My Alleged Husband

Chapter 521 - 500: Where’s the Courage?_1

Days had passed, and Xia Jing learned from her brother that Old Master Zhang had fallen ill and been hospitalized, all because Zhang Zhentian had been driven to rage. She had never imagined that her former husband could actually do such a thing, that he could be responsible for her biological father’s sickness and hospitalization. Furious, she made her way to the hospital. She wanted to have it out with her husband, to lay everything bare. Regardless of who was right or wrong, who was to blame or not, the outcome needed to be revealed. She believed that no one should have to bear all the pain and hardship alone. She knew that if such a thing had happened, her biological son must be feeling the worst of it since his grandfather cherished him deeply. He regarded his grandfather as his life, perhaps even more precious than his own life.

Xia Jing rushed to the hospital, feeling the urgent need to confront her husband and clear the air. If she did not sort things out with Zhang Zhentian, the consequences would be unbearable. No matter who was right or wrong, she thought that they should clarify everything, not let the mistake go on any longer. She knew she was implicated somehow, even though no one had come to argue with her about it yet. How could she, an outsider, let them hurt each other so much because of her? Even though she had no relation to them anymore, it was always her presence that disrupted the peace between them. She felt incredibly guilty for her deep sins.

The father and son saw Xia Jing slowly making her way toward the hospital entrance. They both knew that the situation wasn’t as straightforward as it seemed. They couldn’t keep tricking themselves, covering up the sky with one hand. Whatever was supposed to come would always find its way to them, and the responsibility they were supposed to bear could never be escaped. Because those events were related to them, they should bravely admit to all their wrongdoings, not constantly expect others to bear the consequences for them. After all, others weren’t scapegoats to take the blame on their behalf; they had no obligation to do so, time and again. A good outcome could only be achieved by bearing the burdens on their own.

"Xia Jing, why are you here? When I tried to find you before, weren’t you adamantly refusing to even see me? What made you willing to come out and see me today? Have you had a change of heart? Are you thinking of continuing to live with me, or do you feel you can’t live without me and can’t leave me, your husband?"

"Zhang Zhentian, I really never thought you could be such a person. He is your biological father, how could you be so cruel to him? How could you commit such unfilial acts? Do you realize that no matter what he has done to hurt us both, no matter what has caused the breakdown of our marital relationship, I hope you clearly understand that our arrival at this stage today has nothing to do with your father; it was all your own doing. I sought you out before, and what did you say back then? You’d rather die than continue living with me. Since you’ve made that clear, why should I force us to stay together? Wouldn’t that just make things uglier between us?"

Even if you don’t tell me, I know today’s incident must be related to me. I know your father must have sought you out, asking you to come home and stay by his side, to live with him. But you heartlessly refused him. The reason for your refusal was that he had ruined our relationship, and you didn’t want him controlling your destiny, right? Have you ever considered that despite all the wrongs you’ve committed, he, as a father and elder, humbled himself before you, his junior. What right or reason do you have to reject his kindness?"

I didn’t understand these principles before, but now I do. I realize how wrong we were before, and how our selfishness hurt those who loved us the most. We were always so self-righteous and arrogant, never considering how those who loved us were hurt, nor the extent of their suffering and agony. People grow after experiencing things, but you’re already an adult. Shouldn’t you take responsibility for the consequences of your mistakes? I want to ask, you always claim to be a real man, so where is your masculine spirit, and where is your courage to face the consequences? You have none of them. What right do you have to call yourself a man?"

A man can lack many things—money, a house, a car, any kind of power or gain—but he should at least have the courage that a man should possess, a sense of responsibility to bear his duties. And you? With nothing to your name, what gives you the right to act so arrogantly? Your arrogance was understandable when you were young and reckless; we could overlook it. But now, it can’t be excused, especially when we all have someone important in our hearts, someone we’d give up everything for. Yet, the decisions you’ve made today are truly unfathomable to me. I can’t believe that this is what the man I once loved dearly is capable of. I can’t believe that this is the decision you have brought upon me. Do you know I never imagined you would treat your own biological father this way!"

"No, listen to me explain, it’s not what you think, can you please just listen to what I have to say?"

"You don’t need to say anything now because I won’t believe a single word you say. I’ll only think you’re shirking your responsibility. Do you understand? If you think you have even a bit of a man’s spirit, then I hope you will take the initiative to stand up and bear the consequences. This situation arose because of you, so it must also end with you. If anyone else gets hurt because of you, I truly will never see you again for the rest of my life. The relationship between us has become more complicated, but it’s no one’s fault but your own. Why push all the blame onto others? Why should anyone else keep taking the fall for you, be your scapegoat? People can be selfish, but at the very least, can you tell me where your responsibility is? Where is your courage, your sense of duty—does any of it even exist anymore?"