Courtyard House: First, kill the hypocrites, leave none alive.

"Brother Dongxu, you can't leave now! Sister Qin hasn't been buried yet!"

Just as dawn was breaking, Sha Zhu was already blocking the entrance to the courtyard house. He had heard that Jia Dongxu was going back to his hometown to lay low, and he hadn't slept well all night, so he got up before dawn to wait.

Jia Dongxu, carrying a blue cloth bundle, looked hurried, clearly about to embark on a long journey. Stopped by Sha Zhu, a hint of impatience flashed across his face: "Zhu Zi, you don't understand. If I stay here and wait for Chen Feng, it'll be too late."

"But..." Sha Zhu glanced at the coffin in the yard, "Sister Qin's funeral isn't over yet. You're her husband, how can you leave?"

Jia Dongxu gritted his teeth, forcing a sorrowful expression: "Zhuzi, Huairu loved you the most when she was alive. Can you take my place and see her off on her final journey?"

Sha Zhu was stunned: "Brother Dongxu, how can I take your place? I'm an outsider, Sister Qin is your wife..."

"It's settled then!" Jia Dongxu patted Sha Zhu on the shoulder and handed him a cloth bag without further ado. "Here's fifty yuan. Use it to cover the funeral expenses. Keep the rest for yourself."

"Brother Dongxu, I..." Shazhu wanted to say something, but Jia Dongxu had already bypassed him and quickly walked out of the courtyard gate.

Sha Zhu stood there, clutching the bag of money, watching Jia Dongxu disappear at the end of the alley. He was filled with mixed emotions—Qin Huairu was dead, Jia Dongxu had run away, what kind of mess was this?

But on second thought, Jia Dongxu was right. Staying to wait for Chen Feng was indeed dangerous. Chen Feng had already killed three people (including the seriously injured Yi Zhonghai), and his next target would definitely be Jia Dongxu. Running might be the only way to survive.

"Never mind." Sha Zhu sighed, turned around and went back to the courtyard. "I'll see Sister Qin off on her final journey."

Unbeknownst to him, in the shadows outside the courtyard wall, a pair of eyes were fixed intently on the direction Jia Dongxu had left.

Chen Feng squatted there all night.

He huddled behind the coal pile opposite, covering his body with a tattered sack, only his eyes showing. The winter night wind cut like a knife against his face, and his hands and feet were already frozen stiff, but he remained motionless, like a stone statue.

He was waiting for Jia Dongxu.

Sure enough, Jia Dongxu came out just as dawn broke. He was carrying a bundle, walking hurriedly, looking flustered. Sha Zhu tried to stop him, but he gave a few perfunctory words and quickly left.

Chen Feng stood up and stretched his frozen legs. He didn't follow immediately, but waited until Jia Dongxu had walked several dozen meters before quietly following him.

His tracking was skillful—unhurried, maintaining distance, always staying in the shadows, and changing routes frequently. Jia Dongxu hurried along, looking back several times, but found no one following him.

The two walked one after the other through the alley in the early morning. There weren't many people on the street yet, only a few early risers buying breakfast, hurrying past with their necks hunched. Steam rose from the breakfast stalls, and the aroma of fried dough sticks wafted over, making Chen Feng's stomach rumble.

He hadn't eaten all day. After killing Director Wang yesterday, he hadn't dared to buy food on the black market, fearing he'd be targeted. Now he was hungry and cold, but he couldn't stop.

Jia Dongxu walked quickly, heading west of the city. Chen Feng calculated in his mind—there are two long-distance bus stations in the west of the city, one going to Fangshan and the other to Mentougou. Jia Dongxu's hometown is in Fangshan, so he should go to the Fangshan station.

Sure enough, Jia Dongxu turned onto Xizhimen Street and headed towards the long-distance bus station.

Chen Feng quickened his pace. He had to stop Jia Dongxu before he got on the bus. Once he was on the bus and in Fangshan, it would be difficult to find him again.

