Courtyard House: Initial Donation of 50 Million

Section 1: Guests Fill the Door with Joy, Old Man Yan Busies Himself with His Abacus

Around nine o'clock in the morning, a wedding procession of four cars, like a triumphant ceremonial guard, slowly drove back to No. 95 Nanluoguxiang. The crackling of firecrackers had already begun, and red debris, like festive snowflakes, covered the bluestone path in front of the courtyard gate. Children covered their ears, screaming, laughing, and dodging, while adults crowded at the gate, craning their necks to look.

When the extended Hongqi Xingyao S600L Guard armored limousine came to a steady stop with its regal bearing, the gasps and discussions it evoked were even greater than when it set off. The car door opened, and Yu Li, dressed in red and veiled, gracefully stepped out, supported by Sha Zhu. Sunlight bathed her, making her red makeup appear fiery. Although her face was obscured, her slender figure and composed demeanor drew silent applause from the men, women, and children in the courtyard. Yu Jianguo and Li Yumei followed closely behind, their faces showing barely suppressed joy and a slight awkwardness due to the grandeur of the scene. Yu Haitang, like a happy little bird, hopped and skipped behind her sister, curiously surveying the courtyard that would soon become her sister's new home.

"The bride is here!"

"Zhu Zi, you're so lucky!"

"The bride is so beautiful!"

"This car, wow, amazing..."

Blessings, praises, and laughter mingled into a sea of ​​joy. Sha Zhu grinned, his eyes practically disappearing as he carefully protected Yu Li while bowing to the surrounding relatives and neighbors. At that moment, all the hard work and anticipation transformed into boundless joy and pride.

In the heart of this bustling and festive atmosphere, next to an old desk set up to the right of the courtyard gate, a procedure that seemed somewhat out of place with the atmosphere, yet was of utmost importance, was taking place—receiving and recording gifts.

Uncle Yan Fugui, wearing reading glasses, had his nose almost touching the open red gift register. He held a calligraphy brush in one hand and fiddled with the abacus beads in the other, his expression as focused as if he were solving a profound math problem. This was his most passionate and best "job"—registering guest gift lists.

"Liu Haizhong, Master Liu, five yuan as a gift! Write it down!" Yan Fugui called out without looking up, in his distinctive, slightly affected voice. A young boy (Yan Jiefang had been conscripted by him) quickly wrote "Liu Haizhong, five yuan" on a red piece of paper and handed it to Liu Haizhong. Liu Haizhong took it, carefully tucked it into his pocket, and wore a reserved smile. Five yuan wasn't a small amount in those days, especially for the second eldest uncle in the courtyard; this amount perfectly reflected his status and his "relationship" with Sha Zhu's family.

"Yi Zhonghai, Master Yi, eight yuan as a gift! Also, a pair of thermos flasks!" Yan Fugui called out again. Yi Zhonghai's gift was more generous than Liu Haizhong's, partly because he was an elder in the courtyard, and partly because of his complicated past with the He family (especially He Daqing), he wanted to express his gratitude more.

"Xu Damao, gift money... three yuan." Yan Fugui read this aloud, his lips twitching almost imperceptibly. Xu Damao stood in front of the table, his smile somewhat stiff. Three yuan, no more, no less, reflecting his twisted mentality of "not being too much worse off than Sha Zhu, but also never letting him take advantage." Yan Fugui thought to himself: This kid, he inherited his stinginess from his father.

"Yan Fugui..." Yan Fugui paused, picked up his brush, and neatly wrote after his name: "A piece of calligraphy." Then he looked up and explained to the second aunt (Liu Haizhong's wife) who was in charge of collecting the gifts: "I wrote the congratulatory couplet myself, 'A perfect match, a match made in heaven,' it's framed, a small gift but a big sentiment." The second aunt smiled and took the scroll, but she knew perfectly well: This stingy Yan has saved money on gifts and can still gain a reputation for being "cultured."

