Chapter 2363 - 2196: Different

Chapter 2363: Chapter 2196: Different

Initially, I thought that no matter how we changed, we wouldn’t end up like this. But only now do I realize this was predestined all along, beyond any alteration.

"Yichen, I’m sorry, Dad didn’t know you had dreams. All these years, I’ve failed you as a father, owing you far too much. I didn’t even know that my own son gave up his dreams because of my matters. Maybe I’m truly unfit to be your father; I simply lack the qualifications. There are countless people better than me in this world, many who are more suitable to be your father. I really don’t understand how I was so lucky to have you as my son."

Right now, I don’t want to do anything or say anything. I just want to thank the heavens for sending you to me. You are the greatest gift, the greatest pride of my life. No matter how poorly you may act, I will always feel that as a son, you bring pride to this father. Especially since your actions have exceeded all expectations. How could I possibly be unaware of what you’ve done in my heart? It’s just that I never truly sought to understand you. I always thought you were a strong child who didn’t need parental care, who could always achieve goals through your own efforts again and again. But I often forgot that you needed my care, my help, my protection."

Xia Jing also felt guilty about her son regarding this matter. Her son had endured so much pain alone all these years while she, as a mother, lived freely outside but neglected the son at home who longed for her return to the family. Once again and again, she broke all his hopes, leaving him with deep painful memories and a long, painful wait, ultimately never returning home even though she saw him grow yet refused to reunite.

"Son, I’m sorry as your mother. If it weren’t for my decisive departure with your father back then, if I hadn’t held onto fantasies about the outside world, thinking I could achieve great things and then grandly reunite with you – but I forgot that you needed your parents’ companionship then, more affection, and the mother’s devotion. Yet I avoided all responsibilities a mother should shoulder. Your heart should hate me, shouldn’t it? Why is it that nothing I do is right? Why do I make everyone alongside me sad with everything I do?"

"Do you truly hate me as your mother? If I hadn’t treated you this way, how could you have reached this point, bearing so much pain alone? How could your childhood be so dark; how could your dreams be shattered, unable to achieve your goals?"

Regardless if you hate me or not, my deep remorse toward you will not lessen. I will spend all my remaining time to compensate you, as a son, compensate for what I lost as a mother over these years. I want to give back all the love you lost over the years. I want the world to know my son did nothing wrong. His actions are just wrongly perceived. It’s my failure as a mother, my own determination that brought my son to this state now. No matter how heartless he becomes, how unkind, unjust, he’s always right. All the faults are mine to bear as the mother!"

"Mom, Dad, deep down I don’t hate anyone for forsaking me. I made that decision myself long ago. I don’t blame anyone. To protect this family, it’s only natural for me to give up some cherished things. I can’t let selfish desires cause the downfall of the enterprise grandfather built painstakingly. I can’t stand by watching the ones I want to protect be harmed while being powerless to protect them!"

Now, this outcome is what I wanted most. I possess the ability to protect those I want most to protect. I can breathe life back into everything and shield Grandpa from harm. I can share a joyful life with my wife and ensure my son’s carefree life, paving a smooth path for him to avoid many detours. This is the greatest wealth in my life."

Zhang Zhentian also felt uneasy deep within. After all, he’s the son. Why, as a father, did he never fulfill his responsibilities in all these years? Why did his actions always cause so much harm to his child, even hurting his own father’s heart deeply? What more use is there in raising a son?

Yichen, your mother is right. Regardless, we must compensate you. All these years, the pain has been ours to bear for you, without any blame. Our family has sacrificed far too much, and the remaining time should be spent compensating, protecting you and this family!"

I’m regretting now all the decisions I made before. I shouldn’t have selfishly wished to leave this family, shouldn’t have thought of flying solo outside or trying to break new ground. Staying home would have been the most correct choice; home is my eternal haven!"

"Actually, it’s enough for me to feel content knowing that you could think this way. You finally realize that home is your eternal haven. Without home, you lose everything; losing family is losing the whole world. What use is anything without family? Can all the lost things truly be compensated?"

Yet nonetheless, I am truly grateful to you. When you said those words, I trusted your sincerity in returning home. I believed that as parents, you genuinely want what’s best for me, contributing to this family. This is my greatest achievement in life!"

I know we are different, but I believe our ending will still be reunion.