Courtyard House: Initial Donation of 50 Million

Chapter 1: Sharp Tongue Attempts to Subdue Me Meets an Iron Wall; Righteous Spirit Rebukes Evil

After a brief and intense exchange of gunfire in the courtyard, there was a strange pause of a few seconds. The air was thick with smoke, mingled with the stench of blood and the lingering grease of uneaten food—a truly nauseating smell. Several bodies lay scattered on the ground: innocent guests struck by stray bullets, and enemy agents killed by Zheng Weiguo and Zhou Tiejun. Broken tables and chairs, shattered dishes, spilled food, and dark red bloodstains mingled together, a gruesome sight.

In the oppressive silence, a deliberately lowered voice, yet bearing a distinct Taiwanese accent, rang out from behind the stove where "Viper" (the young man wielding a Suomi submachine gun) was hiding. The voice carried a deliberately feigned "sincerity":

"Engineer Wang! Chief Engineer Wang Huanbo! Please hear me out!"

The speaker was "Viper" (the bespectacled executive). Despite his wrist injury, his voice was strong, indicating the injury wasn't serious. He was clearly a leader, and was now trying to break through with verbal pressure.

"Engineer Wang, you're a top student, having studied in the United States and witnessed the true splendor of the world! I've heard your family is incredibly wealthy there, with a very large business. To be honest, someone as talented as you could live a life of luxury anywhere! Fine clothes, gourmet food, luxury cars, beautiful women, top-tier laboratories, the latest equipment, world-class academic exchanges… America has all of these, and the free world has them all!"

His words were seductive, as if painting a picture of paradise, attempting to sway Wang Huanbo's mind.

"But look at where you are now!" His voice suddenly rose, tinged with obvious sarcasm and indignation. "A dilapidated courtyard house, a bunch of ignorant neighbors, even a decent meal requires scraping together every penny! All those things you've been researching—automatic exchange systems, minicomputers, that 'Ark,' advanced industrial machine tools, and luxury cars… can they even realize one ten-thousandth of their value here? It's nothing but casting pearls before swine, a complete waste!"

He paused, then softened his tone, becoming even more candid: "Engineer Wang, our superiors (referring to the Taiwanese authorities) greatly admire your talent. His Excellency the President has personally intervened. If you're willing to 'abandon the darkness and embrace the light,' come with us to Taiwan—no, we can even arrange for you to go directly to the United States! A top-of-the-line laboratory? We'll build you one! Funding? As much as you need! Assistants? Choose any you like from around the world! And your and your family's US passports, green cards—all immigration issues—we'll take care of them! You will gain true freedom, and your talent will be respected and praised worldwide! Why stay here, working for a bunch of peasants, guarding this rubbish, and living in constant fear?"

This rhetoric was incredibly persuasive, precisely targeting the anxieties and yearnings for material and academic advancement that some intellectuals of that era might have felt. Hidden behind cover, Deputy Factory Director Li Huaide frowned deeply, while Lin Hongjie and Wang Luofei's eyes flashed with cold light, their gun-gripping hands bulging with veins. Even Yi Zhonghai, Liu Haizhong, and others, nervously peeking through the crack in the backyard door, overheard snippets of conversation, their hearts tightening.

However, the response to the "venomous snake" was a clear and cold sneer.

"Oh."

Wang Huanbo peeked half his face out from behind a pillar, his expression showing no sign of being persuaded, only deep contempt and an indifference akin to looking down on a clown. His voice, though not loud, rang out like the clear clang of metal, piercing the smoke and reaching everyone's ears:

"Prosperity? The prosperity you speak of is built on Wall Street's greed, the plunder of the world's resources, and a false prosperity where a few live in luxury while the majority are displaced! Wealth? That's what my fathers painstakingly built up over hard work. What does it have to do with the group you speak of that relies on foreign powers and plunders the people's hard-earned money?"

His words were like a cold blade, peeling away the layers of falsehood from the other person's words.

"As for the research you mentioned," Wang Huanbo's gaze was sharp as lightning, as if it could pierce through cover and look directly into the soul of the "venomous snake," "they do have value, but their value lies in ensuring that my motherland is no longer bullied, in enabling millions of Chinese workers and farmers to use machines they produce themselves and live a more dignified life! In enabling our children to stand on a stage of equal dialogue with the world in the future! Instead of becoming tools used by you, or any foreign power, to continue to exploit and suppress China!"

