The Courtyard House: The story begins with He Yuzhu beating up the White Widow.

Song Zhaohong surveyed the courtyard and said, "Your courtyard isn't small, but you'll have a lot of guests on your wedding day. I doubt there'll be enough space here."

He Yuzhu said, "Third brother-in-law, this is a three-courtyard siheyuan (traditional courtyard house). When the Japanese attacked Beijing, the third courtyard was bombed and collapsed. Later, to make it easier for the people around to repair their houses, they removed all the broken bricks, tiles, and undamaged beams from the backyard. After liberation, the military control committee organized a cleanup. They cleared away all the remaining garbage from the backyard. When I bought the middle courtyard, I bought the land for the backyard as well. Our family has enough room now, so I haven't built the house yet. I'll apply to the neighborhood committee to build it when we have more children."

Song Zhaohong understood He Yuzhu's meaning and asked, "Buying these houses and land must have been expensive, right?!"

He Yuzhu replied, "It's not cheap. Without my uncle's pension, I really wouldn't have the money to buy it."

"What are you two talking about?!" Song Shinian came out of the house as soon as He Yuzhu finished speaking. He Yuzhu said, "My third brother-in-law and I were talking about the house. Uncle, come and live with us after you retire!"

Song Shinian said, "I'm still a long way from retirement! I'll talk about it when I'm really retired." Then he looked at Song Zhaohong and said, "You know the date of Zhuzi and Xiaoran's wedding, right?!" Seeing Song Zhaohong nod, Song Shinian continued, "Shouldn't you also settle your marriage with Lianqing?!"

Song Zhaohong replied, "I have no objection! I'll listen to Lianqing!"

He Yuzhu said, "Third brother-in-law, why don't you get your marriage certificate on the same day as Xiaoran and me? Then have the wedding banquet on the same day! That way, everyone can save time."

Song Zhaohong hesitated for a few seconds before replying, "I have no objection. I just don't know what Lianqing thinks!"

Song Ran said with a smile, "Third Brother, Sister Lianqing has also agreed to do it with us!"

Xu Wenya walked over to Song Shinian and said, "Old Song, let's not stay here any longer. Let's go back now and invite Old Kong and his wife over tonight. Let's settle things regarding the two children."

"Alright! Let's not delay, let's go now!" After saying that, Song Shinian looked at Song Zhaohong and said, "You two should come back soon too." After saying that, Song Shinian and Xu Wenya immediately ran to the corner of the wall, hurriedly pushed their bicycles and walked out of the courtyard.

He Yuzhu said, "Xiao Ran, you stay here with your third brother and sister-in-law. I'll go get some groceries, and I'll take you back when I get back." He Yuzhu was about to leave when Song Zhaohong stopped him. Song Zhaohong took out twenty yuan from his pocket and stuffed it into He Yuzhu's hand, saying, "Don't be stingy! I don't have enough cash, so I can only use money to make up the difference!"

He Yuzhu suddenly felt that Song Zhaohong wasn't so bad after all. He Yuzhu smiled and said, "You guys chat, I'm leaving first!" After saying that, He Yuzhu gave Song Ran a look that said he would be back soon, and left courtyard number 97.

About half an hour later, He Yuzhu returned. This time, he was carrying two cloth bags. Hearing the noise, Song Ran came out of the house and asked, "What did you buy?!"

He Yuzhu replied, "Meat, and some other miscellaneous things." Then he asked, "Why are you alone?! Where are your third brother and the others?!"

Song Ran replied, "They left a long time ago!"

"Okay! I'll take you back now. I'll also act as the chef while I'm at it." With that, He Yuzhu went to the vegetable garden in the backyard to pick some vegetables, then led Song Ran out of the main courtyard, locked the gate, and went to the neighboring courtyard at number 95 to say goodbye to He Daqing. He Yuzhu retrieved his bicycle and drove off with Song Ran. ...

Since He Yuzhu and Song Ran set their wedding date, He Yuzhu has been slacking off at work. He only occasionally goes hunting in the mountains near Beijing to provide some meat for his colleagues. On the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month, He Yuzhu reported to the office on time as usual.

After reporting in, He Yuzhu was about to return to his office when Ye Guoliang called him in. He Yuzhu was surprised to see Zhang Hu in the office and asked, "Uncle, what brings you here?!"

Zhang Hu said seriously, "Zhu Zi, I have an important task for you."

Hearing this, a sense of foreboding washed over him. He Yuzhu asked, "Uncle, is there no one else?! Do I really have to go?!"

Zhang Hu said, "There are people I can find, but none are as suitable as you."

He Yuzhu was taken aback, then asked, "Uncle, can I not go?!"

Zhang Hu shook his head and said, "This is an order!"

He Yuzhu sighed and said, "Speak! What's the task?! But let me be clear, I can't guarantee I can complete it!"

Zhang Hu picked up the file folder on the table and handed it to He Yuzhu. He Yuzhu took the folder, opened it, and found only a photograph inside. After looking at the photograph, He Yuzhu looked at Zhang Hu.

Zhang Hu explained, "The man in the photo is Lin Hongming, a shipbuilding expert. He arrived in the port city five days ago. Everything went smoothly at first. But an accident happened during border crossing. He was suddenly detained by the foreigners and is now being held at the Victoria Detention Center. That's where the foreigners detain special prisoners."

He Yuzhu asked, "You mean you want me to rescue him?!"

Zhang Hu answered decisively, "Yes!" He continued, "Now, not only do we need him, but even Baldy's side wants to bring him over. Although we've made negotiations with the foreigners, you know there are too many variables involved."

He Yuzhu said, "I'm just an ordinary policeman. I don't have the ability to bring him back. Doesn't Li Yunlong have a special forces team?! Why don't you send them?!"

Zhang Hu glared at He Yuzhu and said, "Do you think we don't want to?! They're all soldiers, heavily marked. They might arrive in Hong Kong and be reported the very next minute. Even getting out will be difficult, how are we supposed to complete the mission?! If you weren't wearing this police uniform, you'd look like a thug. Just because others can't do something doesn't mean you can't."

He Yuzhu said with a wry smile, "Uncle! You really are my good uncle!"

"Thank you for the compliment!" Zhang Hu replied with a smile, "I call it recommending the worthy regardless of personal relationships."

He Yuzhu sighed and said, "Fine! I guess I'm just unlucky!" Then he asked, "When do I set off?! How many people are on this mission?!"

Zhang Hu replied, "The train is tonight."

He Yuzhu began to calculate in his mind: "Today is the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month, and I will get the marriage certificate on the twenty-third. That's a total of fourteen days. Half of that time will be spent on the journey back and forth. That means I only have seven days left to bring her back."