SAG -Chapter 75 Home

At six o’clock that evening, Zhang Ran had just entered the city when his phone rang.

He glanced at the screen.

It was a video call from Zhang Sicheng.

A smile immediately spread across Zhang Ran’s face as he answered.

“Tao Tao, Susu.”

Sure enough, the two little faces appeared on the screen.

As always, Tao Tao spoke first.

“Grandpa, are you back?”

“I am. I’m already in Shanghai. Look.”

Zhang Ran turned the camera toward the streets outside.

“Then hurry home! We’re waiting to eat dinner with you,” Tao Tao said happily.

Although it had only been two days since he’d last seen his grandfather, the little boy had already missed him terribly.

“Alright, Grandpa will be home very soon.”

After chatting with the children for a while, He Yong glanced at Zhang Ran, looking as though he wanted to ask something.

He had only just learned that Zhang Ran had grandchildren.

When Zhang Ran had video-called Tao Tao and Susu at He Yong’s house, he’d done so privately in his room.

Noticing his expression, Zhang Ran sighed.

“You knew I had a girlfriend back then, didn’t you?”

He Yong nodded silently.

Zhang Ran’s eyes grew distant.

“Her name was Yu Qingwan.”

“The main reason I went abroad back then was to prepare an engagement ring and propose to her…”

In a low voice, Zhang Ran slowly recounted everything that had happened.

At this point, He Yong was probably the only person Zhang Ran could truly talk to about these matters.

Even Meng He couldn’t compare.

After listening quietly, He Yong remained silent for a moment before saying, “Brother Zhang, don’t blame yourself too much.”

“None of this was something you could control. It’s all…”

He couldn’t find the right words to comfort him.

He only remembered that every time Zhang Ran returned from secretly visiting his girlfriend, he wore a relaxed, genuinely happy smile.

A smile that had been exceedingly rare before.

Ever since He Yong had started following Zhang Ran, Zhang Ran had always treated others kindly and often smiled.

But He Yong knew those smiles were merely social courtesy.

Deep inside, Zhang Ran always seemed to carry some invisible burden.

He was rarely truly happy.

Yet after He Yong discovered Zhang Ran had a girlfriend, he began seeing that carefree, contented smile from time to time.

That was one reason He Yong had never insisted on accompanying Zhang Ran whenever he went to see Yu Qingwan.

He didn’t want to disturb that rare happiness.

He also understood perfectly why Zhang Ran had never introduced Yu Qingwan to their circle.

At the time, Zhang Ran’s life was far from peaceful.

He wasn’t constantly in danger, but neither was it an easy existence.

Ultimately, Zhang Ran had simply been protecting Yu Qingwan.

He feared his own affairs would drag her into unnecessary trouble.

Zhang Ran smiled faintly after hearing He Yong’s words.

“Alright.”

“You don’t need to comfort me.”

“I’ve lived through just about everything a person can experience.”

“Besides, I have a son, a daughter, a grandson, and a granddaughter now.”

“There’s nothing left in this world that can knock me down.”

A smile appeared on He Yong’s face as well.

“I believe you, Brother Zhang.”

He nodded firmly.

Sitting quietly in the back seat, He Qing listened to their conversation.

The way she looked at Zhang Ran became increasingly curious.

This man, who looked only a few years older than she was, seemed wrapped in an endless layer of mist.

No one could see what truly lay beneath it.

“We’re here. Come upstairs and have dinner with us,” Zhang Ran said.

He Yong thought for a moment before shaking his head.

“No.”

“We won’t disturb your family today.”

“There’ll be plenty of opportunities in the future.”

Thinking about the current situation at home, Zhang Ran didn’t insist.

“Alright.”

“I’ll transfer you some money.”

“Take Xiaoqing shopping and buy her a few things.”

“Don’t neglect the child.”

He Yong didn’t refuse.

But after seeing the amount Zhang Ran transferred, he froze.

“Brother Zhang… isn’t this a little too much?”

“I won’t need this much for now.”

Zhang Ran waved dismissively.

“Things aren’t like they used to be.”

“Money isn’t worth what it was before.”

“It isn’t as much as you think.”

“Use it for now.”

“If it’s not enough later, we’ll talk.”

With that, Zhang Ran headed toward home.

His pace unconsciously grew faster.

The closer he got, the more eager he became.

Reaching the apartment door, Zhang Ran discovered it had been left open.

Outside sat two tiny figures on little stools.

Both children rested their chins in their hands, staring expectantly toward the staircase.

The moment they saw him—their eyes instantly lit up.

“Grandpa! Grandpa!”

Little Tao Tao, still dressed like one of the Calabash Brothers, was the first to charge over.

Susu didn’t hesitate either.

She wasn’t quite as explosive as Tao Tao, but her little legs moved surprisingly fast.

“Oh, Grandpa missed you both so much.”

Zhang Ran casually tossed his bags aside and scooped both children into his arms.

He kissed each of them on the cheek.

Neither child held back.

Each gave him a kiss in return.

Standing in the doorway, Zhang Sicheng watched the scene with a trace of jealousy.

Back then, Tao Tao had rarely been this affectionate with him.

And Susu had always been close to her uncle, but never to this extent.

Ever since Zhang Ran returned, both children had completely switched sides.

The intimacy they now showed Zhang Ran was something Zhang Sicheng had never experienced himself.

Yet…he realized he liked this new life more and more.

“You’re back.”

“Hurry inside.”

“Dinner’s ready.”

Zhang Sicheng greeted him with a broad smile.

After setting the children down, Zhang Ran said, “These are the gifts Grandpa promised you.”

“Go ahead and open them.”

The moment Tao Tao heard the word “gifts,” he burst into excited shouting.

Only to be quickly suppressed by Liu Lu.

During dinner, Zhang Ran asked how things had gone over the past two days.

Everything had been progressing smoothly.

The apartment renovation was advancing incredibly fast.

The speed even surprised Zhang Sicheng and Liu Lu.

Better yet, they didn’t need to supervise anything.

The renovation company had assigned a dedicated project manager solely to their apartment.

From chatting with the construction workers, Zhang Sicheng had also learned that senior management had personally instructed them:

If anything went wrong with this renovation, everyone involved would be held responsible.

“Has Siyan come back these past couple of days?” Zhang Ran asked.

“She came yesterday,” Zhang Sicheng replied.

“But she’s been really busy lately.”

“So I told her not to keep making the trip.”

“If she misses Susu, I’ll bring Susu over to visit her whenever I have time.”

Zhang Ran nodded without asking further.

That night, the two little ones monopolized Zhang Ran once again.

They insisted he tell them bedtime stories.

Only after both children had finally fallen asleep did Zhang Ran quietly return to the living room to rest.

He was indeed tired after the past two days.

But every time he looked at the two children, it felt as though all his energy returned.