My happy life in a courtyard house with triplets.

Chapter 275: Lou Xiao'e's Friend Chen Xueru

After discussing the matter, Zhang Lei brought his five wives to the courtyard house at No. 90.

Looking at so many rooms, the group was unsure how to choose. Zhang Lei looked at them and said, "Let's use the main house and the west wing as our bedrooms first, and the east wing as the kitchen."

Soon, everyone had chosen their rooms. Ye Shuqin, Ye Shuqi, and Ye Shuhua selected three rooms in the west wing, as they were all pregnant and needed quiet. Ding Qiunan and Lou Xiao'e chose rooms on either side of the main house, leaving the middle room for Zhang Lei. The five of them also agreed that each would spend a day with Zhang Lei, a good idea Zhang Lei thought was appropriate, as he couldn't show favoritism.

After discussing the arrangements, the group began arranging their respective rooms. Zhang Lei, meanwhile, admired the two-courtyard house in the courtyard, pondering what to plant in the small garden at the back. He also used his divine sense to scan the area around the courtyard, taking precautions to prevent his wives from being in danger while he was away. Only after confirming that there were no problems around did he feel relieved.

Soon everyone was ready to go, and to celebrate the move, Zhang Lei decided to take everyone out to eat.

The group quickly discussed and decided to go to Donglaishun for hot pot. They each rode their bicycles and arrived at the restaurant in no time.

Zhang Lei sat down, glanced at the menu, and said directly, "Give each person a pound of mutton first, we'll talk about the rest later." The waiter was taken aback by this extravagant order. Zhang Lei looked at him and asked, "What's wrong? Don't you have that much mutton?" The waiter quickly shook his head, "Yes, yes, we do."

Soon, plates of mutton were served, and the group ate with great gusto. Zhang Lei looked at the freshly sliced, tender mutton and ate with particular relish.

After finishing their mutton meal, the group went shopping and happened to pass by a furniture store. Zhang Lei asked his wives to look at some dressing tables they liked, and each of the five wives chose one. Zhang Lei then took the opportunity to look at the large beds, feeling that the current bed in the master bedroom was a bit small. Based on the shopkeeper's recommendation, he found a large bed that could easily sleep six people, nodded in satisfaction, paid for it, and arranged a delivery time.

The group continued shopping when Lou Xiao'e suddenly remembered a place and said, "Honey, let's go check out Zhengyangmen. I met a friend there last time, and his clothes and fabrics are exceptionally good." The other four women were delighted to hear this and immediately asked for the exact location.

Seeing their excited expressions, Zhang Lei smiled and said, "Okay, you can buy whatever you want today. Your dear husband will pay for it." Hearing this, the women all gathered around him. If they weren't on the street, they would have loved to kiss him.

Lou Xiao'e led the way, and the group quickly arrived at their destination. Zhang Lei was stunned when he saw the shop's name—Xue Ru Silk Shop? He thought to himself, "Could this be the Xue Ru I'm thinking of?"

Seeing his five wives go inside, Zhang Lei quickly followed. As soon as he entered, he saw a woman standing next to Lou Xiao'e. Lou Xiao'e happily greeted Zhang Lei, "Husband, come here quickly, this is my friend Chen Xueru."

Upon hearing the name "Chen Xueru," Zhang Lei was completely stunned. Wasn't she one of the female leads in "The Little Woman Under the Zhengyang Gate"? If Chen Xueru was involved, would Xu Huizhen also appear?

Chen Xueru looked at the dazed Zhang Lei, a slight smile playing on her lips. Lou Xiao'e said somewhat angrily, "Honey, what are you daydreaming about?" Zhang Lei then snapped out of his reverie and quickly said, "I was just thinking about something." Lou Xiao'e pouted, "Thinking about something, or were you just unable to move because of a pretty girl?"

Looking at the jealous Lou Xiao'e, Zhang Lei smiled helplessly and said, "What are you thinking?" At this moment, Chen Xueru walked over and said with a smile, "Hello, I'm Chen Xueru, the owner of this shop." Zhang Lei also replied, "Hello, I'm Xiao'e's man, Zhang Lei."

After exchanging greetings, Zhang Lei sat to the side, watching the group choose clothes. He sighed inwardly, thinking that clothes and women were indeed inseparable; just as no man dislikes a beautiful woman, no woman dislikes beautiful clothes.

Zhang Lei was getting impatient when suddenly a slender hand reached out to him, holding a cup of tea, and said gently, "Women need to carefully select clothes, which takes a while. Have some tea and wait patiently."

