All those past grudges and feuds, in the end, are nothing but a dream. Watching people come and go, like everything around me, disappears without notice.

Old Master Zhang never realized how much psychological pressure his actions brought to his son. His son never truly felt such pressure; he only wanted to live his life freely without interference from anyone, but it was impossible.

As a father, deep down he constantly pondered how he could make his children happy, living the life everyone desires—not suffering again and again only to end up with nothing. He could not accept such a fate, yet it seemed that this fate had already become the predetermined ending of his life, one he could not escape nor erase, leaving fate to tear it apart repeatedly. He manipulated everything about himself, but ultimately found that everything was merely fleeting clouds.

No matter how much effort he once put in, in the end, everything was lost. The things he wanted never materialized. He walked step by step on a path everyone doubted, yet he never considered giving up. He believed that as long as he could live the life he wanted happily, he would willingly endure all the pain with no complaints or regrets.

"Have all my demands on you been excessive as a father? Or was it my actions that made you unwilling to follow the path I laid out for you, not even a single step? In your heart, what am I truly? Time and again, I instilled my life’s philosophy in your hearts and minds. I want you to understand that no matter what you do, no matter the outcome, we will always stay by your side and never abandon you in this lifetime.

I am a living person too, and I have made countless mistakes. Not everyone will forgive me, but I have a clear conscience. These mistakes left me no choices in life, yet I still made them, knowing full well that even if time resets, I would not change any of my past decisions. Those decisions gave me a different life, a journey step by step into the new era.

Child, no matter what, a father will never harm his children, even if they cause him great pain. Deep inside, he will always regard his children as the most precious. Why don’t you understand this? You hurt me in the past, turning me into what I am, but I never blamed you because I know every decision I make needs to prove my actions are right. I can’t let you suffer with me. Even if you want to wander the world, I still gave you freedom. I once said you wouldn’t be my son once you walked out of this house; when you returned, I endured the pain and rejected you at the door. Do you know how much my heart ached at that moment?

You know well I am someone who speaks harshly but has a soft heart. I speak decisively, but I am pained in action. The suffering in my heart was never truly understood by anyone. Time and again, you placed all hope on me, and I bore all the guilt alone. I don’t blame any of you; who can blame when all outcomes were the path I chose?"

"Zhentian, actually, Dad isn’t wrong. All these years, deep inside, you’ve understood your feelings better than anyone. But I still hope you think it through. Regardless of who’s right or wrong, we should confront the issue with optimism. We shouldn’t impose all pain onto others. Dad is innocent, our son is innocent, all family members are innocent, yet our actions brought them pain without appropriate remedies. Over time, things change, and reality is relentlessly cruel. We must adapt time after time, seeing reality as something beautiful to embark on a different journey."

I’ve lived so many years in pain and hatred. I don’t want my later years to remain in suffering, as it’s not only mental torment but also physical. I cannot bear it. Closing my eyes, I see bloody figures lying before me, each one a victim of my hand. Do you know how terrified I am when they come to haunt me? I’m scared, hiding under the covers shaking, yet I dare not tell you because I fear you’d see it as just recompense for my sins." 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

I’ve struggled alone for so long, treating everything as the most crucial in my life. I only wanted joy and happiness, not realizing I would be hurt time and again. Do you understand how excited I am as I walk life’s path repeatedly, seeing my possessions as my family repeatedly?

For these years, we’ve relied on each other, never imagining a day we’d part. Yet for everyone, separation isn’t necessarily bad. We should attempt to face challenges we’ve never faced before. If we remain together, do you think we’d find such challenges?"

I don’t want this ending to occur for us. I hope you can understand my sincere intentions, not causing Father distress nor disappointing our son. They never said they’d drive us out of this home. Everything was my fanciful thinking, wanting it that way. But why do you walk my path, knowing it’s the wrong decision, yet you persist? Though the hurt isn’t mine directly; it’s those who love us most, their hearts must be deeply saddened by our actions!"

In the end, everything may truly return to the beginning!