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

The guests around them rose one after another, their skirts swirling and their sleeves fluttering.

They were dancing ballroom dance.

The two stood facing each other, their hands clasped together. The woman's hand rested lightly on the man's shoulder, while his other arm steadily encircled her waist. They moved slowly to the music. Li Wenguo was used to attending all kinds of banquets and was skilled in dancing; Song Caidie came from a prestigious family and had been taught etiquette and manners since childhood, so she naturally danced with ease. But this was the first time she had been so close to a man other than an elder—their breaths could be heard, their clothes brushed against each other, and a subtle heat rose in her ears.

Li Wenguo, however, only hoped that the music would end and the party would be over so he could get away and go home. Dancing in each other's arms? Nothing felt as comforting as cuddling his own wife on the kang (a heated brick bed) and snoring away.

By the way, Mavis Hee just finished her postpartum confinement yesterday, so she can relax tonight.

As soon as the music stopped, Li Wenguo lowered his voice and urged hurriedly, "Quickly pretend you have a stomachache, let's get out of here!"

"So soon? The next song hasn't even started yet."

Song Caidie was dancing with great enthusiasm, her skirt swaying slightly, her heart pounding, and she had no intention of stopping.

"Are you coming or not?"

Li Wenguo's jaw tightened slightly, and his voice deepened.

"I'm not leaving!"

He glanced around, saw that the corner was dark and deserted, grabbed her wrist, and said, "Okay, come with me."

He dragged her into a secluded spot.

"What are you trying to say? I'm not leaving right now."

Song Caidie thought he was going to try to coax her again.

Unexpectedly, he suddenly pulled her into his arms and kissed her.

Her pupils contracted sharply, and her whole body stiffened—this person actually dared to attack her in broad daylight, right under the noses of all the guests in the hall?

At the ball!

If someone sees them, the rumors will probably spread throughout the capital by tomorrow!

Where will both families save face?

No!

He mentally told himself to stop, and his body instinctively tried to pull back, but the difference in strength was too great, and he couldn't move the weight even an inch.

She was stunned for a moment, and could only bite her lower lip tightly with her teeth.

Li Wenguo felt a surge of satisfaction and sneered inwardly: "Little brat, you've fallen into my hands this time! Let's see if you can still keep up that pampered young lady act later!"

"I can't... breathe!"

She finally couldn't hold on any longer, her jaw loosened slightly, and he took advantage of the situation to enter her.

He only let go when she pounded his back, her fingertips trembling.

"Exhale...inhale...exhale..."

She gasped for breath, her cheeks burning hot, and looked up to curse, "Shameless! Scoundrel! Despicable! Shameless!"

These were the same few sentences over and over again, hitting Li Wenguo like a tickle. He wanted to teach her a couple more hurtful things, but then he thought—never mind, if he scolded her too harshly, it would make him seem guilty.

"Hehe, did you enjoy your cursing?"

"Who told you to play tricks on me? Consider this a warning—if you keep messing with me, things will get really serious."

The more you test me, the more unrestrained I become.

Just as Song Caidie was about to retort, she saw him take half a step forward, his eyes burning, clearly waiting for her to speak so he could shut her up.

Her throat tightened, and she swallowed all her words.

"Are you coming or not?" he asked again.

"One more...one more jump."

She was stunned when she said it.

If anyone else had dared to be so abrupt, she would have slapped them and turned to leave.

But what surged in his chest at this moment was not anger, but a strange, slightly numb palpitation.

I was overprotected from a young age, with strict rules that made me watch my stride when I walked and report my choices of friends.

The seeds of rebellion had been sown long ago, but were usually suppressed. Tonight, under the lights of the dance floor and with this unexpected kiss, they quietly sprouted.

Breaking family rules and disregarding propriety once secretly brought a sweet feeling to my heart.

What? You're jumping again?

Li Wenguo raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised.

"I represent the Song family, so I can't just leave halfway through; that would be too impolite."

Seeing that his expression was off, she quickly added a sentence.

Whether it was a cover-up or the truth, even she probably couldn't tell.

"Okay, finish this dance and then leave immediately."

He nodded in agreement, and before he finished speaking, he reached out and encircled her, then leaned down and kissed her.

—Don't think that's the end of it after what just happened. Why aren't you leaving? Then you'll have to continue receiving your punishment!

Strangely, this time, her hand pressed against his chest wasn't as forceful.

He didn't think much of it, assuming the resistance was still there and that the number was sufficient. If she hadn't dodged at all, he would have wondered: Could this girl really have taken a liking to me?

