Chapter 18: 18. Retreating in the Face of Battle (New Book, Please Support!)

"Susu, this is a gift for you. Do you like it?" Zhang Ran then handed the doll to Susu.

A flash of joy first appeared in Susu's bright, large eyes, but it was quickly restrained, and she did not nod.

Seeing the little girl's haughty little expression, Zhang Ran was instantly amused; he placed the doll into Susu's arms and then gently patted her little head.

Just as Zhang Ran and his family were reuniting, Huo Zhiyuan was standing outside the crowd, staring at them blankly.

Huo Zhiyuan felt as if her legs were filled with lead; she could not take a step forward.

At the same time, the anticipation and longing in her heart had all turned into anxiety, panic, and a sliver of fear.

Especially when she saw Zhang Ran's face, which was exactly as it had been twenty-eight years ago and had not changed in the slightest from the face she often saw in her dreams, she felt even less confident.

Huo Zhiyuan subconsciously touched her cheek, not knowing whether she should go in to find Zhang Ran; she was afraid.

She was afraid of being seen by Zhang Ran in her current state; at this moment, she felt that time was truly heartless. If only Zhang Ran could have returned ten years earlier—if it had been then, perhaps she would have had the courage to go and see this man.

"Sister?" Zhao Jingyu asked with some concern upon seeing Huo Zhiyuan's expression.

Just then, Zhang Ran seemed to notice someone watching him, so he turned his gaze over.

Huo Zhiyuan subconsciously turned her head in a panic, keeping her back to Zhang Ran; at this moment, her heart was truly in turmoil!

"Let's go." In the end, Huo Zhiyuan still could not muster the courage; she was truly afraid to see Zhang Ran.

In truth, what she feared even more was the person who looked so much like Zhang Ran, as well as their family, because she had a suspicion in her heart, but she dared not dwell on it.

Zhao Jingyu wanted to say something, but seeing Huo Zhiyuan's expression at this moment, she only sighed and said nothing more.

After reuniting with Zhang Sicheng and the others, Zhang Ran prepared to leave this place; after all, this was not the place for conversation.

"Brother Zhang, wait a moment. Zhiyuan said she was coming too; why is there no sign of her even now?" Meng He said hurriedly.

"Zhiyuan?" A figure of a fifteen or sixteen-year-old girl flashed instantly through Zhang Ran's mind.

"You wait, I'll make a call to ask," Lin Meizhi also said hurriedly.

Soon, Lin Meizhi got through on the phone: "Zhiyuan, where are you? Big Brother Zhang has already come out."

"Sister Lin, I suddenly have something to attend to, so I won't be coming over. Let's do it when there's time." Huo Zhiyuan's voice was somewhat low, with a hint of panic.

Lin Meizhi seemed to have guessed Huo Zhiyuan's current mood and, after thinking for a moment, said: "Don't overthink it; things aren't the way you think they are. You go back and rest first; I'll go to your place tomorrow and talk it over with you properly."

"Thank you, Sister Lin."

Lin Meizhi hung up the phone and then said to Zhang Ran: "Big Brother Zhang, Zhiyuan has something urgent to attend to; she'll come over in a couple of days."

Zhang Ran smiled and said: "It's fine, it's normal to be busy with things. Let's go first."

Lin Meizhi wanted to say something, but in the end, she only sighed; some things still needed to be explained and resolved by the parties involved themselves.

Zhang Ran and his group left the airport very smoothly; although one or two reporters came to find them, they were quickly dealt with by Meng He.

After all, the gap between their reunion scene and that of others was quite large, and there were no sensational highlights.

In fact, many people all over the world were turning on their televisions to watch the live broadcast, and these people's feelings were extremely complex.

Chairman's office at Yaotian Pharmaceutical.

After Tian Yaohui arrived at work in the morning, he instructed others not to disturb him and just sat quietly in front of the computer.

When ten o'clock arrived, Tian Yaohui's eyes were fixed firmly on the computer, and at the first glance, he saw the person in the corner of the screen.

Still as young as he was back then!

