Chapter 403: She Is Reluctant
“What has Xiao Qin done wrong?” Papa Sheng asked Old Sheng rather miserably.
“You know very well what she did wrong. Do you think the Sheng family would still abide with her, giving birth to such a bastard who turned the family upside down?”
Ever since his birthday celebration and Sheng Xiao’s provocation, Old Sheng had become even more bitter and unreasonable towards his own family.
He was taking his rage out out on Mama Sheng as well just because she gave birth to Sheng Xiao.
Nonetheless, the old man rose from his chair when he saw that Papa Sheng was unmoved and studied his son. “I know you’re used to hesitating in everything and don’t know how to take charge. So, how about this? I’ll allow you to stay in the family if you would chase that woman away right now.
“Can’t you even do that?”
If Papa Sheng behaved as he usually did, he would have wanted nothing more than to gouge his own heart out for the old man just to tell him how much he’s done for the Sheng family.
However.
“No…” Papa Sheng suddenly looked up at the old man. “I’m just thinking what sort of a father would force his own son to divorce his daughter-in-law.”
“I’m also thinking what sort of a father would humiliate his daughter-in-law like this and treat everyone as if they were not human.”
“Most importantly, I’m thinking what sort of a father would bully his own child like this. Are you even human?” Papa Sheng asked the old man loudly.
“I’ve had enough of you over these years. How long do you think you still could have anything you want? Did you really think that you’re a king?”
The old man suddenly laughed at Papa Sheng’s words. “What? Are you going to imitate that son of yours and betray your own family?”
“Isn’t it normal to betray a father like you?” Papa Sheng said, even as he mustered himself inwardly to stay strong.
“Don’t you want my wealth? A place in the family? Get down on your knees and apologize if you still want that!”
Mama Sheng moved up and was about to argue against the old man at that, but Papa Sheng held her back.
“Sorry, but I really don’t want any of that.”
“What did you say?”
“I said I don’t want anything from the Sheng family, and I would never divorce Xiao Qin.” Papa Sheng said firmly. “I hope you would remember how things would end up when you toy around with the hearts of others.”
“We’re leaving, Xiao Qin.”
With that, the two were about to leave the house, which left the old man very puzzled. “Did you take the wrong meds, son? I can understand Sheng Xiao, but you? Who are you trying to be valiant for after being such a weakling over the years?”
“I’m not being valiant. You would lose more family either way. Just watch.”
“You have to know that once you step out of these doors, you would never get anything from the Sheng family like your traitor son.”
“Whatever. I’ve thought that you would acknowledge me after I worked hard as if Huang Yao was more important than my life… but now I don’t give a damn about any of it. Huang Yao and the Sheng family are just weeds to me now. Since you like Huang Yao so much, warm your bed with it until you die.”
This time, Papa Sheng did not look back.
He showed none of his previous frailty. He feared nothing now that he had turned his back against the old man.
This time, Mama Sheng could not even speak out in time.
The old man was left looking troubled after they were gone—even his eldest son who always listened to him left him no thanks to being bewitched by others.
“Leave. Leave, leave! I’ll make all of you regret betraying me eventually!”
***
News that Papa Sheng brought Mama Sheng home and started some trouble back at the Sheng family was soon known to the other members of the family.
It left Third Brother and his siblings feeling many different things.
“Grandfather is becoming harder to talk to after the drama that day, and is becoming even more overbearing towards his own family.”
“Maybe he’s afraid.” Second Brother answered, watching his younger brother. “Don’t you know? What Eighth Brother did this time was outrageous. He embarrassed the entire family in front of so many guests.”
Third Brother couldn’t help frowning at that. “I thought you understood Eighth Brother best, Second Brother.”
“He has a duty as a grandchild of the Sheng family.”
“Sure, he has responsibility too, but don’t you think it’s heavy to put a giant burden like Huang Yao on him alone?” Third Brother pressed Sheng Kai. “Yes, he had picked a killer way to go about it, but you know what our grandfather is like!”
“He tried to force Eldest Uncle to divorce Eldest Aunt!”
“Eighth Brother wouldn’t have done that if he had any other option. I think he has made the right choice this time.”
The brothers were having a difference in opinion over the matter, but it was hard to blame them—Sheng Xiao did not tell his Second Brother about Zhongteng after all.
Sheng Xiao trusted Sheng Kai’s competence, but he still had his reservations about him.
“Setting that aside, what do you think about grandfather having you marry Miss Gu soon?”
“She’s reluctant.”
Third Brother chuckled at those words. “Reluctant or not, there is no arguing that she would become your wife. Why else did you think Eighth Brother was fighting the old man for?”
“It’s time you persuade her that it has already been decided.”
***
Third Brother returned to his room after discussing the upsetting matters, whereas Second Brother found Gu Ziling having some wine in the garden again.
As Third Brother’s mind suddenly crossed his mind, Second Brother walked up to Gu Ziling and asked, “Not sleeping yet?”
“I’m thinking about how I should free myself from the engagement.”
“Are you so unwilling to marry me?” Second Brother asked her.
Holding her red wine, Gu Ziling suddenly looked up at Second Brother and answered, “Yes. If I could choose, I would rather have Sheng Xiao even if he has nothing.”
Second Brother chuckled and retorted, “Just give up. You’re my fiancée whether you’re willing or not.”
“And despite that arrogant façade of yours, you did live together with someone else for some time. I never held contempt against your background, so what gives you the right to nitpick at me?”
Gu Ziling’s body stiffened.
“You marrying me also means that I can’t get out to find a girl I like. Why are you acting like I’m the one who owed you? Isn’t it obvious who owes who here?”
Gu Ziling opened her mouth, intent on making a retort. However, she could not even manage a word.
“I…”
“Go to sleep if you don’t have anything else to say. It’s better to prepare yourself and marry into the Sheng family instead of thinking unrealistic things.”
“And even if you’re willing to choose Sheng Xiao, he would rather have nothing than choosing you!”
With that, Sheng Kai turned and returned to his room.
One could imagine that he had enough of Gu Ziling lately.