My happy life in a courtyard house with triplets.

Chapter 278: He Daqing and Cai Quanwu Recognize Each Other

Seeing Qin Huairu's flushed face, Zhang Lei got up, dressed, and said in a deep voice, "Hurry up and get ready."

Qin Huairu looked at his feigned composure and couldn't help but laugh: "So eager? You're actually afraid?"

Zhang Lei raised an eyebrow: "Afraid? What am I afraid of?" He then opened the door and left the He family's house.

Qin Huairu watched his retreating figure and chuckled softly, "He still got scared away, didn't he?"

Zhang Lei returned to the courtyard house at No. 90 and told his five wives everything about He Daqing's background and the family reunion. Hearing there was something interesting to see, the women immediately became interested and clamored to go with him. Zhang Lei figured he'd find out sooner or later anyway, so he nodded in agreement.

The group waited at the entrance of courtyard number 90. Soon after, He Daqing arrived with Sha Zhu, He Yushui, and Qin Huairu, who had come especially for the occasion. The group then headed towards the small tavern near Zhengyangmen.

Upon reaching the tavern entrance, Zhang Lei turned to Lou Xiao'e and said, "Xiao'e, go and call Chen Xueru over. She definitely loves to join in the fun, and without her here, she'll surely complain to us later."

Lou Xiao'e smiled and replied, "Okay, I'll go right away." Then she turned and ran off.

Zhang Lei led the others into the tavern. Xu Huizhen was taken aback by the sudden influx of people into the tavern, and was even more astonished when she saw Zhang Lei and He Daqing beside him.

"Sister Huizhen, hurry up and call your Cai Quanwu over here," Zhang Lei said.

Upon hearing this, Xu Huizhen immediately put down her work and ran quickly to the backyard. At the same time, Lou Xiao'e also arrived with a panting Chen Xueru.

"Where is he? Where is he?" Chen Xueru asked anxiously.

Zhang Lei pointed to He Daqing standing to the side. Chen Xueru looked closely and couldn't help but exclaim, "They really do look alike!"

"I didn't lie to you, did I?" Zhang Lei said with a smile.

"No, no, it's too similar!" Chen Xueru waved her hands repeatedly.

Just then, Xu Huizhen pulled Cai Quanwu and walked over quickly. He Daqing and Cai Quanwu looked at each other, and Sha Zhu and He Yushui were also dumbfounded—from a distance, the two looked exactly like they were made from the same mold.

He Daqing's voice trembled with excitement: "Brother, is that you?"

Cai Quanwu stared at the person before him, his eyes filled with disbelief. The bond of blood made him nod subconsciously: "It's me."

He Daqing rushed forward and hugged Cai Quanwu tightly, choking back tears as he said, "Brother, I've finally found you! I've finally found you!"

Cai Quanwu also hugged him back excitedly, both of their eyes reddened, and tears streamed down their faces.

He Daqing grabbed Cai Quanwu's hand and asked eagerly, "Little brother, how have you been these past years? Tell me quickly."

Seeing this, Xu Huizhen quickly said, "You two sit down quickly, I'll go get some wine, you two can have a good chat."

"Give us some too!" Zhang Lei added with a smile.

"Don't worry, we have everything," Xu Huizhen replied with a smile.

The group sat at three tables, all ears, eager to hear the brothers' story. He Daqing looked at Cai Quanwu's calloused hands, patted him on the shoulder, and said with emotion, "You've suffered all these years."

Cai Quanwu shook his head and uttered only one word: "No."

Chen Xueru was an impatient person. Seeing that he only managed to utter one word after so long, she stomped her feet in frustration: "Cai Quanwu, can't you say a few more words? Isn't this driving me crazy?"

Everyone looked at Cai Quanwu nervously, and Xu Huizhen quickly pulled her back: "Chen Xueru, that's just the way Quanwu is. If you urge him any further, he'll be even less able to say anything."

Lou Xiao'e tugged at Chen Xueru's arm: "Xueru, let's hear what they have to say first."

Chen Xueru then patiently sat down.

He Daqing took a deep breath and slowly said, "Brother, when Grandpa and Dad passed away, they were still thinking about you, saying they must find you. After all these years, I never imagined that you and I would both be in Beijing. It's truly a twist of fate."

Cai Quanwu said softly, "Brother, I'm fine. My adoptive parents treated me well, it's just that they passed away too early."

Upon hearing this, He Daqing immediately waved to Sha Zhu and He Yushui: "Sha Zhu, Yushui, hurry up and call your second uncle."

Sha Zhu and He Yushui were stunned for a moment, then shouted in unison, "Second Uncle!"

Cai Quanwu smiled and replied, "Yes!"

He Daqing then looked at Qin Huairu and introduced her to Cai Quanwu: "Brother, this is your sister-in-law."

Cai Quanwu looked at Qin Huairu, who was even younger than him, and then looked at He Daqing with a puzzled expression. He Daqing quickly explained, "Your sister-in-law died in childbirth when she gave birth to Yushui. This is the stepmother that Zhuzi married later."

Upon hearing this, Chen Xueru and Xu Huizhen were both stunned. Cai Quanwu looked at Qin Huairu, then at He Daqing, and suddenly said, "Brother, this is my wife, Xu Huizhen."

Xu Huizhen smiled and nodded to He Daqing: "Brother, sister-in-law."

This address of "sister-in-law" made Qin Huairu blush with embarrassment.

Afterwards, He Daqing and Cai Quanwu chatted back and forth about the hardships and past years. Everyone listening couldn't help but sigh—the two lived so close, yet it took them so many years to recognize each other. If it weren't for Zhang Lei, who knows how much longer they would have missed each other.

Soon, all three tables were laden with wine and dishes. Ye Shuqin had just picked up her glass when Zhang Lei grabbed it, saying, "Shuqin, are you crazy? You're pregnant, how can you drink?"

Ye Shuqin said somewhat aggrievedly, "Honey, this wine has a low alcohol content, I just wanted to try a sip."

Zhang Lei said sternly, "No, just drink water and eat some of their pickled vegetables, which are a specialty, along with some beef."

Upon hearing this, the three Ye sisters quickly put down their wine glasses, not daring to touch any more alcohol. Seeing this, Xu Huizhen looked at Zhang Lei in surprise: "Brother Zhang Lei, are all five of them your wives?"

Zhang Lei nodded frankly: "Yes, they're all my wives."

His nonchalant yet smug demeanor made Xu Huizhen and Chen Xueru glare at him, thinking to themselves: He's too smug!

Zhang Lei didn't care at all and said to Xu Huizhen with a smile, "Sister Huizhen, we can't accept the money for this meal on such a happy day."

Xu Huizhen pretended to be serious: "Originally I didn't want to accept it, but since you said that, I have no choice but to accept it today."

Zhang Lei shrugged: "Then you should ask Uncle He for help. I'm just here to assist you."

Seeing this, He Daqing laughed heartily: "Alright, I'm happy today, so it's all on me."

Xu Huizhen quickly waved her hand: "Brother, how can I let you pay? This is our own tavern!"