My Alleged Husband

Chapter 2120: Chapter 1953: At Wit’s End

Back then, everything made me feel how powerful I really was, always believing I could manage everything.

Ever since Zhang Yichen and Old Master Zhang returned to the Zhang Family, Zhang Yichen went to bed early every night, and he trained even harder and more diligently than before. Old Master Zhang didn’t understand, what could possibly drive his grandson to such an extent, training day and night? Was it really just to become a young emperor, or was there another reason?

For two months, Zhang Yichen endured his devilish training. One day, Old Master Zhang suddenly came to find him, saying, ”Yichen, I’ve arranged an engagement for you. Even though you’re only ten, I wanted to finalize it now, so you two can achieve great things together in the future!”

Zhang Yichen, hearing his grandfather say this, felt stunned and didn’t dare breathe. What did getting him a wife mean? Setting an engagement now? What about the little girl Ran Zhihan in his heart? She was his dream girl. If he married another woman just like that, how would he be different from those unfaithful men? He decided to resist Old Master Zhang.

”Grandpa, I’m only ten years old now. There’s no hurry for things like engagements or alliances yet. Plus, it’s modern times now, why follow those ancient political marriages? Isn’t it better to achieve great things through our own efforts?”

For ten years now, a full decade, Zhang Yichen never rebelled against any decision Old Master Zhang made for him. But today, Yichen raised his hands in opposition to this arranged engagement, leading Old Master Zhang to wonder if perhaps Yichen had someone he liked, unbeknownst to him.

”Yichen, you must understand, I’m doing this for your own good. In the future, although you can become an economic emperor, having a wise partner is indispensable. To be a good emperor, an envied emperor, you need a good partner. I’ve arranged it for you, just listen to me, will you?” Old Master Zhang probed.

Zhang Yichen was unwilling. Though he had never opposed Old Master Zhang’s decisions for him over the past ten years, now he couldn’t just let it be. There was a little girl in his heart, and he couldn’t break the promise he made to her. He had said he would marry her when he became an economic emperor in ten years. That little girl was still waiting for him. How could he allow a mere promise to ruin her life? He couldn’t do it; only a scumbag would. He wanted to be a decent man, someone who could bear responsibility for his family, wife, and children, unlike his father, who abandoned him and left the hometown. Whenever he thought of his parents abandoning him for their freedom, his heart hurt, like it was being cut by a knife. But what could he do? He could only endure because he didn’t want to be like his parents, abandoning his children in the future. He had already promised Ran Zhihan and he must fulfill it because it was the most basic responsibility of a man.

”Grandpa, to be honest, when I was training in the valley I got injured, and was in so much pain I nearly cried. A little girl came to give me painkillers. She’s the most adorable girl I’ve ever met. I’ve already told her that once I become an economic emperor, I’ll come back to marry her. I cannot break my promise to an innocent girl!”

Old Master Zhang listened to his grandson’s words, and it confirmed his suspicion. So this young man already had someone he liked but never told him. Had he not forced a matchmaking, how would he know Yichen already had a girl in his heart? Though he felt a bit dissatisfied with Yichen opposing his decision, he realized that if the child could stand up to him for someone he liked, then his grandson must genuinely like this girl. But remembering his son Zhang Zhentian, who once fought tooth and nail to be with Xia Jing, even defying orders, only to eventually leave his farming roots, he didn’t want Yichen to be like his father, abandoning the family and leaving him, this old man, alone. He’s too old to take it now, and he was afraid. So he planned to ask Yichen whether he could avoid marrying this girl, but Yichen’s response was utterly disappointing!

”Child, listen to me. You’re only ten. You don’t know if she’ll stay with you, or understand these things, right? Rather than this painful longing, why not wait until you are a true emperor to think about it? Otherwise, you’ll both end up hurt. You know, I’m really afraid you’ll be with this girl, like your parents once were, and abandon me, this old man, this family, and your children. I’m truly scared you’ll follow their path. I can’t bear this anymore. I don’t have much time left, and I just want to enjoy my old age peacefully without these torments. I really can’t take it!” Old Master Zhang spoke earnestly to Yichen.

Zhang Yichen sighed, promising Old Master Zhang, ”Grandpa, you’re overthinking it. I won’t abandon you for any woman. It’s been you taking care of me all these years. Trust me, your grandson has a good eye for people. That girl is genuinely pure and kind, without any deceit. In the valley, when I was injured, no one came to help me, including my parents. When I was at my lowest, you were always there, shielding me from all storms. Until I met that little girl, I realized there are still kind people in this world. She’s so kind and adorable, always smiling at me, giving me strength, making me feel life is simple. Just being happy with your loved ones is enough, why pursue more? She even advised me not to hate my parents. You say, are there really many children like her? Many resent such parents, but I asked her, she said she doesn’t hate her parents, feeling grateful they brought her to this world. How could this lovely and kind child abandon you to be with me?”

Old Master Zhang listened to his grandson’s words, realizing the girl was indeed kind-hearted. He found himself at a loss for words, silently acknowledging Yichen’s decision.

Only now did I realize I wasn’t that capable, now feeling utterly helpless!