My Alleged Husband

Chapter 375 - 355 Go with the Flow_1

Zhang Yichen didn’t know how to respond to what his mother had said. He couldn’t understand why, despite his sincere pleas to his mother, he still couldn’t persuade her to turn back. Was he really that useless? Or did he simply hold no place in his mother’s heart, merely a burden to her eyes, an object unworthy of her attention? Why, after so many years, couldn’t he change the inevitable outcome of being abandoned? Was fate really so cruel as to deny him his parents’ love and a complete family for his entire life?

"Mom, since it has come to this," Yichen said, "I won’t try to convince you anymore. After all these years, I still can’t feel the full love of my mom and dad. I can’t have a complete family. I just don’t understand—don’t all these years of emotion mean anything to you? Am I, your own son, really so insignificant to the both of you? Why, despite trying so hard for so long, can I still not escape the fate of being abandoned by my own parents? Why can’t you forgive my dad, so I could have a complete family? Why does your pride and ego still stand above all, even after so much time has passed? You’re really much too proud, Mom. I’m the ’Economic Emperor,’ and even I never held such pride. I understand that being approachable is the best way to be accepted and approved by everyone in the world. I know how to act to gain acceptance, and everyone agrees that what I’m doing is right. Yet, I can’t bring my mom and dad back to me. For me, this is a failure—it makes me feel like a failure, like someone who can’t make his parents live for him even once. You taught me that only benefits truly matter, and you, along with Dad, made me see just how happy it makes you to abandon me. It seems I am nothing, less than nothing in your hearts. Maybe a pet you haven’t seen for many years would at least elicit some affection, let alone me, who shares your blood. But why? Why am I never in your hearts?"

"Child, my heart isn’t empty for you," the mother responded. "Your dad and I both love you, it’s just that your father and I have reached a point of no return. Do you think I don’t want to be by your side, watching you live happily? Don’t you think I want to give you a happy, loving family? I owe you too much in this life. I can’t give you a happy family; I’m responsible for all the mockery and ridicule you’ve faced. All these sins are my fault. But don’t hate your dad; he’s done nothing wrong. His only mistake was caring too much for me, loving me enough to give up everything. I now understand that if someone truly loves their partner, they will do anything for them, even giving up their life!"

"Mom, you both claim to love me, but is this your love? You heartlessly abandon me. If you were going to abandon me once again, why did you come back? Why did you disrupt my life? All I wanted was a peaceful life—is that too much to ask? I don’t need anything else; I just need a little bit more love from my mom and dad, even if it’s just a little. I don’t ask for deep love from you; I just hope for a bit more love every day, even if just a tiny bit. Day after day, month after month, year after year, for a lifetime. As long as I have your love, that would be enough. But now I understand that all this was just wishful thinking on my part. My parents never truly intended to give me their love. Your love is just lip service. I will never believe anything you say again because your words have no credibility. I’ve come to realize just how hypocritical you are, always lying and deceiving those who care about you. You never hold the ones who care about you in your hearts; all you ever see is self-interest. Perhaps for you, benefits are more important than anything..."

Xia Jing was astonished to hear her son speak such unimaginable words, realizing that he had utterly dismissed her worth in his heart. She understood that this was the decision her son had been forced to make because of her. Did she really have no guilt at all? She had returned so cruelly, hurt her son beyond repair, and now intended to abandon him once more. How could she expect her son to accept this? What mother could be as heartless as she was? Her heart ached like it was being cut by knives, unable to comprehend why she had inflicted such immense hurt upon her own flesh and blood.

"Child, listen to me," the mother pleaded. "I never wanted this for you. I just wanted you to be happy, joyful, and safe. Is that really so wrong of me? I hoped you could have your own life, be in charge of your own world, and determine your own fate. Was I wrong for this as well? My lack of love for you isn’t because I don’t have any—it’s just too little. All this is my fault. If I hadn’t abandoned you so ruthlessly back then, maybe you wouldn’t hate me as you do now. I now realize that the love between two people needs to be cultivated over time. Even though you are my son, to feel affection for your mother, I needed to be there with you, watching you grow. I owe you for these years, and I can no longer make it up to you. I just hope you and your wife will live well together. She’s a good girl, and what you did really hurt her. Nobody could accept their husband asking not to have children for three years on their wedding night."

"Since you’re unwilling to sacrifice a bit of yourself for me, let’s be strangers from now on," Yichen said coldly. "You don’t look for me, and I won’t look for you. Let’s leave things to take their course!"