I don’t know how to hide the emotions I have for you. I only know that all of this has already been deeply engraved in my heart, and I can’t completely forget it all.

"Dad, I’ve said it all, I’ve never had any lucky thoughts. Why don’t you believe me? No matter what I say, you don’t believe me. So why bother asking me? I think, after all, I’m only five years old. I know I don’t have as much wisdom and intellect as you adults to use, but why can’t you trust me for once? Was I born to be a lying child? I’ve never lied to you before, nor committed any mistakes. Just because I had a special situation last night and didn’t come home on time, do you doubt every word I say? Do you think treating me like this is right? Is this the right way to raise a child? You’ve never hit me since I was born, and today is the first time. And today is also the day I was wronged. If you have any other doubts or sins you want to lay on me, then please do it all today. While today hasn’t completely passed, let me bear all the misfortunes so I won’t have to endure humiliations like today again. Do you know that what you said to me today was the greatest insult in my life? My most respected parents, because I had a special situation and couldn’t come home on time, mom scolded me loudly, and my dad hit me with his hand..."

Zhang Yichen felt as if a thousand painful arrows pierced through his heart when he heard his son say these words. Clearly, that’s not how he felt in his heart, so why did he still raise his hand against his child? Should their relationship really be ended by a single slap? Yes, he had never hit his child before, so what happened today? Why did he strike his child? In the end, wasn’t it because he overly favored his wife?

"Do you still not understand why Dad hit you today? It’s the first and only time I’ve hit you. I won’t do it again. I know you’re feeling terrible today as well. I hit you because you spoke so loudly to your mom. Have you forgotten the manners and teachings Mom and Dad gave you? Your mom kept pleading for you and spoke kindly on your behalf. Why can’t you consider her difficult position, caught in between everyone? Your mom is a good woman, too. She worries about misunderstandings between her husband, her father-in-law, and her son. She mediates in between, hoping to remove any misunderstandings. I’ve said before, Mom and Dad aren’t doubting every word you said today, but your behavior today was so out of character. Didn’t you notice that the moment you got home, every word you said was filled with anger? Apart from saying a few apologies, did you dare to take responsibility for coming home late today? Mom and Dad have always taught you, whenever you make a mistake, you must have the courage to take responsibility because that’s what a man should do. But ask yourself, does what you did today reflect the responsibility of a man? You vented all your anger on your mom, and yet your mom said nothing. Look at your mom, she’s crying her eyes out, and you? You act like this is all normal. Since when did you become so heartless? You were such a gentle and understanding child. Who or what made you like this? You were perfectly fine yesterday, no, even earlier today, but why did you change after coming home tonight? When you stay out so late, shouldn’t Mom and Dad be allowed to ask where you went? Mom and Dad have repeatedly questioned you, just hoping you could be consistent, that every word you say stays true to what you initially conveyed. But you, just because of this, raised your voice at your mom. Does she owe you something? She endured ten months of pregnancy, bringing you into this world, giving you a new life and a chance to see this beautiful yet cruel world. Is this how you repay her? Your mom and dad have painstakingly raised you to the age of five, or did you think you grew each day on your own, finding things to eat without your mom and dad’s care? Why do you treat everyone this way, why do you treat those who love you and regard you as family this way? The way you are today makes me feel like you’re a stranger. Every word you say doesn’t sound like something my son would say. I never taught my son to speak loudly to his parents. I never taught my son that after staying out late, he could come back acting so righteously while being in the wrong. Are you still my son?"

"I..."

"I’m not going to say anything more to you tonight. You should think clearly about what you’ve done wrong tonight. If you still consider yourself my son, then obediently stay at home and reflect on the mistakes you made tonight. Look at your great-grandfather, he couldn’t even sleep well because you didn’t come home, waiting for you and staying up till now. Don’t you know he’s old and needs rest? Why can’t you understand and appreciate those who love you? I’ll say it again, if you think you’re still my son, reflect on your errors, write me a 10,000-word reflection tomorrow, and kneel at the door all day before I allow you to get up. On the contrary, if you believe you’re not my son, then from tomorrow you can leave this home. We’ll have nothing to do with each other after tomorrow because the Zhang Family doesn’t keep idlers, much less outsiders. Since you’ve already acknowledged you’re not my son, why remain in my house, burdening us with the load of supporting you?"

Ran Zhihan was about to speak but was interrupted.

"Zhihan, you must not involve yourself in this matter tonight. I know what you want to say, but I hope you don’t say it. I want to see if this is still my son!"

I don’t know how late it is to turn back now. I only know that you can no longer return to my side.