My Alleged Husband

Chapter 1316 - 1145: A Resounding Slap

"Tri-net doesn’t say it out loud, it doesn’t mean it forgets the hurt it once received. When it hides all the pain, everyone actually knows, this isn’t what it wants. What it wants is just the most ordinary life, each resounding slap hits its face, who can understand that kind of mood?"

Zhang Zhentian realized that no matter how he talked to his wife, it was no use. He knew that trying to educate his wife mentally was no longer effective. Now he needed to come up with other ways to convince his wife to let their son be with this girl. He himself couldn’t bear to separate them now; he believed that only people in love could be happy together. Seeking parents’ opinions to choose a lifelong partner—such a marriage without love would not be happy.

Old Master Zhang no longer wished to get involved in this matter. He turned and entered the ward to see the granddaughter-in-law he had acknowledged in his heart. He saw Ran Zhihan lying on the bed, her adorable little face completely devoid of energy, deathly pale, without any vitality, like a withered flower, utterly losing her former brilliance. He knew today’s events were all caused by his family, and he felt deep guilt. He had never felt he owed anyone, but today, he realized he owed this girl too much. If he had been stronger, perhaps his son and daughter-in-law wouldn’t have hurt her, and today’s scenario wouldn’t have happened. Would she not be lying here, unable to move, even in a coma?

Xia Jing, Zhang Zhentian, and Zhang Yichen all began their argument as they saw Old Master Zhang enter the ward.

"Zhang Zhentian, maybe in your heart, you think I’m wrong, but have you forgotten? When I did this, you were involved; you supported me. You said you would support me unconditionally no matter what. So now that your son acknowledges you, you abandon me like this? Do you have to add insult to injury? Do you know? What you’re doing really makes me look down on you. If you did it, why make me bear the consequences alone? Clearly, you were involved, so why don’t you dare admit it? You want me to shoulder all the blame alone. Do you know how much of a coward you make me feel? You don’t even have the basic ability to protect your wife. You say you misjudged me, but didn’t I misjudge you? In my heart, you were always someone with responsibility, but now I see you’re not. Instead, your once shining image in my heart has fallen. I always thought you could give yourself fully for me, could tolerate me, but now I realize it was all my mistake. No, it’s because I was too trusting of you that led to this situation. If you didn’t say those things when I was leaving the Zhang Family, if you hadn’t asked me to act against her, I wouldn’t be where I am now. Your son is here; are you still not going to admit it?"

Zhang Yichen understood from hearing his mother speak that this issue was more complicated than he imagined. His father was indeed involved, and it was hard for him to accept. Why would his father act like a loving parent in front of him but play a killer behind his back? Doesn’t he find it exhausting? Playing two roles is indeed exhausting; he has experienced this feeling.

Zhang Zhentian knew when Xia Jing said those words, the relationship between him and his son would become estranged. He turned to look at his son, and when he saw him, Zhang Yichen was staring with wide eyes. He hadn’t thought his father would be involved in this matter.

Zhang Zhentian wanted to explain, but he found he couldn’t say anything. Would he really, in front of his son, lie and say he wasn’t involved? But who would believe such words? Everyone knows even if Xia Jing did it alone, Zhang Zhentian at least participated. If he denied it, would his status in Zhang Yichen’s heart drop again?

Before Zhang Zhentian could speak, Zhang Yichen spoke again to his father: "My dear father, could you tell me what really happened? I hope you can honestly tell me whether you were involved. Don’t let me find out you’re lying because that would be even more tragic. If you don’t want any further changes, then you must tell me the truth!"

Zhang Zhentian knew there was no escaping this time. He opened his mouth, not knowing where to start, and finally admitted his mistake.

"Son, I’m sorry, it’s my fault. I admit I participated, but I never thought it would turn out like this. Can you forgive me? Believe that no matter what, in my heart, I love you, and I’ve always seen you as my most cherished son. Can you understand my intentions?"

Hearing it from others is one thing, but hearing it from the person involved is another. When he heard his father admit his participation, he couldn’t stand still, staggering back, almost falling. His eyes wide open, he couldn’t believe; just a moment ago, his father played the loving parent, and now suddenly revealed such an ugly side.

"Don’t call me son; I don’t have a father like you. Didn’t you see what kind of person my girlfriend is? She’s so kind, she considers you her real parents. But what about you? What do you consider her? If she’s with me, she’ll be your daughter-in-law. Can’t you accept your own daughter-in-law? Or do you think having her means losing me completely? You’ve never known what I truly want, how I truly feel inside. I’ve always thought if one day we’re together, if we married, I wouldn’t care how you treated me before, nor would I mind the harm you’ve caused, because that moment alone would be enough for me. But now, you’ve shattered all my fantasies. How can you be so cruel? Even if I can’t be with her, she has parents who would feel pain over her disappearance. Do you also wish for me to disappear from this world? Is that what you want to see?"

Smack...

A slap rang out. Zhang Zhentian looked at his own hand still in the air, and saw his son’s face half red. He couldn’t believe he had hit his own son. He wanted to say sorry, but would his son give him the chance?

"You don’t have to say sorry because this slap has broken our father-son relationship completely. From today, we have no relationship. Also, please return and pack your things to move out of the Zhang Family quickly, or I will never return home. If you don’t want to see grandfather’s heart break again because of us, then quietly move out without disturbing him!"

"Every slap I ever received, I never forgot, but I never told anyone. I want to hide all the hurt I suffered here, and let everyone eventually discover that hitting me back then was their biggest mistake."