Courtyard House: A Veteran Returns Home and Becomes a Father

The night breeze, carrying the chill of autumn, rushed in through the back door, causing the kerosene lamp flame in the main room to flicker.

Wang Erniu's burly figure blocked the doorway, like a silent iron tower. He still carried the dust and sweat of a day's journey, but his eyes shone like a wolf's.

"Boss..." Wang Erniu's voice was low, tinged with guilt and anger, "I...I'm useless, they beat me to it."

He was referring to the fact that the person in charge had already found Su Zhenbang's unit.

"It's not your fault." Su Mo's voice was calm, devoid of any emotion. He stepped aside to let Wang Erniu in, then closed the courtyard gate behind him.

A soft "click" seemed to completely separate the two worlds.

Inside the main room, Su Hanlin and Su Zhenbang both focused their attention on the suddenly appearing, burly stranger.

They could sense the same iron-blooded aura emanating from this man, the same as that of Su Mo.

"And this is...?" Su Zhenbang asked.

"This is my brother, Wang Erniu," Su Mo introduced simply, then pointed to the stool beside the table, "Sit down and let's talk."

Wang Erniu bowed respectfully to Su Hanlin and Su Zhenbang, and greeted them with "Good morning, sirs," before finally settling into a seat at the lower end of the table, only half of his bottom touching the table. This was a rule they had developed in the army: in front of their superiors, they must always maintain a posture that indicates they are ready to stand up at any moment.

Xia Wanqing silently poured a cup of hot tea and pushed it in front of Wang Erniu.

"Hello, sister-in-law." Wang Erniu quickly stood up, took the gift with both hands, and his face was a little red.

"Let's get down to business." Su Mo tapped the table, drawing everyone's attention back.

"Yes!" Wang Erniu immediately straightened his back and reported all the information he had found that afternoon, like pouring out beans, in detail.

He spoke very quickly, but every word was crystal clear, full of the precision and efficiency characteristic of a soldier.

"The license plate is Beijing A00081, belonging to the 'Special Assets Investigation and Implementation Office,' or 'Special Office' for short. This department is very secretive. Even after the brothers used all their connections, they could only find out that it was a very high-ranking department, directly responsible to the higher-ups. The guy with the gold-rimmed glasses who went to Peking Union Medical College Hospital today is named Lin Wanyuan, and he is the second-in-command of the 'Special Office.'"

"Lin Wanyuan?" Su Mo narrowed his eyes slightly and repeated the name.

"Yes. This person has a very deep background. It is said that his ancestors were high-ranking officials in the previous dynasty, and his family has a complex and intertwined network of relationships. He himself is not interested in martial arts, but he is fond of two things: antiques and tea. He has a private house in Houhai that is not open to the public. It is filled with treasures he has collected from all over the world. It is heavily guarded and even more difficult to enter than a bank vault."

"As for 'Feng San Tang'," Wang Erniu frowned, "this is even more sinister. Our people found out that it was indeed a secret trading company of the former Qing Dynasty's Imperial Household Department, but its true function was to build and guard secret treasuries for the imperial family. During the chaos at the end of the Qing Dynasty, Feng San Tang disappeared along with its treasures. But the brothers heard a rumor from some 'insiders' in the black market that the descendants of Feng San Tang are still alive! They are like a group of ghosts guarding the tomb, secretly monitoring anyone who tries to get their hands on the treasures. It is said that two of the Black Tiger Gang's best members recently vanished after inquiring about this matter."

After reporting, Wang Erniu looked nervously at Su Mo, awaiting his orders.

There was a brief silence in the room.

Su Hanlin and Su Zhenbang exchanged a glance, both seeing seriousness in each other's eyes.

One is the "Special Office," which has an official background and terrifying power.

One is a descendant of the "Feng San Tang" who hides in the shadows and uses ruthless and cunning methods.

In addition, there was a dragon from Tianjin who had crossed the river, and the local gangster Black Tiger Gang.