But just then, several patrolling militiamen appeared ahead. They were wearing military overcoats and red armbands, checking pedestrians' identification. This was unusual, clearly indicating that the death of Director Wang last night had heightened security throughout the city.

When Jia Dongxu saw the militiamen, he paused for a moment, then lowered his head and quickened his pace to try and go around them.

"Halt!" a militiaman shouted at him. "Comrade, please show your identification."

Jia Dongxu's expression changed slightly, but he still took out his work ID and handed it over. The militiaman checked it, then looked at his bag: "Where are you going so early?"

"I'm going back to my hometown; there's something going on at home," Jia Dongxu said.

"Where is your hometown?"

Fangshan.

The militiaman nodded and returned the identification to him: "Things haven't been peaceful in the city lately, be careful."

"Thank you, comrade." Jia Dongxu breathed a sigh of relief, took the documents, and quickly left.

Chen Feng watched this scene from behind the wall at the corner. The militia didn't check him, but if he continued forward, he would likely be stopped. He thought for a moment, then turned and slipped into a nearby alley.

He remembered that this alley led around to the back of the bus station. Although it was a bit far, it was safe.

Chen Feng walked briskly through the alley. He had become very familiar with the surrounding terrain these days, knowing exactly where to go, where to hide, and where the dead ends were.

Ten minutes later, he emerged from the other end of the alley and arrived outside the back wall of the bus station. This was an abandoned coal yard, piled with some dilapidated equipment, and rarely visited by anyone.

He climbed over the coal yard's fence, where he could see the bus station courtyard. Jia Dongxu had already arrived and was queuing at the ticket window. There weren't many people in line, only seven or eight, all catching the early bus.

Chen Feng jumped down from the wall, landing silently. He pulled a dagger from his pocket and gripped it tightly. The blade gleamed coldly in the morning light.

We must act before Jia Dongxu gets on the bus.

Chen Feng quietly approached the back door of the bus station. The door was locked, but there was a gap in the side; the wooden planks were rotten, but he could squeeze through. He squeezed in sideways and found himself in a storage room. It was piled with brooms, buckets, and some old tools.

Through the crack in the storage room door, one could see the waiting room. Jia Dongxu had already bought his ticket and was sitting on a bench waiting. He kept glancing towards the door, looking nervous, clutching his bundle tightly.

Chen Feng counted; there were nine people in the waiting room, including Jia Dongxu. Besides the ticket seller, there were two drivers smoking and chatting, and the other five passengers, men and women, were either dozing off or reading newspapers.

It's not a good time. There are too many people; it would be difficult to escape once a fight is started.

He needed to wait for Jia Dongxu to get on the bus, and then make his move after the bus had driven a short distance. Once the long-distance bus left the city, it would stop at certain designated stations. These stations were often relatively remote, with few people, making it easier to carry out his plan.

But the risks are also high—once he gets on the bus, he'll be exposed. If there are plainclothes police officers on the bus, or if Jia Dongxu recognizes him, it will be troublesome.

Chen Feng was weighing his options when he suddenly heard a car horn outside. The early morning bus was arriving at the station.

It was an old Jiefang brand bus, with the words "Sijiucheng-Fangshan" painted on its side. The driver stopped the bus, opened the door, and the ticket seller called out, "Those going to Fangshan, get on!"

The passengers stood up and walked towards the door with their luggage. Jia Dongxu also stood up and quickly walked towards the door.

Can't wait any longer.

Chen Feng pushed open the door to the storeroom and went out. He kept his head down, his hat pulled low, and his tattered cotton-padded coat wrapped tightly around him, making him look like an ordinary cart driver.

"Comrade, I need a ticket." He walked to the ticket window and said in a hoarse voice.

The ticket seller, a middle-aged woman, glanced at him and asked, "Where to?"

Fangshan.

"One dollar and twenty cents."

Chen Feng pulled a crumpled two-yuan note from his pocket and handed it over. This was money he'd stolen from Director Wang. The ticket seller gave him change and a ticket.

