SAG -Chapter 19 Going Home

Zhang Ran stopped by a nearby shop to buy some joss paper and other offerings before making his way to Yu Qingwan’s grave.

Looking at the photo on the tombstone—the same picture taken when they were still together—his expression grew distant once more.

In truth, it was a shared grave.

The photograph featured both Zhang Ran and Yu Qingwan. Only Zhang Ran’s side was symbolic, an empty memorial erected when everyone believed he had died.

He said nothing.

He simply stood there quietly, staring at the headstone.

Beside him, Zhang Sicheng crouched down, burning the paper offerings as he spoke.

“After you disappeared, my mom broke ties with Grandpa and Grandma. She took my sister and me and raised us by herself.

“She talked about you all the time. She’d tell us stories about the two of you…”

His voice remained calm as he slowly recounted the past.

Zhang Ran sat silently on the ground, listening without making a single sound.

Half an hour passed.

He still hadn’t moved.

Finally, Zhang Sicheng sighed softly and stopped talking. He didn’t disturb Zhang Ran any further. Instead, he had Zhang Xiaotao and Susu kowtow to their grandmother before leading everyone away, leaving Zhang Ran alone with the grave.

…

Meng He and his family had been waiting outside the entire time, careful not to interrupt.

When Zhang Sicheng’s family finally came down first, Meng He walked over.

With some subtle prompting from both Meng He and Lin Meizhi, they gradually learned everything about Yu Qingwan.

After hearing the full story, even Lin Meizhi fell silent.

For the first time, she didn’t know what she was supposed to feel.

Time slowly slipped by.

By one o’clock in the afternoon, Zhang Ran still hadn’t come down.

Meng He had Meng Mingxuan order takeout, and everyone ate while waiting.

Both Meng Mingxuan and Meng Zixuan had outgoing personalities, and with their parents’ encouragement, they quickly struck up conversations with Zhang Sicheng and his sister.

Zhang Siyan and Meng Zixuan got along especially well.

After all, they were both women, and conversations about cosmetics, handbags, and fashion came naturally.

As for Zhang Sicheng and Meng Mingxuan…

The two were practically speaking different languages.

Zhang Sicheng had dropped out of high school to work and support his younger sister’s education. Though hardworking, diligent, and eager to learn over the years, he was still just an ordinary office worker.

Meng Mingxuan, on the other hand, had grown up as a wealthy second-generation heir. He loved luxury cars, parties, and expensive hobbies, with little ambition beyond enjoying life.

The two simply had little in common.

Fortunately, after learning that Zhang Sicheng worked in game development, Meng Mingxuan steered the conversation toward video games, making things much less awkward.

They continued waiting until five in the afternoon.

The setting sun painted the clouds in brilliant shades of crimson.

Only then did Zhang Ran finally emerge.

The moment Zhang Xiaotao saw him, the little boy ran over at full speed.

For some reason, he seemed to feel an instinctive closeness toward his grandfather. Even though they had only just met, he already loved being around him.

“Grandpa! Grandpa!” he shouted as he ran.

The dullness in Zhang Ran’s eyes faded slightly at the child’s enthusiasm.

He bent down and picked the little boy up.

“Grandpa, I’m hungry,” Xiaotao said naturally, without the slightest hint of shyness.

“Alright. We’ll go eat right away.”

As he spoke, Zhang Ran walked over to Susu and effortlessly lifted her into his other arm, holding one grandchild on each side.

Although Susu wore her usual cool, indifferent expression, her little hands instinctively wrapped around Zhang Ran’s neck.

Clearly, she wasn’t nearly as unwilling as she pretended to be.

“Brother Zhang, what’s the plan for tonight?” Meng He asked with a smile.

“We’ll call it a day here. I’ll go home for dinner.”

“Brother Zhang, I…”

Meng He wanted to say something more.

But Zhang Ran smiled and waved him off.

“It’s fine. I’ll come see you tomorrow. Then you can tell me everything in detail.”

He knew exactly what Meng He wanted to discuss.

But at the moment, his heart belonged entirely to his family.

Now that he was back…

No one could take away what rightfully belonged to him.

There was no need to rush over a little more time.

“…Alright.”

Meng He understood.

Still, he had wanted to brief Zhang Ran as soon as possible so he could prepare himself.

News of Zhang Ran’s return had undoubtedly reached everyone who needed to know.

And those people also understood exactly what his return meant.

They would certainly begin making preparations.

Besides, Zhang Ran had already lost a month and a half.

Meng He worried that any further delay might cost him the initiative.

But since Zhang Ran had already made up his mind, Meng He said nothing more.

Deep down, he possessed an almost irrational confidence in Zhang Ran.

Even after twenty-eight years…

Even though society and technology had undergone earth-shaking changes…

Meng He still believed in him.

Meng He drove Zhang Ran’s family back to the entrance of their apartment complex.

Looking at the old, worn-down neighborhood, he was about to say something when Lin Meizhi discreetly pinched him.

Only then did he realize his mistake.

He could easily buy Zhang Ran a luxurious mansion now.

But doing so at this moment would likely only wound his pride.

After getting out of the car, Zhang Ran bid the Meng family farewell before carrying one grandchild in each arm into the residential complex.

There was one noticeable difference this time.

Earlier, Zhang Ran had reached out first before Susu reluctantly let him carry her.

Now…

The moment he extended his hand, Susu quietly stood there waiting for him, offering no resistance at all.

Along the drive, the presence of the Meng family had prevented things from becoming too awkward.

But now that only their own family remained…

Zhang Sicheng suddenly found himself at a loss for conversation.

Fortunately, Liu Lu came to the rescue.

Seeing her husband’s discomfort, she smiled and said, “I’ll buy you a cellphone first. These days it’s almost impossible to get by without one. You even need your phone just to pay for things.”

She was trying to gently introduce Zhang Ran to modern life.

Zhang Ran smiled.

“No need. I already have one. While we were there, they taught us how to use smartphones, and everyone was given one.”

As he spoke, he took out his phone.

Liu Lu glanced at it.

It was the latest flagship model from Longhua, worth 8,999 yuan.

“Alright then.”

She nodded before asking again,

“By the way, what kind of food do you like? I’ll go buy groceries in a bit.”

At the moment, she was the only one keeping the atmosphere from becoming unbearably awkward.

Zhang Siyan stood nearby without saying much, quietly observing everything.

“I’m not picky,” Zhang Ran replied. “Anything is fine. Just cook whatever you’re best at.”

Though in truth, spicy food had always been his favorite.

“Mom, I want braised pork ribs!” Xiaotao immediately chimed in.

“Okay, then we’ll make braised pork ribs.”

Zhang Ran bounced Xiaotao lightly in his left arm before turning to the little girl on his right.

“What about Susu? What would you like to eat? Shall we ask Auntie to make it for you?”

Hearing Zhang Ran deliberately speaking in a childish tone, Zhang Siyan’s lips twitched slightly.

Yet the look in her eyes softened.

At the very least…

So far, her biological father—who looked even younger than she did—had proven himself to be surprisingly dependable.