My happy life in a courtyard house with triplets.

Chapter 257: Zhang Lei's Warning

Meanwhile, Lou Bancheng and Zhang Lei arrived at the study. Lou Bancheng looked at him and said, "Zhang Lei, let's not beat around the bush. How did you know all this?"

Zhang Lei fabricated a story about meeting an important person and hearing information from them.

Lou Bancheng asked in surprise, "Are you serious?"

Zhang Lei nodded: "Really, if you don't believe me, what I'm saying will happen in five years at most."

Lou Bancheng frowned: "Then what should I do?"

Zhang Lei thought for a moment and said, "Uncle, in my opinion, you should gradually transfer your assets and it would be best if you left the country."

Lou Bancheng sighed, "I can't bear to leave this land that nurtured me."

Zhang Lei said helplessly, "There's nothing we can do. This kind of thing is bound to happen sooner or later. Five years is the longest you can go. Actually, you should leave in two or three years. Otherwise, you won't be able to leave even if you want to."

Lou Bancheng nodded: "I understand."

Zhang Lei: "Uncle, I've heard that Hong Kong is developing well, offering a lot of opportunities and freedom for businessmen like you."

Lou Bancheng nodded: "I understand everything you've said. What about Xiao'e?"

Zhang Lei: "Uncle, don't worry about Xiao'e. I'm handling it. I'll help her get a new identity. She'll only have a poor peasant status then, and it won't have anything to do with you."

Lou Bancheng was even more surprised. He didn't expect Zhang Lei to have made preparations in advance, starting to plan five years before what he was going to do. The more he thought about it, the more alarmed he became. But then he thought that Zhang Lei was his son-in-law, and his shrewdness was a good thing for his daughter.

The two talked for a long time. Zhang Lei talked about the development of Hong Kong in later generations, and Lou Bancheng nodded frequently.

When he left the study, Lou Xiao'e and her mother were already waiting downstairs. The gold that Zhang Lei had given away was returned, and Lou Xiao'e also stuffed her pockets with the family's fine cigarettes, liquor, and delicious food from the kitchen.

Lou Bancheng's eyelids twitched, and he quickly stopped her: "Alright, alright, Xiao'e, are you going back to your parents' home or becoming a bandit?"

Zhang Lei smiled awkwardly, and Lou Xiao'e said, "Dad, there's so much stuff at home, I'll just take a little. Besides, Zhang Lei hasn't eaten any of this before, what's wrong with me taking a little? You can't eat it all by yourself."

Lou Bancheng was so angry his nostrils were practically spitting fire: "I'm reluctant to eat it, not that I can't eat it!"

Lou Xiao'e then said, "Dad, where's your tea? Quickly bring over two boxes of Da Hong Pao. Zhang Lei can drink some tea since he's bored at home."

Lou Bancheng looked at the drafty little cotton-padded jacket and sighed helplessly. Lou's mother chuckled, "Xiao'e, go get it; it's in our bedroom."

Mr. Lou glared at Mrs. Lou, but she ignored him and continued to look at the two of them with a smile. It was just like a mother-in-law looking at her son-in-law, becoming more and more satisfied the more she looked.

Before leaving, Lou Xiao'e pushed two bicycles back, which angered Lou Bancheng, who ordered his bodyguards to lock the door immediately.

Zhang Lei left looking embarrassed, and said to Lou Xiao'e, "Xiao'e, you took so much, won't that upset your dad?"

Lou Xiao'e looked at him and said, "Honey, don't worry about my dad. He'll buy more of these things himself. We don't have that much, and besides, there are a lot of people in our family. If everyone eats a little, it won't last long."

Zhang Lei smiled and said, "Your dad really has a good daughter."

Looking at the excited Lou Xiao'e, Zhang Lei smiled helplessly. He then recalled his conversation with Lou Bancheng about Lou Xiao'e and secretly resolved that if things really came to that, he would give Lou Xiao'e the identity concealment card and protect her well.

The two quickly returned home, and the three Ye sisters were all surprised to see them return with so many bags and packages. Ye Shuqi said, "Honey, weren't you going to Sister Xiao'e's house? Why do you look like you went to rob someone?"