At the bus door, Jia Dongxu had already boarded. Chen Feng quickly walked over and got on the bus. There weren't many people on the bus; less than half of the twenty-odd seats were occupied. Jia Dongxu was sitting in the middle window seat, staring blankly out the window.

Chen Feng chose to sit in the last row by the aisle. From there, he could see the entire train and was close to the door, making it easy to escape if anything happened.

The driver started the car, and the engine roared. The car slowly pulled out of the bus station and onto the main street.

The streets gradually came alive in the early morning. Bicycle bells rang in unison, people hurried to work, and crowds gathered around the breakfast stalls along the roadside. Everything seemed so ordinary, as if nothing had happened.

But Chen Feng knew that blood would be spilled in this car today.

The bus left the city and entered a dirt road in the suburbs. The road conditions were poor, and the ride was extremely bumpy. Some passengers were sleeping, some were chatting, and no one noticed the silent young man in the last row.

Chen Feng stared at the back of Jia Dongxu's head, his hand still inside his robe, gripping the dagger. He was waiting, waiting for the right place.

The bus drove for about forty minutes before stopping at a station called "Wangjiazhuang". It was a very small village with a simple bus stop sign by the roadside and a few mud-brick houses next to it.

"We've arrived at Wangjiazhuang! Anyone getting off?" the ticket seller called out.

No one got off the bus. The bus continued driving forward.

Twenty minutes later, a grove of trees appeared ahead, and there was a dilapidated outhouse by the roadside. This was a "convenience stop" that long-distance buses often made.

The driver slowed down: "It's convenient up ahead, so hurry if you need to. The next stop is an hour away."

Several passengers stood up, preparing to get off the bus. Jia Dongxu also stood up; he probably needed to use the restroom.

The opportunity is here.

Chen Feng also stood up and followed Jia Dongxu out of the car. A total of five people got off: three men and two women. The restrooms were separated by gender; the two women went into the women's restroom, and the three men went into the men's restroom.

The men's restroom was very basic, consisting of two squat toilets separated by a section of earthen wall. Jia Dongxu went into the left one, while the other two men went into the right one.

Chen Feng was the last to go in. He didn't go into a stall, but stood at the door, pretending to wait for a seat. The other two men finished using the restroom, washed their hands, and left.

Now, only Jia Dongxu and Chen Feng remain in the men's restroom.

Chen Feng pulled a dagger from his pocket and walked to the door of the cubicle on the left. Jia Dongxu was squatting inside, his pants pulled down to his knees, completely unaware of the danger behind him.

Without hesitation, Chen Feng covered Jia Dongxu's mouth and pressed the dagger against his neck.

"Don't move." Chen Feng's voice was low, but every word was like an icicle. "Scream or die."

Jia Dongxu froze. He turned his head and saw Chen Feng's face. The face was covered in coal dust, but he recognized the eyes—cold, hateful, like two knives.

"Mmm...mmm..." Jia Dongxu tried to speak, but his mouth was covered tightly.

"I'll ask, you answer," Chen Feng said. "If you dare to lie, if you dare to speak loudly, you'll end up like Qin Huairu."

Jia Dongxu nodded vigorously.

"Did you start the fire that night?"

Jia Dongxu hesitated for a moment, then immediately pressed the dagger down, cutting his skin. He nodded quickly.

Why?

"For...for the house..." Jia Dongxu said with difficulty.

Where are my parents?

"They...they were inside...I didn't know they were there when I set the fire..."

"Didn't know?" Chen Feng sneered. "You went to set a fire with a kerosene can, and you didn't know there were people inside?"

Jia Dongxu fell silent.

Chen Feng's hand tightened again: "Where's my sister? Where's Xiaoyu?"

Jia Dongxu's eyes flickered.

"Speak!" Chen Feng roared, the dagger already embedded in his flesh.

"She...she ran away..." Jia Dongxu said, "I saw her climb over the wall and run away, I chased after her, but I couldn't catch her..."