These three forces, like sharks smelling blood, pounced on the animal skin map in Su Mo's hand.

"Hmph, a bunch of cowardly rats hiding their heads and tails!"

It was the advisor, Su Hanlin, who spoke first. The old man, a veteran of countless battles, despised such schemes and tricks. He slammed the purple clay teapot he was holding heavily on the table, making a dull thud.

"Xiao Mo, why waste your breath on them! Forget about 'special' or 'private' operations. If they dare target our family, we'll go straight to their door, twist that Lin Wanyuan's neck off, and kick him around like a football! This old man of mine can still handle a few more for you!"

The old man exuded the same murderous aura as he had in his prime.

"Dad, don't be impulsive," Su Zhenbang said, frowning. "Things aren't like they used to be. Since that 'special office' is an official agency, we can't use underworld tactics to resolve this. A head-on confrontation will only escalate the situation and won't do us any good."

Su Zhenbang thought even deeper. He worried that there might be some political turmoil behind this, and that Su Mo was just a pawn caught in the middle.

For a moment, one advocated "killing" and the other advocated "stability." Both elders looked at Su Mo, waiting for him to make the final decision.

Su Mo did not speak.

He slowly stood up and walked into the courtyard.

The cold moonlight shone on him, casting a long shadow.

He took out the rosewood pipe from his pocket, filled it with tobacco, lit it, and took a deep drag.

The swirling smoke blurred the expression on his face, leaving only his eyes, which shone frighteningly bright in the night.

The advisor is right; we can't be soft-hearted when dealing with wolves.

Master is right. We live in a time of peace and can no longer use the logic of the battlefield.

However, they all overlooked one point.

When wolves have already extended their claws to your most cherished family members, any concessions or compromises will only be seen as weakness.

Didn't they warn themselves not to "reach too far"?

Well.

Not only will I reach in, I'll reach right into your chest and take out your still-beating heart to see what color it is.

Su Mo turned around and walked back to the main room.

He looked at Wang Erniu with an unyielding coldness and determination in his eyes.

"They gave me a 'challenge,' and we should return the favor with a 'grand gift.'"

"Erniu, listen to my command."

"Here!" Wang Erniu stood up abruptly, his posture ramrod straight.

"From now on, utilize all of 'Ghost's' resources in the capital." Su Mo's voice was soft, but every word was like a poisoned steel needle, piercing into one's bone marrow.

"First, find out all the information about Lin Wanyuan's residence in Houhai. Layout, security, personnel, shift change times—I need it accurate to the second."

"Secondly, I want a list of all the antiques he has collected over the years, as well as where his most cherished items are kept."

"Third," Su Mo paused, a cruel smile flashing in his eyes, "I want you to send your best men to infiltrate. I don't want you to steal anything, nor do I want you to cause trouble."

He took out the animal skin map that Bai Jingting had given him from his pocket, and then took out paper and pen from the drawer, and drew the emblem of "Fengsantang" on it without any mistakes.

He handed the note to Wang Erniu.

"I want you to arrange this pattern next to Lin Wanyuan's most treasured antique, using his favorite 'Da Hong Pao' tea tin."

"Then, leave this picture on his desk in his study."

Su Mo handed the slip of paper with the emblem drawn on it to Wang Erniu.

"Doesn't he like drinking tea? Then I'll offer him a cup. A cup of tea brewed with his treasures and his fears."

Wang Erniu took the note, looked at the picture on it, and felt Su Mo's undisguised killing intent. He felt as if the blood in his body was instantly ignited.

This is the "boss" he knows!

When it moves, it is as powerful as thunder, striking the vital points!

Murder, but also punish!

"Boss, don't worry!" Wang Erniu's voice trembled slightly with excitement, "I guarantee I'll complete the mission!"

"Go." Su Mo waved his hand. "Remember, the safety of the brothers comes first."

"yes!"

Wang Erniu didn't say another word. He carefully tucked the note into his pocket, turned around, and like a tiger released from its cage, silently disappeared into the deep night.