Courtyard House: Initial Donation of 50 Million

Section 1: The Double Overture Before Dawn

At 4:50 a.m. on October 31, 1958, Beijing was still shrouded in the chill of late autumn and the heavy darkness of night. Most streets were silent, save for the occasional bark of a dog and the long, echoing whistle of a train in the distance. However, inside and outside the courtyard of No. 95 Nanluoguxiang, two distinct forces were quietly awakening in the deepest darkness before dawn, poised to strike.

Intermediate People's Court: Busy Preparations for the "Human World" Event

In the courtyard, a few temporary incandescent light bulbs cast a dim yet warm glow, dispelling the deep darkness in one corner of the courtyard. Under the lights, He Daqing was directing four strong men—Liu Guangtian, Xu Damao, Liu Guangfu, and Yan Jiecheng—to carry out the final preparations for the wedding banquet—building the four crucial temporary stoves.

Bricks, yellow mud, iron pots, and stove grates were scattered all over the ground. The air was filled with the smell of damp mud and morning dew. He Daqing, with his sleeves rolled up and his trouser legs covered in mud, wore a long-lost focus and authority on his face, befitting a master chef commanding the battlefield.

"Guangtian, make sure the grout lines here are sealed tightly! If there's any draft, the heat won't be even, and the soup won't have any flavor!" He Daqing's voice wasn't loud, but it carried an undeniable force. Liu Guangtian quickly responded, squatting down and working even harder to seal the grout.

Xu Damao was in charge of moving bricks, but he felt a surge of inexplicable frustration and bitterness. He had originally planned a grand wedding for himself, but ever since Sha Zhu's wedding date was set and the lavish affair began, all his little schemes seemed to have been crushed in comparison. Looking at the bustling scene before him, and thinking about how Sha Zhu was going to have a grand wedding today, he felt like he had a wad of damp cotton stuffed inside him, both suffocating and oppressive. But he had to force a smile, not letting anyone see it, especially not letting Sha Zhu notice.

Yan Jiecheng silently mixed the mud, his movements mechanical. Ever since being brutally beaten and detained by Sha Zhu, and witnessing firsthand Sha Zhu's new house and Yu Li's impending happy life, he had become much more withdrawn. Those unrealistic obsessions seemed to have truly been shattered by the iron fist of reality, leaving only a numb resignation and an unspeakable bitterness. At this moment, he was more like a tool following orders. His father Yan Fugui's words from the previous night, "Behave well, don't cause trouble, maybe you can leave a good impression on the leaders," echoed in his ears, but failed to stir much emotion.

"Almost done." He Daqing patted the mud off his hands and carefully inspected the four stoves side by side—a deep stove for stewing soup, a wide stove for steaming, a medium stove for frying, and a high-heat stove for stir-frying. The structure was sturdy and the ventilation was reasonable. He nodded in satisfaction and said to the young men, "Alright, thank you for your hard work. Go back and wash up and change your clothes; we'll have a lot to do later."

No sooner had he finished speaking than a commotion came from outside the courtyard gate.

Nan Yi, the canteen director of Hongxing Automobile Factory, led his two apprentices Feng Hua and Deng Kai, as well as Sha Zhu's apprentices Ma Hua and Fatty from the steel rolling mill. The group of five carried large and small bags of ingredients and cooking utensils and walked in in a flurry.

"Master He! Good morning, everyone!" Nan Yi was in his early thirties, slightly thin, with a ruddy complexion. When he smiled, his eyes narrowed into slits, making him appear very amiable. He was specially invited by Sha Zhu to help with the cooking; the two admired each other in the culinary world and had a close personal relationship.

"Master Nan, you've finally arrived!" He Daqing greeted him with a smile. "Thank you for your hard work today!"

"What you're saying! Brother Zhu, I'm overjoyed. How could I not lend a hand?" Nan Yi said with a smile, his gaze sweeping over the newly built stove. He praised, "Great stove! Master He's skills haven't been lost! Feng Hua, Deng Kai, Ma Hua, Fatty, don't just stand there, quickly put everything away, handle what needs to be handled, prepare what needs to be prepared! This feast can't afford any mistakes!"

