Sometimes, the holidays spent together by two people are so fleeting, gone in an instant, leaving one barely time to observe what has happened. It feels like we are still stuck at the day of our first meeting, yet time has already passed.

These days, Ran Zhihan hasn’t been involved in matters between her father and herself at all, nor has she cared to know what her husband is doing. He just feels entirely uncomfortable, but he’s too embarrassed to tell his family, who are already overwhelmed, afraid that if they have to help him, he’d only make things more awkward, making them even more irritable. She absolutely cannot be their burden; otherwise, they’d only see her as a burden and nothing more.

Zhang Yichen seems not to notice anything off about his wife recently. He’s been preoccupied with the issues between his father and grandfather, hoping his father won’t hurt him. He believes his wife is inherently kind, understanding, considerate, and simply won’t mind these things. However, he also forgets that every woman hopes to receive care from her husband, even if it’s just a simple greeting, which would lead to a different outcome.

Xia Jing has watched her husband and son argue time and time again, deeply conflicted inside. Why do things always end up this way? Did she go through all the trouble of returning to this home not to ensure that everyone here could be happy? But in their current state, are they truly happy? Why do they seem even more miserable than before—hundreds, thousands of times more painful? Is this all because of her return? If this is so, why did she come back? Why not leave forever and never step foot here again? Perhaps then they’d be as happy and harmonious as before?

Zhang Zhentian is unaware of the thoughts deep within his wife’s mind. If he had known earlier, he would have persuaded her that all this was not their fault. Why blame themselves? Wouldn’t it be better to live happily and freely without considering others’ feelings? If one were to live all their life in the shadow of others, how could they find happiness? How great would it be if one could live selfishly, never considering how others feel, always immersed in their own world of joy?

"Zhentian, you should think about how to explain yourself to Dad. Arguing with your child won’t solve anything. Quarrels aren’t a solution. If you keep arguing, what will become of your relationship? Would it continue in enmity? You’re father and son, not enemies. Must you become lifelong enemies to find peace within?

One of you is my son, the other my husband. Helping either seems wrong, but all I want is to stay here quietly without disturbances. Have you ever thought about how your actions have hurt those around you? All these arguments, you seem to just want things your way. But what do you truly want, and where do you place me? Deep down, you think everything is for your family’s good, yet you forget that what you consider good only ends up hurting them."

"Think carefully about how many have been hurt by your actions under the guise of family welfare. Haven’t you ever reflected on this? Why always measure others’ feelings with selfish standards? What would their opinions mean to you? In the end, the ones hurt are those who care about you the most. If you never mature, forever dwelling in your world, how will you ever realize how much pain your words have caused others? Every person has flesh; no one wants to be hurt repeatedly and remain indifferent. Nor can anyone easily smile at the criticism from others."

Zhang Yichen is rendered speechless by his mother’s words. He’s always known how much he’s hurt others under this excuse, but dreaded saying it aloud, fearing it would make everything worse. He doesn’t want others to look down on him. He feels as long as he can deceive himself, he’s fine, just needing a strong facade to avoid such a mess.

But today, hearing his mother opened his eyes to how wrong he’s been all these years. So many hurt, even his grandfather, who’s always smiling before him, hides true feelings only he knows. He thought he understood his grandfather but had never asked what he truly wanted, imposing his own desires upon him, making him bear all the pain.

His grandfather has sacrificed so much for him—his children, his family—hoping only for his grandson to live happily without pressure. What has he done in return? He’s only hurt the one who loves him the most. Those who don’t care about him wouldn’t be hurt, but his grandfather has suffered greatly, all because of his actions. Never did his grandfather complain about the hurt; instead, he repeatedly loved and protected him, giving all his care and love—a love that originally belonged to his father, seized by him.

May all beautiful feelings always be treasured, just like the first time they were encountered!