His voice suddenly rose, carrying an unwavering resolve and an inviolable righteousness:

"Returning here was my own choice! This place isn't dilapidated; it's where I was born and raised! My compatriots here aren't ignorant; they are the most hardworking, resilient, and lovable people in the world! To 'work for them'? I, Wang Huanbo, am willing! Because I know for whom I am fighting, and for what kind of future I am fighting for!"

He paused for a moment, then each word struck like a hammer blow:

"As for you, and those scoundrels behind you who have forgotten their ancestors, recognized thieves as their fathers, and willingly become lackeys of outsiders—you want me, Wang Huanbo, to surrender? Wishful thinking!"

The words "wishful thinking" were like a thunderclap, shattering the "Viper's" last illusions and igniting the passion in the hearts of all the security personnel and civilians who heard them!

"Viper" trembled with rage at this merciless, incisive rebuttal and insult! He had originally thought that with his generous terms and silver tongue, he could at least make Wang Huanbo hesitate, or even shake the resolve of those around him. He hadn't expected such a fierce reaction, such sharp words, that their attempts to induce surrender were utterly refuted, and that they were directly labeled "ungrateful" and "lackeys and scum"!

"You'll regret this! Wang Huanbo, you're courting death!" "Viper," enraged, his voice distorted by extreme anger and humiliation, tore away his facade of "refined" manner, revealing his vicious nature. "Attack! Dead or alive! If you can't catch him alive, riddle him with bullets! Kill everyone here! Leave no one alive!!"

The final phrase, "Leave no one alive," was filled with hysterical madness and inhuman cruelty, sending chills down the spines of those eavesdropping in the backyard.

Section 2: A cornered beast launches a desperate attack; a suicide bomb reveals its brutality.

The roar of "Viper" was like a starting gun, and the remaining enemy agents immediately launched an even more frenzied and reckless attack!

"Viper" emerged from behind the stove once more, his "Somi" submachine gun spitting out flames for several seconds. Bullets rained down like a storm of metal on the area where Wang Huanbo was hiding in the pillars, as well as on the positions of Wang Luofei, Li Haitao, and the others! He completely abandoned precise burst fire and switched to sweeping fire for suppressive fire, sending bricks and wood chips flying everywhere, making it almost impossible for everyone to lift their heads.

Despite her shoulder injury, "Bamboo Leaf Green" moved with unpredictable agility. She moved along the wall like a gecko, using shadows and smoke as cover, constantly approaching the moon gate. Her palm grenade occasionally fired cold shots, threatening the crowd who tried to close the door or look out, and also making it difficult for Wang Luofei to pursue her.

"Viper" himself became ferocious, holding a Browning pistol in his left hand. Utilizing his familiarity with the terrain (clearly he had conducted prior reconnaissance), he quickly moved from one cover to another, firing continuously. Although his accuracy was somewhat reduced due to holding the gun in his left hand, the threat remained. Even more insidiously, he seemed to be directing and coordinating, occasionally letting out short whistles to adjust the rhythm and direction of "Viper's" and "Bamboo Viper's" attacks.

Zheng Weiguo and Zhou Tiejun attempted a flanking maneuver, but were pinned down behind a pile of broken bricks by the Viper's fierce firepower, unable to move. The triangular protective circle formed by Li Haitao, Wang Jian, and Deng Huade was also being compressed smaller and smaller. Wang Jian's shoulder wound was bleeding profusely, and his face was turning pale. Lin Zhan, like the most loyal guardian, stood in front of Wang Huanbo, constantly returning fire with his Type 54 pistol. He emptied three magazines, and a ricocheting bullet cut his arm, drawing blood, but he didn't even flinch.

Wang Huanbo remained calm. Leaning against a pillar to minimize his exposed area, he fired his M1911A1 pistol with extreme caution, aiming to disrupt the enemy's offensive rhythm and create opportunities for his comrades. His gaze swept across the battlefield, his mind racing. The enemy was fighting desperately; he had to break the stalemate as soon as possible, otherwise, once they completely suppressed his firepower, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Meanwhile, the battle outside the courtyard had become so brutal that it was utterly appalling!