The four young men responded in unison and immediately sprang into action. They brought over a long, pre-prepared cutting board, laid out a clean, damp cloth, and carried out, categorized, the whole pork, whole chicken, live fish, the twenty jin of precious beef wrapped in oil paper sponsored by Wang Huanbo, and two boxes of canned fruit. They washed vegetables, prepared the offal, lit the fire, and tested the stove… The courtyard was instantly filled with the sounds of clattering pots and pans, running water, and the rustling of food being processed. The dormant courtyard was completely awakened by this bustling activity, and a faint, complex aroma, the prelude to a feast, began to waft through the air.

However, the west wing of the backyard, which is only separated from the central courtyard by a wall, and the seemingly peaceful streets and alleys surrounding No. 95 courtyard present a completely different scene.

An invisible iron net is quietly being woven around the perimeter.

It was exactly five o'clock in the morning. Two alleys away from No. 95, in a small courtyard with a sign that read "Red Star Auto Repair Shop" that had not yet opened, the atmosphere was as heavy as iron.

Zhou Nanguang, the head of the Hongxing Police Station, codenamed "Red Star Outpost," a nearly fifty-year-old veteran policeman with a resolute face and sharp, hawk-like eyes, was giving final instructions to his thirty capable subordinates. None of these officers were in uniform. Some wore patched-up old work clothes, like factory workers just off a night shift; some wore cotton-padded jackets, like farmers heading to the morning market; some even wore slightly more respectable Zhongshan suits, like government officials. But without exception, they stood tall, their eyes vigilant, exuding a restrained yet dangerous aura forged in the crucible of war.

"Comrades," Zhou Nanguang's deep, powerful voice could be clearly heard in the quiet courtyard, "Target area: No. 95 Nanluoguxiang and the surrounding three alleys. Core protected individuals: Chief Engineer Wang Huanbo and his family. Potential threats: At least three identified or highly suspected enemy agents are highly likely to take advantage of the large crowd at Comrade He Yuzhu's wedding today to infiltrate, spy, and even carry out sabotage, kidnapping, or, if kidnapping fails, assassination!"

His gaze swept across every resolute face: "Orders from above: 1. Ensure Comrade Wang Huanbo's absolute safety; his appearance time must be strictly controlled within the predetermined ten minutes; 2. Ensure the safety of his family, especially Comrade Lou Xiao'e, who is six months pregnant; 3. Strive to capture all the infiltrating enemy agents, arrest the ringleader alive, and uncover the network behind them!"

"We're not facing ordinary petty thieves, but highly trained, potentially armed, and ruthless enemy agents! But we also possess the best equipment and the most unwavering will!" Zhou Nanguang patted a long, narrow object wrapped in an old burlap sack slung over the shoulder of a police officer beside him. "Type 81 rifles, the latest deployment! More handy than the enemy's stuff! Type 54 submachine guns, powerful firepower! And this—" He picked up a palm-sized black cube with an antenna, "The latest police radio, clear communication within fifty meters! Deputy Chief Li Hong's mobile unit is deployed three blocks away, ready to provide support at any time!"

"Now, according to the pre-arranged plan, break into smaller groups and take up your positions!" Zhou Nanguang waved his hand. "Remember your identities: peddler, vendor, customer, passerby! Keep your eyes peeled and your ears perked up! Report any suspicious persons or unusual movements immediately! Move out!"

"Yes, sir!" the thirty officers responded in low voices, their voices not loud, but carrying a firm and resolute tone.

They quickly dispersed, like drops of water merging into the ocean, disappearing silently into the gray streets before dawn.

The peddler carrying the "cargo box" had a Type 81 automatic rifle lying quietly in a hidden compartment at the bottom, its magazine fully loaded with bullets. The stock was folded down, and the polymer handguard felt cool to the touch. A holographic sight was even mounted on the gun's rail. He adjusted the position of his shoulder bag, and a shrewd smile instantly spread across his face. His shouts sounded like they'd been rehearsed a thousand times: "Needles and thread, face cream, clam oil, cheap sale—"

The candied hawthorn vendor's bundle of straw contained several large candied hawthorns with hollow bamboo skewers inside, which could be quickly assembled into melee weapons if necessary. He pushed his cart slowly toward the intersection near No. 95 Courtyard.

The breakfast stall owner and his customers had already set up their stalls at their designated spots. The sizzling oil and steaming soy milk effectively masked their occasional sharp glances around. Under the long bench, the firm texture of their clothes offered a sense of reassurance.

