Chapter 359 You are the child's father

The top floor of the Shengshi Group building, the president's office.

The atmosphere was so oppressive it was suffocating.

"Xiao Li is innocent. She is not a third party; she was framed!"

Sheng Tingxiao's temples bulged with veins, and his hands, which were supporting him on the mahogany desk, clenched into fists.

"But what you're doing is just throwing mud at her and confirming her guilt!"

He glared angrily at the imposing man before him, his own father.

"Have you thought about how she, a young girl, will live in the future?"

Sheng Chengjun sat upright in his leather chair, turning a page of a document with a cold expression, not even bothering to lift his eyelids.

"As the president of Sheng's Group, your primary concern should be the group's interests and the stability of the stock price. How others live is not your concern."

"If you are not up to the task, I don't mind replacing you."

His words were devoid of any warmth.

"Fine," Sheng Tingxiao coldly uttered two words, "I'm leaving now."

He suddenly sat up straight and turned to walk out.

"Sheng Tingxiao!"

Sheng Chengjun was finally enraged and slammed the document on the table with a "bang".

"If you walk out this door today, I can guarantee you will never see her again in your life."

Sheng Tingxiao stopped in his tracks.

He slowly turned around, his eyes bloodshot.

"You still want to lay a hand on her?" he spat out through clenched teeth. "You old bones, do you think you can beat me?"

Sheng Chengjun was so angry that his chest heaved violently, and his hand pointing at him trembled.

What a bastard! He's going to be so infuriating!

It's better to have a daughter.

"Then try it and see if your fists are harder or my bones are harder." Sheng Chengjun glared at her coldly.

A brief standoff ensued in the office, the air thick with tension.

Finally, Sheng Tingxiao's tense shoulders slumped.

He compromised.

He knew that his father's threats never involved fists.

That was the crushing power of authority, the strangulation of capital.

He dared not gamble.

Because Lin Xiaoli might really disappear and be sent to another country.

At this juncture, he cannot afford to lose.

If it were anyone else, he could easily use Shengchuang's power to defeat them, but now he had to face his own biological father.

In the end, Sheng Tingxiao backed down.

"What do you want me to do to prevent her from leaving Haicheng?"

He spoke, his voice hoarse.

Sheng Chengjun leaned back in his chair, revealing the posture of a victor.

"Get engaged to the Si family to resolve the company's current crisis."

Sheng Tingxiao closed his eyes briefly, and when he opened them again, all the emotions in his eyes had vanished.

"Okay, I agree to get engaged to Miss Si."

"I will do as you wish."

Sheng Tingxiao thought that he should get through this crisis first, and then find an opportunity to break off the engagement with the eldest daughter of the Si family.

He needed to clear Xiaoli's name as soon as possible, and not let her continue to suffer from such a stigma.

“Great, we’ll hold a press conference tomorrow to announce this good news,” Sheng Chengjun added.

“Sure,” Sheng Tingxiao replied coldly.

...

Lin Xiaoli stood at the door of the president's office, her palms sweating nervously.

She raised her hand and gently stroked her still flat stomach.

Here, a little life has been born.

It's her and Sheng Tingxiao's child.

After careful consideration, she decided to tell him the news.

I wonder if he was pleasantly surprised, or... at a loss, when he found out?

But no matter how many difficulties she encounters in the future, she wants to face them with him.

She took a deep breath and was about to knock on the door when the conversation coming from inside made her outstretched hand freeze in mid-air.

It was Sheng Tingxiao's voice, clear, certain, and without any hesitation.

"I agree to get engaged to Miss Si."

"I will do as you wish."

Immediately following was Sheng Chengjun's satisfied voice.

"Great. We'll hold a press conference tomorrow to announce this good news."

"Can."

Sheng Tingxiao answered.

"I hope you can keep your word. The president of Sheng's Group should prioritize the company's interests," Sheng Chengjun added.

Lin Xiaoli took a step back.

Another step.

It felt like all the strength in my body had been drained away in an instant.

All the words she wanted to say, all those beautiful fantasies about the future, now turned into a huge joke, stuck in her throat, making it hard for her to breathe.

She took one last look at the closed door.

Then, he turned and left.

As soon as Shen Sheng stepped out of the elevator, he saw Lin Xiaoli rush out.

