My Alleged Husband

Chapter 215 - 195: Choosing Forgiveness_1

Zhang Yichen knew how confused and selfish his previous decision had been, and he also understood how much his grandfather had sacrificed for him. Now that he had decided to let his parents come back home, he wanted to be the first to share the good news with his grandfather, the one who had endured hardships and given selflessly for his sake.

"Yichen, it’s so late, and you’re not asleep yet. Coming to grandpa’s bedroom at this hour, do you have something to tell grandpa?" Old Master Zhang was about to go out to fetch something when he saw his grandson standing in front of his bedroom door, hesitating. Knowing his grandson must want to say something but was unsure about knocking, Old Master Zhang thought it a good opportunity to ask and save him the torment.

When Zhang Yichen heard his grandfather addressing him, he felt that he would be lacking in manliness if he continued to be evasive. He nodded and said to Old Master Zhang, "Grandpa, I came to see you today because there is indeed something I wanted to tell you. I have thought it through, and I’ve decided to let my mom and dad come back home..."

Old Master Zhang, upon hearing these words, could hardly believe his ears. Was it true? Was he not dreaming? Day and night, he longed for his son to return to his side, despite his son’s rebellious and undutiful past. As a father, he too wished for his child to be by his side for life. When his grandson uttered these words, his heart couldn’t help but surge with excitement, yet it was tinged with sadness. On one hand, he was thrilled that his grandson had forgiven his son—a joyous occasion indeed. On the other hand, he felt heartache from the many years his son had been away from him.

"Yichen, is what you’re saying true? You’re not lying to grandpa, right? You’re not just making a joke to cheer me up because you see me looking so worried every day, are you?" Old Master Zhang still found it hard to trust his ears, afraid to accept it as fact.

Listening to his grandfather’s questions, Zhang Yichen thought to himself: How much his grandfather must wish for his parents to come back home. Even with such a deep longing, his grandfather had repeatedly turned his own son away for Yichen’s sake. There was no way he could ever repay such affection. By what virtue did he deserve such a wonderful grandfather? It must be the rewards of good karma from many past lives that had granted him such a grandparent. He truly felt fortunate to have such an incredible grandfather!

"Grandpa, I didn’t deceive you. I truly brought my parents back home, but there’s something I hope can prepare you mentally. My agreement to let them return doesn’t mean I’ve forgiven them. Instead, it was my girlfriend Zhihan who persuaded me over and over again. This time, she was ready to leave me. If I didn’t listen to her advice and forgive my parents, I might lose my true love for the rest of my life. You know, I’ve never been one to make decisions based on emotions. This is the first time and will be the last."

Listening to his grandson, Old Master Zhang finally understood. It wasn’t because his grandson had forgiven his parents, but because his girlfriend chose to give up on him and their relationship, that he felt he had no choice but to forgive his own parents and let them come back home. However, this forgiveness wasn’t sincere. On the contrary, it made him hate his parents even more. He felt all of this was caused by his parents. If it weren’t for them, his girlfriend wouldn’t have broken up with him or given up on their decade-long relationship. This made Old Master Zhang realize the gravity of the situation.

"Yichen, Grandpa understands now. You don’t truly forgive your parents, nor do you genuinely want them back home. It’s because your girlfriend wants to give up on you, on the love between you two, that you don’t want Zhihan to leave. So, you had no choice but to let your parents come back, right?"

Zhang Yichen nodded and spoke to Old Master Zhang, "Grandpa, you’re right. That’s exactly what I mean. But my letting my parents come back isn’t just because I don’t want my loved one to leave me, it’s partly for you as well. I don’t want you to continue making selfless sacrifices for me. I know you’ve always hoped my dad would return to stay by your side. Even if only for a short time, it would bring you happiness. Yet, because of my stubbornness, my hatred, you’ve had to turn them away time after time, all because of me. I want to make amends. I can’t bear for you to lose your son over and over again because of me. It’s too cruel. You’re a father too, so I understand how much you must wish for your son to be with you. Please don’t disregard my earnest effort. Now that my parents are back, I’ve decided to move out. Their presence only reminds me of how they’ve repeatedly pressured Zhihan to leave me, forced her to break up with me, and even threatened her using her own parents. I simply cannot accept this... "

"Ah, alright. Perhaps it’s Grandpa who has made things difficult for you. But, Grandpa still hopes you’ll realize that Zhihan is right. She understands the truth that you fail to see. I know you’ll tell me everyone sees things differently, and therefore approaches matters from different angles. Grandpa understands you, but I still hope you will think deeply, consider what you truly want, and decide whether you really wish for your parents to spend their lives outside your home. Maybe you don’t want to live with your parents now, but they are your parents. Parents don’t stop loving their children. Even though they abandoned you, Grandpa, and our family, and even left their hometown where they lived for so many years, their decision to come back today proves that they truly regret their actions, and realize their past decisions were wrong. Why won’t you forgive them? Actually, Grandpa can see that deep down, you don’t want your parents to leave you again. Even though you repeatedly say you won’t forgive them, and you hate them for abandoning you, your heart has already moved past all of that. You’re no longer that small child. You’ve become capable of adult reflection, which is why Grandpa will unconditionally support your decisions. Because I believe that even if everyone else makes mistakes, my grandson’s decisions will not be wrong, for you were taught by me. You’ve undergone grueling training, the kind that not everyone can endure. Having withstood such training proves you truly are capable. And this capable person is my grandson; as your grandfather, how can I not understand what’s in your heart?" Old Master Zhang sighed as he spoke.

Zhang Yichen didn’t want to say much more. He felt he should still make a call to Zhang Zhentian, as he had come to recognize him!