Three blocks away, in the courtyard of an abandoned warehouse, Deputy Chief Li Hong and twenty mobile police officers were all in position. Three Red Star Guardian sidecar motorcycles, two Red Star Warrior jeeps, and one Red Star brand car, their hoods covered with tarpaulins, resembled lurking beasts. The officers were all armed, with Type 81 automatic rifles or Type 54 submachine guns slung across their chests, and Type 54 pistols and several grenades at their waists. Li Hong gripped a radio tightly, the earpiece ringing with short reports confirming the positions of each ambush point. His expression was stern, like a fully drawn bowstring.

Inside Courtyard No. 95, the true core defense perimeter is even more impregnable.

West Courtyard: A Fortified Barrier Protecting the Core

Wang Huanbo's west courtyard appears calm on the surface, but it contains the most powerful protective force within.

Inside the study, the light was soft. Wang Huanbo sat behind his desk, calmly looking at the people in front of him. Except for his wife, Lou Xiao'e, who was still sleepy due to her pregnancy, all the core personnel responsible for his close protection were present.

The Lin brothers, Zhan and Wei, were born into the Central Guard Regiment. They stood tall and straight like pine trees, their eyes calm and sharp, like two swords hidden in their sheaths. Their wives, Zhou Hong and Wang Chunhua, stood beside their husbands, seemingly gentle, but their occasional glances revealed competence and alertness. They came from special departments and were top-notch in both skills and insight.

The other five men—Zheng Weiguo, Zhou Tiejun, Li Haitao, Wang Jian, and Deng Huade—had been lurking in the No. 95 compound for several days, their initial reason for being assigned housing as "members of the security department" was that they were already undercover. They were dressed in civilian clothes, but their well-trained demeanor was still difficult to completely conceal. Their Type 54 pistols, which had been thoroughly inspected and maintained the night before the wedding, were now securely hidden in holsters under their armpits or at their lower backs.

"Engineer Wang," Lin Zhan, as the head of the security team, reported in a deep voice, "Director Zhou's men are all in position on the outer perimeter. Inside the compound, the seven of us, plus the six plainclothes officers that Minister Lin (Lin Hongjie) and Minister Wang (Wang Luofei) have arranged in other locations, make a total of thirteen people, forming the inner perimeter defense line. When you appear, Lin Zhan and Zhou Hong will follow within three meters of you on either side; Lin Wei and Chunhua will be responsible for Madam's safety; Wei Guo, the other four of you will be dispersed among the guests, focusing on monitoring unfamiliar faces and areas prone to chaos."

Wang Huanbo nodded, tapping his fingers lightly on the table. "My requirements remain unchanged: First, the wedding proceedings must not be disrupted, and the guests must not be alarmed; second, I will only appear during the ten-minute toasting ceremony, and once the time is up, I must return, regardless of the situation; third," he looked at the crowd, his tone exceptionally solemn, "in case of any unforeseen circumstances, the safety of the public must be prioritized, especially the elderly, women, and children. Besides, I am capable of protecting myself!"

His last words were spoken calmly, yet carried an undeniable confidence. Although Lin Zhan and the others were not entirely clear about Wang Gong's "self-defense capabilities," based on their absolute trust in him and the strict orders from their superiors, they solemnly accepted the mission.

"And Xiao'e," Wang Huanbo said, looking towards the inner room, "she's pregnant, has difficulty moving around, and shouldn't be easily frightened. I'm entrusting her safety to you all."

"Please rest assured, Engineer Wang!" everyone responded in unison.

Just then, there was a gentle knock on the study door. Lin Hongjie, the head of the security department, and Wang Luofei, the deputy head, entered. Both were dressed casually, but their brows carried an undeniable air of seriousness.

"Engineer Wang, I just received a message from 'Steel Shield' (Wang Huanbo's personal bodyguard team leader) from a hidden observation point." Wang Luofei spoke calmly, but the content made one's heart tighten. "'Night Owl' appeared near a 24-hour teahouse about 800 meters from our compound around 4 a.m., made brief contact with someone, and then disappeared. The person he contacted is suspected to be... 'Shadow'."

Lin Hongjie added, "In addition, our informants at the train station and long-distance bus station reported that from yesterday afternoon to early this morning, several groups of suspicious individuals from out of town, whose destinations were in this area, arrived. Although they used forged letters of introduction and identification documents, their accents and behavior were suspicious. Currently, two groups, totaling five people, have been confirmed to have entered our surveillance area and are under monitoring. The third group... has temporarily disappeared."

Wang Huanbo frowned slightly: "Disappeared without a trace?"