"Xiao Li, did you tell me?"

Lin Xiaoli's eyes were red. "Don't tell him I was here."

After saying that, she stepped into the elevator.

As soon as the elevator doors closed, Sheng Tingxiao strode out, his anger blazing as if he wanted to turn the entire building to ashes.

He walked into the private elevator without saying a word.

Immediately afterwards, Sheng Chengjun walked over with a victor's expression.

"Chairman," Shen Sheng quickly nodded in greeting.

"Secretary Shen, inform the public relations department that a press conference will be held tomorrow. It should be grand, and all the media should be present. Your CEO, Mr. Sheng, should personally announce the marriage."

"Wedding news?" Does this mean the chairman has approved of President Sheng's marriage to Xiao Li?

Shen Sheng was overjoyed.

Unexpectedly, Sheng Chengjun said something with a light, smug look on his face.

"The marriage between the Sheng family and the Si family will be a great event in Haicheng. Make sure the venue is beautifully decorated for me."

The Si family?

Shen Sheng froze instantly, quickly replied with a "yes," and sent him onto the elevator.

What about Xiaoli?

Lin Xiaoli had just walked out of the Shengshi Building.

She pulled her mask up even higher, almost covering her eyes.

Pedestrians came and went on the street, but she felt that every gaze was like a searchlight, leaving her nowhere to hide.

The fear of being beaten was still ingrained in her bones; all she wanted was to leave this place of trouble as soon as possible.

Sudden.

"squeak--!"

"Squeak—!"

Two sharp, ear-piercing screechs of brakes exploded right next to her ears.

Lin Xiaoli's heart skipped a beat.

Two black luxury cars, one in front and one behind, blocked her on the sidewalk.

She was terrified.

The passenger door of the car in front opened, and an assistant in a suit quickly got out, walked around, and opened the rear door with a smooth and efficient movement.

He walked up to her, bowed slightly, and spoke politely but without any warmth.

"Miss Lin, is it? Our Miss Si wants to see you."

"Please get in the car."

Miss Si?

Sheng Tingxiao's... fiancée?

Even 6G network speeds aren't this fast, and they've already come knocking on our door?

Lin Xiaoli's mind was buzzing, and he instinctively took a big step back, waving his hands repeatedly.

"I'm sorry, I don't know your young lady."

After saying that, she turned around and tried to run away.

But it was simply too late.

Two bodyguards in black immediately got out of the car behind her. They were tall and strong, blocking her way like two mountains, and grabbed her arms from the left and right.

"ah!"

The wound on my left arm was pinched hard, and a sharp pain instantly struck.

Lin Xiaoli's face turned pale from the pain.

"It hurts! Let me go!"

Her struggles were futile; she was half-pushed and half-carried by the two men and roughly shoved into the back seat.

The car door slammed shut, shutting out everything outside.

The carriage was dimly lit and filled with a cool, refreshing fragrance.

Before Lin Xiaoli could recover, a cold gaze fell upon her from the side.

She turned her head stiffly.

A woman sat beside him, dressed in a haute couture suit, with exquisite makeup, a cold and aloof demeanor, and a beauty that was almost aggressive.

Is this the eldest daughter of the Si family?

The woman slowly raised her hand, her long, beautiful fingers gently pinching her chin, forcing her to lift her head.

Her red lips moved slightly, but the words that came out were flat.

"Miss Lin, don't be afraid, I won't hurt you."

That's what she said, but her eyes were so sharp they could pierce through people's hearts.

The gaze slowly moved downwards, finally settling on Lin Xiaoli's right wrist.

That was a phoenix-carved gold jade bracelet worth over 100 million yuan.

The car slowly started moving at this moment.

Lin Xiaoli shuddered, her hair standing on end, and she frantically pounded on the car window.

Where are you taking me?

"I want to get off! Let me off!"

Miss Si withdrew her hand, slowly and deliberately straightened her skirt, her tone as indifferent as if she were discussing the weather.

"Don't be nervous, we're just going to have a coffee and chat."

"I have nothing to talk to you about," Lin Xiaoli said firmly.

Miss Si laughed, "We have plenty to talk about, because my future husband is in your bed."

After saying that, she suddenly turned to the side and slowly approached Lin Xiaoli.

