My Alleged Husband

Chapter 21: Chapter 21 Zhang Mo’s Idea_1

Old Master Zhang went upstairs after hearing what Zhang Zhentian had said. The night was destined to be another sleepless one, with Old Master Zhang unable to sleep because of what Zhang Zhentian had said, and Zhang Zhentian himself restless over concern whether his father would change his attitude.

After Old Master Zhang returned to his bedroom and lay in bed, he thought about what Zhang Zhentian had said to him. He felt it made sense; he was well aware that Zhang Zhentian had appealed to his weakness to ask for leniency for Xia Jing. Zhang Zhentian understood his father valued pride greatly, hence he had exploited Old Master Zhang’s ”face theory” to plead with him.

”Sigh, agreeing or disagreeing, both seem wrong. Although Zhentian’s reasons are sound, if I change my mind now, others will definitely see Zhang Mo as a man who doesn’t keep his word. Rather than that, it would be better to let Xia Jing just apologize and be done with it. But Zhentian has come to me about this matter, specifically to intercede for Xia Jing. What should I do?” Old Master Zhang thought, ”If I really make Xia Jing apologize, who knows what that incompetent son of mine might do.”

Old Master Zhang became more and more angry the more he thought about it.

Zhang Zhentian was also tossing and turning in his own bedroom, unable to sleep.

”I don’t know what Dad is thinking, nor do I know what he has decided. Sigh, it’s all my fault. If I hadn’t hidden the truth to protect Xia Jing, things wouldn’t have turned out this way. Who would’ve expected Xia Jing had already arranged to meet Dad and explained everything about Li Jiayuan so clearly, while I, like an idiot, lied to my own father on her behalf.” Zhang Zhentian was also dissatisfied, since even though he had hidden the truth about Xia Jing with good intentions, he had not expected it would backfire, not only failing to reduce Elder Zhang’s misunderstanding of Xia Jing but, due to his own presumption, deepening it instead.

”When will the dawn break!” Zhang Zhentian felt as if every second was an eternity this night, never before had it been so hard to fall asleep. He longed for daybreak when he could ask his father about his thoughts.

While the day had yet to break, Zhang Zhentian reminisced about the moment he had met Xia Jing, and couldn’t help but smile. Yet, as soon as he thought about learning his father’s decision once it got light, he began to worry.

”What if Dad hasn’t taken my words to heart and still insists on Xia Jing apologizing to Li Jiayuan? What should I do then? Xia Jing made her stance very clear; she won’t apologize to Li Haixiao and Li Jiayuan. Could it be that Xia Jing and I are really over?” Zhang Zhentian wondered. ”It would be great if Dad did listen, but if he really hasn’t, then I’ll have to go myself and apologize to Li Haixiao and Li Jiayuan on behalf of Xia Jing.”

Time ticked by, and Zhang Zhentian listened to the incessant ticking of the second hand on the clock in his bedroom, counting the time slowly along with its movements until finally, it was daylight.

Seeing the break of dawn, Zhang Zhentian quickly got up and rushed to the living room. When he arrived, Old Master Zhang hadn’t gotten up yet. He waited and waited until after ten o’clock before he saw Old Master Zhang slowly coming down the stairs step by step. Upon seeing Old Master Zhang, Zhang Zhentian felt like he had seen a savior, too impatient to even put on his shoes before he ran towards him.

”Stop,” Old Master Zhang gestured with his hand to halt.

Zhang Zhentian thought Old Master Zhang was about to announce his decision, so he stopped to listen.

”Such a grown man, running around the house without wearing shoes, what are you trying to do? Start a rebellion?” Old Master Zhang was angry because he saw Zhang Zhentian running on the floor barefoot.

Zhang Zhentian instantly understood why his father looked so displeased upon seeing him; it was because of this. Zhang Zhentian then ran back to put on his shoes.

”Dad, please take a seat. What would you like for breakfast? I’ll cook for you,” Zhang Zhentian asked, trying to appease Old Master Zhang.

Old Master Zhang thought, ”Even if I tell Zhentian that my decision remains the same as before, I should at least have a full stomach first. It’s rare that Zhentian offers to cook breakfast, so let him cook first, then I’ll tell him. Yes, that’s what I’ll do.”

Old Master Zhang intended to let Zhang Zhentian cook the meal for him first before he revealed his decision, truly living up to his reputation as a sly old fox.

