All the heavens begin with the love in the courtyard.

After having a meal with the mother and daughter, He Yuzhu tidied up and prepared to take them shopping. He Yuzhu asked the old man to let Ran Qiuye know when she returned, so that she wouldn't worry!

An old man nodded, watching with a complicated expression as He Yuzhu, holding He Xiao's hand, walked out of the courtyard with a radiant face.

He Yuzhu accompanied the two for more than two hours, introducing He Xiao to the culture and history of Yanjing.

He also told He Xiao that he was his son, and therefore a native of Yanjing. In the future, if others asked him where he was from, he would have to tell them, "I am from Yanjing, and I grew up in Gangcheng!"

Lou Xiao'e held He Xiao's other hand with a smile the whole time, and the three of them strolled leisurely through the old hutongs of Yanjing like a family.

When they reached a main road, Lou Xiao'e noticed that He Yuzhu still wasn't looking at her, so she slowly stepped forward and took his arm.

He Yuzhu was stunned for a moment, then said helplessly.

"Xiao'e, I have a wife and children. Let's just be friends."

Lou Xiao'e's smile froze, but she didn't let go of her hand; instead, she tightened her grip and said in a slightly coquettish tone.

"I was just leaning on your arm, I wasn't going to do anything to you, don't worry, I never thought about rekindling our relationship!"

Helpless, He Yuzhu could only let her continue to hug him like that!

Chapter 100: Donkey Testicles

Being held in Lou Xiao'e's arms like this, and smelling her fragrance that was different from Ran Qiuye's, it was impossible not to feel a ripple of emotion.

But he was no longer the virgin who would turn into a steel nail at the sight of a woman; now, reason and responsibility always prevailed in his mind.

Lou Xiao'e was delighted to see that He Yuzhu no longer objected. The three of them strolled around for another hour before heading home.

After dropping Lou Xiao'e off at the hotel, Lou Xiao'e finally let go of He Yuzhu's hand and said with some regret when they arrived downstairs.

"Aren't you going up for a visit?"

He Yuzhu shook his head with a wry smile.

"Xiao'e, if you have time, take He Xiao to the compound for a visit. I'll introduce him to his younger siblings. He will always be my son, He Yuzhu's son, and that will never change. As for our past, let it be the past!"

He Yuzhu could see the disappointment in Lou Xiao'e's eyes, so he stepped forward and patted He Xiao'e on the shoulder.

"He Xiao, if you have time in the future, remember to come visit your dad, okay? Come whenever you want, don't listen to your mom, be a man, understand?"

He Xiao nodded obediently and said, "Goodbye, Dad!"

He Yuzhu watched Lou Xiao'e and He Xiao walk into the hotel gate until their figures disappeared. Only then did He Yuzhu sigh and turn to walk towards the courtyard.

Lou Xiao'e's continued visit gave him an expected wake-up call. Over the years, he had been looking forward to this day, and it finally came.

Since we're here, we should just accept it. I'm not the indecisive He Yuzhu from the original story anymore, and I don't need Lou Xiao'e's sponsorship to open the restaurant. Let's just live like this from now on, with the children as the bond between our two families!

If one day I do have some kind of relationship with Lou Xiao'e that goes beyond romance, that's fine too. I'll just treat it as a moment of pleasure in my twilight years. Family will always come first.

Of course, He Yuzhu also hoped that this possibility would not occur. However, as a normal, ordinary old man, unless he is extremely serious and rigid, it is not normal for a person to feel at ease with a woman who has shared a bed with him before.

When He Yuzhu got home, it was already dinnertime, and Ran Qiuye had already gone home from get off work.

He Zhen was in junior high school and lived at school. He Hua was sitting on a stool writing her major when she saw He Yuzhu and called him "Dad." He Yuzhu hummed in response and then looked at Ran Qiuye, who was cooking.

When Ran Qiuye saw He Yuzhu return, she glanced at him as if nothing had happened, and then paid no more attention, as if she didn't care about He Yuzhu's meeting with Lou Xiao'e today. But after living together for so many years, He Yuzhu knew Ran Qiuye's personality all too well.

He appears gentle on the outside but is actually strong on the inside. The more indifferent he seems on the surface, the better he is in the end!

Upon seeing her like this, He Yuzhu quickly stepped forward with a smile.

"Come on, let me cook. You go and rest for a while. You've had a long and tiring day!"

