My Alleged Husband

Chapter 228 - 208: Zhang Yichen Pleads for Mercy_1

Old Master Zhang knew that whatever he said right now would be futile, so he decided to pass the ultimate decision-making power to his beloved grandson. He hoped that his darling grandson would make the decision himself, even though it seemed a bit cruel and could destroy the relationship between father and son. But he had to do so because only that way would Zhang Zhentian be thoroughly convinced.

"Since your attitude towards me decides everything, we’ll hand the decision-making power to your son. Let him make this decision. What do you think?" Old Master Zhang put forward his request to Zhang Zhentian. He felt that was the only fair way, but Zhang Zhentian saw it differently.

"Dad, you clearly know he has a grievance against me and that I abandoned him over these years. How much hatred do you think he holds in his heart towards me? What you’re doing is equivalent to cutting off my last means of survival. If you really want me to never return, you could just say it outright. Please, don’t make my son bear the burden of your decision, okay?"

Old Master Zhang hadn’t expected to be seen in such a light in Zhang Zhentian’s eyes: to stop at nothing, even making his own grandson take the fall for him. He had never done such a thing, so why would Zhang Zhentian think he was making Zhang Yichen take the blame? Could there be some misunderstanding?

"I’ve said my piece. If you agree, I’ll call him right now to come back. If you don’t agree, then leave this instant and never return in your lifetime. You won’t be allowed to see your son again, and I’ll have your name removed from the Zhang Family’s genealogy forever..."

Zhang Zhentian, hearing his father speak such words, didn’t even know how to breathe in that moment. Although he intended to defy his father’s wishes, unwilling to leave home or let his son decide his life for him, he had never imagined his father would erase his name from the Zhang Family genealogy forever. To him, that meant becoming someone without a family or name, and even running the risk of having his name revoked by the police—a troublesome prospect. No, he couldn’t let this happen, even if it meant paying a price, even if his path wasn’t his own to choose, he had to take a gamble.

"In that case, call Yichen back! Let him come back and make this decision for me. Whatever decision he makes, I’ll comply with it. Are you satisfied now?"

"Fine, you said it. Don’t forget the words you spoke today. With that settled, I’ll immediately call him to return. Then, we’ll see whether he chooses to let you stay here or to drive you out. Whichever decision he makes, you must not harbor any resentment towards him, and you mustn’t resort to any means to go after him or his girlfriend. Otherwise, even if he doesn’t lay a hand on you, I, as a father, will definitely not let you off."

Old Master Zhang called his grandson, asking him to come back right away. When Zhang Yichen received the call from his grandfather, he was a bit baffled. What was so urgent that his grandfather needed him to rush back home? Could it be that his mother had done something again to upset his grandfather? He had to put down his work and immediately drove home.

"Grandpa, what’s so urgent that you had me rush back? Has something happened?" asked Zhang Yichen.

"It’s all right, Grandpa just wants you to come back and make a decision. Your father has done wrong, and Grandpa has decided to punish him, but Grandpa is leaving the final decision up to you. It’s your choice whether to have your father leave this home or to allow him to stay. It’s entirely up to you. If you decide to let him stay, then he can continue to live here with you. But if you don’t want him to stay, then from today onward he will no longer be a part of the Zhang Family, and he must never set foot in the Zhang home again, nor claim outside to be the son of Zhang Mo!"

Zhang Yichen had not expected his grandfather to urgently call him back for this matter. How was he to make such a decision? Although he held dissatisfaction towards his father, his dad had sincerely repented. Hadn’t he forgiven his father? Then why should he still ask his father to leave? But since Elder Zhang had put it in his hands to decide, it surely wasn’t a simple matter.

"Grandpa, I really don’t know what to do about this. If you have any opinion, please make the decision yourself. I really can’t make up my mind. Even though my dad has done so many things in the past that embarrassed me and made my heart cold, after all, he truly repented. Perhaps it’s better for him to stay and serve you, thereby making up for the deficits of the past decade or so!"

Zhang Zhentian was stunned. He hadn’t expected his son to plead on his behalf. Was he dreaming? Old Master Zhang had not expected it either. Hadn’t his grandson always hated his son? Why would he suddenly plead for his son today? Could it be that they had truly reconciled? He dared not be sure, nor did he dare to believe it.

"Yichen, you don’t have to say these things against your will. If you want your dad to leave, you can just tell Grandpa, and Grandpa will decide for you. Grandpa knows how much you’ve hated them for all these years, the abandonment you’ve endured, and all the grievances and pain you’ve suffered without anyone to confide in. Grandpa has seen it all. So today, you don’t need to consider any other emotions. Over the years, they haven’t taken care of you as parents should and haven’t fulfilled their responsibilities. So why should you force yourself to say those sugar-coated words to excuse them?" Old Master Zhang said, believing that his grandson’s words were spoken just to spare his son from embarrassment.

"Grandpa, I know what you’re thinking, and I know you’re doing this for me. But I don’t want to be that selfish person anymore. Although I was quite dissatisfied with them before, I have forgiven dad. What happened with forcing Zhichen has nothing to do with him, it was not his intention. Since I have chosen to forgive him, why not let him stay at home and live together in harmony? Don’t you think?"

"Did you really mean what you just said? You’re not just saying it reluctantly for Grandpa’s sake, are you? Don’t worry about how Grandpa feels. Do what you want; Grandpa will support you unconditionally!"

"Grandpa, I am speaking from my heart when I say this. I just hope that my dad can stay here and live with us. He must be tired after all these years of drifting, and he also longs to return to the comfort of home. I believe if you let him stay, he will be grateful and serve you well. Won’t our family then be united and happy? As for my mom, I’m not sure how to interact with her right now, as she is undeniably linked to those issues. Her decisions really disappointed me. Regarding her, I need to observe for a while longer. So please understand, and let my dad stay. This is me, your grandson, asking you!"

Old Master Zhang never imagined Zhang Yichen would speak to him with such a plea. For so many years, his grandson had never asked him for anything. This was the first time. At that moment, Zhang Zhentian’s eyes filled with tears of emotion. Despite all the wrong he had done to his son, in the end, it was his son who wanted to keep him at home.