When two people truly love each other, their feelings are inseparable.

Zhang Zhentian heard Zhang Ni’s question, but he didn’t know how to answer it.

Through all these years, I’ve ended up owing my grandson so much. If I hadn’t stubbornly chosen to leave this family back then, how could everyone in this home have ended up like they are now?

In the end, everything has turned out like this, and there’s no one to blame. It’s all consequences of my own actions. Who hasn’t taken a wrong path before?

But the mistake I made was too deep, beyond any redemption. I once truly thought about staying with this family, but now, for reasons unknown, I ultimately made the decision to leave. In the past, I was really too immature, abandoning everyone in my family and letting those who loved me get hurt again and again.

"Child, I’m sorry. Grandpa didn’t know back then. The decision I made hurt you, and I hope you can forgive me, okay? It wasn’t intentional. If time could really turn back, Grandpa would definitely choose to stay, to return by your side, to care for you, so that you could receive the love of your grandparents from the moment you were born. But in the end, we never gave you love, perhaps making you feel in your heart that we don’t love you.

But do you know, Grandpa and Grandma really like you. We just preferred to silently watch your every move, because we love you. We know how hard you train like a devil for a reason. We never speak about it, but Grandpa and Grandma watch your every effort, they see it all. Watching you get hurt again and again from training, do you know how much it pains us? But because of our relationship with your mom and dad, it really hasn’t been convenient for us to come out to see you. I also hope you can forgive us..."

Zhang Ni never expected his grandpa to lower himself to talk to him like this, and internally, he felt conflicted. Although he’d always disliked his grandparents for not being with him back then, seeing other kids with their grandparents made him feel so lonely.

Gradually, he became numb, unsure of what kind of life he wanted. It was indeed joyful to see other children with their grandparents, but they hadn’t matured like he had. At such a young age, he had learned many things others didn’t understand. Sometimes he felt proud, but remembering those hurtful words, what was it all in the end? Merely some small troubles and hurdles.

"I really want to ask, why my grandparents wouldn’t stay by my side? These aren’t issues I can just forgive. You may not know, but every time I went out to play and saw other kids hand in hand with their grandparents, how envious I was. I hoped my grandparents could treat me like that. But returning home, besides my mom and dad, there was only my great-grandfather who was the best to me. I prayed many times to heaven, hoping my grandparents could come back, even just to see me once.

But every time I came home, I was met with disappointment. I didn’t see my grandparents waiting at home. I don’t even know what my grandparents look like. So, seeing you two standing here today feels strange, yet familiar. I don’t understand what this feeling is. I know you perhaps had to leave back then, had no choice. But never thought about coming back to stay with us? Regardless of my mom, dad, great-grandfather, or me, we all wish for your company. Why couldn’t you ever care about our feelings, always thinking about your happiness outside?"

"Actually, even if you don’t say it, I know. These years, you haven’t been happy outside, nor satisfied. Only being with family truly makes one happy. A life with loved ones is the perfect one. Maybe I’m still young and don’t understand much, but I do know some truths. I know some things should be done, some shouldn’t, and some decisions can never be undone. You once chose to abandon our family, the whole clan, and the responsibilities an heir should bear. Have you ever considered the despair in that moment and how much hope he holds for your happiness within the family? He tried everything for your happiness, to shield from want and need, but your final decision broke his heart. He’s old now, gray-haired. I look at his face, his hair, and feel sorry, feel sadness.

Your son wasn’t by your side, waiting for you to come home to see him, only to be met with despair. How can his heart ever reconcile that? You never considered his thoughts. You selfishly did what you wanted. Did you truly regard him as family? This isn’t how you treat family, which only leaves scars. In the end, you’ll lose them!"

"Child, I’m sorry. It’s Grandpa and Grandma’s mistake. You understand these principles; why couldn’t we? Perhaps we were too stubborn, which led to this result. I’m sorry, truly sorry. These years you’ve been wronged. Can you forgive us? If you can, we’d like to stay here for a lifetime, to care for you, to make up for what you’ve missed, so you can live happily, okay..."

Separation for even a second feels like being isolated from the world, isn’t that what love should be?"