SAG -Chapter 14 The Return Draws Near

Zhang Sicheng returned home with a troubled expression.

His wife, Liu Lu, had just finished preparing dinner. Seeing the look on his face, she hurried over and asked,

“Honey, what’s wrong?”

Zhang Sicheng opened his mouth, then sighed.

“Our company’s game is performing terribly.”

“I’m afraid our bonuses are gone.”

Liu Lu knew a fair amount about the situation at his company.

The company had invested enormous amounts of money into developing this game.

For months, Zhang Sicheng and his coworkers had worked endless overtime, exhausting themselves day after day.

They had all been counting on the game’s launch to earn them a substantial bonus.

Reality, however, had dealt them a crushing blow.

Hearing the news, Liu Lu also felt disheartened.

But seeing the worry on her husband’s face, she forced herself to smile.

“It’s okay.”

“Don’t worry too much.”

“We’re not short of money just yet.”

Looking at his wife trying to comfort him, Zhang Sicheng felt both warmth and guilt.

Ever since marrying him, she had done nothing but share his hardships.

He forced a smile.

There was something he hadn’t told her.

Rumor had it…

The entire game studio might be going bankrupt.

The losses this time were simply too great.

Their boss might not be able to survive them.

Of course, it was only an internal rumor.

Nothing had been officially confirmed.

Still…

Rumors rarely appeared out of nowhere.

“Oh, right.”

“I saw the news earlier,” Liu Lu said, quickly changing the subject.

“They said your father and the others will be returning in a week.”

“What do you think?”

That only made Zhang Sicheng feel even more conflicted.

His father’s return had already filled him with mixed emotions.

Now, with his own situation…

Their family didn’t have much savings left.

His younger sister wasn’t well off either.

She was currently in the middle of divorce proceedings.

No matter what…

He had to bring his father home.

There was no possibility of abandoning him.

Just as Liu Lu had once said…

It was his responsibility as a son.

But that also meant another major financial burden.

His father had once accurately predicted the future development of society.

But Zhang Sicheng had no idea whether his father could truly adapt to modern life once he was living in it.

At the very least, during the initial period, his father would certainly have to rely on his children for support while adjusting…

Even if his father’s physical age was technically younger than his own.

Rent.

Utilities.

Food.

Transportation.

Their son’s tuition.

Extracurricular classes.

All of those expenses would inevitably increase.

Zhang Sicheng had no idea how he was supposed to manage.

And if he lost his job…

His wife would have to shoulder everything.

He wasn’t sure he could bear it.

“What’s wrong?”

“Don’t overthink it.”

“We’ll deal with whatever comes.”

Liu Lu assumed he was still struggling emotionally over his father’s return and tried to comfort him.

Zhang Sicheng smiled.

“Don’t worry.”

“I’ll be fine.”

“Oh, and when the time comes, see if you can swap shifts at the hospital.”

“Let’s go pick him up together.”

“I want to go too!”

Their son, Zhang Xiaotao, suddenly raised his hand.

“I want to meet Grandpa!”

The little boy already knew that his grandfather was coming back.

Having never met him before, he was overflowing with curiosity.

Zhang Sicheng rubbed his son’s head with a smile.

“Alright.”

“You can come too.”

“It’s on a Sunday anyway.”

“Yay!”

“I have a grandpa!”

“I’m going to meet Grandpa!”

The little boy cheered excitedly.

Although Zhang Xiaotao was a sensible child, he couldn’t possibly understand the worries weighing on the adults.

The anxieties shared by Zhang Sicheng and Liu Lu meant nothing to him.

Meanwhile…

Zhang Siyan was living together with Qian Li.

Qian Li was a native of Shanghai.

Her family wasn’t wealthy.

They owned only a single apartment.

If Zhang Siyan stayed there for a night or two, it wouldn’t matter.

But living there long-term…

Especially with her daughter…

She simply couldn’t bring herself to impose.

Even though Qian Li’s parents adored both Zhang Siyan and little Susu, it still wasn’t appropriate.

Qian Li understood this perfectly.

So she moved out herself.

Together, she and Zhang Siyan rented another apartment.

It allowed her to help care for Zhang Siyan and Susu while also easing Zhang Siyan’s financial burden.

Not only that…

Qian Li invited Zhang Siyan to become her business partner.

She owned a cosmetics store that was doing quite well.

She never asked Zhang Siyan to work for wages.

Instead, she insisted they become equal partners.

Fifty-fifty.

Although Zhang Siyan had no money to invest now, her share could simply be paid back from future profits.

To Qian Li…

Zhang Siyan wasn’t just a friend.

She was family.

“Susu.”

“You’re going to meet your grandpa soon.”

“Aren’t you excited?”

Qian Li teased.

Five-year-old Susu had delicate, doll-like features.

Yet there was very little joy on her face.

She always carried an oddly distant, cool demeanor.

She glanced at Qian Li before pouting.

“I’m not happy.”

“Why should I be?”

She truly didn’t care much for the grandfather she’d never met.

When her mother had suffered…

Her mother’s father had never appeared.

That wasn’t a good father.

And certainly not a good grandfather.

Shanghai Hotel

The Meng family had just arrived in Shanghai.

The moment they heard the news, they had rushed over.

“Mom.”

“When are we going to visit Aunt Huo?”

Meng Zixuan asked expectantly.

She admired Huo Zhiyuan immensely.

“No rush.”

“It’s already late.”

“We’ll go tomorrow.”

“I’ll call your Aunt Huo tonight and see if she’s free.”

Lin Meizhi replied.

Just then, Meng Mingxuan grinned mischievously.

“Mom…”

“I’d like to interview you.”

“How does it feel knowing you’re about to see the man you had a crush on?”

Lin Meizhi hadn’t even had time to react.

Meng He exploded.

“You little brat!”

“Want me to beat you to death?”

“You think I don’t exist or what?”

The son had just slapped his father’s pride right in front of him.

Huo Zhiyuan’s Villa

Huo Zhiyuan was currently lying comfortably while receiving a facial treatment and spa session.

Over the past month and a half, aside from handling essential business affairs, she had devoted nearly all of her time to skincare, exercise, and maintaining her health.

She wanted to meet Zhang Ran in the very best condition possible.

She had also seen the news earlier.

Now her emotions were a tangled mess.

Excitement.

Nervousness.

Anxiety.

Hope.

Worry.

Every feeling imaginable mixed together, making it impossible for her to calm down.

Standing beside her, Zhao Jingyu understood exactly what she was going through.

For weeks now, Huo Zhiyuan had been like this.

“Big Sis.”

“I picked out several outfits for you.”

“When do you want to try them on?”

Zhao Jingyu asked.

She knew exactly how to distract her.

Sure enough…

Huo Zhiyuan’s attention shifted immediately.

“The clothes?”

“Where are they?”

“They’ve already been delivered.”

“They’re downstairs.”

“I’m going right now!”

Huo Zhiyuan immediately tried to get up.

Zhao Jingyu quickly stopped her.

“Big Sis, don’t rush.”

“You can try them on later.”

“Finish your spa treatment first.”

“You’ll get the best results that way.”

“…Alright.”

Zhao Jingyu barely managed to suppress a smile.

She couldn’t help finding Huo Zhiyuan rather adorable in her current state.