My Alleged Husband

Chapter 2125: Chapter 1958: Gentle Breeze

Tenderness is met with cruelty by fate; I always believed that as long as I persisted, you would return. But I’ve been waiting, do I really have to wait for decades before you’re willing to come back?

Old Master Zhang knew that every word his grandson said was right. After all, he was an experienced man; he had been through all of this himself. He knew what was best for his children and what should or shouldn’t be done. Now, he intervenes merely to prevent the father-son relationship from growing more distant. Yet, he was moved by his grandson’s words.

Indeed, wouldn’t it be best if one’s child could unconditionally obey them? If one wants someone to not be oppressed by others, then they should continuously oppress them, allowing them to grow stronger, making everyone fear them—that’s how they can safely navigate their life. But sometimes, being too strict with one’s child is not good either. It makes the child feel controlled and breeds rebellion, weakening their trust. Perhaps this is the way of father-son relationships; it’s a pity he only understands this now. It seems his grandson truly is far superior, understanding all these truths at such a young age. It’s truly remarkable.

”Yichen, no matter what decision you make, grandfather will always silently support you from behind, because I watched you grow up. I know that any decision you make, unless absolutely necessary, you would not make lightly. But I hope you understand a principle: many things are not as simple as just doing them. Missteps from our own faults can lead to lifelong regret. Today, I speak these words with no other intentions but to prevent your father-son relationship from turning sour and awkward. Please don’t resent your grandfather. If you think I’m overstepping, then I won’t interfere in your matters anymore. No matter what happens, I won’t ask about it. What do you think?” Old Master Zhang indirectly presented his grandson with a choice. If he chooses to let him continue to manage his affairs, he will definitely intervene in both big and small matters. But if he prefers not to be controlled, he’ll withdraw and never concern himself with their affairs again. It’s a choice; if chosen wrongly, it could become a lifelong torment.

Zhang Yichen understood the reason behind his grandfather’s words and what a wrong choice would mean. Though he sometimes found his grandfather annoying, intervening unnecessarily and making things awkward. Yet, when his help was truly needed, he wasn’t there, making things difficult. Often, when he needed help, no one was there; but when he didn’t need help, many attempted to intervene. It was exceedingly troublesome, but what could he do? He couldn’t just stop his grandfather from caring, as it would pain him greatly. It seemed he must speak another untrue word.

”Grandpa, if I could say that I would support every decision you make unconditionally, it’s impossible because I know at times you can indeed be bothersome. When I need help the most, you’re not there, and when I don’t need help, you come, making things difficult for me. Yet no matter what, our relationship should always remain harmonious. So, grandfather, you need not concern yourself; I hope you’ll assist me only when necessary. I’m not saying you shouldn’t intervene, but many things don’t need your involvement. Take today for instance: if you plead, and I overly heed your words, agreeing to every request today, would my son see me as cowardly, as nothing in front of his grandpa, unable to keep my words? If he encounters problems later, would he tell us, or go straight to you? Thinking it doesn’t matter as long as you back him up; he wouldn’t fear because you’re there. So I can’t agree to let him out—doing so would foster his reliant mindset, thinking someone will always bail him out when in trouble. But is that truly so? In society, if he errs, will someone always rescue him? Many of his ideas are naïve, which frightens me. I don’t understand why he holds onto such impractical ideas during our talks. Isn’t that scary? Grandpa, you understand better than I how best to educate a child. I owe my current self to your teachings. But with my son, I hope to educate him properly on my own. I believe I can raise him as a genius, not like my father. Even now, I feel abandoned by my parents, a pain in my heart. For my son, being cast aside by grandparents must hurt too, yet he chooses silence because he knows not what to say or how to start!”

Old Master Zhang finally understood his grandson’s reasons for not wanting his help in educating his son. He wanted him to silently take a step back, as his intentions were clear—that perhaps he should stop meddling in others’ affairs.

I never believed in fate. I always felt everything was not inherently wrong, that I was simply too willing to shoulder it all alone.