Chapter 1959 - 1753: Grace and Radiance
Chapter 1959 - 1753: Grace and Radiance
Many things are known to be beyond reach, yet one still chooses not to give up.
Zhang Yichen felt deeply dissatisfied with how his grandfather spoke about him, wondering whether his grandfather truly saw him as such a person. Was it because of a minor decision he made that his grandfather repeatedly criticized him?
"Grandfather, do you really see me as this kind of person? Have I, whom you raised with great effort, not earned your trust in your heart? Why do you think I’ve become apathetic? In reality, I haven’t changed; it’s you who think I’ve changed. The ones who have truly changed are yourselves; you always inadvertently change but assume it’s everyone else who has changed. Grandfather, you think I am indifferent now, but one day you will realize your judgment is wrong!"
Old Master Zhang truly didn’t know how to communicate with his grandson. Why is it that no matter what he says, it never seems to get through? Everyone understands such simple reasoning, so why can’t his grandson understand? The more he thought about it, the more upset he became. Such a simple problem becomes so complex in front of his brilliant grandson.
"What more do I have to say for you to understand what I mean by this? I’m not saying what you did was a grave mistake; I just feel you shouldn’t hide anything from your wife. I don’t think of you as someone indifferent; I just feel you’ve let down someone who trusts you deeply. She believes in you wholeheartedly, yet you’ve done things that make her so sad. Don’t you feel guilty for that? You’ve read so much yet claim not to understand these simple truths? Don’t you realize that your actions cause immense hurt and pain to those who care about you? Are you now just like your parents, who only see themselves? You used to make me proud, but now you scare me and feel unfamiliar. Every action and word you say is different from before. I hope the grandson I nurtured doesn’t become this person. When you make mistakes, you should bravely face the consequences, rather than push the responsibility onto others. Others are not scapegoats; they have their own self-respect and dignity. Since you’ve acted this way, you should bear the responsibility you’ve brought upon yourself, not expect everyone to appease you, as that is futile..."
Zhang Yichen no longer wanted to hear a word from his grandfather. He felt his grandfather no longer loved him as before but instead always favored his wife. Did, in his grandfather’s eyes, his grandson not measure up to a newlywed wife?
"Grandfather, do I not exist in your heart as the grandson you raised painstakingly? Is your heart now filled only with the wife I’ve just married? If I were in your heart, could I not even compare to a fraction of my wife’s worth? What abilities does she have to make you favor her so much? You are my real grandfather! You raised me with great effort and gave me what I have today. Why speak such hurtful words? Do you know how much those words hurt and pain me? Simply because I made a small request of my wife, you choose to seek justice for her and retaliate against me? I don’t want my grandfather to retaliate against me for my wife, as it will only make me hate her more, thinking she’s stolen my grandfather’s love from me, believing she’s my jinx!"
Old Master Zhang couldn’t bear it anymore, hearing his grandson speak of his wife in such a manner was intolerable, so he struck his beloved grandson across the face.
Zhang Yichen was stunned. Never had his grandfather hit him throughout all these years, and the first time his grandfather lifted his hand was because of his wife. He now didn’t know whether he was right or wrong, pondering why he pleaded for the woman he loved most; did marrying her mean turning his grandfather against him?
"Grandfather, you’ve never hit me or scolded me since I was little, yet today you’ve struck me because of my wife. I truly don’t understand. Am I not your real grandson? For the sake of my wife, you can treat me like this, disregarding your grandson for her?"
Old Master Zhang realized he acted impulsively and shouldn’t have casually struck his beloved grandson, knowing it would only make his grandson resent him.
"Yichen, listen to your grandfather’s explanation. I didn’t do it intentionally. I failed to hold back and accidentally hit you, please don’t blame me, alright?"
Zhang Yichen laughed loudly: "Blame you? What right do I have to blame you? You raised me with great effort; this slap is payment for all of that. But grandfather, was this truly worth it for my recently married wife? Do you know this slap landed on my face but shattered my heart? I cared so much about you, always believing that no matter what, my grandfather would never hit me because I trusted in your love for me. Yet now, I find this was merely my wishful thinking. Perhaps you don’t love me as much as I imagined. Grandfather, remember today you hit me, and I will never forget the reason why you did. Women are truly a source of disaster, causing discord between my parents, and now hindering my relationship with you. If I had known this would be the outcome, I would never have married her. It’s so painful for me."
After speaking, Zhang Yichen left, and Old Master Zhang watched his precious grandson leave the house with a flushed face, realizing that his impulsiveness was a mistake, knowing he shouldn’t have hit his grandson under any circumstance!
I know many things are beyond one’s control, but I still have ambition.
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