My happy life in a courtyard house with triplets.

Chapter 305: A Heart-to-Heart Talk with Yu Li

Just after Zhang Lei and Chen Xueru finished their banter, they were about to go out for a stroll when they opened the door and saw someone standing there.

"Yu Li," Zhang Lei called out.

Yu Li then turned around and saw Zhang Lei, her expression somewhat nervous: "Zhang Lei, are you really here?"

Zhang Lei smiled and nodded: "What brings you here?"

Yu Li looked at him and said softly, "Can I talk to you?"

Zhang Lei thought for a moment, and since he was going out anyway, he nodded: "Okay."

Zhang Lei got on the bicycle, and Yu Li sat on the back seat. As soon as he started pedaling, a pair of slender hands suddenly wrapped gently around his waist.

Zhang Lei stiffened slightly and said somewhat awkwardly, "Yu Li, you..."

Yu Li gently leaned down and pressed against his back, saying softly, "Don't talk, just ride your bike."

Zhang Lei said no more, rode his bike, and soon arrived at a secluded park.

Zhang Lei stopped the car and looked at Yu Li, who had a strange expression: "Yu Li, what's wrong?"

Yu Li seemed to have mustered up a tremendous amount of courage, and looked up at him: "Zhang Lei, do you like me?"

This was so sudden that Zhang Lei was momentarily stunned: "Why are you suddenly asking this?"

Yu Li's gaze was firm: "If I told you I liked you, would you marry me?"

Zhang Lei looked at her incredulously: "Are you serious?"

Yu Li nodded vigorously.

Zhang Lei said in a deep voice, "You're not trying to repay me this way because I gave you money for your mother's medical treatment, are you? There's really no need for that. Besides, do you even know me? Do you know my family situation?"

Yu Li was speechless for a moment.

Zhang Lei sighed softly: "I don't know what you're thinking, but please listen to me first."

The two walked along the path for a while and found a bench. Zhang Lei reached out and wiped the bench, then asked Yu Li to sit down first.

This subtle gesture stirred something in Yu Li's heart, making her feel that the man in front of her was exceptionally thoughtful.

The two sat down, and Zhang Lei gazed at the distant scenery before slowly saying, "Yu Li, I'm a bit of a womanizer; I've already married six wives."

"So many?" Yu Li looked at him in surprise.

"Yes, that many." Zhang Lei smiled frankly, "But they all get along very well, and it was all voluntary; I didn't force any of them."

He turned to look at Yu Li: "You're a good girl, and so is your sister, Yu Haitang. I'm telling you this not to brag, but because I don't want to hide anything from you, and I certainly don't want to force any woman to do anything."

Yu Li said softly, "Zhang Lei, I did it voluntarily."

Zhang Lei smiled and said, "As long as you're willing, I have no problem with that. Right now, I just want to marry a few more people who are truly loyal to me. If you don't mind my family situation, we can talk more later."

Yu Li's mind was in complete turmoil.

Do you mind? Of course I mind. Who wants to share a man with another woman?

But looking at Zhang Lei in front of her, she couldn't bring herself to refuse.

After a moment of silence, Yu Li asked softly, "Will you be good to me?"

"That's for sure." Zhang Lei nodded. "If I didn't treat you well, why would I marry you?"

Yu Li was lost in thought, and Zhang Lei didn't urge her, quietly keeping her company.

After a while, Yu Li suddenly spoke up: "I saw what happened that day, my sister kissed you."

Zhang Lei paused for a moment before remembering what happened at the hospital, then smiled and said, "Yes, that's what happened. I thought it was just kids playing around at the time."

Yu Li looked at him: "So how will you treat her in the future?"

Zhang Lei shook his head: "I haven't thought about it. She's too young; I've never considered that possibility. If something does happen in the future, we can only let nature take its course."

Yu Li was a little angry: "Don't you think it's incredibly irresponsible of you to say that?"

Zhang Lei calmly replied, "That's because you don't understand me. My first marriage was to triplets. Outsiders think it's outrageous, but we're doing just fine. Call me a womanizer or a scumbag, I have my reasons."

He paused, then continued, "Actually, I can see that you feel more gratitude than affection for me. I won't force you; if you're willing, I welcome it; if you're not, I will never force you."

"Even if Haitang really likes me and is willing to marry me in the future, I won't refuse her."

These words had a huge impact on Li, leaving her completely stunned.

Zhang Lei didn't say anything more. He took out a cigarette from his pocket, lit it, and smoked it quietly, giving her time to think it through.

About half an hour later, Yu Li finally stepped forward slowly and said softly, "Zhang Lei, shall we... give it a try?"

Zhang Lei looked at her in surprise.

"Just like dating, we go shopping, watch movies, and do things couples do." Yu Li took a deep breath. "I don't mind if you have other women, but can you give me some time to adjust?"

Zhang Lei nodded subconsciously: "Okay."

When he uttered those words, he was a little dazed, wondering how things had come to this.

Soon, the two arrived at the department store by bicycle.

They browsed from shop to shop, and when they saw nice hair accessories or fabrics, Zhang Lei would have Yu Li try them on, and if she thought they were suitable, they would buy them directly.

Seeing Yu Li all dressed up, Zhang Lei kept praising her, and Yu Li gradually became much more cheerful, with more smiles on her face.

Zhang Lei picked out a lot of gifts for Yu Li in one go. Yu Li felt warm and sweet inside as she carried the gifts.

After shopping, Zhang Lei took Yu Li to see a movie, which was a foreign film.

The theater was dimly lit, and as the two sat there, their hands unconsciously became clasped together.

Yu Li leaned gently on Zhang Lei's shoulder, quietly enjoying this moment of peace.

Perhaps because the movie was boring, or perhaps because she was too tired these past few days, Yu Li leaned back and fell asleep.

Looking at her sleeping peacefully, Zhang Lei felt a slight softening in his heart. He could sense that this girl was carrying too much pressure—the bitterness of life and her mother's illness were making it hard for her to breathe.

He didn't dare to move, his shoulders stiffened, and he held on until the movie ended.

When Yu Li woke up, she realized she had slept the whole time and felt a little embarrassed: "Why didn't you wake me up?"

Zhang Lei said with a smile, "You look so cute when you're asleep, I couldn't bear to."

After saying that, he couldn't help but smile bitterly to himself. He could come up with such sweet talk so easily; he definitely had the potential to be a scumbag.

Afterwards, Zhang Lei rode his bicycle to take Yu Li to the entrance of Xiehe Hospital.

Yu Li hugged the gift he had given her, looked at Zhang Lei, and asked softly, "Will every day in the future be like today?"

Zhang Lei nodded.

Seeing that no one was around, Yu Li suddenly became bolder, quickly kissed Zhang Lei on the cheek, and then ran away laughing: "Prepare the betrothal gifts and come to propose marriage!"

Zhang Lei froze on the spot, touching the still warm spot on his face, watching Yu Li run into the hospital, and was momentarily speechless.