My happy life in a courtyard house with triplets.

Chapter 213: Zhang Lei Fooles an Older Woman

An older woman looked at Zhang Lei and said, "Zhang Lei, but even if I leave the courtyard house, where can I go?"

Zhang Lei thought for a moment and said, "Think about whether you have any relatives left. If you do, you can take your and Yi Zhonghai's money and go to them for help. Family members are always more reliable than outsiders. Even relatives can't be trusted. Don't you still have money? I believe Yi Zhonghai has a lot of money saved up."

Seeing the woman hesitate, Zhang Lei pressed on, saying, "Auntie, do you believe that today it's Liu Haizhong and Yan Fugui coming to see you, and another day it'll be that shrew Jia Zhangshi, or even other wicked people in the neighborhood? You're all alone, can you handle it? Sooner or later, all your and Yi Zhonghai's money will be eaten up by these people."

Hearing Zhang Lei's words, the middle-aged woman immediately felt they made a lot of sense, but then hesitated and said, "Zhang Lei, what if Yi Zhonghai comes out and can't see me?"

Zhang Lei said, "Auntie, you're so naive. Don't you know what kind of life you've lived all these years? Has Yi Zhonghai really been good to you? Think about what you eat, drink, and use every day, and you even have to take care of a deaf old lady. Has Yi Zhonghai ever really cared about you?"

Zhang Lei's words had a wake-up call, and the middle-aged woman's mind was completely swayed. She said softly, "Then... let me think about it carefully."

Seeing the old woman's expression, Zhang Lei directly stated his purpose: "Auntie, if you and Yi Zhonghai want to sell these two houses, I can take them. Of course, don't worry, I won't lower the price by a single penny. I won't be as greedy as they are."

The elderly woman was deeply moved by Zhang Lei's words. She suddenly remembered how Zhang Lei had spoken up for her in front of Director Wang at the deaf old lady's house, and immediately said to Zhang Lei, "Thank you."

Zhang Lei looked at her and said with a smile, "Auntie, no need for thanks. I'm just doing what I believe is right."

The older woman looked at Zhang Lei and nodded vigorously.

At this moment, Zhang Lei stretched out his hand and said, "Auntie, give me the money."

The woman then realized that Zhang Lei had come with her to collect money. She quickly rummaged through her drawers and found her savings, counted out 150 yuan, and handed it to Zhang Lei.

Zhang Lei took the money, looked at it, then took out 50 yuan and stuffed it back into the old lady's hand, saying, "Auntie, 100 yuan is enough. You don't need that much to buy groceries."

Hearing this, the middle-aged woman was stunned. She never expected Zhang Lei to give her 50 yuan back. Just as she was about to say something, Zhang Lei waved his hand to interrupt her.

"Don't believe what Yan Fugui said. Don't you know him? He's incredibly calculating. The reason he quoted you such a high price is definitely because he wants to swindle your money."

Zhang Lei paused, then continued, "What happened today is just the beginning. You'd better think carefully about how you're going to live your life from now on. This is definitely the first time, but it's certainly not the last. Think carefully about what the people in our department are thinking."

After Zhang Lei left, the old woman collapsed to the ground.

She couldn't tell if she was frightened by the thoughts of the people in the compound or by the helplessness of losing her support one after another; Zhang Lei's words kept echoing in her mind.

Suddenly, the woman remembered the letter her distant nephew had sent her some time ago, and she hurriedly and frantically pulled it out.

She had never taken this letter seriously before, thinking it was just polite talk from a distant relative. Little did she know that it would become her only hope. In the letter, her nephew clearly wrote that he wanted her to come and live with him, and that he would take care of her in her old age.

Liu Cuilan had no children; this was common knowledge in the courtyard. Before, with Yi Zhonghai by her side, she never cared about these things, or rather, she was used to it. But now, all alone, this letter carried a different weight.

She stared at the letter for a long time, as if she had finally made up her mind. Clutching the letter, she hurriedly ran to the post office to send a telegram to her nephew.

Zhang Lei took the money and rode his bicycle outside for a while. He already had meat and vegetables in his spatial storage, so he didn't actually need to go out to buy them; it was just a formality.

Two hours later, Zhang Lei returned to the courtyard house on his bicycle, carrying a load of meat and vegetables. Everyone was overjoyed to see him.

Looking at everyone's expressions, Zhang Lei smiled and said, "This meat and vegetables were bought by an old lady. She said it's for the funeral arrangements of a deaf old lady. Everyone, come and lend a hand."

Upon hearing this, everyone gathered around to help unload the things from Zhang Lei's bicycle.

At this time, a stove had already been set up in front of the He family's house in the Intermediate Court. It was unclear what Liu Haizhong and Yan Fugui had said to He Daqing, but He Daqing was busy preparing the kitchen utensils and bowls and chopsticks for the grand banquet.

Seeing Zhang Lei return with so much meat and vegetables, He Daqing stepped forward and said with a smile, "Zhang Lei, I didn't expect you to be so quick, buying all this meat and vegetables so soon."

Zhang Lei replied with a smile, "It's because I've been doing purchasing for so long that I'm used to it. I know exactly what's being sold."

He Daqing laughed and said, "That's great! When I become a chef at my workplace, I'll definitely have to get some good stuff from you."

Zhang Lei looked at He Daqing and replied with a smile, "Uncle He, you're too kind. Just give me a call, and I'll definitely take care of it for you."

After a brief chat, Zhang Lei went home. Honestly, wandering around alone isn't very interesting.

When Zhang Lei got home, he saw that Ye Shuqin and her two sisters were all there, so he went up and hugged them one by one.

The three sisters looked at him and said with a smile, "You must be exhausted?"

Ye Shuqin came over with a glass of water, and Zhang Lei looked at her and said, "Alright, stop serving me. The three of you just need to take care of yourselves. Go eat lunch when it's time."

Upon hearing Zhang Lei's words, Ye Shuhua asked directly, "Eating? Is it because of the deaf old lady?"

Zhang Lei nodded: "Yes, I've bought all the groceries."

As soon as she finished saying she bought the groceries, Ye Shuqi looked surprised and asked, "Honey, why did you pay for them?"

Zhang Lei waved his hand: "It wasn't me who paid for it, it was an older woman who paid for it. I just went to help buy the groceries."

Hearing this, Ye Shuqi nodded and felt relieved.

Zhang Lei looked at her and smiled, "Don't worry, your man isn't one to suffer losses. How could I possibly spend money to do this for a deaf old lady?"

Ye Shuqin looked at Zhang Lei and said, "Honey, we understand. We'll go together later."

Zhang Lei replied with a smile, "Okay, we'll invite your wife and kids too. There will be enough people from each family to sit at two tables."

Ye Shuhua thought about it and realized it made sense. She then said happily, "Once the three of us each have a baby, we'll have just enough for two tables."

Seeing Ye Shuhua's mischievous appearance, Ye Shuqin glared at her.

Ye Shuhua stuck out her tongue and mischievously ran to Zhang Lei's side.

Zhang Lei looked at her and smiled, saying, "Okay, okay, from now on, our family will have more strength."