Chapter 182: My Future and Career—I, Sheng Zexi, Will Fight for Them Myself

Sheng Zexi let out a soft snort, his lips curled in mockery, as if to say, ""Oh, now you remember you're my father?""

Sheng Xinhao was furious at Sheng Zexi's attitude, but recalling his earlier resolve to have a proper talk with his son when they met again, he forced himself to hold back his temper.

Inevitably, his gaze fell on the woman standing beside Sheng Zexi.

At first glance, he was taken aback—she was simply too beautiful. Her eyes were bright and alluring, her features radiant and striking. Even though Sheng Xinhao had lived many years and seen countless beauties—including his ex-wife, Sang Yuwan, who was a beauty herself—he had to admit that this girl was the most beautiful he had ever seen.

Her bearing was also elegant and composed.

Anyone standing next to Sheng Zexi would naturally have a special status.

So this was the country girl his son had secretly married?

But could a country girl really have such looks and grace?

Even city girls would pale in comparison.

As his gaze dropped lower and landed on Gu Jianing's rounded belly, his eyes widened in shock.

She's pregnant!

Which meant—he was about to become a grandfather?

He was going to have a grandson or granddaughter?

Sheng Xinhao felt a surge of joy. Of course he looked forward to grandchildren—they were the continuation of the family line.

But then he remembered that the child would be born to a country woman, and he felt she was unworthy.

Seeing Sheng Xinhao's gaze linger on Ningning, his expression shifting unpredictably, Sheng Zexi immediately stepped forward, shielding Gu Jianing behind him, his eyes cold as he looked at Sheng Xinhao.

Sheng Xinhao was almost amused by anger.

""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 flatly.

""Sheng Zexi, don't forget your surname is Sheng!""

""I can always change it to Sang!""

Sheng Xinhao was so angry his head throbbed and his blood pressure soared.

After a moment, Sheng Xinhao narrowed his eyes, half-threatening, ""You wouldn't want me to do something drastic, would you?""

At that, Sheng Zexi looked up sharply, his eyes filled with resentment.

He knew, with Sheng Xinhao's current status and power, he really could do something.

In the end, it was because Sheng Zexi's own status and power were still too insignificant.

""Ningning, wait here with Grandpa and Grandma for a bit,"" Sheng Zexi instructed Gu Jianing.

Gu Jianing nodded. ""I know."" In truth, she wasn't afraid of Sheng Xinhao, even if he didn't like her.

She'd known this for a long time.

And she didn't really care.

After making sure, Sheng Zexi followed Sheng Xinhao aside.

Sheng Xinhao got straight to the point. ""How far along is the pregnancy?""

Sheng Zexi raised an eyebrow. At the mention of the child, his expression softened. ""Five months. Twins.""

Sheng Xinhao was stunned—twins, no less.

This country girl was really something.

With that face, and now pregnant with twins at once—no wonder his son married her.

""You really are something. You didn't tell me when you got married, and now you don't even tell me about the children.""

Sheng Zexi sneered, ""Tell you? So you could stop me?""

Sheng Xinhao was angered again, but had to admit, his son knew him well.

Because if he'd known at the time, he would have done everything in his power to stop the marriage.

Sheng Xinhao forced himself to be patient. ""Everything I do is for your own good.""

""Have you thought about 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 had no interest in comparing his stepmother to Ningning—doing so would only insult Ningning. But he couldn't stand Sheng Xinhao's double standards: what he could do, others couldn't.

Sheng Xinhao was momentarily speechless. ""I'm not the same as you. My status now doesn't require anything, but you're different.""

""A country girl can't help you at all. Listen to me—divorce her. As for the twins, once they're born, I'll arrange for them to be raised elsewhere, or with the Sang family. You should marry Li Shuyao from the Li family. Only a family like the Li's can support you."" Sheng Xinhao tried to persuade him earnestly.

From the corner of his eye, he saw the Sang elders doting on the girl not far away, and realized the rumor that they'd been bribed to persuade Sheng Zexi to divorce was false.

Sheng Xinhao hadn't expected the Sang elders to deceive him like this.

He'd always thought of them as people of great integrity, but now they'd done something so underhanded.

But then, those things would eventually go to Sheng Zexi anyway, so he decided not to dwell on it.

At the same time, he was curious—what was it about this country girl that had won over the Sang elders?

After all, he knew that as the Sang elders' only grandson, Sheng Zexi was as dear to them as he was to himself.

So why would they agree to let him marry a country girl, someone who could do nothing for his future?

As Sheng Zexi listened to Sheng Xinhao's words, his face darkened.

He knew there was nothing to talk about with this man.

If it were anyone else saying these things, Sheng Zexi would have thrown a punch already.

""Since you've said your piece, let me give you my answer.""

""My answer has always been the same.""

""No matter what happens now or in the future, I, Sheng Zexi, will only ever choose Gu Jianing. That will never change.""

""My future, my career—I, Sheng Zexi, will fight for them myself. No matter how much sweat or blood it takes, I have no fear.""

""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 think that way. I'm your father—would I ever harm you?""

Sheng Zexi retorted mockingly, ""You're blind and heartless. Haven't you hurt me enough times already?""

""You—!""

""If this is all you have to say, then there's nothing more for us to discuss.""

""If you can't accept my defiance, then you can disown me as your son. I'd be happy to take the Sang surname.""

""And one more thing—I'm warning you, don't lay a finger on Ningning.""

""If I ever find out you tried to hurt her, I'll fight you to the bitter end, no matter what it takes.""

With that, Sheng Zexi turned and walked away without hesitation.

He spoke so bluntly because he knew Sheng Xinhao—this was a man who would stop at nothing to get what he wanted. Sheng Zexi was afraid he might try to harm Ningning.

Even though Ningning had her own mysterious ways, some troubles and dangers were best avoided if possible."