At this moment, it was Grandpa Sang who calmed down first. He studied Sheng Xinhao carefully, his eyes flickering slightly as if deep in thought.
“Old woman, let’s calm down first. Maybe he really is doing this for Xiao Xi—after all, Xiao Xi is also his son,” Grandpa Sang said, pulling his wife to sit down beside him.
Grandma Sang shot him a glare and was about to retort, but after seeing the look in the old man’s eyes, she fell silent. With a displeased huff, she sat down.
Sheng Xinhao hadn’t expected his father-in-law to speak up for him. After being scolded nonstop since he arrived, he was genuinely moved.
“Dad, I really am doing this for Xiao Xi. He’s my son—how could I not care about him?”
“What about your younger son? Isn’t he also your son?” Grandpa Sang countered, probing to understand his former son-in-law’s true stance.
“Ah Yu can’t compare to Xiao Xi. His talent is nowhere near Xiao Xi’s. Besides, Xiao Xi is the child Ah Wan gave me.”
Sheng Xinhao was telling the truth. When it came to his position, future connections, and assets, he had never once considered his younger son.
First, the boy was born to Fang Wanrong. Though Sheng Xinhao might seem fiercely protective of her now, his feelings for her were merely that she was a suitable wife—nothing more. There was no real affection.
The only woman he had ever truly loved was Sang Yuwan. In modern terms, she was Sheng Xinhao’s white moonlight—not just a first love, but also his wife. That combination was devastatingly powerful.
To make it worse, this white moonlight had died in the bloom of her youth, making her memory even more potent. Over the years, Sheng Xinhao had done nothing but mourn Sang Yuwan.
Love extended even to the crows on the roof. Despite Sheng Zexi’s rebelliousness and constant defiance over the years, every time Sheng Xinhao saw his son’s face—so reminiscent of Sang Yuwan’s—his heart inevitably leaned toward him.
It was just a shame the boy refused to listen to him.
Of course, another reason was that his younger son simply couldn’t measure up to Sheng Zexi in terms of ability.
Though Fang Wanrong constantly praised Ah Yu in front of him, and though the boy did perform decently, Sheng Xinhao could still tell the difference between hard work and innate talent.
Sheng Zexi was both hardworking and naturally gifted. If not for his father’s suppression, he might already be a regiment-level officer by now.
However, he’d heard that after completing his latest mission, the boy had apparently accomplished a great feat—one even he couldn’t suppress anymore.
That kid had a limitless future ahead of him; that much was certain.
And that was precisely why he had come today.
A bright future, yet held back by some rural woman.
He hadn’t bothered to look into that woman and knew nothing about her, but what could some country bumpkin do besides cling to her husband?
Moreover, after Manping returned from the Northwest Military District, her assessment of the woman had been far from flattering.
This only reinforced Sheng Xinhao’s assumptions.
Grandpa Sang observed Sheng Xinhao’s expression—it didn’t seem like he was lying. “You’re not just saying this to us, only to sing a different tune in front of that wife of yours, are you? After all, they say the youngest son is the parents’ favorite.”
“Of course not!” Sheng Xinhao immediately protested.
Grandpa Sang pondered for a moment. “Fine. Since you claim to have Xiao Xi’s best interests at heart, we can help you talk to him. But you’d better show some sincerity!”
“Old man!” Grandma Sang grew anxious the moment she heard this.
Grandpa Sang raised his hand to stop her and continued speaking to Sheng Xinhao, “What sincerity can you offer?”
Sheng Xinhao looked somewhat confused. “Dad, what do you mean?”
“Here’s the deal. Since you claim Xiao Xi is your sole heir and that you intend to leave everything to him, start by transferring the old Sheng family residence to him. I remember you also own a courtyard house in Beijing—give that to Xiao Xi as well. Given your current position, you must have saved up quite a bit of money. I won’t ask for all of it now, but you should transfer half to Xiao Xi first.”
The moment Grandpa Sang finished speaking, Sheng Xinhao was stunned.
Grandma Sang quickly caught on and added, “That’s right. If you say Xiao Xi is your heir, you can’t just pay lip service. Without real action and sincerity, who’s to say you won’t be sweet-talked into giving everything to that woman who came after our daughter?”
“If you agree, we’ll help persuade him. If not, we’ll assume you’re just here spouting empty words, and you can leave now.”
Grandpa Sang was ready to kick him out at the slightest hesitation.
Sheng Xinhao thought for a moment and finally said, “Fine, I agree.”
“I’ll arrange the transfer later and wire the money.”
“Good. Once we see the two property deeds and half of the savings, we’ll go talk to him.”
“You’ll have them by tomorrow.”
“Then you’d better get moving now.”
Sheng Xinhao figured that since a large portion of his assets were destined for his eldest son anyway, giving them now was no different from giving them later. Besides, this way, his in-laws would help persuade Ah Xi to divorce that country girl and mend their strained relationship.
It wasn’t that Sheng Xinhao hadn’t considered pressuring or persuading his son himself, but he knew Sheng Zexi too well.
Pressure wouldn’t work, and persuasion would fall on deaf ears. And as a father—the head of the family—he couldn’t bring himself to swallow his pride and beg.
Once the agreement was settled, Sheng Xinhao left.
Grandma Sang turned to her husband. “Old man, what’s your game here? You’re not seriously planning to convince Xiao Xi to divorce Ningning, are you? That can’t happen—she’s a wonderful girl!”
“Do you really think I would?” Grandpa Sang replied with a knowing look.
“I only agreed to talk to him. I never promised we’d succeed. Weren’t you thinking the same thing?”
Grandma Sang chuckled. With just a glance, the two elders understood each other perfectly.
“Though Sheng Xinhao is a scoundrel, he does have plenty of valuable assets. Since Xiao Xi is his son, and he claims he’ll leave everything to him, we might as well secure it for Xiao Xi now—fair and square.”
“Otherwise, that woman might sweet-talk him into handing it all over later. Right now, he seems clear-headed, but who knows when he’ll lose his senses again?”
Grandma Sang nodded. That made sense.
“The old Sheng residence was originally built with our Ah Wan and Sheng Xinhao’s joint funds. Passing it to Xiao Xi is only right. If conflicts arise with that woman’s family later, they can be kicked out.”
“As for the courtyard house—I remember Ningning likes those. We’ve already given her one, but who would say no to more property?”
“Exactly.”
“And Sheng Xinhao’s money? Xiao Xi is his son—he deserves it! Or would you rather it go to that woman’s family?”
“If only Xiao Xi had children already—with this money, he could raise them comfortably.”
Though the old couple only had this one grandson, and their own assets would eventually go to him, what they gave was theirs. Sheng Xinhao, as the father, had to contribute his share too.
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