The enemy agents were clearly well-prepared and of diverse origin. In addition to Taiwanese spies like "Viper," there were also traitors and public intellectuals who had been bought off by American intelligence agencies, had long forgotten their ancestors, and were filled with the illusion of "freedom and democracy," and even more persistent Japanese undercover agents deeply poisoned by militarism! Although these three forces each had their own ulterior motives, they reached a sordid consensus on the ultimate goal of "eliminating or capturing Wang Huanbo."

To complete the mission, they spared no expense and used every means at their disposal!

"Chief! Three o'clock! That Japanese soldier... he's acting strange!" a police officer lying on the alley wall shouted sharply.

Amidst the smoke, a short, stocky man dressed in ordinary civilian clothes, with a frenzied look in his eyes and drool dripping from his mouth, roared as he charged out from behind a collapsed brick wall! He carried no gun, but his chest was bulging with ropes binding numerous chunks of objects, and he clutched a pull ring tightly in his hand—the fuse ring of a hand grenade!

"It's a human bomb! Fire! Shoot him in the head! Break his legs!" Director Zhou Nanguang roared hoarsely, as his Type 54 submachine gun spat fire.

Several nearby police officers also turned their guns on the crazed Japanese spy, raining down bullets from their Type 81 automatic rifles and Type 54 submachine guns!

"Thud! Thud! Thud!" The sounds of bullets piercing flesh rang out one after another. Several bursts of blood erupted from the Japanese agent's body as he was shot in the chest, abdomen, and thigh! But he only swayed slightly, his speed barely decreasing! Instead, due to the gunshot wounds and extreme excitement (caused by drugs), he let out an even more inhuman howl, his bloodshot eyes glaring as he charged straight at several policemen who were using Type 81 automatic rifles to establish a crossfire point and suppress enemy special agents' assault riflemen!

"He's on drugs! It's an stimulant!" An experienced veteran detective, his eyes wide with rage, shouted. Methamphetamine, a "stun pill" widely used by the Japanese army during World War II, can temporarily render a person oblivious to pain, extremely aroused, and turn them into a beast driven only by the will to charge! The Japanese spy before them had clearly taken a large amount of this drug before the operation!

"Withdraw! Get out of the cover immediately!" The squad leader of the firing position realized the deadly danger and gave the order sternly.

But it was too late! The Japanese agent was incredibly fast, completely ignoring the bullet holes gushing blood from his body, and the blood overflowing from his mouth and nose due to ruptured internal organs. Yet, he wore a near-manic, distorted "smile" on his face, as if he felt immensely honored to be able to carry out this "sacred act of annihilation."

When he was still five or six meters away from the firing point, he suddenly ripped off the fuse of the bomb on his body! The fuse hissed and burned.

"Your Majesty the Heavenly Locust... Banzai!!!" He let out his last, hoarse roar and lunged at the nearest young police officer!

"BOOM—!!!"

A deafening explosion, far more powerful than a grenade, erupted! Flames shot skyward, and the massive shockwave caused a corner of a nearby brick wall to collapse! At the epicenter of the blast, the Japanese spy and the young police officer caught in the blast were instantly torn to shreds, their flesh and blood flying everywhere! Two other police officers nearby were also violently thrown back by the shockwave, crashing heavily against the wall, spitting blood, lying motionless on the ground, their Type 81 rifles twisted and deformed. Debris, dirt, and severed limbs rained down like raindrops, turning the area into a living hell!

"Xiao Zhao!!" "Class monitor!!"

Nearby officers roared in utter grief and rage, their eyes instantly bloodshot. The young officer who had been blown to pieces had just yesterday smiled shyly and said he'd go home and meet his girlfriend after the mission was over!

However, the tragedy was not over.

"More Japanese soldiers! Two! They're coming out of the alley on the left!" The observer's voice trembled.

Sure enough, amidst the smoke, two more figures with equally frantic eyes and chests strapped with explosives rushed out, screaming under the cover of the enemy's submachine gun fire! They, too, ignored the bullets fired at them, their targets clear—police firing positions and densely populated areas!

These Japanese spies, whose humanity had been completely destroyed by militaristic ideology and drugs, treated themselves as expendable objects, attempting to tear apart the police's defenses in the most barbaric and brutal way!

