“By the way, that old man of the Sheng family had set things up to call off the engagement with the Shen family, before ushering the young lady of the Gu family to his home in the blink of an eye. What could that mean?”


  “He’s really unhappy with having a young bride as his granddaughter-in-law.”


  “I remember how that young bride performed brilliantly back at Huang Yao’s VVIP Night. Such a shame that Old Sheng isn’t a man of his word.”


  “That is why the Sheng Family is spreading word that the Shen family is hiding away his grandson because they can’t bear a son. Doesn’t that also mean that the Sheng family can’t get a daughter, and therefore have to bring Miss Gu into his family?”


  “The Crown Prince has everything he needs, and yet would rather stay with the Shen family and give up on such a great future at Huang Yao. That could only mean that the Sheng family is a failure—they can’t get what they want, and are spreading rumors to provoke the Shen family now that they are desperate. Forgive my frankness, but Old Shen is a decorated military man while Old Sheng is just a small-time businessman. Is he trying to bully the Shen family for being discreet just because he has some reputation and clients?”


  “To think that they were friends for years. Just look at how the Sheng family cut ties once they served their purpose—it just stinks!”


  Overnight, the landscape amongst the aristocratic circles changed. That was naturally thanks to Sheng Xiao’s vast network of contacts and friends, which allowed him to do so much more.

  Sheng Xiao directly contacted them, telling them to exacerbate any rumors between the Shen family and the Sheng family—as long as it would not benefit the latter, naturally.

  And would Old Sheng sit and let those rumors spread?

  He immediately called Old Shen, but it was a pity for him that Old Shen had removed him from his contacts.

  Once he saw the unfamiliar number, he could only ask in confusion, “Who are you?”


  Old Sheng’s face dropped in fury.

  “It’s me…”


  “Oh, you. What is it?” Old Shen asked impatiently.

  “Old Shen, we’ve been friends for years, but how could you bear to make such a big deal over such a trivial matter? Moreover, Sheng Xiao is a grandson of my family. What reason does the Shen family to stop him from returning home?”


  Old Shen became furious too. “I don’t want to quarrel with you. Just wait outside my doorstep if you want to see Sheng Xiao, and don’t try to make it my fault for hiding your grandson. You can’t manage him because of your own incompetence!”


  “I’ve already prepared a good wife for Sheng Xiao. I hope the Shen family wouldn’t meddle in this matter!”


  “Damn it, don’t call me anymore!” Old Shen promptly hung up.

  He could not be blamed for his rage. When he remembered the excuse that Old Sheng came up with to call off their engagement, he felt like he had somehow gulped down a fly—they had helped each other develop and succeed over the years, and somehow end up with such an argument.

  ***

  Soon, Old Sheng hung up as well, and brought his butler with him to the Shen’s residence.

  He was convinced that if the Shen family had not accommodated and supported Sheng Xiao, the boy would have returned long ago.

  After all, how could Sheng Xiao survive at Jianchuan without the status and position that Huang Yao gives?

  “Master Sheng, this has the least chance of working with Eighth Young Master. You know he can’t be affected by either carrot or stick.”


  “Then remind me to stay calm when I see him, so that I’ll give him face and at least get a good word in.”


  Despite what he said, the old man was extremely frustrated.

  “I understand.”


  Moments later, Sheng Xiao’s car—a very normal black Benz sedan started out of the Shen’s residence.

  Xu Che was driving, and they saw Old Sheng waiting at the gates when they were about to leave.

  “Chief Sheng…”


  If Sheng Xiao did not stop the car on his own, Old Sheng would never have been able to tell that his grandson was in it.

  How could that possible with how ostentatious Sheng Xiao was?

  He just was not aware that Sheng Xiao was being deliberately discreet.

  Watching as Sheng Xiao got down from the car, Old Sheng snorted and walked up to him.

  The first exchange in the reunion between grandson and grandfather was from Sheng Xiao. “You still haven’t given up?”


  “What about you? You can’t keep hiding with the Shen family, can you? You are a member of the Sheng family, and staying with them without a lawful reason is not going to sound nice when others speak about it. As long as you’re willing to follow me home, I’ll let bygones be bygones.”


  That was giving face?

  At his words, Sheng Xiao immediately put his hands into his pockets. “I think I could play along if you don’t try to spread those disgusting rumors.”


  “Isn’t your birthday in March too?”


  “I’ll give you an answer on your birthday, but until then, stop all your futile effort and don’t show your face to the Shen family.”


  “Also, don’t come looking for me, and don’t try to want a mile after getting an inch.”


  Old Sheng’s brow relaxed when he was finished. “Are you being serious?”


  “Of course.”


  “I’ll trust you once more, brat. Don’t go breaking my heart.”


  “And you better keep your word, or I’m never taking one step into the Sheng family’s house for the rest of my life.”


  With that, Sheng Xiao returned inside his car, instructing Xu Che to drive off.

  “Master Sheng, it looks like Young Master has his own difficulties. In the end, he likes Miss Mu very much, so let him straighten his personal affairs. It would settle things with Miss Gu when he returns to the family.”


  Old Sheng nodded at his butler’s words. “The brat never breaks his promises. Since he intends to return on my birthday, I’m generous enough to let him part ways with Mu Qiqi.”


  Humph! In the end, Sheng Xiao was a member of the Sheng family, no matter how many cards the Shen family had up their sleeve, they would never stop the eighth Sheng brother from returning to his real home.

  Still, what was Sheng Xiao actually planning?

  Naturally, on the old man’s birthday, he would tell the whole wide world that he would marry into the Shen family by renting out the largest billboard and have it stay there for a week.

  Would the old man not give up then?

  At the moment, he was only keeping the old man happy so that he wouldn’t try to hurt the Shen family.

  Nonetheless, Old Sheng was in a good mood when he reached home.

  Puzzled, Sixth Brother asked the butler, “What is Grandfather so happy about?”


  The butler appeared excited too. “Eighth Young Master might return during his birthday.”


  Sixth Brother was not that pleased, however.

  Was Eighth Brother really giving up on Mu Qiqi? And what did he take the Sheng family for—a wet market he could come and leave anytime he wanted?

  As such, Sixth Brother complained about his discontentment with Second Brother.

  “Eighth Brother has it so good, Second Brother. Aside from you having to give up your post, he even has that young lady of the Gu family prepared for him once he comes back.”


  Second Brother was naturally upset at those words.

  Even if Grandpa Sheng was being determined, he knew that the old man only had Sheng Xiao in mind as his successor.

  All his efforts would be wasted no matter what he did.

  Even Gu Ziling was extremely interested in Sheng Xiao despite never meeting him.