We once shared our inner thoughts with each other, so many times I looked down at each footprint, those were the words etched deeply in my heart.

Zhang Zhentian heard Zhang Ni asking him a question, he didn’t know how to answer.

Over the years, he had ultimately let down his grandson. If he hadn’t stubbornly chosen to leave this family back then, how could everyone in the family have ended up like this?

All of this eventually turned out this way, there’s no one to blame but himself, who hasn’t taken a wrong path?

But the mistakes he made were too deep, there’s no way to make amends. He once really wanted to stay in this family, but now he doesn’t know why, he still ended up deciding to leave. He was really too immature before, abandoned everyone in the family who loved him so much, causing those who loved him to be hurt time and again.

"Child, I’m sorry, Grandpa didn’t know back then, Grandpa’s decision hurt you, I hope you can forgive Grandpa, okay? You really weren’t doing it on purpose. If time could really go back, Grandpa would definitely choose to stay, to take good care of you, let you receive the love from your grandparents from the moment you were born. However, in the end, we never gave you love, maybe that’s why you feel like we don’t love you.

But do you know, Grandpa and Grandma really like you, we always silently pay attention to your every move because we like you. We know all the hard training you go through, we just never said anything. But your every action, Grandpa and Grandma have been watching, seeing you get hurt from training again and again, do you know how much it pains Grandpa and Grandma? But because of our previous relationship with your parents, it was really inconvenient for us to see you. We still hope you can forgive us..."

Zhang Ni never expected his grandfather to humble himself like this before him. His heart was also conflicted. Although he had always disliked his grandparents because they weren’t there for him, when he saw other kids with their grandparents, he felt so lonely.

Gradually, he became numb. He didn’t know what kind of life he really wanted. Seeing other kids with their grandparents and being happy, but they never matured as he did. At such a young age, he understood things most children didn’t. Sometimes he felt proud of that, but remembering the hurtful things he said, what did it all mean? Ultimately, it was just small things and hurdles.

"I really want to ask, why didn’t my grandparents want to stay by my side? These things aren’t something I can just forgive. You may not know, but every time I went out to play, seeing other children holding hands with their grandparents, I was so envious. I hoped my grandparents could treat me the same way, but time and again, coming home, finding only my parents and my great-grandfather who loved me the most, not knowing where my grandparents went to enjoy themselves. I’ve prayed so many times for my grandparents to return to me, even just to look at me once.

But every time I came home, all I got was disappointment. I didn’t see my grandparents waiting at home for me, I don’t even know what they look like. So, seeing you standing here, you feel very strange, yet at the same time, there’s a sense of familiarity. I don’t understand these feelings. I know maybe you had no choice but to leave the family back then, but did you never think of coming back to be with us? Whether it’s mom and dad, great-grandpa, or me, we all hoped for your presence. Why did you never consider how we felt, always chasing happiness outside?

Even if you haven’t said anything, I know, these years you haven’t been happy outside, it didn’t go as planned. Because the only true happiness comes from having loved ones by your side. A life accompanied by family is the perfect life. I may be too young to fully understand, but I grasp some of it. I know some things should be done, some should not, and some once done, there’s no turning back. You once chose to abandon this big family, the whole clan, and the responsibility as the heir to this family. Did you ever think how desperate and hopeful he was that you’d live joyfully within this family? He tried everything in his power, just to give you a happy family. You shattered his hopes. He’s already old, his hair turned gray, looking at his face, his hair, I feel sorry and saddened for him.

His own son not by his side, yet he waited time and again for them to come home and see him, only to face despair every time. How can his heart ever be at peace again? None of you ever considered what his feelings might be. You always selfishly did what you wanted, did you really see him as family? Treating family this way will only leave them battered and bruised, and eventually, you will lose these family members!"

"Child, I’m sorry, it’s Grandpa and Grandma’s fault. You understand these things, why can’t we? Maybe it was our stubbornness and misplaced affection that led to this outcome. I’m truly sorry, deeply sorry, for the grievances you’ve suffered all these years. Can you forgive Grandpa and Grandma? If you can, we wish to stay with you for the rest of our lives, to make up for the neglect over the years, to let you live a happy life, okay..."

What we truly wanted to protect was the home we wanted to hold onto the most, not wanting it to fall apart just like that.