My Alleged Husband

Chapter 509 - 488: Come Back!_1

"Grandfather, since you have now come to understand these matters, could you please make a call to my dad and ask him to come back home? In truth, dad has always wanted to return, but he just didn’t know how to approach you for such a request. He is aware that he once heartlessly abandoned our family, and he too carries regrets. Such feelings cannot be forgotten at will; they torment everyone’s heart and must be confronted by all. Perhaps, to some, all these might not matter much, but for others, they feel an urgent need. Dad doesn’t ask for much. He simply wants to take control of his own life, to grasp the reins of his destiny. He hopes for forgiveness from his family, to be together with the person he loves. Maybe for us, this seems impossible, because we’re from a wealthy family. Every choice we face is different from those of others. Commoners can easily choose the life they want, but we cannot, burdened as we are by heavy responsibilities and missions. We must prioritize the greater good over personal attachments, and not allow them to delay more significant matters. This is why dad couldn’t bear the things happening in this house, wanting only a simple life. Why then should you dictate his life? If you have truly forgiven dad and come to understand the situation, then I hope you can allow him to return home. He longs to be embraced by his family—you must realize this..."

"I’ll think about it some more. You needn’t worry about this matter, but I am truly thankful that you spoke to me from the heart. I was almost ready to call your dad back because this really is my fault. If not for me, would he have spent so many years adrift?"

Zhang Yichen knew that his grandfather had come to a realization, so there was no need to stay any longer. He wanted to give his grandfather some time to think things over quietly. He knew that his grandfather would surely call his dad to ask him to come home. If his grandfather humbled himself and his dad still refused to return, then he would never forgive his father again. If an elder could humble himself and apologize for past mistakes, asking his son to return, it would prove that his grandfather truly recognized the error of his ways. He wanted his son back by his side, to make amends for his innermost regrets. But if his dad was unwilling to come home, it would show that his father truly had no place for his son or his family in his heart.

And sure enough, after he left, Old Master Zhang indeed made the call to Zhang Zhentian. When Zhentian received the call from his father, he was a bit taken aback, having never received a proactive call from him before—it was the first time.

"Dad, is there something you called to talk about today? If you have something important, please tell me now. If it isn’t anything urgent, then I ask that you don’t disturb my life, because I don’t want to live the life arranged by others. So please, be sure you know what you want to say before speaking!"

"Zhentian, when will you come home? Dad misses you and wants you to come home, to give me the joy of family togetherness. I know you had your reasons for leaving home; you didn’t want to accept the life I had planned for you, so you chose to rebel, to let me know that you control your life and no one else. You would never allow anyone to dictate your fate. You wanted to hold your destiny in your own hands. Sorry, Dad only understands this now, and it’s for this reason I truly hope you will come home."

Zhang Zhentian felt he must be hallucinating. How could his dad possibly come to such an understanding? He had always been so obstinate, and once he made up his mind, no one could alter his decision.

"Have you really come around? You’ve never called me before or asked me to come home, and today is the first time. Are you joking, or have you truly understood? Regardless, Dad, you are right. I insisted on leaving because I couldn’t accept the life you arranged for me. I wanted to live my own life, to command my own destiny. That’s why I left, abandoning you and my son. It was painful for you, and for me, it caused much inner turmoil. I’ve never known what to do, but all I ever wanted was my family’s forgiveness. I wanted to own my life’s decisions, but within our family, I was never given that right, prompting my rebellion. I didn’t want to be controlled by you, didn’t want you steering my entire life..."

"But now dad has understood, can you come home? Dad hopes you’ll return to be with us, and that our family will never be apart again. Bring your wife back as well. I have completely grasped this now; since you are my son and chose to live with her for life, why should I disrupt the bond between you? The most important thing in each family is harmony. I won’t treat you two the way I did before. Think it over, and come back home if you’re ready. Your children, your grandchildren, they’re all waiting for your care and affection. Come back, this old man can’t bear the hardships anymore. I know I was wrong; I never considered your feelings in every wrong decision I’ve made. If you forgive Dad, then please come back home soon!"

"I will come as soon as I am ready!"

"Come back! Let’s not prolong our family’s separation any longer, I’m begging you to come home soon, back to the embrace of our big family, and we will give you a warm home!"