Courtyard Houses: From Families of Martyrs and Orphans to Giants of the Times

Night falls.

The neon lights in Shanghai gradually came on.

The banks of the Huangpu River are brightly lit.

It can be found outside of the hustle and bustle.

The area around Pier 3 was unusually quiet.

A river breeze blows.

The abandoned warehouse area emitted a whistling sound.

It exudes an indescribable eeriness.

At this time.

Inside a guesthouse room.

Lin Jian'an was looking at the map.

The desktop was covered with documents.

The most eye-catching of them all.

This is exactly the clue the system just provided.

Huangpu River Pier No. 3.

This is currently the closest line to the cobra.

How to seize the opportunity.

It could very well tear apart the core network of Far East trade.

However, Lin Jian'an did not act impulsively.

Because he knew it very well.

It's unbelievable that they've been able to operate for so many years.

It's definitely not that simple.

A slight mishap.

The trail will then be completely cut off.

Just then.

The door was pushed open.

Chen Haifeng and several security officers walked in.

The leader was a middle-aged man with a square face.

He is sturdy and robust.

Sharp eyes.

He looks like a veteran investigator.

"Comrade Lin."

Let me introduce myself.

"Head of the Operations Section, Shanghai Municipal Security Bureau."

"Guo Zhendong".

The two shook hands.

Guo Zhendong didn't waste any words.

Sit down directly.

"We've uncovered some things."

talking.

He took out a written record.

"Those four people were indeed peripheral members of the Far East trade network."

"My usual duties are to track and relay messages."

"However, we don't know much about it."

Lin Jian'an nodded.

This is normal.

The true core organization will not allow outsiders to access secrets.

But the next sentence.

But it invigorated everyone.

"One of them confessed."

"There have been a lot of people moving around at Pier 3 lately."

"And someone will make contact on the 15th of every month."

Swish!

The room fell silent instantly.

Today is the 14th.

In other words.

The operation will take place tomorrow night.

Guo Zhendong continued:

"We suspect that it is an important contact point."

"However, no evidence has been found."

Chen Haifeng looked at Lin Jian'an.

What do you think?

Lin Jian'an did not answer immediately.

Instead, open the system map.

The red light spot is still there.

The location is right near Pier 3.

After a while.

He spoke slowly.

"stare."

"But don't alert them."

"Let's see what kind of fish we can catch first."

Guo Zhendong's eyes lit up.

"Just what I thought."

If it's just about catching a few small fry.

It is not meaningful.

The real value lies in the people behind the scenes.

And this time...

They want to catch big fish.

......

at the same time.

The other side of the Huangpu River.

Inside an old Western-style building.

The cobra is sitting on the sofa drinking coffee.

The lights were dim.

This made him appear exceptionally cold and sinister.

Several of his men were standing nearby.

I didn't dare to breathe.

Because everyone knows it.

My boss has been in a bad mood lately.

Several operations failed in succession.

We lost a lot of manpower.

And all this.

They are all related to Lin Jian'an.

After a while.

The cobra slowly opened its mouth.

"What is he doing now?"

One of his men answered immediately.

"They are still investigating us."

"In addition, Gu Changfeng has officially joined Hongxing Machinery Factory."

Upon hearing this...

The cobra frowned slightly.

"Gu Changfeng went there too?"

"Yes."

"I just finished the formalities today."

The cobra fell silent.

A few seconds later, he suddenly laughed.

"interesting."

"Materials expert Shen Weidong."

"Gu Changfeng, a precision mechanic."

"Plus Lin Jian'an himself."

"This kid is building up an industrial team."

The people next to them exchanged glances.

No one spoke.

Because they sensed it too.

This young man is growing up too fast.

It was frighteningly fast.

But the next second.

A cold glint flashed in the cobra's eyes.

"pity."

"People who grow up too fast."

"They often die quickly."

Done.

He slowly stood up.

Walk to the window.

"Notify Pier 3."

"Proceed as planned."

"in addition."

"Prepare a third plan."

His subordinate's expression changed slightly.

"Boss."

"That's..."

The cobra waved its hand.

"Do as instructed."

"yes!"

As the order was issued.

The atmosphere in the room suddenly became oppressive.

Everyone knows.

The real operation is about to begin.

......

the next day.

morning.

Lin Jian'an did not rush to take action.

Instead, he took Gu Changfeng to the Shanghai Machinery Research Institute.

This trip.

It was mainly to broaden my horizons.

While we're at it, let's see if there are any talents we've overlooked.

Gu Changfeng sighed throughout the journey.

"I used to think I knew a lot."

"I only realized this after I got to know you."

"The outside world is much bigger than I imagined."

Lin Jian'an smiled.

You'll see more in the future.

Gu Changfeng shook his head and chuckled.

