Chapter 648: 644. Wang Chao's Drunken Words (Seeking Subscriptions and Monthly Tickets)

Zhang Ran and the others chatted while they ate, eating very slowly.

Liao Wei only kept them company for about half an hour before she excused herself and went upstairs.

They had started eating at one or two in the afternoon and continued until four, after which Wang Chao brought over a barbecue grill and set it up in the courtyard to grill and eat.

Wang Chao was indeed very thoughtful, having prepared everything he possibly could.

Wang Ya did not go to work; she had handled her affairs and taken the day off, spending the whole time keeping Qi Xiaoting company, though she spoke very little; even though she kept a smile on her face and had a good temper, she did not say much.

During this time, Liao Wei came downstairs once, and seeing the mess in the dining room and outside, she felt nothing about it this time.

Household chores were never something she concerned herself with, nor did she need to worry about them; regardless of how messy things got, Wang Chao would always restore them to their original state the next day.

"Zhang Shu, I heard you all came here to discuss some big project? Do you know what project it is?" Wang Ya leaned over and asked.

Zhang Ran looked at her, thought for a moment, and said, "It should be something regarding company investments. Oh, right, I think I heard it's about the recovery of some original assets, but I'm not very clear on the specifics either."

Zhang Ran spoke vaguely, and Wang Ya returned disappointed once again; she was currently interning, and if she could get some inside information from Zhang Ran, it would be of great benefit to her, and she might even be able to get a permanent position directly.

At Pusi Capital, she could only rely on herself; there was no need to mention Wang Chao, who was just a university teacher, and although Liao Wei had achieved some success, she was completely unremarkable when facing a behemoth like Pusi Capital.

"Xiaoya, don't ask your Zhang Shu about work matters," Wang Chao chided.

"Dad, I know, I was just curious," Wang Ya said, acting spoiled toward Wang Chao.

This scene happened to be seen by Liao Wei as she came downstairs, and her expression was somewhat complex—envy? Jealousy? Indifference?

Wang Ya had never been that intimate with her since she was a child; of course, she had never really looked after Wang Ya either, only being responsible for providing money.

And ever since Wang Ya started middle school, other than for tuition, she had never once asked her for money.

If one were to really talk about it, Wang Ya's personality was more strong-willed, though this strength was different from Liao Wei's.

Liao Wei had very calm reasons for all her choices; she chose Wang Chao during the rising period of her career because he could provide her with a stable home, help her take care of the family, and even make her own family stop talking.

Furthermore, he could help her block some unnecessary social engagements from the workplace!

This was the reason she chose Wang Chao back then!

Wang Ya's birth was a firm demand from Wang Chao, as well as the opinion of her parents' side.

But ever since giving birth to Wang Ya, she had never managed her; it had always been Wang Chao taking care of Wang Ya.

Wang Ya's personality could be considered relatively cold, but in front of her father, she would turn into an obedient young girl.

She had always been completely submissive to her father's words and rarely went against Wang Chao.

When Wang Ya was in school, Wang Chao was called over by teachers many times, and those teachers all thought Wang Ya's personality was too cold, which was not conducive to her growth.

At that time, Wang Chao was very confused, because in his eyes, Wang Ya had always been a lively and cute child—how could her personality be cold?

Once or twice, he thought the teachers were intentionally targeting her, and for this, he even specifically changed her to two different schools, but after the third and fourth time, he knew Wang Ya's true personality outside.

Because of this matter, he had communicated with Wang Ya once, but since that time, he had never talked to Wang Ya about similar things again.

Just like that, eating barbecue and drinking beer, red wine, and white liquor—anyway, there was all kinds of alcohol—Zhang Ran felt a bit tipsy after mixing these drinks.

At eight o'clock, Zhang Ran prepared to take his leave.

"I'll see you off," Wang Chao said, slurring his words.

"Forget it, you should just stay at home. Don't drive if you drink, and don't drink if you drive," Zhang Ran said.

"No need, Xiaoya can drive. Xiaoya, you drive," Wang Chao insisted.

Zhang Ran thought about it and did not refuse again; Wang Chao was already drunk at this point, and he probably wouldn't listen to anything he said.

Wang Ya looked at her father with some worry, but she still obediently drove the car over.

Once in the car, Wang Chao said some things that others couldn't understand, and for some reason, he suddenly cried.

"Ran-ge, do you know? I'm living very well, it's just that it's hard on Xiaoya."

"Ran-ge, you must be well, live the life of a normal person, have a family, have children."

"Ran-ge, I don't regret it, because I have Xiaoya."

"Ran-ge, I hope you—no, I hope everyone from our orphanage can have a happy family."

"Family, parents, children, hehehe."

Wang Chao began to mutter things incessantly; some Zhang Ran could hear clearly, and some Zhang Ran could not.

"Don't worry, we will all be fine."

At this moment, although Zhang Ran was also a bit tipsy, his head was still clear; he could tell that Wang Chao was happy because of their arrival, and secondly, he might have wanted to get drunk himself.

Wang Ya suddenly spoke up at this moment: "This is the first time my dad has gotten drunk."

Zhang Ran nodded and did not respond; how was he supposed to ask? And what was he supposed to say?

Wang Ya stopped talking as well, just driving quietly.

Soon, only Wang Chao's muttering remained in the car, and it became somewhat quiet.

"Zhang Shu, there's a car that has been following us," Wang Ya said again; she had also noticed that there had been a car following them from behind.

Zhang Ran looked at the car and then said, "Don't worry about it."

Upon hearing this, Wang Ya said nothing more, but she looked at Zhang Ran with some curiosity—was he really this calm?

When they arrived at the hotel, Zhang Ran instructed Wang Ya: "Be careful driving on the road. This is my mobile number; you must send me a message after you get home safely."

Wang Ya nodded earnestly and said, "I'll remember."

"Mm, then drive slowly on the road," Zhang Ran said, then hesitated before adding, "Don't take your dad's words to heart. You just need to live your own life well. No matter what, your dad still has us old brothers."

Zhang Ran didn't know exactly what Wang Chao's situation was, but he understood that what Wang Chao worried about most in his heart was Wang Ya.

Likewise, Wang Ya was also the one who worried about Wang Chao the most.

That was why Zhang Ran said these words.

"Thank you, I know it all," Wang Ya said with a very calm expression, completely unlike the obedient appearance she had in front of Wang Chao.

Zhang Ran nodded and said nothing more, waving for her to leave, though he also signaled for He Yong to arrange for someone to follow her so that no accidents would happen to her.