"Wang Huanbo, Engineer Wang..." When he read the name, Yan Fugui's voice unconsciously became more respectful, and he straightened his back slightly. "A gift of 10 yuan, and it was stated that there would be another congratulatory gift!" He deliberately raised his voice so that everyone around could hear. Everyone knew that Wang Huanbo's gift of 10 yuan was more valuable than the Hongqi car, the canned beef, and all the previous overt and covert assistance. The words "another congratulatory gift" carried immense weight.

Guests arrived in an endless stream. There were coworkers from the steel mill, colleagues from the canteen, cadres from the neighborhood office, leaders and friends from Yu Li's printing factory, and neighbors from both inside and outside the courtyard. The monetary gifts varied, and the presents were diverse: thermos flasks, enamel basins, quilt covers, pillowcases, towels, soap... all simple and practical gifts from that era. Yan Fugui meticulously recorded everything, the abacus beads clicking away, his mental ledger perfectly clear: who was generous, who was stingy, who was close to Sha Zhu, and who was just doing it out of politeness... he knew it all. More importantly, this "job" meant he didn't have to give a gift, and after the wedding, he could legitimately take home some leftovers as a "hardship allowance"—a truly lucrative job for his shrewd mind.

However, in this seemingly ordinary registration process, there are two pairs of eyes that scrutinize each arriving guest with an extraordinary level of vigilance.

Zheng Weiguo and Zhou Tiejun, these two "security guards" stationed at the gate of the compound under the pretext of "helping to maintain order," seemed to be directing the flow of people and reminding the children not to run around, but in reality, their eyes were sharp as lightning, silently scanning every face and every movement.

Zheng Weiguo pretended to help move the table, but his eyes quickly searched the crowd: the middle-aged man with glasses, who was well-mannered and claimed to be Yu Li's distant cousin, had overly clean fingers when handing over the money, not like someone who did manual labor; the young man in work clothes, who kept unconsciously adjusting his collar, had shifty eyes that kept glancing towards Wang Huanbo's courtyard in the central courtyard; and the old lady carrying a box of snacks with an overly enthusiastic smile, who walked with a very steady gait, unlike an ordinary elderly person...

Zhou Tiejun leaned against the doorframe, toying with a box of "Da Qianmen" cigarettes, as if waiting for someone. His ears twitched slightly, catching every subtle sound around him: the greetings of guests, the children's play, the clatter of pots and pans from the kitchen... and certain discordant, hushed fragments of conversation. He noticed that several faces seemed to have appeared twice at different times, under different identities (such as coworkers, neighbors, and relatives), and although they had changed clothes, their builds and certain subtle habits remained the same.

The two occasionally exchanged glances, nodding or shaking their heads slightly, communicating in a way only they understood. Several names on the list were secretly marked with symbols only they could decipher. Since the enemy agents hadn't made their move on the wedding procession, the possibility of them infiltrating the wedding banquet was extremely high. The area was a melting pot of people with high mobility, making it the perfect opportunity to act or conduct reconnaissance. Their mission was to ensure absolute success during the precious ten minutes that Wang Huanbo was on the scene.

Section Two: A Culinary Showdown: A Fusion of North and South, Showcasing Ingenuity

Compared to the hustle and bustle and undercurrents in the front yard, the temporary kitchen areas in the middle and back yards present a different scene of bustling activity and fragrant aromas.

Four makeshift brick and mud stoves were running at full power, the blowers humming and making the fires roar. Nan Yi and He Daqing, the two master chefs, had become commanders on the battlefield.

Nan Yi specializes in stir-frying, quick-frying, braising, and deep-frying—dishes that require rapid cooking over high heat. Standing before the largest, roaring stove, his posture as steady as a mountain, his spatula dances with fluid, graceful movements, a truly captivating sight. Flames occasionally leap high, illuminating his focused face. The ingredients in the wok sizzle with the hot oil, releasing a delightful "sizzle," followed by an explosion of rich aroma that fills the entire courtyard.

"Feng Hua! The slices of meat must be thin and even, coat them with starch evenly, watch the heat carefully, and fry them in oil for three seconds before taking them out!" Nan Yi instructed without turning his head. His apprentice, Feng Hua, responded and his knife skills became even faster, with slices of tenderloin as thin as cicada wings flying out from under his knife.

