Siheyuan: Hang Jia Dongxu, smash Banggeng to death!

Director Li was secretly pleased, but remained outwardly calm: "That's good. We're from Hongxing Police Station. We'd like to discuss with you whether you can exchange these two dogs for our station."

"Change?"

Xu Fugui repeated himself, his eyes filled with even greater wariness, "Officer, what do you want this dog for? If you're going to eat it, I won't... trade it."

He almost said "I won't sell," but changed his words to "I won't trade."

These days, private trading is considered speculation and profiteering, and people who engage in such activities are subject to ideological reform.

Saying "sell" in front of the police is just asking for trouble, isn't it?

Director Li noticed his concerns and explained, "Comrade, don't worry, we're not using this to eat; it's for the investigation."

He paused, then lowered his voice: "You've probably heard about the courtyard house at No. 95 Nanluoguxiang, haven't you?"

Xu Fugui's expression changed instantly.

Courtyard No. 95.

Of course he heard about it.

That's where he's lived for decades.

Although he had transferred his job as a projectionist at the steel mill to his son Xu Damao a few years ago, he had also found a new job through connections.

He moved out of the courtyard house with his wife and daughter, but it was still the place where he had lived most of his life.

This afternoon, he and his wife went to the police station to visit their son, Xu Da.

Xu Damao, as one of the last survivors of the courtyard house, was placed under protective detention there.

In the detention center, Xu Damao told him in horror that the people in his cell had "disappeared into thin air".

When the next news arrived, they found only cold corpses.

Xu Fugui was terrified when he heard this and wanted to save his son.

But what could he do?

This is something I've never heard of or seen before.

The only people who knew the ropes, those supposedly highly skilled individuals, were either killed or sent to labor camps during the political movements of the earlier years; they've long since disappeared.

He and his wife could only live in constant fear, worrying about both their son's safety and their own.

Who knows if that thing will come knocking on our door?

Now, the police have come to our door demanding the black dog, and they even mentioned the courtyard house at number 95...

Xu Fugui's mind raced.

The police station wasn't just sitting around waiting for someone to die; they must have hired a master to exorcise the evil spirits.

Otherwise, why would anyone not eat dog meat and only buy black dogs?

And they even emphasized that it had to be a "black dog"?

He knew that black dog blood could ward off evil spirits, according to folklore.

Thinking about it this way, Xu Fugui felt a little more at ease. At least the police station was trying to find a solution instead of just waiting around.

"Officer," Xu Fugui began, his tone much gentler, "you want Black Dog because of... that matter?"

Director Li nodded: "Yes, it's not convenient to go into details, but these two dogs are very important to us."

Xu Fugui hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Comrade, which police station are you from?"

"Hongxing Police Station".

"Hongxing Police Station..." Xu Fugui repeated, then suddenly remembered something, "Then... isn't your station chief surnamed Li?"

Director Li was taken aback: "That's me."

Xu Fugui's eyes lit up.

Looking Director Li up and down, he suddenly slapped his thigh: "Director Li, it's you! I've heard that you were the one who led the team that caught that serial thief last year. It was in the newspaper."

Director Li waved his hand somewhat awkwardly: "That's just part of my job, nothing to mention."

"Worth it! Absolutely worth it!"

Xu Fugui became excited. "Director Li, to tell you the truth, my son Xu Damao is currently in your station. He's the Xu Damao from courtyard number 95."

Now it was Director Li's turn to be stunned.

Xu Damao's father?

What a coincidence?

"Comrade Xu Damao is one of the people we are protecting."

Director Li said, "Don't worry, our station has arranged for people to guard it 24 hours a day, it's very safe."

"As long as you're safe, as long as you're safe..."

Xu Fugui nodded repeatedly, his eyes suddenly reddening. "Director Li, I only have this one son."

Our Xu family has had only one son for three generations. If it's Da Mao's turn... our Xu family line will end.

He paused, as if he had made a great decision: "Director Li, I don't want money for these two black dogs, I'll give them to you."

I only ask that you... take good care of my son. He's timid and easily frightened. Please take good care of him...

His words were sincere, even pleading.

Director Li felt a pang of sadness.

He could understand Xu Fugui's feelings.

He was terrified himself.

These past few days, he's witnessed far too many scenes like this: the pain of losing loved ones, the fear of the unknown, the desire to live...

"Comrade Xu, I appreciate your kind gesture."

Director Li said, "But there are regulations that prohibit taking even a needle or thread from the public. We have to replace this dog; we can't just take it for free."

He spoke with absolute certainty.

Deep down, didn't he also want to just take the dog away?

Time is of the essence; every minute of delay could mean another death.

But he was the director, the leader, and Xiao Wang and the others were watching over him.

If he sets this precedent, what if someone secretly reports him?

Looking at Director Li's resolute expression, Xu Fugui felt even more admiration for him.

This is what a good leader is: principled and doesn't take advantage of the people.

"Director Li, you really are..."

Xu Fugui gave a thumbs up, "Good leader! I, Xu Fugui, admire you!"

After thinking for a moment, he said, "Okay, Director Li, you can take the dog away first. As for what to replace it with... you can decide."

"If you really have nothing, a certificate will do. I, Xu Fugui, don't care about material things; I just want peace of mind, for my son to be safe."

That's a well-said statement.

This gave Director Li a way out while also expressing his sincerity.

Director Li pondered for a moment and nodded: "Okay. In that case, we'll take the dog away first, and send someone to deliver the things tomorrow."

We'll share some of our grain coupons and cloth coupons with you; you won't be shortchanged.

"Okay! Okay!"

Xu Fugui nodded repeatedly. "Director Li, please come with me. The dog is in the yard."

He turned and led the way, with Director Li and Xiao Wang following behind.

The yard wasn't big, but it was kept very clean.

There were some odds and ends piled up in the corner, and a tree in the middle with two dogs tied up under it.

It is indeed a black dog.

It was pure black, and its fur gleamed with an oily sheen in the dim light.

Although it's thin, it has a large frame and looks like a good dog.

At that moment, both dogs lay listlessly on the ground. When they heard the noise, they only lifted their eyelids to look at the dogs before lying back down.

"These two dogs have been with me for three years."

Xu Fugui walked over, squatted down, and patted the head of one of the dogs. "We brought them from the countryside. They're excellent at guarding the house."

These past two years...sigh, even people haven't had enough to eat, let alone dogs. They've suffered so much.

His tone was filled with reluctance.

However, a dog is never as important as a son.

Director Li saw this and felt uneasy.

These days, owning a dog is not easy.

After raising them for three years, you'll develop a strong bond with them.

"Comrade Xu, don't worry."

Director Li solemnly said, "I will definitely arrange for someone to protect your son properly and ensure that he is never in danger."

"That's great!"

Xu Fugui smiled.

"Director Li, you're such a good person. I feel at ease with Da Mao here."

He untied the dogs from their leashes, led the two dogs over, and handed them to Xiao Wang.

"Xiao Wang, hold my hand tight."

Director Li instructed, "Be careful not to hurt them."

"Yes!" Xiao Wang took the rope.

The two dogs seemed to sense something, and became restless, whimpering softly, refusing to leave.

Xu Fugui squatted down, hugged the heads of the two dogs, and whispered, "Heizi, Dahei, be good, come with the police."

His voice was soft and gentle.

The two dogs seemed to understand, quieted down, and rubbed their heads against Xu Fugui's hand.

……

P.S.: My readers, the data is terrible. Could you please recommend some books to help me out of this reading slump, since I'm only updating five times a day? I promise to post plenty every day. Thank you everyone! (˃ ⌑ ˂ഃ )