Ran Qiuye coldly replied.

"Go wash your hands and bring the dishes to the table!"

He Yuzhu was speechless and could only follow the instructions, telling He Hua to wash her hands and prepare for dinner.

At dinner, the old man ate a few bites in a hurry and left the table, perhaps he also knew that a storm was about to break at He Yuzhu's house that night.

He Yuzhu secretly glanced at Ran Qiuye several times. Seeing that she was calm as usual, he became even more uneasy. He wondered if she was being sarcastic. When Ran Qiuye saw He Hua picking through the dishes, she immediately scolded her angrily.

"Eat quickly, then pour yourself some water to wash your face and feet, and go to your aunt's room to sleep early after you're done!"

He Hua let out a soft "oh," picked up a piece of pork belly, rubbed it with the scallions, and, seeing He Yuzhu looking at her, the little girl winked mischievously and whispered.

"Dad, your cooking is still the best! Mom always puts scallions in my food, even though she knows I don't like them!"

Upon hearing this, Ran Qiuye, who was opposite, raised an eyebrow and glared angrily at He Hua.

Startled, He Hua quickly finished her rice and skipped off to boil water to wash her face and feet.

He Yuzhu quickly lowered his head and started eating. Tonight, things looked bad! A fierce battle was inevitable!

After dinner, He Hua slipped away, leaving only Ran Qiuye and He Yuzhu in the room. He Yuzhu shakily began to pour water to wash his face and feet. After finishing, he glanced at Ran Qiuye and, seeing that her expression was normal, took a deep breath and said...

"I'm going to sleep now!"

Ran Qiuye remained silent.

He Yuzhu secretly took off his coat and got into bed wearing only a shirt and trousers. Ten minutes later, the lights in the room suddenly went out, and soon after, a cold body came in.

In the darkness, a cold voice came from within her arms.

"Doesn't Lou Xiao'e smell wonderful?"

He Yuzhu shuddered and subconsciously sniffed himself. Sure enough, there was a faint scent of perfume. He was immediately startled and hurriedly said awkwardly.

"No, no, it's nothing. I might have gotten a little bit this afternoon, but it'll be gone by tomorrow!"

Ran Qiuye remained silent, and He Yuzhu felt increasingly alarmed. He hurriedly tried to explain, but then he heard the voice slowly come again.

"If you don't deliver your 'labor' five times tonight, don't even think about getting out of bed!"

A moment later, He Yuzhu felt a chill in his lower body, followed by a warm touch. He shivered and felt a pang of sadness for his impending fate.

The next day, when the sun was high in the sky, He Yuzhu groggily got up and looked at his empty pillow. He sighed deeply, thinking, "I can't live like this anymore!"

Ran Qiuye's revenge came so fiercely and so cruelly. Recalling the humiliation of last night, He Yuzhu's eyes were slightly moist, but unfortunately they had dried up and there was not a single tear.

Sigh, who can understand the suffering of middle-aged men!

He Yuzhu made a decision: after getting up, he would go to the back street to find some Niu Huanxi (a type of herbal tea) and donkey testicles to replenish his energy. Judging from the situation, last night's revenge was far from over. Forty is like a tiger!

A few days later, Lou Xiao'e brought He Xiao to the compound again. It happened to be a Saturday. Perhaps Lou Xiao'e knew that Ran Qiuye and the children would be at home that day, so she chose this day.

He Xiao also met his half-siblings for the first time. The three children were about the same age and looked each other over. However, He Xiao quickly became friends with them. The reason was simple: He Xiao took out several electronic toy game consoles and gave them to his younger siblings as gifts.

Young people's happiness is so simple: just find something you're interested in. But Ran Qiuye and Lou Xiao'e are each starting to show off their skills.

Lou Xiao'e showcased her strong financial resources and fair skin and beauty, while Ran Qiuye displayed her charm as a virtuous wife and loving mother. In the end, Ran Qiuye won completely, hurriedly ate a meal, and left with He Xiao.

Lou Xiao'e's appearance did bring some color to He Yuzhu's life. He Xiao quickly returned to school in Gangcheng, while Lou Xiao'e stayed and frequently traveled between the two places.

Lou Xiao'e clearly hadn't given up on He Yuzhu. She would ask him out at least twice a month. At first, Lou Xiao'e would come to the compound to see him openly, but after two times, He Yuzhu couldn't take it anymore.

