Return to the City: The Strongest King
Chapter 892 - 893: Disguise

Chapter 892: Chapter 893: Disguise

After getting off the plane, Zhong Chuling and Lin Shu walked out together and saw Ji Huan and her aunt.

Lin Shu was about to walk past them, but Ji Huan smiled and said, "I’m sorry about earlier, I really shouldn’t have spoken to you in that tone. My aunt already scolded me, and as fellow alumni, I realize my attitude was very inappropriate."

Lin Shu looked at Ji Huan in surprise, while Zhong Chuling immediately responded, "It’s fine, it’s fine, we’re all alumni after all."

Ji Huan quickly followed up on Zhong Chuling’s words and said, "Chuling is right, I admit I’m too snobbish sometimes. That’s no way to make friends. Sigh, it’s mostly because I haven’t been feeling well recently. College was going fine, but all of a sudden I’m being dragged back home to go on blind dates, and it’s with someone I’ve never even met. Naturally, my mood isn’t great."

These words were taught to Ji Huan by her aunt, suggesting she provide a reason for looking down on Lin Shu and the others by sharing her troubles.

Sure enough, Ji Huan’s explanation made Lin Shu’s tense expression soften significantly, while Zhong Chuling curiously asked, "If you don’t like them after meeting, why not just let it go?"

"Sigh..." Ji Huan let out a deep sigh and said, "You just don’t know. The other family is far too powerful, and my family simply has no grounds to refuse. This matter is likely not even up to me to decide. If they take a liking to me, I wouldn’t have the option of saying no."

Lin Shu rolled her eyes and said, "If you disagree, they can’t just kidnap you, can they?"

Ji Huan said helplessly, "Of course not, but things aren’t as simple as you think. My family may have some status in Minghe and money too, but compared to them, we’re miles apart. If we upset them, our whole family wouldn’t be able to stay in Minghe. So, even if I don’t like it, I’d have no choice but to agree."

"Huh? Situations like that exist? That’s just bullying!" Lin Shu widened her eyes, her righteous indignation instantly flaring.

Ji Huan shook her head and said, "You wouldn’t be able to encounter situations like this in your position. Ah, I don’t mean to look down on you, but these things really do happen."

Lin Shu said, "Wow, that guy must be such a jerk."

Zhong Chuling nodded repeatedly in agreement.

Ji Huan let out a bitter laugh and said, "Luckily, he’s not some old geezer—he’s a 26-year-old man, and people say he’s quite handsome. At least he wouldn’t be entirely unbearable. Still, I’m conflicted inside. I don’t want him to choose me because then I’d be free, but for my family, it’d be a disaster. On the other hand, I do kind of hope he picks me, because that way I can help my family. I just really wonder if he’d treat me well."

Lin Shu frowned and said, "That really is a tough situation."

Ji Huan shook her head, then smiled and said, "Anyway, let’s drop this topic. Whatever happens happens. I just wanted to explain myself so you wouldn’t think I was some snobby jerk giving you attitude for no reason, just because we’re from the same school."

Lin Shu immediately said, "It’s fine, it’s fine. Everyone has their bad days."

Ji Huan said, "Thank you for understanding. How about staying at my place? I’ve got plenty of room, you’d be comfortable."

Lin Shu shook her head and said, "Thanks for the offer, but my grandpa already arranged a place for us to stay."

Ji Huan immediately said, "Then let me drive you there. Our car can easily fit everyone."

"Thanks for the trouble, then."

Although the Ji family is one of the lower-tier families in Minghe, if you placed them in Tiannan, they’d definitely outshine the Ding family. So in terms of strength, they were no pushover. Ji Huan was also raised with various etiquettes from a young age. As long as she wasn’t acting condescending, she was quite skilled at making friends sincerely.

Lin Shu might seem clever, but she only had a bit of petty cleverness. She was no match for Ji Huan at all. Zhong Chuling, with her kind heart, felt sympathy for Ji Huan after hearing about her troubles and found her much less disagreeable, even pitying her.

The car picking them up was a Mercedes-Benz business vehicle. Ji Huan didn’t flaunt it, and Lin Shu and Zhong Chuling, while unused to such comfort, couldn’t help but praise the ride.

As they neared their destination, Ji Huan said, "Oh right, over the next few days, I want to let loose and have some fun. Tonight, I’m attending a friend’s party. Want to come with me? I’m worried I might drink too much and cause a scene. If you’re there, I’ll feel more at ease."

"Sure, just call us later tonight."

Lin Shu hesitated only briefly before readily agreeing.

"Thank you so much. I honestly regret not befriending you earlier," Ji Huan said with a bright smile and an air of friendliness.

But the moment Lin Shu and Zhong Chuling got out of the car, Ji Huan’s smile disappeared. She sneered, "They really think they’re something special."

Her aunt chuckled and said, "You handled it well. At least it shows you’ve matured."

Ji Huan shrugged confidently and said, "I just don’t like wasting energy on insignificant people, that’s all."

Lin Shu and Zhong Chuling got off at the Second Hospital and went directly to find their fathers’ hospital room.

"Ah! Uncle, you’re here too!" As soon as they entered the room, they saw several people standing inside, including Song Xiaodong. Lin Shu immediately shouted in delight.

Lin Yi Yuan’s face darkened, and he said, "Watch your mouth! So disrespectful. Haven’t I taught you better?"

"Oh... Grandpa Song." Lin Shu pouted and corrected herself.

Song Xiaodong laughed and said, "Yi Yuan, calm down. They’re all my little friends. Honestly, being called ’Grandpa’ makes me feel ancient—I don’t like it."

Lin Shu grinned triumphantly and said, "See? Uncle agrees with me."

Lin Yi Yuan glared at his granddaughter. "Stand over there and don’t say another word."

Song Xiaodong was in the middle of giving acupuncture to Zhong Chuling’s father, primarily for He Wenbai and the others to observe and learn, as a way to help them improve their skills.

Despite a busy schedule, Song Xiaodong still managed to carve out some time every week to train them like this.

Zhong Chuling looked at her father’s expression, noting that he no longer showed any signs of illness. Clearly, his recovery had been excellent during this time. Grateful, her gaze lingered on Song Xiaodong. If not for this man, her father might not still be alive.

Lin Shu nudged Zhong Chuling and scraped her fingers twice across her own face in a teasing motion. Zhong Chuling’s face immediately flushed. She realized her gaze toward Song Xiaodong had been far too obvious.