Chapter 1042: Chapter 1043: Not a Betrothal, Right?
"By the way, I still donât know how to address you?" Qi Lanqin looked at Song Xiaodong and asked.
"My name is Song Xiaodong."
"Then can I call you... Big Brother Song? Is that a bit too forward, am I overstepping?"
Song Xiaodong smiled slightly and said, "Itâs nothing. I know youâre not a money-driven girl, and I can truly treat you as a friend. You donât need to consider my status; that makes things more pure."
Qi Lanqin said, "Big Brother Song, youâre the least pretentious wealthy person Iâve ever met."
"Money, when you have a lot, has many uses. But having less doesnât mean you canât survive."
"Thatâs because you have money, Big Brother Song. People like me have to work hard for tuition and living expenses."
Song Xiaodong chuckled and said, "Thatâs just temporary. I can see you have self-respect and are willing to work hard. Youâll definitely succeed in the future. After you graduate, if youâre interested, you can work at my company."
Qi Lanqin didnât refuse and said, "Thank you, Big Brother Song. Iâll start proving my abilities in the second half of the year. When the time comes, I hope youâll give me that opportunity."
Song Xiaodong admired Qi Lanqinâs honesty, as this girl clearly knew what she needed and what she shouldnât ask for.
The dishes arrived, and Song Xiaodong drank two glasses of beer in succession. Qi Lanqin asked, "Big Brother Song, you just mentioned youâre in a bad mood. Why would someone like you, a big boss, be in a bad mood? Did you offend Deputy District Chief Zhao because of me, and now heâs causing trouble for you?"
"Him?" Song Xiaodong shook his head and said, "Heâs just a deputy district chief; he doesnât have that authority."
Qi Lanqin twitched her mouth slightly; if someone else had said that, she wouldâve thought they were bragging. But when Song Xiaodong said it, she didnât feel that way. It seemed completely natural.
This made Qi Lanqin even more astonished. What kind of person exactly was this Song Xiaodong, to not even take a deputy district chief seriously?
However, she knew better than to probe further into this topic, and said, "Then... what else is troubling you? Is it a relationship issue?"
Song Xiaodong smiled bitterly, took another sip of beer, and said, "A relationship... Itâs slightly related to love but not truly a romance. Itâs complicated and just really frustrating."
Qi Lanqin poured another beer for Song Xiaodong, saying, "Big Brother Song, if you donât mind, you can tell me about it."
Song Xiaodong looked at Qi Lanqin, gently shook his head, and said, "Itâs complicated, and I canât explain it to you. Itâs the most mind-boggling situation Iâve ever encountered." With that, he took another sip.
"Oh... Big Brother Song, slow down, youâve finished the whole bottle."
Song Xiaodong laughed and said, "No worries, I can handle my liquor. If I donât want to get drunk, nobody can make me drunk."
Seeing that Song Xiaodongâs countenance remained unchanged, Qi Lanqin didnât try to stop him. Song Xiaodong took a bite of food and said, "It really does taste good. No wonder this little shop is so popular."
"Thatâs good. I was worried that someone like youâall fancyâwouldnât be used to eating in such a place, Big Brother Song."
"Iâm not that particular. Come on, tell me about yourself. How have you been surviving these past years as a young girl?"
"I... My parents didnât have any siblings, and my grandparents also passed away early. After my parents died, I was sent to an orphanage where I lived until I went to university. Then I became independent. I had some savings left by my parents in the past few years, but now those have run out. I can only come out to work to support myself."
"Thatâs really tough. Many girls in your situation might easily take a wrong path."
"No matter how bitter or tiring, I wonât go down that road."
Song Xiaodong nodded and said, "By the way, how did the conflict between you and Zhao Hua start?"
"With her..." Qi Lanqin laughed bitterly and said, "It wasnât really a conflict. I did well in school, and she didnât. I look... passable, I guess..."
"Not passable, but very pretty. Was she jealous of your looks and your talents, and that jealousy turned into hatred, so she targeted you?"
"Exactly. Someone like her, I canât afford to provoke, so I just avoided her. After high school, we didnât have any interactions. Who knew Iâd run into her again?" Qi Lanqin said as she shook her head, feeling somewhat helpless.
Song Xiaodong snorted coldly and said, "What a jerk!"
"Big Brother Song, why are you so angry?" Qi Lanqin was startled and cautiously asked.
Song Xiaodong shook his head and said, "Itâs nothing. But if you run into her again, donât be afraid. If she bullies you, just slap her across the face."
Qi Lanqin was taken aback and said, "I wouldnât dare. Iâve never been in a fight with anyone before."
"Iâm not telling you to fight her, but people like her bully more if you fear them. You canât indulge her behavior."
Qi Lanqin smiled bitterly and said, "Big Brother Song, sheâs the daughter of a deputy district chief; how can I dare?"
Song Xiaodong said angrily, "Why not? Iâve got your back. This damn girl needs a good beating."
Qi Lanqin hesitated and said, "Big Brother Song, do you... have a special relationship with her?"
Yesterday, because Zhao Hua bullied her, Song Xiaodong gave her a bank card for compensation. Now hearing how Song Xiaodong talks about Zhao Hua, Qi Lanqin couldnât help but connect the dots.
Song Xiaodongâs lip twitched uncontrollably, and he shook his head hard, drinking two more beers in succession. He said, "We have one of those damned awkward relationships."
Qi Lanqin blushed instantly. Song Xiaodong realized he used some coarse language and apologetically said, "I got a bit agitated. I indeed have a certain type of relationship with her. Itâs ridiculously complicatedâone I want to end but canât, and if I donât, itâs just frustrating to watch."
Qi Lanqinâs eyes widened in disbelief, "Big Brother Song, you guys arenât... arenât..."
"Arenât what?" Song Xiaodong asked casually.
Qi Lanqin stammered, "Arenât one of those political marriages... or childhood betrothals?"
"Ah, ha..." Song Xiaodongâs expression suddenly became quite odd. The relationship with the Princess was exactly a childhood betrothal. Qi Lanqin had hit the nail right on the head.
Seeing Song Xiaodongâs expression, Qi Lanqinâs face also turned incredibly odd. She opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but struggled to find the right words. Itâs terrifying to think that someone as extraordinary as Song Xiaodong could be with someone like Zhao Hua.