My happy life in a courtyard house with triplets.

Chapter 230: 1 Draw, 7 Losses

The next morning, Zhang Lei went to the He family's door and saw He Daqing standing in the yard looking refreshed. He smiled and cupped his hands in greeting, "Uncle He, congratulations!"

He Daqing glared at him with a smile: "You brat."

Zhang Lei leaned closer and said, "Uncle He, you can't keep this from Sha Zhu any longer. If you tell him any later, he'll definitely throw a tantrum."

He Daqing felt a little embarrassed by his gaze and waved his hand, "Alright, I know. You don't need to worry about this. I'm going to tell Zhuzi today."

Zhang Lei smiled and agreed, "Okay, I won't bother you anymore." After saying that, he turned around and walked out of the courtyard.

Leaving the courtyard house, Zhang Lei went straight to the big tree in the next alley and waited for the person to arrive. A short while later, an elderly man of about seventy years old came over; it was Grandpa Zhou and his familiar chess friend. Grandpa Zhou smiled and asked, "Zhang Lei, why are you here so early today?"

Zhang Lei said smugly, "Uncle Zhou, I'm all prepared today. I've come here specifically to deflate your arrogance, and I've even come up with a brilliant trick."

Grandpa Zhou chuckled: "Alright, I'll play against you today and see what your secret weapon is."

Grandpa Zhou particularly enjoys playing chess with Zhang Lei. Both of them are terrible at chess, and their skills are evenly matched. Overall, Grandpa Zhou has a 64% advantage. Grandpa Zhou, who used to always be defeated by others, has finally found the joy of playing chess with Zhang Lei.

Soon, the two set up a chessboard and began to play, gradually attracting a circle of old men to watch the spectacle. The battle on the chessboard was exceptionally fierce, with each player capturing a knight or a cannon, and for a time, the two were evenly matched.

Grandpa Zhou looked at the chessboard and praised, "Well done, Zhang Lei! I didn't realize your chess skills had improved."

Zhang Lei raised his chin proudly: "Of course, Uncle Zhou, I've been playing against masters every day lately, and my chess skills have long been perfected."

Hearing what the two were saying, Grandpa Li curled his lip in disdain: "Alright, you two lousy chess players, still spouting nonsense."

The crowd joined in the chant: "Zhang Lei, Uncle Zhou, someone's provoking us! Get ready to fight!"

Unable to resist the crowd's urging, Zhang Lei looked at Grandpa Li and said, "Alright, Grandpa Li, after I win this game against Grandpa Zhou, I'll play against you. Just don't let me make you sick."

Old Li, furious, puffed out his beard and glared: "You lousy chess player, how dare you be so arrogant? Fine, fine, I'll give you a rook handicap later!"

Zhang Lei immediately agreed: "Okay, Uncle Li, you said it, so you can't go back on your word."

Seeing his shameless behavior, everyone teased him, "Zhang Lei, why did you make Grandpa Li give you a ride? You should at least give Grandpa Li a ride too!"

Zhang Lei waved his hand: "Go away, what do you know?"

After a fierce battle, the morning passed in the blink of an eye, and Zhang Lei ended up with a record of one draw and seven losses—the draw was against Grandpa Zhou, and the seven losses were against Grandpa Li, who lost seven games in a row. He went home dejectedly, his face falling as soon as he entered the door.

Seeing his expression, Ye Shuqin smiled and asked, "Husband, what's wrong?"

Zhang Lei remained silent, sulking. Ye Shuqin saw through his sullen expression immediately and, suppressing a laugh, asked, "Did you lose another game?"

Zhang Lei looked puzzled: "Shuqin, the method you taught me yesterday didn't work at all."

Ye Shuqin was taken aback: "That's not right. Yesterday I taught you that you should be able to draw with Grandpa Zhou."

Zhang Lei immediately followed up, "What about Grandpa Li?"

Ye Shuqin glanced at him irritably: "Honey, with your chess skills, even if you practice for another seven or eight years, you still won't be a match for Grandpa Li. You really want to compete with Grandpa Li?"

Zhang Lei was even more puzzled: "That's not right. I remember Grandpa Li couldn't beat you. You even lost two games to me yesterday. How could I possibly lose to Grandpa Li?"

Upon hearing this, Ye Shuqin felt a little embarrassed, pretended not to hear, and continued to pack the clothes in her hands.

Zhang Lei instantly realized what was happening and glared at her: "Wife, did you deliberately lose to me?"

He stared intently at Ye Shuqin, determined to find a flaw in her face. Ye Shuqin couldn't bear the glare any longer and whispered, "Master, this isn't my fault."

Zhang Lei instantly understood, looking aggrieved: "Wife, how could you do this? You're misleading me!"

Ye Shuqin was also inwardly groaning. Zhang Lei's chess skills were the worst she had ever seen. He might not even be able to win against a child. But Zhang Lei just loved playing chess. She only wanted Zhang Lei to regain some confidence, so she deliberately lost two games. Who knew that he would actually think that his chess skills had greatly improved?

Zhang Lei hung his head dejectedly: "Honey, do you think there's any way to greatly improve my chess skills?"

Ye Shuqin thought for a moment and advised, "Honey, why don't you change your hobby? It's fine if you're idle at home most of the time, at least I'll keep you company."

Zhang Lei said irritably, "Wife, are you doing this on purpose?"

Ye Shuqin waved her hand: "Honey, I'm not going to bother with you anymore. I really don't know anything about teaching people to play chess. Why don't you buy a guqin and I'll teach you to play it? I know a lot about that."

Zhang Lei shook his head: "Forget it, I'll just study the chessboard myself." Then he looked at Ye Shuqin, "Wife, come here."

Ye Shuqin asked in confusion, "Husband, what's wrong?"

Zhang Lei pulled her to sit down by the chessboard: "Let's play, but this time you can't let me win."

Ye Shuqin hesitated for a moment, then nodded: "Okay."

To be honest, Ye Shuqin really didn't want to play chess with Zhang Lei. Firstly, she was afraid of hurting his pride, and secondly, she always felt that her chess skills were declining when she played chess with Zhang Lei.

Once the game began, Ye Shuqin showed no mercy, making a ruthless move that trapped Zhang Lei's pieces firmly on the board, and the game was decided in no time. She looked at Zhang Lei and said, "Honey, I'm going to cook. Just come and call me whenever you remember to make your next move."

Zhang Lei waved his hand dismissively: "Alright, alright, go ahead. I'm sure I can find the flaws in your chess game."

At the hospital, He Daqing brought Qin Huairu to visit He Yuzhu. He Yuzhu was overjoyed to see them and exclaimed, "Sister Qin, you're here too?"

He Daqing coughed lightly and said in a deep voice, "Zhuzi, you can't call her Sister Qin anymore, you have to call her Aunt Qin."

Upon hearing this, Sha Zhu was stunned and frowned, saying, "Dad, are you still half asleep?"

At this moment, Qin Huairu looked at Sha Zhu and said softly, "Zhu Zi, your father is right. From now on, don't call me Sister Qin anymore. Just call me Aunt Qin."