62: Marry me. I want to have your baby. I’m begging you
It was a day that the whole city would talk about for a long time.
Even years later, those who witnessed it firsthand would still bring it up—a day when Jianghu City witnessed an unprecedented public declaration.
At the same time, nine of the city’s most iconic landmarks began to display the same message on their giant screens:
Sheng Shaoyou, I love you. Please marry me. I want to have your baby. I’m begging you.
From You Know Who
Beyond the famous commercial landmarks, even the X Hotel—which never displayed any ads—lit up its entire digital façade with one giant message:
Mr. Sheng, Marry Me.
By then, everyone could guess: the one who had spared no expense to broadcast a daring proposal on every high-traffic, high-value screen in Jianghu… was none other than the elusive Mr. UKW of X Holdings.
In an instant, the news of X Holdings monopolizing nine landmarks to publicly propose to the heir of Shengfang Biotech sent the whole city into a frenzy, like water splashed into boiling oil.
As a well-known figure in the business and social scene, Sheng Shaoyou’s identity as an S-class Alpha was no secret. But no one expected that Mr. UKW—of all people—would be an Omega bold enough to propose publicly and chase love so fiercely.
The gossip-hungry masses erupted with glee, tabloids hit their KPIs in one day flat, and even vegetable stall aunties clustered to discuss how “these rich folks really know how to play.”
Meanwhile, the man at the center of it all, Sheng Shaoyou, was dying of embarrassment.
The first phone call barrage came from Li Baiqiao.
That clueless idiot was yelling on the other end of the line:
“Shaoyou, since you’re gonna be a live-in son-in-law now, could you at least let me have that little orchid?”
Little orchid, your ass! Sheng Shaoyou roared internally.
No wonder your half-brother never worried about you fighting him for the family fortune—with your IQ, you kissed inheritance goodbye at birth.
And that very “little orchid” who started all this trouble was now sitting opposite him, chin propped up, smiling as he watched Sheng Shaoyou grit his teeth and hang up.
His phone wouldn’t stop buzzing, so he finally muted it and glared at Hua Yong: “Are you insane?”
“Yes,” Hua Yong admitted briskly. “I have a terminal illness: if I don’t marry Mr. Sheng, I’ll die.”
“Can you speak like a normal person?”
“Mr. Sheng doesn’t like me?”
Sheng Shaoyou retorted, “Even if I like you, does that mean you can just do whatever you want?”
“I didn’t do whatever I want. I was serious.”
A city-shaking, public proposal was nothing if not serious.
He had never treated Sheng Shaoyou lightly.
Outside, familiar, semi-familiar, and total strangers were bombarding them from all directions.
Shengfang Group and X Holdings’ Jianghu branch became the epicenter of the media storm, cameras clustered at the building entrances, and even the internal security corridors were full of reporters.
X Hotel’s security team held firm, and hotel operations carried on unaffected.
As the unwilling gossip star, Sheng Shaoyou was forced to hole up in Suite 9901 of the X Hotel to “wait out the storm.”
That afternoon, Shengfang Group—whose stock price had hit its daily limit—issued a statement thanking everyone for their concern, reiterating its dedication to biotechnological research, and politely asking for privacy regarding the chairman’s personal life.
Shortly after, Shengfang also announced that Sheng Shaoyou would attend an industry summit in Eastern Europe the next day, representing the company.
Once the news broke, most reporters swarmed off to the airport, eager to capture the first “candid” shot of him after the high-profile proposal.
This smoke screen, arranged by Chen Pinming, gave Sheng Shaoyou some breathing room.
In the internet age, everyone gets their fifteen minutes of fame—and the quickest way to end a frenzy is to change the narrative.
Thanks to this diversion, by evening, Sheng Shaoyou was able to leave the hotel as usual.
His first stop: the hospital.
Half an hour earlier, Sheng Fang had called, demanding he come immediately.
Sheng Shaoyou was already irritated after a whole day of excessive, suffocating “concern” from all sides, to the point he couldn’t even eat.
Though the hospital wasn’t far, he, who was used to constant travel, actually felt carsick today. His stomach churned, and his lips turned pale.
Forcing himself to focus, he arrived at the ward to find Sheng Fang leaning against the headboard, tablet on his knees, looking none too pleased.
Chen Pinming, standing by the bed, shot him a be careful look.
But Sheng Shaoyou was no longer that hopeful boy desperate for his father’s approval. He walked up without expression and greeted simply: “Dad.”
Sheng Fang looked at him, his face unreadable, and asked: “How long have you known the man who runs X Holdings?”
“Not long,” Shaoyou answered vaguely.
Studying his son’s young, handsome profile, Sheng Fang’s weary face suddenly curved into a faint smile. “When I was your age, I was constantly blocked on my way home by different Omegas.”
His tone was calm, not exactly bragging, but the emphasis on different Omegas was hard to miss.
If Shaoyou remembered correctly, his father had married young—by twenty-seven, Shaoyou was already in preschool, and Sheng Shaoqing had been born just two years later.
“In that crowd of Omegas chasing you,” Shaoyou asked coolly, “was Shaoqing’s mother among them?”