"Didn't catch up?" Chen Feng stared into his eyes. "Then what's with that bloodstained floral cotton-padded jacket you're holding?"

Jia Dongxu's face turned deathly pale instantly. How did he know about the cotton-padded jacket? Did the police tell him?

"I...I don't know anything about cotton-padded jackets..." Jia Dongxu was still trying to deny it.

Without another word, Chen Feng tightened his grip, and the dagger sliced ​​open the skin on Jia Dongxu's neck. Blood immediately gushed out, staining his collar crimson.

"Ah—" Jia Dongxu cried out in pain, but his mouth was covered and the sound was muffled in his throat.

"One last time," Chen Feng's voice was as cold as ice, "Where is Xiaoyu?"

The fear of death finally overwhelmed Jia Dongxu. He trembled as he said, "She...she's dead...I chased after her and smashed her head with a brick...she fell into the moat..."

Chen Feng's hand trembled violently.

Xiaoyu died.

really dead.

They fell into the moat.

Although he was mentally prepared, Chen Feng still felt dizzy when Jia Dongxu actually said those words. His chest felt like it had been punched hard, and the pain made it hard to breathe.

Xiaoyu, the little girl who always followed behind him calling him "brother," the little girl whose eyes curved into crescent moons when she smiled, the little girl who said she would buy her brother new clothes when she grew up.

died.

He was killed by Jia Dongxu with bricks and thrown into the moat.

Chen Feng's eyes reddened. Not because he wanted to cry, but because his blood was rushing to his head and hatred was burning within him.

"You killed her." Chen Feng's voice trembled. "You killed Xiaoyu."

"I...I didn't mean to..." Jia Dongxu cried, "She ran away, and I was afraid she'd call the police, so...Chen Feng, please forgive me! I'll give you money! You can have my house!"

"Money? House?" Chen Feng laughed, a chilling laugh. "What would I do with those things? My parents are dead, my sister is dead, what would I do with them?"

He tightened his wrist again.

This time, it wasn't a threat. The dagger plunged deep into Jia Dongxu's neck, severing his carotid artery. Blood gushed out like a fountain, splattering all over Chen Feng.

Jia Dongxu's eyes were wide open, his hands futilely clutching his neck, but blood still seeped from between his fingers. He opened his mouth, trying to say something, but could only make "hoarse" sounds.

Chen Feng released his grip, watching him slip and fall to the ground. His body twitched a few times before finally going still. Blood spread across the ground, mixing with the soil and turning a dark red.

The toilet reeked of a strong, metallic stench of blood.

Chen Feng stood there, staring at Jia Dongxu's corpse for a long time. He felt no joy, no relief, only a cold emptiness.

Has revenge been taken? Not yet. There's still Sha Zhu, Xu Damao, Liu Guangtian, Yan Jiecheng… all those who participated in the framing that night.

But the most important enemies are already dead. The enemy who set fire to their parents' house, the enemy who killed their sister.

Chen Feng crouched down and searched Jia Dongxu's body. He pulled out a cloth bag from the pocket, opened it, and found a thick wad of cash, a work ID, and some tickets. He took the money and tickets, and threw the work ID on the corpse.

Then he went out of the toilet and washed his hands and face in the water tank by the door. The water was cold, but it washed away the blood.

Outside, the long-distance bus was still parked. The driver and ticket seller were smoking and chatting by the bus, while the passengers were dozing off. No one knew that someone had just died in the men's restroom.

Chen Feng walked to the bus and said to the ticket seller, "Comrade, I suddenly realized I forgot something and need to go back. Can I get a refund for my ticket?"

The ticket seller glanced at him: "No refund. If you want to go back, you'll have to figure it out yourself."

"Okay." Chen Feng nodded and turned to walk back the way he came.

He didn't look back. Behind him lay Jia Dongxu's corpse, a bloody scene, yet another milestone on his path of revenge.

But the journey is not yet over.

There are still many people waiting for him to settle scores with.

Not a single one will be left.