"Deng Kai! Prepare enough chopped scallions, ginger, and garlic! Adjust the sauce according to the proportions I taught you; if it's even slightly off, the flavor won't be right!" Another apprentice, Deng Kai, hurriedly checked the bowls and dishes beside him.

He Daqing, meanwhile, oversaw the stewing, boiling, steaming, and braising. Before him were two smaller stoves, upon which sat two enormous iron pots and several tall steamers. His expression was serious; he frequently lifted the lids to check, gently stirring with a long-handled ladle, or tasting the broth for saltiness. The heat for stewing and the steaming time were all precisely measured in his mind.

"Ma Hua! The pork knuckle is done cooking, turn the heat down to low! Bring me that pot of broth!" He Daqing's voice boomed. Ma Hua, Sha Zhu's apprentice, quickly complied. Fatty, on the other side, sweated profusely as he tended the steamer, controlling the heat to ensure the steamed buns and various steamed vegetables were cooked through and didn't collapse.

Although the two master chefs have very different styles—Nan Yi is lively and unrestrained, while He Daqing is calm and experienced—they work together with perfect synergy. They don't need many words; a glance or a gesture is enough for them to understand each other's intentions. This is not only a mutual respect between top chefs, but also a shared sense of responsibility to create a perfect banquet.

The air was filled with a complex and enticing aroma: the braised pork belly was rich and mellow in flavor, its oil bubbling in the pot, glistening with an alluring reddish-brown sheen; the sweet and sour aroma of the sweet and sour fish was mouthwatering, the golden-fried carp drizzled with a glistening sauce; the large and plump four-happiness meatballs trembled slightly in the thick broth; the clear stewed chicken soup was bright and clear, with a few golden oil droplets and emerald green scallions floating on top; the braised pork belly with preserved mustard greens was dark and shiny, fatty but not greasy, and had an irresistible fragrance; and there was also the pot of beef sponsored by Wang Huanbo, which He Daqing had carefully cooked into a dish of "beef stew with potatoes," the meat tender and the potatoes soaked in the broth, with a unique aroma that drew frequent glances from the aunties who were helping out.

The cold dishes were equally impressive: the smashed cucumber was crisp and refreshing, drizzled with minced garlic and balsamic vinegar; the sugar-coated tomatoes were a beautiful contrast of red and white, sweet and sour and appetizing; the peanuts with aged vinegar were fried until crispy, with an irresistible aroma of vinegar; and there was also He Daqing's specialty, "Mustard Cabbage Dumplings", with tender cabbage hearts and a strong, pungent mustard flavor, making it a great dish to cut through the greasiness and sober up.

The staple food was snow-white steamed buns made from a mixture of wheat and cornmeal, already steamed and piled hot in a huge bamboo basket, covered with a thick cotton quilt to keep them warm. Ma Hua would occasionally lift the quilt to check on them, making sure the buns were soft and not dry.

The neighboring aunties, busy helping out, washed vegetables, chopped ingredients, served dishes, and set tables. They worked with great enthusiasm, constantly praising the effort.

"Look at Master Nan's skills! The way he flips the ladle is like a circus act!"

"The aroma of Chef He's stewed meat is irresistible!"

"This beef is really rare! Zhu Zi has quite the connections!"

"This feast today is probably the first of its kind in our alley!"

"Yu Li is truly blessed!"

Madam Jia mingled among the helpers, but her eyes kept glancing at the pot of braised beef and pork, and she unconsciously swallowed. In her heart, she cursed, "Foolish Zhu, wasting money, making so many good dishes," while planning how to get more pieces of meat when the banquet started, and hopefully even sneak some home.

