Song Xiaodong laughed heartily and said, "I'm busy, but you can come to my house to hang out."

"I've been there twice, and both times you weren't home." Shen Yue looked even more wistful.

Sun Dongxiang greeted him with a smile and said, "Little Song, you know, coming is enough, why bring a gift?"

Song Xiaodong laughed and said, "I just casually bought some fruit. Besides, going to Mayor Song's house empty-handed wouldn't look good."

Sun Dongxiang reproachfully said, "What a thing to say, our two families are beyond all that useless stuff, don't we know how your uncle became mayor?"

Song Xiaodong hurriedly said, "Alright, let's not talk about it."

"Your uncle isn't back yet, auntie will go prepare things. You and Little Yue can chat first, Little Yue, make sure you take good care of your Big Brother Song."

Sun Dongxiang went into the kitchen, while Song Xiaodong and Shen Yue sat on the sofa.

After a few small talks, Shen Yue pouted and said, "Big Brother Song, my volunteer teaching plan got discovered by my parents."

Song Xiaodong laughed and said, "You really can't hide that kind of thing."

Shen Yue lowered her voice and said, "I thought I'd tell them after I went, then they would have no choice. Now my dad hasn't said much, but my mom is really against it, so you'll have to help me say some nice things later."

Song Xiaodong shrugged and said, "Alright, I'll try my best. But honestly, now that I'm a father, if my daughter wanted to teach in a challenging environment, I wouldn't agree either."

"Hey, Big Brother Song, that's not fair. You've always supported me." Shen Yue suddenly got anxious.

Song Xiaodong hurriedly said, "Alright, alright, I'll do my best to help you, but don't set your hopes too high."

"Anyway, it's all on you now. If you don't help me, I'll sneak out, and you'll have to clean up my mess."

"Clean up your mess..." Song Xiaodong had a rather peculiar expression on his face.

"Ah... Big Brother Song, what are you thinking?" Shen Yue immediately felt shy and playfully slapped Song Xiaodong.

Song Xiaodong chuckled and said, "My bad, I know what you mean. It seems that if I don't clean up, I won't be able to get rid of you."

Shen Yue spat at Song Xiaodong and said, "You said it! Big Brother Song, you're too bad."

Shen Yue's cheeks were flushed, but her eyes held a flirtatious charm. The little girl has always had a hidden affection for Song Xiaodong, despite knowing he has many women now.

Chapter One Thousand Three Hundred and Forty-One

Shen Dongyang deliberately came back early today, canceling all other activities, partly due to his friendship with Song Xiaodong and partly because with Song Xiaodong's current identity and status, Shen Dongyang had a reason to prioritize dining with him.

"Patriarch Song, it's an honor for you to visit me despite your busy schedule." Shen Dongyang warmly shook Song Xiaodong's hand upon entering.

Song Xiaodong laughed and said, "Uncle Song, don't say that, we're not like others in Minghe."

Shen Dongyang shook his head and said, "Today is different from the past. You're now the brightest star in Minghe; even I, as the mayor, dare not offend you."

"Uncle Song, speaking like this makes me afraid to come to your house for a meal in the future."

"Alright, alright, let's not mention it. Let's just be like before; I'll call you Little Song, if you don't mind?"

"Of course I don't mind; that's the only way I feel at ease."

Shen Dongyang laughed heartily and said, "Come, come, while your aunt hasn't finished cooking, let's play a game of chess."

Song Xiaodong and Shen Dongyang went into the study, while Shen Yue helped her mother with the cooking.

After setting up the chessboard, they started to play but hadn't put down many pieces when Shen Dongyang said, "Little Song, I heard that on this trip to Beijing, you engaged with the He family."

Song Xiaodong nodded and said, "Yes, I've arranged a marriage with the He family. In the future, my career focus will likely be in Beijing."

"Beijing is the best stage for showcasing ambitions, but the waters are deep there, so be careful."

Song Xiaodong sighed and said, "Indeed, it's very complex. There are more powerful families than our Su Family, and it's difficult to establish oneself. But fortunately, there's now the foundation with the He family, and with the potential to ally with several other families, many things become easier. However, the main issue is the lack of my own people."

Shen Dongyang said, "That's quite difficult; people aren't cultivated overnight. Those great families have reached their current state after many years of development, unless you poach them, but that's extremely challenging."

Song Xiaodong said, "Yes, but while I'm considering developing over there, I'm not planning to take that route; I'll just take one step at a time. Uncle Shen has been in Minghe for a short time, otherwise, I'd consider having Uncle Shen transferred to Beijing."

Shen Dongyang was a bit taken aback. Anyone in politics naturally wants to develop in Beijing, as it's the political center, but he quickly shook his head and said, "Forget about it; I haven't truly settled in Minghe yet, and my experience is still shallow. I shouldn't have such grand ambitions; I just hope to benefit a region within my lifetime, and that's enough."

Song Xiaodong laughed heartily and said, "Uncle Shen is an upright official; I don't think you'll stop just yet, at least you will become a high-ranking provincial officer."

Shen Dongyang looked at Song Xiaodong, then gently shook his head and said, "Little Song, I know you're well-intentioned, but you should also know that even if you help me reach that stage, I won't serve the Su Family."

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