My Alleged Husband

Chapter 229 - 209 Bargaining_1

Sometimes, a person’s desire or ambition can really be overpowering. After Zhang Zhentian’s son left him at home once again, he suddenly wondered if he could take this opportunity to ask his son to bring his wife back as well. He had never considered things from his son’s perspective, had never thought about whether his dad might feel sad, nor had he ever contemplated why his son made such a decision. He had always taken for granted that everything his son did was something owed to him, feeling that his son was in his debt, yet he had never realized how much his own actions had shortchanged his child!

Seeing Zhang Zhentian struggle to speak, Zhang Yichen knew his father must have something to say, but he didn’t want to hold back, so he spoke up directly, "Dad, if you have something to say, just tell me straight. We’re a family now, and there’s no need for you to beat around the bush. Besides, Grandpa is here; there’s nothing we need to hide from him..."

Zhang Zhentian had not expected his son to be so clear and direct in his dealings, showing no consideration for face, and how inappropriate it would be to say these words in front of his own father. But what choice did he have now? Could he really ask his son to go outside for a private chat, avoiding his father? Anyone would think that was indicative of bad news, so it might be better to just clear the air now and let everyone listen clearly, to prevent future misunderstandings and avoid having to leave the family home again.

"There’s really nothing particularly important, it’s just that, since you’ve let me stay at home again, I was wondering if you could also bring your mother back here? After all, it’s not safe for a woman to be out there alone," Zhang Zhentian said awkwardly. Even though he had forced the words out, the looks from his father and son made him feel unavoidably uncomfortable.

When Zhang Yichen heard what his father had said, he did not respond but turned to look at his grandfather. Old Master Zhang saw his grandson looking at him and knew that this was a difficult decision for the young man, so he decided to take the decision upon himself. Even if it meant being the bad guy, he was ready to do so to prevent his grandson from having to take the blame.

"Zhang Zhentian, do you think it’s appropriate for you to say something like this now? It was she who chose to leave, she who did wrong, she who abandoned her child. Every time she makes a mistake, do we, the elders, have to clean up after her? Does she never realize what she’s done wrong, or know that she should repent? Others don’t owe her anything. Over the years, has she ever shown filial piety to me, her father-in-law? Every time, I tolerated her and gave in to her. When she was pregnant with Yichen, I willingly did anything she asked of me. But I never expected her to abandon her own son so heartlessly. Since it has already happened, please don’t come to me with this again. Saying she loves my grandson will not lead to anything good or garner any good favor. I’ve indulged her over and over again because she was my daughter-in-law, my grandson’s mother, but what has she ever done? How has she treated my grandson, treated me? Isn’t the hurt she has caused time and time again enough? Does she have to drive me to complete despair before she is happy after being thrown out of the house again? Why can’t she have some self-awareness? After all her wrongdoings, doesn’t she feel any regret at all?" Old Master Zhang was a bit angry. He could tolerate anything—any grievance, verbal assault, any threat—but he could not bear to see his grandson suffer. That was the grandson he had raised with his own hands, his companion for over a decade. How could he let him suffer even the slightest bit, or bear to see him wronged?

Zhang Zhentian hadn’t expected that the person making the decision wasn’t his son, but his own father, which put him in a difficult position. He knew what his father was thinking, yet he couldn’t voice it. He understood that if he did, the relationship he had just managed to repair would fracture once again, dealing him a blow akin to destruction. He couldn’t allow himself to undergo such a catastrophe. He glanced once more at his son, pleading with his eyes, hoping his son would speak up and beg for leniency. However, the outcome only brought disappointment; instead of his son’s pleas, Zhang Zhentian was met with yet another verbal assault!

"You don’t need to ask me about this, I won’t plead for you, allowing you to stay is already the biggest step back. You know, the things she’s done are unbearable for anyone, yet I’ve endured them over and over again. As the saying goes, ’Three strikes and you’re out.’ You erred the first time, I forgave you. The second time, I still could forgive you. But the third and fourth time? Why should I forgive you? I don’t owe you anything. Do you really think each time you make a mistake, it’s natural to seek forgiveness? Do you believe every time you seek forgiveness for your wrongdoings, others are obligated to forgive you? Respect between people is mutual. If you respect me, I’ll respect you. If you consider my perspective a little when you act, I’ll consider yours a lot. But if you never consider my stance, why should I care about your thoughts when I act? Are your thoughts truly that important to me? When you’ve never cared about my opinions, why bother asking me to respect your thoughts now? Isn’t that absurd?" Zhang Yichen said to Zhang Zhentian.

"Yichen, she is your birth mother. Even if she’s done so many wrong things, can’t you just forgive her one more time, what’s the harm? Aren’t you supposed to forgive her once? Over the years, sure, she has gone too far, but she genuinely loves you as her son. Can’t you, as the younger generation, show some understanding for the hard work and good intentions of a parent?" Zhang Zhentian tried convincing Zhang Yichen, aiming to scramble his son’s thoughts with his own.

"Actually, you don’t need to tell me so much. You say all this merely to impose your thoughts on me, to make me follow in your footsteps, to make me say the words that would bring her back home. But you underestimate me. Since childhood, I’ve undergone military training. Those devilish drills forged an invincible me. How could such an invincible person follow someone else’s footsteps? Do you think I can’t see through your intentions? There are many things I know but choose not to mention because we all need to save face. Why spill all the beans, creating tension and stiffness in our relationship? However, you keep driving yourselves into a corner time after time. What can I say? Let me be clear here; if you still want to be part of this family, then stop repeatedly bargaining with me and pleading on her behalf. And if you don’t want to stay, you can leave immediately, so you won’t be a bother to me anymore!"

After Zhang Yichen had said all that, what more could Zhang Zhentian say? He looked helplessly at his father, but Old Master Zhang didn’t even glance at Zhang Zhentian and simply went upstairs!