My happy life in a courtyard house with triplets.

Chapter 303: Making a Deal with Master Niu

As soon as the two entered the courtyard, Zhang Lei saw the whole family of Uncle Niu and felt a little embarrassed—it was really impolite of him to visit empty-handed on his first visit.

Master Niu saw through his thoughts at a glance and said with a smile, "These days, we don't care about such formalities. Besides, you're here to do business with me, so there's no need to be so formal."

Zhang Lei quickly smoothed things over, saying, "Uncle Niu is very lucky."

Old Niu looked at him and sighed, "I am fortunate in some ways, but not entirely. So many people, so many mouths to feed. If it weren't for the inheritance from my ancestors, I would have been begging for food long ago."

Zhang Lei agreed verbally, but in his heart he didn't believe it at all. These wealthy families, no matter how poor they were, were still better off than ordinary people.

Soon, Zhang Lei followed Master Niu into the study.

Looking at the room full of porcelain vases and precious ancient books, Zhang Lei was stunned for a moment: "Were all these sold to me?"

Old Niu glared at him: "What are you thinking? These are my family heirlooms, and I don't usually let people see them. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have brought them in today."

Zhang Lei thought to himself: You're not trying to hide it from me, you're deliberately showing it to me.

Grandpa Niu opened a large box in the corner, inside which were a pile of items. (Republic of China famille rose porcelain bowls, late Qing Dynasty blue and white porcelain plates, Ming Dynasty folk kiln blue and white porcelain jars, Song Dynasty Cizhou kiln porcelain pillows, Yuan Dynasty Longquan kiln celadon bowls, Qing Dynasty celadon brush holders, Tang Dynasty tri-color glazed pottery ornaments, Yue kiln celadon water droppers, Yaozhou kiln celadon dishes, Ming Dynasty jade hairpins, Qing Dynasty jade safety buckles, Republic of China jadeite pendants, Han Dynasty jade Weng Zhong pendants, Tang and Song Dynasty jade huang (crescent-shaped pendants), Liao and Jin Dynasty agate beaded strings, Yuan Dynasty jade boy pendants, Neolithic jade bracelets (of ordinary condition), Ming and Qing Dynasty Hetian jade thumb rings, etc.)

Zhang Lei glanced at it, somewhat displeased: "Brother Niu, this is far too little, and these aren't even particularly valuable items. Are you underestimating my purchasing power?"

Uncle Niu looked at him and said, "Didn't you say you didn't have much stuff? I prepared it as you suggested; these little things are enough."

Zhang Lei said helplessly, "Brother Niu, please tell me the truth, how much grain do you need for all this?"

Old Niu held up one finger: "One hundred catties of wheat flour."

Zhang Lei was even more speechless: "Brother Niu, you're being too stingy. This isn't even enough to fill a tooth gap."

Old Niu was taken aback: "What? Not enough to fill a tooth gap?"

Zhang Lei nodded: "Yes, I originally planned for 1,000 jin of beef, 100 fish, and 2,000 jin of flour. I thought you'd prepared everything long ago, but it turns out this is all. Although I'm not very knowledgeable about these things, isn't it a bit low-class for you to give me this?"

Old Niu stared in astonishment, his eyes wide: "You really have so much stuff?"

Zhang Lei nodded: "Yes. But we can do it in batches to avoid leaks."

After thinking for a moment, Niu Ye said seriously, "Okay, wait for my news tonight. I'll give you an address; it's empty there right now. We'll go there to make the deal."

After saying that, Uncle Niu took a key, wrote down a note, and handed it to Zhang Lei. The note had an address on it.

Zhang Lei smiled and said, "Then I'll be waiting for your good news tonight."

After Zhang Lei left, a young man with a serious expression approached and asked, "Dad, is this a reliable plan?"

Niu Ye said in a deep voice, "Whether he's reliable or not, be careful tonight. Chen Xueran's trust in him is usually reliable."

The son nodded solemnly.

Seeing that it was still early, Zhang Lei went to Xue Ru's silk shop, exchanged a few words with Chen Xue Ru, and then stayed in the backyard to drink tea and rest.

Chen Xueru, who was serving her, said softly, "Honey, do you want me to go with you? I know Master Niu well, and with me there, he won't dare to lie to you."

