My happy life in a courtyard house with triplets.

Chapter 272: No. 90, a two-courtyard house

Zhang Lei stared wide-eyed at the sign that read "Number 90, Nanluoguxiang." Number 90! Wasn't that the two-courtyard siheyuan (traditional courtyard house) at the entrance of the alley? It was less than 30 meters away from their number 95.

Lou Xiao'e also noticed the location marked on the property deed and exclaimed in surprise, "Dad, is this for me?"

Lou Bancheng nodded and said, "This is for you."

Lou Xiao'e said happily, "Dad, that's great! Thank you, Dad."

Lou Bancheng nodded with satisfaction as he watched his daughter acting spoiled, then glared at Zhang Lei as if to say, "You're lucky to have gotten this."

Holding the property deed, Zhang Lei considered refusing, saying, "Uncle and Aunt, this is too valuable. Besides, we already have a house to live in; there's no need for it."

Lou Bancheng then pretended to be angry and said, "Alright, take it if you want. With your fickle nature, who knows how many people will be in your family by then?"

Hearing Lou Bancheng's teasing, Zhang Lei smiled awkwardly and said, "It was an accident, an accident, all an accident."

Lou Xiao'e looked at Zhang Lei and said, "Honey, let's go take a look. It's so close. If it's good, we'll move over there, okay?"

Zhang Lei thought for a moment, then nodded and said, "Alright then."

At this moment, Zhang Lei felt that this bowl of soft rice was really delicious.

Ye Shuqin, standing to the side, stared in astonishment at the deed in Zhang Lei's hand, somewhat incredulous. What family would give a courtyard house as a dowry when their daughter got married? And a two-courtyard one at that.

After everyone had finished and left, Zhang Lei closed the courtyard gate. Just as he was about to close it, he suddenly heard his second aunt shout, "Zhang Lei, what's going on at your house? Why are so many people coming and going?"

Zhang Lei said with a smile, "Second Aunt, my wife brought over the dowry from home."

Upon hearing that it was Zhang Lei's wife's dowry, everyone in the courtyard stared at Zhang Lei in disbelief. Someone teased, "Zhang Lei, so much stuff, whose wife's is this?"

Seeing their curious looks, Zhang Lei smiled and said, "Guess."

Hearing Zhang Lei say that, everyone felt an urge to hit him. Seeing their expressions, Zhang Lei quickly closed the door. Everyone inwardly cursed Zhang Lei for being inhuman.

Back in her room, Lou Xiao'e carefully opened the box that had been given to her. Zhang Lei looked inside and found gold bars, several stacks of cash and banknotes, two or three jade bracelets, some gold and silver jewelry, and a wedding dress made for Lou Xiao'e. Both Ye Shuqin and Lou Xiao'e were stunned by what they saw.

Looking at the contents of the box, Zhang Lei also felt that the Lou family had been very generous. Moreover, he saw a white jade bracelet in the box that looked like a family heirloom of the Lou family. Such a bracelet would be of immeasurable value in later generations.

Zhang Lei didn't point it out, but just coughed and said, "Alright, Xiao'e, Shuqin, you two close the box. These things aren't suitable to be exposed." Lou's parents nodded in agreement. Lou's mother said, "Xiao'e, just listen to Zhang Lei. These things are for your emergency use. It's best not to let other outsiders know about them."

Lou Xiao'e nodded and said, "Mom, I understand." Because if outsiders knew about these things, it would not only bring trouble to Zhang Lei's family, but also to Lou's family.

Mr. and Mrs. Lou sat with Zhang Lei for a while before getting up and leaving. Zhang Lei said with some surprise, "Uncle and Aunt, won't you stay a little longer?" Mr. and Mrs. Lou looked at Zhang Lei and said, "Alright, our presence here today might have had a negative impact on you. We've had enough time; it's time to go."

Hearing her father's words, Lou Xiao'e said sadly, "Mom and Dad." Zhang Lei looked at Lou Xiao'e and said, "Alright, it's not like we're facing life and death. If they won't come to see us, we can go to see them."

Lou Xiao'e was overjoyed upon hearing Zhang Lei's words, exclaiming, "Husband, how come I didn't think of that?" Zhang Lei looked at Lou Xiao'e and said, "You've married me, not sold yourself to me. Besides, our courtyard house isn't particularly far from where the Lou family lives. You can go back to see your parents whenever you want."

Watching Lou's parents leave, Zhang Lei patted Lou Xiao'e on the shoulder. At this moment, Lou Xiao'e's expression brightened, and she said, "Husband, let's go see that courtyard house." As she spoke, she showed a key in her hand.

Zhang Lei looked at the key in Lou Xiao'e's hand, somewhat taken aback, and asked, "When did you get it?" Lou Xiao'e replied, "No one gave it to me; I just put it on the table."

Zhang Lei nodded and said, "Alright then, but I need to put your things away first." Lou Xiao'e replied, "Honey, please put them away for me. You can keep them there, and I'll give them back to you whenever I need them."

Zhang Lei looked at Lou Xiao'e and said, "Aren't you afraid I'll hide it from you and keep it for myself?" Lou Xiao'e shook her head and said, "I'm not afraid. These things aren't even as much as the gold you took out last time. If you really don't give it to me, then I don't want it." Hearing Lou Xiao'e's words, Zhang Lei smiled and said, "Okay, I'll keep it for you for now. You can have it whenever you want it."

At this moment, Zhang Lei looked at Ye Shuqin and said, "Shuqin, Xiao'e, you two go first, I'll be there in a bit." Lou Xiao'e took Ye Shuqin's hand and said, "Shuqin, come on, let's go see courtyard number 90." After the two left, Zhang Lei waved his hand, and the large box containing Lou Xiao'e's things disappeared. Zhang Lei looked at the things in the house again, locked the door, and quickly chased after them.

When Zhang Lei arrived at the entrance of courtyard house number 90, Lou Xiao'e and Ye Shuqin were waiting for him. The three of them pushed open the door and walked into the front yard. Zhang Lei counted about seven rooms, including the workshop and the east and west wing rooms. Then, they walked into the second courtyard, which had about nine rooms, including the main house and the east and west wing rooms.

Looking at the standard two-courtyard house, Zhang Lei nodded in satisfaction. This was truly worthy of Lou Bancheng; even the choice of courtyard house was excellent. Just then, he heard Lou Xiao'e call out, "Husband, come quickly! There's a small garden in the back!" Zhang Lei went over and saw that, sure enough, there was a small garden behind the main house of the two-courtyard house, about 60 square meters in size.

Lou Xiao'e looked at the courtyard with satisfaction and said, "Honey, let's move here." Zhang Lei looked at Lou Xiao'e and said, "Let's talk about it later. We'll discuss it together when Shuqi, Shuhua, and Qiunan come back."

Hearing Zhang Lei's words, Lou Xiao'e nodded with some disappointment and said, "Okay." Soon the group began their tour, looking at each room one by one. Zhang Lei opened a room and saw that everything was quite complete, indicating that Lou Bancheng had put a lot of thought into it.

Soon, the group finished their tour. Ye Shuqin looked around and said, "Honey, with so many houses, there are enough rooms for even more people."

Zhang Lei smiled and said, "You like it?" Ye Shuqin nodded and said, "Who wouldn't like such a nice house? And if our family lives here, no outsiders will bother us."

Lou Xiao'e stepped forward and said, "See, husband, Shuqin has already said so." Zhang Lei smiled and said, "Okay, I understand, but let's discuss it as a family before making a decision."