Chapter 145: What Sincerity Can You Offer?

At this moment, it was Grandpa Sang who calmed down first. He sized up Sheng Xinhao, his eyes turning slightly as if he was deep in thought.

“Old woman, calm down for a bit. Maybe he really is here for Xiao Xi. After all, Xiao Xi is his son too.” Grandpa Sang pulled his wife to sit down with him.

Grandma Sang shot him a glare, about to say something, but after seeing the look in his eyes, she fell silent.

She snorted and sat down.

Sheng Xinhao hadn’t expected his father-in-law to speak up for him. Ever since he walked in, he’d been getting scolded nonstop, so this small gesture touched him.

“Dad, I really am here for Xiao Xi. He’s my son—how could I not care about him?”

“And what about your younger son? Isn’t he your son too?” Grandpa Sang countered, wanting to get a clear read on his former son-in-law’s attitude.

“Although Ayu is also my son, how can he compare to Xiao Xi?”

“He’s not as talented as Xiao Xi. Besides, Xiao Xi is the child that Ah Wan gave me.”

Sheng Xinhao was telling the truth. When it came to his position, future connections, and assets, he had never really considered his younger son.

For one, the younger son was born to Fang Wanrong. Although he seemed to protect Fang Wanrong now, Sheng Xinhao only ever thought she was suitable as a wife—he didn’t really have much affection for her.

The one he truly loved was Sang Yuwan. In modern terms, Sang Yuwan was the “white moonlight” of Sheng Xinhao’s heart—his ideal, his true love, and also his wife. That combination was powerful.

Not to mention, his “white moonlight” had died in her prime, making her memory even more untouchable.

All these years, Sheng Xinhao had been mourning Sang Yuwan.

So, because of his love for her, even though Sheng Zexi had always been rebellious and gone against him, every time he saw that face so reminiscent of Sang Yuwan, his heart would still favor Sheng Zexi.

It was just a pity that the boy never listened to him.

Of course, part of it was also because the younger son simply couldn’t compare to Sheng Zexi in terms of talent.

Even though Fang Wanrong always praised Ayu in front of him, and Ayu did perform decently, Sheng Xinhao could see the difference between effort and true talent.

Sheng Zexi had both talent and drive. If Sheng Xinhao hadn’t kept him down, the boy might already be a regimental officer by now.

He’d heard that this time, after coming back from his mission, the boy had made a huge contribution—even Sheng Xinhao couldn’t suppress him anymore.

This kid had a boundless future, that much was obvious.

That was also the reason he’d come today.

A bright future—such a pity it was being held back by some country woman.

He hadn’t bothered to look into that woman, didn’t know anything about her, but what could a rural woman do except cling to her husband?

Besides, after Manping came back from the Northwest Military District, her opinion of that woman wasn’t good either.

That only confirmed Sheng Xinhao’s suspicions.

Grandpa Sang studied Sheng Xinhao’s words. He didn’t seem to be lying. “You’re not just saying this to us old folks, are you? And then turning around and saying something else to your current wife? After all, people say parents always dote on the youngest.”

“Of course not!” Sheng Xinhao replied immediately.

Grandpa Sang thought for a moment. “Since you’re thinking for Xiao Xi’s sake, here’s the deal: we can help talk to him for you, but you need to show some sincerity.”

“Old man!” Grandma Sang immediately got anxious when she heard this.

Grandpa Sang raised his hand to stop her, and continued speaking to Sheng Xinhao: “What sincerity can you offer?”

Sheng Xinhao was a bit confused. “Dad, what do you mean?”

“Here’s what I mean: since you say Xiao Xi is your only heir, and you plan to leave everything to him, then transfer the Sheng family’s old house to him now. I remember you have a siheyuan in Beijing—give that to him too. As for the money you’ve saved up in your position, I won’t ask for all of it right now, but you should at least give him half up front.”

As soon as Grandpa Sang said this, Sheng Xinhao was dumbfounded.

Grandma Sang quickly chimed in, “That’s right! If you say Xiao Xi is your heir, it can’t just be empty words. If you don’t take real action, who knows if you’ll be sweet-talked by that other woman later?”

“If you agree, we’ll help persuade him. If not, then we’ll just take today as you coming here to brag. You can leave.”

Grandpa Sang didn’t hesitate to show him the door.

Sheng Xinhao thought it over, then finally said, “Alright, I agree.”

“I’ll go handle the transfers and wire the money right away.”

“Good. When we see the two property deeds and half the savings, us two old folks will go talk to them.”

“I’ll bring them to you tomorrow.”

“Then go take care of it now.”

Sheng Xinhao figured that most of those things were going to his eldest son anyway. Sooner or later, they’d be his. Giving them now would also get his in-laws to help persuade A’xi and that country woman to divorce, and maybe help mend his relationship with A’xi.

It wasn’t that Sheng Xinhao hadn’t thought of persuading or pressuring his son himself, but he knew what kind of person Sheng Zexi was.

Pressure wouldn’t work, and persuasion wouldn’t be listened to either. As a father and head of the family, he just couldn’t bring himself to beg.

Once everything was settled, Sheng Xinhao left.

Grandma Sang looked at her husband. “Old man, what are you thinking? You’re not really going to persuade Xiao Xi and Ningning to divorce, are you? That won’t do—Ningning is a good girl.”

“Do you think that’s possible?” Grandpa Sang looked calm and unhurried.

“I only promised to talk to them, not that I’d succeed. Isn’t that what you meant too?”

Grandma Sang smiled. The two old folks exchanged a look, understanding each other perfectly.

“Sheng Xinhao may be a bastard, but he does have a lot of good stuff. Xiao Xi is his son, and he said he’d leave it all to him. We’re just helping Xiao Xi get it a bit earlier—perfectly reasonable.”

“Otherwise, if that other woman tricks him later, it’ll all be gone. I’m just worried Sheng Xinhao is clear-headed now, but who knows if he’ll lose his mind later.”

Grandma Sang nodded. That made sense.

“That old Sheng family house—Ah Wan and Sheng Xinhao both paid for it back then. It’s only right it goes to Xiao Xi now. If there’s ever a conflict with that other woman’s family, we can kick them out.”

“And the siheyuan—I remember Ningning likes those. We already gave her one before, but who minds having more property?”

“Exactly.”

“As for Sheng Xinhao’s money, Xiao Xi is his son—he should get it! Otherwise, are we supposed to just let that woman’s family take it?”

“It’s just that Xiao Xi doesn’t have kids yet. If he did, with all this money, he’d be able to raise them well.”

Although the two of them only had this one grandson, and their own assets would go to Xiao Xi eventually, what was theirs was theirs to give. Sheng Xinhao, as the father, should give his share too."