My happy life in a courtyard house with triplets.

Chapter 123: Liu Hai Seeks Supplies

Upon hearing Liu Haizhong's words, Zhang Lei immediately became interested and said, "Second Uncle, let's not stand in the yard, let's go inside and sit down to talk."

Liu Haizhong nodded and followed Zhang Lei into the house. As soon as they entered, Liu Haizhong placed the wine on the table and said with a smile, "I don't have anything good at home, but I thought this bottle of wine was alright, so I brought it for you to try."

Seeing Liu Haizhong's politeness, Zhang Lei directly declined, saying, "Second Uncle, please tell me what you're doing first. We can talk about the wine later. If I can't do what you're asking, I'll feel bad taking the wine."

Zhang Lei allowed Liu Haizhong into the house mainly because he was carrying wine, which suggested he was asking for a favor. If it were someone like Yan Fugui or Jia Zhangshi, who came empty-handed and acted as if it were their right, Zhang Lei would have definitely kicked them out.

Seeing Zhang Lei's reluctance, Liu Haizhong didn't insist and said, "Zhang Lei, it's like this. My son Guangqi is getting married soon, but we're still short on meat and vegetables for the wedding. You know how it is these days, these things are hard to come by. I thought you were the only purchasing agent in our compound, you must have connections in this area, could you help your second uncle out?"

After listening to Liu Haizhong's words, Zhang Lei thought for a moment and said, "Second Uncle, we are all from the same courtyard, and you are the one in charge. Since you have asked, I can't refuse."

Upon hearing Zhang Lei's words, Liu Haizhong's face immediately lit up with joy.

However, Zhang Lei changed the subject and said, "But I can do it, but I have a condition."

Upon hearing Zhang Lei's conditions, Liu Hai's heart skipped a beat. Fearing that Zhang Lei would ask for an exorbitant amount, he quickly and nervously asked, "Zhang Lei, what are your conditions?"

Seeing Liu Haizhong's nervous expression, Zhang Lei smiled and said, "Second Uncle, don't worry, this money is what it should be, I won't take more than what you owe. But, as for the source of these things, you should understand."

Liu Haizhong thought for a moment and immediately understood Zhang Lei's meaning. He quickly said, "Zhang Lei, don't worry, I know how to do this. I'll just say that I asked a friend from out of town to get this, and it has nothing to do with you."

Seeing that Liu Haizhong was so cooperative, Zhang Lei nodded in satisfaction and said, "Okay, Second Uncle, when you get home, make a list of what you need and I'll get it for you as long as it's within my power."

Upon hearing this, Liu Hai was overjoyed and said, "Great! I'll go home and write it right now!"

After saying that, he glanced at the wine on the table and said, "Zhang Lei, you can keep this wine for yourself. Consider it a small token of my appreciation."

After Liu Haizhong left, Ye Shuqin looked at Zhang Lei with some confusion and said, "Honey, why are you willing to help Second Uncle? What you're doing seems like speculation and profiteering."

Zhang Lei looked at Ye Shuqin and said with a smile, "It's okay to do this kind of thing once in a while. Everyone knows it. As long as no one reports it, it's fine. Didn't I just say that Liu Haizhong should say that he got it himself and that it has nothing to do with me?"

At this moment, Ye Shuqin was still a little worried and looked at Zhang Lei, saying, "Master, you have to be careful in everything you do. You can't tell what's going on in someone's heart."

Zhang Lei held Ye Shuqin's hand and said with a smile, "Don't worry, honey, I know what I'm doing. If Liu Haizhong dares to play tricks on me, I'll make sure his family is in big trouble. Besides, I'm not paying the market price for this batch of goods, but the black market price. Even if he claims I gave it to him, I can't do anything about it as long as I don't admit it. After all, everyone knows the black market price."

Zhang Lei waited at home for a while, and then Liu Haizhong rushed over in a hurry.

Zhang Lei was taken aback when he saw the list Liu Haizhong handed him. He looked up at Liu Haizhong and said, "Uncle, you have quite a lot of stuff, and so many different kinds."

Liu Haizhong laughed and said, "Well, what can we do when our in-laws are leaders? Now that Guangqi is married, he can't be lazy, otherwise, wouldn't he be inferior to others?"

Hearing Liu Haizhong's words, Zhang Lei nodded and said, "That's true." Then he closed the list and said, "Second Uncle, I'll get all these things for you within a week. But you have to pay me first; the price will be based on the black market price."

Hearing this, Liu Hai's heart skipped a beat. He thought about how the black market price would be four or five times higher than the market price, and felt a pang of pain. He hesitated and said, "Zhang Lei, isn't this price a bit too high?"

Zhang Lei shook his head and said, "Second Uncle, you know what time it is now. These days, people dig up grass roots and tree bark to eat, let alone the things you want. Even if I could get them, it would take a lot of effort, and I would have to ask for favors. If it weren't for the fact that we live in the same courtyard, based on that bottle of wine you brought, I really wouldn't bother helping anyone else."

Seeing Liu Haizhong's hesitant expression, Zhang Lei grew impatient. He simply sat down, slammed the list on the table, and said, "Second Uncle, if you think the price is too high, you can take the list and the wine, and I'll pretend this never happened."

Liu Haizhong's heart tightened at Zhang Lei's sudden change in attitude. Seeing Zhang Lei's unhurried and indifferent demeanor, he knew that further negotiation was futile, so he gritted his teeth and said, "Fine, we'll do it your way!"

In fact, he knew in his heart that he had already inquired around outside and that at this time, these things were simply not available through normal channels, and even if they were available, there would be absolutely no time to buy them.

After thinking for a moment, Liu Haizhong said with some unease, "Zhang Lei, isn't a week a bit too long? Could we...?"

Zhang Lei waved his hand, interrupting Liu Haizhong, and said, "Second Uncle, a week is really not a long time. Besides, the things you want, including vegetables, flour, and various kinds of meat, will take a lot of time to gather them all.

Liu Haizhong thought about it and felt that Zhang Lei's words made sense, so he nodded and said, "Okay, then I'll go home and get you the money."

A moment later, Liu Haizhong came running over again, holding three hundred yuan in his hand and handing it to Zhang Lei.

After counting and confirming that everything was correct, Zhang Lei smiled and said, "Second Uncle, this banquet you've prepared is quite lavish. It seems your family is destined for great things."

Liu Haizhong waved his hand and said, "No, no. Guangqi is lucky to have married the leader's daughter, and our family is benefiting from it too."

Seeing Liu Haizhong's boastful and smug look, Zhang Lei smiled and said, "Well then, Second Uncle, I'd like to congratulate you in advance."