Zhang Lei thought for a moment, then shook his head: "Forget it, it's not like we're only doing this one deal. We'll be dealing with each other a lot more often in the future. Besides, do you think I'm the kind of person who would suffer a loss?"

That evening, Zhang Lei arrived at the agreed-upon transaction location ahead of schedule.

With a wave of his hand, he took out 200 jin of beef, 20 fish, and 500 jin of flour from his personal space.

After waiting for about fifteen minutes, Zhang Lei sensed that Master Niu had arrived.

He looked at Uncle Niu entering the house, and his son following behind him, but he sensed that there were many other people hiding outside the courtyard.

Zhang Lei walked up to Uncle Niu with enthusiasm and greeted him with a smile, "Uncle Niu."

"I've already put my things inside. Where are yours?"

Uncle Niu glanced at his son behind him, and Zhang Lei stepped aside to make way for him.

Soon, Old Man Niu's son ran out excitedly, shouting, "Dad, things! Lots of things! Meat, flour!"

Upon hearing this, Uncle Niu quickly ran inside as well.

Seeing that Zhang Lei had actually brought back so many good things, he said happily, "Zhang Lei, I never expected you could bring back so many good things."

Looking at the delighted Uncle Niu, Zhang Lei smiled and said, "Uncle Niu, I didn't lie to you, did I? This is only part of it."

Uncle Niu nodded repeatedly: "Okay, okay, okay."

At this moment, Zhang Lei looked at him and asked, "Brother Niu, where's what I asked for?"

Then Old Niu remembered and slapped his forehead, saying, "Wait a minute, wait a minute."

Soon, Niu Ye's son ran outside and called in a few people who carried in a large box.

(Du Mu's "Zhang Haohao Poems Scroll", Huang Tingjian's "Letter to Various Senior Monks Scroll", Zhao Ji's "Returning Home on a Snowy River Scroll", Qian Xuan's "Mountain Dwelling Scroll", Ma Hezhi's "Book of Songs: Lesser Odes of the Kingdom: Jie Nan Shan Scroll", Zhou Zhimian's "Hundred Flowers Scroll", Qing Dynasty Qianlong period white jade mountain-shaped ornament with a monk leading the way, white jade reclining ox ornament, Qing Dynasty white jade lotus petal pattern washer with auspicious and longevity motifs, white jade elephant-shaped washer with foreign figures, white jade twelve zodiac animal ornaments, Qianlong period white jade brush holder with relief carving of bamboo, lingzhi and orchid.)

Looking at the contents of the box, Zhang Lei smiled and said, "Brother Niu, this is more like it! This is exactly the kind of good stuff I need."

Seeing Zhang Lei's satisfied expression, Uncle Niu patted his chest and said, "Everything here is genuine, I, Uncle Niu, guarantee it. If there's even one fake, just come and find me."

Looking at the confident Master Niu, Zhang Lei nodded in satisfaction: "Alright, just for your sake, Master Niu, I have to thank you."

Soon, the people that Master Niu brought cleaned up all the meat, fish, and noodles in the house.

After everyone left, Zhang Lei excitedly opened the box, carefully examined the treasures inside, and then with a wave of his hand, put the items into his personal space.

He scanned the area to make sure no one was around before leaving the courtyard with peace of mind.

When Zhang Lei got home, he saw that everyone was still awake. He smiled and asked, "What's wrong? Why aren't you asleep?"

Chen Xueru looked at him and said apologetically, "Honey, don't blame the sisters. It's my fault. I told them about your situation, and they've been so worried they can't sleep."

Zhang Lei laughed: "See, I'm back safe and sound, aren't I?"

Ye Shuqin stepped forward: "Honey, if this happens again, please don't hide it from us."

Zhang Lei laughed and said, "It's nothing big, just trading some old items. The reason I kept it from you was because I was afraid you'd overthink it. Look at you guys now."

The women all gathered around, carefully examined Zhang Lei, and only after confirming that he was alright did they finally feel relieved.

Zhang Lei smiled at them and said, "Don't worry, I'm fine. I'm doing all this for our future, for the wealth and well-being of our son and grandson."