Make an appointment with Lou Xiao'e. If you really want to meet, call the supply and marketing cooperative outside the compound. You often go there to buy things. Just ask the auntie there to pass on a message to you, and then you can go find her!

It wasn't that He Yuzhu couldn't stand Lou Xiao'e, but rather that his body simply couldn't take it anymore. Every time Lou Xiao'e came to see him, she would retaliate five times that night, shaking his old back until it was almost broken, and she still wouldn't let him go. Moreover, Ran Qiuye's vengeful nature grew stronger every day, and she would continue the next day. He simply couldn't bear it anymore!

He Yuzhu had a serious talk with Ran Qiuye once. Ran Qiuye calmly said that she did not object to He Yuzhu meeting with Lou Xiao'e, but a man's energy is limited. Since you want to meet, then save your energy for your wife. I have no objection to who you go to see with your extra energy!

What else can He Yuzhu do?

He could only continue to seek out donkey testicles for nourishment, but given his age, no amount of nourishment could replenish his essence. Helpless, He Yuzhu had no choice but to reduce his visits to Lou Xiao'e from twice a month to once a month!

This displeased Lou Xiao'e!

Chapter 101: Dining in Beijing and Guangdong

Lou Xiao'e is definitely not happy!

I've only met He Yuzhu twice in the past month, and we haven't done anything. At most, we've just put our arms around each other's shoulders. You're already so impatient. Is my charm really not as good as Ran Qiuye's?

So that day, Lou Xiao'e made three phone calls to the supply and marketing cooperative across the street. The auntie called out to He Yuzhu every time she saw him. He Yuzhu got really impatient and had no choice but to call Lou Xiao'e back and say that they should have lunch together the next day.

Lou Xiao'e, who was on the other side, was overjoyed when she heard He Yuzhu agree. She said she would find a place for him, and He Yuzhu readily agreed.

The next day at noon, Lou Xiao'e arranged a place to meet. By the time He Yuzhu arrived, it was already noon. Lou Xiao'e took He Yuzhu's hand and complained.

"Why are you so slow? Your husband keeps such a close eye on you, why are you dressed like this again today? Can't you at least dress up a bit!"

Lou Xiao'e's complaints were justified. He Yuzhu, as always, was dressed in a blue shirt and black cloth shoes, looking rather rustic. Compared to Lou Xiao'e, who was dressed in a fashionable outfit, they looked like they were from two different generations.

He Yuzhu tried to keep quiet. Now that he was dealing with women, he understood that the more he talked, the more mistakes he made. He should just be a tool and have a meal with her, after all, she was the mother of his child.

Lou Xiao'e glanced at her watch and immediately stopped complaining about He Yuzhu's attire. She hurriedly pulled He Yuzhu and walked forward.

He Yuzhu said strangely.

Why are you in such a hurry?

Lou Xiao'e snorted and said.

"I made a reservation at 'Jingyue' restaurant for exactly 12 o'clock. Do you know how difficult it is for me to find an authentic Cantonese restaurant in this great city of Beijing?"

Upon hearing this, He Yuzhu was speechless and dared not utter a word.

Seeing that He Yuzhu didn't speak, Lou Xiao'e smiled and nudged He Yuzhu's arm.

"My mom came to Yanjing today and wants to meet you, so watch your words later!"

Upon hearing this, He Yuzhu wiped his forehead. It seemed that today's meal wouldn't be so easy to enjoy.

"Alright then!"

When the two arrived at the place, He Yuzhu stood at the door, looking at the antique decoration style, and nodded in satisfaction. It was worth the high price he spent on the decoration.

Lou Xiao'e teased He Yuzhu when she saw his expression.

"What do you think? Look at their decor, now that's what a high-end restaurant looks like. Unlike your old cafeteria, which was like pig slop every day. How about it? Any ideas? Want to open one like this too?"

He Yuzhu should just shut up!

When the two arrived at the private room, a middle-aged man wearing glasses and a white-haired woman were already waiting. Upon seeing them enter, the two stood up and smiled.

Upon seeing this, He Yuzhu quickly stepped forward and called out.

"Aunt Zhong, it's so nice to see you again! It's been more than ten years since we last met. You look so young, you've grown younger with each passing year! I've missed you so much!"

The white-haired old woman, her face glowing, laughed heartily and said to He Yuzhu.