Xu Damao helped set out the table, chairs, and dishes. The enticing aroma and the unexpectedly lavish feast made him feel a pang of envy. Could he even put on half this kind of spectacle at his wedding? He couldn't even get the beef! And the fish, the chicken, the meat… how much would that cost? Where did Sha Zhu get so much money? It must be Wang Huanbo! The thought of Wang Huanbo's generous help to Sha Zhu made Xu Damao's heart ache. He secretly vowed that when he got married, even if he had to borrow every penny possible, he would make sure his wedding was a grand affair, not inferior to Sha Zhu's!

Section 3: Distinguished Guests Add Splendor, Deputy Factory Director Li Has a Hidden Plan

As noon approached, most of the guests had arrived, and more than twenty tables were set up inside and outside the courtyard. People took their seats according to their relationship to each other and their social status, and the sounds of chatter, laughter, and children running around created a sea of ​​joy. The bright red "double happiness" characters were particularly eye-catching in the sunlight, and the atmosphere was festive everywhere.

Just then, a car horn sounded at the courtyard gate. Immediately afterwards, several important figures walked in, accompanied by Yan Fugui's somewhat stuttering announcement.

"Li Huaide, Deputy Factory Director of the Red Star United Industrial Corporation, has arrived!"

"Security Department, Minister Lin Hongjie has arrived!"

"Security Department, Deputy Minister Wang Luofei has arrived!"

The shout silenced the noisy courtyard for a moment. Everyone turned to look at the entrance.

Deputy Factory Director Li Huaide, dressed in a crisp Zhongshan suit, strode in with a warm smile and steady steps. Behind him followed Lin Hongjie, with a serious face and sharp eyes, and Wang Luofei, with a calm expression and reserved demeanor. The appearance of this trio immediately injected a different, slightly official and authoritative tone into the otherwise down-to-earth wedding banquet.

Sha Zhu and Yu Li were talking to their elders at the main table when they heard the noise and quickly went to greet them.

"Director Li! Minister Lin! Minister Wang! What brings you all here? Please, have a seat!" Sha Zhu was both surprised and delighted, and hurriedly greeted them. He hadn't expected that the factory leaders, especially the two ministers of the security department, would personally attend his wedding.

Li Huaide chuckled and shook Sha Zhu's hand: "Zhuzi, how could I not come on such a joyous occasion? You're the pillar of our canteen, and Nan Yi is also busy here. As the leader, it's only right and proper for me to come and have a drink at your celebration!" He spoke tactfully, giving Sha Zhu face while also hinting at his relationship with Nan Yi.

Lin Hongjie was concise: "Congratulations, Comrade He Yuzhu. It's for work purposes, so Vice Minister Wang and I came to visit." His words sounded very businesslike, but his very presence was a great recognition and sign of importance.

Wang Luofei simply smiled and nodded at Sha Zhu and Yu Li, but his gaze seemed to casually sweep across the entire room, lingering particularly in some seemingly inconspicuous corners. His arrival made Zheng Weiguo, Zhou Tiejun, and others hidden among the guests even more tense, and also made some "interested individuals" feel an invisible pressure.

The arrival of Li Huaide and his two companions undoubtedly elevated the wedding banquet to a new level. The neighbors in the courtyard, especially those who worked at the steel mill, were filled with pride and discussed it animatedly:

"See that? Even Deputy Factory Director Li is here!"

"Not only that! Both heads of the security department are here! Zhu Zi really has a lot of influence!"

"It seems Zhu Zi is truly valued by the leadership!"

"Of course! Haven't you seen people using Hongqi cars for wedding processions?"

Yan Fugui's hands trembled slightly as he registered the gift list. Deputy Factory Director Li had given twenty yuan! Minister Lin and Minister Wang had each given ten yuan! These amounts were absolutely the highest among today's guests! He quickly calculated in his mind: with the leaders giving so much face, it seemed that Sha Zhu's (or rather, Wang Huanbo's backer) position in the factory was even more secure than he had imagined! His previous investment (in easing tensions with Sha Zhu) had been absolutely correct!

Li Huaide and his two companions were invited to sit at the head table, where they shared the table with elders from both sides, including He Daqing and Yu Jianguo, as well as Yi Zhonghai, Liu Haizhong, and others. Their arrival immediately made the atmosphere at the table more "formal."