"Yes." A cold glint flashed in Wang Luofei's eyes. "The third group of two had an extremely strong counter-surveillance awareness. They managed to shake off our pursuit by taking advantage of the crowds at the morning market on Zhushikou Street. They are experts. We judge that they are very likely the third and most threatening force mentioned in the intelligence."

The air in the study seemed to grow even heavier. The enemy was in the shadows, while we were in the light. They had clearly come prepared, and their methods were professional.

"The wedding will proceed as planned." Wang Huanbo paused for a moment before making a decision. "We can't let a potential threat ruin Zhu Zi's once-in-a-lifetime day. I have faith in Director Zhou, Deputy Director Li, and all of you. Proceed as planned, strengthen security, and lure the enemy out."

He stood up, walked to the window, and gazed at the gradually brightening sky and the smoke rising from the chimneys in the courtyard. He slowly said, "Today is Zhu Zi's wedding day. We must ensure this wedding goes smoothly and joyously. We must also let those demons lurking in the shadows know that on this land, evil can never prevail over good!"

Section Two: Undercurrents and Open Flames in the Morning Light

As dawn broke, the morning light tore through the night, casting its bluish-gray glow upon the ancient alleyways.

The activity in the courtyard of No. 95 reached its peak. Chefs Nan Yi and He Daqing were in charge, with their four apprentices and several nimble-fingered aunties from the courtyard helping out. The sounds of chopping, mincing, sizzling oil, and steaming steamers blended into a lively symphony of kitchen activity. The rich aroma of meat, soy sauce, and fried noodles mingled with the morning air, filling the entire courtyard and even drifting into the alleyways, whetting the appetites of early risers.

Sha Zhu was already dressed in a brand-new navy blue Zhongshan suit, with a large red silk flower pinned to his chest. His hair was neatly combed, and his face showed barely suppressed excitement and a touch of nervousness. Yu Li was still at her parents' home, waiting for the wedding procession. He Yushui, as the younger sister-in-law, had also changed into new clothes and was running around helping out, her face beaming with joy, temporarily forgetting the sorrow of her father's impending departure again.

More and more neighbors came from the front and back yards to watch the spectacle and help out. Children chased and played, while adults congratulated each other and discussed the grand occasion. Jia Zhangshi, carrying a basket, kept glancing at the cutting board where the ingredients were laid out, muttering to herself, "Look at this meat, this oil... they really don't know how to manage money!" But the envy and jealousy in her eyes were impossible to hide.

Yan Fugui paced back and forth in the courtyard, seemingly helping with the arrangements, but his eyes were actually darting around, his mind racing: This feast must have at least a hundred pounds of meat alone! And that beef…tsk tsk, Engineer Wang is really generous! That kid Zhuzi has really climbed the social ladder! He wondered if he could, as the Third Uncle, exchange a few words with Engineer Wang later, maybe even become acquainted with him…

Xu Damao had also changed into a presentable outfit, forcing a smile, but inside he felt like he had twenty-five mice scratching at his heart. Seeing the entourage Nan Yi had brought, seeing all the expensive ingredients, and then thinking about how he had been struggling to raise money for the wedding, even resorting to borrowing from loan sharks, a strong sense of defeat and resentment almost overwhelmed him. He kept glancing towards the door, anxiously waiting for the wedding procession he had hired, facilitated by Sha Zhu. He couldn't afford to lose face!

Meanwhile, on the invisible battlefield outside the compound, the battle had already begun.

At the crossroads, the candied hawthorn vendor's ears twitched slightly. He heard two cart workers nearby, seemingly chatting while waiting for work, their conversation interspersed with a few unnatural, regionally distinctive phrases that clashed with the local accent and the content of their conversation. He continued hawking his wares without batting an eye, but his finger, hidden beneath a bundle of straw, subtly pressed the button on a miniature transmitter concealed in his sleeve—a short, long, short signal. A simple signal was transmitted.

At the breakfast stall, "Customer A" took a sip of soy milk and whispered to the "owner," "The guy at two o'clock, wearing a gray cotton-padded jacket and a baseball cap, looked at the gate of No. 95 courtyard three times in five minutes, and checked his watch a fourth time. The guy next to him carrying a wicker box, the weight and volume of the box don't match, it seems to have a hidden compartment."

The "boss" nodded, and while frying dough sticks, he subtly wiped his hands with the hem of his apron, conveying a message to the "master craftsman" at the shoe repair stall diagonally opposite.