Lou Xiao'e smiled smugly: "I brought all of these from home for you to try. There are so many good things here, come and help me carry them."

Ye Shuhua quickly ran over, weighed the bag in her hand and found it quite heavy, so she and Ye Shuqi carried it into the room together. Ye Shuqin laughed and said, "Xiao'e, you really brought your bicycle over here."

Lou Xiao'e smiled and replied, "That's right, that way each member of our family will have a car, making it convenient to go anywhere."

Zhang Lei stretched and said, "Alright, I've been working hard all day. Sit down and we'll talk slowly."

Inside the room, Zhang Lei sipped tea brewed with Da Hong Pao tea, its aroma filling the air. Ye Shuqin, Ye Shuqi, and Ye Shuhua watched as Lou Xiao'e rummaged through the room, finding sea cucumbers, abalone, lobsters, ham, and several other kinds of meat they couldn't identify. The three women were dumbfounded.

Ye Shuhua quietly walked up to Zhang Lei and asked, "Honey, are you sure this was a gift from Xiao'e's parents?"

Zhang Lei whispered back, "Xiao'e took it herself."

Ye Shuhua looked at Lou Xiao'e, whose face was full of excitement, in surprise, and then whispered, "Honey, you two weren't kicked out, were you?"

Zhang Lei thought for a moment and said, "I don't know, but the Lou family locked the door after we left."

Ye Shuhua laughed: "I guess this is the only time I'll go. Next time I definitely won't even be able to get in the door."

Zhang Lei pulled her into his arms and said, "Alright, you always know how to joke with me." He then tickled her, and Ye Shuhua laughed so hard she couldn't stand up straight.

Watching the two playfully teasing each other, Ye Shuqin said, "Honey, slow down, she's pregnant."

Zhang Lei quickly hugged Ye Shuhua and said, "I know, I won't make a fuss anymore."

Ye Shuqin then looked at Lou Xiao'e: "Xiao'e, we have to thank your parents properly another day for all these good things."

Lou Xiao'e didn't mind: "No need, I'll go back and get it after I finish eating."

Ye Shuqin quickly waved her hand: "Xiao'e, you can't do this. You can't take things like this, no matter how good they are."

Zhang Lei also advised, "Listen to Shuqin, if she does this two or three more times, your dad will be so angry he'll be hospitalized."

Lou Xiao'e asked doubtfully, "Really?"

Everyone else looked at her with only one thought in their minds: Your father is truly blessed to have a daughter like you.

In Workshop No. 2 of the steel rolling mill, Master Zhang was searching everywhere for Jia Zhangshi. He looked at his apprentice, Xiao Wang, and asked, "Where's Jia Zhangshi? What's she doing now?" Xiao Wang replied helplessly, "Master, she went to the toilet again."

Master Zhang was immediately enraged: "Going to the toilet again? How many times a day does she go? Does she want to live in the toilet?" Xiao Wang shrugged: "Master, I can't just stop her from going. I can't go into the women's restroom. Who knows what she's doing in there?"

Master Zhang glared at his apprentice: "Are you so stubborn? Can't you send a woman to check on her? Call her over here right now and tell her that if she doesn't show up, I'll have the workshop director fire her!" Xiao Wang quickly sought help, while Master Zhang helplessly went to find the workshop director.

When the workshop foreman saw Master Zhang approaching, he smiled and asked, "Master Zhang, what's wrong now?" Master Zhang sighed, "Foreman, I really can't manage Jia Zhangshi, the woman you assigned to me. She's only been working here for two days, and I have to keep a close eye on her all the time; if I'm not careful, she'll disappear."

The director asked in confusion, "What trouble has she gotten into this time?" Zhang recounted how Jia Zhangshi had been going to the toilet seven or eight times a day. The director nodded after listening, "Alright, I understand. I just spoke with the personnel department, and we're planning to transfer her to the cleaning team. Since she loves spending time in the toilets, we'll have her specifically clean them."

Master Zhang was overjoyed: "Director, your idea is brilliant!" The cleaning team's wages are low and the work is dirty and smelly, which is perfect for curing Jia Zhangshi's laziness.