Wen Chou, usually reserved and cold, was able to speak such words, leaving Wen Nian somewhat overwhelmed with favor.
Wen Nian remained silent.
This was the first time he had heard his father reflect on his actions to his face.
It was also the first time his father had voluntarily brought up his childhood.
"The years have passed, and there’s no way to turn back. Perhaps back then we expected too much from you, always feeling that the path we laid out for you was the best, hoping you would follow it as we wished, each step solidly in line with our plans."
"But I always forgot to ask how you felt..."
Xiao Ziyan took over the conversation.
Wen Nian stood, his body leaning to one side.
"You have done very well, and Dad is proud of you."
"Let’s not bring up the past anymore."
Wen Nian spoke lightly, "I am already thirty this year, still bringing up childhood matters might make me a laughing stock, and I hope that my mother and father won’t overthink it."
Wen Chou’s face was marked by a troubled expression.
"You still blame us in your heart, don’t you?"
Wen Nian smiled gently, soothing as water,
"Loss brings gain. Unlike other children who received much familial care, I left my parents and hometown at a young age, but, in the same vein, I have also gained what I wanted, the person I treasure most."
Wen Chou and Xiao Ziyan exchanged glances.
"If you truly feel indebted to me or are willing to reflect on your own actions, why not start by accepting Lili."
Wen Nian said softly.
Upon hearing this, a fire surged again in Xiao Ziyan’s chest, which she tried to suppress,
"You really can’t go three sentences without mentioning Song Lili..."
"Lili is beautiful, kind-hearted, generous, and wise. We have been together since childhood, well-acquainted and in love as teenagers, married for five years, and now we even have a daughter."
Wen Nian looked at Xiao Ziyan and Wen Chou,
"If you truly want our whole family to get along harmoniously, then please start by accepting my wife."
Xiao Ziyan took a deep breath.
Somehow, the words spoken by Wen Nian just couldn’t reach her ears.
Wen Chou was able to keep his composure better than Xiao Ziyan and told Wen Nian,
"Give your mom and dad some time. But at the same time, I hope you can ask Song Lili to temper her assertive nature. If she can’t even interact politely with your mother, how can you expect your mother to be pleasant towards her?"
"Lili isn’t unreasonable. If she shows a strong side, there must be good reasons. As long as you don’t deliberately make things difficult for her or treat her with bias, I believe the barriers between you can be eliminated."
Xiao Ziyan exhaled deeply,
"Well, Xiaonian, don’t always say that mom is biased against her. Indeed, I don’t think highly of Song Lili, but since you insist so strongly and always protect her, Mom doesn’t want to lose you over her."
"You haven’t lost me as your son."
"It sounds nice to say, but your grandfather was very ill, and you left abruptly, unwilling to stay a while longer to accompany him, all because he spoke ill of Song Lili that day."
"Mother, you’re not here to rehash old matters, are you?"
Xiao Ziyan pursed her lips,
"Just mentioning it and you’re already impatient?"
"After all this time, you won’t step back, staunchly defending Song Lili. We have no choice. A good family, no one steps back, then this family would truly be broken."
"Then we’ll have to step back. You already have a daughter, and not getting along with your wife would make it hard to see your granddaughter in the future."
Wen Nian curved his lips, and although Xiao Ziyan’s face still seemed reluctant, her words indicated a desire to break the deadlock for family harmony.
"But Ah Nian, as someone who has been there before, let me say one more thing."
"Mother, please speak."
"Being deeply in love does not mean you can be together or last forever. Merely saying ’I believe,’ ’I love,’ ’I’m willing’ doesn’t make it utterly true. Love is about addition, while marriage involves subtraction, especially for you, the current President... Marriage is never just about loving life, but about the family and the country."
"Aunt Xiao’s words, I will take them to heart."
Song Lili, carrying Wen Qichen downstairs.
"It’s good if you take it to heart. Don’t find me nagging."