Zhang Lei looked at Chen Xueru in front of him, paused for a moment in surprise, and said, "Thank you."

Chen Xueru looked at Zhang Lei and said with a smile, "No need to thank me. Actually, Lou Xiao'e mentioned you to me before, and I was wondering what kind of man could fascinate her so much. Seeing you today, I can see you are indeed extraordinary."

Zhang Lei looked at Chen Xueru and said with a smile, "Boss Xueru is also beautiful, generous, and exceptionally intelligent."

Hearing Zhang Lei's straightforward praise, Chen Xueru was somewhat taken aback. Being naturally outgoing, she looked at Zhang Lei, nodded unconsciously, and said, "Thank you."

Zhang Lei looked at Chen Xueru and asked, "I heard there's a nice little tavern around here? Does anyone know where it is?"

Chen Xueru pointed to the door and said, "It's up ahead, just turn two corners and you'll get there."

Zhang Lei listened to the direction Chen Xueru pointed out, then looked at Lou Xiao'e and the others, stood up, walked over to them, and said, "You guys choose your clothes first, I'll go to that little tavern up ahead."

Hearing Zhang Lei's words, the others nodded and said, "Alright, you go ahead, we'll choose for a while longer."

At this moment, Chen Xueru walked up to Zhang Lei and said, "Do you want me to take you there? I'm friends with the owner of that tavern."

Zhang Lei thought for a moment and nodded: "Okay."

Chen Xueru readily agreed.

Soon, led by Chen Xueru, Zhang Lei arrived at the tavern. It wasn't mealtime, so the tavern was relatively empty. Zhang Lei went inside and saw the person standing at the counter, which he assumed must be Xu Huizhen.

Chen Xueru greeted Xu Huizhen with a smile, "Huizhen, this is a friend of mine who wanted to sit in the tavern for a while."

Upon hearing that she was Chen Xueru's friend, Xu Huizhen smiled and walked over, saying, "Hello, I'm Xu Huizhen, the owner of this shop. What would you like to eat?"

Zhang Lei thought for a moment and said, "I heard your wine and pickled vegetables are good. Bring me some, and some beef and peanuts too."

Chen Xueru asked in surprise, "Zhang Lei, you've been to this store before?"

Zhang Lei shook his head and said, "It's my first time."

Xu Huizhen was also somewhat surprised and said, "You know what our shop's best dishes are on your first visit?"

Zhang Lei smiled and said, "I heard it from a friend."

Xu Huizhen didn't press for details, and said with a smile, "Wait a moment, I'll serve you the wine first."

Zhang Lei and Chen Xueru found a place to sit down. Zhang Lei looked at Chen Xueru with some surprise and said, "Boss Xueru, don't you need to watch over your shop?"

Chen Xueru shook her head and said, "No need, there are staff in the store, we usually don't need to hire you."

The dishes were served quickly. Zhang Lei tasted them and thought the wine was just average, but the pickled vegetables were indeed quite good. He looked at Xu Huizhen and said, "Boss, do you have a special method for making these pickled vegetables? They're so delicious!"

Xu Huizhen smiled and looked at Zhang Lei, saying, "Our pickled vegetables are unique. If you want to know how they're made, I can't tell you; it's a secret."

Zhang Lei smiled, shook his head, and said, "Since it's a secret, I won't ask. I really like this pickled vegetable. When you leave, please pack some for my family to try."

Zhang Lei, noticing Chen Xueru staring at him, paused for a moment and said, "Boss Xueru, am I particularly ugly?"

Chen Xueru looked at Zhang Lei and said, "No."

Zhang Lei laughed and said, "No, then why are you staring at me like that? I'm starting to think you have ulterior motives."

Hearing Zhang Lei's words, Chen Xueru smiled and said, "Little brother, what would you do if your older sister really had designs on you?"

Seeing Chen Xueru's joking expression, Zhang Lei laughed and said, "Then what can I do? I guess I'll just have to repay her with my body."

Hearing Zhang Lei's words, Chen Xueru laughed even more happily: "What a wonderful offer of yourself!"

Zhang Lei looked at her, poured Chen Xueru a glass of wine, and said, "Thank you so much, Boss Xueru, for bringing me to such a wonderful place today."

The two clinked glasses. Zhang Lei sipped his drink and ate beef and peanuts, enjoying a unique flavor. It was just a pity that it wasn't mealtime today, so Zhang Lei couldn't experience the unique charm of the tavern.