He only let go when the second piece of music started. As usual, he received a crisp and sharp reprimand, every word barbed but without any real harm.

Keeping her promise, Song Caidie went straight to Chen Jianbin after the dance, said a brief goodbye, and then took Li Wenguo's arm and walked briskly out of the hall.

Stepping out of the ballroom, Li Wenguo took a deep breath, and his tense shoulders finally relaxed.

The outdoor wind was so clear and bright; even breathing felt as refreshing as drinking chilled plum soup.

But just now in the hall, I was surrounded by piercing gazes from all directions, making my neck numb and my bow tie feel so tight I could hardly breathe.

Once inside the car, Song Caidie immediately shrank to the farthest corner, her fingertips gripping the seams of the leather seats tightly, guarding against him as if he were a thief.

Oh--

Being afraid is the right thing to do!

Li Wenguo was secretly delighted, he loved seeing her both annoyed and timid.

Will you dare to light another fire in the future? And why doesn't it go out after you've lit it?

"Li Wenguo, this is my final warning: if you dare touch me again, I'll make you pay!"

She kept a straight face, but her ears were secretly turning red.

"Oh dear?" Li Wenguo raised an eyebrow. "If you hadn't pretended to have a stomachache first, would I have been able to turn the tables on you? To put it bluntly, you started the fire, you scattered the ashes, and now you're blaming the Kitchen God?"

These words really hit a nerve—a young lady from a prestigious family publicly complaining of stomach pain? If word got out, not only would the Song family lose face, but she herself probably wouldn't dare to look anyone in the eye for three days.

"Why don't you just refuse directly? I've already given you a way out!"

Li Wenguo scoffed.

"Steps? What kind of dance do you expect me to do? On stilts or somersaults?"

"Hey, you guessed right—if it weren't for Uncle Song's sake, I wouldn't even lift the curtain!" He leaned to the side, his face clearly saying "I can't be bothered with him."

"You...you really dislike being in the same frame as me that much?"

She lowered her voice, a hint of embarrassment flashing in her eyes.

After all, the men who pursued her stretched from the east side of the city to the west suburbs, and the tea served by matchmakers almost softened the threshold of the Song family's house.

"Wait a minute..." Li Wenguo suddenly narrowed his eyes. "Could it be that you've actually fallen for me?"

The air froze for half a second after those words were spoken—she was just like a girl in a TV drama who was neglected by the male lead, feeling wronged yet trying to hold on.

"Who, who cares if they like you?!" Song Caidie abruptly turned her face, her earring jingling violently. "Don't use the word 'fiancé' as a get-out-of-jail-free card! Stop patting yourself on the back!"

"real?"

Li Wenguo moved closer, staring intently at the slightly trembling light in her pupils.

"Nonsense! Look at yourself in the mirror, what kind of person are you!" She raised her chin, as arrogant as a peacock that had just pecked someone.

"Okay, I got it." He leaned back in his chair, his tone suddenly turning serious. "I'm already married, and my wife is waiting for me to come home for dinner. If you keep flirting with me, you'll be throwing dirty water on our heads—that pure and innocent relationship can't withstand your trampling."

"Hmph." She sneered, "You've already 'ravaged' her, you even kissed her on the lips, so what are you pretending to be a virtuous woman for?"

--oh?

Li Wenguo was taken aback, then realized: she was referring to the unexpected kiss by the dance floor.

"Tsk, it doesn't count until we've entered the bridal chamber." He shrugged. "At most, it's just a taste test, and we haven't paid yet."

"You! Shameless! Despicable!"

"If you dare to lay a hand on me again, I won't let you off!" Her voice was weak, clearly showing her bravado but inner cowardice.

Ok?

"Dare to do it again?"

not right...

Why is there a hint of "next time" in her words?

Are you sure you didn't mishear?

They've already fallen out, and she still wants to meet up?

Li Wenguo's eyes darkened, and he swiftly pulled open the curtain between the front and back seats—a partition that had been specially installed after his argument with Dong Haitang.

Unexpectedly, it came in handy today.

"W-What are you going to do?!"

"Don't come any closer! Stop right there—!"

The only sounds in the carriage were rapid breathing and the rustling of fabric.

Before long, the car came to a steady stop in front of the Song residence's iron gate.

Song Caidie, clutching her disheveled hair, staggered off the car, her skirt askew, her high heels nearly tripping her, and she fled faster than a startled sparrow.

