My Alleged Husband

Chapter 1137: Chapter 997: The Strongest

”In everyone’s heart, there’s a path they must walk. Perhaps such a life is sad for you, so unsuccessful, but who knows someone once suffered differently because of these things? No one reaches their most desired path step by step; they all abandoned their ideal road for unnecessary matters. They’ve come this far just wanting their perfect life, but that life slips further away. They haven’t given up, yet some chose to forgo everything from the start. In one’s eyes, what does it all mean?”

Actually, you’ve never thought about why you became who you are today. You walk each path step by step; is it really your most wanted path? When you realize your desires drift further away, those so-called goals and ideals are long forgotten. At that moment, you realize none of it was truly what you wanted. All you seek is a stable life, but why is it so difficult for you?”

Old Master Zhang understands his family’s mentality, the heavy price they’ve paid. He does not face everything indifferently as before; he now communicates with them in his own way. If he continued making selfish decisions, forcibly keeping those who shouldn’t stay, the results would be unmanageable. Instead of letting things become difficult to handle, he’d rather let them pursue their desired life, rather than waste their youth for this old man.

Time continuously flows towards the distance.

When Old Master Zhang saw his grandson walking, he was utterly stunned.

He never expected the child to grow so quickly. Yet, as the child grows daily, his parents age daily, leaving everyone with mixed excitement and sadness.

Old Master Zhang watched Zhang Ni start walking and mumbled to himself: ”Time really flies, months ago you were just a palm-sized kid, and now you’re walking independently. Seems I’ve aged. I don’t know how much time the heavens have given me, but how wonderful if, the day I go, I could fulfill all my wishes. But why are all my wishes so small, yet difficult for others? Why hasn’t anyone tried a little for my tiny wish? It’s all making my situation what it is; why can’t anyone strive a bit for me? Is it really that tough to try?”

Ran Zhihan daily heard his grandfather talk to himself, many things he couldn’t understand. He asked his husband, who explained the grandfather’s words, showing him the grandfather’s deep pain.

”Husband, what do you think is grandfather muttering about alone, and why does he get teary-eyed? Is he about to cry? I’ve never seen him so fragile; I always thought him strong and unemotional. Why does he talk to himself until his eyes redden?”

”Wife, don’t you understand grandfather’s nature? To others, he’s strong and upright. But no one knows his pain. Nobody feels his distress; they’re self-serving, never considering what encouragement grandfather needs. Though he smiles at us, inside he suffers. He refuses to burden us, so he smiles through the pain before me. He believes that smiling at life brings rewards, and society will one day smile back. Yet, his smiles have given many love, but he’s never known love himself!”

”Yes, grandfather is pitiful this lifetime, sacrificing much for us, while we can do nothing in return. If time could reverse, I’d cherish him, ensuring he enjoys each day genuinely, not forced smiles for our sake. But that day won’t come again; time has passed irreversibly, as grandfather ages, and we grow daily while watching our son mature adorably. I’m reluctant to see time flow this direction endlessly, fearing I won’t recognize my son’s future self! This lifetime’s greatest fear isn’t losing someone, but not understanding what you’ve lost until realizing the most caring, loving person’s absence brings untold pain, unbearable without solace or comprehension!”

Zhang Yichen knows his wife’s words are heartfelt and sincere, but struggles to respond. He’s heard such sentiments before, but there’s never a good result. Pain isn’t merely expressed easily; it’s an outcome predetermined, repeatedly salted wounds, heart-wrenchingly painful. No one helps or shares the burden.

Zhang Ni approaches his parents, hugging Ran Zhihan, saying: ”Mom, why do other children have grandparents but I don’t? Where did they go? Don’t they want to be with me? Am I not cute enough or obedient? If only they could be here with me, even for a day, I’d be so happy. I’ve not seen grandma for so long, I really miss them. Mom, can you tell me where they are? I want to find them, bring them back to play with me. Other kids have parents and grandparents, but I only have parents and a great-grandfather. Without my grandparents, I feel so sad inside.”

The people present were astonished that a child under two could express such thoughts, his intelligence was astounding, a promising future charmer.

”Seeing the child initially made me think such thoughts. I never imagined after so many years, he’s so capable now. It was a joke back then; nonetheless, his actions have proven him strong...”