Lin Xiaoli stared wide-eyed in terror, desperately shrinking her body toward the other car door, her back pressed tightly against the cold car window.

But the woman's body kept getting closer and closer.

Until that fragrant breath gently brushed against her cheek.

Lin Xiaoli was so frightened that she stopped breathing, and her pupils suddenly contracted.

...

Sheng Tingxiao was in a terrible mood.

After leaving Shengchuang Financial, he drove directly back to Jinling Bay.

Lin Xiaoli is not here.

He dialed her number, but all he heard was a cold, mechanical female voice.

Over and over again.

An ominous premonition gripped his heart.

Just then, Shen Sheng called.

"President Sheng, Chen Jing has been taken away. Someone beat us to it before our people arrived."

Shen Sheng's voice was tense.

Sheng Tingxiao's face darkened.

"Find out who did it and bring them back to me."

His voice was devoid of any warmth.

"Xiao Li is missing and cannot be contacted. Check her phone location immediately."

As soon as he finished speaking, the door beeped with the sound of a password unlock.

Lin Xiaoli walked in carrying a large bag of ingredients.

Sheng Tingxiao practically rushed over and pulled her into a tight embrace, so tightly that she could hardly breathe.

"Where did you go? I was so worried about you."

Lin Xiaoli looked up at his handsome but gloomy face, her tone indifferent.

"I went to buy some groceries to make you dinner."

"You must leave me a message next time you go out, and don't let me not be able to find you again." He was still in shock, with lingering fear in his eyes.

Lin Xiaoli nodded obediently.

"Go sit in the living room, I'll be done soon."

"I'll help you."

Just as Sheng Tingxiao was about to follow into the kitchen, his phone rang again. He frowned, turned around, and went into the study.

Lin Xiaoli carried the groceries into the kitchen.

The meat was pre-processed by the supermarket, and the vegetables were fresh; all she had to do was wash and stir-fry them.

Half an hour later, four dishes and a soup were served on the table, and fragrant rice was steaming in the rice cooker.

Inside the restaurant, the dim yellow light from the chandeliers casts a soft glow, creating a warm and intimate atmosphere throughout the space.

Sheng Tingxiao walked out and stared at the table full of steaming home-cooked dishes, completely stunned.

This warm, homey atmosphere made him feel at home.

"Why did you suddenly decide to cook?"

He stepped forward, hugged her from behind, and turned his head to kiss her cheek.

Lin Xiaoli looked at him with a serious expression.

"Didn't you say you'd give me 50,000 a month for rent and food? Now you want to back out?"

"I won't go back on my word." Sheng Tingxiao tightened his arms around her and rested his chin on her shoulder. "Everything I have is yours."

Lin Xiaoli's heart ached from those words.

The wedding announcement is tomorrow; after tonight, everything he does will be irrelevant to her.

"Sit down and try my cooking."

She pulled him to sit down with her, picked up her chopsticks, and took the initiative to serve him food.

Sheng Tingxiao took a bite, and his eyes lit up.

The taste is really good.

"Is it delicious?" Lin Xiaoli's eyes were full of anticipation.

"Of course, if I could eat your cooking every day from now on..." Sheng Tingxiao stopped mid-sentence.

Lin Xiaoli understands everything, but she insists on pretending to be stupid.

after.

There is no future for them.

"As long as President Sheng can afford it, I'll... cook for you every day." She smiled, her eyes crinkling, but her eyes couldn't help but redden.

Sheng Tingxiao reached out his large hand and gently rubbed her head.

The tenderness in his eyes was a depth she had never seen before.

I wish time could stop at this moment.

Lin Xiaoli quickly composed herself and started telling him jokes she had seen online, rambling on about all sorts of things.

Sheng Tingxiao's mouth widened as he was amused by her. He pinched her cheek with his large hand, his eyes full of doting affection.

The meal ended in a deliberately created pleasant atmosphere.

After dinner, the two stood side by side on the balcony to enjoy the night view.

"So beautiful." Lin Xiaoli exclaimed sincerely, "It's so good to be rich; even your perspective on the world is different."

Sheng Tingxiao suddenly moved closer from behind and wrapped his arms around her waist.

His chin rested gently on her shoulder, his warm breath brushing against her ear.