"Bastards!!" Director Zhou Nanguang's eyes turned bloodshot. He abruptly stood up from his hiding place, unleashing a furious barrage of fire from his Type 54 submachine gun, attempting to stop the two suicide bombers. "Concentrate fire! Smash them! We can't let these bastards get any closer!!"

Suppressing their immense grief and rage over the loss of their comrades, the officers unleashed a hail of bullets of hatred upon the charging beasts. Bullets struck the Japanese agents, splattering blood, but they staggered, roaring, and continued their charge! One of them, his legs severed by a hail of bullets, collapsed to the ground, yet still crawled forward with his remaining arm, clutching a detonator tightly in his hand!

"Grenades! Throw grenades! Blow them up!" Deputy Director Li Hong shouted hoarsely beside the vehicles, giving orders.

Several grenades flew in arcs and landed near the suicide bomber.

"Boom! Boom!"

The blast wave sent the crawling Japanese agent flying, his mangled body disintegrating in mid-air. Another, who had rushed forward faster, was also hit by shrapnel from the grenade, the explosives strapped to his body detonating and triggering an even more violent secondary explosion!

But the enemy's firepower showed no signs of abating. American-supplied M3 "Grease Gun" submachine guns and British-made Sten submachine guns spat fire, bullets raining down on the police positions like a deluge. Officers fell continuously, their blood staining the ground beneath them. The makeshift bunkers at the alley entrance were riddled with bullet holes.

"Chief! We're running out of ammunition too fast! The casualties are too high! The Japanese are reckless, and those traitors and spies are also very accurate marksmen!" A police officer covered in soot and blood crawled up to Zhou Nanguang and reported in a hoarse voice.

Zhou Nanguang leaned against the crumbling wall, his chest heaving. He glanced at his fallen and wounded comrades, then at the still fierce fighting in the direction of the Central Courtyard, his heart filled with anxiety and indignation. The enemy agents were risking their lives, wearing them down in the most brutal way! If this continued, once the defenses were breached, Engineer Wang in the Central Courtyard would be in danger!

He gripped the vehicle radio's microphone tightly, his fingers turning white from the force, and shouted into the receiver with all his might: "This is Zhou Nanguang from Hongxing Police Station! Calling headquarters! Calling headquarters! The enemy situation at No. 95 is extremely serious! The enemy numbers far exceed our estimates, they are well-equipped, and some personnel (suspected Japanese remnants) are using suicide bombings! Our casualties are heavy, and the pressure on our defensive line is immense! Repeat, heavy casualties, and the pressure on our defensive line is immense! Requesting emergency support! Requesting heavy firepower support!!"

His roar, transmitted through the radio waves, reached the command center.

Section 3: Horrifying Scene in the Backyard, Blood and Tears Flow, Westward Crossing, Will Strong as Steel

The fierce battle in the central courtyard and the continuous explosions outside were like heavy hammers striking the hearts of everyone in the backyard.

Although the moon gate was closed, the wooden door was not sturdy, and stray bullets would occasionally pierce through the door panel, leaving horrifying holes, or hit the door frame, sending splinters flying. The bolt creaked and rattled with each explosion, as if it might break at any moment. People huddled together, barely daring to breathe, and the women tightly covered their children's mouths, afraid that their cries would attract attention.

He Daqing leaned against the cold wall, his face having turned from sallow to ashen, his breath weak. The bleeding from the gunshot wound in his back seemed to have slowed, but that was due to excessive blood loss. Sha Zhu tore off the hem of his own clothes and, together with Yi Zhonghai, tried everything to bandage his father and stop the bleeding, but the wound was too deep, and simple pressure was of no use. He Yushui knelt beside her father, holding his cold hand, tears streaming down her face, murmuring repeatedly, "Dad, don't sleep, Dad..."

Supported by Yu Li, the deaf old woman sat down in a relatively sheltered corner. She gripped Yu Li's hand tightly, her wrinkled face showing little fear, but rather a calm acceptance of life and death. Her cloudy eyes gazed towards the central courtyard, and she murmured, "Huanbo... Zhuzi... Bodhisattva protect... Bodhisattva protect..."

Yu Li's face was pale, and her body trembled slightly, but she tried her best to straighten her back, supporting the old lady with one hand and pressing tightly to the cold jade bracelet on her wrist with the other. It was her grandmother's entrustment, a heavy responsibility. She couldn't fall.

