My happy life in a courtyard house with triplets.

Chapter 270: Nanjing University of the Arts Visits Zhang Lei's Home

Meanwhile, Liang Ladi led Nan Yi into Zhang Lei's house. Inside, Zhang Lei was chatting and laughing with his five wives when they were all stunned by the sudden arrival of these people.

Ding Qiunan was the first to stand up, asking in confusion, "Liang Ladi, Nanjing University of the Arts, what brings you here?"

Liang Ladi briefly recounted how Nanjing University of the Arts had come to express their gratitude. After listening, Ding Qiunan looked at Zhang Lei in surprise.

Nan Yi's gaze, however, was fixed on the five women beside Zhang Lei, her mind churning: Heavens above, earth below, Zhang Lei, are you even human? Five wives, and Ding Qiunan, whom I love, how could you be so shameless?

If Zhang Lei could hear his inner thoughts, he would definitely laugh and reply: "If I have this ability, then you try cheating too."

Zhang Lei pretended not to notice anything unusual about the Nanjing University of the Arts and greeted him warmly, "Comrade from Nanjing University of the Arts, please have a seat."

Suppressing her anger, Nanjing University of the Arts cut to the chase: "Did you transfer me here?"

Zhang Lei nodded, then shook his head, leaving everyone confused by his gesture.

Ye Shuqin couldn't help but ask, "Honey, what do you mean by nodding and shaking your head at the same time?"

Zhang Lei explained with a smile, "Nanjing University of the Arts was only half right. It was Deputy Factory Director Li Huaide who transferred him here; I just recommended him."

The Nanjing University of the Arts student was even more puzzled: "You recommended me?"

"Yes," Zhang Lei nodded. "Qiu Nan said you're a good cook. The steel mill canteen is short-staffed, and you're underutilized in the small machine repair shop. So I recommended you to Director Li, who also needs someone with good cooking skills."

Everyone then understood what had happened, but Nanjing University of the Arts was even angrier, demanding, "What makes you think you can recommend me?"

Ding Qiunan couldn't stand it anymore and frowned, saying, "Nanjing University of the Arts, the head of the family recommended you for your own good. How can you talk like that?"

Nan Yi looked at Ding Qiunan, but swallowed his words—he couldn't very well say, "I like you, but you're married to Zhang Lei," could he? He could only remain silent.

Zhang Lei saw through his thoughts and smiled, "Comrade Nanjing University of the Arts, if you feel uncomfortable working at the steel rolling mill, I can talk to Director Li about it."

"No need!" Nanjing University of the Arts refused firmly.

Zhang Lei shook his head helplessly, turned around and took Ding Qiunan's hand, saying to everyone, "Qiunan, Nanjing University of the Arts is your former colleague. Since you're here, you're a guest. Let's treat you well."

Although Ding Qiunan felt that her husband was acting strangely today, she still nodded and said, "Okay."

Zhang Lei then looked at Liang Ladi and Nanjing University of the Arts: "Since you're here, finish your meal before you leave."

Nan Yi watched as Zhang Lei held Ding Qiu Nan's hand tightly, feeling a sharp pain in her heart, yet powerless to change anything—Ding Qiu Nan was already Zhang Lei's woman, and they might even have a child together.

During the meal, Zhang Lei deliberately acted unusually enthusiastic, constantly serving food to his five wives and affectionately calling Ding Qiunan "darling" from time to time. Each word struck Nan Yi's heart like a hammer blow. He knew that Zhang Lei was deliberately trying to provoke him, but he was powerless to do anything about it.

Liang Ladi sat to the side, looking at Zhang Lei and his wives with envy in her eyes, thinking to herself: I wish I could be like that.

The meal ended in an eerie atmosphere. Unable to stay any longer, Nanjing University of the Arts pulled Liang Ladi and headed outside.

Once outside the courtyard house, Liang Ladi finally lost her temper: "Nanjing University of the Arts, what's wrong with you? They treated you so warmly, and you gave them the whole time. Who are you trying to fool?"

Frustrated, Nanjing University of the Arts yelled, "My affairs are none of your business!"

"Who cares about you!" Liang Ladi was also furious. "Don't come to me next time you need anything!"

The two parted on bad terms, walking one after the other without speaking to each other, and Nan Yi felt extremely depressed.

Back at Zhang Lei's house, Ding Qiunan looked at Zhang Lei and asked with a smile, "Honey, were you doing that on purpose just now?"

The other wives covered their mouths and laughed, and Zhang Lei readily admitted, "Yes, I did it on purpose."