The peddler strolled leisurely to the entrance of a small general store diagonally opposite No. 95 courtyard. He chatted with the shopkeeper to buy cigarettes, but out of the corner of his eye, he kept a close eye on a middle-aged man in a cadre's uniform and wearing glasses who was selecting matches inside the store. This man had long, clean fingers, unlike someone who usually did manual labor. His movements as he selected matches were slightly deliberate, and when his gaze occasionally drifted to the window, it carried a scrutinizing quality, rather than the curiosity of an ordinary customer.

All these subtle anomalies converged on the temporary command center inside the "Red Star Auto Repair Shop" and on the radio of Deputy Director Li Hong, through communication devices disguised as various everyday items or through trained covert gestures.

Zhou Nanguang stood in the dark room of the shop, a hand-drawn detailed map of the surrounding streets and alleys hanging on the wall, marked with the deployment of his own forces and the suspicious locations that had been discovered in red and blue pencils. He listened to the continuous reports, his expression calm and composed.

"The gray cotton-padded jacket, baseball cap, and rattan box identified them as two of the first targets under surveillance. They appeared to be waiting for a signal or to be met by a backup."

"The bespectacled officer is a new face, not on the previous surveillance list. We suspect he is 'Shadow' or an accomplice."

"The cart worker's accent is suspicious; we have arranged for a 'vegetable farmer' to approach and confirm his identity."

"The third group of two missing individuals have not yet reappeared. All units are on high alert, as they have likely changed clothes or used other methods to infiltrate."

Zhou Nanguang picked up a red pen and drew a circle on the map at the location of the main gate of No. 95 Courtyard, then crossed out several possible crossing points outside the back wall. He ordered in a deep voice: "Notify the inside contact, 'Steel Shield,' to focus on the back wall. Notify Li Hong, the mobile squad, to move quietly to the pre-designated area B, maintain silence, and await further instructions."

Pressure, like a rising tide, quietly accumulates in the seemingly ordinary and bustling morning light. A meticulously woven net has already enveloped this area, its mesh tightening, waiting for the restless fish to stumble in, or for the most ferocious shark to launch a fatal attack.

Section 3: The Auspicious Time Approaches, and the Winds and Clouds Stir

At eight o'clock in the morning, the auspicious time will arrive.

Courtyard No. 95 was already bustling with people, filled with joy. Bright red "double happiness" characters adorned the doors and windows, and firecrackers were ready to be set off when the wedding procession returned. Cold dishes for the banquet had been laid out on the borrowed octagonal table, while hot dishes were being prepared busily in the kitchen. Children lingered around the fragrant stove, only to be shooed away by the adults with smiles.

Sha Zhu stood at the entrance of the Intermediate People's Court, constantly checking his watch and adjusting the silk flower on his chest. His wedding procession should be arriving soon. According to the plan, Wang Huanbo's extended Hongqi—a black Hongqi Xingyao S600L Guard bulletproof limousine—would lead the way, followed by Yi Zhonghai's gray Hongxing brand car and Liu Haizhong's black Hongxing brand car, with Xu Damao's sky-blue Hongxing brand car bringing up the rear. This lineup was enough to awe the entire Jiaodaokou street.

Just then, a deep and pleasant car engine sound came from afar and came to a steady stop outside the gate of No. 95 Courtyard.

coming!

Everyone in the courtyard rushed towards the gate. Leading the way was a sleek, mirror-like, and exceptionally imposing extended-length Hongqi Xingyao S600L Guard armored limousine! The red flag emblem on the hood gleamed in the sunlight, exuding an unspoken authority and prestige. The driver, Xiao Zhao, dressed in a neat uniform, got out of the car and respectfully opened the rear door.

Immediately afterwards, Yi Zhonghai's gray Red Star brand car and Liu Haizhong's black Red Star brand car also stopped. Finally, Xu Damao's sky-blue Red Star brand car came to a stop.

A convoy of four cars was quite a luxurious sight in the hutongs of that era! The onlookers murmured in amazement and envy.

"My God, a Hongqi! And an extended version at that!"

"Zhu Zi is really capable! He even managed to borrow this car!"

"Those two cars behind are also small cars! What a show of force!"

"Xu Damao's Red Star brand car followed at the very back, like a lackey..."

Upon hearing this, Xu Damao's face flushed, and he cursed inwardly, but looking at the Hongqi car, he couldn't help but feel a complex sense of awe. Just what level had Wang Huanbo reached?

