Courtyard House: A Start with Black Gold Swallowing 100,000 Silver Dollars

Li Wenguo has always been protective of his food; he doesn't allow anyone else to touch even a single hair on his woman's head.

He immediately closed his eyes, his consciousness sank into space, and summoned his clone "Yang Zhengde," saying only one sentence: "Get the skinny monkey and that female comrade out for me."

Yang Zhengde replied crisply, "It's nothing. The person in charge in the register is the brother-in-law of the third team leader."

The coincidence is that the captain of the third team is also Zhou Dahai's brother-in-law.

To put it bluntly, within the Lixingshe (力行社), nepotism was more tightly intertwined than hemp rope.

Throughout the entire KMT, this network of relationships is incredibly tight—uncles, nephews, brothers-in-law, sworn brothers, and godparents—any one of them could lead to seven or eight deaths.

What does that brother-in-law love most? Dollars.

As long as the silver dollar is stuffed in loud enough, crossing out a name is easier than erasing a blackboard.

Wasn't that how they managed to fool my older cousin who had an attack last time?

Although Zhou Dahai was particularly attentive to arresting rebels, he didn't even notice that nearly 300 people were arrested this time, and that only three or five were missing.

This is the evil consequence of nepotism.

Not just anyone can meet that brother-in-law's brother-in-law—only powerful figures like bureau chiefs or prison wardens are qualified to offer him a red envelope; ordinary people can't even get past the gatekeeper, let alone offer money.

What's even more absurd is that once a name is crossed out, a new list has to be copied out that same day.

The old order was immediately burned, leaving no trace, and no one could find a clue.

It is precisely because of this watertight trick that those officials dare to openly accept bribes and take them without any restraint.

As soon as Yang Zhengde's alter ego handed over ten silver dollars, Liu Shouhou and Su Mei were quickly pushed out.

Several familiar faces with connections were also released at the same time.

Yang Zhengde was eager to send out more people—the more people there were, the less noticeable and safer his side would be.

The moment Su Mei stepped out of the police station, she felt a sense of relief, as if a thousand-pound iron shackle had been removed from her chest.

Even the breeze that brushed against my cheeks carried a sweet scent, and the air felt three times clearer than usual.

Those who work in the underground Communist Party have an innate fear of the police station, as if a deadly ghost might emerge from behind that black door at any moment.

"Monkey King! You've come out!"

Sun Gang had been waiting at the street corner with his rickshaw, and came up to greet the figure as soon as he saw him.

"Um!"

Liu Shouhou nodded slightly to him, then turned to Su Mei and said, "Get in the car quickly, let's go back first."

At this point, Su Mei knew he was one of her own, so she didn't ask any more questions and got into the car.

After this incident, how could Li Wenguo dare to let her in? He wouldn't even agree to let her stay for one night.

He Shuting was quite sensible; she went wherever her husband directed without uttering a single complaint.

However, the arrangement was quite respectable—a two-courtyard house with blue bricks, featuring a rockery, pavilion, and small garden, a truly spacious house typical of a middle-class family.

"Comrade He, you have absolutely no sense of discipline! How could you so casually reveal your identity to others?"

In the study, after listening to He Shuting's explanation, Su Mei suddenly realized: the person in front of her was the real person, and Liu Shouhou was just a bodyguard.

Her face immediately darkened. If it weren't for years of training that had tempered her temper, she probably would have slammed her fist on the table and stood up.

"I'm so sorry, Comrade Su... This is really my fault. But my husband forced me to tell him, saying he wouldn't let me leave the house until he explained everything clearly."

He Shuting lowered her head, her tone sincere, her brows furrowed with shame.

"What? You mean... your husband also knows I am...?"

Su Mei suddenly looked up, her pupils shrinking.

"Then what is his identity—?"

He Shuting nodded and quickly reassured her, "Comrade Su, don't worry. My husband is a close ally of the Party. Over the years, he has been secretly providing financial support to us. Every single dollar has been handed over through my hands. I will never let a word of it slip by."

Su Mei didn't say anything, only lowered her eyes and dug her fingertips into her palm.

My mind was in turmoil: He Shuting is a sitting duck! Before we've even officially started, she's already revealed all her secrets! Who knows what kind of trouble she'll cause in the future?

This is so outrageous it leaves people speechless!

"What does your husband do for a living? Is he a businessman?"

She paused for a moment before speaking.

These questions were posed while surveying the courtyard.

Carved gate towers, winding corridors, stone fish ponds, trellis pavilions... An ordinary family could not afford such a courtyard even if they saved for a lifetime, let alone rent it to live in alone.

This is clearly a hidden property under Li Wenguo's name.

"No, he's the deputy manager of the trading company."

Su Mei's eyebrows twitched.

How much could a deputy manager of a foreign firm earn in a month? Could he really support such a large, secluded mansion?

She asked the question without any hesitation.

Now that the other party's husband and guards are aware of the situation, she needs to find out the details before she can make a proper decision.

A hint of embarrassment flashed across He Shuting's face: "Well... you know, some customers need goods in a particularly urgent and remote location, sometimes even requiring them to bypass customs and checkpoints... so, they'll usually 'give a little something'... you know what I mean."

"To put it bluntly, it's all about extortion and bribery!"

Su Mei responded with a cold laugh.

She had seen far too many people like this in officialdom—they only cared about silver dollars, and their consciences had long been tainted by the stench of money.

