SAG -Chapter 74 Going Home

“Has everyone received their money?” Zhang Ran asked.

“If anyone hasn’t, just let me know.”

“We all got it. Thank you, Boss Zhang.”

“Boss Zhang is so generous!”

Suddenly, someone spoke up.

“Boss Zhang, you transferred an extra one thousand yuan to me.”

Zhang Ran looked at the speaker in surprise.

He had only estimated how much extra to give each person.

The people before him hadn’t mentioned anything.

Hearing this, several villagers looked a little embarrassed.

It was simply human nature to want to take advantage of a small windfall.

Some had assumed Zhang Ran had accidentally typed the wrong amount and thought they were the only ones who had received extra money.

Now it seemed everyone had gotten more than they were owed.

Zhang Ran smiled.

“The extra money is interest for all these years.”

“And it’s also my way of thanking everyone for taking care of Dayong’s family.”

The amount he added was far more than what the money would have earned sitting in a bank.

After hearing that, everyone relaxed.

More than anything, though, they looked at He Yong with envy.

Before, people had merely guessed—or perhaps their impressions from decades ago had influenced them.

But now they were certain.

He Yong was going to prosper again.

Although the total amount wasn’t huge—perhaps just over a hundred thousand yuan accumulated over more than ten years—Zhang Ran’s attitude proved one thing:

He was still far from short of money.

Standing on the front steps, He Qing looked at the crowd below, somewhat dazed.

For the first time in her life, she saw people looking at her with envy.

Especially those around her own age.

Growing up, He Qing had heard plenty of cruel remarks.

She had suffered countless grievances.

Never before had she seen people look at her—or at her grandparents—with such admiration.

No matter how well she had studied…

No matter how many awards she had won…

Even being admitted to Shanghai Jiao Tong University had never made people envy her grandparents.

Simply because she was a girl.

Everyone naturally assumed that no matter how capable she became, once she married, she wouldn’t be able to bring much happiness to her grandparents.

Yet today…

Just because of one outsider, everyone’s attitude had changed completely.

The contrast left He Qing in a daze.

After everyone had left, He Yong looked at Zhang Ran apologetically.

“Brother Zhang, I’ve caused you trouble again this time.”

Zhang Ran patted him on the shoulder.

“It’s a small matter.”

“Don’t worry about it.”

“Besides, you’ll earn this money back before long.”

“As long as you’re with me, you’ll never have to worry about money.”

Hearing those familiar words, He Yong froze.

He had heard Zhang Ran say exactly the same thing years ago.

Back then, he had originally followed Zhang Ran simply to make money.

But after working beside him, he gradually came to love the work itself.

And Zhang Ran had fulfilled every promise he had made.

Ever since joining him, He Yong had never once worried about money.

There had even been a period when he no longer knew how much money he actually had.

Not because he was unimaginably rich—but because he simply stopped caring.

He knew one thing:

As long as he stayed with Zhang Ran, he would never lack money.

Even if something happened to him, his family would never suffer financially.

That confidence—and Zhang Ran’s unwavering loyalty—was one of the reasons He Yong had remained devoted all these years.

Coming back to his senses, He Yong nodded seriously.

He said nothing more.

That Night

“Tao Tao, Susu, did you miss Grandpa?” Zhang Ran asked expectantly during their video call.

“Grandpa! Grandpa! I missed you all day today!”

Little Tao Tao practically pressed his face against the screen.

Susu also spoke softly.

“I missed Grandpa too.”

“Grandpa, did you miss me and Sister Susu?” Tao Tao asked impatiently.

“Of course I did.”

“I missed both of you so much these past two days that I could hardly eat or drink.”

Zhang Ran laughed.

“Hehe! Then when are you coming home?” Tao Tao immediately asked.

Susu perked up as well.

Her eyes were full of anticipation.

Seeing the two little faces, Zhang Ran’s heart melted.

“I’ll be back tomorrow.”

“I promise.”

“Really?”

“Then can you pick me up after school tomorrow?”

Zhang Ran looked regretful.

“I can’t.”

“It takes more than ten hours to drive back.”

“Grandpa won’t get home until evening.”

Both Tao Tao and Susu immediately looked disappointed.

But Tao Tao quickly smiled again.

“Then Grandpa, be careful on the way home!”

“Alright, alright.”

Zhang Ran chatted with the children for nearly an hour.

Only after both of them became so sleepy they could barely keep their eyes open did he reluctantly end the video call.

Early the Next Morning, at six o’clock, after finishing the breakfast the old woman had prepared, Zhang Ran got ready to leave.

“Brother Zhang, I’ll go back with you,” He Yong said.

Zhang Ran waved his hand.

“There’s no rush.”

“You’ve just come home.”

“Stay a few more days and spend time with Uncle and Auntie.”

He Yong glanced at his parents.

Of course he wanted to stay with them.

But he also knew that Zhang Ran desperately needed trustworthy people.

Although He Yong didn’t know every detail, even before going to prison he had understood much of the situation.

Now things were certainly even more complicated.

Seeing the hesitation in her son’s eyes, the old woman quickly said, “You don’t need to worry about us.”

“We’re doing just fine.”

“Besides, you should take Xiaoqing back to school.”

“She can’t keep missing classes.”

After all, He Yong had only just been released from prison.

Finding a job at all would already be difficult.

Being able to work under Zhang Ran again was an even greater blessing.

The old woman didn’t want concerns about the family distracting him.

Deep down, the elderly couple also had another wish.

They hoped He Yong would earn some money as soon as possible…

Then remarry.

They didn’t want their son to spend the rest of his life alone.

At the very least, they wanted someone at home to care for him.

Zhang Ran tried persuading them for a while.

When he realized he couldn’t change their minds, he stopped insisting.

Once things settled down on his side, he could always let He Yong return for another visit.

This time, Zhang Ran wasn’t driving alone.

He and He Yong took turns behind the wheel.

In fact, He Yong drove most of the way, with Zhang Ran only taking over whenever He Yong grew tired.

“Xiaoqing,” Zhang Ran asked casually, “what’s your major?”

“Accounting,” He Qing replied.

“Accounting is a field worth studying deeply.”

“A truly excellent accountant is someone every company and wealthy entrepreneur wants.”

“That’s a good choice.”

“Study hard.”

“Who knows? One day Uncle Zhang might even need your help.”

He smiled.

Hearing that, He Qing secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Ever since choosing accounting as her major, many people back in the village had mocked her.

They said she had wasted the opportunity of getting into such a prestigious university.