SAG -Chapter 54 Zhang Ran’s Ruthlessness

Ever since learning of Yu Qingwan’s death, Zhang Ran had been suppressing a violent fury deep within himself.

The existence of Zhang Sicheng and Zhang Siyan had allowed him to bury that rage, and perhaps, given enough time, he might have slowly worked through it.

But now he had learned that because of him, Zhang Siyan had suffered years of mistreatment in her husband’s family.

And seeing the fear in Susu’s eyes whenever she looked at Sun Ermin and Zhao Chunlan…

He could no longer suppress the darkness inside him.

“Call Tian Yaohui.”

Zhang Ran spoke calmly.

Yet the calmer he sounded, the more uneasy Sun Ermin and Zhao Chunlan became.

“Who do you think you are? Just because you want to talk to President Tian doesn’t mean you can!”

Perhaps even Sun Ermin himself didn’t notice that his voice had begun trembling again.

Zhang Ran glanced at him.

He guessed Sun Ermin probably didn’t even have Tian Yaohui’s phone number.

Perhaps they had never even met in person.

“Mingxuan.”

“Call Tian Yaohui.”

Without another word, Meng Mingxuan took out his phone and dialed.

He did have Tian Yaohui’s number, although he’d never called it before.

The call connected quickly.

“Mingxuan? What brings you to call me today?”

“It’s me.”

The moment the call connected, Meng Mingxuan handed the phone to Zhang Ran.

Silence fell on the other end.

In truth, the moment Tian Yaohui saw the caller ID, he had already suspected this possibility.

After a long pause, he chuckled.

“So it’s Brother Zhang.”

“My apologies. Work has been so busy that I didn’t have time to pick you up.”

“If you ever have time, come by. I’ll treat you to dinner.”

Tian Yaohui carefully avoided mentioning the shares, as though Zhang Ran’s ownership from years ago had never existed.

Back then, Zhang Ran’s shares had been held through several overseas shell companies.

Given the business environment and government policies of that era, that arrangement had benefited the companies’ development while keeping Zhang Ran from attracting too much attention.

But after Zhang Ran suddenly disappeared, no one controlled those shell companies anymore.

Naturally, no one exercised control over the shares.

China’s business environment at the time was still in its early stages, and many regulations were vague.

Taking advantage of the situation, Tian Yaohui and the others quietly swallowed up those shares through various means.

Zhang Ran said, “You always did like talking in circles.”

“Hasn’t that gotten tiring after all these years?”

He could clearly hear Tian Yaohui drawing in a deep breath.

“Brother Zhang loves joking.”

Sun Ermin’s heart pounded violently.

He didn’t know whether the man on the other end was really Tian Yaohui.

But if he was…

“Forget it.”

“I’m too lazy to waste words with you.”

“Your future in-law has something he’d like to say.”

Zhang Ran had already grown impatient.

He tossed the phone to Sun Ermin.

Flustered, Sun Ermin caught it.

“President Tian? I’m Sun Gaixin’s father.”

Zhang Ran had no idea what Tian Yaohui said to him over the next few minutes.

Nor did he care.

He simply stood there quietly watching.

Sun Ermin had apparently confirmed Tian Yaohui’s identity.

The more he spoke, the more respectful—even servile—he became.

The sight almost made Zhang Ran laugh.

Three minutes later, Sun Ermin returned the phone.

Perhaps Tian Yaohui had filled him with confidence.

His earlier panic had vanished.

He even looked rather smug.

“President Tian wants to speak with you.”

He looked at Zhang Ran with obvious satisfaction.

Ignoring him, Zhang Ran took the phone.

“Brother Zhang.”

“Your disagreement with Brother Sun happened so many years ago.”

“There’s no need to keep dwelling on it.”

“Siyan did suffer a few grievances, but nothing too serious.”

“For my sake, why not let it go?”

Tian Yaohui spoke cheerfully, making it sound like it was all a trivial matter.

Zhang Ran smiled faintly.

“A trivial matter?”

“For your sake?”

Sensing the hostility in Zhang Ran’s tone, Tian Yaohui finally dropped the act.

“Brother Zhang.”

“Things aren’t what they used to be.”

“I’m not the same person I was back then.”

“And neither are you.”

“Society has changed.”

“You’ve been away for so long that the times have completely moved on.”

“Don’t stay trapped in your former glory.”

“Otherwise, reality will prove far harsher than you imagine.”

Zhang Ran chuckled.

“So President Tian is teaching me how to live now?”

“I wouldn’t dare.”

“I’m only speaking the truth.”

“You may not like hearing it.”

Zhang Ran suddenly fell silent.

It almost sounded as though he had given in.

Seeing this, Sun Ermin’s smug smile grew even wider.

But the next instant—

Zhang Ran’s voice turned icy.

“Tian Yaohui.”

“You people should all be thanking Qingwan.”

“If she hadn’t left Sicheng and Siyan behind…”

“You’d already have been buried alongside me.”

“You want me to give you face?”

“What exactly are you, Tian Yaohui?”

“Fine.”

“I’ll give you your face.”

“Let’s see just how much it’s worth.”

“Don’t hang up.”

“If you dare hang up…”

“Then tomorrow, start preparing yourself for a nursing home.”

After saying that, Zhang Ran switched the phone to speaker mode.

Then he looked at Sun Ermin and Zhao Chunlan.

He slowly walked toward them.

“Zhang Ran… what are you doing?”

Sun Ermin’s smugness vanished instantly.

He hadn’t expected Zhang Ran to completely ignore Tian Yaohui’s standing.

After all, Zhang Ran himself had asked Meng Mingxuan to make the call.

Whether it was the conversation or Zhang Ran’s tone, everything proved he knew Tian Yaohui and understood his influence.

Without saying a word, Zhang Ran ignored him.

Instead, he casually picked up a wooden stick leaning nearby.

Sun Ermin was already crippled.

Even if he hadn’t been, he wouldn’t have been able to dodge.

Meng Mingxuan watched as Zhang Ran calmly walked up to Sun Ermin…and broke both Sun Ermin’s and Zhao Chunlan’s legs.

He stood frozen.

Zhang Ran’s face remained completely calm, as though what he’d just done hadn’t stirred even the slightest emotion.

At that moment, Meng Mingxuan finally understood something his father had once told him.

Meng He had said long ago:

Zhang Ran had been a truly ruthless man.

When it came to certain matters, his methods were merciless.

Before this, Meng Mingxuan hadn’t understood.

Whenever he was around Zhang Ran, all he saw was an easygoing man with a warm smile.

He’d even watched Zhang Ran sit on a curb chatting casually with complete strangers.

There had been nothing intimidating about him.

When Zhang Ran was with Zhang Siyan and Zhang Sicheng, he simply looked like an ordinary father desperately trying to make up for lost time.

Meng Mingxuan had often wondered just how ruthless Zhang Ran could really have been.

Growing up, Meng Mingxuan himself had gotten into plenty of fights.

He’d thought he was pretty tough.

But after witnessing this…

He realized his childhood fights had been nothing more than children’s games.

Zhang Ran crouched down and looked at the two writhing in agony.

He spoke softly, “You should consider yourselves fortunate.”

“You’re Susu’s grandparents.”

“Otherwise…”

“Breaking your legs would have been the least of your worries.”

Seeing the terror on their faces, Zhang Ran smiled again.

“But don’t celebrate too soon.”

“Fifteen years.”

“If you’re still alive fifteen years from now…”

“Susu’s attitude toward you…”

“…will determine your fate.”