"Xiao Li, tell me, what other wishes do you have?"

Lin Xiaoli turned her head to look at him, thought for a moment, and answered very seriously.

"I hope to pay back the ten million I owe you as soon as possible."

"Anything else?"

"I hope... I can dance with you again. Last time at the anniversary celebration, I was so busy looking at your feet that I didn't get to enjoy any of the romance."

Her smile was innocent and pure, and her eyes seemed to be filled with stars.

"What's so difficult about that?" Sheng Tingxiao ruffled her hair. "Go take a shower later, change into a pretty dress, and I'll dance with you again."

"Sheng Tingxiao, what about you? What are your wishes?" She turned around to face him.

He gazed at her, his eyes so deep they could draw you in.

"I hope that every day from now on I will wake up to find you by my side."

Lin Xiaoli's heart clenched suddenly, a sour feeling welled up in her nose, and her eyes instantly reddened.

"I...I'm going to take a shower and change my clothes."

She ran back to the master bedroom as if fleeing.

Half an hour later, she came out.

She was wearing a beautiful spaghetti strap dress, with light makeup on her face, and her lips were a gentle oolong milk tea color, a light pink that made her look exceptionally beautiful.

In the living room, the melodious strains of a romantic waltz were playing, and a pale purple ambient light had somehow appeared on the ceiling.

She turned around and saw Sheng Tingxiao walking out of the room.

He changed into a well-tailored formal suit, standing tall and looking just as handsome as he did on the anniversary celebration.

Her heartbeat completely went off track.

He walked up to her, took a velvet box from his pocket, opened it, and inside was a dazzling blue diamond necklace.

He put it on her himself.

"This is your payment for dancing with me."

"Thank you, Mr. Sheng." She reached out and gently touched the cool diamond, smiling like a princess who had received a treasure.

The next second, Sheng Tingxiao suddenly knelt down on one knee and personally took off her high heels.

His warm, large hand grasped her icy ankle, and Lin Xiaoli was so frightened that her toes curled up.

He then gently lifted her up and placed her on his shiny leather shoes, then took her hand and wrapped his arms around her waist.

"That way, you won't have to look at your feet or worry about falling behind the beat."

"Then I'm going to trample you under my feet." Lin Xiaoli winked playfully.

"I do." Sheng Tingxiao smiled and led her to dance slowly to the music.

Lin Xiaoli leaned against his chest, listening to the romantic melody and feeling his steady, powerful heartbeat.

She knew that for this very moment, this man belonged to her completely.

But he was about to get engaged to the eldest daughter of the Si family.

From that moment on, their lives would never intersect again.

Thinking of this, her tears streamed down her face like a broken string, landing on his suit.

"Don't cry." Sheng Tingxiao knew she was crying, and he gently patted her back. "I won't leave you."

"I will never let anyone hurt you again."

This was his promise to her.

Lin Xiaoli cried even harder.

"Sheng Tingxiao, I like you, I like you a lot, I like you a lot..."

She repeated the phrase over and over again, as if she wanted to return all the love she had never dared to express in the past to him at once.

"I know." Sheng Tingxiao cupped her tear-streaked face and lowered his head to kiss her lips.

She kept crying, yet she was also captivated by his tender and lingering kisses.

After an unknown amount of time, Sheng Tingxiao picked her up and strode towards the room.

That night, he kissed every inch of her skin, but never crossed that final line.

But he was completely consumed by it and could not extricate himself.

...

The next day, Sheng Tingxiao opened his eyes to find the space beside him empty.

He changed his clothes and walked out of the bedroom. On the coffee table in the living room, a white note was pressed down by the blue diamond necklace, the brilliance of the diamonds stinging his eyes.

"Wishing you and Miss Si eternal happiness."

The short line of text made his heart clench.

He immediately took out his phone and dialed Shen Sheng's number.

"Find him! Find Lin Xiaoli right now!"

On the other end of the phone, Shen Sheng sounded even more anxious than he did.

"President Sheng, you'd better come to the company as soon as possible!"

"Everything for the press conference is set up, all the media are here, and the chairman is here too. We're just waiting for you!"

Twenty minutes later, Sheng Tingxiao walked into the company's small auditorium.

