Chapter 223: 219. Preparing to Collect a Debt

Liu Lu looked at Zhang Ran with some bewilderment; how did he earn over three hundred million in the blink of an eye? Is money really that easy to earn nowadays?

At this moment, she was also a bit confused; just how much capability does her father-in-law actually have?

Thinking back to when she was initially worried about having one more person in the house and the increased expenses, and how to deal with it, now that she thought about it, her concerns seemed far too superfluous.

"Uncle Zhang, is it the stock of Yaotian Pharmaceutical?" Qian Li seemed to have thought of something, and her eyes suddenly lit up.

Zhang Ran smiled and said, "You know about Yaotian Pharmaceutical too?"

"Yeah, who among those who play the stock market doesn't know about Yaotian Pharmaceutical now? It's rumored that it was targeted by someone." Saying this, Qian Li suddenly looked at Zhang Ran and said, "Uncle Zhang, it wouldn't be you, would it?"

The others also looked at Zhang Ran. Zhang Ran had previously said he had some things to attend to; could it be that he was busy with this?

Zhang Ran said while eating, "You could say that."

Hearing this answer from Zhang Ran, the few of them looked at each other and fell silent again, especially Siyan and Qian Li, as they understood much more about this Yaotian Pharmaceutical stock market incident than Sicheng and Liu Lu.

Sicheng now had his heart and soul set on the company and had no time to pay attention to the stock market, and he never touched that stuff anyway. As for Liu Lu, there was even less need to mention her; now, apart from caring about some household matters, she couldn't be bothered to pay attention to anything else.

Siyan and the others were different; they were surrounded by elite white-collar workers, and these people basically all played the stock market, just with varying degrees of involvement.

At first, they just listened to it as entertainment, but after these people exaggerated it, talking about a great battle between two sides and various high-level terms, they unconsciously felt that this matter was something high-end and sophisticated.

But now, Zhang Ran was telling them that he was involved in all of this, and seemed to be a primary participant at that.

"Uncle Zhang, you're awesome!" Qian Li gave a thumbs up and then said with a grin, "Uncle Zhang, do you think you could take me along next time there's an opportunity like this? I want to earn some pocket money too."

Zhang Ran smiled and said, "Of course."

Qian Li was just saying it casually and didn't take it seriously herself.

Bert had been eating silently on the side; he didn't want to say anything. What Qian Li and the others guessed was only a part of it; Zhang Ran was far more than just "involved"—this stock market battle was initiated and led by him.

Moreover, Zhang Ran didn't seem to care about this aspect at all. What appeared to be an earth-shattering event to Qian Li and the others was merely an appetizer to Zhang Ran.

After finishing dinner, Bert dragged the two brothers, Auston, back to his own house. During this period, Bert hadn't truly let go completely, but would still discipline the two little ones from time to time.

Zhang Ran said to Siyan and Qian Li, who were about to leave, "Why don't you buy an apartment in this residential complex? It would be more convenient that way."

Hearing Zhang Ran say this, both Siyan and Qian Li were tempted. Neither of them was short on money now, and the housing prices in this complex were only mid-range for the whole of Shanghai, so they could afford to buy a smaller apartment.

"Okay, then Siyan and I will go look at apartments in the next few days," Qian Li said.

When it was time to sleep at night, the two little ones, Taotao and Susu, ran to Zhang Ran's room again; they both missed their grandfather (maternal grandfather).

Zhang Ran held one little one in each arm and gently told them stories. Eventually, without realizing it, both little ones fell asleep with faint smiles on their little faces, as if they had dreamed of something fun.

Watching the two little ones sleeping soundly, Zhang Ran couldn't help but kiss them each on their cheeks.

Afterward, he gently turned off the light and went to sleep.

The next day, while Zhang Ran was eating breakfast, he looked at the two little ones and hesitated before speaking; saying it was better than leaving without a word.

"Well, Susu, Taotao, Grandpa has some things to attend to these next two days, so I might not be back," Zhang Ran said softly.

Upon hearing this, the two little ones immediately pouted, especially Susu, whose big eyes were already brimming with tears.

Seeing Susu like this, Zhang Ran felt a pang of heartache and quickly picked her up to comfort her: "Susu, Grandpa is only going away for a few days. Isn't it Sunday for you soon? You can come find Grandpa then."

Zhang Ran comforted them for quite a while before the two little ones calmed down, though they were still very unhappy.

"Dad, what are you going to do?" Liu Lu asked casually. She had no reaction to the two little ones crying, as she was already used to it; what she was curious about was what Zhang Ran was going to do.

Sicheng also looked over. Previously, Zhang Ran said he had things to do and went out to earn over three hundred million, and now he was going out again, and it didn't seem like he would be back for meals like before; how could this not make him curious?

Zhang Ran smiled faintly and said, "Going to collect a debt!"

"Uh... did someone borrow money from you back then?" Sicheng asked curiously.

Zhang Ran nodded noncommittally and said, "You could say that. It's been so many years, and he hasn't shown any intention of paying it back, so I have no choice but to go collect it myself."

Sicheng said "Oh" and didn't ask any further, though he guessed the amount of money must be quite large; otherwise, there would be no need for Zhang Ran to go collect it in person, especially since he had earned three hundred million just a few days ago.

As for Liu Lu, she now found that she was almost becoming numb to money.

Once upon a time, in order to save expenses, she would haggle over every cent when buying groceries every day, sometimes bargaining for half an hour over a dime or two.

Now, with hundreds of millions being mentioned in the house all the time, she had become somewhat numb to the numbers.

A while ago, her husband said their company was worth three hundred million; at that time, she was still very excited and thrilled.

Yesterday, her father-in-law said he went out once and earned three hundred and eighty million; money didn't even seem like money anymore.

Zhang Ran suddenly thought of something and said to Sicheng, "How is that girl, He Qing, doing now?"

"Very well. The Financial Director in the company says she is very talented and works hard; she is fully capable of participating in work now," Sicheng said.

Zhang Ran nodded and said, "Alright, then give her some time off later."

After saying this, Zhang Ran went to take the four little ones to school. On the way to school, the two little ones, Susu and Taotao, kept holding Zhang Ran's hand tightly; the meaning was obvious—they didn't want Zhang Ran to leave.

After much persuasion from Zhang Ran, promising they could come over on Saturday, they were finally a little happier.

Once all four little ones had entered the school, Zhang Ran was basically ready to set off.

"Have Xiao Qing come over; let her participate this time," Zhang Ran said to He Yong.

There was a hint of joy in He Yong's eyes, but he still hesitated: "Brother Zhang, Xiao Qing is still young and lacks experience. Will she mess things up?"

Zhang Ran said, "It's fine. Who knows everything the moment they are born? Besides, Xiao Qing has learned just about everything; it's time for her to get some hands-on experience."

"Thank you, Brother Zhang," He Yong said happily. He, of course, knew that Zhang Ran was grooming He Qing.