Sheng Zexi let out a soft scoff, his lips curling with unmistakable mockery, as if to say, Do you even remember you’re my father?
Sheng Xinhao was infuriated by his son’s attitude, but remembering his earlier resolve—to have a proper talk with Sheng Zexi when they next met—he forcibly suppressed his temper.
At that moment, his gaze inevitably fell upon the woman standing beside Sheng Zexi.
At first glance, she was dazzling—no surprise there. The girl was extraordinarily beautiful, with peach-blossom eyes that sparkled with charm and radiance. Even Sheng Xinhao, who had lived for decades and encountered countless beauties—including his ex-wife Sang Yuwan, who was herself a stunning woman—had to admit that this girl was the most beautiful he had ever seen.
Her demeanor was also refined and graceful.
Her identity, standing as she was beside Sheng Zexi, was obvious.
She was none other than that rural girl his son had secretly married.
But… could a country girl really possess such looks and poise?
Her beauty and grace surpassed even those of city-bred women.
When his gaze drifted lower and landed on Gu Jianing’s noticeably rounded belly, his eyes suddenly widened.
She’s pregnant?!
Which meant… he was about to become a grandfather?
He was going to have a grandchild?
A surge of joy rose in Sheng Xinhao’s heart. Naturally, he looked forward to grandchildren—they were the continuation of the family line.
But then it struck him that this grandchild would be born to a rural woman, and he immediately felt she was unworthy.
Noticing Sheng Xinhao’s scrutinizing gaze fixed on Ningning, his expression shifting unpredictably, Sheng Zexi stepped forward and shielded Gu Jianing behind him, his cold eyes locking onto Sheng Xinhao.
Sheng Xinhao nearly laughed in exasperation.
“Come with me. I have something to say to you,” Sheng Xinhao said.
“No need. I have nothing to say to you,” Sheng Zexi refused outright.
“Sheng Zexi, don’t forget—you still carry the Sheng name!”
“I can always change it to Sang!”
Sheng Xinhao was so furious he felt a throbbing pain in his temples, his blood pressure skyrocketing.
After a long pause, Sheng Xinhao narrowed his eyes and delivered a veiled threat: “You wouldn’t want me to take any unnecessary actions, would you?”
The moment those words left his mouth, Sheng Zexi snapped his head up, his eyes blazing with indignation.
He knew all too well that given Sheng Xinhao’s current status and influence, he was entirely capable of making good on that threat.
In the end, it was because his current status wasn’t high enough, and his power was still too insignificant.
“Ningning, wait here with Grandpa and Grandma for a bit,” Sheng Zexi said to Gu Jianing first.
Gu Jianing nodded. “I understand.” Truthfully, she wasn’t afraid of Sheng Xinhao, even if he disliked her.
But she had already known that.
And she didn’t particularly care.
After giving his instructions, Sheng Zexi followed Sheng Xinhao to the side.
Sheng Xinhao cut straight to the chase: “How many months along is the pregnancy?”
Sheng Zexi raised an eyebrow, his expression softening slightly at the thought of the child. “Five months. Twins.”
Sheng Xinhao was shocked—he hadn’t expected twins.
This rural woman really has some skills.
With that face of hers, and now carrying twins—no wonder this kid married her.
“You really are something. You didn’t tell me when you got married, and now that there’s a child, you still didn’t tell me.”
Sheng Zexi scoffed. “Tell you what? So you could stop it?”
Sheng Xinhao was angered again, but he had to admit—the kid knew him well.
Because if he had known back then, he would have done everything in his power to prevent the marriage.
Suppressing his temper, Sheng Xinhao said, “Who do you think I’m doing this for? It’s all for your sake!”
“Have you even considered your status? How could a country girl ever be worthy of you?”
“Wasn’t Fang Wanrong also from the countryside? Was she worthy of you?” Sheng Zexi naturally didn’t want to compare that stepmother to Ningning—doing so would only insult Ningning—but he couldn’t stand Sheng Xinhao’s hypocrisy, acting as though his own actions were justified while others’ weren’t.
Sheng Xinhao choked on his words. “It’s different for me. At my level, I don’t need anything. But you—you’re not in the same position.”
“What kind of support can a country girl give you? Listen to me—divorce her. As for the two children, once they’re born, I’ll arrange for them to be raised elsewhere, or they can stay with the Sang family. You should marry Li Shuyao from the Li family. Only a family like the Lis can truly help you.” Sheng Xinhao spoke earnestly, trying to persuade him.
Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed how fondly the old Sang couple doted on the girl in the distance. It was clear now—their claim from some time ago that they had accepted benefits to convince Sheng Zexi to divorce had been a lie.
Sheng Xinhao hadn’t expected the Sang elders to deceive him like this.
In his mind, the old couple had always been virtuous and principled. He never imagined they would do something like this.
But then he thought—those things would eventually be given to Sheng Zexi anyway—so he decided not to dwell on it.
At the same time, he couldn’t help but wonder: What kind of charm does this country girl have, to win over the old Sang couple’s affection?
Because Sheng Xinhao also knew that as the Sang family’s only grandson, Sheng Zexi was loved by them.
So why would they agree to let him marry a rural girl? She would be of no help to Zexi’s future.
When Sheng Zexi heard Sheng Xinhao’s words, his face darkened instantly.
He knew there was nothing to discuss with this man.
If anyone else had said such things, Sheng Zexi would have already raised his fists.
“Since you’ve said your piece, let me give you my answer.”
“My stance has always been the same.”
“No matter what happens now or in the future, I, Sheng Zexi, will only ever recognize Gu Jianing as my one and only. That will never change.”
“My future, my career—I will fight for them myself. I’ll rely on my own efforts to earn them, no matter how much sweat or blood it takes. I’m not afraid of hardship.”
“I don’t need any so-called support!”
“So you’d better give up on this idea.”
Sheng Xinhao snorted coldly. “You’re still too young to understand. I’m your father—do you really think I’d harm you?”
Sheng Zexi sneered. “You’re blind and foolish. Haven’t you harmed me enough already?”
“You—!”
“If this is all you wanted to say, then we have nothing left to discuss.”
“If my defiance displeases you, then feel free to disown me. I’d be more than happy to take the Sang name instead.”
“And one more thing—don’t you dare lay a finger on Ningning.”
“If I find out you’ve tried to hurt her, I’ll fight you to the bitter end, even if it destroys us both.”
With that, Sheng Zexi turned and walked away without hesitation.
The reason he said this was simple—Sheng Zexi knew Sheng Xinhao too well. The man would stop at nothing to get his way, and he feared he might target Ningning.
Even though Ningning had her own extraordinary ways of protecting herself, some dangers and troubles were best avoided altogether.
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