552 Ending the feud
The union of two families is a special thing more especially if the parties involved are willing and happy with each other. The laughter and joy that comes with it are something out of this world.
Grandpa Lin couldn’t help but smile joyously while watching his family gathered around and his in laws getting along well with them.
“Okay, let’s begin so we can eat. I know some of you are looking forward to it,” he said only for his daughter to tug his sleeve and whisper something.
Yi Zhen instantly knew it was his turn to speak. His father in law looked at him first before beckoning him over.
Yi Zhen got up while rubbing his palm with the thumb of his other hand in nervousness. He stood there with his head lowered for a while his feet gravitating toward Zi Han.
Zi Han had no idea what Yi Zhen was about to say. He just stared at him for a while before staring at Yi Chen.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtYi Chen on the other hand was staring at his father with slight vigilance. Memories of Zi Han crying still haunted him to this day and he didn’t want to go through that again. A few warm fingers suddenly slip in between his and a thumb rub against the back of his hand in comfort.
Zi Han didn’t need to use words. Just this alone was enough to calm Yi Chen down.
His gaze met with his father’s and no words were exchanged but the clash between them could clearly be felt.
.....
“Han Han,” called out Yi Zhen and Zi Han’s gaze shifted away from Yi Chen towards his future father in law.
Yi Zhen sighed and said, “It’s not easy for anyone to admit when they are wrong especially when they are... are in a position of power for a long time. I don’t want to be the type of person that doesn’t admit they are wrong so I am standing in front of you and everybody else to tell you that I was wrong.”
“What I did to you was very unacceptable and I shouldn’t have done that. I shouldn’t have tried to separate the two of you from the beginning. I was so used to thinking like a Marshal for decades that I forgot to think like a father.”
“I should have considered your feelings... I should have considered my son’s feelings before making the decisions I made. I am very sorry for what I did to you... all of it. I sincerely apologise from the bottom of my heart. I am more than willing to make it up to you for the rest of my life,” he said and Zi Han looked him straight in the face listening to what he had to say.
He thought the man would end it there but he actually knelt down till his forehead was touching the floor.
Slight murmurs and whispers followed but no one stopped him. He had done horrible things and if this was what it took to move forward then he would humble himself in front of a junior and apologise.
After twenty to thirty seconds he got up from the ground not expecting any response. To be honest, if he was in Zi Han’s shoes he might not forgive as well.
Yi Chen rubbed Zi Han’s back not sure who he was comforting exactly. He felt complicated feelings as well because his father had only ever knelt in front of his mother. He couldn’t even recall the offense but the situation was so bad that he had to kowtow before her.
His father was such a powerful figure who rarely admitted when he was wrong so this came as a surprise for him.
Seeing that neither Zi Han nor Yi Chen spoke, grandpa Lin was about to open his mouth so they could continue but Zi Han spoke,
“Grandpa,” he said, and the two grandfathers answered simultaneously.
“Yes...”
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm“Hm...”
“Sweetie, you have to specify. You now have two of them,” said grandma Lin with an infectious chuckle.
Zi Han stifled a smile before correcting himself. “Grandpa Zi, do you still have it,” he said but he didn’t get to finish before his grandfather took out that bottle that had him claiming he was pregnant after a few sips.
What better way to end this than a drink? Grandpa Zi placed the bottle on the coffee table and Old Lu brought over a shot glass.
Zi Han looked at Yi Zhen who was standing there staring at the shot glass somewhat in a daze.
He cleared his throat and said, “I love Yi Chen and because I love him I love you all and I want you to accept me. I have more than proved myself to every one of you that I am reliable and will never hurt him, well, not on purpose anyway. I want you to accept me and I would love to come over to your house without any awkwardness or walking on eggshells. I am sure even when he comes to my house he wouldn’t want that as well,” he said making more sense than the former Marshal could ever have in a lifetime.
“Contrary to your beliefs, I am a very peace loving person and I love being happy all the time so I won’t hold any more grudges now that you have apologised. It will take time to establish a relationship between us but at least there isn’t this barrier. As a sign of your sincerity,” he continued to say while pouring out some liquor into the shot glass, “then please drink three shot glasses as an apology.”
The room that had been slightly tense suddenly relaxed a little and Lin Ruoxi showed a bright smile seeming very happy. Zi Han was well-spoken and expressed his feelings well which made her very happy. She was glad he was able to speak up for himself.
Yi Zhen accepted the first drink and without stopping he drank it all in one gulp. It was bitter but bearable so he placed the shot glass down and let Zi Han pour out more.
The second one wasn’t as easy as the first. That’s because it burned as it went down his oesophagus.