The press conference venue was adorned with flowers, and the audience was packed with media reporters and flashing cameras. The group's senior executives and public relations staff were on high alert, the atmosphere tense.

Sheng Weiwei ran over, lifting her skirt, her face full of worry.

"Brother, are you serious? You're really going to get engaged to that Miss Si?"

Don't worry.

Sheng Tingxiao patted her shoulder, but his gaze went past her and looked at the huge screen on the stage.

"I know what I want."

Three minutes later, Sheng Tingxiao walked onto the podium, and all the flashbulbs in the room were immediately focused on him.

"Thank you for coming to the media. Today's press conference is mainly to clarify the recent rumors about me and Ms. Lin Xiaoli, an employee of the company."

He paused, then continued.

"At the same time, I am also announcing an important decision of my own."

"Ms. Lin Xiaoli is not as morally corrupt as the rumors suggest. She is a hardworking, positive, kind, and filial girl."

"Now, please watch two videos."

As soon as he finished speaking, the large screen lit up.

The video shows Chen Jing confessing to the camera that she took money from Qin Shu to deliberately frame Lin Xiaoli, claiming that Lin Xiaoli had an improper relationship with her husband. She also showed the transfer records before being taken away by the relevant authorities.

The scene erupted in an uproar, with reporters whispering amongst themselves and typing furiously on their keyboards.

Before everyone could even process this bombshell, a second video was immediately broadcast.

In the video, Lin Xiaoli, with a bare face, patiently teaches children to draw at the welfare home.

The scene shifts to her teaching in a remote mountain village before she joined Shengshi, where she was giving lessons to children.

The village chief also commented on her, saying that she walked five miles of mountain road in the heavy rain to carry a sick old man from the mountains to the town hospital. She was soaked to the bone and collapsed from exhaustion, and was sick for a week.

The video also includes various compliments from neighbors, praising her as a kind-hearted girl.

After the video finished playing, the audience completely lost their composure.

This is no low-quality woman; she is an angel on earth who saves all living beings.

Sheng Tingxiao held the microphone, his gaze sweeping across the entire room.

"If anyone doubts the authenticity of the video, they can verify it at any time."

"It was her kindness that moved me. I hereby formally address the previous rumors about her and me."

He took a deep breath and spoke with a resounding voice.

"Lin Xiaoli is my girlfriend. We are truly in love. I hope everyone will stop spreading rumors and attacking her."

"Because she will be the wife of the president of our Sheng Group."

"If anyone continues to smear her, our Sheng family's legal department will not stand idly by."

The moment those words were spoken, the entire auditorium erupted in chaos.

Sheng Chengjun, sitting in the front row, was so angry that his face changed color, and he slammed his hand on the table.

"What nonsense is he spouting! Tell him to stop right now!"

The media reporters went crazy, all standing up and pushing their microphones forward.

"Mr. Sheng, there are rumors that you are getting engaged to Miss Si. Is that true or false?"

"Mr. Sheng, Ms. Lin Xiaoli is pregnant now. Is she carrying your child?"

Sheng Tingxiao's handsome face darkened. He had anticipated the media's question and was organizing his thoughts.

Just then, Shen Sheng rushed over like a gust of wind and whispered a few words in his ear.

"President Sheng, we've found Xiao Li! She's in danger; Qin Shu has captured her!"

"Qin Shu threatened to kill her and her unborn child; you must go and save her immediately!"

Sheng Tingxiao's expression changed drastically, and he turned to leave.

Sheng Chengjun rushed forward and blocked his way, shouting.

"Don't leave!"

Shen Sheng was so anxious that he was covered in sweat.

"President Sheng, it's too late! Quickly save Xiao Li! Xiao Li is carrying your child!"

Sheng Tingxiao froze, then turned his head sharply to stare at Shen Sheng.

"What did you say?"

"Xiao Li is carrying your child, you are the child's father!" Shen Sheng said loudly, going all out. "That day at the club, you drank yourself into oblivion, but actually, everything happened!"

Sheng Tingxiao was so surprised that his heart almost jumped out of his chest.

She was pregnant with his child?

She refused to abort the child because of him; she couldn't bear to.

It turns out she always belonged only to him; she was his woman!

Upon hearing this, Sheng Chengjun froze on the spot, then yelled at his still bewildered son.

"What are you standing there for? Go save them!"