My happy life in a courtyard house with triplets.

Chapter 340: Zhang Lei Helps the He Family Out of a Dilemma

Jia Zhangshi raised her head: "I'm sure everyone saw the money come out of Qin Huairu's pocket!"

Zhang Lei asked in quick succession: "When did you lose your money? How long ago was it lost? Where in your house did you keep it? Come on, let's go to your house and take a look."

Madam Jia said impatiently, "What's so interesting? The money's all in her pocket. If she didn't steal it, who did?"

Zhang Lei said calmly, "According to you, I could also say that someone stole your money and deliberately framed Qin Huairu."

He Daqing immediately chimed in, "Exactly! Which eye of yours saw her break into your house and steal money? She doesn't even know where the money is, how could she steal it?"

Yan Fugui quickly gave Jia Zhangshi a meaningful look, but Jia Zhangshi didn't understand at all and blurted out, "The money is on top of my wardrobe!"

Zhang Lei laughed: "Since you said it's on the wardrobe, let's all go take a look."

A group of people rushed to the Jia family's residence in the Intermediate People's Court.

Zhang Lei said to everyone, "Please wait outside. The three gentlemen and I will go in."

Once inside, Zhang Lei looked at Jia Zhangshi and asked, "Tell me, where did you put the money in the wardrobe?"

Madam Jia glanced at Liu Haizhong, then pointed randomly: "It's...it's on top of the wardrobe!"

Zhang Lei was so angry he laughed: "Are you sure?"

Jia Zhangshi, gritting her teeth, said, "I'm sure!"

Zhang Lei made Qin Huairu stand in front of the wardrobe, then took out ten yuan, folded it, and placed it on top of the wardrobe, hiding it very discreetly.

He looked at everyone and said, "Look at the height of the wardrobe, and then look at Qin Huairu's height. Do you think she can get the top spot?"

Everyone shook their heads.

Yan Fugui immediately added, "She could stand on a bench."

Madam Jia quickly chimed in, "Yes! She must have stolen it while standing on the bench!"

Zhang Lei looked at Jia Zhangshi and retorted, "Do you think your son is dead?"

Only then did everyone notice that Jia Dongxu was still lying stiffly on the bed.

Zhang Lei said coldly, "Jia Dongxu is a grown man at home. If someone is carrying a stool and stealing money from him, do you think he wouldn't hear a thing?"

He Daqing glared at Jia Zhangshi: "Tell me the truth! If you don't, I won't be polite!"

Zhang Lei quickly stopped He Daqing: "Uncle He, don't rush."

Xu Damao, who was standing outside the door, couldn't stand it any longer and came in to chime in: "Maybe Jia Dongxu was asleep at the time?"

He also winked at Jia Dongxu, who immediately understood: "Right... I was probably asleep at the time and didn't hear you."

Zhang Lei gave Xu Damao a deep look, then stopped dwelling on it and asked Jia Zhangshi, "Where's your money box? Don't you usually keep your money in it?"

Madam Jia asked warily, "Why are you asking this?"

Zhang Lei said, "I just stood on the bench and looked at it. The top of the wardrobe was completely dusty, spotless, without a trace of anything having been placed there. How could money be left there without leaving a trace?"

Moreover, instead of using a money box, why would someone put a ten-dollar bill separately on top of the wardrobe?

Jia Zhangshi was speechless when questioned, and could only stammer, "I...I remembered it wrong."

Zhang Lei said calmly, "How could you forget something so important?"

Seeing that Jia Zhangshi couldn't hold back, Xu Damao changed his approach and attacked from another angle: "Even if it wasn't stolen, why didn't Qin Huairu ask around in the yard after finding the money, and instead just put it in her pocket? That doesn't make sense!"

Liu Haizhong immediately chimed in, "That's right! Even if Jia Zhangshi lost it and she found it, she should hand it over."

He Daqing shook his head slightly, and Zhang Lei immediately understood what he meant—he didn't want to get entangled with him anymore.

Zhang Lei said, "Okay, since it wasn't theft, then we can't call Qin Huairu a thief."

Madam Jia immediately seized the opportunity: "Then what should be the punishment for her finding my money and keeping it without saying a word?"

Zhang Lei said no more, and He Daqing knew in his heart that he could only accept his fate.