Sheng Fang clearly hadn’t expected that and froze for a second before recovering and replying vaguely, “Conquest is every Alpha’s nature.”
“You don’t speak for all Alphas, do you?” Shaoyou smiled faintly, sharp yet calm. “Not everyone enjoys cheating on their spouse.”
Perhaps because he was still recovering, Sheng Fang didn’t flare up but admitted openly, “Emotionally, I did wrong by your mother.” Then added arrogantly, “But I gave her a life of honor and wealth.”
Such a father wasn’t just shameless—he was despicable.
“She could’ve married someone else, still been wealthy, maybe even more respected,” Shaoyou said. “And maybe, if she didn’t love you as much, she wouldn’t have been so hurt.”
Sheng Fang fell silent.
This was the first time Shaoyou had spoken to him about his mother.
He knew Shaoyou had always resented it but never said so—his parents’ loveless marriage was like a thorn he pretended wasn’t there but always felt.
“I already know about Shaoqing’s nonsense,” Sheng Fang said finally. “And I’ve scolded his mother too.”
“Scolded?” Shaoyou sneered. “What kind of scolding? Teaching her step-by-step how to hire the best defense lawyer in Jianghu to bail her precious son out?”
Sheng Fang stared him down and said, one word at a time: “I won’t pay a cent of his legal fees.”
“Oh,” Shaoyou said. “But you’ll still cover their living expenses, right?”
“Dad, let’s not kid ourselves,” Shaoyou continued, adjusting his posture to ease the cramps in his gut. “Even if Shaoqing wants me dead, he’s still your beloved son, with half your blood. And you—”
“You are also my son,” Sheng Fang cut in with a sigh. “You’re the one I value most, my only successor. The future of Shengfang—”
“You could let Shaoqing, Shaoqi, or Shaolin take over instead,” Shaoyou interrupted with a frown. “Or Sheng Qian, Sheng Yue, Sheng Wan—any of them could be your successor… if they can handle it.”
Sheng Fang stared at him. This young S-class Alpha before him seemed both familiar and strange.
Shaoyou held his gaze for a few seconds before letting out a self-mocking laugh. “Being the one you value most doesn’t mean much. You give me the responsibility but give others the affection. Such a great ‘educator’ you are—raising your own child with such ‘advanced’ methods.”
Watching his son speak his mind so frankly, Sheng Fang was reminded of the private talk they’d had before his tumor surgery—when he’d finally said something kind, yet Shaoyou hadn’t been moved, only more silent.
At the time, Sheng Fang thought Shaoyou must hate him.
But today, he realized—it wasn’t hate. It was disappointment.
To Shaoyou, inheriting Shengfang wasn’t some grand prize—it was merely a burden he shouldered out of obligation, so as not to waste his father’s life’s work.
Because, at his core, Shaoyou was soft-hearted. Even if it had all been for nothing, he’d still force himself to finish the meal his father prepared—because otherwise, it would hurt him.
For the first time, Sheng Fang felt a pang of guilt.
After a moment, he said, “I didn’t call you here for this.”
Their issues were too deep to resolve in a few words.
“I wanted to ask what you plan to do about Hua.”
Shaoyou froze. “What?”
Sheng Fang said bluntly: “That young master of X Holdings isn’t to be trifled with.”
Even sick, he’d heard the name.
Seeing Shaoyou’s stunned look, he added sternly, “I don’t know how you got mixed up with him. But since he’s extended an olive branch, at least you’re not on the losing end.”
The brief warmth in his tone vanished, replaced by the shrewdness of a businessman.
“You handled the public response to the proposal well—firm yet restrained.”
“But—” Sheng Fang’s tone sharpened, “I know you like Hua now. And I won’t demand you split immediately. But you’d better keep a low profile. Since you’ve agreed to marry the head of X Holdings, you and Hua should be more discreet.”
“When did I agree?” Shaoyou asked.
“You’re refusing?” Sheng Fang’s eyes narrowed. “You don’t know what’s best for you?”
Shaoyou was speechless.
When he didn’t respond, Sheng Fang continued, “Sometimes, you don’t even have to choose. You can have it all.”
“So,” Shaoyou looked up at him coolly, “you want me to be like you—eating fish and bear’s paw at the same time?”
“And what’s wrong with that?”
“What’s wrong?” Shaoyou sneered. “You should ask my mother—she knew exactly what’s wrong with having a greedy husband.”
“I’m talking about you, don’t drag others into it.”
“Right,” Shaoyou nodded. “He’s not my mother. He won’t throw himself into a relationship with a scumbag at sixteen, get married, and have kids.”
“My mother had no power, no backing, so she deserved to be humiliated. But Hua isn’t like her.”
He stood, face expressionless, though fury churned in his gut. He felt sick.
“I have things to do. I’m leaving.”
“Shaoyou,” Sheng Fang called after him. “You and Hua—”
“I’ll handle it.”
Chen Pinming followed him out, worried. “Mr. Sheng, you don’t look well.”
Shaoyou said nothing, striding to the restroom.
His face was pale and taut.
Chen Pinming caught up just as violent retching erupted behind the door.