My happy life in a courtyard house with triplets.

Chapter 221: He Daqing Invites Me to Dinner Again

Just before dinner, Zhang Lei heard a knock at the door. Opening it, he saw He Daqing and asked, puzzled, "Uncle He, is there something you need?"

He Daqing looked at Zhang Lei and said with a smile, "Zhang Lei, your Uncle He found a job today, and I wanted to thank you for your help during this time, so I wanted to treat you to a meal alone."

Hearing He Daqing's words, Zhang Lei replied with a smile, "Uncle He, you're too kind. I didn't help much, so there's no need for a meal."

He Daqing quickly said, "How can that be? Yushui told me how much you helped her while I was away, and there are also my personal matters that I need your help with..."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Lei immediately understood and said with a smile, "Uncle He, it's great that you have a job. I'll pack up and go right away."

"Okay, okay, I've prepared all the food, just come over." He Daqing replied with a smile.

Zhang Lei smiled and nodded, then turned and went home to change his clothes. Ye Shuqin, seeing this, was puzzled and asked, "Honey, why are you changing clothes so late?"

"We're going to He Daqing's place for drinks and dinner later," Zhang Lei replied with a smile.

Ye Shuqin was even more puzzled: "Honey, why is he inviting you to dinner again? Is there some kind of trap this time?"

"You're overthinking it. There's no trap. He's just thinking good things," Zhang Lei said with a smile.

"Thinking about something good? What is it?" Ye Shuqin pressed.

"Don't worry about this for now, you'll find out in a couple of days." After saying that, Zhang Lei changed his coat and headed towards the He family's house.

When Zhang Lei arrived at the He family's house, he saw He Daqing and He Yushui inside and said with a smile, "Uncle He, I've come to freeload a meal."

"Quickly, Zhang Lei, have a seat," He Daqing greeted him warmly.

Seeing his enthusiasm, Zhang Lei smiled and said, "Okay, Uncle He, then I'll have a good taste of your cooking today."

After sitting down, He Daqing picked up the wine pot to pour wine for Zhang Lei, but Zhang Lei quickly stood up and said, "Uncle He, let me do it."

"Alright, alright, then you can have it." He Daqing smiled and handed over the wine pot.

Zhang Lei took the wine jug, poured He Daqing a glass first, and then asked with a smile, "Uncle He, you said you found a job, what kind of job is it?"

He Daqing laughed and said, "Hey, he's just a cook, what else could he be?"

"That cook isn't simple either. Finding a job these days isn't as easy as it used to be. Tell me more about him," Zhang Lei said.

These words struck a chord with He Daqing, who laughed and said, "Hey, I just talked to my former fellow apprentices and told them about my situation. One of them knew the factory manager of the textile factory, so he recommended me to be the canteen manager or something at the textile factory. It's nothing special."

Hearing He Daqing's Versailles-like words, Zhang Lei smiled and praised, "Uncle He is amazing!" He suddenly remembered that his three sisters-in-law all worked in the textile factory, and said, "Uncle He, my three sisters-in-law all work in the textile factory. Now that you're the canteen manager, please take care of them when you have time."

"Don't worry, we're all from the same factory. Forget about taking care of me or not. If you need my help, I'll definitely do it without hesitation," He Daqing readily agreed.

The two raised their glasses to toast, while He Yushui, who was eating her meal with her head down, would occasionally glance at Zhang Lei's face. Seeing the little girl's little actions, Zhang Lei couldn't help but smile, while He Daqing saw it but pretended not to notice and continued drinking and eating with Zhang Lei.

After drinking for a while, Zhang Lei finally understood why He Daqing had called him over. He smiled and asked, "Uncle He, have you told Yushui about your matter?"

He Daqing smiled and nodded: "I told you, and Yushui understands me."

Zhang Lei then asked, "What about Zhu Zi? Did you tell him?"

He Daqing shook his head: "Not yet. I'm afraid that telling him in his current state would upset him."

Zhang Lei thought for a moment and nodded in agreement: "That's right. Uncle He, once you've made up your mind, I'll handle things with Qin Huairu."

Hearing this, He Daqing was filled with gratitude: "Zhang Lei, my happiness for the rest of my life depends on you."

"Uncle He, you're too kind. We're all from the same compound, there's no need to be so formal," Zhang Lei said with a smile.

"Yes, yes, come on, let's drink!" He Daqing raised his glass, and the two started drinking again.

Soon, after several rounds of drinks and several dishes, Zhang Lei felt it was about time. He put down his wine glass and said to He Daqing with a smile, "Uncle He, just wait for my good news."

He Daqing nodded heavily.

After watching Zhang Lei leave, He Yushui turned to her father and asked, "Dad, are you really going to marry Qin Huairu?"

Upon hearing this, He Daqing looked at his daughter: "Yushui, didn't you agree? Why are you going back on your word now?"

He Yushui shook her head: "Dad, I'm not backing out. As long as you can stay in Beijing and I can see you often, I'll be satisfied. It's just that I'm afraid the Jia family will interfere."

Upon hearing the words "Jia family," He Daqing's face immediately darkened, and he said in a forceful tone, "The Jia family? They dare to ruin my plans? Let's see how I deal with them!"

Seeing her father's firm attitude, He Yushui didn't ask any more questions and said, "Dad, then you know what I mean. I'm going back to my room to sleep now."

"Alright, alright, you go back to your room and sleep first." He Daqing agreed with a smile, but just as he was about to turn around, he called out to He Yushui, "By the way, Yushui, Dad has found a job now. From now on, I'll increase your living expenses and pocket money. How about 10 yuan a month?"

Upon hearing that she would receive 10 yuan a month, He Yushui immediately smiled and happily said, "Dad, you're so good to me!"

Seeing his daughter's happy face, He Daqing felt greatly comforted. He had been away from his daughter for many years and had not been able to take good care of her, which filled him with guilt. Now that his daughter was so understanding of his decision to remarry, he felt even more fortunate.

The next morning, Zhang Lei hurriedly left home. He had promised He Daqing yesterday that he would talk to Qin Huairu, but he only remembered this morning that she wasn't at the courtyard house, so he had to find her quickly.

Soon, Zhang Lei arrived at the Women's Federation office. Upon seeing him, the staff asked curiously, "Comrade, what brings you to Qin Huairu?"

Zhang Lei replied with a smile, "I'm her neighbor. She asked me for a favor before, but now I can't find her and I'm a little worried."

The staff checked the purchasing permit and identification that Zhang Lei presented, and said with a smile, "Comrade Zhang Lei, don't worry, Comrade Qin Huairu is staying at the guesthouse." Then they told him the address of the guesthouse.

Upon learning the address, Zhang Lei breathed a sigh of relief and immediately headed to the guesthouse, knocking on the door.

Qin Huairu opened the door and saw Zhang Lei standing there. Her face instantly lit up with joy, and she asked with a smile, "Zhang Lei, what brings you here?"

Zhang Lei looked at her and teased with a smile, "What, it hasn't been long, and you've already forgotten me? Or don't you want a good life in the future?"

Qin Huairu quickly waved her hand: "How could that be? Haven't I been waiting for you?"

Zhang Lei said helplessly, "You waited for me without even leaving a message. I've been looking for you for ages."