Sha Zhu, his spirits lifted, sat confidently in the back of the Hongqi sedan amidst the crowd's cheers and blessings. The wedding procession set off in a grand procession, leaving behind a courtyard full of envious glances and even more enthusiastic discussions.

However, less than five minutes after the convoy left, officers monitoring the perimeter of the compound spotted something new and more dangerous.

In the command center of the "repair shop," a rapid and clear voice came through the radio in front of Zhou Nanguang: "Report! 'Peddler' reports! Target 'Glasses Cadre' spotted leaving the grocery store and moving towards Gulou East Street, quickening his pace, seemingly heading towards the designated rendezvous point!"

"Report from 'Candied Hawthorn'! 'Gray Cotton-padded Jacket and Baseball Cap' and 'Rattan Box' suddenly got up and quickly walked towards Huanghuamen Street! The two separated by about ten meters, forming a cover formation!"

"Report from 'Breakfast Stall Customer B'! Suspected 'Third Batch of Lost Targets' spotted at the northwest corner of the intersection of Gulou East Street and Huanghuamen Street! Two men, around 30 years old, wearing ordinary work clothes, squatting against the wall smoking, but the cigarettes weren't lit, and they were constantly observing the intersection! One of them kept his right hand in his pocket the whole time!"

Three messages arrived almost simultaneously! Zhou Nanguang's eyes narrowed, and he immediately grabbed another radio that connected directly to Li Hong's mobile unit: "Li Hong! 'Glasses,' 'Gray Hat,' and 'Rattan Box' are moving towards the intersection of Huanghuamen Street and Gulou East Street! Two people suspected to be from the 'Third Batch' have been spotted lurking at that intersection! It's determined that the enemy may be meeting at the intersection, or that the intersection is a signal point for their operation! Your unit should immediately approach that intersection covertly! Note that the enemy may be carrying weapons; anyone with their right hand in their pocket is highly dangerous!"

"Li Hong received! Take immediate action! Maintain communication!" Li Hong's decisive response came through the radio.

Almost simultaneously with Zhou Nanguang's order, an observer from the "Rock Solid" team, who had been lurking in an attic opposite No. 95 courtyard, also issued an alert: "A suspicious person has been spotted outside the backyard wall, at the east corner! Male, wearing a straw hat, carrying a bamboo pole with a cloth strip tied to the top, seemingly measuring or marking! Behaving suspiciously!"

Inside the courtyard, the miniature vibrator at Lin Zhan's waist emitted rhythmic vibrations. His expression remained unchanged as he gave Zhou Hong a meaningful look. Zhou Hong understood and quietly slipped into the crowd, moving towards the backyard. Lin Zhan, meanwhile, moved even closer to Wang Huanbo, who was reading by the study window.

Wang Huanbo seemed oblivious, continuing to turn the pages, but his fingers paused almost imperceptibly for half a second. His perception far surpassed that of ordinary people; he had already caught those subtle, discordant "string sounds" outside the courtyard. But he trusted his comrades, and even more so, his own judgment. The snake had indeed begun to emerge from its hole.

At this moment, at the intersection of Huanghuamen Street and Gulou East Street, what appears to be a peaceful intersection is actually fraught with danger.

The bespectacled cadre walked over unhurriedly, his gaze briefly meeting that of the two men in overalls squatting against the wall. One of the men, with his right hand in his pocket, gave a barely perceptible nod.

Behind a used bookstore diagonally across the intersection, Officer C, disguised as a down-on-his-luck scholar, had quietly unbuttoned the bottom of his long shirt, revealing the belt buckle of his gun holster. His gaze was fixed on the work-wearing man whose right hand remained in his pocket.

Further away, at the exits of three alleys, Li Hong's mobile squad, like a silent tide, was rapidly and covertly encircling the intersections in vehicles covered with tarpaulins or on foot.

The air seemed to freeze. The hearts of all the officers lying in wait quickened slightly, their fingers hovering over the trigger guards hidden inside their uniforms. They knew the decisive moment might arrive in the next second.

Inside courtyard number 95, the festive atmosphere remained strong. People bustled about helping out, children chased each other with laughter, flames leaped merrily in the stove, and the aroma of stewed meat grew ever more enticing. No one knew that just beyond a wall, a silent contest was teetering on the brink of its final reveal.

The auspicious hour is approaching, and the winds of change are gathering. Will the wedding banquet proceed smoothly, or will blood stain the "double happiness" characters? The answer will be revealed in the next second.