Zhang Zhentian was well aware deep down that his father, Old Master Zhang’s health was never good, especially after being angered by him ti and again; his condition had worsened compared to before. But he was helpless, not knowing what to do. He could only choose to hurt his father’s heart over and over. He could only choose to make his father feel guilty again and again. He could only resort to making his father hate him through such actions. At first, he was clearheaded about what he was doing; his heart wasn’t numb in those monts. However, as ti went by, he began to numb himself too. He no longer understood why he treated his father so, or what good it could possibly bring. He only knew that he had once hurt his birth father, so he wanted to take revenge for all his perceived grievances on him. Yet, he didn’t realize that by making such a choice and hurting the father who loved him the most, his father fell ill and never recovered. This realization caused him even greater agony. Yet he could never comprehend why, despite hurting his father, he still loved him unconditionally, even wanting to leave everything he owned to him. He couldn’t fathom what power could enable a father to go so far for his unfilial son, until he discovered that it was a father’s love for his son. Such love, grand as a mountain, is an incomprehensible force in a lifeti, a force so imnse that nobody has ti to brace for it, and yet his father had already left him.
Old Master Zhang knew that after his son made such a decision, his own heart ached even more. He realized that his body could no longer wait, perhaps his life would end at any mont. But he truly hoped that heaven would give him more ti, to allow him to see his child again, to make up for the neglect over the years. He wanted to compensate for all the love he owed. But could the things he lost really return to the past? Could it be as if the missed opportunities had never happened? That was absolutely impossible. It was just a form of self-comfort. He did not want such pain to linger in his heart, nor did he want to endure it forever.
"My child, your dad really can’t wait any longer. If you still insist on wandering the ends of the earth, perhaps you won’t even see your father for the last ti. You know very well that my health has been poor over these years. All I’ve been waiting for is my son, my daughter-in-law, my whole family to reunite. But it seems that day will never co. Since you have made your decision not to return to us, I won’t force you. I will respect your decision because respecting another person is the least we owe each other. In the past, I deprived you of the freedom to make your own choices, which is why you hate so much. But now, I hope you understand that since I can co to terms with it, it proves that my heart will no longer treat you as I did before. Many tis, if everyone takes a step back, isn’t everything much more satisfactory? Why must we be so entangled, causing each other so much pain? I am a father, and I know what should and shouldn’t be done. Of course, I am also a man, a man who stands tall and straight. I will admit to the hurtful things I’ve done, even if the person I hurt is my son. I will candidly acknowledge my mistakes, because I believe that I have lived a righteous life. I don’t owe heaven or earth, and I certainly don’t owe my ancestors. As long as I can live according to my conscience, that’s enough for . I won’t ask for too much. High expectations are aningless!"
After speaking, Old Master Zhang hung up the phone. Zhang Zhentian knew that his birth father was angry with him once again. Perhaps this ti he had indeed gone too far. As an elder, and being willing to admit his mistakes to his junior, why couldn’t he be more forgiving?
Ti flew by, and a few days passed. During these days, Elder Zhang truly beca ill. He was downhearted every day. He didn’t know what reason could possibly justify apologizing to his own son, but his son still refused to co back to him, which was more than his heart could bear.
Zhang Yichen knew that this situation must be related to his father. When he saw his grandfather fall ill, he made up his mind to talk it out with his birth father. This ti it wasn’t for his own sake, but for his grandfather. He couldn’t stand by and watch his grandfather fall ill because of his own father. He couldn’t do it, not even if he were an ordinary person, let alone for soone who had cared for and raised him for so many years.
When Zhang Zhentian saw his son calling him, he knew that this issue wasn’t simple. Otherwise, how could it be that both his father and his son wanted to convince him to return ho?
"Go ahead, tell why you’re calling today. I know, you wouldn’t call if it weren’t sothing serious. Just speak plainly; there’s no need to beat around the bush. You’ve never treated as a father anyway, and this ti is no different!"
"Good that you understand. I don’t want to say too much to you. I only want to ask you one question. Do you realize what you said to Grandpa? Ever since Grandpa called you last ti, he’s been in low spirits, not even able to eat properly. Do you hate him that much? What did he do wrong? To be treated by you in this way, he’s your birth father. Don’t you feel guilty for such actions? Doesn’t it make you heartache? Grandpa gave up so much for you, discarded even his most valued pride and dignity, just so you would return to his side. But what about you?"
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