Li Wenguo rolled down the car window, watched her hurried figure rush into the gate, and chuckled: "Let's see if you dare to light the fire again, and if you dare to come out with me again."

This time, he not only sealed her lips, but also "inspected" her waistline, chest line, and hip line one by one—not believing that she still had any courage left in her bones.

At the same moment, Wen San, Wu Xiaogou, and Xiao Jie were kicking open the door to the Japanese spy's hideout.

This time, they've set their sights on overt establishments that operate under the guise of Japanese expatriates.

Two days later.

Wu Xiaogou and Xiao Jie, looking travel-worn, burst into Li Wenguo's office.

"Master Li! We've caught a real catch!"

"Kato Yamagami, the head of the Japanese spy infiltration group in Beijing, is holed up in that courtyard house with the sign that reads 'Resident of Greater Japan'!"

That's right, there was a diplomatic plaque nailed to the gate of that courtyard. They were certain that the spies would never dare to touch it—with immunity in hand, who would dare to search?

As it turned out, they actually searched and even found a shortwave radio.

"Damn it! That piece of junk was a frame-up!!!"

With a radio station, even if pamphlets came knocking, Lixingshe could stand up to them with its own strength.

Domestically, apart from the official Party and state authorities, it is strictly forbidden for any individual to set up a private radio station—regardless of whether they are a local citizen or a foreigner. Once verified, they will be immediately labeled as "spies," and at that point, even the Emperor himself will be unable to cover it up.

Of course, some "spies" with powerful backers are an exception, such as foreigners. They can still get out by spending some money and using connections.

"Oh? Has that Kato guy confessed yet?"

Li Wenguo's eyes lit up, and he eagerly pressed for more information.

"No. He's insisting on seeing diplomats from his own country's embassy; he probably wants them to bail him out."

"He's holding a lot of secrets; otherwise, how could he dare to be so assertive?"

"This morning, diplomats from the Japanese embassy arrived early and are currently arguing with someone outside."

Xiao Jie answered decisively.

Wow! Even the embassy has been alerted?

This is no small shrimp, it's definitely a big fish!

Li Wenguo's heart sank, and he asked again:

"Have you used torture yet?"

"We had just pinned him down and were about to use our methods when he immediately revealed his identity and slammed his fist on the table, demanding to see a diplomat. Fifth Concubine immediately reported this, so we had to stop," Wu Xiaogou replied truthfully.

"Did Team Leader Chang and Section Chief Kang issue a formal order to stop this?"

After a moment's thought, Li Wenguo added a comment.

This person was in charge of the funds for defection; the ledgers, gold bars, secret warehouses... he had most of them all in his head.

Strike while the iron is hot and squeeze out some profits; it's worth it.

"I haven't heard of that. Fifth Concubine didn't mention it."

Wu Xiaogou scratched his head.

"Let's go to the Lixingshe (Resilience Society)!"

Li Wenguo made the decision and stood up.

If the higher-ups don't call a halt, then we need to hurry and pry Kato's mouth open—at least we need to find out where the money is hidden.

With diplomats visiting, Kato will most likely be released on bail or deported.

Every day you delay means less real benefit; every moment you're late means less meat to eat.

Before long, the group arrived at Lixingshe.

Li Wenguo went straight to Dong Haitang's office.

As soon as I pushed open the door, I was met with her barbed greeting:

"Yo~ You've arrived, stalking me again?"

She turned and walked into the changing room, pushing open the partition door with a "click":

"Look for yourself, I have several men huddled here."

A while ago, Li Wenguo made surprise inspections every few days, which made Dong Haitang very angry.

She came from a respectable family; she was neither a prostitute nor a socialite who frequented bars, and she disdained doing anything that would tarnish her family's reputation.

But this boss is something else. Every few days he comes over to inspect the goods like he's checking them out—isn't that just slapping her in the face and questioning her character?

So whenever he showed up, she never gave him a kind look.

"Tch! You're one of my family members, how could I not trust you?"

As Li Wenguo spoke, he actually leaned over and peeked into the changing room.

Dong Haitang rolled her eyes, inwardly scoffing:

What a hypocrite!

"By the way, I'm not here to check up on you today—oops! I always come to check on you to see if you're comfortable at work, so don't overthink it."

Men are easily embarrassed and would never admit to doing such a thing.

That's so beneath you.

"I just want to ask—did Team Leader Chang and Director Kang give any instructions not to use torture on Kato?"

Before he finished speaking, his arm was already on her shoulder.

"Did you...lock the door?"