She despised these kinds of people from the bottom of her heart, and even hated them to the core.

The decline of the nation and the humiliation of the people are caused by these giant rats that gnaw away at the pillars of the country.

"That's not how it works!"

He Shuting hurriedly waved her hand, "Not a single penny of that extra money was kept; it was all transferred to the organization. I have personal receipts for every single transaction!"

Ha ha……

Su Mei silently sneered twice in her heart.

You'd be a fool to believe her.

She simply nodded slightly and didn't press the matter further—they were all comrades, and there was no benefit in tearing each other apart; besides, she didn't want to get involved with this kind of person at all, the further away the better.

"By the way, here is your new identification document and your reporter's card from the Minsheng Daily. Please keep them safe."

He Shuting handed over two thin notebooks.

Su Mei reached out and took it, then opened it and read—

Yang Yuerong.

Then he looked up and asked, "Comrade He, you know my abilities. Is everything prepared?"

"Alright, they've been waiting there for a while."

To emphasize her husband's importance, He Shuting added, "How could a task he personally oversee not be completed efficiently?"

Before she finished speaking, she had already bent down and pulled a brown leather suitcase out from under the desk, and clicked open the clasp.

A gleaming new radio lay conspicuously in the box, its parts neatly arranged, even the dustproof film still intact.

Su Mei's eyes lit up, and she quickly stepped forward, her fingertips carefully brushing against the metal casing as if touching a fragile treasure.

The old one had changed hands countless times; the casing was yellowed, the buttons were loose, it made a buzzing sound when sending messages, and even the keypad felt limp, as if it might fall apart at any moment.

The sight of this brand-new, gleaming machine made her heart flutter.

My impression of He Shuting's husband has also subtly gained some weight.

"The American-made third-generation SDS303 model!"

Su Mei blurted out, her tone certain—"People in this line of work can identify the model by sound, just like an old hunter can identify hoof prints."

Seeing her like this, He Shuting smiled slightly, secretly pleased with herself.

While she was looking down at the machine, He Shuting subtly observed her: her features were delicate, her temperament was clean and neat, and her figure was exquisite, with a slender waist and round hips, comparable to her own, truly a slender branch bearing a large fruit.

My husband's eye for talent is indeed impeccable.

A thought flashed through her mind, and she secretly breathed a sigh of relief—thankfully, this person hadn't moved into her house.

"Has that comrade settled in?"

Inside the house, Li Wenguo asked casually.

"All set."

"Sir, let me give you a foot bath."

He Shuting brought over a basin of warm water, steaming gently.

"No need, I have to go out later."

Li Wenguo waved his hand.

"Another social engagement?"

Her expression darkened slightly.

She understood that men with great abilities often had many dinner parties; but the thought of him walking out the door and chatting and laughing with those heavily made-up women swaying their hips made her feel suffocated.

Aren't the flowers in your own garden fragrant enough?

"How about... I serve you this once before I leave?"

As she spoke, she reached for her clothes to unbutton them, her eyes sparkling.

He knew perfectly well that once that initial excitement wore off, no matter how lively things were outside, he might not be interested anymore.

"It's really too late. We have to leave at nine o'clock, and it's already eight-thirty."

Li Wenguo glanced at the clock and spoke crisply.

How could he not understand her thoughts?

But ever since he married all four of them, he has never touched a woman other than Maria.

In terms of looks, there are indeed some equally good-looking women out there, but when they stand there, their waists and hips are distinct, and they lack that natural, effortless charm.

For him, it was nothing special.

"I'll go take a look at Hongyu's place."

Before the words were even finished, the person had already strode out of the room.

He was afraid that if he delayed even a second longer, he would lose control of his desire, so he pulled her into his arms and rolled around with her.

As night deepened, it was already nine o'clock in the morning.

At Yan Ming's invitation, Li Wenguo entered a private club.

The hall was filled with languid music, soft lighting, men in sharp suits, and women in shimmering dresses. Wine glasses clinked lightly, laughter filled the air, and the entire space was a scene of extravagant luxury.

Inside the private booths, the crystal chandeliers cast an amber glow.

"Manager Li, please—try this top-quality French brandy."

With a beaming smile, Yan Ming personally poured a cup of golden amber liquid into a perfect cup.

"Boss Yan, you're too kind. Please don't hesitate to ask if you need anything."

Li Wenguo responded with a smile, his tone humble, but his eyes were as still as a deep pool.

This person was already a prime suspect – there was a more than 90% chance he was a Japanese spy.

A year ago, the two brushed past each other at the Western restaurant that Mavis Hee frequented, and even had an incident where they exchanged hats.

He never let his guard down when dealing with this kind of person.

However, if you want to figure out what the other party is up to, you can only patiently maneuver around them.

"Haha, Manager Li, our cooperation has always been smooth. Today, let's just chat about romance and not business."

"Even when life is busy, we still need to live it to the fullest, right?"

Yan Ming swirled his wine glass, his smile undiminished.

Li Wenguo raised his glass in response, clinked it lightly, and loudly echoed, "That's right! Isn't the money we earn meant for enjoying ourselves to the fullest?"

The two tilted their heads back and drank it all.

"Flavorful! Intense on the palate, with a lingering aftertaste—authentic!"

Li Wenguo praised him with a smile.

"Manager Li is indeed an expert. However, just having good wine feels like something's missing."

Pop, pop!

Yan Ming clapped his hands twice.