My Alleged Husband

Chapter 1167: Chapter 1026: Mediocrity

The most exhilarating thing for Old Master Zhang in his lifetime was that his grandson never disappointed him. From beginning to end, no matter what happened, he never made any decision that left him feeling unhappy or helpless. Every step he took followed the path that I had taught him; he lived his life the same way one would tour The Old Summer Palace, adhering entirely to the method I laid out for him. Yes, he lived a tiring life, but he forgot what he truly ought to do in this life. He never thought about how he should walk the path that was most suited for him. He gave all the rhythms of his life to me, yet he never considered when or where he might finally reach the life he truly desired. He always placed all his trust in me but never thought about the possibility that, one day, I might lead him astray.

”Yichen, from the beginning, you should have known that grandpa has always told you: no matter how much one traverses, no matter what age one reaches, and no matter what storms one has weathered, when one looks back many years later, they shouldn’t regret any decisions made. They shouldn’t feel remorse for wasting time, nor feel ashamed of any current idleness. You should understand how rare this all is. When you find this opportunity at your side and still choose with determination to walk the path you should, you make me incredibly relieved.

I must admit, you are far stronger than your father. Your father gets thrown off course by even the smallest matters, disrupting his plans, but not you. You undertake every task aligned with your life’s path and goals. I believe the path you are on is the correct one.

If one day I chose a different path, perhaps you’d realize how right every step you took truly was. You never envisioned what you’d encounter in this life, nor imagined what outcome I might face. Do you know? Each time I discover you are on such a path, as an elder, it’s a source of immense joy deep within. When I see you achieve success in your career repeatedly, standing atop the pinnacle of life, I am deeply moved and immensely proud. You are the pride of the Zhang Family. It is you that fills this family with hope, your light shining on the world. Every step taken to stabilize each member in the world, each family business reaching the pinnacle, is due to your contributions, your efforts.

Your contributions provided me with an unimaginable drive. I never expected you could go to such lengths to gain recognition and prove yourself as the strongest. I once assumed you’d be like your father, stopping halfway and never reaching the pinnacle. But in the end, I realized just how wrong I was. Every step you made turned everything into the most real thing in this world. Every action of yours transformed every family member into someone we had always dreamed of seeing. Your hard work, contributions, and footprints have written your life path. I blame no one; I wish others not to doubt you either, because every decision you’ve made has been under my guidance. I made you, over and over, into what others saw as heartless acts. But do you know? Upon witnessing your endeavors, how happy I am? I’ve watched you step by step reach your life’s peak, and amidst everything you have faced, I’ll forever remember.

Child, never imagine yourself as the strongest; always know that you are the toughest. Don’t compare yourself to others as it only leads to pain and vulnerability. Wouldn’t you prefer being happy and joyful? Your father will never surpass you; he has already lost. You should ponder more on how to fulfill everything you’ve ever wished for, in the way you desire.

You could have been very happy, so why live your life as if it’s unbearable misery, letting others’ issues disturb your mindset?”

”Once, I thought perhaps there was no need for sincerity between my wife and me, as long as she wanted to stay by my side. I was prepared to give her every imaginable luxury. But later, I realized she didn’t desire riches; she could earn money through her hard work. What she sought was a warm family I, as her husband, could give. In the end, I gave her nothing and instead inflicted on her pain she shouldn’t bear.

Actually, the greatest regret of my life is not providing her a complete home, never letting her experience the warmth of family. I let her leave until she disappeared without a trace. Only then did I realize I truly cared for her. I was willing to give up everything for her, but it was too late. I searched everywhere and couldn’t find her.

If one day she could appear again in my life, I would give her everything at that moment. I could abandon everything to take her on journeys, around the world, enjoying warmth others might never know.

As long as she stayed with me, nothing else was important. Once, I thought, even if living in this world with no desires, I only wished she’d be happy. But in the end, the hurt I gave was deeply painful; making her experience a lifetime of pain others might never know. At that moment, was I really a qualified husband?

You must have found the answer deep inside. At that moment, I was a cruel husband...”