Silly Zhu's Bachelor Fate, the Marriage Falls Through

Silly Zhu chuckled proudly, "There's hope!"

Then, his face fell. "Are you truly foolish, Qin Huairu, or just pretending? I'm on a blind date, and you call me Silly Zhu? Can't you just call me He Yuzhu? And that Xu Damao, I'll deal with him tonight!"

Qin Huairu snorted, "So what if you're Silly Zhu, you don't let people call you that?"

"Alright, enough talk. Can you do me a favor tomorrow?"

"What favor?"

"The house is too messy. Help me tidy it up. Liu Liping might come over tomorrow."

He Yushui rarely helped her brother clean his room.

Ever since Jia Dongxu died, Qin Huairu, to thank Silly Zhu for his support, would occasionally help him tidy up his room in the afternoon.

This was why Silly Zhu asked for her help.

Upon hearing this, Qin Huairu's expression immediately shifted from gloomy to sunny. She smiled and said, "Don't worry, it won't interfere with your plans."

The next day, as soon as Silly Zhu got off work, he hurried home.

Upon entering, he saw the room was still a mess, the quilt unmade, and clothes unwashed.

He couldn't help but frown. "Where did Qin Huairu go? Is this what she calls helping? Fine! I'll have to rely on myself!"

As Silly Zhu was tidying up, Liu Liping arrived at the courtyard carrying two bags of pastries.

"He Yuzhu, are you home?"

Hearing the voice, Silly Zhu quickly went out. "Oh! You... you're here? Hey, what's with the gifts?"

"I want to go see the Deaf Old Lady you mentioned."

Silly Zhu immediately gave a thumbs-up. "So thoughtful! Let's go quickly then!"

Silly Zhu deliberately spoke a bit louder, wanting to remind Qin Huairu that he was taking Liu Liping to the back courtyard first and that she should hurry and help tidy the room.

Qin Huairu came out with an empty basin, smiling. "Oh, you've already arrived?"

Liu Liping smiled politely. "Yes, Sister Qin."

Qin Huairu smiled helplessly. "Sigh! This Silly Zhu, he just lacks someone to take care of him. He doesn't even know how to tidy his things. I do his laundry and make his bed every day. I can't help it, who asked me to be the older sister!"

As she spoke, she went into the room and started putting Silly Zhu's clothes into the basin. She specifically placed the trousers on top.

Silly Zhu's face darkened when he saw this.

Although Liu Liping's smile remained unchanged, she had already understood the situation.

A young widow washing clothes for a strapping young bachelor in his twenties, and even displaying his trousers – wasn't this a clear sign to leave?

She had lost all interest in visiting the Deaf Old Lady in the back courtyard and could only force herself to go through the motions.

Liu Liping sat in the back courtyard for a few minutes, asking about the Deaf Old Lady's health and chatting about the neighborhood gossip.

She learned that Qin Huairu's husband had recently passed away and that Jia Zhangshi was a difficult woman. Silly Zhu was the only one in the courtyard who didn't mind and was willing to help the Jia family.

But no matter how much the Deaf Old Lady praised Silly Zhu for his kind heart, Liu Liping was no longer moved. This matter was considered a bust.

Silly Zhu was unaware of this, as he was busy preparing dinner.

Liu Liping stood up. "No, I have plans tonight. I made time to come. Old Lady, I'll visit you again when I have time."

The Deaf Old Lady said happily, "Good, good!"

After Liu Liping left, she said to Silly Zhu, "Comrade He Yuzhu, you don't need to see me out. I'm going to the front courtyard to find Lou Xiao'e. Aunt Liu asked me to bring her something."

"Just give it to me, I'll take it to her."

"No need, Comrade. I'll go myself."

This remark completely bewildered Silly Zhu. It was only after Liu Liping turned the corner that he scratched his head and muttered, "What does this mean? Is it over?"

"Zhu Zi, what's wrong?" the Deaf Old Lady asked urgently.

Silly Zhu recounted the events. The Deaf Old Lady pouted in anger. "Sigh! You! You! Can't you tidy your own room?"

"How can I, a grown man, tidy up? I'm a cook, I only know how to tidy pots and pans!"

The Deaf Old Lady snorted and said nothing. Silly Zhu sighed and went home in disappointment.

In the front courtyard, Liu Liping handed a form to Lou Xiao'e.

"Sister Xiao'e, you forgot to take this form. Aunt Liu asked me to bring it to you."

"Oh, I was just about to go back for it. I need to fill it out tonight. Thank you, Liping."

"It's nothing, I'll be going now."

"Why didn't you eat at He Yuzhu's place?"

Liu Liping laughed generously. "Oh, Aunt Liu didn't get the full picture. He Yuzhu has someone suitable, someone who makes his bed, does his laundry, and washes his dishes. My visit this time was unnecessary, it was quite embarrassing."

Lin Zhen knew immediately that this was Qin Huairu's doing.

He chuckled. "It's nothing embarrassing, and even if it were, it wouldn't be embarrassing for you."

Liu Liping smiled modestly. "Right, I heard from Aunt Liu that if this doesn't work out, introducing blind dates in the courtyard will be handed over to you, Sister Xiao'e. After all, you know everyone well and can make good matches."

Lou Xiao'e chuckled, "Since it's a mission, I'll take it, but He Yuzhu is indeed difficult to handle."

After Liu Liping left, Lou Xiao'e frowned, "This matchmaker role is really tough. Am I really supposed to introduce someone to Liu Guangtian?"

Lin Zhen said, "Don't even think about it. Have you forgotten about Liu Haizhong coming to your old house in the middle of the night? If Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu have the ability, they can find someone themselves. If not, they can stay single."

Lou Xiao'e replied, "It's precisely because I haven't forgotten that it feels difficult. I don't want to introduce someone to them, but I'm afraid I won't be able to complete the mission."

Lin Zhen saw her concerns and smiled, "Aunt Liu has already washed her hands of this courtyard. Just make sure you appear to have done your part. If anyone from above asks, just say they are too picky."

Lou Xiao'e nodded, "Indeed, Silly Zhu has been rejected at least twenty-five times, if not thirty!"

"So, it's best he remains single!"

As Liu Liping left the Siheyuan and turned the corner of the alley, she ran into Xu Damao.

Xu Damao, riding his bicycle, quickly applied the brakes.

With a face full of smiles, he said, "Isn't this Sister Liu Liping?"

Liu Liping didn't have a strong impression of Xu Damao. "And you are?"

"From the Siheyuan, Silly Zhu's neighbor. I met you yesterday morning."

"Oh, hello. Is there something you need?"

"No, no. I just wanted to say hello. I heard you're an inspector at the Thermos Factory?"

"Mm."

"That's great! I have a mission tomorrow afternoon to show a movie at your Thermos Factory. Why don't you come? I'll save you the best seat."

Liu Liping smiled, "Alright, thank you. I'll bring my friends along tomorrow."

Xu Damao was overjoyed. "Don't be so formal, just call me Damao. Come tomorrow afternoon at six o'clock!"

Watching Liu Liping's figure slowly disappear, Xu Damao regretted marrying Qin Jingru too early.

Besides being young and good-looking, Qin Jingru had nothing. She was uncultured and they had no common language.

Especially after being married for more than three months, there was no sign of a pregnancy.

Seeing Liu Liping made Xu Damao regret his hasty marriage even more.

Liu Liping was educated, had a job, and was beautiful. She seemed much better than Qin Jingru in every way.

Most importantly, she could undermine Silly Zhu.

Xu Damao didn't know that Qin Huairu had already undermined Silly Zhu. With this thought, he sneered and returned to the Siheyuan.