My happy life in a courtyard house with triplets.

Chapter 231: He Yuzhu's Shock

These words completely stunned He Yuzhu, who said in disbelief, "Sister Qin, what are you saying? How can you be as confused as my dad?"

He Daqing's face darkened: "Zhu Zi, how dare you speak like that?"

Seeing the expressions on their faces, Sha Zhu's heart skipped a beat. He looked at He Daqing with disbelief, but before he could finish speaking, He Daqing interrupted him: "Zhu Zi, you know that Dad is not young anymore, and there is no one who cares about me. So Dad and Huai Ru got married."

"Married?" These three words struck He Yuzhu like a bolt from the blue. He never imagined that the woman he had once longed for would become his stepmother. He looked at Qin Huairu, then at He Daqing, his voice trembling, "Dad, how could you two get married?"

"Why can't I get married?" He Daqing frowned. "Huairu and I are deeply in love. She's a good woman. Why can't I marry her?"

Sha Zhu stared, speechless for a long time, his eyes filled with disbelief. Qin Huairu noticed his inability to accept it and immediately feigned grievance, her eyes reddening as she said, "Zhu Zi, you know your situation well. The Qing Dynasty doesn't want your He family line to end, and we fell in love at first sight. Besides, I'm already a member of the He family now. You can't expect me to divorce you right after we got married, can you?"

Qin Huairu's words left Sha Zhu speechless. The thread of his obsession with her snapped instantly, and looking at her, he felt utterly unfamiliar with her. After a long silence, he finally spoke: "Dad, it's not that I object to your marriage, it's just that I feel the age gap between you is too big."

"What does age matter?" He Daqing said nonchalantly. "A man only needs to marry someone he likes in this life. Besides, the He family can't be without an heir. Once Huairu and I have a son or daughter, you'll have a younger brother or sister, and we'll have another family member."

Seeing the two men's confident expressions, Sha Zhu felt a mix of emotions. In the end, he finally relented and said, "Dad, I understand. Congratulations." But these words were clearly not what he truly meant.

Seeing this, Qin Huairu immediately smiled to ease the atmosphere: "Zhuzi, if you feel awkward, you can call me 'sister' first, and then you can call me 'Aunt Qin' later."

Sha Zhu didn't answer, but instead looked at He Daqing, frowning as he asked, "Dad, we only have this much house. Where will you live after you get married?"

He Daqing paused for a moment, then said frankly, "Zhuzi, I really haven't thought about this. Go back and think about it carefully. Anyway, you're in the hospital now, so you don't need to go home. If it really doesn't work out, I'll talk to Yushui and ask her to live at school. You can stay in Yushui's room after you're discharged."

"Dad, what did you say?" Sha Zhu immediately objected. "How can I occupy the house where the rainwater lives? Where will the rainwater go then?"

"Isn't Dad trying to figure something out?" He Daqing waved his hand. "I'll tell you when I've thought of something."

Hearing his father's irresponsible words, Sha Zhu was furious and said irritably, "Alright, alright, hurry up and think of something. Anyway, we can't let Yu Shui suffer, and we can't let me suffer either."

These words immediately troubled He Daqing, his brows furrowing deeply. The He family only had this small house, making arrangements difficult. Seeing his worried expression, Qin Huairu suddenly brightened up and said softly, "Daqing, aren't you working at the textile factory now? Can't you apply for housing? And the house for the deaf old lady in the backyard hasn't been allocated yet. Can we think of a way to help?"

Upon hearing this, He Daqing instantly perked up, his eyes lighting up: "Huai Ru, you know what, this idea is brilliant! Come on, let's go back and think about it." With that, he pulled Qin Huai Ru to leave.

"He Daqing, He Daqing!" Sha Zhu shouted angrily as he watched the two turn and leave, "Why are you leaving in such a hurry?"

He Daqing turned around, puzzled, and asked, "Son, what's wrong?"

Sha Zhu glared at him and said irritably, "What are you doing at the hospital? Have you forgotten?"

He Daqing looked down at the lunchbox in his hand, his face immediately showing shame. He said awkwardly, "Oh dear, Zhuzi, look at Dad's brain, I've gone mad. Here, take the lunchbox, eat first, and put it aside when you're done. Dad will come and clean it up when he brings you lunch this afternoon."

Looking at his unreliable father, He Yuzhu felt helpless and could only sigh.

After leaving the hospital with Qin Huairu, He Daqing went straight to the neighborhood office. Upon arriving at Director Wang's office, He Daqing quickly explained their purpose.

After listening, Director Wang pondered for a moment and said, "He Daqing, your family already owns a house. Based on these conditions, you shouldn't meet the housing allocation requirements, right?"

He Daqing hurriedly explained, "Director Wang, none of the houses are currently in my name. They are all in my son's and daughter's names. I don't own a single house."

Upon hearing this, Director Wang thought for a moment and said, "In that case, have the textile factory leaders write me a housing allocation certificate, and then I can transfer your housing allocation matters here for processing."

Upon hearing this, He Daqing quickly expressed his gratitude. Director Wang waved his hand and then instructed, "Alright, I know a little about your family's situation. As for Qin Huairu, you need to handle your relationship with the Jia family well, and make sure there are no more bad rumors circulating in the courtyard."

Faced with Director Wang's warning, Qin Huairu quickly nodded: "Director Wang, don't worry, now that I've married He Daqing, I've severed all ties with the Jia family and will never have any contact with them again."

Director Wang nodded, his tone softening: "I'm doing this for your own good. After all, your compound has had a series of incidents lately, which has affected the reputation of our subdistrict office in the entire community."

He Daqing and Qin Huairu quickly agreed, repeatedly promising that they would never cause trouble again.

Emerging from the neighborhood office, both were in exceptionally good spirits. Qin Huairu looked at He Daqing, her eyes filled with anticipation, and asked, "Daqing, do you think our house situation is settled?"

He Daqing nodded confidently: "It should be settled. You go back to the courtyard house first, I'll go to the textile factory now and find the leader to get the housing allocation certificate."

Qin Huairu nodded in agreement, and then the two went their separate ways, one heading to the textile factory and the other returning to the courtyard house.

Qin Huairu had just reached the central courtyard of the siheyuan (traditional courtyard house) when she bumped into Banggeng, and her heart was filled with mixed feelings. Banggeng glared at her angrily, his eyes full of rage, and he was snorting resentfully.

Qin Huairu tried to approach Banggeng, but he abruptly dodged her. Banggeng coldly retorted, "You're not my mother anymore."

These words were like a thorn in Qin Huairu's heart, leaving her speechless with despair. Watching Banggeng turn and run away into the distance, she knew that she could only return to the He family alone now.