My happy life in a courtyard house with triplets.

Chapter 256: Lou's Father's Test

Lou Bancheng looked at Zhang Lei and asked, "Zhang Lei, who exactly are you?"

Zhang Lei smiled and said, "Uncle Lou, I'm just an ordinary person."

Lou Bancheng said with a serious expression, "An ordinary person? An ordinary person has such good skills?"

Zhang Lei smiled and said, "I happen to have learned a little martial arts to protect myself."

Lou Bancheng was completely unconvinced and said, "Although you have proven that you are capable of protecting my Xiao'e, that is not enough to make me feel at ease entrusting Xiao'e to you."

Not wanting to force him, Zhang Lei pondered for a moment and said, "How about this?" He then walked outside to the bicycle, took out a small box from his bag—actually, he took it out of his personal space—and opened it in front of Lou Bancheng. Inside, it glittered with gold.

Lou Xiao'e, Lou Bancheng, and Lou's mother all stared in surprise at the gold in the box. Lou Xiao'e was startled: "Husband, what is this?"

Zhang Lei smiled and said, "This is your betrothal gift."

Lou Xiao'e quickly closed the box: "Zhang Lei, put it away quickly, this is our livelihood in the future."

Lou's parents thought to themselves, "This little darling is too leaky."

Zhang Lei smiled and said, "Xiao'e, this is just a small token of my appreciation. Don't worry, I have more than this in my possession."

Lou Xiao'e was astonished. She had always thought Zhang Lei was just an ordinary purchasing agent, never expecting him to be so wealthy.

Mr. Lou coughed and said, "Alright, come inside and talk." He then said to Mrs. Lou, "Go get a pot of tea. I need to have a good talk with Zhang Lei."

Lou's mother hurried to the kitchen to prepare tea, while Lou Xiao'e was still holding the box of gold.

After everyone sat down, Lou Bancheng looked at Zhang Lei and said, "Zhang Lei, I acknowledge your ability and financial resources now, but with so many women in your family, how can you guarantee you'll treat my daughter well?"

Zhang Lei felt a headache coming on; this was a test from his father-in-law.

Lou Xiao'e spoke first: "Dad, Zhang Lei and I are truly in love. He's very good to me, and Sister Shu Ting and the others are also very good to me."

Lou's father slammed his fist on the table: "Shut up!"

Lou Xiao'e pouted in dissatisfaction. Lou's mother brought over tea, poured a cup for Lou Bancheng and Zhang Lei respectively, and said with a smile, "Zhang Lei, Xiao'e has been spoiled by us since she was a child. She didn't even tell us about such a big thing as her marriage."

Zhang Lei quickly explained, "Auntie, it's my fault. I didn't think of that beforehand. If you want to blame someone, blame me."

Lou's mother smiled and nodded: "Forget it, since you're already married, it's too late for us to say anything more. I just hope you treat Xiao'e well. She's simple-minded, hasn't suffered, and thinks in a straightforward way."

Zhang Lei nodded: "Don't worry, Auntie. Xiao'e will be the same as before. She can live a simple and happy life with me. I'll take care of everything else for her."

Lou's mother smiled: "I'm relieved to hear you say that."

Lou's father coughed and said, "Zhang Lei, since you put it that way, I'll hand Xiao'e over to you for now. But if I find out you're not treating her well, I'll fight you to the death to make you suffer."

Lou Xiao'e quickly stepped forward: "Dad, how could you do this? I believe Zhang Lei will be good to me for the rest of my life."

Zhang Lei comforted her and helped her sit down, then looked at Lou's father: "Uncle Lou, your words show your concern for Xiao'e. Don't worry, I will take good care of Xiao'e and the situation you described will not happen. If you are worried, you can come to our house to check on her anytime."

Lou Bancheng didn't know what else to say, so he clapped his hands and told the housekeeper, "Have the kitchen prepare a good meal. My daughter and son-in-law are here, so we should treat them well."

The butler was taken aback. Lou Bancheng glared at him, and the butler quickly ran to the kitchen.

Lou Xiao'e smiled and said sweetly, "Dad, thank you."

Lou Bancheng pretended to be angry: "Thank me? Weren't you angry with me just now?"

Lou Xiao'e said coquettishly, "Dad, there's no such thing as a father and daughter holding a grudge overnight. I was just pretending."

Lou's mother laughed: "Alright, you're the most cunning one."

Seeing the harmonious atmosphere in the Lou family, Zhang Lei finally felt relieved, having finally passed the test with his father-in-law.

