My Alleged Husband

Chapter 954: Chapter 847: Guidance

Old Master Zhang now realizes that the family has turned into complete chaos. He feels deeply embarrassed for failing to manage the affairs of his own household, for not fostering peace among each member of the family. Yet there are some matters he has absolutely no way to resolve. All he can do is repeatedly force his son to lower his head and admit his mistakes. But even if his son finally does lower his head and acknowledge his wrongs, what difference would it make? Would the broken bonds within this family ever return to the harmony they once had?

There was once a time when he naively believed that as long as his son and daughter-in-law returned back to this home, the family, no matter what, would never fall apart. But now, he’s come to understand that all this was just a sham. Things are far from that simple. Ever since they returned, everything has changed—the household has been tumultuous and stormy. He has no way to pretend these events never happened, nor can he see them as unconnected to his son.

He used to think that as long as his son returned to this home and started afresh, he could tolerate anything. But now, looking at the current mess, has his son truly, wholeheartedly repented and corrected his mistakes? They’ve never truly considered where they went wrong. This family has ended up in this state; his son has become increasingly unpredictable. He, too, has made the household unstable and wrought havoc. Sometimes he wonders whether letting them move back home was right or wrong. Could it really be mistaken for him to long for his loved ones to return to the embrace of the family? Why is it that when family members return, everyone in the household begins to falter? Someone falls ill, someone ends up hospitalized.

Zhang Zhentian knows what his father is thinking deep down. Yet there are some words he simply cannot bring himself to say to his father. He understands that he has repeatedly pushed past his father’s limits, time and again. If he continues with his actions, it’s likely his father’s resentment towards him will only grow.

”Dad, even if you don’t say it, I already know what’s in your heart. You place the entirety of the blame squarely on me because you believe that all of this is the consequence of my doing. But have you ever paused to consider—even for a moment—that this messy outcome is really only my fault? Have you ever truly reflected on what kinds of things you’ve brought upon this household?

You always assume every mistake I’ve made is unforgivable while believing everything you do is absolutely right. But think about it—all the results of your actions, what have they brought to this family? Repeated harm? Or do you believe that hurting your family is something inconsequential, something trivial? That you can casually inflict pain because you assume family members would never hold you accountable? And us—what do we mean to you? Am I just another pawn to you? One to be exploited to hurt others’ wives, or perhaps a piece to demonstrate your magnanimity and benevolence?

From the moment you agreed for us to move back home, I knew this matter wasn’t as simple as it seemed.

A proud and unyielding man like you couldn’t possibly have relented so easily just because your grandson pleaded with you to take pity on us and let us return home. After all, we had made so many mistakes. But now, I’ve come to realize that all of this was far from simple. To you, no matter how much we sacrifice, it’s still insignificant. You don’t care about how we feel deep inside; all you care about is ruthlessly achieving your goals. To you, your goals are far more important than anyone else’s happiness. As long as your objectives are fulfilled, what does it matter if your own loved ones are hurt in the process? At most, you’ll offer a perfunctory apology to erase all the wrongs!”

”Just listen to yourself—what kind of words are these? Do you even remotely resemble my son?

As someone of the younger generation, is this how you talk to your father? Do you think your tone is appropriate? Why is it that you’ve never bothered to examine yourself for the reasons? If it weren’t for your return, how would my grandson have gotten involved with you time and again? How would he have neglected his wife, leading her to end up the way she is now? Every mistake—each and every one—you’ve dumped squarely on my shoulders.

Am I, as the head of this household, simply supposed to take the fall for you and clean up the messes you leave behind?

When it comes to handling matters, evidence and truth ought to prevail. And now, with the way you’re treating me, I don’t understand what I should do to make you understand the intentions behind all of my actions. No matter how I act, in your eyes, as a father, I am always in the wrong. But just think for yourself—back then, what did you say with such conviction? That under no circumstances would you ever set foot in the Zhang Family household for the rest of your life. That even if you wandered the world and died as a vagabond, you would never have anything to do with the Zhang Family. Back then, you were so full of confidence, making such solemn vows. So why now, have things turned out like this? If you had the capability to roam and survive away from home for a lifetime, why did you choose to return?

If you feel stifled by staying in this house, if you feel living here is unbearable, you can leave. I will not try to keep you. Because all that keeping you here has done is repeatedly hurt the people I care about most. My days ahead are numbered; what happens to me doesn’t matter. What I care about is whether, before my death, I can safeguard peace within this family, whether I can ensure my grandson’s happiness, whether I can see my granddaughter-in-law return to the way she used to be. Everything—it’s all my mistake. Maybe from the very beginning, I should never have let you all come back. For the sake of taking you back into the fold, I’ve lowered my head. I’ve stepped down from the pedestal your son built for me. But now look—how have you repaid all of us? With injury after injury. You think you can slave away and sacrifice for the family, but have you truly done so? No, you haven’t. Deep down, you could never set aside your pride.

Everyone has their own pride, their dignity—I understand yours as a man, strong and unyielding. But why is it that every action you take is completely at odds with the responsibilities a man ought to uphold? You only concern yourself with immediate outcomes, never pausing to consider what kind of harm the final consequences might bring to others. You always live such a selfish and self-centered life. A son like you—I’d be better off without...”