Chapter 355 Pregnant, Whose Child?
The next morning, two trending topics about Lin Xiaoli and Sheng Tingxiao appeared online.
#The Sheng Family's Little Lucky Koi Dances with the Crown Prince#
#The Spark Between Cinderella and the CEO of Sheng's Group#
Most of the comments below praised the splendid and grand anniversary celebration of Sheng's Group, and even pointed out that President Sheng's acquisition of the billion-dollar phoenix crown might indicate that good things are on the horizon.
Many netizens also shared photos of Lin Xiaoli and Qin Shu competing against each other.
The result was that Qin Shu suffered a complete defeat.
Although Qin Shu is Sheng Tingxiao's female companion, the article included three photos of Sheng Tingxiao and Lin Xiaoli.
The first picture is of him presenting an award, the second is of them dancing intimately together, and the third is of him holding her.
That was when the chandelier fell, and he was holding her when someone took a picture of him. The photo shows him gazing at her with a tense look in his eyes.
Netizens began criticizing Lin Xiaoli, feeling that she was not good enough for the president of Sheng's Group.
When Sheng Tingxiao saw it, he immediately notified the public relations department to have all information related to Lin Xiaoli removed.
The trending topics were removed, the related entries were cleaned up, and the related posts and photos disappeared at a visible speed.
So, when Lin Xiaoli stepped into the company gate humming a song and in a cheerful mood, everything had already calmed down.
She was completely unaware of the storm that swept across the internet and then quickly subsided.
Her face was beaming with a bright smile, and she brought over three large boxes of pastries.
Her colleagues swarmed around her, congratulating her all at once.
"Xiao Li, your lucky charm physique is amazing!"
"A three-million-dollar house! When are you moving in?"
"You have to treat us! You have to treat us!"
Everyone was egging her on to treat them to a meal.
She grinned, her eyes curving into crescents.
"Okay, let's go have hot pot tonight!"
Three million.
She held the "money" phone in her arms all night, tossing and turning, too excited to sleep.
Just then, Shen Sheng arrived.
He was carrying a rather exquisite box.
Lin Xiaoli's eyes lit up when she saw him. "Assistant Shen, did President Sheng say he would bring me anything?"
Shen Sheng nodded. "Yes, President Sheng asked me to bring you two things, no, three things."
Three items?
Lin Xiaoli's heart skipped a beat.
Shen Sheng took out the first item, an exquisite gift box. He opened it and found a beautiful dress with a unique cut inside.
"President Sheng said he wants you to come back to the Sheng family home for dinner tonight. Yesterday, Chairman Sheng also wanted to dance with Jinli, but he didn't get to, so he kept saying he wanted to have dinner with you."
"I'm not going."
Lin Xiaoli refused without hesitation.
She didn't want to go to the Sheng family to avoid escalating her conflict with Qin Shu, who was the blind date chosen for her by Madam Sheng.
Shen Sheng pushed up his glasses.
"President Sheng said the performance fee is 100,000 yuan, and it will only take up two hours of your time."
100,000!
Lin Xiaoli's eyes widened instantly, her expression exaggerated.
"Wow!"
Shen Sheng was startled by her shout, "Xiao Li, don't swear."
"Ahem," Lin Xiaoli cleared her throat, forcing a professional fake smile, "What I mean is, I accept. I'll go to dinner."
joke.
If she doesn't make money this easily, she'll probably get struck by lightning.
Working part-time at Club No. 9, I earn 300 yuan an hour. With occasional tips, I can only make a maximum of 1,500 yuan a night.
That's 100,000 yuan.
Shen Sheng smiled.
"The second thing is this." He handed over a document, "A lease agreement. Mr. Sheng wants to rent the apartment you drew, just one room."
Before Lin Xiaoli could react, he added something else.
"However, you will need to prepare breakfast and dinner for him, and also clean his room. He will pay you 50,000 a month for rent and food expenses."
Shen Sheng said as he flipped through the contract.
