Courtyard House: I, the eldest son of the Jia family, have returned from the battlefield.

Even if he's willing to pay later, it'll be a hot potato—we're not taking on this!

As dusk deepened, wisps of smoke drifted out from the cracks in the windows of the Jia family's house.

The faint sounds of children chasing and playing could be heard from behind the neighboring courtyard wall; Bang Geng and Xiao Dang should be back by now.

Jia Dongming looked at the old locust tree in the front yard; there was no one under it anymore.

A hint of surprise flashed across Jia Dongming's eyes: "Mom, given Yan Bugui's personality, if he were really willing to spend money to find a job for Yan Jiecheng, he would have already arranged it—why are you stopping me from helping him?"

Madam Jia Zhang's expression was solemn as she lowered her voice and said, "Dongming, this courtyard looks respectable, but there are hardly any kind people living inside."

If you open the door for the Yan family today, the Zhang and Li families will come knocking on your door one after another in a short time.

If I help, people will inevitably criticize me; if I don't help, they'll condemn me behind my back.

These words startled Jia Dongming.

He took a closer look at the old woman before him—the one who used to throw tantrums and wail, "Old Jia!" whenever something happened.

The mother-in-law and the woman with the sharp gaze at this moment are actually the same person.

Thinking back to Qin Huairu, who always kept her head down and looked meek, she suddenly realized something: in this courtyard, everyone was putting on a show.

He couldn't help but sigh, "Mom, you really understand people's hearts."

Madam Jia's lips curled up slightly, revealing a hint of smugness: "If you didn't have that kind of insight, after your father passed away, the three of us would have been devoured until there wasn't even a bone left."

"Actually, I've considered that too."

Jia Dongming went along with it and said, "That's why we specifically targeted Yan Bugui's weak points—if he wants a workstation, we'll exchange it for real money."

He wasn't the only one in the courtyard eagerly awaiting their chance.

Just then, the curtain in the main room was lifted, and Qin Huairu leaned out: "Mom, Big Brother, dinner is ready."

I went to the neighbor's yard to call Bang Geng and the others back.

Suddenly remembering something, Jia Dongming stood up and said to Jia Zhangshi, "I have an appointment to discuss business tonight, so I need to grab a bite before I leave."

"Since we have an appointment, let's eat quickly."

Madam Jia urged hurriedly.

Before the words were finished, a series of thumping footsteps crashed into the room.

Bang Geng rushed in, his forehead dripping with sweat: "Grandma! Uncle! We're back!"

Madam Jia immediately changed to a loving expression, reaching out to wipe the sweat from her grandson's forehead: "Oh my dear grandson, where have you been running around? Quickly, have your mother wash your face; hot food is waiting for you."

As dusk deepened, Jia Dongming pushed his cart out of the courtyard gate.

With various speculations about the person who invited him, he rode his bicycle and turned towards Qianmen Street.

Around 6:45, the sign of the tavern appeared in the twilight.

Just as he was about to park, two middle-aged men rushed into the shop and called out to the person behind the counter, "Manager Xu! Same old deal, two ounces each, plus a side of pickled vegetables!"

"Manager Xu"

Upon hearing those three words, Jia Dongming's heart skipped a beat.

A vague thought flashed through my mind like lightning—could it be that this world is not simply enveloped by the wind and rain of that courtyard house?

He lifted the curtain and entered.

The woman behind the counter looked up and her features seemed strangely familiar.

Jia Dongming took a deep breath; his previous bizarre conjecture suddenly carried a heavy weight.

Seeing that he was a stranger, the woman greeted him with a smile: "Comrade, is this your first time here? You look unfamiliar."

Jia Dongming composed himself and smiled, "The proprietress has a good eye."

If it weren't for a friend's invitation, I would never have known there was such a wonderful place hidden here.

"What a coincidence!"

The woman's eyes crinkled into a smile. "Our specialty here is Niulanshan Erguotou (a type of Chinese liquor). Would you like to try some, comrade?"

Jia Dongming glanced at the few customers in the shop and casually said, "Could you please order two ounces of wine, along with two refreshing side dishes?"

"Please find a seat first."

The woman deftly took the wine grapes. "The wine and food will be here shortly."

Jia Dongming chose a seat towards the back and casually glanced around.

The tavern was dimly lit, and the wooden tables and chairs gleamed with the patina of years of wear.

He had barely sat down when Xu Huizhen brought over a wooden tray and gently placed a pot of wine, a dish of peanuts, and a dish of pickled radishes on it. "Here you are."

Her voice was calm as she put Dongxi down and turned to attend to other things.

The liquor was warmed; it was a bit rough on the palate, but it was quite potent.

