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

The following night, under a dark and windy sky.

As the entire city of Beijing fell asleep, a Jiefang brand truck with a special license plate, like a silent steel behemoth, quietly slid into the street where the Lou family lived.

Without headlights on, the driver relied entirely on his superhuman eyesight to navigate through the darkness. Jiang steadily applied the brakes, and the truck came to a precise stop in the shadows behind the Lou family's back door, even the engine's roar was minimized.

He jumped out of the car, his military boots landing on the asphalt with almost no sound.

The back door creaked open a crack, revealing Lou Bancheng's slightly haggard but trying-to-remain calm face.

"Section Chief Jiang... you've arrived." Lou Bancheng's voice was very low, with a slight tremor.

"Is everything ready?" Jiang Chen didn't waste any words, his gaze sweeping over Lou Bancheng's mother and Lou Xiao'e standing behind him.

The three of them were carrying only very simple suitcases, looking like they were just visiting relatives.

"I will follow your arrangements. I will give up all the material possessions I can." Lou Bancheng turned back and took a deep look at the small villa where he had lived for decades. His eyes were full of reluctance, but even more so, resolute determination. As a capitalist who had spent half his life navigating the business world, he understood all too well the principle of "preserving one's life."

Last night's "empty city ploy" may have fooled Xu Damao and temporarily deceived Deputy Factory Director Li, but it's not a long-term solution. If the winds change again, or if someone of a higher rank intervenes, their family will be at their mercy.

"Get in the car."

Jiang Chen waved his hand, his movements swift and decisive.

Just as the three climbed onto the back of the truck, which was completely covered by a canvas, Jiang Chen casually brushed his hand across the mountain of junk piled up at the back door.

The several large boxes that were originally piled up there—the "junk" that was specially left behind last night for the performance—vanished into thin air and were stored in the system space.

If you're going to put on an act, you have to go all the way. From the outside, this truck is there to transport "military supplies," and if the cargo bed is empty, it will only arouse suspicion.

A few minutes later, the truck started up again.

This time, it made no attempt to hide its power. Bright headlights tore through the night, and the engine roared with an unstoppable force as it thundered out of the city.

Along the way, we encountered two groups of patrol teams on night patrol.

"Stop! What are you doing?"

Several young people wearing red armbands waved flashlights and blocked the road.

Jiang Chen didn't even get out of the car. He simply rolled down the window and coldly handed over the "special pass" stamped with a bright red seal, while also showing off the outline of the holster at his waist.

"The security department is carrying out a top-secret mission. If you don't want to be summoned to the bureau for questioning, then get out of here."

That murderous aura emanating from his very bones, coupled with that cold and stern face that everyone in the area knew, instantly silenced the few patrol members. They hurriedly moved the roadblocks and even had to salute respectfully.

"Take care, Section Chief Jiang!"

Inside the truck, the Lou family of three listened to the commotion outside, their hearts pounding in their chests. Only when the truck accelerated again, leaving the checkpoints far behind, did they slump onto the truck bed, panting heavily.

This is the power of authority. In these chaotic times, it is a shield stronger than gold.

The truck headed north, gradually leaving the bustling city center. The surrounding lights became increasingly sparse, until finally only the poplar trees rushing past on both sides of the road and the endless wilderness remained.

After driving for about an hour, the car turned onto an abandoned dirt road and finally stopped in front of an old warehouse hidden in a mountain valley.

This place was originally an abandoned farm, deserted for miles around, with weeds growing taller than a person. Under the moonlight, the mottled red brick warehouse looked particularly desolate, like a forgotten island.

"We've arrived, get off the bus."

Jiang Chen jumped out of the car and pulled open the canvas cover in the back of the vehicle.

Looking at the gloomy surroundings, Lou's mother couldn't help but shudder, gripping Lou Bancheng's arm tightly: "Old man, this... this is how we're supposed to live? Is this even habitable?"

Lou Bancheng didn't speak, but the worry in his eyes was unmistakable. This place didn't look much better than a refugee camp.

Jiang Chen didn't explain. He simply walked to the warehouse door, took out a key, unlocked the rusty padlock, and then pushed open the heavy iron door.

"Snapped!"

As he pressed the switch by the door, the warehouse was instantly illuminated as if it were daytime.

The Lou family of three subconsciously squinted their eyes, and when they saw the scene inside, they were all so shocked that their mouths dropped open, and they could hardly believe their eyes.

This isn't some abandoned warehouse; it's practically a luxury suite hidden in the wilderness!

The dilapidated walls were covered with thick insulation, and a thick carpet was laid on the cement floor. A corner of the warehouse was partitioned into two temporary bedrooms, furnished with incredibly soft Simmons mattresses and brand-new down comforters.

On the other side is the living area, where two high-powered fuel heaters are placed, emitting a warm glow and completely keeping out the chill of the late autumn night.

What impressed Lou Bancheng even more was the row of shelves against the wall.

The top was neatly stacked with boxes of luncheon meat cans, compressed biscuits, rice, flour, and even several boxes of "self-heating hot pots," which were extremely rare in this era, and beautifully packaged instant coffee.

In the corner, a brand-new diesel generator was running quietly, providing a steady supply of electricity.

"This..." Lou Bancheng's hands trembled as he touched the heater, feeling its real temperature, and his eyes instantly reddened.

He had thought Jiang Chen would arrange a place to stay, but he assumed it would be at most a cellar to shelter them from the wind and rain. He never imagined that in a time of extreme scarcity and widespread fear, Jiang Chen would actually prepare such a "Shangri-La" for them.

This is not just a matter of supplies; it involves extraordinary means and a life-or-death bond!

"It's very remote here, nobody comes here usually, it's absolutely safe." Jiang Chen casually picked up a self-heating hot pot and tossed it to Lou Bancheng, his tone as indifferent as if he were introducing the company's employee dormitory. "The generator fuel is enough for half a month, and the food is enough for three months. You'll have to make do here for a while. Once things calm down outside, I'll arrange for you to head south."

"I'm not wronged! Not at all!" Lou's mother wiped away tears with emotion. "This is so much better than home... so much better than our current home! Section Chief Jiang, you are our family's savior!"

Lou Bancheng took a deep breath, turned around, and bowed deeply to Jiang Chen.

"Jiang Chen, I can't thank you enough. I, Lou, have met countless people in my life, but only today have I realized what it means for a young hero to emerge. From now on, my life is yours."

Jiang Chen stepped aside to avoid the bow, his expression remaining calm: "It's just a matter of mutual benefit. Your survival is useful to me."

His words were blunt and cold, but to the Lou family at that moment, they were the most reassuring promise.

After settling the two elderly people in, Jiang Chen turned and walked out of the warehouse.

The night wind outside was still biting, dispelling the slight warmth inside the warehouse. He leaned against the truck cab, took out a cigarette from his pocket, lit it, and the flickering light reflected in his unfathomable eyes.

I heard soft footsteps behind me.

Lou Xiao'e came out wrapped in a thick military overcoat. The moonlight shone on her fair and beautiful face, which was free of makeup, and she looked somewhat pale, yet with a breathtaking sense of brokenness.

She walked to Jiang Chen's side, but didn't say anything. She just quietly looked at the wilderness in the distance.

At this moment, it seemed as if only the two of them remained in the world.

An unusual and dangerous atmosphere quietly grew in the cold wind.