Chapter 2337 - 2170: Now

Chapter 2337: Chapter 2170: Now

Why bother telling myself what it’s all for, now that so much time has passed?

Although Zhang Zhentian feels somewhat weary living this way, at times he finds himself with no way to make any choices. This path was the one he resolutely decided to take back then, so how can he complain about the harm others have brought him, now that he has chosen this path?

"Dad, regardless of whether I’m tired or not, this was a decision I made. Since I chose this path, I will walk it step by step no matter what, no matter how arduous the road ahead may be. I will always rely on my effort to reach the end. Don’t think I can’t continue living; you should believe in me. I can do it, I certainly can reach the end, I won’t give up easily."

Old Master Zhang knew from the start that his son had a stubborn temperament, but he never imagined that his son could stick to his decision to such an extent.

If this were a few years ago, he might have felt proud of the decisions his son made, but now times have changed, and many things won’t just yield the outcomes he once desired. He has no way to make everything develop according to his imagination. The only thing he can do now is to keep his child safe with him. But as a father, how can he let his child have only this family deep down, without any other thoughts?

He knows that what he wishes for deep down is not easy. He must bear the consequences of the mistakes he once made. No one can shield him to a certain extent. He made too many mistakes. These mistakes make it impossible for anyone to understand and forgive him.

He doesn’t want much, just hopes his family can live in peace, and hopes his happy life can be safe and sound.

Ultimately, the family has endured too much suffering and tears. He has no way to act as if the mistakes never happened. He has been punished, yet why does he still worry for his child when such things happen to him, as a father? Could it be that parents forever worry about their children, yet can give up their own joy and happiness?

"Child, I know the things you’ve done might seem painful and ugly in your eyes, but as a father, no matter how many mistakes you made, I would forgive you unconditionally because you are my son. I’ve said this to you many times, repeated it countless times, yet you never took it seriously!

How inadequate am I as a father, that you, as a son, take all responsibilities upon yourself time and again?

Do you think deep down that I’m an irresponsible father? I’ve thought about how painful it is for me; I just want you to come back to me. As a father, I shouldn’t resent you, but I’m truly discontent. I worked hard to raise you, why treat me this way? Was I not good to you? Or did I not fulfill my duties as a father?

Perhaps you feel you’ve now got what you desire and can live contentedly and happily, but I can’t. I can’t forget the pain you brought to every member of this family.

Those pains can’t be forgotten. Only I know how much tear and sorrow everyone went through, how much secret crying took place deep down, and you never understood. You can’t grasp that heart-wrenching pain.

I know you genuinely wish to return to this family; the past mistakes can vanish like smoke for you, but I can’t do it.

Child, when you can come back here, it’s already a joy for me. I’m not that greedy. I know what you truly think deep down. No matter how your heart thinks, I want you to know that I’m your father!"

Zhang Zhentian never imagined his father would think of him this way. How terrible must he be as a son for his father to think of him so? Every mistake he made, he paid for time and again, struggling now to amend past errors. Why does his father still refuse to face him directly, thinking he has ulterior motives coming home?

Only at this moment does he understand how awful it feels to be inexplicably suspected by others. He had also suspected others before, perhaps realizing how painful it must be for them deep down. When he suspected his wife, how despairing must she have felt? He gradually recalled all the hurt he gave others. Can this hurt truly vanish like smoke with the compensations he claims?

"Dad, so be it; if you think I return with ulterior motives, I regret nothing. Mistakes I made must be faced; what I do at home may seem tiring to you, but what’s the harm if it tires me? The road I chose must be completed fully. If I give up halfway, am I still your son? You once poured your heart into the company, risking everything to save me a retreat. Yet, not cherishing it, I severed all escapes. I walked the dead-end until there was no retreat left, only then choosing to return.

I know I’m not a good son and have saddened and hurt you, yet I assure you now, I genuinely want to live in this family without other purposes or thoughts. Living here is my happiness, regrettably realized too late, regretting the past!"

But what of regrets? Who can be blamed for one’s mistakes? No one withheld second chances; it’s you who abandoned everything!

Many things have settled now, yet living has become exhausting!