As time passed day by day, I wished every family member could live healthily, without any illness or pain.

"Grandpa, since you’re so ill, shouldn’t we tell my father? After all, he is still a part of this family. His surname is Zhang; that’s something that can never change. I know you have your dignity and matters to consider, and the decisions you make are not something others can easily alter. But I hope you can seriously consider telling him and letting him come back. Wouldn’t that be better?

I know it’s hard for you to accept what my father did, but I believe deep down you hope he can come back to your side, because you’re his biological father. No matter how big the mistake, a father still wants his son to be by his side. This is something every father yearns for, so Grandpa, you don’t have to force yourself to tell me you don’t want my dad to come back. Words like that mean nothing to me. You know better than anyone how much you wish for him to come back, to talk to you, maybe even stay by your side forever, never leaving again!

Grandpa, I know that deep down everyone has a sense of pride that shouldn’t be trampled by anyone, not even family. Sometimes, it’s exactly because they’re family that the loss of dignity feels even more painful. I know you’ve been enduring this torment. But I also hope you understand that sometimes we need to bow our heads to keep what’s important to us, instead of losing it because of pride."

Old Master Zhang understood the truth in his grandson’s words but didn’t want to be the one to bow down.

How can there be a father who keeps asking his son to come back, while the son remains indifferent? Will his heart not be harder to calm in such a situation? He couldn’t tolerate this. All he wanted was for his son to come back on his own, not be forced to come back because of something else. That would be an insult to him. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

"Child, you know that every decision you make is for the best for Grandpa. You know Grandpa can’t handle the pain of being apart from your father. To be honest, this has been a pain in Grandpa’s heart all these years, a pain that hasn’t changed. I’ve always hoped he would come back on his own, but my hopes have been dashed time and again. In his heart, he doesn’t see how much his own father yearns for his return, so I decided that even if I get seriously ill, I won’t tell him. Even if I inexplicably die one day, I won’t tell him what illness I have or how I leave this world. I’ll let him live with a lifelong guilt while living the life he wants, because I don’t believe he could live happily ever after knowing this.

You might think that Grandpa’s decision is cruel, but have you thought about it? My own son has abandoned his biological father again and again, and yet I, as a father, have to humble myself over and over to beg him to come back, only to be ruthlessly rejected. Isn’t that a fatal blow for anyone? He’s never considered my feelings, so why should I consider his? Human hearts are made of flesh! His heart has long turned cold and stone-hearted. He doesn’t consider me his father, so I can completely let him go, never asking him to come back, because keeping someone who cares so little about me by my side is hurtful, a torment to my own heart. I don’t want someone whose thoughts aren’t with me to stay by my side. It would make me very uncomfortable inside!

If you really want what’s best for Grandpa, then please, no matter what, don’t tell him about this. Let him live his life, seeking what makes him happy. I’ve given him nothing in this life, not even fatherly love, so there’s nothing more I can give him except this way to make up for my shortcomings. If he wants to live his happy life outside, let him be!

Please don’t tell him about my illness. My heart can’t handle that kind of hurt."

"Grandpa, please stop saying these things. Just focus on getting well. When you’re recovered and discharged from the hospital, that will be the moment of joy arriving. It will be the joy you’ve always wished for..."

Saying this, Zhang Yichen left. She was going home to make something delicious for her grandfather and bring it to the hospital. Now that her grandfather was physically weak, she couldn’t let his nutrition fall behind—it would only worsen his condition. As she walked, she struggled with the decision of whether to tell her father about her grandfather’s illness and hospitalization. If she did, how would her grandfather handle such pain? But if she didn’t, how could she face her grandfather, who so deeply wished for her father to return to his side, yet pretended otherwise?

Before she knew it, she had arrived at her doorstep. Seeing her wife standing there, her heart suddenly felt relieved.

"Yichen, what’s wrong?

Your mood seems off today. I know Grandpa’s illness is a heavy blow to everyone, but you need to be strong. The last thing Grandpa wants is for you to crumble. He wouldn’t want to know that after hearing about his illness, his grandson has lost his spirit..."

"Zhihan, do you think we should tell Dad about Grandpa’s illness? I want to tell him, but Grandpa doesn’t want me to. Wouldn’t saying something be like indirectly begging my father to come back? He can’t tolerate that insult."

"I have no right to oppose Grandpa’s decision, but he must have his reasons. So let’s follow Grandpa’s wishes for now. I’m sure things will sort themselves out in time!"

Nothing is more important than everyone’s health.