Ye Shuhua and Lou Xiao'e looked bewildered: "What are you doing on purpose?"

Ye Shuqin explained with a smile, "Didn't you guys notice? The head of the household has been mad at Nanjing University of the Arts the whole time."

"Why are you angry with him?" Lou Xiao'e pressed.

Ye Shuqi pouted: "What else could it be? Our husband is jealous."

Ding Qiunan looked at Zhang Lei reproachfully: "Nanjing University of the Arts was just an ordinary colleague of mine before."

Zhang Lei pinched her cheek and said, "You treat him like a colleague, but he doesn't treat you like an ordinary colleague. He probably has a lot on his mind about you."

"You're talking nonsense!" Ding Qiunan blushed. "We have a normal relationship!"

"That's more like it." Zhang Lei nodded in satisfaction.

Ye Shuqin then realized, "Oh, so Nanjing University of the Arts likes Qiu Nan!"

Lou Xiao'e suddenly realized, "No wonder the husband was so enthusiastic today, serving me food and calling me 'darling,' he's jealous!"

Everyone who saw Zhang Lei looking jealous thought he was especially adorable at that moment.

Ding Qiunan put her arm around Zhang Lei's and said gently, "Honey, don't worry, there's nothing between me and Nan Yi. If you're still worried, I'll just avoid seeing him in the future."

Zhang Lei patted her hand and said with a smile, "I was just teasing him. Do you think I don't know how you treat me? It's fine for ordinary friends to meet up."

Ding Qiunan nodded, feeling a warm glow in her heart: "I understand."

After Liang Ladi returned to her dormitory, she suddenly realized that she had forgotten to greet Sha Zhu.

She recalled Sha Zhu's impulsive behavior in the courtyard, pulled the blanket over her head, and muttered to herself, "Forget it." At noon that day, she had thought Sha Zhu was quite charming, but seeing his behavior in the courtyard, she was utterly disappointed and decided to give up and go to bed.

But she tossed and turned and couldn't fall asleep. Her mind was a mess. One moment she was thinking about Shazhu, the next she was angry with Nanyi. Finally, she somehow fell asleep while thinking about Zhang Lei's family.

Back in the boys' dormitory, Nanjing University of the Arts (NUA) reflected on his behavior at Zhang Lei's house. He raised his hand and slapped himself twice, muttering to himself, "NUA, what are you thinking? He's already married."

These past few days he'd been preoccupied with Ding Qiunan's matter. He still hadn't found a place to stay and could only temporarily stay in the boys' dormitory. He figured he might as well make the best of it since he was already in Beijing and had to settle down first. He was determined to find time to get this sorted out tomorrow.

Nanjing University of the Arts was deep in thought when she suddenly saw Cui Dake return. She asked, puzzled, "Cui Dake, what have you been up to so late?"

Cui Dake looked at Nanjing University of the Arts and said, "Where can I go? I'll just go out to eat."

Upon hearing that they were going out to eat, Nan Yi said somewhat embarrassedly, "I'm sorry, Cui Dake, I forgot about you."

Cui Dake looked at Nanjing University of the Arts and asked, "Nanjing University of the Arts, where did you go today?"

Nanjing University of the Arts thought for a moment and said, "Let's go to a friend's house."

Upon hearing "friend," Cui Dake asked, "Is your friend Liang Ladi?"

When Nan Yi heard Cui Dake say that, she thought for a moment, nodded, and said, "Yes, what's wrong?"

Cui Dake looked at Nanjing University of the Arts and said, "Nanjing University of the Arts, I didn't expect you to act so quickly."

Hearing Cui Dake's words, Nan Yi was a little confused, not understanding what Cui Dake meant, and said, "Cui Dake, what do you mean? What do you mean by 'quite quick'?"

Cui Dake looked at Nan Yi on the bed and said, "Alright, it's not good to be too explicit."

Nan Yi said somewhat angrily, "Cui Dake, explain yourself clearly. What exactly do you mean?"

Cui Dake turned his head away and sat back on his bed.

Nan Yi looked at Cui Dake speechlessly, thought for a moment, and decided to let it go. She figured she would arrange her own place in the next couple of days and move out, so there was no need to hold a grudge against Cui Dake.

At this time, Cui Dake was unaware that Nanjing University of the Arts had been directly transferred here; he thought that, like him, they had been assigned to study. After all, they had both received transfer orders, but after Nanjing University of the Arts cooked for Li Huaide, he was directly assigned to stay at the steel rolling mill.