Chapter 276: 272. Heart-to-Heart with Meng He (Asking for Monthly Votes During the Double-Point Period!)

Zhang Ran gently woke the three little ones, but even though they were awake, they still looked dazed and confused.

Zhang Ran had no choice but to let Liu Lu and Zhang Sicheng help wash the three little ones up a bit.

Zhang Ran thought this state was for the best, as it would save them from crying and making a scene when the time came to part.

But clearly, Zhang Ran was being overly optimistic, because once they finished breakfast, the four little ones were completely full of energy.

What followed was another display of reluctance to part, though fortunately, because they had been running around playing wildly for the past few days, they didn't actually start crying or making a scene.

"Taotao, when are you coming to play at our house?" Arthur asked, holding Taotao's hand with anticipation.

Zhang Xiaotao also cast an expectant gaze at his grandfather; he knew that only his grandfather could make the final decision on this matter.

Zhang Ran stroked Taotao's little head and said, "Once Grandpa finishes handling things here, we can go over."

Although Zhang Xiaotao didn't understand what his grandfather was talking about, he still nodded very sensibly.

Afterward, the four little ones kept holding hands and talking. Bert stood by Zhang Ran's side, suddenly bowed to him, and said earnestly, "Thank you, Zhang Shu."

Although Zhang Ran hadn't taught Bert anything specific during this time, he had basically brought him along whenever there was something going on.

Moreover, what Bert lacked was not knowledge or theoretical accumulation, but practical experience and exposure.

Zhang Ran had broadened his horizons quite a bit during this time. Bert actually understood his own position very well: in the future, he would need to take over all the assets of his father, Prince Haiman.

And this was the best way for him to maintain their family's status, so Bert had always been very diligent and even stricter with himself, all so that at some point in the future, he wouldn't make things difficult for his father because of his own shortcomings.

Zhang Ran smiled and said, "No need to thank me. You've already called me uncle, so these are things I should do."

"Bert, you must remember, as long as it doesn't involve your family affairs, you can come to me for anything else. Your father and I are good friends; you don't need to have any psychological burden."

Bert nodded silently. Now, he was gradually beginning to understand the weight of Zhang Ran's words.

If Zhang Ran had said this to him before, although he wouldn't have shown anything on the surface, he certainly would have been somewhat dismissive in his heart.

But now, he had witnessed Zhang Ran's energy and vaguely sensed what Zhang Ran kept hidden beneath the iceberg.

Zhang Ran held the little hands of the two little ones, watched the plane fly far away, and didn't leave until it was out of sight.

On the way, Zhang Ran kept comforting the two little ones and bought them some small toys, which finally made them less sad.

Zhang Ran first sent the two little ones to school—although it was already late, they still had to go—and then Zhang Ran picked up his phone and called Meng Mingxuan.

"Ming Xuan, tomorrow you, your parents, and your sister should all come to our house," Zhang Ran said.

Meng Mingxuan asked, "Zhang Shu, is something the matter?"

"Nothing much, just a family dinner. Our two families will get together, chat, and open up to each other," Zhang Ran said.

Meng Mingxuan replied, "Alright, then we will come to visit Zhang Shu tomorrow."

At ten o'clock the next morning, the Meng He family had already arrived, carrying large and small bags of things.

At noon, Zhang Ran had Liu Lu prepare a table full of dishes and also called over Zhang Siyan and Qian Li, so the whole family was present.

At the dinner table, Zhang Ran and Meng He did not bring up anything regarding business; they spent the whole time chatting about idle matters.

"Ming Xuan, do you have a girlfriend? Do you need your sister-in-law to introduce one to you?" Zhang Ran asked with a chuckle.

Meng Mingxuan hurriedly said, "Zhang Shu, I don't have that thought for the time being, and I haven't met the right person yet. I'll wait until I do."

"You really need to hurry up. Don't you see your parents waiting with eager eyes?" Zhang Ran said.

"Zhang Shu, I'm really not in a hurry." Meng Mingxuan felt a bit helpless. Why is it that when people get a little older, their elders worry about them not finding a partner?

No matter what, he, Meng Mingxuan, wouldn't be unable to find a partner, right?

Zhang Ran did not continue to press, just like an ordinary elder caring for a younger generation.

After finishing lunch, they chatted until one o'clock, and Zhang Sicheng and the others apologized before leaving for work.

Meng He and Lin Meizhi didn't have any dissatisfaction; they actually knew that Zhang Ran probably had something to discuss with them this time.

Seeing the situation, Meng Mingxuan and Meng Zixuan originally wanted to leave for a while to leave the space to their elders, but they were stopped by Zhang Ran.

The five of them sat in the courtyard, smelling the fragrance of flowers and drinking tea.

"Da He, we've known each other for over thirty years now, haven't we?" Zhang Ran said, taking a sip of tea.

Upon hearing this, Meng He's face revealed a look of realization. It turned out that, unknowingly, so much time had passed. Back then, he was just a young man who didn't know anything. After leaving school, he had prepared to make a career for himself, but he soon hit a wall and ended up battered and bruised. If it hadn't been for meeting Zhang Ran, he, Meng He, would never have imagined that one day he could live a life like this.

Meng He said with emotion, "That's right. By my count, it has indeed been over thirty years. Time flies so fast."

At this moment, Zhang Ran looked at Meng He and said earnestly, "Da He, I have always treated you as a brother. Today, I asked your whole family to come over because I hope you will treat me as a brother and speak the truth to me sincerely."

Meng He was stunned. What did Zhang Ran mean by this?

"This time, I told Ming Xuan it was a family dinner, so it is a family dinner—a family dinner between two brothers. Therefore, the things we discuss today are all from the standpoint of brothers, not business partners, and certainly not from the perspective of interests," Zhang Ran said very earnestly and seriously.

Meng He seemed to understand what Zhang Ran meant. He opened his mouth to say something, but was interrupted by Zhang Ran.

"Don't be in a hurry to answer; think it through before you speak. The reason I let your whole family come is also so you can consider the thoughts of Ming Xuan and Zixuan," Zhang Ran said.

Meng He and Lin Meizhi both fell silent at this moment. They understood what Zhang Ran was trying to say, and at the same time, there was a trace of being moved in their hearts.

Just as Zhang Ran said, this was a conversation between two brothers. Although the matter being discussed represented great interests, Zhang Ran hoped that Meng He's starting point would not be interests, nor anything else, but rather consideration for his own family.

Was Zhang Ran unaware of Meng He's attitude?

Zhang Ran knew. It was precisely because he knew that he was thinking for Meng He. Zhang Ran had never been a pure businessman; many of his business matters were intertwined with personal feelings.