Chapter 757: 759, All of a Mound’s Worth (Second Update)

"If you ask me," said Shen’s father, "you should treat Sheng well now and break things off with Situ Ya soon." He continued, "A woman like Situ Ya is simply not worthy of you. Being with someone like her will only lower your value."

Shen’s father didn’t like Situ Ya very much.

"Shut up!" Shen’s mother glared angrily at Shen’s father, "Keep out of the children’s affairs. Who among today’s youth doesn’t keep a few women outside? Son, listen to your mother, don’t let Duanmu Sheng catch any hint of this for now. Just keep fooling her. As for your affair with Ya Ya, we can talk about that after you marry Duanmu Sheng. After that, the two of you give me a grandson, and I’d like to see what that Duanmu Sheng would dare to say then?"

In Shen’s mother’s view, it was normal for a successful man to have several women.

Just like the emperors of ancient times, which Emperor didn’t have the three palaces, six courtyards, and seventy-two concubines?

Having three wives and several concubines was the symbol of a successful man.

For a successful man like Shen Haoguang, what was wrong with keeping a woman on the side?

Only a pauper would cling solely to the woman at home.

What true love, ’forever and ever with the same person,’ it’s all fake.

Without money in hand, without power behind you, how can you talk about having three wives and several concubines?

What good man, that’s just a cover for the impoverished, how many wealthy men are not philanderers?

In this respect, Shen’s mother was very open-minded.

"Okay, Mom, I’ll listen to you," Shen Haoguang nodded earnestly.

"Mhm," Shen’s mother also nodded, "Remember to be careful if you go to hotels with Ya Ya from now on. Your godfather just called. Duanmu Sheng and the Great National Division were at Purple Night, they even checked the surveillance. Had it not been for your godfather today, Duanmu Sheng would have dumped you a long time ago."

The person in charge of Purple Night was Shen Haoguang’s godfather.

"You all just carry on!" said Shen’s father with a look of annoyance, "We’ll see how you end up handling this when the time comes!"

Sooner or later, all secrets come to light, and the day would come when Duanmu Sheng discovered the truth.

"Son, don’t mind him," Shen’s mother rolled her eyes dismissively, "He has no right to talk. Wasn’t he up to no good when he was young? What right does he have to talk about you now, Shen Haoguang?"

Sighing, Shen’s father stood up and left, no longer bothering with the mother and son.

Shen’s mother looked at Shen Haoguang and continued, "Son, let me tell you, grab hold of this opportunity and don’t let Duanmu Sheng get suspicious. Keep sweet-talking her."

Shen Haoguang nodded and then asked somewhat puzzled, "Mom, did you just say that the Great National Division went to Purple Night with Duanmu Sheng?"

"That’s what your godfather said," Shen’s mother replied. "What is it, son? Is there a problem?"

Shen Haoguang frowned, a displeased look in his eyes, "Mom, when did Duanmu Sheng and the Great National Division start hooking up?"

"Now that Duanmu Zhe is about to become the prince consort, is it strange that Duanmu Sheng hooks up with the Great National Division?" Shen’s mother’s eyes twinkled with scheming light, "I’ve always said that Duanmu Sheng is a fickle woman. You’re her official boyfriend, yet she dares to go behind your back and hook up with other men!"

Shen’s mother would never have allowed Shen Haoguang to be with such a woman, if not for her family background. But for Shen Haoguang’s future, he must marry Duanmu Sheng.

Interests come first.

"That bitch!" Shen Haoguang clenched his fists in anger, being a staunch believer in patriarchal values, he could betray Duanmu Sheng, but Duanmu Sheng was not allowed to betray him!

"Forget it, forget it," Shen’s mother patted Shen Haoguang’s hand, "Let’s just bear with it for now. A moment of patience may make a big difference. Oh, find an opportunity to invite her over to our house as a guest. I’ll try to see what she’s thinking and figure out when we can settle your matter."

By marrying Duanmu Sheng, they would become relatives with the Mo family.

Then, Mo Zhixuan would have to call Shen Haoguang brother-in-law. What a glory that would be?

Shen Haoguang now also recognized the importance of Duanmu Sheng and nodded quickly, "Okay, Mom, I got it."

"Oh, by the way," Shen’s mother seemed to recall something and added, "Call your godfather later. We owe him a lot for handling today’s matter. And be extra careful if you go on dates with Ya from now on."

"Okay," said Shen Haoguang as he picked up his mobile phone. "I’ll call godfather right away."

"Go ahead," Shen’s mother lifted her chin, her eyes brimming with smug satisfaction.

Outsiders well knew that the Shen family from the Superpower World was a scholarly family. Their ancestors had served as Imperial Teachers, which later generations referred to as the Grand Tutor’s role. The Shen family was also acknowledged as a household that embodied the quintessence of scholarly etiquette.