After several rounds of drinks and several dishes, taking advantage of the lively atmosphere, Li Huaide raised his glass and toasted He Daqing and Yu Jianguo. Then, seemingly casually, he said to Sha Zhu, who was sitting next to him, and Nan Yi, who had just finished preparing a dish and came over to offer a toast, "Zhu Zi, Nan Yi, taking advantage of today's festive atmosphere, I have something to tell you, which can also be considered as giving you a heads-up."

Sha Zhu and Nan Yi quickly put down their chopsticks and listened attentively.

"After National Day, a group of Soviet experts will be coming to our factory." Li Huaide lowered his voice, but everyone at the table could hear him. "It was coordinated and arranged by the leaders of the Ministry of Industry. They said they would come to help us improve some technologies and exchange experiences."

The people at the table reacted in different ways. He Daqing and Yu Jianguo didn't quite understand these things and just listened. Yi Zhonghai and Liu Haizhong, however, pricked up their ears. A Soviet expert? That was a remarkable person!

Sha Zhu and Nan Yi exchanged a glance, both somewhat surprised. Nan Yi asked, "Director Li, the Soviet experts... are coming to our canteen to provide guidance?" He was a little confused.

Li Huaide laughed: "No, that's not it. They are experts in the industrial field, mainly visiting various workshops and technical departments. But when they come, they need to eat and stay, right?"

He paused, then continued, "Accommodation is easy to arrange. The second phase of our staff housing will be inspected soon. We'll set aside a building, renovate it nicely, and give it to the experts. Let them see what kind of living conditions Chinese workers are in now!" He spoke with a hint of pride, but also with a touch of competitiveness.

"The key is the food." Li Huaide looked at Sha Zhu and Nan Yi, his expression becoming serious. "The experts' meals can't be taken lightly. They need to have some Chinese specialties so they can try something new, but we also need to cater to their tastes and habits. This is a political task, and also an opportunity to showcase our factory and our country's image. Zhu Zi, Nan Yi, you two are the pillars of our factory canteen; your cooking skills are beyond question. I'd like to entrust this task to your canteen, with you two taking the lead. How about it, are you confident?"

Upon hearing that it was about cooking, and for foreign experts no less, Sha Zhu immediately perked up, thumping his chest loudly: "Director Li, don't worry! I guarantee the mission will be accomplished! I'll make sure the Russians... oh no, I mean the Soviet experts eat our food and give us a thumbs up, saying 'Hara-sho!'"

Nan Yi, being relatively composed, thought for a moment and asked, "Factory Director, are there any special considerations regarding the Soviet experts' tastes? And what about the food supply...?"

"The specific requirements will be discussed with you in detail by the foreign affairs department later. As for the ingredients, we'll try our best to meet your needs, and we'll handle this as a special case." Li Huaide waved his hand. "I have faith in your abilities. Zhu Zi has solid skills and a wide variety of dishes; Nan Yi, you're meticulous and know how to combine ingredients. The two of you working together will definitely be a great choice! This is also a testament to the organization's trust in you!"

His words clearly implied a promotion and a greater responsibility. Being in charge of catering to foreign experts—if done well, it would be a major achievement, definitely earning him recognition from the leadership.

Sha Zhu and Nan Yi quickly promised to do their best. Yi Zhonghai and Liu Haizhong, sitting at the same table, secretly envied them, and their resolve to cultivate a good relationship with Sha Zhu only strengthened. Entrusting Sha Zhu with even the meals for the Soviet experts—that must be an immense level of trust!

However, Wang Luofei, sitting at a table a little further away and seemingly engrossed in eating, subtly twitched his ears. Soviet experts? He glanced instinctively at Lin Hongjie at the same table, and the two exchanged a meaningful look. As heads of the security department, they were instinctively wary of any outsiders, especially foreigners with special backgrounds. The Soviet experts' visit, ostensibly for technical exchange, might have other motives. Considering the recent activity of enemy agents and the sensitivity of the technology Wang Huanbo possessed, they couldn't help but think further.