Soon, a beautifully prepared meal was laid out on the table, and the group ate and chatted. When Lou's mother heard that Zhang Lei had five wives, she was startled and looked at Zhang Lei: "Zhang Lei, is what Xiao'e said true?"

Zhang Lei nodded awkwardly, and Lou Xiao'e quickly explained, "Mom, I did it voluntarily. I know about Zhang Lei's family situation."

Lou's father admired him inwardly, but remained outwardly composed. He coughed and asked, "Zhang Lei, when are you and Xiao'e planning your wedding?"

Zhang Lei shook his head: "Uncle, Xiao'e and I are not going to have our wedding."

Lou Bancheng frowned: "What?" Just as he was about to reprimand him, Zhang Lei quickly said: "Uncle, please listen to me first."

Lou Xiao'e also looked at Zhang Lei in surprise, not expecting him not to hold a wedding banquet.

Lou Bancheng was angry: "You won't do it? Give me a reason, or Xiao'e won't go back with you."

Zhang Lei looked at him: "Uncle, are you aware of your current situation?"

Lou Bancheng asked in surprise, "Why do you ask that?"

Zhang Lei: "You know your own identity better than I do. The title of capitalist will not be easily removed."

Lou Bancheng exclaimed in surprise, "I'm a patriotic businessman!"

Zhang Lei shook his head: "I know, many people know, but even more people don't. You should understand the principle of 'possessing a treasure is a crime.'"

Lou Bancheng frowned: "What you're saying is all completely fabricated."

Zhang Lei laughed: "Completely fabricated? Uncle, your title of Lou Bancheng is coveted by many. No one is targeting you now because you are still useful, and the time is not yet right; once you are no longer useful, those people will tear you apart like wolves, even breaking your bones."

Lou Bancheng felt a chill run down his spine and asked nervously, "How did you know?"

Zhang Lei couldn't admit he was a time traveler, so he said, "Although I'm a purchasing agent, I've met a lot of people and witnessed many people's attitudes towards capitalists. There are many capitalists, but few who are truly patriotic. Can you guarantee you've never done anything immoral, and that every penny you've earned has been earned with a clear conscience? Take this meal, for example. Many people are still starving; can they just stand by and watch you dressed smartly and eating delicacies without doing anything?"

Lou's mother said anxiously, "Zhenhua, what Zhang Lei said..."

Lou Bancheng waved his hand: "Alright, I understand." He looked at Zhang Lei, "Are you worried that Xiao'e's wedding will be too high-profile and attract attention?"

Zhang Lei nodded: "That's exactly what I mean."

Lou Bancheng pondered for a moment, and Lou Xiao'e also understood: "Mom and Dad, as long as I'm with Zhang Lei, it doesn't matter whether we have a wedding or not. I can't let my wedding cause trouble for the family."

Lou Bancheng said, "Alright, Xiao'e, I understand what Zhang Lei said."

The meal was finished in silence. Lou Bancheng looked at Zhang Lei and said, "Zhang Lei, come to the study with me."

Lou Xiao'e looked anxiously at Zhang Lei, and Lou's mother smiled and said, "Don't worry, your father has something important to tell him, don't disturb them." With that, she led Lou Xiao'e back to her room.

Lou Xiao'e asked worriedly, "Mom, what will Dad say to Zhang Lei?"

Lou's mother laughed: "You're already siding with outsiders right after getting married?"

Lou Xiao'e blushed deeply and cried out, "Mom!" Her mother grabbed her hand and said, "Come on, tell Mom, how did you and Zhang Lei get together?"

Lou Xiao'e recounted their meeting and their story. When Lou's mother heard that Zhang Lei and she had "slept together all night," she gasped in surprise, "Xiao'e, is what you're saying true?"

Lou Xiao'e nodded: "Ah, aren't all men like that?"

Lou's mother rolled her eyes at her: "You silly girl, you've struck gold."

Lou Xiao'e was puzzled. Her mother whispered a few words in her ear, and Lou Xiao'e asked in surprise, "Mom, are you serious?"

Lou's mother: "How could I not know?"

Lou Xiao'e blushed, and her mother laughed, "No wonder Zhang Lei has married so many wives; wouldn't you be exhausted by yourself?"

Lou Xiao'e said shyly, "Mom, please stop talking."

Lou's mother laughed: "Alright, come here. Mom will teach you something that you'll definitely need in the future, something that will make a man devoted to you."