SAG -Chapter 46 Treating Them to Dinner

Zhang Ran had come today for two reasons.

First, he wanted to see how Zhang Siyan was doing.

Second, he had been considering buying her cosmetics shop and giving it to her.

He had already bought a house for his son.

He couldn’t neglect his daughter.

But from the looks of things, that might not be necessary for now.

His feelings toward Huo Zhiyuan were complicated.

Back then, when he happened to pass through that small mountain village, he couldn’t stand the way her parents treated her.

He also felt sorry for the little girl.

Acting on impulse, he helped her.

From then on, Zhang Ran gained a little shadow who followed him everywhere.

It was also Zhang Ran who gave the girl—then known simply as Er Ya (“Second Girl”)—a new name: Huo Zhiyuan.

It carried the meaning of being both cultured and graceful, like a kite soaring freely through the sky.

When he returned this time, he knew Huo Zhiyuan had originally intended to come see him.

For some reason, however, she hadn’t.

Unlike Meng He and the others…

When Zhang Ran had arranged for Meng He and his companions to enter various industries years ago, there had certainly been friendship involved.

But much of it had really been cooperation and investment.

Huo Zhiyuan was different.

He had truly treated her as his younger sister.

And Huo Zhiyuan had depended on him as family.

So Zhang Ran had never taken the initiative to seek her out or question her.

She was no longer the timid little girl from the past.

She had her own ideas.

Her own plans.

So he had simply waited.

And now…

Perhaps he was finally beginning to see the answer.

Watching Zhao Jingyu leave, Zhang Ran turned to Zhang Siyan and the others.

“This distributor business must require a sizeable agency fee, doesn’t it?”

“Are you short on money?”

“I still have some savings.”

“If you need funds, I can give them to you.”

He had decided not to buy the shop for the time being.

He would first see how things developed.

If Zhang Siyan needed capital, he could simply give her the money to start her business.

Before Zhang Siyan could answer, Qian Li spoke up.

“Thank you, Uncle Zhang, but there’s really no need.”

“Assistant Zhao just told us the company will provide support.”

“We won’t need much money in the early stages.”

Zhang Ran smiled.

“Don’t let the fact that I just came back fool you.”

“I do have some money.”

“You don’t need to worry about that.”

Qian Li grinned.

“Really, it’s okay.”

“Don’t worry, Uncle Zhang.”

“Yanyan and I won’t be polite with you if we ever do need help.”

Hearing that, Zhang Ran didn’t press the matter any further.

He decided to wait and see how things unfolded.

“Oh, right, Qian Li.”

“Could you ask your parents when they’re free?”

“I’d like to treat your whole family to dinner.”

“I want to thank you for taking care of Siyan all these years.”

A few days ago, Zhang Siyan had already told him what Qian Li’s parents had said.

Zhang Ran felt he couldn’t possibly let them invite him first.

He had to take the initiative.

That was another reason he’d come today—to invite Qian Li’s family and settle on a date so he could prepare properly.

From his conversations with Zhang Sicheng, he’d learned just how much the Qian family had done for them.

Especially for Zhang Siyan.

Saying they’d treated her exactly like their own daughter might be a slight exaggeration.

But it wasn’t far from the truth.

Zhang Ran would never forget such kindness.

Qian Li quickly replied, “My dad actually mentioned inviting you to dinner a couple of days ago.”

“That won’t do.”

“This time, I have to be the one treating everyone.”

“It’s my way of thanking your family.”

Zhang Siyan added, “Lili, ask Uncle and Auntie when they’re available.”

“We really should be the ones inviting them.”

Qian Li wasn’t the shy type.

Since both Zhang Ran and Zhang Siyan insisted, she stopped arguing.

“Alright.”

“My parents are free anytime.”

After thinking for a moment, Zhang Ran decided, “Then let’s make it three days from now, at lunchtime.”

The conversation continued inside the shop.

Most of what they talked about were stories from Zhang Siyan’s childhood.

Zhang Ran wanted to learn more about the years he’d missed.

As Zhang Siyan’s best friend since childhood, Qian Li knew many things.

Some of those stories…

Even Zhang Sicheng didn’t know.

By three o’clock, Zhang Ran stood up.

“Taotao and Susu will be getting out of school soon.”

“I need to pick them up.”

He then turned to Zhang Siyan.

“Siyan, after work tonight, bring Qian Li over to Sicheng’s place for dinner.”

“You didn’t come yesterday.”

“I think she missed you.”

Zhang Siyan nodded.

“Okay.”

“We’ll head over after work.”

After leaving the mall, Zhang Ran once again sent Meng Mingxuan away.

Lately, Meng Mingxuan had started feeling as though he had an actual job.

Whether there was anything to do or not…

He still had to report to Zhang Ran every day.

Zhang Ran first went to Susu’s kindergarten.

By now, Susu seemed accustomed to having Zhang Ran pick her up.

The moment she came out, she instinctively looked toward the usual spot.

As soon as she spotted him, a trace of happiness flashed across her little face.

It disappeared almost immediately.

But Zhang Ran caught it.

“Susu.”

“What did you learn at kindergarten today?” he asked with a smile as he picked her up.

Wrapping her little arms around his neck, Susu whispered, “Drawing.”

“Oh?”

“Drawing?”

“Then when we get home, will Susu draw Grandpa a picture?”

She nodded gently.

Compared with Susu…Taotao was much livelier.

Once again, Zhang Ran found himself empathizing with Grandpa from Calabash Brothers.

“Grandpa! Grandpa!”

Watching the little boy sprint toward him, Zhang Ran quickly crouched down and caught the tiny cannonball.

“Grandpa!”

“Look!”

“I got one hundred on my test!”

Taotao excitedly pulled a test paper from his backpack and handed it over.

After taking a look, Zhang Ran beamed.

“Taotao is amazing!”

“So tell Grandpa.”

“What would you like to eat today?”

“Grandpa’s treating.”

“Yay!”

Taotao pumped his little fist before immediately turning to his sister.

“Susu.”

“What do you want to eat?”

In Taotao’s mind, taking care of his little sister was only natural.

Whenever something good happened, she was always the first person he thought of.

Seeing her older brother, Susu’s big eyes sparkled with delight.

Holding his hand, she softly said, “Fried chicken wings.”

“Grandpa!”

“Can we go eat fried chicken wings?”

Taotao immediately asked.

“Of course.”

“But not too many.”

“If your mom finds out and gives you a spanking, don’t blame Grandpa.”

Zhang Ran laughed as he rubbed both children’s heads.

“Mhm.”

“Just a little bit.”

Taotao said, pinching his fingers together to show a tiny amount.

To his credit…

Taotao had excellent self-control.

When he said “just a little,” he really meant it.

However, when Zhang Ran saw the two children looking like they still wanted more, he immediately changed his tune.

“Don’t try to save Grandpa money.”

“If you want more, eat more.”

“Grandpa has lots and lots of money.”

So…

The one who had just told them not to eat too much…

Was also the one encouraging them to eat more.

Hearing that, both Taotao and Susu’s little faces lit up with joy.

Even so, the two well-behaved children only ordered one more serving to share.

Neither of them actually stuffed themselves.