klisemfg Chapter 247: Silly Pillar Zhang's Four-Courtyard House
Chapter 247: Silly Pillar Zhang's Four-Courtyard House
He had just taken his bicycle out to leave when he saw He Yuzhu at the Intermediate People's Court. Zhang Lei walked up to him: "Hey, Yuzhu, are you all better?"
He Yuzhu nodded: "Okay, all done."
As soon as the words left his mouth, Zhang Lei realized he had asked a redundant question. Would someone be discharged if they weren't feeling well? Besides, Sha Zhu's injury was in a rather private area. He turned to He Daqing beside him and said with a smile, "Uncle He, if you need any ingredients to cook for Zhu Zi, remember to tell me. I have plenty here."
He Daqing smiled and agreed, "Okay, I'll definitely come to you if there's a vacancy."
He Yushui walked up to Zhang Lei and thanked him with a smile, "Thank you, Brother Zhang Lei."
Zhang Lei patted her head: "Don't mention it. You two keep chatting, I have something to take care of."
The news of Sha Zhu's discharge from the hospital quickly attracted the attention of others in the compound. After all, everyone in the compound knew about Sha Zhu and Xu Damao's affair. Xu Damao was still being held in custody, albeit for only three months, and it wasn't time for him to be released yet. Sha Zhu's discharge first inevitably aroused curiosity.
The most resentful person in the courtyard was none other than Jia Zhangshi. She was holed up in her own room, glaring angrily in the direction of the He family. The Jia family was now only filled with resentment and sorrow, and all her former scheming thoughts were gone.
Meanwhile, the He family was filled with laughter and joy, their warm family reunion standing out prominently in the courtyard.
Jia Dongxu looked at Jia Zhangshi and said softly, "Mom, don't look anymore." Jia Zhangshi clutched the hem of her clothes and gently advised, "Dongxu, please don't be angry anymore. It's not worth ruining your health."
Jia Dongxu sighed, his eyes filled with resignation: "Mom, I understand." He was paralyzed in bed and couldn't do anything. He glanced at Jia Zhangshi and said, "Mom, our family can't go without income right now. I can't go to work, so I'm afraid I'll have to trouble you."
Madam Jia was about to object, but looking at her son paralyzed on the bed and her young grandson, she finally softened and nodded: "Dongxu, Mom knows. In a couple of days, Mom will go to the factory to ask about the job."
When Qin Huairu and Jia Dongxu divorced, she had already reclaimed her work position from the Jia family. With her shrewdness, she wouldn't let the Qin family benefit. However, she had never worked before, and the thought of going to work in a factory made her anxious. She worriedly asked, "Dongxu, Mom's going to work. What will you do alone at home?"
"Mom, it's okay, just bear with it, you can clean it up when you get home from get off work tonight," Jia Dongxu said helplessly. Jia Zhangshi had no choice but to agree, "Alright then."
Unexpectedly, Jia Dongxu suddenly spoke up again: "Mom, you can go find Zhang Lei if you have time." Madam Jia looked puzzled: "Find Zhang Lei? What for? He's so biased, would he really help us?"
Jia Dongxu looked at her and said in a deep voice, "Mom, there are only four uncles in the courtyard now. Do you think the second and third uncles will help our family?"
Madam Jia thought for a moment, then fell silent. She had had many conflicts with Liu Haizhong and Yan Fugui, and those people were eager to see the Jia family make a fool of themselves. She sighed, "I understand. I'll go find him later."
Zhang Lei had already left the courtyard house and was completely unaware of the Jia family's plans. He was only thinking about his own scheme and was riding his bicycle around the city. He had found out the first time he caught a spy in this way and now he planned to try his luck again.
He hadn't walked far when he bumped into Lou Xiao'e, who was hurrying towards the courtyard house. He was somewhat surprised: "Lou Xiao'e? What brings you here?"
Lou Xiao'e raised an eyebrow, feigning anger, and said, "What, are you unhappy that I'm here?" Zhang Lei quickly waved his hand, "No, how could I not be happy?"
Lou Xiao'e couldn't help but laugh at his nervous expression: "Didn't I tell you yesterday that I was going to give gifts to Sister Shuqin and the others?" Zhang Lei was taken aback, then chuckled: "Huh? You actually brought gifts?"
Zhang Lei nodded: "Alright then. But there's something I have to tell you beforehand: Shuqin and the other two are younger than you." Lou Xiao'e's eyes widened instantly: "What did you say?"
"I said they're younger than you, but considering how long they've been with me, it's not wrong for you to call them 'sister'," Zhang Lei said seriously. Lou Xiao'e was immediately embarrassed. She had always thought Ye Shuqin and the other two were married women of Zhang Lei's age, but she didn't expect them to be younger than her.
Seeing her expression, Zhang Lei comforted her, "We're not that far apart in age, you can call each other whatever you like, or just by your names." Lou Xiao'e nodded, "Alright then."
Zhang Lei had no choice but to push the cart and accompany Lou Xiao'e back to the courtyard house. But just as they reached the door, he suddenly remembered that Ding Qiunan was still inside, and his scalp tingled—he had just talked things out with Lou Xiao'e during the day, and then spent the night with Ding Qiunan; he felt incredibly awful. He leaned close to Lou Xiao'e and whispered, "Xiao'e, there's something I want to tell you. Be prepared."
Lou Xiao'e looked at his mysterious expression and laughed, "What's wrong? Why are you so nervous?"
Zhang Lei quickly pulled her out of the courtyard and into a secluded alley, looking guilty. "Xiao'e, what I'm about to say might be a bit irresponsible, but I have no choice. Please listen to my explanation." He then recounted how he and Ding Qiunan had gotten together after knowing each other for only two days.
Lou Xiao'e was shocked: "You two really only knew each other for two days?" Seeing Zhang Lei nod, she reached out and pinched his waist hard, angrily saying, "You bad person! I've known you for so long, why didn't you take the initiative to be with me? Instead, someone else got there first!"
Zhang Lei froze instantly, wondering to himself, "Is this the important point? Shouldn't she care that I have another woman?" The pain in his waist made him wonder if all women knew this trick. He quickly begged for mercy, figuring that admitting his mistake was all that mattered at this moment.
Lou Xiao'e sighed, her heart softening in the end: "Fine, who told you to be such a womanizer? I guess I'll just have to accept being with a womanizer like you." As she spoke, she looked up at him again, "I'm staying at your house tonight."
Zhang Lei froze again, and was about to speak when Lou Xiao'e glared at him and said, "What's with that expression? You're not happy that I'm living here?" He quickly waved his hands, "Yes, yes."
Only then did Zhang Lei realize that he hadn't told Ye Shuqin and the others about Lou Xiao'e. But looking at Lou Xiao'e's eyes, he could only grit his teeth and lead her to the back room.
As soon as Lou Xiao'e appeared, Ye Shuqin greeted her with a smile: "Honey, Xiao'e is here." Zhang Lei quickly nodded: "She heard you were pregnant and came to see you with gifts."
Ye Shuqi smiled and took Lou Xiao'e's arm, saying, "Xiao'e, why are you being so polite?" He then pulled her into the house. Ding Qiunan, who was already able to walk slowly, was standing in the corner of the room. The two of them were stunned for a moment when they saw Lou Xiao'e.