”Since you are so eager, I will not be ungracious. Cook me some steamed fish, sweet and sour pork ribs, and braised pork. Hmm~ just start with these dishes,” Old Master Zhang ordered, listing the breakfast dishes to Zhang Zhentian, who stared in astonishment, clueless about how to prepare them.

”Dad, I don’t know how to make these dishes. How about I make you some porridge instead?” Zhang Zhentian tentatively suggested.

”Hmph, if you don’t know how to cook, why offer such eager help? Since you already said you’d make breakfast, surely you can cook it. Go on, when you’ve managed to cook these dishes, we’ll talk about Xia Jing’s matter,” Old Master Zhang said dismissively, regardless of whether Zhang Zhentian knew how to cook or not. He wanted Zhang Zhentian to know that whatever decision was made, there was a price to pay.

Having heard his father’s firm stance, Zhang Zhentian braced himself and set about cooking for the sake of Xia Jing.

Zhang Zhentian took out his phone and, following the step-by-step instructions he searched online, set to work. While watching the video tutorials, he thought it would be easy, but actually doing it turned out to be quite difficult.

Two hours later, Zhang Zhentian had somehow managed to prepare the dishes his father had listed. He brought the finished dishes to the dining table and called Old Master Zhang to come and eat. As Old Master Zhang approached the table and saw the dishes, his expression was one of utter disbelief.

”What, what did you make here?” Old Master Zhang asked, pointing at the steamed fish.

”Is this the steamed fish you spoke of?”

”This is your steamed fish? Isn’t steamed fish supposed to be off-white? Has your steamed fish mutated? Why is it so black?” Old Master Zhang asked Zhang Zhentian.

”Dad, I accidentally poured half the bottle of soy sauce when I was adding it.” Zhang Zhentian answered timidly.

”What, you even added soy sauce?” Old Master Zhang was hearing for the first time that steamed fish required soy sauce.

Old Master Zhang then pointed at the sweet and sour pork ribs and asked Zhang Zhentian, ”And what is this?”

”Dad, this is the sweet and sour pork ribs you mentioned!” Zhang Zhentian answered Old Master Zhang.

Old Master Zhang was dumbfounded again.

”This is sweet and sour pork ribs? How did you manage to burn the sweet and sour pork ribs?”

”When I put the ribs in the pot, the fire was too strong, and it flared up. By the time I put out the flames, the bones were like this,” Zhang Zhentian weakly responded.

Old Master Zhang pointed at the braised pork and asked, ”That isn’t supposed to be the braised pork, is it?”

”Yes, yes, that is the braised pork you spoke of,” Zhang Zhentian answered eagerly.

”Your braised pork really has character—it’s turned the color of charcoal.”

Old Master Zhang was defeated by Zhang Zhentian.

”Forget it, forget it. After cooking for two hours you actually turned the dishes into this state; you’ve made it so I have no idea where to begin eating,” Old Master Zhang scolded.

”Dad, if you won’t eat, I can make you some porridge.”

”No need. I know what you want to ask. Even cooking a meal, your heart isn’t in it; you must have been guessing my thoughts the whole time, right?” Old Master Zhang directly pointed out Zhang Zhentian’s mind.

”Dad, since you know, just tell me quickly!” Zhang Zhentian knew that Old Master Zhang was testing his patience by having him cook, but now he couldn’t hold back any longer.

”You’re so eager to know my thoughts?” Old Master Zhang countered.

”Yes, just say it,” Zhang Zhentian answered Old Master Zhang impatiently.

”Alright, listen carefully. Even though I think there’s reason in what you said, my decision is still the same as before,” Old Master Zhang stated his decision.

Zhang Zhentian was somewhat incredulous upon hearing this. He hadn’t expected that after all his pleas to his father, the outcome of his father’s nightlong contemplation remained unchanged.

”Dad, why?”

”I thought about it, and after Xia Jing apologized, she became my daughter-in-law. You’re right that I would feel embarrassed, but it’s better than letting others think that Zhang Mo is someone whose word means nothing. Although I care about saving face, I’m also a businessman, and in the business world, integrity matters more than face. Tell me, who would want to do business with someone who lacks honesty? For Zhang Corporation to prosper eternally, I must forsake so-called face and focus on integrity,” he explained.

Zhang Zhentian felt Old Master Zhang made a valid point. He understood what was most important for a businessman, so he didn’t say much more.