This was a little trick he offered to his boss—being in a good position makes it easier to succeed.
Lin Xiaoli was completely shocked.
"He has a place to live, why would he rent from me?"
Shen Sheng looked at her earnestly, "He lives in Imperial View now, and his commute is a bit far. Golden Bay is right there, so he can save on gas money."
He raised his hand and pointed out the window.
Golden Bay is a white-collar apartment complex in this prime CBD area. The building is golden and dazzling. It is just two streets away from Shengshi Group, less than a ten-minute walk away.
"Mr. Sheng, is it really that much money for gas?"
Why doesn't she believe it?
"The most valuable thing is the breakfast and dinner you prepare for him, because he has a sensitive stomach."
Shen Sheng frowned deeply as he spoke, “You have no idea what kind of life he lived for the past six years. Sometimes he couldn’t even afford a meal a day.”
As he spoke, his eyes reddened, and he painfully touched his forehead with his hand and shook his head.
"Okay, okay."
Lin Xiaoli immediately softened.
She also knew that President Sheng had been missing for six years and had barely returned after surviving a near-death experience, so he must have been living an inhuman life.
Otherwise, she wouldn't have such a violent temper, telling him to get out every day.
In the distance, Sheng Tingxiao sneezed: Me, violent?
"But I can't guarantee I'll be home on time to cook every day," she said in advance.
"That's alright. Just prepare an extra portion for him when you make it."
Shen Sheng smiled, finally getting her to nod.
Suddenly, Lin Xiaoli seemed to be electrocuted, jolted back to her senses, and screamed.
"That's not right! President Sheng clearly promised me yesterday that he would help me convert the house into cash! I'm about to lose my house, why would I rent it to him?"
"Is he trying to trick me again?"
Shen Sheng, however, remained calm and composed.
"Don't rush, this is the third thing I want to tell you."
He pulled a neatly folded piece of white paper from the inside pocket of his suit.
Lin Xiaoli's eyes lit up immediately, thinking it was a check.
"This was prepared for you by President Sheng."
She quickly took it and opened it, and the smiling face immediately collapsed.
This is an IOU.
It was written in black and white: Lin Xiaoli owes Sheng Tingxiao 7 million.
Originally it was ten million, but after deducting the three million for the house, it came to exactly seven million.
But this is just too...heartbreaking.
"President Sheng said that if you agree to have the arm surgery, he will sign the three million check for you immediately."
Lin Xiaoli's sunny mood instantly turned gloomy.
Recently, she has been feeling numbness in her left arm and weakness in her hand, sometimes even finding it difficult to hold a cup.
Shen Sheng reacted quickly and snatched the IOU from her hand.
"Xiao Li, you should keep the house and rent it out. At least that's some cash. Fifty thousand a month, that's six hundred thousand a year. You won't have to work so hard doing part-time jobs anymore."
“Once your mother is discharged from the hospital, she'll have a place to stay. The house has three bedrooms and two living rooms, with two separate suites, which is very convenient.”
Lin Xiaoli lowered her eyes and nodded.
"I'll think about it."
"Then think it over carefully. President Sheng said he'll pick you up at 6:30 tonight to go home together."
After saying that, Shen Sheng slipped away.
Lin Xiaoli had no choice but to bite the bullet and reschedule her invitation to dinner with colleagues for the evening to tomorrow in the work group.
She accidentally dozed off again in the afternoon; she's been feeling sleepy a lot lately.
After the anniversary celebration, the public relations department focused on handling the group's follow-up publicity work, so it wasn't too busy.
At seven o'clock in the evening, the Sheng family's villa was brightly lit.
Sheng Tingxiao led Lin Xiaoli into the living room.
She wore a blue dress with a pure white cardigan, making her look gentle and elegant.
But she was feeling very uneasy and didn't know what to do with her hands and feet.
Sheng Tingxiao noticed her stiffness and gently patted her shoulder with his broad hand.
"Relax and just be yourself."
