Chapter 2096 - 1929: Acceptance
From the beginning of coming to this home and not being welcomed by the family, being treated like an enemy by his own grandson, to later accepting everything.
Zhang Ni felt that since he had already returned to this home, had already chosen to forgive his grandparents for abandoning him for so many years, even his father had decided to forgive them. Shouldn’t I, as a grandson, pay my respects to my grandparents? After all, the two of them have been wandering outside for so many years, never having returned home, completely unaware of the changes in the family. This world has changed too much, far too much, and the changes at home are also vastly different from before. If I don’t fulfill my responsibilities as a member of the younger generation now, wouldn’t it mean I’m lacking basic manners?
Zhang Zhentian was still discussing the matter with Xia Jing about Zhang Ni speaking up for him in front of his father today. The more he thought about it, the more he felt that this child was exceedingly kind-hearted. Despite never being by his side, he ultimately was willing to stand up and speak on his behalf. Why did I choose to watch from afar and not greet him, not acknowledge him?
"Zhentian, do you know? Long ago, I had already met our grandson. At that moment, when he saw me, he thought I was a bad person. But slowly, slowly, he has become familiar with me. Being with him, I’ve discovered many interesting things. His personality is innocent and romantic. He lives comfortably in the things that should be romantic. But when he should make up his mind, his determination is stronger than anyone’s. He has unwavering willpower. He believes that every decision he makes must be carried through step by step to the end."
We have to admit that neither of us expected him to stand up and speak for us today. Both of us know very well how we’ve treated their family. We’ve never offered companionship, never given them the warmth of family affection. Yet now he is willing to come forward, to speak a fair word for us and allow us to return to this home, which shows that deep down, he truly cares about us. We should stay by their side, shouldn’t we?"
"Xia Jing, I know what you’re saying is entirely right, but do you know? Some things aren’t achievable just because we want to do them. Everyone should act within their means.
Having such a good child by our side, I feel very fortunate too. Did you see? Today, the feeling between our son and us isn’t filled with hatred as it was before. In the past, when he saw us, he wished we would disappear from his sight immediately. He preferred the whole world to come to his house as guests, except us two. That moment, my heart was so hurt. Times have changed, and now he’s slowly accepting us, but here we can only bring him along; he can’t talk to us together. Maybe he’s still holding onto his so-called dignity and pride. Do we, as parents, have to seek him out first?
There are things we should apologize for, but if no one is willing to lower their so-called dignity at a certain value, then even if we return to this home, can we interact harmoniously as we’d like? If we can’t even manage that, how can we live in this home, and how can he interact calmly?"
"I know what you’re saying is true, but as elders, how can we be the ones to reach out to the younger generation? Even if what we did before was wrong, given that it’s now the start of next month, it shows that we’ve sincerely repented for what we’ve done. Since he stood up for us back then, it proves that deep down he’s no longer resentful of us. If he’s already not resentful, why wait for us as parents to reach out to him? Wouldn’t that be placing him too high and belittling ourselves as parents?"
...
Zhang Ni happened to be outside the door and heard his grandparents arguing. He didn’t care what his grandparents were arguing about, nor did he want to correct the content of their disputes. He only felt that he had done enough by fulfilling his responsibilities as a member of the younger generation. If his grandparents were still doing things the way they used to, stubbornly clinging to their ways and not caring about the feelings of those around them, then he really didn’t know whether his pleading today, allowing them to return to this home, was right or wrong!
"Grandma and Grandpa, excuse me for interrupting. Have you two rested yet? If not, may I come in and chat with you?"
Zhang Zhentian didn’t say anything, quickly stood up, opened the door. In his eyes, now being able to see his grandson, he felt already very content. Such a lovely child staying by his side, how could he not be happy? Every day is filled with burgeoning happiness.
"Nai’er is here, come in and sit. Grandpa needs to thank you today for speaking on grandpa’s behalf. If it weren’t for that, how could we have managed to return to this home so easily? You and your father genuinely opened our eyes. I never expected you two, father and son, to advocate for someone who abandoned you like this. Today, I’m sincerely grateful to you. I don’t know how to express my appreciation. If you ever need help in the future, you must come to grandpa. Whatever grandpa can do, he will do his utmost to help you."
"Grandpa, you don’t have to say that. My actions weren’t to seek any benefits from you, nor do I require any promises from you. I’m here just to chat with you, to see what my grandparents who have been missing for years are truly like. Now, I just wish for a family that can live peacefully. I hope there will be no more disputes among us. Family discord is the worst; it only breaks the family apart time and time again. Since you have returned, since grandpa has chosen to forgive you, since my father no longer dwells on past events, let’s not mention the past anymore and focus on a brighter future. That’s what is most important for everyone!"
Zhang Ni ostensibly came to pay respects to his grandparents, but in truth, she wanted to give her grandmother a warning. If they continue to act like tyrants as they did before, he genuinely wouldn’t mind if his great-grandfather drove them out of the house again. This time, it was he who pled, he and his father both set aside their pride to plead with their great-grandfather. If they don’t amend their ways like before, he truly doesn’t know what the point of letting them return is.
All of this is so real, and yet so false.