Seeing the couple finally moving from their lovey dovey protected spot, everyone finally heaved a sigh of relief. Finally… we’re finally moving forward… this couple was just too damn much… they stabbed my single heart god knows how many times already…
While the men celebrated internally, of course, it was old man Zhao who was excited the most when he saw the girl pulling Sei towards him. At last, the turn of events slowly changed into his favour. It seems like this girl was definitely the answer to his prayers.
As soon as they reached him, Davi moved towards Sei’s side. She looked at the old man and he seemed to be so happy that he was about to tear up.
“Dear grandson, i-it is so good to finally meet you.” Old man Zhao said as he moved to meet them. His gaze towards Sei was gentle and full of longing. He just looked as though he was a father who was finally meeting his long lost son.
However, Sei’s gaze at him was cold and emotionless. He didn’t even utter a word back.
“I’m very sorry for this but… this was the last resort I could think of to meet you…” the old man continued but Sei simply looked at him before he finally spoke.
“Mr. Zhao, what I want to know is your motive,” he said, as direct as ever, his voice devoid of any emotion.
Hearing how Sei was being impatient and distant as he spoke to him, as if he was nothing but a stranger to him, old man Zhao tried to make the atmosphere a bit better.
“Why don’t you have a seat first and then we can talk properly?” He offered, hoping that Sei would at least consider it. However, as expected, Sei replied him with an obvious rejection.
“I don’t have time to waste on this anymore, Mr Zhao. Either you speak now or I will take my leave,” he said and the old man could only heave a sigh. Gladly, old man Zhao actually expected that this man will treat him coldly like this so he wasn’t too disappointed. Well, what could he expect? He knew that Sei loathed the Zhao family so much that he refused to even see their faces. That was why it wasn’t even a surprise anymore that Sei treated this issue like it was a business deal.
Realizing this, old man Zhao could only give up on his wish of having a normal grandfather and grandson heart to heart talk with Sei. He then stared at Sei with a serious look, trying to convey to him the sincerity of his words.
“Okay. What I want is for you to come back to us.” The old man said and without any hesitation, Sei immediately replied.
“I refuse. I have already decided to cut all ties with your family a long time ago and I never planned on returning.” Sei said. His voice was as absolute as ever as if he was stating a law that couldn’t be changed.
Hearing him, old man Zhao’s heart sunk. But there was no way he would give up, especially now that this grandson of his was finally in front of him and was within his reach.
“But Seiji, your father acted alone in what he did. We had no idea what he was doing. This is why we didn’t do anything to help him when you took him down back then. We knew he must atone for his own sins.” The old man tried to explain but then, like a cold stone who wasn’t capable of feeling warmth, Sei’s eyes sharpened as he spoke.
“Mr. Zhao, what exactly is your reason for wanting me back? Didn’t I clearly show you my refusal time and time again? I don’t want to be a part of your family. I was never a part of your family in the first place. Your blood… your blood running through my veins means nothing to me.”
At that moment, even Davi, who was standing next to Sei felt the immense hate in Sei’s heart. He was still holding her hand tightly as he spoke so Davi could only squeeze his hand back, trying to convey her support. She remained silent throughout the conversation because she wanted them to air out all their grievances; to say all that needed to be said so they could all move forward from this point on. To Davi, no matter what Sei decided, she would support him, 100%.
“I understand… I understand why you hated us and why you would think like that but your father hid your existence from us. He lied to us. He said that the princess’ son wasn’t his. I only accidentally found out that day when the news about you resurfaced in the media. I investigated and found out the truth but everything was already too late. Listen, dear grandson. I didn’t abandon you.” Old man Zhao explained and the moment, Sei heard him say that last sentence, his eyes narrowed. He… he was actually saying that he didn’t abandoned him?
“Grandson, I didn’t abandon you. When I heard about your escape that night, I—”
“You’re the one who sent that chopper the night of our escape in the border of country J?” Sei cut through old man Zhao as his expression slowly changed. That night Sei and Zaki escaped from that town in one roof, they were already cornered because of Sei’s physical condition. It was raining hard and because of that, Sei fell ill. Seeing their near hopeless situation, Zaki planned to sacrifice himself. He wanted to be the decoy and lure the enemies away so Sei would escape. Sei refused with Zaki’s plan, threatening him he will never forgive him if he insists. However, Zaki already decided to never let anyone capture Sei, so despite Sei struggling so much to stop him, he didn’t listen. That night was so close to another nightmare but out of nowhere, a help from an unknown someone suddenly came.
As Sei remembered the past, he looked at old man Zhao, a bit surprised when the old man answered him.
“Yes. I happened to have someone among the teams who were chasing you that night and when he told me that you escaped, I ordered my people to save you but you hijacked that chopper and you escaped. I know that doesn’t make up for anything at all, that it wasn’t nearly enough, but after you went back to Country H, you secluded yourself well and never allowed us to lend you a hand. The Zhao clan is already doomed. I think this was the curse that Zhao Meng brought. My younger son is impotent and your father already lost his sanity in prison so you are the only one next in line to be the master of the family. Please, hear me out. Return to us so I can finally rest easy in my grave. If you can’t, then maybe you might allow Little Shin to become a part of the Zhao family and for him to take over when he’s at the right age. This is also part of his inheritance, after all. Dear grandson, this is my only wish.”
