Chapter 700: 696. Zhou Fei's Family (Seeking Subscriptions and Monthly Tickets)

Upon hearing Zhang Ran say this, Yin Long asked with some confusion, "Brother Zhang, is this necessary? I believe they wouldn't go against us, would they?"

Zhang Ran sneered, "Wouldn't they? Under normal circumstances, they indeed wouldn't, but what if the Rhode Family pays a certain price?"

"But these loans we're taking out aren't really of much use. If they truly help the Rhode Family, this bit of money shouldn't be enough to satisfy their appetites." Yin Long remained puzzled.

Zhang Ran explained, "Borrowing so much isn't for these banking capitalists, but for those who stand on our side. When the time comes, they will have reasons and excuses to oppose these banks supporting the Rhode Family."

Five billion US dollars is not a lot to people like them, but it is definitely not a small amount either.

The interest every day is also quite substantial; this money is for those 'friends' of Zhang Ran. With this money, these people will have more confidence when they speak.

This is Zhang Ran's true purpose.

Yin Long began to understand Zhang Ran's meaning, while at the same time pondering just how broad and deep Zhang Ran's 'circle of friends' really is.

Although Yin Long was part of Zhang Ran's team back then, because he joined relatively late and was young at the time, he didn't know much, and Zhang Ran wouldn't bring him along for many things.

Zhao Lifeng and the others looked at each other in surprise; they found that they were increasingly unable to understand Zhang Ran.

They hadn't heard of Zhang Ran visiting anyone during this period, so how did he have so many 'friends'?

And these were 'friends' who could still help even after Zhang Ran had disappeared for so long.

If Zhang Ran knew their thoughts, he could only tell them they were overthinking it; rather than friends, it would be better to call them business partners.

In the past, when Zhang Ran was at war with families like Weimusi's, these people helped quite a bit. Of course, Zhang Ran also paid a price.

However, these costs were conditional, and furthermore, they didn't know if Zhang Ran had left any hidden traps regarding this back then.

Especially after what Zhang Ran did in Huaxia, it added another layer of wariness toward him.

Coupled with the fact that they were partners to begin with, there was no difficulty in cooperating now.

Therefore, there was no need for Zhang Ran to visit them at all; everything was just a matter of course.

"Xiao Long, after you finish the work here, continue to stay in South Africa. We will go over in a while," Zhang Ran said.

Yin Long nodded and said, "Alright, I'll head over tomorrow."

"You must be exhausted lately. Why don't you bring your wife and son over? It'll save you from worrying day and night, and I feel a bit guilty," Zhang Ran laughed.

Yin Long was somewhat tempted; he truly missed his wife and son, but after all, this was work, and very important work at that.

"Forget it, let's talk about it after this matter is over," Yin Long shook his head.

Zhang Ran thought for a moment and didn't try to persuade him further, only saying, "Fine, after it's over, I'll give you a good vacation."

Next, Zhang Ran discussed things with these people from Zhongqiang Group for a long time; Zhang Ran rarely fought a battle without preparation.

It was like that before, and it is like that now.

When dealing with Tian Yaohui and his group before, Zhang Ran had prepared so thoroughly; now, when dealing with the Rhode Family, Zhang Ran would only prepare with even more caution.

Zhang Ran hadn't shown anything on the surface regarding the betrayal and schemes of those years, but in his heart, he was still incomparably angry and disappointed.

He was never a magnanimous person, nor would he ever let bygones be bygones with a smile. Small grievances were one thing—he couldn't be bothered to care—but if people schemed against and betrayed him like that, and even almost got him killed, if he still didn't care, he would truly be a saint.

Zhang Ran handled the matters in the United States a little and prepared to return to the country for a while, but just at this moment, He Yong brought some news.

"Brother Zhang, Zhou Fei's family has been found," He Yong said.

The hand Zhang Ran was using to lift his teacup paused; he was silent for a long while before saying, "How are they?"

Zhou Fei was the person who betrayed him back then, and also the one bought off by the Luode Xiongmei. If it weren't for him, Zhang Ran would never have fallen into such a dangerous situation back then.

Of course, in the end, it was also because of his sudden realization that Zhang Ran had a little more time to prepare.

However, until the moment Zhou Fei died, he still didn't reveal who the mastermind was; perhaps there was no time, as Zhou Fei had been shot in the heart at the time.

Zhang Ran's feelings toward Zhou Fei were very complex. Just like He Yong and the others, everyone who followed Zhang Ran had their reasons, and Zhang Ran treated them sincerely, but the results didn't seem to be that good.

"They aren't living very well," He Yong shook his head.

Zhang Ran frowned and said, "Not living well? What's going on? Is the Rhode Family that stingy?"

Back then, Zhou Fei had betrayed Zhang Ran, so the chips must have been high; otherwise, it wouldn't have been enough to move Zhou Fei. Zhang Ran was certain of this.

And now that He Yong said they weren't doing well, what was going on?

He Yong said, "I'm not very clear on the specific situation. I only just found their address, and recently, Zhou Laotaitai's health seems to be a bit poor."

During this time, besides protecting Zhang Ran's safety, He Yong had put all his remaining energy into finding Zhou Fei's family.

Zhang Ran hadn't asked him to look, but He Yong knew that Zhang Ran still wanted to know the situation of Zhou Fei's family.

This was also the reason for Zhang Ran's silence just now; his mood was very complex.

He wasn't looking for Zhou Fei's family to implicate them, but at the same time, Zhang Ran didn't know what it was for either.

"Where are they?" Zhang Ran took a deep breath and asked.

He Yong said, "The whole family lives in Chinatown in Los Angeles. According to the information received now, their family opened a small restaurant in that part of Chinatown, a very small one."

Zhang Ran fell silent once again.

"Brother Zhang, should we go take a look?" He Yong couldn't help but ask.

Zhang Ran said, "Go look at what? Are you expecting me to help them? Am I, Zhang Ran, that kind-hearted? Not going!"

The next day, Zhang Ran, Huo Zhiyuan, and He Yong boarded a plane to Los Angeles. On the plane, Zhang Ran said, "Well, it just so happens that this girl has a project here, and I'm worried, so I'm coming along to take a look."

Zhang Ran still had a very deep impression of Zhou Laotaitai of the Zhou family; the reason Zhou Fei followed Zhang Ran back then also had to do with this Zhou Laotaitai.

Zhang Ran had truly rarely seen such a rural old lady with such persistence and conviction.

Huo Zhiyuan smiled and said, "Right, I just happen to have some things to handle here."

In her heart, she wanted to laugh, because she hadn't expected that Zhang Ran would actually have a side like this.