Chapter 23: Fury

His mother died young. His biological father remarried, and his stepmother was a schemer—outwardly gentle and caring, but every word she spoke was laced with barbs, always trying to undermine him.

Over time, his father, swayed by her manipulations, became just a “father” in name, offering only criticism and scolding.

His stepmother was all honeyed words and a snake’s heart—utterly fake.

In the Sheng family, Sheng Zexi had long since lost anyone who cared for or loved him. That was why he’d thrown himself into the military without a second thought.

He knew his maternal grandparents doted on him, but they were getting old and couldn’t do much for him.

And after being injured and possibly left infertile, Sheng Zexi had once thought he’d spend his life alone. So he trained with everything he had, becoming a top soldier again and again, completing every mission almost perfectly. He thought maybe dying on the battlefield would be his best ending—there was nothing in the future worth looking forward to.

He never expected that, just over a year ago, he’d be injured and fall into a coma, only to be picked up by Gu Jianing. That chance encounter changed everything—he found himself moved, and his entire emotional world was turned upside down.

He was a little jealous that Gu Jianing had once liked Wen Zhuqing, but Sheng Zexi could see that now, Gu Jianing truly wanted a life with him.

So he would work hard too, to give Gu Jianing a better life.

The future he once imagined—growing old alone—maybe it could change. Maybe he could hold Gu Jianing’s hand and walk through life together.

After dropping Gu Jianing off at the Gu family home, Sheng Zexi drove back to Qingshan County.

He had no idea that, at that very moment, his father was in a rage at the Sheng family home.

Far away in Beijing, at the Sheng residence.

Sheng Xinhao hurled his phone to the floor, his face dark as thunderclouds, startling Fang Wanrong, who quickly got up from the sofa to soothe him.

“What’s wrong? Why are you so angry?” Fang Wanrong asked gently.

Just now, the housekeeper had said there was a call from the Northwest Military District for Sheng Xinhao.

Anything involving the Northwest Military District, Fang Wanrong knew, must be about her stepson. So, though she’d been about to leave, she sat back down on the sofa, wanting to find out who was calling and what it was about.

She hadn’t expected that Sheng Xinhao would explode in anger after just a few words on the call, even smashing the phone to the ground.

Could it be that her stepson had pulled another “stunt”?

“That brat Sheng Zexi—does he even see me as his father anymore? He went and got married in secret, to some country girl!”

“He even got the marriage report approved! If Old Xu hadn’t just called me, would I not have known even if he had a kid?”

What? Sheng Zexi got married? And to a country girl? And the marriage report was already approved?

Fang Wanrong’s eyes widened, but then a thought flashed through her mind and the corners of her mouth lifted slightly. Remembering Sheng Xinhao was right beside her, and mindful of her own image, she quickly suppressed the smile.

But in her heart she thought: Marrying a country girl is perfect. What she feared most was Sheng Zexi marrying the daughter of some high-ranking official and gaining powerful support. Now that he’d married a country girl, she had nothing to worry about.

Except for her Manping…

She’d been helping Li Shuyao marry Sheng Zexi, hoping to use that connection to get close to Li Tingxuan. But now…

Li Shuyao had lost her chance completely, and as for her own daughter and Li Tingxuan…

Just as she was thinking this, she heard a noise at the door. Looking up, she saw her daughter leaning against the wall, face pale.

Clearly, she’d overheard everything.

Fang Wanrong’s heart skipped a beat. This daughter of hers was the stubborn type, and for some reason, had set her heart on Li Tingxuan.

She knew Li Tingxuan was a good match. If only Manping were her husband’s biological daughter, then she and Li Tingxuan would be a perfect pair. But unfortunately, Manping wasn’t, and her status was awkward.

But right now, Fang Wanrong couldn’t worry about comforting her daughter. She had to first soothe her husband—and take the chance to badmouth her stepson.

“Zexi really has gone too far this time. Marriage is such a big deal—how could he not tell his family?”

“Even if—even if I’m just his stepmother, it’s fine not to tell me. But, Ah Hao, you’re his real father. You’ve never treated him badly all these years. How could he not even say a word to you?”

Fang Wanrong’s words only stoked Sheng Xinhao’s anger higher.

Not even telling him about something as important as marriage—did Zexi even see him as a father?

All his careful planning, wanting him to marry Old Li’s daughter—gone!

Seeing Sheng Xinhao’s face grow darker, Fang Wanrong was secretly pleased, though on the surface she wore a look of aggrieved sorrow.

“It’s all my fault. Ever since you married me, Zexi’s held it against me. All these years, I’ve made you lose face with him and his mother’s family. I, I…” Fang Wanrong’s eyes filled with tears. “It’s all because I couldn’t help falling for you back then…”

Fang Wanrong was a beauty, with gentle features and expressive eyes. Now, crying, she looked all the more delicate and pitiable.

Sheng Xinhao couldn’t help but recall how he’d first met her.

Was it really Fang Wanrong who couldn’t help herself?

Only Sheng Xinhao knew that from the start, Wanrong had always been reserved and tactfully refused him.

He was the one who couldn’t help himself—after seeing her once, he couldn’t let go, and insisted on marrying her despite her refusals.

Sheng Xinhao knew well that Sheng Zexi and the old couple from the Sang family had grown distant from him because he’d remarried, because of Fang Wanrong.

Normally, thinking of this, he’d feel some resentment toward her.

But hearing her say this, and recalling the past, he found he couldn’t blame her at all.

Wanrong had never done anything wrong.

All these years, she’d done her best for the family, and even given him such a well-behaved, sensible son, Ayu.

Sheng Xinhao pulled Fang Wanrong into his arms, gently wiping away her tears. “Wanrong, it’s not your fault. That boy’s just grown too stubborn, doesn’t even respect me as his father anymore.”

Sheng Xinhao resolved that next time that brat came home, he’d give him a good talking-to.

But for now, unable to reach him, there was nothing he could do.

Nestled in his arms, Fang Wanrong gave a soft, pitiful “mm.”

Out of Sheng Xinhao’s sight, a faint smile curled at the corners of her lips.

Still thinking of her daughter, and having once again stoked Sheng Xinhao’s resentment toward Sheng Zexi, Fang Wanrong left after a moment of tender affection and went to Fang Manping’s room.

As soon as she opened the door, she saw the mess—things scattered all over the floor. Her daughter was slumped over the desk, shoulders shaking with suppressed sobs.

“Sigh.”

Fang Wanrong sighed, closed the door, walked over, and placed her hands on her daughter’s shoulders.

Fang Manping turned and threw herself into her mother’s arms, burying her face in her embrace, crying pitifully, “Mom, do you think there’s no hope for me and Li Tingxuan?”"