My Alleged Husband

Chapter 222: Chapter 202: How Can I Bear to Part?_1

Zhang Zhentian heard Xia Jing say these words, and at this moment, he felt his wife had suddenly become sensible. He had always hoped that one day he too could be loved by his wife, that she would consider his difficulties from his perspective. He never expected that day to come so suddenly, yet it arrived with his wife wanting to leave him. How could he accept this, how could he bear to let his wife leave alone? He so wished to leave with her; over a decade of matrimonial love, how could they just leave and stop living together like that?

Perhaps Xia Jing saw through Zhang Zhentian’s thoughts. She smiled and said gently to Zhang Zhentian, ”Zhentian, don’t be reluctant to let me go. Leaving doesn’t mean I won’t come back. We’ll still see each other in the future. I’m just going out for a while to give our son some space to think about whether he wants me, his mother, by his side. If time passes and he still doesn’t wish to see me, then I can settle abroad. When you miss me, you can bring Dad over to the United States to visit me! I know what you’re thinking, you don’t have to worry about me. You know I’m a tough woman. Staying at home too long makes me uncomfortable. Instead of leaving later, it’s better for me to go out and make my way now and then come back, don’t you agree?”

Zhang Zhentian knew that Xia Jing said these words to comfort him. Although these words made him uncomfortable, he couldn’t bear to say anything in the face of Xia Jing’s beaming smile. He hesitated, but ultimately decided to leave with Xia Jing.

”No matter what you say, I’m leaving with you. We’ve lived together for over a decade; you can’t live without me, and I can’t live without you. Each other’s lives would be lacking without the other. We’re supposed to walk together in the future; that’s what you promised me. The journey of life, no matter how long or short, you’ve always said we’d walk through it hand in hand. So how can you leave me here by myself?” Zhang Zhentian said to Xia Jing.

”Honestly, hearing you say that makes me very happy and glad. The luckiest thing in my life is being with you, but don’t be sentimental. Since you’ve come back, don’t choose to leave with me. Haven’t you seen Dad’s expectant eyes? Even though he sometimes criticizes you, he’s got a sharp tongue but a soft heart. From his eyes, I can tell how much he longs for you to swallow your pride and stay, to be beside him as he ages, to have his son nearby to honor him in his senior years. But if you, because of me, abandon him time and again, can you imagine how much it would hurt him? You are his own son; he’s raised you for over twenty years. Regardless of his grievances, you are still his own son; he won’t do anything to hurt you. I know you’ve held a grudge over him kicking us out of the Zhang family house, but even I, his daughter-in-law, have let it go. So why can’t you, his own son, let it go? He had no choice but to do that; no one would feel good about it. Please just listen to me this time and stay, not for anything else, just to fulfill a wish of mine,” Xia Jing said.

It seemed that Zhang Zhentian had already seen the determination in Xia Jing’s decision to leave. He understood that her decision was not one to be lightly changed, and he knew he was destined to part ways with Xia Jing this time. His heart was filled with reluctance, but he had no choice but to stay.

...

After Xia Jing’s repeated persuasion, she finally convinced Zhang Zhentian. He agreed to stay, letting his wife leave by herself.

”Alright, I agree to stay, but you must also promise me that once you’re in the United States, you will live well. Don’t just run off anywhere, watch for traffic safety when crossing the roads, and don’t jaywalk. You have to wait for me to come find you; don’t go wandering off with someone else. You should know that I’m staying here for you; otherwise, I would not have stayed. You should understand how much I can’t let go of you, even though you’ve done so many things to hurt me. But in my heart, I still love you. Staying here, I’ll certainly persuade our son, I’ll make him recognize you. You’re his mother; how could he possibly not acknowledge you? If he still chooses not to recognize you in the future, then I’ll leave this place, live my life as if I never had a son, and I’ll stay here to properly honor Dad. You can rest assured, when the time comes for you to leave, I will see you off, and I hope you take good care of yourself,” Zhang Zhentian said, looking at Xia Jing reluctantly.

”Zhentian, thank you. Thank you for your repeated sacrifices for me, for your repeated tolerance of my caprices, for your love. I will keep it in my heart forever. If he still chooses not to acknowledge me in the future, I will wait for you in the United States. You know that my brother and sister are there, and I can always visit their homes!” Xia Jing said to Zhang Zhentian.

Xia Jing did not explicitly mention what she would be doing at her siblings’ homes here. She did not specify what she would go there for, but Zhang Zhentian knew what she meant by that. After all, they had been husband and wife for over a decade and had a certain understanding of each other’s words. He understood that Xia Jing’s words about going to Xiao Wei and Li Jiayuan’s home were not about visiting them but about causing trouble for their son’s girlfriend. Now, he couldn’t really say much. The moment he returned and saw his son leaving because of him, even if Xia Jing wouldn’t go after Ran Zhihan in the future, he certainly wouldn’t let her get away with it. He was now united with Xia Jing on a joint front.

”Since you’re set on going, I won’t keep you. I just hope that you’ll be careful in what you do there, and not stir up trouble with people who shouldn’t be disturbed. I’ll be here to shield you. Go about your business peacefully there. I will support you unconditionally now, because you are my wife.”

Hearing Zhang Zhentian say such heartwarming words, Xia Jing couldn’t help but cry. Zhang Zhentian took her into his arms, offering silent comfort.

The two of them embraced each other deeply here, wanting to keep each other’s warmth forever in their hearts, never to fade with the passage of time.

Even though they were about to part, Xia Jing was very happy because her husband had finally joined her on the same front—a rare opportunity indeed. Now that they were united, she was determined to seize this chance and ensure success. There was no room for failure; this was the command she gave herself!

”Don’t worry. Once I’m in the United States, I will take good care of myself. But I still need you to cover for me here, and prevent him from finding out. I thank you for that. If anything happens in the future, I will take full responsibility. Just say you knew nothing...” Xia Jing finished speaking and went upstairs to pack.

Zhang Zhentian knew that Xia Jing said this for his sake, not wanting their son to misunderstand him again. But how could he let his wife suffer such grievances for him? When Zhang Yichen learnt about all this, Zhang Zhentian didn’t hesitate to step forward and take responsibility with Xia Jing!