Yi Zhonghai, his face grave, shielded an elderly woman and two children. Liu Haizhong's family hid behind a water vat; the brothers Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu clung to each other, terrified. Yan Fugui remained slumped on the ground, the elderly woman holding him, sobbing softly. Xu Damao huddled in a corner, burying his head in his knees, trembling violently.

Each time a huge explosion came from outside the compound, it would cause a suppressed gasp and commotion among the crowd. They could imagine how fierce the battle outside must be.

"Is it reinforcements? Is it our reinforcements?" someone asked in a low voice, with a glimmer of hope.

"The sound doesn't sound like... it sounds like... a bomb..." someone answered in a trembling voice, their face filled with despair.

"Brother Zhu, Engineer Wang... can Engineer Wang and the others hold on?" He Yushui raised her tearful eyes and looked at Sha Zhu, who was clenching his fists and staring intently at the moon gate.

Sha Zhu clenched his teeth, his cheeks bulging. He hated it! He hated that he was just a cook, with all his strength, yet unable to help at a time like this! He hated those bastards who ruined his wedding, hurt his family, and threatened his brothers! He slammed his fist against the wall beside him, his fist instantly tearing open and bleeding profusely, but he seemed to feel no pain.

"Yes! Huanbo can hold them off! The police will definitely break in!" Shazhu's voice was hoarse, but it carried an undeniable conviction. "These bastards, not a single one of them will escape!"

His gaze unconsciously drifted towards the west courtyard. Sister Xiao'e… and the baby in her belly… she absolutely cannot be harmed!

The atmosphere inside the west courtyard was equally heavy.

Lou Xiao'e leaned against the headboard, her face paler than paper. The gunshots, explosions, and shouts of battle outside pounded on her heart like heavy drums. Each loud noise made her tremble, and she instinctively protected her belly. She could feel the little life inside her, as if it too felt uneasy, kicking gently.

"Madam, relax, take a deep breath." Wang Chunhua stood by the bedside, her voice still steady, but the knuckles of her fingers gripping the gun were white from the force. She could hear the increasingly rapid gunfire in the courtyard, and the earth-shattering explosions outside. She knew the situation was deteriorating rapidly.

In the courtyard, Lin Wei stood motionless, like a cast-iron statue. His Type 81 automatic rifle was steadily pointed at the gate and the walls on either side. The red dot of the holographic sight gleamed faintly in the dim light. His ears keenly picked up every sound—the fighting in the central courtyard, the explosions outside, and… some subtle rustling sounds that didn't belong to either of those areas.

Suddenly, his eyes sharpened! From outside the east wall of the west courtyard, came an extremely faint sound, like something hooking on the wall!

"Something's up! Watch out for the east wall!" Lin Wei shouted in a low voice, his gun instantly moving towards the wall where the sound was coming from!

Almost simultaneously, with a soft "click," a rope with an iron hook was thrown onto the top of the wall and firmly hooked!

"They're trying to climb over the wall!" Wang Chunhua heard this too, and immediately moved to the window with her gun, pointing it warily at the east wall.

Without hesitation, Lin Wei pulled the trigger above the point where the rope hook was attached!

"Da da da!" A precise three-round burst! The bullets struck the blue brick wall, sparks flying and brick dust flying everywhere!

A muffled groan and the sound of a heavy object falling to the ground came from outside the wall, but then more grappling hooks were thrown up! At least three or four! The enemy had indeed chosen the relatively weakly defended west courtyard as their point of attack!

"Madam, lie down! Hide under the bed!" Wang Chunhua shouted urgently to Lou Xiao'e, while firing several shots at the window where enemies might appear!

Lou Xiao'e knew she couldn't hesitate now. Suppressing her fear and physical discomfort, she struggled to roll off the bed and crawl under the relatively sturdy solid wood mattress. The space under the bed was cramped and dark. She clutched her stomach tightly, her heart pounding, desperately praying, "Huanbo...Lin Wei...Chunhua...you mustn't be hurt..."

Lin Wei had retreated to a pre-selected, relatively advantageous firing position in the center of the courtyard. He knelt on one knee, his Type 81 automatic rifle resting on his shoulder, calmly aiming at the top of the wall. He knew that a tough battle was about to begin. He had to hold this door, this room, until the fighting in the central courtyard ended or reinforcements arrived.

