SAG -Chapter 18 Losing Courage at the Last Moment

“Susu, this is a gift for you. Do you like it?” Zhang Ran said as he handed the doll to Susu.

A flash of delight appeared in the little girl’s bright eyes, but she quickly suppressed it and didn’t nod.

Seeing the little girl’s adorably stubborn expression, Zhang Ran chuckled. He gently placed the doll in her arms and patted her little head.

…

While Zhang Ran’s family was reuniting, Huo Zhiyuan stood outside the crowd, staring blankly at them.

Her legs felt as heavy as lead, refusing to move forward.

All the anticipation and longing in her heart had turned into anxiety, nervousness, and even a trace of fear.

Especially when she saw Zhang Ran’s face—unchanged from twenty-eight years ago, exactly the same face that had appeared in her dreams countless times—she lost what little confidence she had left.

Subconsciously, Huo Zhiyuan touched her own cheek.

She didn’t know whether she should go to him.

She was afraid.

Afraid that Zhang Ran would see what she looked like now.

At this moment, time felt unbearably cruel.

If only Zhang Ran had returned ten years earlier…

Back then, perhaps I would have had the courage to meet him.

“Sis?” Zhao Jingyu asked worriedly when she saw Huo Zhiyuan standing there in a daze.

Just then, Zhang Ran seemed to sense someone watching him and turned his gaze in their direction.

Panicking, Huo Zhiyuan immediately turned away, presenting only her back to him.

At that moment, her heart was in complete turmoil.

“Let’s go.”

In the end, she still couldn’t gather the courage.

She truly was too afraid to face Zhang Ran.

But what frightened her even more was the man who looked so much like Zhang Ran—and that entire family.

A terrifying guess had taken root in her heart, but she didn’t dare think about it any further.

Zhao Jingyu wanted to say something, but seeing Huo Zhiyuan’s condition, she merely sighed and remained silent.

…

After Zhang Ran reunited with Zhang Sicheng and the others, they prepared to leave. This wasn’t the place for a proper conversation.

“Brother Zhang, wait a minute. Zhiyuan said she was coming too. Why haven’t we seen her yet?” Meng He asked.

“Zhiyuan?”

A fifteen- or sixteen-year-old girl’s image instantly surfaced in Zhang Ran’s mind.

“Hold on. I’ll give her a call,” Lin Meizhi quickly said.

She soon got through.

“Zhiyuan, where are you? Brother Zhang has already come out.”

“Sister Lin… something suddenly came up. I won’t be coming over today. Maybe another time.”

Huo Zhiyuan’s voice sounded subdued, carrying a hint of panic.

Lin Meizhi seemed to understand exactly how she was feeling.

After a moment’s thought, she said gently, “Don’t overthink it. Things aren’t as you imagine. Go home and get some rest first. I’ll come to your house tomorrow, and we’ll have a good talk.”

“Thank you, Sister Lin.”

After hanging up, Lin Meizhi turned to Zhang Ran.

“Brother Zhang, something urgent came up for Zhiyuan. She’ll come see you in a couple of days.”

Zhang Ran smiled.

“It’s alright. It’s normal for people to have things to deal with. Let’s go.”

Lin Meizhi wanted to explain more, but in the end she only sighed.

Some things had to be explained and resolved by the people directly involved.

The group left the airport without much trouble.

A couple of reporters tried to interview them, but Meng He quickly dealt with them.

Compared to the emotional reunions happening elsewhere, their reunion had been relatively subdued and lacked any sensational moments.

…

All around the world, countless people were watching the live broadcast on television, each with complicated emotions.

Yaotian Pharmaceuticals – Chairman’s Office

After arriving at work that morning, Tian Yaohui had instructed everyone not to disturb him.

He sat quietly in front of his computer.

The moment the clock struck ten, his eyes locked onto the screen.

At first glance, he spotted the figure standing in the corner of the broadcast.

Still as young as he had been all those years ago.

Tian Yaohui clenched his fist.