I've been spending too much time with Lin Jian'an.

There's always a feeling that times are changing rapidly.

While the two were visiting the research institute.

The system suddenly issued a notification.

[Discovering High-Level Talent]

Name: Xu Guohua

[Field: Automatic Control]

[Technical Level: 91]

Status: Frustrated and unfulfilled

Location: Third floor of the research institute

Lin Jian'an stopped abruptly.

Good guy.

You can find talented people just by going out for a stroll?

The system has completely turned on its talent scanner.

Thinking about this...

He couldn't help but look towards the third floor.

It seems that before the trip to Shanghai ends...

We need to recruit another person.

......

in the afternoon.

guest House.

Guo Zhendong brings the latest news.

"There's movement at Pier 3."

"Starting at noon."

"Six groups of suspicious individuals have already been identified."

"There are also two cars with out-of-town license plates."

Upon hearing this...

Everyone's spirits lifted.

Lin Jian'an opened the map.

really.

The number of red light spots has increased significantly.

And one of them was particularly dazzling.

A system prompt then appeared.

[Discover advanced goals]

[Suspected member of Cobra's direct subordinates]

[Hazard Level: A+]

[We recommend continued monitoring]

See here.

Lin Jian'an's lips slowly curled up.

It seems tonight's wait won't be in vain.

......

Nine o'clock in the evening.

The Huangpu River.

Dark as ink.

Occasionally, the sound of ship horns could be heard on the river.

Near Pier 3.

More than a dozen security personnel had already dispersed and lay in ambush.

storehouse.

Goods yard.

High platform.

There were hidden sentries everywhere.

Lin Jian'an and Guo Zhendong hid on the second floor of an abandoned warehouse.

Look outside through the window.

Time passed second by second.

ten o'clock.

Half past ten.

11 o'clock.

at last.

The sound of a car engine could be heard in the distance.

Several black cars slowly drove into the dock.

The car door opened.

A dozen or so people came down.

The man in the lead was a middle-aged man wearing a trench coat.

The moment I saw him.

The system suddenly started issuing alarms rapidly.

【warn! 】

[Core objective identified!]

[Identity confirmed!]

[Senior Executive Officer of Far East Trade]

Codename: Black Fox

[Privilege Level: Second only to Cobra]

boom!

Lin Jian'an was startled.

We finally caught a big fish!

Guo Zhendong, standing next to him, was equally excited.

"There was definitely something wrong!"

"Wait a little longer."

Lin Jian'an said in a low voice.

It's not time to close the net yet.

Because the real target hasn't appeared yet.

After Black Fox got out of the car.

They did not act immediately.

Instead, he looked at his watch.

It seems to be waiting for something.

A few minutes later.

Another car slowly drove up.

The moment I saw the license plate.

The system alerts went off instantly.

【warn! 】

[Special Target Found]

[Probability of encountering a cobra: 78%]

[Task progress increased]

Current completion rate: 61%

Lin Jian'an's heart skipped a beat.

coming!

The cobra is finally about to show itself!

The car door slowly opened.

A figure wearing a top hat stepped out of the car.

The distance is too far.

The face is not visible.

But that calm and unhurried demeanor.

Yet it left a deep impression.

Black Fox immediately went to meet him.

His attitude was extremely respectful.

Seeing this scene.

Guo Zhendong's breathing became rapid.

"Is it him?"

Lin Jian'an did not answer.

Because the system is analyzing rapidly.

A few seconds later.

The result came out.

However, the moment I saw the result...

Lin Jian'an's pupils suddenly contracted.

For the first time, a look of shock appeared on his face.

[Identity verification complete]

[Target: Cobra]

[Real identity matching in progress...]

Match successful

Name: Zhou Jianye

boom!

It was like a thunderclap.

Lin Jian'an was completely stunned.

Zhou Jianye?

How is that possible!

The missing Zhou Jianye?

The son of Zhou Tianming who was controlled by Far East Trade?

It was a cobra?

This moment.

Countless clues were frantically connecting in my mind.

Missing.

He took the initiative to show himself.

Leave a letter.

It disappeared again.

All the doubts were instantly explained.

Meanwhile.

Zhou Jianye on the dock seemed to have sensed something.

Suddenly he raised his head.

He glanced in the direction of Lin Jian'an.

A meaningful smile slowly appeared on his lips.

next second.

He gently raised his hand.

boom--

A warehouse in the distance suddenly exploded!

Flames shot skyward!

The entire Pier 3 instantly descended into chaos!

Meanwhile, system alarms went off incessantly.

【warn! 】

[Target detected and monitored]

[Project Falcon's final phase begins!]

[Host, please evacuate immediately!]

Looking at the raging flames.

Lin Jian'an's eyes turned completely cold.

he knows.

The final battle between himself and the Far East trade.

It finally started.