This was none other than Deputy Commander Sheng—the unruly, sharp-tongued, and feared “Jade-Faced King of Hell” of the military district.
In everyone’s imagination, the “King of Hell” Sheng should be tall, imposing, stern, aloof, and the kind of man who could make people cry with just a glance.
His hands should be capable of carrying heavy artillery, wielding guns, and striking down enemies.
But now—who would have thought?
The infamous King of Hell’s hands were actually washing diapers.
And not just washing them half-heartedly—he was doing it with utmost care and diligence, without a single complaint.
He was completely willing.
Good heavens, this was truly jaw-dropping.
Before long, the news that the King of Hell washed diapers every day spread like wildfire throughout the military district.
Sure enough, as soon as Sheng Zexi ran into his superiors, they couldn’t resist teasing him.
Sheng Zexi, however, wasn’t the least bit embarrassed. “My wife worked so hard to give me a pair of twins—what’s the big deal about me washing a few diapers?”
“Those are my son and daughter’s diapers, not some stranger’s.”
“Besides, if your wives could give you a pair of twins, wouldn’t you be willing to wash diapers too?”
The superiors: “…”
They pondered for a moment—if they could have a pair of adorable twins, would they be willing to wash diapers?
Of course they would!
Some men with more traditional views mocked Sheng Zexi behind his back.
But mocking him in private was one thing—daring to say it to his face? That would inevitably lead to Sheng Zexi challenging them to a “friendly sparring session.”
If you weren’t convinced, if you dared to laugh at him, he’d keep sparring with you until you no longer dared to mock him—until you were thoroughly convinced.
Among the military wives, however, Sheng Zexi’s reputation was stellar.
“A man like Deputy Commander Sheng—cold and distant to outsiders but devoted, considerate, and caring toward his family, his wife, and his children—that’s a real man.”
“And though Deputy Commander Sheng has a sharp tongue, he’s genuinely handsome.”
“His words may be cutting, but he’s never been harsh to Dr. Gu. He treats her so well.”
“Dr. Gu is such a wonderful person—if it were me, I’d treat her well too.”
“Honestly, Deputy Commander Sheng and Dr. Gu are a perfect match—a golden couple.”
“Absolutely, a perfect match.”
“Anyway, I think Deputy Commander Sheng is a great man.”
“I think so too.”
And so, Sheng Zexi skyrocketed to the top of the “Best Husband” rankings in the Northwest Military District—voted unanimously by all the military wives.
Sheng Zexi later heard about this reputation, but he didn’t pay it much mind.
Just like how some said washing diapers made him less “manly”—other people’s opinions didn’t matter to him.
Only the opinions of those he cared about held weight—like Ningning’s. As for everyone else? They had nothing to do with him.
However, after the birth of his children, aside from being busy washing diapers, Sheng Zexi was also occupied with choosing names for them.
Their mother had already given them nicknames—the older brother was “Xingxing” (Star), and the younger sister was “Yueyue” (Moon).
The task of choosing their formal names fell to him, their father.
Before the children were born, Sheng Zexi had brainstormed a few names, but none had satisfied him.
Now, he finally settled on two that he was happy with.
The older brother would be named Sheng Jingshuo—Shuo meaning “bright future, splendid prospects.”
The younger sister would be named Sheng Jingxin—Xin meaning “full of hope, a radiant future.”
When these two names were announced, not only was Sheng Zexi pleased, but Gu Jianing was too.
Thus, from that day on, the two little ones officially had their names.
Although Gu Jianing had given birth to twins, she didn’t have to worry too much about childcare—there were plenty of hands to help.
Of course, it also helped that the two babies were exceptionally well-behaved.
It was as if they had come to repay their parents’ kindness.
They rarely fussed, only whimpering when they needed to eat, drink, or have their diapers changed. The rest of the time, they were quiet and content.
In comparison, the two boys next door at Sister Shuwan’s house were much harder to handle.
Sometimes, when those two started crying, their wails could shake the heavens, giving Lin Xing a massive headache.
He felt that taking care of children was more exhausting than training or going on missions.
But there was no helping it.
These were the sons his wife had worked so hard to bear for him—the sons he had longed for.
Now, he could only endure the exhaustion while cherishing the joy they brought.
…
“What did you say? A pair of twins? A boy and a girl?”
“Yes, a pair of twins! Everyone in the military district is green with envy.”
On the other end of the phone, Sheng Xinhào fell silent.
He had known that woman was pregnant with twins. The last time he saw her, her belly was already large—she must have given birth by now.
So, he had asked an old friend stationed near the Northwest Military District to investigate.
Unexpectedly, the investigation yielded results.
She had indeed given birth—and to a pair of twins, no less!
Twins! What incredible fortune! How could that country girl have such luck?
And what was Sheng Zexi thinking?
Did he really not plan to acknowledge him as his father? Did he not want his grandchildren to recognize him as their grandfather? Was that why he hadn’t shared even a sliver of news?
The more Sheng Xinhào thought about it, the darker his expression became.
Not far away, Fang Wanrong was eavesdropping. Seeing Sheng Xinhào’s grim face, she began speculating silently.
On the other end of the line, the voice continued, “I heard Deputy Commander Sheng was overjoyed after the twins were born. He even washes their diapers every day! The military wives all say he’s the best man in the district—a wonderful husband and father!”
At first, Sheng Xinhào found it absurd that Sheng Zexi was washing diapers daily.
Just as he was about to scoff, the words “a wonderful husband and father” struck him like a blow.
He froze.
He knew that, in Sheng Zexi’s eyes, he was far from being a good husband or father.
He still remembered one of their countless arguments over Fang Wanrong—
That brat had glared at him, jaw clenched, and spat, “I, Sheng Zexi, will never become someone like you!”
“You, Sheng Xinhào, are nothing but a selfish, delusional husband and father!”
Back then, Sheng Xinhào had found his son’s words laughable.
Because he had never believed he was wrong—never thought he had failed in any way.
He had assumed Sheng Zexi was just too young to understand.
Once the boy reached his position, once he grew older, he would surely see reason.
Then he would realize how ridiculous his words had been—and finally understand his father.
So, all these years, Sheng Xinhào had waited.
Waited for Sheng Zexi to come to his senses, to apologize, to return to his side as a dutiful son.
But instead…
He had never received that apology.
Instead, his son had only grown more rebellious, drifting further and further away.
And the things Sheng Zexi did became increasingly outrageous—as if he were deliberately proving just how different he was from his father.
As if to say he would never become a man like him.
Now, it seemed he was succeeding.
No one in the outside world spoke ill of him. On the contrary, they praised him as a good father, a good husband.
Then what did that make him?
Sheng Xinhào fell into a daze of confusion…
Just then, a sharp pain shot through his arm again—
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