Sheng Xinhao couldn’t help but compare, and the more he thought about that bastard eldest son marrying that country bumpkin, the angrier he became.
No, he couldn’t let that village girl ruin his eldest son’s future.
Sheng Xinhao thought to himself, Sheng Zexi is a stubborn one.
Since reasoning with him was useless, why not go straight to the village girl?
He had heard that the eldest son had already returned to the Northwest Military District, while that village girl was still staying with the Sang family. Though he didn’t know the reason, at least the boy wasn’t by her side.
Perhaps he could go see that village girl and convince her to leave his eldest son.
With this thought in mind, Sheng Xinhao decided to visit her first thing the next morning.
…
Gu Jianing had no idea Sheng Xinhao planned to seek her out. Since she had a lecture to deliver the next day, she went to bed early.
Early the next morning, she woke up at dawn and had breakfast with Grandpa Sang and Grandma Sang.
After breakfast, Grandpa Sang left for work at the Weapons Research Institute.
“I’ve already instructed Xiao Zhang to drive you to Beijing Middle School later,” Grandpa Sang said before leaving for work.
Since it was still early, Gu Jianing and Grandma Sang hadn’t set off yet.
Just then, the guard reported that Sheng Xinhao had arrived.
“What’s that old man doing here?” Grandma Sang was visibly displeased by Sheng Xinhao’s visit.
Though displeased, she still let him in.
Soon, Sheng Xinhao entered.
He greeted Grandma Sang but completely ignored Gu Jianing, who was standing nearby.
Grandma Sang responded coldly, “What do you want?”
Having long been accustomed to Grandma Sang’s indifference, Sheng Xinhao didn’t take it to heart and got straight to the point. “I’d like to have a talk with this Comrade Gu.”
As he spoke, he turned his gaze to Gu Jianing.
“No,” Grandma Sang refused outright.
There was no way this old man had anything good to say to Ningning.
Before Xiao Xi left for the Northwest Military District, he had specifically asked them to take good care of Ningning. How could she let this old man cause trouble for her?
“If that’s all you came for today, you may leave now,” Grandma Sang said coldly, dismissing him.
Sheng Xinhao stared intently at Gu Jianing. “Comrade Gu, what’s your decision?”
He assumed Gu Jianing, out of respect for him as her elder and father-in-law, would at least agree. To his surprise, Gu Jianing blinked and said, “I’ll listen to Grandma. General Sheng, I really have nothing to discuss with you.”
Since Sheng Xinhao clearly harbored ill will toward her and disliked her, why should she acknowledge him as her father-in-law?
Knowing that whatever he wanted to say wouldn’t be pleasant, why should she subject herself to it?
Grandma Sang had already refused, so she naturally wouldn’t go against her wishes.
And besides…
“General Sheng, we have important matters to attend to later and need to leave soon. I’m afraid we don’t have time for a lengthy discussion.”
She was heading to Beijing Middle School soon and would need to depart shortly. She had no time to waste on Sheng Xinhao.
Sheng Xinhao, unaware of this, simply thought this country bumpkin was ill-mannered and ignorant. How dare she refuse when he, her elder, wanted to talk? She even lied about having important matters—what could a village girl possibly have to do in Beijing?
If a private talk wasn’t possible, he’d just say it outright. After all, he’d already voiced these thoughts in front of his former mother-in-law before.
So Sheng Xinhao said, “Comrade Gu, you should be aware of the vast difference in status between you and my eldest son. I’m not looking down on you, but you have neither background nor capability. What can you possibly offer Sheng Zexi?”
“If you truly care for him, then leave him.”
“Your existence will only hold him back, stalling his future.”
“He has talent and great ambitions. I’m sure you wouldn’t want to see him lose his prospects because of you, would you?”
Sheng Xinhao didn’t think he was belittling Gu Jianing—he believed he was simply stating the truth.
He was just laying out the facts.
“Sheng Xinhao, what nonsense are you spouting? Get out of here right now!” Grandma Sang was furious upon hearing his words. This man was clearly here to sabotage Ningning and Xiao Xi’s relationship. How could he be so cruel, saying such hurtful things?
“Ningning, don’t listen to his nonsense.”
Gu Jianing, however, remained composed. Instead of directly refuting him, she asked, “Then, General Sheng, what do you suggest I do? After all, I’m currently carrying twins.”
Hearing her words, Sheng Xinhao mistakenly thought Gu Jianing agreed with his perspective.
“If you’re willing to leave my eldest son, divorce him, and disappear far away, I’ll allow you to give birth to these two children. Though they won’t be recognized as part of the Sheng family, the Sang family can raise them—but you won’t be allowed to see them.”
“Of course, if you’re willing, I can arrange for you to marry a decent man and even provide a dowry.”
Sheng Xinhao believed that, given his stubborn son’s personality, even a divorce wouldn’t be enough to sever ties completely.
So remarrying this woman off was the best solution.
Though it would cost him some money, it would ensure that his son’s foolish attachment was completely severed.
Gu Jianing smiled and then replied, “I’m sorry, General Sheng, but I’m afraid I can’t comply with your suggestion.”
“I love Sheng Zexi, so no matter what, I won’t divorce him.”
“I also love my children, so I won’t abandon them either.”
“Brother Xi has told me that he doesn’t need to rely on anyone for his future—what he wants, he’ll earn himself.”
“As for me, though I was born in the countryside, my parents loved each other deeply, my siblings and I were raised in harmony, and my family has always cherished and supported me. I, too, am proud to call them my family.”
“Therefore, I’ve never felt ashamed of my rural background or the fact that my family comes from the countryside.”
“Though I suppose such warm familial bonds are something you wouldn’t understand, General Sheng.”
“Besides, how can you be so sure that someone from the countryside is destined to lack talent or capability?”
“Even the Sheng family, if you trace back three generations, were farmers too.”
“Or do you, General Sheng, also look down on your own ancestors?”
Gu Jianing’s words were calm and measured, yet each sentence was a sharp rebuttal to Sheng Xinhao.
Grandma Sang listened, her eyes brightening with admiration. At first, she had worried Ningning might be affected by the old man’s disparagement, but it turned out her granddaughter-in-law had a strong core.
Sheng Xinhao, on the other hand, was left seething, his chest heaving with barely suppressed rage.
“Fine, fine. I never expected a mere village girl to be so sharp-tongued.”
Gu Jianing rested one hand on her waist and the other on her belly, smiling serenely. “Thank you for the compliment, General Sheng.”
“Though I may just be a village girl, who’s to say I lack ability? Perhaps one day, you’ll find yourself needing something from this very village girl.”
Sheng Xinhao scoffed, as if she had just told the most ridiculous joke.
“I, Sheng Xinhao, would rather die than beg for your help in this lifetime!”
Leave a Reply