Little did they know, beneath that resplendent facade lay a heart rotten to ugliness.

Being a literate is precious.

How valuable the literates are.

Books can guide people; they can also mislead them.

After returning to his room, Shen Haoguang called the manager of Purple Night then went to enjoy some intimate time with Duanmu Sheng.

Eager to please Duanmu Sheng, every word sent by Shen Haoguang made her blush and feel warm inside.

Since Zi had already given Duanmu Sheng a heads-up, Shen Haoguang was extremely careful with his actions over the next few days, choosing to meet Situ Ya in the dead of night.

Moreover, Shen Haoguang became more attentive towards Duanmu Sheng, personally driving her to work in the morning and picking her up in the evening.

Ever since Duanmu Sheng’s last misunderstanding, Zi hadn’t seen her again. He also had someone look into Shen Haoguang’s background, but it seemed like Shen Haoguang had a powerful PR team that had wiped his slate clean, leaving not a trace to be found.

Zi drew a portrait of that woman and on investigating, found out she was called Situ Ya, the daughter of a madam and Shen Haoguang’s college classmate.

Because Mo Zhixuan was out of the Superpower World, Zi had a heavy burden on his shoulders and soon forgot about the matter.

The next time Zi encountered Shen Haoguang was on a sunny afternoon.

A members-only restaurant.

This time, Zi saw not only Shen Haoguang and Duanmu Sheng, but also the mistress who had been intimate with Shen Haoguang in Purple Night.

What mattered most was that Duanmu Sheng was chatting happily with that mistress.

This was a bit too much to bear. Not only was Shen Haoguang having an affair, but now he was introducing his mistress to Duanmu Sheng as if it were nothing. Wasn’t this bullying?

Zi considered himself a good-tempered person, but faced with such a situation, he found it hard to control himself and looked back at their table more than once during the meal.

A sharp glint flashed in Shen Haoguang’s lowered eyes as he said to Duanmu Sheng, "Sheng Sheng, is that person over there someone you know? He’s looked over at us quite a few times."

Duanmu Sheng, who was sitting beside Situ Ya and across from Shen Haoguang, hadn’t seen Zi.

Surprised by his words, Duanmu Sheng looked up, "Where?"

"There," Shen Haoguang tilted his chin toward Zi’s table and added, "That gentleman with the slightly darker skin."

When Duanmu Sheng turned to look, she saw Zi and felt a twitch of her brows because she suspected that Zi might have feelings for her. She had been avoiding Zi these past days and didn’t expect to see him here, especially in front of Shen Haoguang.

Guilt surged in Duanmu Sheng’s heart. She suddenly felt as if she had wronged Shen Haoguang.

Perhaps it was due to the last misunderstanding with Shen Haoguang.

Seizing the opportunity, Shen Haoguang quickly clasped Situ Ya’s hand under the table, exchanging meaningful glances. To him, Duanmu Sheng was a fool being played with.

It was the thrill of a secret affair.

In front of his official girlfriend, flirting with his mistress filled Shen Haoguang with a sense of superiority.

He truly was a successful man, able to turn his girlfriend and his mistress into close friends. Not just anyone could achieve such a feat.

As soon as Duanmu Sheng turned back around, Shen Haoguang let go of the hand swiftly and his expression returned to normal. Situ Ya considerately served Duanmu Sheng some food, "Sheng Sheng, eat more broccoli, it’s good for your skin."

"Thank you, Ya Ya," Duanmu Sheng politely expressed her gratitude.

"What’s there to thank me for?" laughed Situ Ya.

Shen Haoguang picked up his glass and took a sip of his drink, his dissatisfaction apparent as he asked, "Sheng Sheng, who was that man just now? Why was he staring at you the whole time?"

"Just an ordinary friend," Duanmu Sheng smiled lightly, intentionally downplaying the issue, "I met him at Jiu Brother’s wedding banquet. He’s unimportant, you don’t need to worry about him. Besides, how do you know he was looking at me? Maybe he was looking at Ya Ya."

There wasn’t just one woman sitting at the table; there was also Situ Ya. How could Shen Haoguang be so certain that Zi was looking at her?

Duanmu Sheng was puzzled.

"I’m a man, and I could tell who he was looking at with just one glance," Shen Haoguang continued, "Besides, my girlfriend is so beautiful, if he’s not looking at you, who else could he be looking at? Sheng Sheng, I really want to marry you soon, so I don’t have to worry every day."

Shen Haoguang looked jealous.

Upon hearing this, Situ Ya’s eyes, hanging low, flashed with a glimmer of darkness, but she quickly recovered to her usual self.

