My Alleged Husband

Chapter 295 - 275: What’s the Result?_1

Old Master Zhang silently watched his son, knowing that Xia Jing still held a place in Zhang Zhentian’s heart. It was only because of the severity of the situation that Zhang Zhentian was thoroughly infuriated, unwilling to forgive Xia Jing. The truth was, Old Master Zhang also reluctantly considered helping Xia Jing plead with his son, but he had no choice. As a father, he couldn’t bear to see his son’s marriage unhappy, nor could he allow his son to spend the rest of his life alone, could he? After much consideration, he decided to intervene on behalf of his daughter-in-law, believing that family harmony brings prosperity to all.

"Although you came to me for help, and I felt somewhat swayed, I still think this issue should be resolved between my wife and me, two adults. As an elder, you shouldn’t get involved, even with the best of intentions. Sometimes good intentions can lead to bad outcomes. Dad, for over a decade, we haven’t been by your side to fulfill our filial duties, yet you’re still willing to stand up for the happiness of us both, to speak on our behalf. I’m truly grateful for that. But I hope you won’t get involved anymore, as it would only make me think she is a woman who will never learn from her mistakes," Zhang Zhentian said.

"My child, deep down you also understand that as elders, all we wish for our descendants is to live a safe and happy life. Finding a soul mate in life is not easy, let alone someone to stand by for a lifetime. Since you both chose to get married and be together, then don’t consider divorce. You were determined to be with her, even defiantly so against your own father. But now, you want to separate over a misunderstanding, over a lie she told that you can’t accept. Don’t you think you’re being too impulsive? After all the effort you’ve put into your relationship with her, do you really want to let it come to naught?"

Zhang Zhentian stood silently aside, saying nothing. Old Master Zhang watched his son, unwilling to speak, knowing perhaps his own words had been too harsh and left his child with no response. But he didn’t want it this way, yet all of this was the truth. No matter how intelligent a person is, they cannot escape reality, for reality always brings pain, always cruelty.

"In fact, I know that what happened today isn’t easy for you to bear, after all, she’s your beloved wife of many years. I understand that despite her many lies over the years, you’ve accepted them all because she was in your heart. You didn’t want to ruin the marriage you worked so hard to build over a few thoughtless lies. Even if Xia Jing hadn’t asked me to talk to you, I still would have because she is my daughter-in-law, she is a part of the Zhang Family. I can’t let my own son’s marriage be unhappy for the rest of his life. My son, no matter how you’ve treated me, your father, or your son over the years, I hope you understand that your son and I just want you to live a happy life. Even though for so many years, you haven’t fulfilled your responsibilities towards us, we, one as your father and the other as your son, hope you two can be happy," he said.

Listening to his father’s moving words, Zhang Zhentian felt even more remorseful. For over a decade, he owed his father the filial piety of many years, owed his son the fatherly love of many years. How could he ever repay that debt? Perhaps he would never be able to repay the love his father and son had given him in this lifetime.

"I’ve said all I need to say for today, and I hope you can calm down and think this through carefully. Is what you’re doing right? Consider the unhappiness it may bring to your family or the pain it could cause your son. Think about the potential impact on the Zhang Corporation. Even though I publicly expelled you from the Zhang Family, in the eyes of others, you are always a member of my Zhang Family, always my son Zhang Mo! Always think before you act; don’t be impulsive. Impulsiveness is the devil, and the consequences of impulsion can often lead to regret and unbearable pain..."

After speaking, Old Master Zhang turned and went upstairs alone. He entered his study, where he looked at a photograph of his son as a child, so close and bursting with brilliant smiles. His own smile was unmistakably visible. How he wished he could turn back time, to when Zhentian was young, and play outside with his son, everyone commenting on how much they resembled each other. Every time he heard this, it filled him with joy, and he would say with pride, "This is my son, how could he not look like me?"

Zhentian watched his father turn and ascend the stairs. He knew that whatever he did, it would affect his father, the Zhang Corporation, and his son. But he simply didn’t know how to decide on the matter, which was clearly Xia Jing’s issue. Why was it his burden, leaving him caught between a rock and a hard place?

Zhang Zhentian sat on the living room sofa, his mind incessantly replaying every word his father had said to him. He felt that every word made sense and knew that his father only spoke them out of love for him, not wanting his marriage to be unhappy. He knew his father still loved him, that he still had a place in his father’s heart. But when he thought of all the wrongs he had done, the betrayal of his wife, the harm to his father and son, he found it impossible to forgive himself or his wife. Torn between paternal love and guilt, he agonized, wishing for an angel to descend from the heavens to tell him what choice to make, to save his lost soul!

As he suffered internal turmoil here, on the other side, Xia Jing was also in great pain, waiting for a reply from her father, longing to know if he had convinced her husband not to divorce her. At this moment, she began to doubt whether she had really made a mistake. Why had things escalated to this point? Why had everything turned out so differently from what she had expected? Why had everything gone against her original plan? Could it be that she was the one in the wrong?

Xia Jing thought to herself that if her husband would agree to stay with her and never mention divorce again, then she would accept the girl her son had always liked, letting them be happy together, allowing them to end up as lovers, without interfering. But would reality turn out as Xia Jing wished?