Courtyard House: Home Alone

He paused, his eyes sharpening. "However, the Red Party also has concerns. After all, this is right under the noses of the Japanese and the skinheads, which is extremely risky. They need to verify your true identity and the other party's reliability."

Lin Yifan picked up his teacup, took a sip, and the warm tea slid down his throat, making him calmer: "That's natural. I understand their concerns. They should know my identity. As for whether the other party is reliable, I'll only say one thing, and the specifics are for the Red Party to consider themselves."

Those were the people who distributed food and supplies to the people before the Lunar New Year. I wonder when and where they wish to meet? And who will represent them?

Shopkeeper Zhou said, "The time is set for 10 PM three days from now, at an abandoned brick kiln in the south of the city. As for the person who will be there, the organization will send someone codenamed 'Fisherman' to contact you and them."

"Fisherman?" Lin Yifan raised an eyebrow. "I understand. Is there anything else I need to be aware of?"

"The 'fisherman' will light three piles of firewood at the entrance of the brick kiln, with each pile three feet apart. This is the secret signal. After you see the signal, you say, 'It's dark and the road is slippery, watch your step,' and he will reply, 'Thank you for the reminder, there is a light ahead.'"

Manager Zhou explained carefully, afraid of missing any details, "In addition, the organization emphasizes that this meeting must be kept confidential. For the first time, you can only go alone and cannot bring anyone with you."

They will set up lookouts to ensure the safety of the meeting, but please be careful to prevent any accidents.

Lin Yifan pondered for a moment, memorizing every detail that Manager Zhou had mentioned: "I understand. Three days from now, at the abandoned brick kiln in the south of the city, three piles of firewood, the code, go alone." He repeated it to confirm.

Seeing that he had remembered everything, Manager Zhou showed a hint of relief: "I naturally trust you to handle things, young master. However, this matter is dangerous, so I hope you will take good care of yourself."

Lin Yifan put down his teacup, his eyes resolute: "Don't worry, Manager Zhou, I know what I'm doing. For the intelligence I need and for the soldiers fighting on the front lines, this little risk is nothing."

He stood up. "Now that things are settled, I'll go back and make preparations. I'll be there on time in three days."

Manager Zhou also stood up and saw Lin Yifan to the door, saying, "Take care, young master."

Lin Yifan nodded, turned and left the teahouse, his steps light yet tinged with a hint of seriousness. The door to cooperation had been opened, but his dealings with the Red Party could only go so far. He didn't want to become a slave.

Meanwhile, Xu Fugui was whispering something with the steward Lou Zhenquan at the Lou residence. Lou Zhenquan was the cousin of Lou Zhenhua, who was known as Lou Half-City. He was a man with little ability but was extremely greedy.

Xu Fugui described Lin Yifan as a seven-year-old orphan who owned two main rooms and a side room, which was like a baby holding a gold ingot. Lou Zhenquan's eyes lit up instantly.

He rubbed his hands together, his face crinkling into a wide smile, and lowered his voice to ask Xu Fugui, "Fugui, this little kid you're talking about, does he really live alone? Doesn't he have any relatives to take care of him?"

Xu Fugui patted his chest and assured him, "Don't worry, Steward Lou, it's absolutely true! I've found out everything. That kid's parents died early, he's all alone, just clinging to that little bit of ancestral property. He's like a silent gourd, very easy to manipulate!"

Lou Zhenquan narrowed his eyes, the abacus beads clicking in his mind. Two main rooms and one side room, a pretty good location. If he could get his hands on it… He licked his slightly dry lips.

He looked at Xu Fugui and said, "You little rascal, you sure know how to find 'good things' for me. So, what do you want in return?"

Xu Fugui chuckled, revealing a mouthful of yellow teeth: "I dare not ask for anything else, I only hope that after Steward Lou succeeds, he can reward me with a meal, so that I can also benefit from it."

Lou Zhenquan snorted coldly, inwardly cursing Xu Fugui for being greedy and useless, but his face remained expressionless: "Easy, as long as you handle things well, you'll get your share of the rewards. However, since that kid can establish himself in the city, he must be somewhat shrewd. How do you plan to make your move?"

Xu Fugui leaned closer and whispered his plan. Lou Zhenquan listened, his smile growing even more smug.

Xu Fugui lowered his voice even further, with a hint of malice: "Butler Lou, this is just one child, why bother thinking about him? Don't you have plenty of people at your disposal? Just sell him off to some faraway place, and that'll be another source of income. It's not difficult to prepare the paperwork in advance and get him to put his fingerprint on it, is it?"

However, this matter must be handled outside, absolutely not in the courtyard, because there are several families in our courtyard protecting him, and it wouldn't be good if things escalated.

Besides, that brat is no good either. He's only seven, and he's always running off by himself for days at a time. I heard he's with his master.

When Lou Zhenquan heard the words "sell to distant places," a ruthless glint flashed in his eyes, but it was quickly replaced by greed.

He stroked his sparse beard and pondered, "Hmm... this method is direct and saves a lot of trouble. However, what kind of person is his master? I hope he's not a tough nut to crack and doesn't ruin our plans."

Xu Fugui patted his chest and said, "Don't worry, Steward Lou! I've already inquired about it. His master is over at Zhengyangmen. He has no ties and no worries. What kind of ability could he possibly have?"

Besides, that kid never goes to his master's place at any given time. We'll strike when he's alone, without anyone noticing! His master won't even know where he went!

Lou Zhenquan nodded, thinking that Xu Fugui's words made some sense. The child was young and had no proper backing, so he was indeed an easy target.

A calculating glint flashed in his eyes as he added, "Make sure you're quick and efficient. I'll find a few reliable people who can keep their mouths shut. As for the paperwork, prepare it in advance, preferably in a way he can't understand. Then, we can coax, trick, and scare him a bit. What's there to be afraid of a little kid not putting his fingerprints on it?"

Xu Fugui repeatedly replied, "Yes, yes, yes, Steward Lou, rest assured, I will handle it flawlessly! I guarantee that brat will have nowhere to cry!"

Lou Zhenquan smiled with satisfaction and waved his hand: "Alright, you can go and prepare now. When you go back tonight, I'll give you someone to keep an eye on things and find a suitable opportunity to act as soon as possible. Don't let things get complicated."

Xu Fugui smiled obsequiously, bowed, and replied "Yes," before carefully retreating.

Lou Zhenquan stood alone, gazing out the window, a smug smirk playing on his lips, as if those properties were already firmly in his grasp.

At this moment, Lin Yifan, who had returned to the courtyard house, was instructing He Yuzhu in practicing a new set of boxing techniques. This set of boxing techniques was improved by him based on his memories from his previous life. It emphasized the combination of strength and softness, and could not only strengthen the body, but also contain practical combat skills.

For Lin Yifan, who possesses master-level Bajiquan skills, creating a simple set of boxing techniques is as easy as drinking water.