Chapter 86: 85. Preparing to Show My Hand (Please add to your library, please vote!)

In the car, Zhang Ran looked at He Yong and said, "Dayong, you don't need to follow me around all day anymore. When you're free, go see Xiao Qing and cultivate some father-daughter affection."

"Do you still expect Xiao Qing to take the initiative to get closer to you? No matter what, you were locked up inside for so many years and didn't fulfill your duties as a father; that is what you owe her. Don't be too proud, especially in front of your own daughter."

He Yong was silent for a moment and said, "Brother Zhang, I also want to talk to her more, but I don't know how to say it. Once I face Xiao Qing, I don't know what to say."

"Forget it, let's take it one step at a time. You should get familiar with Xiao Qing first. Don't start by talking about sad topics, and don't just keep saying you're sorry to her."

"How about this: when you have time, take Xiao Qing shopping. If nothing else, you should at least get her a full set of modern electronic products, right?"

"Has Xiao Qing ever told you what she lacks? Also, think carefully: given your family's situation before, does Xiao Qing have the things she should have?"

Zhang Ran really couldn't watch anymore. Originally, this was He Yong's family business, and he didn't want to interfere; after all, his own affairs were a tangled mess, and he was only just managing to sort some of it out now.

But seeing He Yong just following him around all day long, he started to get anxious.

Although Zhang Ran didn't know much, a little thought made it clear that, given He Qing's previous situation, it was hard to say if she even had a computer or anything like that.

He Yong scratched his head and said, "I don't know what she lacks. She never told me. Even last time when we first arrived in Shanghai, I asked her and she wouldn't say."

Zhang Ran slapped his forehead, knowing that if he didn't handle this matter, the father-daughter relationship between He Yong and He Qing would likely remain at a stalemate.

Zhang Ran said, "How about this: you go find Xiao Qing in three days. It will be Sunday, so take her and go buy a computer, a mobile phone, and get all those things sorted out."

"Remember, no matter if she says she doesn't want them, insist on buying them for her. Don't just stop buying them because she says she doesn't want them or says she already has them."

He Yong nodded and said, "I remember: mobile phone, computer."

Hearing this from He Yong, Zhang Ran was speechless. "Forget it, forget it. I'll write you a list when the time comes, and you just buy according to the list. Right, I'll give you some more money then; you should buy clothes and such too."

"But don't buy anything too expensive for now; let's take it one step at a time."

He Yong had always been obedient to Zhang Ran, and now that he saw Zhang Ran's family getting along harmoniously, he naturally had no reason not to believe Zhang Ran's words.

"Brother Zhang, I haven't finished spending the money you gave me yet; you don't need to give me any more," He Yong said hurriedly.

Zhang Ran slapped his own face with his palm; this time it was his own oversight, something he should have thought of in advance.

"You didn't send any money to your family?" Actually, part of the money Zhang Ran had given He Yong earlier was intended for him to send to his parents to fulfill his filial duty.

Although Zhang Ran could have given it to his parents while at He Yong's house, he didn't do so; he wanted He Yong to send it to his parents himself.

However, Zhang Ran had forgotten that, given He Yong's personality, he likely used the rest of the money for gas and rent after buying things for He Qing.

Because in He Yong's heart, this money belonged to Zhang Ran, and he needed to spend it on the tasks Zhang Ran had entrusted to him; he couldn't spend it recklessly.

As soon as Zhang Ran saw He Yong's expression, he knew he had guessed correctly, so he immediately said, "Send some of that money to your parents. Your uncle and aunt are getting old; don't let them worry. If you give them the money, they can feel more at ease."

"Sigh, so many years have passed, and you still haven't made any progress. Where is your brain? No wonder you were swindled back then."

He Yong gave a silly laugh. Although he had been scolded by Zhang Ran, he was actually very happy in his heart. He knew that Brother Zhang was still Brother Zhang; he only needed to complete the tasks Zhang Ran assigned, and he didn't need to think about anything else.

"You're still laughing? Forget it, I won't worry about you anymore." Zhang Ran was so annoyed by his silly smile that he laughed.

But even though he said that, he still had to take care of it.

At this moment, Zhang Ran suddenly realized that having a subordinate like He Yong to help might not necessarily be a good thing.

Because such a person helps you wholeheartedly and trusts you completely; he believes every single thing you say.

Such trust and loyalty are actually a very heavy responsibility.

If He Yong had his own selfish motives, Zhang Ran wouldn't bother with these matters; he could wash his hands of it with a clear conscience.

But the way He Yong was made it impossible for Zhang Ran to just watch and do nothing; he had no choice but to worry about his affairs.

Three days later.

Zhang Siyan looked at her family, all dressed neatly, and felt a bit puzzled. Last night, Zhang Ran had called her and asked her to take a day off today and come over in the morning, saying he had something to discuss.

What was going on now?

Actually, Zhang Sicheng and Liu Lu were also a bit puzzled; they didn't know what Zhang Ran was going to do either.

Zhang Ran looked at them and said, "Today you will come with me. Follow my arrangements for everything. Don't ask, and don't worry. I will have something to tell you tonight."

Zhang Ran was about to tell them about some of the situation. Of course, he didn't intend to reveal everything just yet.

From the very beginning, he had prepared to let Zhang Sicheng and Zhang Siyan accept things slowly, and during this time, he would cultivate their abilities.

The time had come, and he was ready to show his hand to Zhang Sicheng and the others.

Actually, Zhang Ran had originally planned to wait a while longer, but Liu Lu's attempt to sell her necklace for renovations last time had changed his thinking.

Coupled with the fact that Zhang Sicheng's company was about to go bankrupt, Zhang Ran simply decided to move his plan forward.

Perhaps there was also a trace of unease and urgency in this. Others might be able to rest easy and treat the incident on the cruise ship as an accident, but Zhang Ran could not maintain such a mindset.

Because he himself was actually an accident, and he worried that such a thing might befall him again.

Hearing Zhang Ran's words, Zhang Sicheng and the others were even more puzzled. What was going on?

But since Zhang Ran had already said not to ask and that he would explain tonight, they obediently followed his arrangements.

However, Zhang Xiaotao was not so obedient. "Grandpa, Grandpa, what are we going to do?"

Zhang Ran looked at Taotao, who had his little hands raised high, and said with a smile, "We are going shopping today."

"Yay, yay! I love shopping the most!" As soon as Taotao heard his grandfather say this, he jumped up with excitement.

However, Zhang Sicheng and Zhang Siyan exchanged a glance. Was it really just as simple as going shopping?

Did going shopping require such a big fanfare?

Zhang Ran glanced at the two of them, then picked up the two little ones and led the way out.

In fact, Zhang Ran had always believed in a saying: "If one's virtue does not match their position, disaster will surely follow; if one's character does not match their wealth, they will surely suffer loss."

This "virtue" does not just mean morality or conduct; it also includes ability, vision, and so on.

Perhaps Zhang Ran didn't truly believe in this saying, but rather used it as something he held onto in his heart—a principle.

Just as everyone has their own convictions, perhaps this was what Zhang Ran held onto. He hoped his son and daughter could achieve these things; this was the expectation of a father.

He did not want his children to become the kind of people he despised because of money. Even if they didn't contribute to society, they should at least abide by the most basic moral principles.