He leaned close to her ear and whispered something in her ear.
"Eat and laugh freely in a bit."
Lin Xiaoli looked up at him in surprise and whispered, "If I act well, will I get more money?"
"Of course." He smiled and nodded in agreement, then led her toward the restaurant.
Madam Sheng greeted them with a smile and warmly took Lin Xiaoli's hand.
"Xiao Li, come here and sit down. Dinner will be ready soon."
"Okay, sure." Lin Xiaoli nodded and sat down, following her lead.
Just then, Bai Yu walked into the hall with his arm around Sheng Weiwei's waist. Sheng Weiwei's voice preceded her arrival.
"Mom, it smells so good! Are we having guests tonight?"
When her and Bai Yu's gazes fell on Lin Xiaoli and Sheng Tingxiao, they were both stunned.
"Sister Weiwei, President Bai." Lin Xiaoli stood up reflexively and greeted him awkwardly.
Sheng Weiwei quickly realized what was happening, gave her brother a meaningful look, and then smiled.
"Don't be shy, please sit down and make yourself at home."
At this moment, Sheng Chengjun, the patriarch of the Sheng family, also came over.
Lin Xiaoli's muscles tensed instantly, and she quickly stood up again, even bowing to him.
"Hello, Chairman Sheng."
Sheng Chengjun was amused by her appearance and said in a very gentle tone, "Xiao Lin, don't be shy, please sit down."
Madam Sheng also tried to smooth things over, saying, "Come, sit down. This isn't the company. Just call him Uncle Sheng."
Lin Xiaoli quickly nodded, "Okay."
When she sat down, she felt that her palms were covered in sweat.
"Come, let's eat," Madam Sheng said, and only then did she dare to pick up the chopsticks in front of her.
At the table, Bai Yu naturally served food to Sheng Weiwei.
Sheng Weiwei looked at her brother mischievously, "Brother, this is the first time you've brought a girl home for dinner."
She gestured with her eyes.
"You need to take good care of Xiaoli and serve him food."
"Okay." Sheng Tingxiao nodded without changing his expression, picked up a piece of golden chicken and put it into Lin Xiaoli's bowl.
"Dad, could you peel some shrimp for me? Double the portion," Sheng Weiwei called out to the person in the head seat.
"Okay, wait." Sheng Chengjun smiled as he put on disposable gloves with practiced ease.
At the dinner table, Sheng Weiwei told a joke, which made the whole family burst into laughter.
Looking at the harmonious scene before her, Lin Xiaoli felt that the atmosphere of this family was really good, and everyone was so nice. Her eyes couldn't help but turn a little red.
"Come on, have a taste. The shrimp Dad peeled is especially delicious."
Sheng Weiwei used serving chopsticks to pick up a few glistening shrimp and put them into her bowl.
"Thank you, Sister Weiwei." Lin Xiaoli smiled gratefully.
"From now on, you have to call me Weiwei, little sister." Sheng Weiwei's joke instantly drew everyone's attention.
Lin Xiaoli's face flushed red instantly, and she looked pleadingly at Sheng Tingxiao beside her.
He didn't refute it; in fact, he even had a slight smile on his lips, seemingly acquiescing.
Madam Sheng smiled and served her some food, easing her embarrassment.
"Xiao Li, try this sweet and sour pork ribs."
"Thank you, Madam Sheng." Lin Xiaoli nodded.
She carefully took a bite, and her eyes lit up instantly.
"It's delicious! The sweet and sour ratio is 6:4. Did you make this yourself?"
Madam Sheng's smile deepened. "Finally, someone appreciates my skills."
She then placed a piece of pan-fried beef cubes on Lin Xiaoli's plate, saying, "This is one too, have a taste."
Lin Xiaoli was even more surprised after tasting it.
"The meat is very tender, and it's also seasoned with thyme and basil. It's so delicious."
Madam Sheng's face was full of joy. "You could tell?"
"Yes, it tastes even better than what you get in Western restaurants."