He looked at everyone and said, "Huai Ru was in the wrong. She didn't say anything immediately after finding the money. It was her fault. We are willing to compensate her."

Jia Zhangshi immediately demanded an exorbitant sum: "Give me one hundred yuan!"

Upon hearing this, everyone's sympathy for the Jia family vanished instantly, and they all felt that Madam Jia had gone too far.

Qin Huairu retorted angrily, "You're dreaming! Even if I found the money, I'll just give it back to you. You want me to pay you back a hundred? Dream on!"

Yan Fugui stepped in to smooth things over: "Mrs. Jia, one hundred is too much. How about fifty?"

He Daqing didn't want to delay any longer and immediately nodded: "Okay, I'll pay you fifty yuan."

When Jia Zhangshi received the fifty dollars, she was overjoyed. She never expected to earn fifty dollars for cooperating in a play.

He Daqing looked at everyone and said, "The matter is resolved. Let's go back now."

He pulled Qin Huairu aside and said to Zhang Lei, "Zhang Lei, come to my house."

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Zhang Lei looked at everyone and sighed, "Okay."

After everyone left, Liu Haizhong still couldn't resist trying to sow discord behind Qin Huairu's back, wanting to criticize her and He Daqing. However, He Daqing turned around and glared at him, so he immediately swallowed his words and waved his hand, saying, "Let's go, let's go!"

As the crowd dispersed, Liu Haizhong, Yan Fugui, and Xu Damao huddled together and couldn't help but burst into laughter.

Liu Haizhong said smugly, "This time we've won a resounding victory!"

Xu Damao said regretfully, "If it weren't for Zhang Lei's interference and Jia Zhangshi's stupidity, which almost ruined things, we could have handled it much better."

Yan Fugui nodded: "This matter is inherently flawed. If it really escalates to the police station, Jia Zhangshi definitely won't be able to handle it."

Liu Haizhong looked at the two of them, his eyes shining: "Now that He Daqing is no longer the eldest master, it's time to rearrange the three eldest masters in our courtyard."

Xu Damao immediately flattered, "Second Uncle, this position of First Uncle is definitely yours!"

Liu Haizhong grinned from ear to ear and looked at Yan Fugui: "Then I'll take the plunge."

Yan Fugui laughed and said, "Then I'll be the second uncle."

Xu Damao quickly asked, "What about Uncle San?"

Liu Haizhong looked at Xu Damao: "Damao, you are young and promising. You are the most suitable for this Third Uncle."

Xu Damao's face lit up instantly: "Really? Then I'll be the Third Uncle from now on?"

Yan Fugui nodded: "Yes, I've already spoken to everyone in the front yard."

Liu Haizhong also said, "I've already spoken to the people in the backyard."

Xu Damao said happily, "Then I'll pay for some candy and melon seeds to distribute to everyone. Let's settle this!"

The three men exchanged a knowing smile, quite pleased with themselves. They had secretly decided on the positions of the three stewards in the courtyard.

On the other side, in the backyard, at He Daqing's house.

Qin Huairu sobbed, "Great Qing, I'm sorry, it's all my fault."

He Daqing slammed his fist on the table in anger: "You! Why were you so greedy for that ten yuan? Have I skimped on your food or your clothes?"

Qin Huairu lowered her head, filled with regret: "I didn't think that much at the time, I just impulsively put it in my pocket..."

Zhang Lei advised from the side, "Uncle He, stop cursing. This is obviously a trap they deliberately set for your family. Their target isn't ten yuan at all; it's your position as an old man."

He Daqing sighed: "I could tell too, but I couldn't help myself and acted impulsively."

Zhang Lei said helplessly, "It's one thing to lose money, but why did you also resign from your title of 'Grandpa'?"

Whether you care or not is one thing, but without this title, the others in the compound will have no scruples, and Liu Haizhong and Yan Fugui will find it easier to manipulate your family in the future.

He Daqing then realized what was happening and was filled with regret.

He thanked Zhang Lei repeatedly, saying, "I really owe you a lot today. If it weren't for you, I don't know what would have happened."

Zhang Lei waved his hand: "Uncle He, you're too kind. It was just a small favor."

He Daqing looked at Qin Huairu and said, "Go make a few dishes and get a bottle of wine. Zhang Lei and I will have a couple of drinks."

Qin Huairu dared not refute and hurriedly went to the kitchen to get busy.