After all, Shen Haoguang was the man she deeply loved and also her first love. Now, watching with her own eyes as Shen Haoguang spoke sweet words to another woman, she couldn’t say she didn’t care—that would be a lie.

Situ Ya and Shen Haoguang were each other’s first love, and they had been in love for two years before Duanmu Sheng appeared.

However, Shen Haoguang was a good man; he didn’t hide the existence of Duanmu Sheng from her, but directly admitted it because both Shen Haoguang and she needed a beautiful future.

And Duanmu Sheng was the stepping stone to that beautiful future.

Duanmu Sheng was destined to be the sacrificial lamb for their happiness.

Thinking this way, Situ Ya felt much better. She cut a small piece of steak, put it in her mouth, and chewed it elegantly.

Listening to Shen Haoguang’s words, Duanmu Sheng had a very happy smile, "Thinking of marrying me? You’ll have to go through a lot of trials and tribulations first."

"It’s okay," Shen Haoguang said tenderly, "For you, I am willing to climb mountains of swords and plunge into seas of flames."

Situ Ya coughed lightly and feigned anger as she tapped her cutlery, "In broad daylight, please be mindful of how a single dog like me feels, will you?"

Shen Haoguang immediately apologized, "I’m sorry, I’m sorry. Oh right, we have several single young men at our company, all good-looking. How about I introduce one to you?"

"Yeah, yeah, Ya Ya, let Haoguang introduce someone to you," Duanmu Sheng also chimed in.

Situ Ya quickly waved her hands, "No, no, I don’t want a matched date, I want to fall in love freely, just like you two."

"That’s true too." Duanmu Sheng nodded in understanding, "Free love is indeed more reliable, I support you."

Shen Haoguang smiled and then added, "Matchmaking, free love, I think they’re all pretty similar. Anyway, it’s about getting to know each other first and only if it feels right do you continue, true love isn’t about whether it’s arranged or free."

"When we girls are talking, you shouldn’t butt in." Duanmu Sheng rolled her eyes at Shen Haoguang.

Shen Haoguang immediately shut up, as earning Duanmu Sheng’s trust was the most important thing.

Situ Ya finished her last piece of steak, looked at Duanmu Sheng and Shen Haoguang, and continued, "I’m done eating, you two should finish up too. Don’t waste food."

Situ Ya gave Duanmu Sheng a very good impression. Her values were upright, she had her own views on everything and cherished food greatly. Having known her for several days, Duanmu Sheng had never seen her waste food. On the streets, she would lick the yogurt lid clean, and during meals, even if a grain of rice fell on the table, she would pick it up and eat it.

In modern society, very few girls could do such a thing.

"Rest assured, we’ll definitely finish it." Duanmu Sheng said with a smile, feeling that her habits had improved a lot since knowing Situ Ya, a girl who could bring positive energy to others.

Situ Ya looked at Duanmu Sheng, smiling gently, yet inside she was full of endless ridicule. This Duanmu Sheng was such a fool; she was about to be sold by them, and she was even helping them count the money.

"Sheng Sheng, let’s go see a movie after dinner. A new blockbuster has just come out, and it’s gotten great reviews online."

Situ Ya was the girl-next-door type, not very tall, and had an approachable appearance at first glance.

Anyway, from her appearance, she definitely wasn’t the type to be a mistress.

She was different from those flamboyant mistresses, almost like a little white rabbit, and in terms of appearance, Situ Ya had a great advantage.

"Sure, Haoguang and I haven’t been to the movies in a long time," Duanmu Sheng agreed entirely with the suggestion.

"Then I’ll book the tickets," Situ Ya immediately reached for her phone to do the booking.

Duanmu Sheng intervened, "Let me book the tickets."

Shen Haoguang also chimed in, "Ya Ya, let Sheng Sheng do it. You’re Sheng Sheng’s benefactor, how can we let you pay?" When Shen Haoguang said this, his expression didn’t betray a single flaw, as if Situ Ya was truly just a friend to him.

"What benefactor? You’re making too much of it," Situ Ya said with a smile, "Sheng Sheng and I are friends, right?"

"Right," Duanmu Sheng nodded with a smile.

Situ Ya continued, "Since we’re friends, stop quarreling with me over this. If anything, you can just treat me next time." Situ Ya was very tactful and quickly finished booking the tickets.

Just as the three were about to get up and leave, a tall figure approached and directly grabbed Duanmu Sheng’s arm, "Sheng Sheng, come out with me."

Situ Ya and Shen Haoguang had yet to react when Zi had already pulled Duanmu Sheng outside,

Situ Ya picked up a drink bottle leisurely, a slight smile tugging at the corner of her mouth as she turned to Shen Haoguang, "Mr. Shen, your girlfriend is being taken away, aren’t you going to chase after her?"

