Chapter 342: Chapter 343: Extensive Connections
"Dongzi, youâre coming out with me without bringing Chairman Miao, could this cause a misunderstanding on his part?"
Ultimately, Su Yao and Song Xiaodong decided to attend the class reunion. However, upon arriving at the hotelâs entrance, Su Yao grew concerned. In her position, the last thing she wanted was rumors about her and Song Xiaodong. If Miao Qingqing got jealous, Su Yao wouldnât stand a chance in the company. Thatâs why she had always been strictly professional with Song Xiaodong at work, exceedingly careful so as not to give anyone the opportunity to misunderstand their relationship.
Song Xiaodong chuckled, "Itâs okay, we havenât done anything wrong, and sheâs not such a petty person."
Still cautious, Su Yao suggested, "Maybe you should still give Chairman Miao a heads-up. Itâs always better to be safe than sorry. People can be two-faced, and who knows what the folks at the company might think if they see us together?"
Seeing Su Yaoâs worried expression, Song Xiaodong sent a WeChat message to Song Xiaoru. He wasnât in the habit of reporting his whereabouts to Miao Qingqing, but he was accustomed to telling his sister.
Upon seeing that Song Xiaodong had sent a message, Su Yao felt relieved, and they went inside together.
"Brother Song!" Just as the two walked in, several people followed them, and one person called out to Song Xiaodong.
When Su Yao glanced at the group, she immediately felt nervous. Except for one in the middle who looked somewhat fair and delicate, the other four exuded a tough bearing, clearly not ordinary folks. They were possibly even gangsters.
This guy was none other than Chen Zixu, certainly not a simple character; a well-known figure in Tiannan Cityâs underworld. The entourage following him consisted of notorious tough guys, all Chen Zixuâs trusted subordinates.
Song Xiaodong grinned, "Look at you, also here for a meal, huh?"
"Yeah, boss, I see youâve... heh heh..." Noticing the unfamiliar girl next to Song Xiaodong, Chen Zixu winked at him and said, "Well then, I wonât bother you. Iâll take care of your bill later."
"No need, Iâm here with some other friends. You just do your thing," Song Xiaodong replied.
"Alright, Iâll take you out to eat some other time," Chen Zixu said, winking again at Song Xiaodong before leading his group upstairs.
Just as they were about to head up, someone else came from behind, "Mr. Song, what a coincidence, youâre here for a meal too?"
Turning around, Song Xiaodong saw Chen Jun, Xiao Yingyingâs personal bodyguard. Looking past him, Song Xiaodong didnât see Xiao Yingying and asked, "Are you here by yourself?"
"Today, Iâm dining with some comrades and have taken leave from the miss," Chen Jun replied.
Song Xiaodong said with a smile, "Oh, Yingying is alright now, you donât have to stick with her all day."
Chen Jun hastily responded, "Itâs my duty, Mr. Song. The miss has been asking about you these past few days. If you have time, please pay her a visit." Then, his gaze briefly settled on Su Yao, his brow furrowing slightly.
"Sure, I know. I was planning to see her soon anyway. Iâm busy tomorrow morning, but Iâll visit her in the afternoon."
"Great, Iâll let the miss know. Sheâll be delighted," Chen Jun said.
After finishing the conversation, Chen Jun was about to leave but then paused, "Mr. Song, let me pick up your tab in a bit."
"Thereâs no need... go on with your business. Iâm here with some other friends who will cover it."
"Alright, then I wonât intrude any further."
No sooner had Chen Jun gone upstairs than another group arrived, each exuding an air of importance. At a glance, one could tell they were officials. Spotting Song Xiaodong, one of them immediately came forward, "Mr. Song, what a coincidence to see you here!"
Song Xiaodong smiled, "Isnât this Director Zhao? I owe you thanks for the last time, and I havenât had the chance to express my gratitude."
The man was none other than Zhao Yongbo, the director of the government office in the city.
Zhao Yongbo busily said, "Mr. Song, you are really too polite. It was just a trifle. By the way, I have a few friends joining me for dinner today. If Mr. Song has the time, why donât you come over and have a few drinks with us?"
Song Xiaodong shook his head and said, "Iâll pass, itâs a class reunion."
"If itâs inconvenient, letâs leave it at that. I have many friends who want to get to know Mr. Song. I hope you can do me the honor of dining together sometime in the future."
"Weâll see about that." Song Xiaodong was non-committal, but it was essentially a polite refusal.
"Then I wonât disturb you any longer. Iâm going to head upstairs first." Zhao Yongbo said, taking his leave with his group.
One of the people following Zhao Yongbo said, "Director Zhao, who was that? So arrogant, not even giving you face."
Zhao Yongbo immediately lowered his voice and said, "Donât talk nonsense, that person has quite a background."
"Background? Who is he?"
"Heâs likely to become Deputy Mayor Shenâs son-in-law in the future, so none of you should offend him."
They were all startled, and then they turned to give Song Xiaodong a profound look. In Tiannan City, Shen Dongyang was a real power broker, someone people clamored to curry favor with, not someone theyâd want to offend.
As soon as he entered the room, three groups of people came over to greet Song Xiaodong. This left Su Yao staring in dumbfounded amazement, and she said, "Dongzi, you have such a wide network."
Song Xiaodong just smiled and said, "Itâs just average."
Curious, Su Yao asked, "Who are these people? They all seem quite extraordinary."
"Theyâre just some friends," Song Xiaodong replied casually, as he didnât have the habit of showing off his connections.
Seeing that Song Xiaodong didnât wish to elaborate, Su Yao didnât pry further, but she couldnât help but ponder. It seemed that Song Xiaodongâs current status wasnât only due to Miao Qingqingâs influence, especially the second group of people, who even mentioned how some young lady was thinking of Song Xiaodong. Perhaps that was one of Song Xiaodongâs lovers, something Miao Qingqing definitely wouldnât be aware of.
In these past days, Su Yao felt she had gotten to know Song Xiaodong quite well, but now she suddenly realized she didnât understand him at all. It appeared as though this guy was shrouded in mystery.
The two made their way to a private room on the second floor, and as they entered, seven or eight people already seated stood up to greet them.
"Ha... the class beauty has finally arrived."
"Weâve been waiting for you for ages."
However, when everyone saw Song Xiaodong, they all couldnât help but frown. Wang Yuming even laughed and said, "I say Dongzi, you sure have nerve showing up uninvited. You have a real keen nose."
Zhou Peng laughed, "Now that youâre here, itâs just a matter of an extra pair of chopsticks."
Listening to everyone speaking to Song Xiaodong with a condescending tone, Su Yaoâs mouth twitched, but upon turning, she saw that Song Xiaodong didnât seem the least bit upset and was actually grinning. She suddenly started to admire him.
It seemed that this was truly the demeanor of a great leader, and compared to Song Xiaodong, these classmates seemed much too petty.
I recommend the riveting "My Co-renting Miss" by the author, Young Snail.