She ate with great relish, and her satisfied expression was not exaggerated at all, which made everyone else at the table feel their appetites increase.
Looking at her chubby cheeks, Sheng Tingxiao felt that the rice in his bowl tasted much better.
Seeing this, Bai Yu quickly put a piece on Sheng Weiwei's plate as well.
"Is it really that delicious?" Sheng Weiwei tasted it, but couldn't figure out the secret.
"You brat, you don't know how lucky you are," Madam Sheng said, giving her daughter a reproachful look.
Just then, the nanny came in carrying a steaming bowl of Buddha Jumps Over the Wall.
"Try this Buddha Jumps Over the Wall soup, it's been stewed for ten hours." Madam Sheng said, looking at her son, "Xiao'er, serve Xiao Li a bowl."
"Okay." Sheng Tingxiao picked up her soup bowl, ladled out half a bowl for her, and placed it steadily beside her. "Try it."
As soon as Lin Xiaoli got closer, a strong fishy smell hit him, making his stomach churn instantly.
"Sorry." She abruptly covered her mouth, stood up, and rushed towards the restroom.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Sheng were stunned. Mrs. Sheng immediately looked at her son and asked in a low voice, "Have you and Xiao Li had any physical intimacy?"
Sheng Tingxiao's eyes darkened, but he still answered honestly.
"No."
Mother Sheng's heart was filled with alarm bells; she hoped it wasn't what she thought.
Sheng Weiwei spoke up at the right moment to defuse the situation, "Mom, this does taste a bit fishy, I don't like drinking it."
She turned to Bai Yu and said.
"Let's eat something else, come on."
Bai Yu understood and served her other dishes.
In fact, they all knew in their hearts what was wrong with Lin Xiaoli.
Sheng Tingxiao stood up. "I'll go take a look."
He walked to the bathroom door, just as Lin Xiaoli came out, her eyes red-rimmed, clearly having vomited quite a bit.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Sheng, did I mess this up?" She was tempted to back out at the last minute.
“You’re doing a great job, they all like you very much,” he said suddenly, looking at her.
Upon hearing this, Lin Xiaoli laughed, but the laugh was somewhat bitter.
"They were very polite to me. In fact, they are polite to every girl you bring home."
"Xiao Li, do you want a family like this?" He looked intently into her eyes.
“I won’t have these unrealistic dreams; I know my place.”
She has always been very self-aware.
A short while later, Lin Xiaoli composed herself and returned to the hall, only to find two uninvited guests.
Qin Shu and her mother.
Lin Xiaoli's heart clenched; this was truly a collision of planets.
Qin Shu's eyes sharpened the moment he saw her.
"Lin Xiaoli, what a coincidence!"
Sheng Weiwei rushed over and stood in front of Lin Xiaoli, exuding her powerful aura.
“Xiao Li is a guest I invited, unlike some people who come uninvited and deliberately time their meals, that’s really unseemly.”
Madam Qin quickly smoothed things over, "Madam Sheng, I'm so sorry, it's all because of my girl. She said she wanted to return the dress to Young Master Sheng. So, we just happened to be passing by."
Madam Sheng wore a polite smile. "It's alright. Have you eaten? Why don't we eat together?"
Madam Qin quickly waved her hand, "No need, no need, we've already eaten."
Seeing this scene, Lin Xiaoli just wanted to disappear as quickly as possible.
"Madam Sheng, I'll head back now."
After saying that, she picked up her bag from the sofa and tried to leave.
Qin Shu suddenly raised his voice and said, "Lin Xiaoli, why are you still wearing high heels? You should be more careful now."
She stared at Lin Xiaoli's stomach, her gaze suggestive.
"You're pregnant, so be careful not to fall."
Pregnant!
These two words stunned both Sheng's mother and father.
"You're pregnant?" Mrs. Sheng looked at her with surprise, then asked seriously, "Whose child is it?"
Lin Xiaoli's pupils contracted...
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