Tian Yaohui clenched his fists, his eyes subconsciously narrowing, just like a vicious wolf sensing a threat.

"Heh, Zhang Ran, you shouldn't have come back," Tian Yaohui muttered in his heart.

"The times have changed! I am no longer that penniless poor boy from back then!"

"Since it has already fallen into my hands, I will not allow you to snatch it away!"

Upon arriving at the parking lot, Meng He finally remembered that he had not yet introduced his children.

"Brother Zhang, let me introduce them to you. This is my son, Meng Mingxuan, and my daughter, Meng Zixuan." As he spoke, he said to Meng Mingxuan and the others: "This is your Uncle Zhang."

Compared to Zhang Sicheng and the others, Meng Zixuan and Meng Mingxuan were more outgoing and accepted things faster.

Added to the curiosity of so many years, they quickly accepted this person, Zhang Ran.

"Hello, Uncle Zhang," Meng Zixuan and Meng Mingxuan greeted in unison.

Zhang Ran also smiled and greeted them, then immediately picked out a necklace and a men's bracelet from his suitcase.

"Meeting for the first time, I don't have anything good to give, so let these serve as a small gift." As he spoke, he handed the necklace and bracelet to the two of them respectively.

These were also packaged well; after all, these accessories were of great value even twenty-eight years ago.

Meng Zixuan and Meng Mingxuan did not hesitate, immediately took the gifts, and said with a grin: "Thank you, Uncle Zhang."

They did not open the gifts immediately, as they both assumed that since Zhang Ran had just returned, he must have just bought a random gift.

Moreover, they had both received a traditional Huaxia education, and it was considered somewhat impolite to open gifts from others in their presence.

Fortunately, the vehicle the Meng He family drove this time was an RV; Meng He liked to take an RV whenever he went on business trips—it was spacious, comfortable, and he could rest when tired.

The group boarded the vehicle one after another; seeing the luxurious interior, the Zhang Sicheng family felt somewhat reserved.

Zhang Ran, however, was not surprised in the slightest, nor was he polite with Meng He.

When Meng He came to pick him up, he knew that there was no need for politeness between them; time and money had not eroded the friendship between them.

Zhang Ran smiled and said to Lin Meizhi: "After all these years, you still haven't disciplined Fatty Meng? Why does he still like this kind of tacky decoration style?"

Zhang Sicheng was a bit startled by Zhang Ran's words; it seemed a bit inappropriate to say such things just after meeting, and seeing that Meng He was also a wealthy man, could he really tolerate such teasing from Zhang Ran?

However, it was clear he had overthought it, as he saw Lin Meizhi glance at Meng He with annoyance and say: "Big Brother Zhang, you still don't know about his tackiness? He was afraid of being poor his whole life, so whenever he has a little money, he wants to show it off. I've told him, but he won't listen; what can I do?"

Meng He chuckled, rubbing his head, and said: "Well, that's just the only hobby I have in this life; let it be a bit tacky then."

Only then did Zhang Sicheng feel that the bond between his father and Uncle Meng was truly deep; even after Zhang Ran said such things, there was not a hint of anger.

"Brother Zhang, shall we go to the hotel first to host a welcome banquet for you?" Meng He asked.

Zhang Ran was silent for a moment, then said: "Forget it, let's not go today. I want to go see Wanting. Sicheng, you show the way."

Speaking of this, Zhang Ran also lost the desire to talk; he just sat there quietly, closing his eyes, wondering what he was thinking about.

Meng He and the others also knew that Zhang Ran's mood must be poor at this moment, so they did not say much, only letting Zhang Sicheng point the way.

As for Zhang Sicheng and Zhang Siyan, they suddenly felt a bit more of a sense of identification with Zhang Ran.

Along the way, no one had the mood to talk, but Meng Zixuan and Meng Mingxuan, under Meng He's signal, spoke in low voices to Zhang Sicheng, Zhang Siyan, and Liu Lu, telling them to relax and not be too restrained.

At around twelve o'clock, the car drove to the cemetery, and everyone filed out of the car one after another.