This news, like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, was a routine work arrangement to Li Huaide, an opportunity for Sha Zhu and Nan Yi to showcase their skills, but to guardians like Wang Luofei and Lin Hongjie, it might mean new and more complex challenges. Beneath the festive atmosphere of the wedding banquet, a shadow of national power struggle and security competition quietly swept by.

Section Four: Amidst the delicious food and fine wine, a hidden crisis lurks among the guests.

After the leader finished speaking, the banquet officially entered its climax. One after another, delicious and visually appealing dishes were served to each table by the helping aunties.

The braised pork belly, glistening with a rich reddish-brown color, has trembling fat that melts in your mouth, while the lean meat is tender and flavorful, perfectly balanced between salty and sweet – a favorite dish to accompany rice. The sweet and sour fish is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, with the sweet and sour sauce clinging to it just right; the children eagerly grab the crispy fried fish tail. The four-happiness meatballs are large, easily separated with a gentle touch of chopsticks, their meaty aroma blending with the crispness of water chestnuts for a rich texture. The braised beef with potatoes has a unique fragrance; the beef is stewed until tender, and the potatoes absorb the meaty juices, becoming soft, powdery, and savory – they're devoured in no time. The clear chicken soup is bright in color, delicious in flavor, refreshing, and nutritious…

The cold dishes were also highly praised, especially He Daqing's "mustard dumplings," which made people's noses and eyes water, yet they exclaimed how satisfying it was. The snow-white steamed buns made with two kinds of dough, served with a thick vegetable sauce, were even more satisfying.

The guests ate with great relish, praising the food endlessly. The sounds of drinking games, clinking glasses, and laughter echoed throughout the courtyard. Children, bowls in hand, weaved between tables, searching for their favorite dishes. The older women ate while chatting about everyday life, their eyes occasionally glancing enviously at the head table, watching Yu Li in her red dress and Sha Zhu's spirited demeanor.

As expected, Jia Zhangshi not only ate heartily herself, but also secretly wrapped several pieces of braised pork belly and beef in a handkerchief and tucked them into her bosom. The neighbors saw this but pretended not to, after all, it was a joyous occasion.

Xu Damao felt a pang of jealousy, but he had no choice but to join in praising the food and wine (Sha Zhu had specially arranged for several bottles of Fenjiu and Xifengjiu). He secretly vowed that his wedding banquet would never be inferior to this!

As Yan Fugui ate, he mentally estimated the price of each dish, calculating how much the banquet cost. At the same time, his eyes scanned each table like radar, noting which family gave generous gifts, which family ate a lot with their children, and who secretly packed up leftovers... This meal was the most information-intensive and mentally taxing for him.

However, beneath this boisterous and joyful ocean, a cold undercurrent still quietly surges.

The "glasses-wearing cadre," posing as Yu Li's distant cousin, was currently seated at a corner table, clinking glasses and chatting amiably with several genuine distant relatives. He was impeccably mannered and spoke politely, occasionally cracking a joke that elicited laughter from his companions. However, a closer look revealed that his smile rarely reached his eyes, and while his chopsticks moved frequently, he seldom actually put any food in his mouth. His gaze would often dart across the main table, taking advantage of moments of raising his glass, picking up food, or turning to speak, especially towards the area where Wang Huanbo might appear (though Wang Huanbo had not yet shown himself), and the moon gate leading from the central courtyard to Wang Huanbo's western wing residence.

The young man in overalls, who was always adjusting his collar, mingled with his fellow steel mill workers at their tables. He seemed very sociable, laughing and talking loudly, urging others to drink, and getting himself flushed, as if he had completely blended into the festive atmosphere. But his feet always seemed to be intentionally or unintentionally pointing towards the path leading from the central courtyard to the west wing. His right hand was mostly under the table, near his pocket.

And then there's the "old lady" carrying the snack box, sitting with a few old neighbors, chatting about everyday matters and complaining about prices—she seems utterly ordinary. But her seemingly dim old eyes occasionally glance at a few seemingly random but actually blind spots along the courtyard wall.

