“He’s right beside me,” Gu Jianing said through gritted teeth. “Don’t talk nonsense.”
“I suspect Wen Zhuqing might harm our family! Have you forgotten about Mom’s pigs being poisoned before?”
Upon hearing this, Gu Yunzhou relaxed slightly but then his expression turned serious. They all knew about the incident where their mother’s pigs in the village had been poisoned. It was Ningning who had saved them; otherwise, the consequences would have been dire.
Later, after discussing it with Ningning, they concluded that Wen Zhuqing was likely behind it—they just lacked evidence.
Now, was Wen Zhuqing targeting their family again?
A cold glint flashed in Gu Yunzhou’s eyes as he explained Wen Zhuqing and Bao Shanyan’s situation.
“Third Brother, you said Bao Shanyan is pregnant?”
“Yes, probably about three months along.”
Gu Jianing fell silent. The child was undoubtedly Wen Zhuqing’s, but she was certain Wen Zhuqing wouldn’t welcome it. If he ever got the chance to break free from Bao Shanyan, he might abandon or even kill the child.
But what if this child was Wen Zhuqing’s only one?
Gu Jianing began quietly scheming.
“Third Brother, I suspect Wen Zhuqing is planning something against Dad and Sister-in-law. When you go back, tell the family about this, and then keep a close eye on Wen Zhuqing. I think he’ll make his move soon.”
“Alright, I understand.”
“Good. Make sure to update me if anything happens.”
She entrusted this task to her third brother because, among all her brothers, he was the smartest, the most cautious, and the most meticulous. Handing it to him gave her the greatest peace of mind.
Finally, Gu Jianing reluctantly hung up the phone.
“Now, it’s your turn to call Grandpa and Grandma,” she said, handing the phone to Sheng Zexi.
Sheng Zexi took the phone and dialed.
Meanwhile, in Beijing, Grandpa Sang and Grandma Sang were dealing with an unwelcome guest at home. The elderly couple’s expressions were grim.
The person sitting across from them on the sofa was none other than Sheng Zexi’s father—Sheng Xinhao.
“Mom, Dad…” Sheng Xinhao began, only to be cut off by Grandpa Sang.
“Don’t call us that. We don’t deserve the title.”
Though his pride was wounded, Sheng Xinhao didn’t show anger. “Mom and Dad, even though Ah Wan is gone, I’m still your son-in-law.”
“Stop. You’ve remarried and even have a younger son now. Your in-laws are someone else,” Grandpa Sang retorted bluntly, undeterred by Sheng Xinhao’s high status.
Sheng Xinhao sighed. “Mom and Dad, I thought you’d understand. When Ah Wan passed, I was still young, and given my position, I had no choice. Besides, Wanrong is a good woman.”
Grandma Sang let out a quiet scoff but didn’t respond.
Fang Wanrong, a good woman? Have your eyes been smeared with filth?
Grandpa Sang got straight to the point. “Just say what you came here for. We’re busy and won’t entertain you for long.”
Sheng Xinhao’s expression darkened slightly. Truth be told, given his current status, no one dared disrespect him anywhere he went—he was always treated with the utmost reverence.
But since Grandpa and Grandma Sang were openly slighting him, there wasn’t much he could say.
He knew the elderly couple strongly disapproved of his marriage to Wanrong.
To be honest, they were Ah Wan’s parents, and he could understand their feelings.
But Wanrong was also a good woman, and given his position, he had no other choice.
Seeing the elderly couple’s impatience and remembering the purpose of his visit, he said, “I know Ah Xi married a country girl. Mom and Dad, you’re aware of Ah Xi’s status—how could he marry some rural girl?”
As soon as these words left his mouth, Grandpa and Grandma Sang’s expressions darkened.
“You keep calling her a ‘country girl,’ but have you forgotten that most of us, if we trace back three generations, came from the countryside? We were all peasants once. What’s wrong with that, Sheng Xinhao? Now that you’re high and mighty, you’ve forgotten your roots?” Grandpa Sang shot back without hesitation.
“That’s not what I meant!” Sheng Xinhao’s face stiffened—this was getting ugly.
Fortunately, they were speaking at home. If outsiders heard this, his political rivals would surely use it against him.
Grandma Sang added, “When Xiaoxi and Ningning got married, we attended the wedding. We’ve met the girl—she’s a good one. Xiaoxi is lucky to have her.”
Grandpa and Grandma Sang were very pleased with Gu Jianing.
From their first meeting, they had a favorable impression of her, and they trusted Sheng Zexi’s judgment.
Even though the young couple was stationed in the Northwest Military Region, they never forgot about the elderly pair—calling often and sending letters and care packages.
Sheng Xinhao scoffed inwardly. What kind of luck was it to marry a country girl?
“Mom and Dad, you know Ah Xi’s status. He’s likely to inherit my position and resources—his future is limitless. He needs a wife with status, connections, education, and culture to support him.”
“But how can some uneducated, background-less rural girl help him? If anything, she’ll only drag him down.”
“So, I hope you’ll think more about Ah Xi’s future. I know he listens to you. If possible, I’d like you to persuade him to divorce that woman.”
The word “divorce” exploded in the elderly couple’s minds the moment it left Sheng Xinhao’s mouth.
Divorce? To think this bastard would dare suggest such a thing.
Grandma Sang, usually mild-tempered, couldn’t hold back any longer.
“Are you saying that when you married Ah Wan, it was only because of her background and status? Because you thought she’d benefit your career?”
“Sheng Xinhao, do you only care about profit and not family?”
“You’ve already remarried and had another son—you’ve ignored Ah Xi all this time. So don’t interfere in his decisions now.”
“Axi finally found someone he loves and was so happy to marry her. The old man and I only hope they’ll stand together and grow old side by side.”
“That way, at least my poor grandson—who lost his mother and whose own father became a stranger—will still have someone to love and care for him after we’re gone. But you, this heartless wretch, want them to divorce? And you want us to convince him?”
“How could you be so cruel!”
Grandma Sang stood up and began berating Sheng Xinhao outright.
Sheng Xinhao’s face grew even darker under the scolding, and he felt deeply wronged.
He admitted that when he first married Sang Yuwan, it was indeed because of the resources and background behind her. However, it’s undeniable that he also liked Sang Yuwan. As for their son, Sheng Zexi, he clearly favored him—otherwise, he wouldn’t have planned everything for him and wanted to give him all the resources.
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