My happy life in a courtyard house with triplets.

Chapter 293: Zhang Lei, who loves excitement

The news of Sha Zhu's cooking competition with Nan Yi spread far and wide among the steel mill workers as they left work. When Zhang Lei heard Ye Shuqi mention it, he was taken aback, his curiosity piqued, and he quickly asked her to explain in more detail what had happened.

Soon, Ye Shuqi told Zhang Lei everything she had heard at the factory. Zhang Lei became more and more excited as she listened, and Ye Shuqi smiled and said, "Honey, if you don't believe me, you can go to the factory and see for yourself. It seems the competition is tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?" Upon hearing this, Zhang Lei dashed out of the house. Ye Shuqin, watching his retreating figure, smiled and said, "Alright, just the few of us will have dinner. The husband probably won't be back." The others exchanged smiles; they knew Zhang Lei's personality all along—watching the excitement was always his top priority.

Soon, Zhang Lei arrived at courtyard house number 95 and rushed straight into the central courtyard without looking back. As soon as he entered the He family home, he saw He Yuzhu, He Daqing, He Yushui, and Qin Huairu, a family of four, having dinner. They were all somewhat puzzled by his sudden entrance.

Seeing that everyone else was eating, Zhang Lei felt awkward and wanted to leave. Just then, He Yushui ran over and said with a smile, "Brother Zhang Lei, have you eaten yet? If not, sit down and eat with us."

Zhang Lei smiled and said, "You guys eat, you guys eat, I'll come back later." He Daqing quickly called out to him, "Zhang Lei, come, come, have a couple of drinks with me." As he spoke, he went to the cabinet to get some wine.

Since Zhang Lei was already there, he sat down casually and smiled at He Yuzhu. He Yuzhu felt uncomfortable under his gaze and said warily, "Zhang Lei, what are you doing? If you want to eat, sit down and eat. Why are you looking at me?"

He Yushui, who was standing to the side, scolded him directly: "Brother, what are you doing? Brother Zhang Lei just sat down and glanced at you, what's wrong with that?" He Daqing also sat down with his wine and glared at Sha Zhu.

Sha Zhu felt incredibly wronged. Looking at Zhang Lei, he said irritably, "Zhang Lei, stay away from me." Zhang Lei didn't care and asked directly, "Sha Zhu, is it true that you're competing against Nanjing University of the Arts?"

Hearing this, He Daqing perked up: "A competition?" Sha Zhu was relieved to find out that Zhang Lei was asking about this. He immediately said proudly, "Yes, I want to compete with Nan Yi and see who has better cooking skills."

He Daqing was overjoyed: "Good lad, you've finally figured it out." Zhang Lei smiled and reminded him: "Silly Zhu, don't be so smug. Although Nan Yi is from a self-taught background, his cooking skills are no worse than yours. If you stumble later, don't embarrass the He family."

Sha Zhu immediately objected: "Zhang Lei, don't underestimate me. My cooking skills are known throughout Nanluoguxiang and the entire steel mill. I've only been at Nanjing University of the Arts for a few days."

Zhang Lei laughed, "Alright, alright, since you're so capable, I'll see who's better tomorrow." He Daqing looked at Zhang Lei, "Zhang Lei, are they really going to have a competition tomorrow? That brat didn't even tell me."

He Daqing immediately looked at Sha Zhu: "You little rascal, why didn't you tell me about something this big? I could have given you a lesson." Sha Zhu said nonchalantly: "Dad, you've seen my cooking skills before. Although they're not as good as yours, they're still the best in the steel mill."

Zhang Lei chuckled, "Oh, Sha Zhu, you can even spout fancy words now?" He Yushui pulled Zhang Lei aside, "Zhang Lei, let's eat. Don't pay attention to my brother. He can't even read all the words, yet he's spouting fancy words."

Sha Zhu was displeased: "Yu Shui, why are you siding with outsiders? I think you want to become Zhang Lei's wife too."

Upon hearing this, He Yushui instantly blushed crimson and stood up angrily, saying, "Brother, what did you say? Who wants to be Zhang Lei's wife? Who said I like Zhang Lei? Who told you I'm willing to marry Zhang Lei!"

Hearing He Yushui's words, everyone was stunned, and the scene became awkward. Hadn't this already made things clear?

Seeing everyone staring at her, He Yushui turned away in embarrassment, creating an awkward moment. Qin Huairu quickly smoothed things over, saying, "Alright, alright, the little girl is shy. Let's eat."

Afterwards, Zhang Lei and He Daqing drank one cup after another. When they had drunk enough, Zhang Lei had also figured out what Sha Zhu was thinking. Seeing that it was getting late, they got up to say goodbye.

He Daqing, feeling dizzy from being drunk, glared at Sha Zhu and scolded him, "Sha Zhu, you better make me proud tomorrow, don't let anyone look down on you." Sha Zhu replied confidently, "Dad, just you wait and see."

Reeking of alcohol, Zhang Lei returned home to find himself being thoroughly disapproved of by his six wives. He asked with a smile, "Who's free tomorrow to go to the steel mill to watch Sha Zhu's competition?"

Ye Shuqin shook her head: "You guys go ahead, I'm not interested." Ye Shuhua waved her hand: "I have to go to work tomorrow." Ding Qiunan wasn't interested either. Chen Xueru said: "Don't look at me, I have things to do at the shop."

In the end, only Ye Shuqi and Lou Xiao'e were willing to go. Ye Shuqi said, "I'll go tomorrow, since I have to go to work at the factory anyway." Lou Xiao'e happily said, "Honey, I'll go, I'll go! We'll go together tomorrow."

Zhang Lei was overjoyed and took Lou Xiao'e back to the bedroom. He had been tormenting Chen Xueru too much these past two days, and Chen Xueru would avoid him whenever she saw him, so he had no choice but to give up.

The next morning, Zhang Lei woke up early, as if he had been injected with chicken energy, a stark contrast to his usual habit of sleeping until eight or nine o'clock. After breakfast, he took Ye Shuqi and Lou Xiao'e to the steel rolling mill.

When they arrived and inquired, they learned that the competition wouldn't start until the afternoon. Lou Xiao'e complained, "Honey, look at you! You dragged me here without even checking the time! What are we going to do now?"

Zhang Lei thought for a moment, then smiled and said, "Forget it, let's go shopping and I'll buy you some nice things." Lou Xiao'e's eyes lit up immediately at the mention of shopping: "Let's go!"

Soon, Zhang Lei led Lou Xiao'e towards the west gate.

Lou Xiao'e looked in the direction Zhang Lei was leading her and asked curiously, "Husband, where are you taking me?"

Zhang Lei said with a smile, "Just come with me."

Soon, the two arrived at Liulichang. At this time, Liulichang was not as grand as it would be in later years. Zhang Lei looked at the lifeless surroundings, smiled, and said, "Let's stroll around here."

Hearing Zhang Lei's words, Lou Xiao'e said somewhat angrily, "Honey, is this all you brought me here? Isn't this just a place that sells a bunch of fake antiques?"

Zhang Lei looked at Lou Xiao'e and said with a smile, "Here, there's truth in falsehood and falsehood in truth; no one can tell the difference."

Lou Xiao'e looked at Zhang Lei and asked curiously, "Honey, do you know about these things?"

Zhang Lei shook his head: "I don't understand."

Lou Xiao'e looked at Zhang Lei speechlessly and said, "Honey, you don't even understand, yet you've come here?"

Zhang Lei laughed and said, "Come and see. Although I don't know anything about it, this is much more fun than gambling. If we happen to buy a real one, we'll be rich."