The first head wearing a black hood has already appeared on the top of the wall!

Section 4: A desperate cry for help ignites hope as an iron torrent surges toward the isolated city.

The emergency call from Hongxing Police Station, like a piercing alarm, shattered the tranquility of the Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau and even higher-level command structures.

The radio waves transmitted Zhou Nanguang's hoarse, anxious, and indignant cries to the command center in their entirety.

"Suicide bombing...suspected Japanese remnants...heavy casualties...requesting heavy firepower support..."

Every word struck the duty officer like a hammer blow. Wang Huanbo's importance was self-evident, yet the enemy agents were so rampant and brutal, even resorting to the extreme methods used by the Japanese army during World War II! This far exceeded the scope of ordinary security incidents or sabotage by espionage; it was a premeditated, militarized attack aimed at destroying the Republic's top scientific and technological talent!

The message was reported up the chain of command at top speed. Ten minutes later, an urgent order from the Supreme Command was issued directly to the headquarters of the Capital Guard Division:

"Your unit is hereby ordered to immediately dispatch a fully equipped and well-equipped infantry battalion to the area around No. 95 Nanluoguxiang at the fastest speed! Mission: 1. Ensure the absolute safety of Comrade Wang Huanbo at all costs; 2. Completely annihilate all attacking enemy agents, leaving no survivors; 3. Assist the public security department in restoring order and rescuing the wounded. Authorized to use all necessary means! Repeat, authorized to use all necessary means! Execute immediately!"

The order is urgent and cannot be delayed!

The headquarters of the guard division instantly erupted in excitement. The selected unit was the division's strongest battalion, commanded by a man named Lei, a tough and resilient veteran of the Korean War who had crawled out of mountains of corpses and seas of blood.

"All assemble! Emergency mission! Target: Nanluoguxiang! Fully armed, live ammunition loaded! Start the vehicles, follow me!!" Battalion Commander Lei's roar echoed throughout the camp.

Within five minutes, more than 300 elite soldiers from the First Battalion, fully armed, boarded the military trucks and armored personnel carriers that were already waiting. The soldiers had solemn expressions and sharp eyes. Although they did not know the specific details of the mission, the orders such as "at all costs" and "authorized to use all means" already demonstrated the extreme importance and brutality of the mission.

The convoy, like a black torrent of steel, blared its sirens and broke through the night (it was nearly dusk), speeding out of the camp and heading towards Nanluoguxiang! Inside the trucks, the soldiers silently inspected their newly issued Type 81 automatic rifles, Type 81 precision marksman rifles, Type 81 squad automatic weapons, and the attached mortar squad. A murderous aura hung in the air above the convoy.

Traffic along the route had already been controlled, and the convoy proceeded smoothly without hindrance. Battalion Commander Lei stood in the passenger seat of the lead vehicle, holding binoculars, and could already see the smoke and faint flames rising from the direction of Nanluoguxiang in the distance. His face was ashen.

"Faster!!" he yelled at the driver.

Inside the train carriage, a young soldier couldn't help but whisper to the veteran next to him, "Squad leader, what's the mission? Why is there such a commotion?"

The veteran squinted, wiping his bayonet, and said coldly, "Judging from this commotion, we've run into some tough nut to crack. Whatever the mission, remember the battalion commander's words: Wherever the higher-ups point, we fight! Anyone who dares to cause trouble in our capital, every single one of them, we'll send them to meet their maker!"

A torrent of steel, with an overwhelming force, is rapidly approaching the No. 95 compound, which has become a bloodbath. Hope is on its way.

However, the life-or-death struggle within courtyard number 95 had reached its most critical juncture. Enemy agents were relentlessly attacking the central courtyard, enemy shadows were visible on the west wing wall, the lives of the residents in the back courtyard hung by a thread, and the police defenses outside the courtyard were in grave danger... Every minute and every second, people were bleeding and sacrificing their lives.

Will Wang Huanbo be able to hold out until reinforcements arrive? Will Lin Wei and Wang Chunhua be able to defend the west wing? And will Sha Zhu and the injured He Daqing and others in the backyard be able to escape this calamity?

The blood-red setting sun casts its light upon this courtyard house, torn apart by war. The final outcome will soon be revealed in the clash of steel and flesh.