"Now’s not the time," Shen Haoguang quietly lifted his foot and slowly stretched it toward Situ Ya’s leg, moving upwards all the way to that secretive area.

The tablecloth was long enough to hide this indiscreet scene.

On the surface, Situ Ya was playing with her phone, and Shen Haoguang was earnestly eating his steak. The two seemingly unrelated people were actually engaging in an intimate exchange under the table.

Outside the restaurant.

Duanmu Sheng, with a face full of rage, shook off Zi’s hand, "Zi Qi! Didn’t I make myself clear that night? Why do you keep clinging on like this?"

In front of Shen Haoguang, no less. What if Shen Haoguang misunderstood?

"Sheng Sheng, I mean no harm, I just don’t want you to be deceived by that scummy couple," said Zi, his tone unexpectedly calm. He continued, "Shen Haoguang and Situ Ya are having an illicit affair. That night at Purple Night, I saw Shen Haoguang take Situ Ya to rent a room!"

Now, Duanmu Sheng couldn’t believe a word Zi said, finding it all too incredible! He could fabricate such lies—did he think she was a fool?

"Shen Haoguang and Situ Ya are not good people, Sheng Sheng, you’ve got to wake up," Zi went on.

Duanmu Sheng, furious, said, "Zi Qi, if you keep talking nonsense like this, don’t blame me if I don’t consider you a friend from now on! Ya Ya is my lifesaver, and I won’t allow you to slander her!"

Three nights ago, when Duanmu Sheng was returning from overtime work, she encountered several evil cultivators attempting to assault her. It was Situ Ya who stepped in to save her, which was why Duanmu Sheng trusted Situ Ya so much. After all, she was her lifesaver!

Moreover, Situ Ya’s values seemed so righteous; how could someone, who wouldn’t even waste food lightly, interfere with someone else’s relationship?

And about Shen Haoguang, if he was really having an affair with Situ Ya, she would have noticed something off, but their behavior appeared very natural, with no signs of impropriety. More importantly, Shen Haoguang even took the initiative to offer finding someone for Situ Ya.

If there was really something untoward between the two, Shen Haoguang would never have said such a thing.

In Duanmu Sheng’s eyes, Shen Haoguang was now her beloved boyfriend, and Situ Ya her most trusted lifesaver. She believed that neither of them would betray her.

Zi was utterly talking nonsense.

If what he said were true, then there would be no such things as love or friendship in this world.

Hearing this, Zi, somewhat helpless, said, "Qingqing, please believe me, I’m telling the truth. Situ Ya and Shen Haoguang are a pair of scum, they’re conspiring to deceive you..."

"Enough!" Duanmu Sheng’s eyes turned cold and her voice tinged with anger, "Don’t repeat such nonsense! Or don’t blame me for being rude!" With that, Duanmu Sheng turned and left, leaving Zi with her back.

Zi truly felt helpless. He had good intentions in warning Duanmu Sheng, but he hadn’t expected such an attitude from her.

However, he didn’t blame Duanmu Sheng; if there was anyone to blame, it was the scummy man and woman’s excellent acting.

Zi couldn’t stand seeing Duanmu Sheng being deceived so badly by them, so he once again grabbed Duanmu Sheng’s wrist, "Sheng Sheng, since you don’t like what I’m saying, I won’t say much more. But let me remind you to be more cautious. Sometimes, what your eyes see isn’t necessarily the truth."

Just then, a figure burst out from the door, consumed with towering rage, and landed a punch on Zi’s face, "Bastard, who allowed you to paw at my girlfriend!"

"Ah!" Duanmu Sheng let out a shrill scream.

"Scum!" Zi also punched Shen Haoguang in return, "Don’t think the vile things you’ve done are unknown to everyone!"

Clearly, Shen Haoguang was no match for Zi and quickly fell at a disadvantage. Only then did Duanmu Sheng react, stepping in between the two, "Stop fighting! Zi Qi, stop it!"

"Sheng Sheng, get out of the way!" Zi’s gaze shot past Duanmu Sheng, fixating on Shen Haoguang.

"Sheng Sheng, move! This damn kid dares to take advantage of you; even if it costs me my life, I’m determined to fight it out with him to the end!" Shen Haoguang appeared resolute as well.

"Haoguang, you’ve misunderstood; he didn’t take advantage of me," Duanmu Sheng then turned to look at Zi, raising her voice, "Zi Qi, get lost! I don’t want to see you!"

This time, Zi Qi had truly crossed the line! To think he actually started a fight with Shen Haoguang!

Zi wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, glanced at Duanmu Sheng, and suppressed his anger, "Sheng Sheng, remember what I just said, if you ever run into any trouble, you can always come to me." He knew that continuing to argue wasn’t the solution.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay Read