Courtyard House: Erguotou (a type of Chinese liquor) Traded for an Aircraft Carrier, the Whole Count

The night was as dark as ink, and the cold wind howled through the empty corridors of the courtyard, making a mournful, sobbing sound.

Xu Damao, carrying the button-sized bugging device, slipped out of the backyard like a rat stealing oil. Jiang Chen stood by the window, watching Xu Damao's figure disappear into the night, his fingers lightly tapping on the cold windowpane.

"Although the recording is irrefutable evidence, it is ultimately hindsight and not exciting enough."

A mocking glint flashed in Jiang Chen's eyes. For a "bloodsucking white lotus" like Qin Huairu, if he didn't strip her of her shame completely in one go, making her unable to hold her head up in the entire hospital, the entire factory, and even the entire street, she would always find an excuse to rise from the ashes.

"System," Jiang Chen silently murmured to himself.

A pale blue, semi-transparent panel that only he could see instantly appeared before his eyes, with a stream of technologically advanced data flowing across it.

"Open the store and search for audio extension plugins."

A dazzling array of products unfolded instantly. Jiang Chen's gaze swept past the expensive spy satellites and laser eavesdropping devices, finally settling on an inconspicuous plug-in.

[Full-Band Broadcast Plugin (Hidden Version)]

[Price: 500 Emotion Points]

[Function Description: Can forcibly take over all public address systems within a one-kilometer radius of the host, transmitting sound from the designated area in real time without loss, and has a one-way shielding function (i.e., the recipient cannot hear their own voice being amplified).]

"This is it."

Jiang Chen chose to exchange without hesitation. Although 500 emotion points wasn't a small amount, it was definitely worth it to direct this big show tonight.

As a barely perceptible electric current flowed through his mind, Jiang Chen felt as if his hearing had extended outwards. His consciousness easily picked up on the large tin loudspeaker hanging in the central courtyard of the courtyard house, as well as the power lines connecting to the street office's broadcasting station.

With just a thought from him, this room would become the hottest live-streaming studio in all of Beijing.

Everything is ready, except for the east wind.

Jiang Chen closed the window and drew the curtains, leaving only a very thin gap. He turned and walked to the table, poured himself a cup of hot tea, and even had the leisure to pick up a copy of "How the Steel Was Tempered" and start reading.

Time passed by, second by second.

About twenty minutes later, some movement finally came from the yard.

The footsteps were a suppressed sound, soft cloth shoes crunching softly on the hard, frozen ground. The footsteps paused for a moment at the backyard gate, as if the person was having a fierce internal struggle, then the footsteps became firmer and headed straight for Jiang Chen's door.

"Tap, tap."

The knocking was so soft it was like a mosquito's buzz.

Jiang Chen put down his book, a playful smile curving his lips. Here they come.

He didn't open the door immediately, but deliberately left the other person waiting for half a minute. The person outside was clearly getting impatient; the knocking became slightly more urgent, accompanied by a very low call:

"Section Chief Jiang... is he asleep? It's Sister Qin..."

Her voice was soft and sweet, with a deliberately created vibrato, like willow catkins blown about by the wind, tickling the heart.

Jiang Chen then slowly stood up, walked to the door, and pulled it open.

A strong scent of floral water mixed with the steam from a recent shower wafted towards me.

Outside the door, Qin Huairu was wearing her old red floral cotton-padded jacket, her hair clearly meticulously combed, jet black and glossy. Although she was already a mother of three, it had to be admitted that Qin Huairu was indeed beautiful; her peach blossom eyes were watery in the dim moonlight, as if they could drip water at any moment.

Seeing the door open, Qin Huairu first looked around warily to make sure no one was around, and then, like a slippery snake, she slipped to the side and squeezed into the room with extreme speed.

"Click".

She slammed the door shut and even expertly bolted it.

This series of actions was so smooth and fluid, it was clear that this wasn't the first time he had done this kind of "knocking on the door in the middle of the night" stunt.

The room was warm and cozy, with a stove burning inside. As soon as Qin Huairu entered, her face flushed from the heat. Looking at Jiang Chen, tall and imposing with a cold expression, her heart pounded wildly. This wasn't just from nervousness, but also from the intense masculine hormones and aura of power emanating from the man before her.

"What is it?" Jiang Chen crossed his arms, leaned against the edge of the table, and looked down at her coldly, as if he were looking at a clumsy clown.

Qin Huairu bit her lip, her eyes reddening instantly, tears welling up like water from a tap that had been turned on.

"thump!"

She actually knelt down on the ground.

"Section Chief Jiang... Brother Jiang... please save my sister! I really can't go on living like this!"

While crying, Qin Huairu crawled two steps on her knees to Jiang Chen's side and grabbed his trouser leg tightly with both hands.

"Dongxu left us so early, leaving behind our large family of orphans and widows... My mother-in-law is in poor health, and Banggeng is still growing... We're already starving... Waaah..."

The crying was so pitiful and heart-wrenching. If it were that hotheaded Sha Zhu, he probably would have already emptied his pockets out of heartache.

Jiang Chen just watched coldly, his heart unmoved, and he even felt a little like laughing.

"Qin Huairu, this is the dormitory for security officers, not a charity hall." Jiang Chen's voice was icy cold. "If you have trouble, go to the organization. What's the use of crying to me?"

Qin Huairu stiffened; she hadn't expected Jiang Chen to be so heartless. She looked up, her tear-streaked face appearing exceptionally beautiful under the lamplight.

"Brother Jiang, I know you're a good person... I won't accept your help for nothing..."

Qin Huairu's voice became even softer, carrying a hint of suggestive innuendo. She slowly stood up, leaning against Jiang Chen as if she had no bones.

Those hands, though somewhat rough, were still fair and white. They slowly climbed up Jiang Chen's sleeve and finally stopped on his chest.

"If you're willing to help me out... tonight... I'll do anything you want..."

As she spoke, her hands trembled as she unbuttoned the top button of her red cotton-padded jacket.

Her snow-white neck was exposed, which was considered extremely revealing in this conservative era.

Qin Huairu looked at Jiang Chen, her eyes filled with a desperate determination and allure. She was confident in her charm; apart from the eunuch Xu Damao, no man in this courtyard could resist her.

Jiang Chen looked at her demeanor, and the coldness in his eyes intensified.

"Is this your bargaining chip?" Jiang Chen suddenly laughed, a somewhat eerie laugh.

Qin Huairu thought he was interested, and her heart leaped with joy. She pressed herself even closer, almost hanging on Jiang Chen, her breath sweet as orchids: "As long as you like it... I'm yours from now on..."

In that instant, Jiang Chen's consciousness suddenly connected with the system.

[Full-band broadcast plugin, activated.]

[Target source: Indoor sound source.]

[Output source: All loudspeakers in Hongxing Courtyard and surrounding streets.]

"Sizzle—"

In the quiet night sky above the courtyard, the large tin loudspeaker hanging from the old locust tree in the middle of the courtyard suddenly emitted an extremely faint but particularly jarring electrical sound in the dead of night.

The show is about to begin.