Zheng Weiguo, Zhou Tiejun, and others had already placed these suspicious individuals under close surveillance. They were scattered across various tables, some drinking heavily, some chatting, and some helping to pour drinks and serve food, but everyone was on edge. Their hands were always positioned for easy access to their weapons; their ears were pricked up, ready to pick up any unusual sounds; their eyes, like the most sophisticated radar, crisscrossed the entire banquet area, especially the paths Wang Huanbo might take.

Lin Zhan and Zhou Hong, Wang Huanbo's personal bodyguards, were not present at the banquet. One of them stood guard outside Wang Huanbo's study, while the other lingered near the moon gate connecting the middle and back courtyards, like two silent guardian deities. Lin Wei and Wang Chunhua stayed close to the pregnant Lou Xiao'e, ensuring the safety of this key protected individual.

Wang Huanbo himself remained in his study in the west courtyard. The commotion outside seemed irrelevant to him. A technical manual lay open before him, but his mind was clearly elsewhere. He was waiting, waiting for the appointed moment of appearance, while also sensing the seemingly festive atmosphere in the courtyard, which actually concealed countless suspicions and murderous intents. He could "hear" the faint, rhythmic static noise of radio waves hidden beneath the laughter (from the plainclothes officers' communication devices), and he could "sense" the gazes directed in his direction, each carrying a different meaning. He knew he was the bait, and the wedding feast was the perfect fishing ground.

Time passed slowly. The banquet drew to a close as the wine flowed freely and everyone was in high spirits. Sha Zhu and Yu Li began toasting each table, accepting blessings from relatives and friends.

When Sha Zhu and Yu Li reached the main table and toasted Li Huaide, Lin Hongjie, Wang Luofei, and others, Wang Luofei suddenly whispered something to Lin Hongjie. Lin Hongjie nodded slightly, then said "Excuse me" to the enthusiastic Li Huaide, got up and left the table, seemingly casually walking towards the west courtyard.

This action immediately caught the attention of several "interested individuals." The "bespectacled cadre" paused slightly in raising his glass; the "young man," who was eating with his head down, glanced over out of the corner of his eye; and the "old lady" paused for half a second in her rambling.

Zheng Weiguo gave Zhou Tiejun a wink. Zhou Tiejun understood, picked up a wine bottle, pretended to go to the next table to refill his drink, and followed Lin Hongjie not far behind without making a sound.

Lin Hongjie passed through the moon gate and entered the backyard. He didn't go to Wang Huanbo's courtyard, but instead headed towards the public toilet. Just as he passed an old locust tree, his foot seemed to trip over something, and he stumbled. In that instant, his right hand discreetly pressed a tiny, almost invisible mark on the rough bark. Then, he continued towards the toilet as if nothing had happened.

This subtle movement did not escape the eyes of the "bespectacled cadre" who had been secretly watching him (he had seen part of the backyard through the moon gate from a clever angle). A glint flashed in the "bespectacled cadre's" eyes, but he quickly returned to normal and continued chatting and laughing with his tablemates.

However, he did not notice that in the instant his gaze shifted away, Zhou Tiejun, who had been "adding wine" in the distance, had his eyes sharp as an eagle and had firmly locked onto that momentary change in his expression.

The banquet continued, the laughter and chatter unabated. But a subtle tension seemed to have settled in the air. Beneath the clinking of glasses lay a silent contest; amidst the delicious food, a deadly trap lurked. The long-spread net was slowly tightening, awaiting the crucial moment, awaiting the moment when the large fish, perhaps already impatient, was about to bare its venomous fangs.

At that moment, Sha Zhu, holding a wine glass and beaming with joy, accepted yet another round of blessings, completely unaware that the most joyous moment of his life was becoming the center stage of a silent battle. All he knew was that his Lily looked beautiful today, his buddies were loyal, his banquet had won applause, and his future was full of hope.

In the distance, a few thin clouds drifted in, obscuring some of the sunlight and casting shifting shadows across the bustling courtyard. A breeze picked up.