledging her.

"Family Head, I’d like to toast to you!" Su Bifei raised her glass.

Song Xiaodong clinked glasses with her, took a sip, and was about to greet someone else, when Su Bifei stopped him, saying, "Family Head, could I also get involved in the Su Family’s affairs in the future?"

With a smile, Song Xiaodong replied, "Of course, everyone in the Su Family has equal opportunities now, regardless of gender. Haven’t you seen your Aunt Yuya?"

Immediately, Su Bifei said, "But that’s what you’ve said! I’ll be graduating soon, and when I come back, Family Head, you have to give me an opportunity."

"Certainly. As long as you have the ability, irrespective of gender, there will always be opportunities to excel."

With Su Bifei taking the lead, several other girls also came over to talk to Song Xiaodong, with the bolder ones even throwing flirtatious glances at him.

Song Xiaodong didn’t take it seriously and continued to joke around with them.

However, it didn’t take long for Song Xiaodong to feel that something was off. The girls from the younger generation of the Su Family were obviously interested in him, and their actions even suggested they were trying to seduce him.

Actually, this was quite normal for the girls of the Su Family. Most of them knew that they would eventually become victims of marriages of convenience, so rather than that, if they could catch Song Xiaodong’s eye and become the Madame Patriarch of the Su Family, it would be far better than any marriage of convenience.

Not only did they think that way, but their parents did as well. The saying goes that it’s best not to let the water of one’s own pond flow into others’ fields, and if a Su Family girl married the Family Head of the Su Family, their parents’ status within the family would surely be different.

Song Xiaodong promptly found an excuse to leave the girls. To them, it was about keeping the water in their own fields, but in Song Xiaodong’s heart, it was about not eating the grass by his own burrow. Moreover, he already had seven wives and didn’t want to increase that number. Besides, even if he had other ideas, he could not do it in front of his own wives. That would be too disrespectful to them.

In the end, Song Xiaodong joined the Family Guards. Those who could become Family Guards were skilled fighters, and Song Xiaodong valued them highly, first toasting with Su Zhentian.

"Zhentian, I have an idea," said Song Xiaodong.

"Please speak, Family Head," Su Zhentian courteously replied.

"I’m considering sending the Family Guards to places like the army to get some real combat experience," Song Xiaodong said.

"That... is indeed a good thing, but wouldn’t it disperse the Su Family’s own strengths? Also, loyalty is an issue. If they go out and succeed on their own, they might not feel as strong a sense of belonging to the Su Family anymore."

That’s exactly what I want, Song Xiaodong thought, to have them serve the country rather than just one family, but of course, he couldn’t say that outright. He responded, "I just have this idea. Real combat experience will improve their skills, and it will also enhance our family’s influence in the military."

After thinking it over, Su Zhentian replied, "That does make sense. We could consider selecting a few with high loyalty to start."

"Hmm, then Zhentian, I will leave it to you to research this. We can start by sending out a few for training, and then consider other things later on."

"Alright!" This time, Su Zhentian agreed without hesitation.

The night watch was very lively. In the end, when the fireworks started, it caused great excitement among the young people. Xiao Yingying and the others participated too, and even though they were only playing with small toys, they were having endless fun.

Standing by Song Xiaodong’s side, Song Xiaoru and Li Sijie watched the fireworks filling the sky, their faces filled with happy smiles. Song Xiaoru said, "Dongzi, last year I was all alone, and today it’s become so lively. This change has happened so quickly."

Song Xiaodong wrapped his arms around the two of them and said, "From now on, I will make every year just as joyful for you."

"Hmm!" Song Xiaoru’s head rested on Song Xiaodong’s shoulder. Her identity changed from sister to wife, but not her affection for Song Xiaodong—it had only grown deeper, making her sure that she would be with Song Xiaodong for a lifetime, never to be separated again.

After the fireworks, everyone returned to the villa together. Xiao Yingying excitedly said, "Brother Dongzi! It’s New Year’s today, can we all stay together without dividing into groups, please?"

"Ah?" Song Xiaodong’s gaze swept over everyone.

Xiao Yingying said with a giggle, "Today is a special day, after all. It wouldn’t be good to leave anyone out, so let’s all spend New Year’s together with you."