Chapter 378: 374. I Will Protect Your Family's Business (Please Subscribe and Vote for Monthly Tickets!)

At seven o'clock in the evening, after Zhang Ran's family had finished getting ready, they headed to the main building. Nikolayev had already prepared a dinner party again, though, of course, Zhang Ran was unaware of this.

"Can you two settle down for a moment? Did you hear me?" Liu Lu said with a stern face as she watched the two little ones driving their cars and constantly zipping back and forth in front of them.

Seeing Liu Lu's stern face, Susu and Taotao both quieted down and obediently drove their cars behind them.

However, when they were almost at the destination, the two little ones immediately picked up speed, quickly got out of the car, and trotted over to Nikolayev, who was waiting at the entrance.

"Grandpa Nikolayev!"

"Oh, my two little treasures, you've arrived." Nikolayev's large face was instantly filled with smiles.

The others standing at the entrance were stunned; they had never seen their family head show such a tender side.

"Do you like the cars?" Nikolayev asked with a smile.

"We like them, thank you, Grandpa Nikolayev." Zhang Xiaotao always had the sweetest little mouth.

"As long as you like them, just tell me if there is anything else you want in the future," Nikolayev said, taking full responsibility.

Zhang Ran walked over and couldn't help but say, "Don't spoil my grandson and granddaughter, otherwise I'll have them come over and wreak havoc on you."

"Haha, if you are willing, I..." Nikolayev started to say.

But before he could finish, Zhang Ran cut him off, "Get lost!"

After a bit of joking, the group walked into the dining room. Since it was a family dinner, there were no outsiders.

Even other members of the Nikolayev Family did not come over.

Although the form of the dinner was very formal, the atmosphere was very relaxed.

At first, Zhang Sicheng and the others were a bit nervous, as it was their first time attending such a high-end dinner, but they soon relaxed because neither Zhang Ran nor Nikolayev were very formal, and they were eating and drinking quite casually, so they gradually became at ease as well.

The key was the two little ones; because there were many people and the table was too long, they would occasionally clamor to eat this or that.

Originally, there were servants on the side to wait on them, but Zhang Ran saw that Zhang Sicheng and Zhang Siyan were feeling a bit constrained, so he had them withdraw first.

So, for the rest of the time, whenever the two little ones wanted to eat something, they would run over to get it themselves. Back and forth, the atmosphere of the entire dinner became very relaxed.

Zhang Ran mainly chatted with Nikolayev about the past, while Ilya, Ivan, and Zhuoya chatted with Zhang Sicheng and the others about interesting things for young people.

He Qing had also come over by this time; she hadn't been staying here before, but had been staying at a hotel.

Tu Yu was also mingling in the group. He had been a bit more silent during this period, as seeing the relationship between Zhang Ran and Nikolayev being so good left him somewhat dazed.

However, he slowly recovered and soon joined the conversation. With the addition of this chatterbox, the atmosphere on Zhang Sicheng's side became even more harmonious.

"It hasn't been easy for you all these years, has it?" Zhang Ran said with a light smile.

Nikolayev took a big bite of meat and then sighed, "Indeed. To use your Huaxia saying, it's like walking on thin ice. In the past few years, I was a bit too aggressive and got in too deep."

"Then pull back a bit these next few years; don't be too prominent. Being this famous now is not a good thing for your family," Zhang Ran said.

"If I had listened to you back then, we wouldn't be in this situation now," Nikolayev said.

"Hehe, if you had listened to me, you wouldn't have this situation at all," Zhang Ran said.

The two seemed to be saying the same thing, but they meant two different things.

Nikolayev was referring to the time when Zhang Ran was planning with him, and the advice given was to be steady and solid so as not to get in too deep; this was related to Zhang Ran's own style.

But Zhang Ran meant that if things had gone according to his plan over the years, the Nikolayev Family would not have such a grand and prosperous situation today.

If they hadn't been more aggressive back then, the Nikolayev Family would not have risen so quickly, nor would they have reached a higher level.

So, there are pros and cons!

Nikolayev, of course, knew the situation and said with a bitter smile, "Now I also know whether what I did was right or wrong. To tell you the truth, for the past two years, I have actually had no confidence in my heart.

But it's better now; you're back, and I finally have some confidence in my heart."

Zhang Ran looked at him, raised his glass to drink, and said, "Don't worry, no matter what happens, I can still help you protect your family's business abroad."

Nikolayev nodded with a loud laugh, "Having your word is enough. Come, I'll toast you!"

Nikolayev knew Zhang Ran's philosophy, so he had no intention of dragging Zhang Ran into this whirlpool.

"Don't keep saying these depressing things. At the very least, looking at it now, things are getting better and better on your side; there is no sign of instability," Zhang Ran said with a smile.

"Isn't this 'taking precautions before it rains'? You taught me that," Nikolayev said with a smile. "The more I study Huaxia culture now, the more unfathomable I feel it is."

"Haha, I don't know how well you've studied it, but your flattery skills are certainly well-learned now," Zhang Ran teased.

Neither of them talked about business matters; there was no rush now. As the two talked, Huo Zhiyuan and Nikolayev's wife just listened quietly on the side, occasionally whispering to each other.

"Brother Sicheng, Sister Siyan, Sister Qian Li, I have a business banquet tomorrow. Would you like to attend together?" Ilya invited.

Zhang Sicheng hesitated and said, "Is it appropriate for us to go?"

"What's inappropriate about it? They are all business friends, and there is also a delegation from your Huaxia coming to attend.

You can also meet some friends here. Everyone can sit down and chat together. At the very least, you will be better informed about some things in the future," Ilya said.

Zhang Sicheng thought about it and didn't refuse. He also wanted to grow up as quickly as possible now. Although Zhang Ran had never urged him to do anything, nor had he given him any task goals or the like.

But as he learned more about his own family's situation, Zhang Sicheng felt more and more pressure. He would need to adapt to activities like this in the future.

Now that Ilya was taking them along, it could be considered an early adaptation.

Zhang Siyan and Qian Li did not refuse either.

"Ilya, can I tag along and take a look?" Tu Yu said with a grin.

Ilya said as a matter of course, "Of course you can. We'll all go together; it'll be lively."

A group of young people agreed to go to the banquet together tomorrow, and even Liu Lu didn't escape.