I never intended to deceive you. Deep in my heart, all I ever wanted was your companionship. I only hope you can always be by my side, unwavering and steadfast.

Zhang Zhentian has already said so much himself. As a father, what more can he say now?

Since his son has made such a decision, as a father, he can no longer interfere in these matters.

Perhaps they can only truly understand the pain by experiencing it themselves. Some things cannot be forgiven simply by one’s actions. The mistakes they committed in the past must ultimately be borne by the decisions they make and the price that comes with them.

"Do as you please. Every decision you make is your own. It seems every word we as elders say goes in one ear and out the other. In your eyes, we elders are expendable, only your wife matters to you. If that’s the case, why bother coming back to this family to let me continue enduring your temper? Did you come back just to see me hospitalized again?

Can’t you be a little more filial to your own father? What’s wrong with being a little more agreeable to me?

I am your biological father. Do you really think every word I say and every action I take is intended to harm you?

Why are you so ungrateful, continuously hurting those who love you most, until you finally stop?"

Old Master Zhang is truly beside himself with anger. He never expected that after all his kind counsel, his son remains unmoved.

No matter how reasonable a father may be, in the eyes of his son, every word seems to be wrong. Does that mean he’s truly a failure as a father?

Is everything in his son’s eyes always wrong?

Is it really so abnormal to do even one thing right?

Xia Jing knows Old Master Zhang is furious. She sincerely hopes her husband won’t be at odds with anyone in the family because of her. She feels guiltier by the day, as every lie she told has harmed those who genuinely cared for her. The more lies, the more hurt the people who love her most endure. How many more mistakes does she have to make before she finally stops causing hurt to those who love her most?

"How can you speak to your father like that? There’s reason in what he says. I was the one who erred first. He’s saying all this and acting this way for your own good. Can’t you appreciate a father’s earnest efforts?

We abandoned our child; she painfully raised our son alone. Didn’t you ever consider how hard it was for her?

Being human is about learning gratitude. Even though I’ve dragged you through uncertain journeys and made many mistakes, there’s still gratitude in my heart. I thank him for raising our son with such toil.

How much has my son sacrificed due to my decisions? What has he lost? Who understands?"

In the eyes of Old Master Zhang, every word Xia Jing utters now seems like an act. He no longer wants his daughter-in-law performing before him. To her, she seems harmless, but ultimately?

Hasn’t this woman caused enough chaos in the family time and again? Now, because of her presence, must the family endure even greater harm repeatedly?

"Enough. Don’t keep acting in front of me.

Every time there’s a rift between father and son, isn’t it because of you? Since your arrival, we’ve never had a peaceful conversation. Due to her, I fell ill and was hospitalized time and again. Did you ever visit me, even once? You claim you’re grateful I raised the child for you, but I expect no gratitude because he is a descendant of the Zhang Family.

Regardless, I will spare no cost to raise him, for he is the sole heir of this house. Whatever you may have done before, I can overlook. But this matter, I truly cannot ignore. Whatever agreement you both have reached, it holds no meaning for me.

All I want is a promise between you both, that you’ll never again do anything to cross the line in this lifetime. Can’t you consider the feelings of us family members even a little when making decisions?"

Old Master Zhang finds being with his family incredibly exhausting. Why does every word he says feel like an attempt to harm them in their eyes? Why can’t they see things his way even once? He desires nothing more than a peaceful life and never intended to interfere with their marital harmony, but their repeated actions have pushed him to a breaking point.

The greatest bonds between husband and wife are loyalty and trust. Without those, what’s the point of being together?

The more he thinks about it, the less he understands. The more he ponders, the more lost he feels. Why is every decision he makes never understood by his own family? How much did he give and lose, only for such an outcome?

Now, as he reflects, his heart grows cold. For his family, he once spared no sacrifice, yet all he got was repeated misunderstanding.

"I don’t want to say anything more now. I just hope you both truly consider whether you’re living for others or yourselves. If for others, life loses its purpose. If for yourselves, live with flair. Stop living for others at the expense of what you originally sought. Living like that is not for yourself but for a blind goal."

Xia Jing knows very well that in her life, she never lived for herself, but for the man she loves most.

Who, walking in the rain, has their clothes soaked? I can’t see the eyes anymore, only the last hint of stubbornness remains.