Return to the City: The Strongest King
Chapter 896 - 897: What’s Going On?

Chapter 896: Chapter 897: What’s Going On?

Song Xiaodong, as the Patriarch of the Su Family, was cordially invited by the Ji Family this time. Despite his dominant position, maintaining relationships is always necessary, so he promptly agreed to attend.

Everyone at home was busy, so he hadn’t brought any of his wives along.

Several of the most important figures from the Ji Family accompanied Song Xiaodong as he walked into the hall. Inside, the Ji Family’s prominent members eagerly approached him, enthusiastically greeting him.

Blocked by others, Lin Shu and Zhong Chuling had not yet caught sight of Song Xiaodong, only knowing that he had arrived.

Noticing that everyone’s attention was focused over there, Lin Shu whispered immediately, "Let’s see if there’s a chance to slip away."

The two began moving along the outskirts of the crowd toward the doorway, only to find several men dressed in black standing there. It was clear that escaping wouldn’t be possible.

Lin Shu sighed helplessly and said, "Then we’ll execute the second plan—later, we’ll borrow a phone and pretend to make a call."

"Got it!" Zhong Chuling nodded.

Lin Shu remarked, "Let’s first take a look at what that guy actually looks like. I bet he’s got a sneaky, shady face, the type that screams ’huge lecher.’"

Zhong Chuling nodded repeatedly, "Yeah, yeah, absolutely that type."

But the crowd was packed too tightly for them to see anything.

"Xiao Huan, come quickly and greet the Patriarch of the Song Family!" Ji Huan’s grandfather, Elder Master Ji, called Ji Huan over with a smile.

Ji Huan hurried forward with small, measured steps, trying her best to exude elegance as she arrived in front of Song Xiaodong. She curtsied and, looking at him with soulful eyes, said tenderly, "Greetings, Patriarch Song."

Everyone eagerly awaited Song Xiaodong’s reaction, but he merely nodded, treating her no differently than anyone else, as though Ji Huan didn’t catch his attention at all.

This left the Ji Family deeply disappointed. Ji Huan, the most beautiful girl in the family, was snubbed by Song Xiaodong—if he wasn’t interested in her, their other girls had even less hope.

Ji Huan’s face froze. She had always been confident—men’s gazes on her had never been as indifferent as Song Xiaodong’s.

But this act of ignoring her was humiliating. Could it be that, in the eyes of this Song Family Patriarch, she was truly worthless? That she wasn’t even capable of piquing his interest?

"Patriarch Song, I didn’t expect that the mighty leader of the Su Family would be so young," Ji Huan tried to spark some interest with a remark.

Song Xiaodong faintly smiled and replied, "Which is why I’ve come to learn from Elder Master Ji." Though he had a smile on his face, his glance toward Ji Huan remained indifferent.

Meanwhile, Lin Shu and Zhong Chuling had expressions of pure astonishment. Zhong Chuling whispered, "Xiao Shu, why does it sound like Uncle’s voice?"

"Yeah, it sounds like it," Lin Shu nodded repeatedly before shaking her head vigorously and saying, "We’re just imagining things. We’ve been wishing for Uncle to rescue us so much that our minds are playing tricks on us."

"Oh, you’re right," Zhong Chuling agreed, feeling that it was impossible for Song Xiaodong to be here.

Over there, the Ji Family saw that Song Xiaodong wasn’t interested in Ji Huan. Ji Huan’s aunt quickly chimed in, "Xiao Huan, don’t you have two classmates who greatly admire Patriarch Song? Bring them over—otherwise, they might miss their chance to meet him."

Ji Huan quickly responded and hurried over, grabbing Zhong Chuling and Lin Shu by the hands. The crowd parted, allowing the three of them to approach Song Xiaodong.

"Ah!" Lin Shu and Zhong Chuling exclaimed simultaneously as they finally saw Song Xiaodong. Their hands flew to their mouths, their faces filled with disbelief, their minds crashing at the sight of Song Xiaodong. How was it possible to see him here?

Song Xiaodong was equally stunned. He hadn’t expected to encounter Zhong Chuling and Lin Shu here, and even more surprising were their appearances. The two girls usually wore school uniforms—he was used to seeing them dressed like regular students. Now, with their fashionable outfits and makeup, they looked stunningly beautiful, so much so that, had he not known them well, he might not have recognized them.

Song Xiaodong’s astonishment left the Ji Family members thrilled. If Song Xiaodong showed interest, it was undoubtedly good news.

Ji Huan noticed Song Xiaodong’s contrasting reactions and felt deeply resentful. The stark difference between how he reacted to her and to them was galling.

Ji Huan’s aunt’s eyes gleamed as she quickly commented, "Patriarch Song, these two young ladies are as close as sisters to our Xiao Huan. They are inseparable and share an extraordinary bond."

The underlying message was clear—if Song Xiaodong liked those two, he could still connect with Ji Huan, even indirectly. This would be better than Ji Huan failing to enter the Su Family altogether.

Song Xiaodong nodded absentmindedly and then directly approached Lin Shu and Zhong Chuling.

Lin Shu had initially refused to believe that Song Xiaodong was the head of the Su Family, but hearing Ji Huan’s aunt’s remark confirmed it. Excited and indignant, she shook off Ji Huan’s hand, stomped forward to Song Xiaodong, and demanded in an aggressive tone, "Hey, are you the big jerk looking to pick a woman?"

The Ji Family was instantly dumbstruck. Then came a chorus of rebukes.

"Behave yourself!"

"He’s the Patriarch of the Su Family. If he favors you, it’s a blessing!"

Song Xiaodong was momentarily stunned by Lin Shu’s question. Hearing the reactions of the Ji Family thoroughly clarified the situation for him. His face darkened as he turned to Elder Master Ji and said, "I say, Elder Master Ji, what do you take me for—a shameless philanderer?"

"Not at all, not at all!" Elder Master Ji, thinking Song Xiaodong was merely saving face, hurriedly replied, "A man being a little charming isn’t a problem, is it?"

Song Xiaodong furrowed his brow and said, "Elder Master Ji, then you’ve got the wrong idea. Although there are many women in my family, I have never liked such profit-driven marriages. Every member of the Su Family, whether male or female, has the right to choose their own partners. How could I enjoy such things?"

"This..." The Ji Family members found themselves bewildered by Song Xiaodong’s emphatic stance.

Song Xiaodong’s face grew stern as he turned to Lin Shu and Zhong Chuling and questioned, "What’s wrong with you two?"

Seeing Song Xiaodong visibly displeased, Zhong Chuling immediately stepped forward and replied, "Uncle, ... they made us come here. We thought it was just for fun."

Uncle!

Ji Huan’s heart sank—it couldn’t be that this Song Family Patriarch was the very uncle Lin Shu kept talking about, could it?