His eyes narrowed instinctively like a wolf sensing a threat.

“Heh… Zhang Ran.”

“You shouldn’t have come back.”

“The times have changed.”

“I’m no longer that penniless young man I was back then.”

“And now that everything is in my hands…”

“I will never allow you to take it back.”

…

When they arrived at the parking lot, Meng He suddenly remembered that he hadn’t introduced his children.

“Brother Zhang, let me introduce you. This is my son, Meng Mingxuan, and my daughter, Meng Zixuan.”

Then he turned to them.

“This is Uncle Zhang.”

Unlike Zhang Sicheng and his sister, Meng Mingxuan and Meng Zixuan were much more outgoing and adapted quickly.

Combined with years of curiosity about their father’s legendary friend, they accepted Zhang Ran almost immediately.

“Hello, Uncle Zhang,” the siblings greeted in unison.

Smiling, Zhang Ran greeted them back.

He then took a necklace and a men’s bracelet from his suitcase.

“It’s our first meeting, and I don’t have much to offer. Please accept these as welcome gifts.”

He handed the necklace to Meng Zixuan and the bracelet to Meng Mingxuan.

Both pieces were beautifully packaged.

Even twenty-eight years earlier, these accessories had already been extremely valuable.

The siblings accepted them without hesitation.

“Thank you, Uncle Zhang!”

Neither of them opened the gifts immediately.

They assumed Zhang Ran had only just returned and had probably bought some ordinary souvenirs.

Besides, having been raised with traditional Chinese etiquette, they felt it was impolite to unwrap someone’s gift in front of the giver.

Fortunately, the Meng family had driven over in a luxury motorhome.

Whenever Meng He traveled for business, he preferred using an RV—it was spacious, comfortable, and he could rest whenever he got tired.

Everyone climbed aboard.

Seeing the lavish interior, Zhang Sicheng’s family became noticeably restrained.

Zhang Ran, however, wasn’t surprised in the slightest.

Nor did he stand on ceremony with Meng He.

The moment Meng He came personally to pick him up, Zhang Ran knew that neither time nor money had diminished their friendship.

Grinning, Zhang Ran said to Lin Meizhi, “So after all these years, you still haven’t managed to straighten out Fatty Meng? He still loves this outrageously tacky decorating style.”

Zhang Sicheng was startled.

They’ve only just met again, and Dad is already saying something like that?

Meng Uncle looks rich. Wouldn’t he be offended?

Apparently, he had worried for nothing.

Lin Meizhi shot Meng He an exasperated glance.

“Brother Zhang, you know him better than anyone. He’s been poor for so much of his life that now, with a little money, he just has to show it off. I’ve tried talking to him, but he won’t listen. What can I do?”

Meng He scratched his head sheepishly.

“Well… that’s just about the only hobby I’ve got. If it’s a little tacky, then so be it.”

Only then did Zhang Sicheng truly realize how deep his father’s friendship with Meng He was.

Even after Zhang Ran teased him so openly, Meng He wasn’t offended in the slightest.

“Brother Zhang, shall we head to the hotel first and hold a welcome banquet for you?” Meng He asked.

Zhang Ran fell silent for a moment.

Then he shook his head.

“No. Not today.”

“I want to visit Wanting first.”

“Sicheng, show us the way.”

The moment he spoke those words, Zhang Ran grew quiet.

He leaned back in his seat, closed his eyes, and seemed lost in thought.

Meng He and the others understood that his heart must be heavy, so no one spoke again.

They simply let Zhang Sicheng direct the route.

Meanwhile, Zhang Sicheng and Zhang Siyan found themselves feeling a little more connected to their father.

During the drive, the atmosphere remained subdued.

At Meng He’s prompting, Meng Zixuan and Meng Mingxuan quietly chatted with Zhang Sicheng, Zhang Siyan, and Liu Lu, hoping to help them relax and feel less constrained.

Around noon, the RV finally arrived at the cemetery.

One by one, everyone got out of the vehicle.