novelraw Chapter 400 - 379: The First Call for Grandpa_1
Chapter 400 - 379: The First Call for Grandpa_1
Time flew by in the blink of an eye; unexpectedly, the grandson of Zhang Zhentian and Xia Jing could already speak.
More than half a year had passed. During this period, Xia Jing and Zhang Zhentian never returned to the Zhang Family to glance at Ran Zhihan and Zhang Yichen’s child—Zhang Ni!
In that half-year, Old Master Zeng spent every day with his grandson’s child, happily bustling about, unable to let go—a feeling of unceasing love. He eagerly anticipated everyday, standing at the front gate, hoping to see his son and daughter-in-law return home hand in hand one day. However, time and again, he faced disappointment. Gradually, his heart grew cold; he no longer harbored hopes. No longer did he expect his son and daughter-in-law to come back home together. Now, he simply wished for the child he held in his arms to grow up safe and sound, never to experience the feeling of being unwanted by his grandparents again in his life.
"Zhihan, do your parents still not intend to come back? The child is nearly a year old, and in this year, they haven’t set foot in the Zhang Family’s gates even once. Do they truly not want to see their grandson? How can this child be so adorable? He’s spitting image of his father. Why do his grandparents have to do this? Is it really so difficult to come back to see their own grandson even once? I really don’t understand what they are thinking. Could anything be more important than their own grandson? They never took the initiative to come back and hold their grandson. Don’t they know this could cast a shadow on their child’s heart? They have already failed their own son, and now, must they fail their grandson as well? I really don’t understand whether these two have the slightest sense of being elders."
"Grandpa, let’s not talk about it anymore. If dad and mom are unwilling to come back, there is nothing we as the younger generation can do. No matter how much we try to persuade them, they won’t return. If one day they truly realize their mistake and want to come back, they will. I just hope that day won’t be too late. Perhaps it will come soon, or perhaps it is far off in the future. Everyone is eagerly waiting for that day, hoping for their return, but ultimately, they still persist in their ways, risking it all, never regarding our family. Sometimes I myself can’t understand—what reason could be compelling enough for them to abandon even their own grandchild? Is it all because I am a commoner’s daughter? Because I’m the daughter of a commoner, am I so worthless in their eyes that even the child I bore is shunned? Many times, I wonder why they look down on me so much. I also don’t understand why they regard the wealth gap as so crucial. After all, what of it if one is a rich man’s daughter? When her husband needs help the most, those rich daughters may not be willing to share in his struggles; they might just kick him when he’s down. But many endure silently and don’t judge others; having suffered much, he knows that life must go through hardships to see rainbows. He wouldn’t so easily abandon his other half. But perhaps, in my parents’ eyes, the daughter of a wealthy family matters more than a commoner’s daughter like me, for the wealthy can bring greater benefits, allowing their son to struggle less for many years, whereas I can offer nothing. Instead, I’m just a burden!"
"Child, don’t speak that way. In grandpa’s heart, you have never been a burden. On the contrary, grandpa feels very sorry, for you are a good girl. Your kindness, your gentleness have been an eye-opener. When I first saw you and your capacity for forgiving everyone, my heart was profoundly moved. No person can forever unconditionally tolerate others, especially those who have caused them so much pain, but you have done it. You’ve proven to me that you’re an extraordinary girl. Therefore, I believe that wherever you are, my grandson can live a safe, happy, blessed life. As for this old man, my demands aren’t high anymore. I will no longer expect my son and daughter-in-law to always be by my side, devoted to me, because I know it’s something that will never happen. They have long removed me from their eyes, so how could they be willing to stay at home for me? They are free people, meant to soar under the blue sky and white clouds, not to give up their freedom for an old coot like me. I believe one day they will understand whether what they are doing is right or wrong. I just don’t quite get—what reason could be so compelling for him to leave me behind so long—almost two decades without once stepping into the Zhang Family home. I don’t understand if I still exist at all in their eyes; perhaps I’ve already disappeared. What they see isn’t me, their father but rather their own interests. For those interests, they will stoop to anything! I no longer have any extravagant hopes. My only wish now is for you to raise your child in peace, and tell her that her grandparents didn’t neglect her out of lack of love but because they chose a road of no return that left them with no way back!"
"Grandpa, all this will pass. Believe me, the joyful times for our family will come soon. Don’t be so downhearted anymore. Our happy moments will return to us. Even if they don’t, we still have our family life to live. Surely we should not give up our family’s happiness for the sake of two people, right? I believe your parents too will come back. They will eventually realize what they’ve lost and what they truly want. Maybe when they’ve figured it out, they’ll return to this home. And I hope that then, we can give them another chance, not to let them wander outside any longer..."
"You’re just too kind-hearted, child. They’ve already decided not to return, so why do you still keep making excuses for them, seeking clemency time and again?"