My Alleged Husband

Chapter 458 - 437: Collusion and Fraud (Part 1)_1

Zhang Zhentian, despite telling his own father that he would thoroughly investigate the matter, knew that if it turned out to involve his wife, he would certainly bend the rules. In his heart, nothing was more important than his wife. He would forsake everything for her, and he could not possibly give up his adoration for his wife merely based on a few words from his father. No matter what, he would protect his wife within his own safe harbor. He wanted his wife to feel that he was her strongest support, her most secure harbor, and for her to willingly return to his side. What he did not realize was that his actions nearly drove his father to the hospital. To Old Master Zhang, nothing was more important than filial piety from his son, but after longing for it for so many years, he still could not receive a hint of it.

Zhang Yichen knew that her grandfather had assigned the task of investigating the matter to her father, and she could not help but ask him, "Grandfather, do you really trust my father to investigate this matter? Aren’t you afraid he will be biased? I think you understand what kind of person my father is better than I do. He may say one thing, but his actions tell a different story. He is not one to have his words match his heart, so why should we believe anything he says? Wouldn’t that only cause more turmoil and pain in our hearts? In everything he does, he never considers the feelings of us, his descendants, nor yours, Grandfather. Why do you keep giving him chances time and again?"

Old Master Zhang knew what kind of person his son was, but he still held onto a sliver of hope. He wanted his son to realize that family was more important than his wife. His grandson existed because of his wife, but Zhang Sheng Tian should never neglect his father or his grandson regardless. He did not understand what his son was thinking, how he could abandon his family, still acting the same after all these years. If he repeated the same mistakes as before, Old Master Zhang would never give him another chance to return.

"Child, I know what you’re trying to say without admitting, and indeed, I understand your father better than you do. He indeed often says one thing and does another, but I still want to try. I hold onto the last shred of hope that my son still has a trace of filial piety for his father. If there is even a shred left, then perhaps he will have a conscience and come to his senses one day. We have sacrificed so much for him, but what has he given us in return? We know the result all too well. It might mean nothing to him, but for us, it is heartbreakingly painful. Without going through experiences like these, one cannot grow. To let him mature, I want him to experience all these things. He must understand that he cannot do as he pleases, come back whenever he wants, and after saying sorry, expect to be forgiven. That’s not how it works. If it were, why would we need the police, the law, or so many judicial organs?"

"Grandfather, I know you’re holding onto the last glimmer of hope, but aren’t you afraid that too will shatter?" Zhang Yichen asked Old Master Zhang. In his heart, he shared his grandfather’s fear that this final hope would dissipate like the previous ones. He knew that after these years, he could no longer bear such blows. Another such impact would be fatal for his grandfather, whose health was declining by the day. Yet, he had always lived joyfully, not wanting us to worry, but he had always hoped his son would return to be by his side, even if just for one day; to him, that would have been enough. But why had his own father caused such harm to his grandfather, the man who had raised him through hardships? What could he do to return his family to its former state, to live happily without anyone else being hurt?

"Of course, I’m afraid, and I fear that this last hope will vanish with the wind as well. If that happens, I know I can’t take another blow. I’m aware of my own health. I’m not afraid for myself. All I wish for is that my son will show the last bit of filial piety to me, his so-called father. Is that really too much to ask? In his heart, does he only care about his wife and not us, his family? To him, nothing will ever be as important as his precious wife, not even though she treats him so. He loves her to the bone, yet he has no love left for us."

After saying his piece, Old Master Zhang turned and went upstairs. He did not wish to continue discussing this subject because he feared it might turn into reality. How would he face the so-called last shred of hope then?

Zhang Zhentian went out to thoroughly investigate the matter and indeed verified that his wife was involved. However, he chose not to reveal this to his father, deciding instead to cover it up. In his internal world, only his wife mattered most. He was willing to abandon everything for her, even his own flesh and blood, his father and son, without hesitation. He felt nothing was more important than his wife. When he made this decision, he did so without reservation, for in his heart, he only cared for his wife, not his father, not his son, not his so-called family, nor the sense of happiness he desired. He only wanted his wife by his side.