My happy life in a courtyard house with triplets.

Chapter 329: A Separate Family Tree

Just as Zhang Lei was in a daze, he suddenly saw the mute aunt walking out. Zhang Lei was a little puzzled and called out to her.

"Auntie, what are you doing?"

Aunt Mute gestured a couple of times, and Zhang Lei looked at Lou Xiao'e with some helplessness. Lou Xiao'e said, "Honey, I asked Aunt Mute to inform the elders of the Ye family. After all, it's such a big thing, they'll definitely be very happy to know."

Hearing this, Zhang Lei nodded and didn't stop the mute aunt anymore.

Soon, the elders of the Ye family, including Ye Shuqin's older brother and sister-in-law, parents, and grandparents, arrived. Zhang Lei greeted them warmly upon seeing them.

The eldest brother, Ye Jianjun, patted Zhang Lei with a smile and said, "Good lad, you're really lucky!"

Zhang Lei said with a smile, "All this good fortune comes from Shuqin and the other two. If it weren't for them, how could I have so many sons?"

Ye Jianlin, the second brother, also laughed and said, "You're more impressive than the three of us. We three families have seven children, and you have nine sons all at once."

Zhang Lei listened to his second brother Ye Jianlin's words and smiled awkwardly.

Second sister-in-law Zhao Chunyan said with a smile, "You're wrong. This is just Shuqin and the other two. Look at the other four, who knows how many babies they're carrying."

Everyone burst into laughter upon hearing what their second sister-in-law, Zhao Chunyan, said.

Grandma Li Xiumei came to Ye Shuqin and the other two girls and asked with concern, "Shuqin, tell Grandma, is what they said true?"

Ye Shuqin, Ye Shuqi, and Ye Shuhua surrounded their grandmother, Li Xiumei, and said with smiles, "Yes, Grandma, it's true, all three of us are carrying boys."

Grandma Li Xiumei said with a smile, "Good, good, good, you three are so lucky."

Ye Shouhe and Zhang Yulan, who were standing to the side, looked at Ye Shuqin and the other two and nodded with satisfaction.

Zhang Lei was busy pouring tea and water for everyone, while everyone gathered around Ye Shuqin and the other two, asking about the baby in their bellies.

Sister-in-law Wang Lihua said with a smile, "Shuqin, with so many children, when are you planning to name them?"

Everyone was stunned when they heard what their sister-in-law, Wang Lihua, said.

Grandpa Ye Zhenshan happily said, "Lihua is right. Zhang Lei and Shuqin, you should think of the child's name in advance. Otherwise, how will you tell the child apart when the baby is born if you don't know the name?"

Hearing this, Zhang Lei was a little confused. Although he had thought about it before, he had only thought about it and then forgotten about it.

Zhang Lei could only awkwardly say, "I haven't decided on a name yet. How about we discuss it together?"

Hearing this, Grandpa Ye Zhenshan waved his hand and said, "How dare you talk like that? What do you mean by 'discussing it'? You're the child's father. Bring out your family genealogy and start from the generational order."

Hearing this, Zhang Lei replied somewhat awkwardly, "Grandpa, this..."

Seeing Zhang Lei's hesitant expression, everyone was puzzled.

Ye Shuqin then went to Zhang Lei's side and whispered, "Husband, what's wrong?"

Zhang Lei said awkwardly, "It seems my family doesn't have a genealogy book."

Hearing this, everyone was stunned.

Ye Shouhe then stepped forward and said, "No family tree? How is that possible?"

Zhang Lei awkwardly explained, "My parents didn't tell me any of this when they sacrificed their lives. And when they named me, they didn't follow the family genealogy; my parents discussed and chose a name for me."

Hearing Zhang Lei's explanation, the perceptive Chen Xueru said, "Honey, is it because the older generation experienced the war and lost this thing? Do you remember when your family came to Beijing?"

Zhang Lei shook his head and said, "My parents never told me about the older generation. I was born in Beijing."

Hearing this, everyone fell silent. After all, in that era of war, anything could happen.

Ye Zhenshan mentioned the family genealogy because all members of his Ye family lived in Ye Family Village, which was less affected by the war. The family now has many members, and the older generation is still alive, so they have the genealogy and other such records.

Yu Li stood beside Zhang Lei and comforted him, "Honey, don't be sad."

Zhang Lei was so embarrassed he didn't know whether to be sad or helpless. He said, "I'm not sad, it's just that this thing really doesn't exist. It's not among the things my parents left behind. I only heard them say when I was little that they fled famine with my grandparents, but they never told me how they ended up in Beijing. I guess I was too young at the time."

Hearing Zhang Lei's words, everyone was momentarily at a loss for words.

At this moment, Ye Zhenshan looked at everyone, slapped his thigh, and said, "What's the big deal? Zhang Lei, listen to me. Since we can't find the older generation and there's no family tree, then you should create a separate family tree. There are many cases like yours."

When everyone heard about creating a separate family genealogy, they suddenly realized, "Yes, since there isn't one, why not just create another one?"

Zhang Lei looked at Ye Zhenshan and his eyes lit up. He thought to himself: As expected of the older generation, their thinking and vision are different.

Everyone immediately became happy.

Ye Shuqin's father, Ye Shouhe, patted Zhang Lei on the shoulder and said, "Let's not think about the past for now. Just do as the old man said. Since you're the only one in your family now, let's make a separate family tree."

Hearing this, Zhang Lei nodded and said, "Dad, I know. We need to be careful about this. I need to think it over carefully."

Then Zhang Lei looked at Ye Shuqin and the others and said, "Since we're going to compile a family genealogy, you should all get involved and think about it together with me."

Zhang Lei's seven wives all gathered around.

Ding Qiunan looked at Zhang Lei and said, "Master, according to your idea, let's first establish the seniority system."

Zhang Lei looked at them and said, "My idea is to expand the Zhang family clan."

Upon hearing Zhang Lei's words, Ye Shuqin said, "Then let's establish the first one—inheriting the family business."

Zhang Lei was taken aback for a moment, and Ye Shuqin said, "Cheng means to inherit, Jia means family, Ji means to carry on, and Ye means family business."

To carry on the family business. Zhang Lei nodded repeatedly, saying, "That's good."

After Ye Shuqin finished speaking, Ding Qiunan immediately followed up, saying, "We not only want our children to get married and start their own careers, but also to establish good character in their lives. I think the phrase 'establishing good character and conduct' is quite good."

Everyone agreed with Ding Qiunan's words.

Zhang Lei glanced at the others. Lou Xiao'e, seeing Zhang Lei looking at her, backed away and said, "Honey, don't look at me. I can't go on. I don't know how to continue writing."

Zhang Lei looked at Yu Li, who also shook her head.

Zhang Lei looked helplessly at Ye Shuqin and the others again.

Finally, Chen Xueru stepped forward and said, "Master, now that they have good character, they must achieve something great. I've come up with four words—'ambition to make a grand future.'"

Zhang Lei looked at Chen Xueru. As expected of someone in business, those four words perfectly reflected Zhang Lei's feelings.

Zhang Lei muttered to himself: "Inherit the family business, establish upright character, and aspire to great things."

After thinking about it for a moment, Zhang Lei decided on these twelve characters. "Not bad, not bad. Let's settle on these."