Jia Dongming poured himself a drink, and time slipped by little in the aroma of the wine.

The clock on the wall ticked away, but the person he was waiting for never came.

The slight annoyance at being stood up had just begun to surface when it was suppressed by something else—what was happening in the backyard of Xue Ru's silk shop at that moment?

The store gradually emptied out of customers.

Xu Huizhen wiped her hands and walked over with a smile: "The one you're waiting for, I'm afraid he's not coming, is he?"

Jia Dongming snapped out of his reverie, glanced at the clock and saw that it was already eight o'clock, and smiled: "Yes, maybe something happened that delayed us."

"Boss lady, please pay the bill."

"Six cents."

He took out his money, paid, and as he stood up, he said, "The wine was good; I'll come again next time."

"Take care."

Pushing open the door, the cool breeze of early autumn hit me.

The streetlights were dim, casting long shadows.

He paused at the door, then the thought resurfaced in his mind: Let's go take a look, right now.

Just as he was about to lift his foot, someone called out from behind, "Section Chief Jia—please wait."

He stopped and turned around, only to see a figure emerge from the shadows in the corner and gradually walk under the light.

He was a lean man, his face half-hidden and half-shadowed.

Jia Dongming squinted and recognized him; it was Zhang Yi, the security guard from the Second Brigade.

"Zhang Yi?"

Jia Dongming didn't move, his voice turning cold, "You were the one who arranged to meet me? If you did, why have you been hiding until now?"

Zhang Yi rubbed his hands together, looking somewhat tense: "Section Chief Jia, I'm sorry."

When I went out, I felt someone was following me, so I didn't dare come directly. I went around the supply and marketing cooperative and then went back.

"Is someone following?"

Jia Dongming took half a step forward, staring at him, "Explain yourself."

Zhang Yi's Adam's apple bobbed, as if he had made up his mind.

He raised his eyes, his gaze meeting his directly: "Section Chief Jia, I've come to see you today to discuss something—the death of your younger brother, Jia Dongxu."

That wasn't an accident.

The night breeze seemed to suddenly stop.

Jia Dongming heard his own voice, dry and hoarse: "What did you say?"

"Last year, during the period when there was a special order between the second and third trolleys, Corey sent our team to work the night shift."

Zhang Yi spoke faster, as if afraid of being interrupted, "The night before Dongxu's accident, it was my turn."

In the middle of the night, Captain Chen Jianfei came to check on the guard and handed me a cigarette, saying it was to keep me awake.

I didn't smoke at first, but when it was almost dawn I couldn't stay awake any longer and lit one.

As a result... when I woke up, I was already slumped over the guard post table.

That morning, not long after the workshop started operation, Dongxu had the accident.

He took a breath and continued, "When I got to the workshop, the machine tool that had the accident... wasn't the one Dongxu usually used."

Jia Dongming remained silent.

He just stood there, his back ramrod straight, like an iron stake driven into the ground.

The light from the streetlamp fell on his profile, casting a stiff shadow.

He took the blame for the trouble that the eighth-grade fitter in Workshop 2 had.

Furthermore, I also heard from Engineer Xue, who participated in the investigation, that the machine operated by Yi Zhonghai had been tampered with.

Upon learning that the accident was caused by sabotage, Director Lin immediately ordered his department to send people to investigate thoroughly.

That night, I was supposed to be on duty, but I made a mistake, and Chen Jianfei kept it from me that I had dozed off.

I was afraid of losing my job, so I silently accepted it.

Yesterday, Chen Jianfei called me into his office and asked me to secretly bring a piece of Dongxi into the special workshop while I was on duty last night, saying that this would help me get rid of you from the security department.

At first, I believed him and didn't think too much about it.

But today he called me over again, threatening me with the accident in Workshop 2 last year and forcing me to do what he said—at that moment, I suddenly remembered the tragedy last year, and the cigarette I smoked while on duty.

After hearing Zhang Yi's words, Jia Dongming felt a chill and immediately realized that Chen Jianfei was likely an enemy agent hiding in the steel rolling mill.

But considering Chen Jianfei's status, Jia Dongming asked Zhang Yi in a deep voice, "Do you dare to swear on your life that everything you just said is true?"

Zhang Yi met Jia Dongming's sharp gaze and said decisively, "Section Chief Jia, I swear."

If I have uttered even half a lie, I am willing to accept any punishment.

Jia Dongming originally thought his brother's death was just a routine work injury, but he never expected that it would involve enemy agents.

His expression was grave as he continued to press, "Zhang Yi, the special workshop rules stipulate that three people are required to be on duty at both the front and rear."

Even if you're on duty, there's absolutely no way you could enter the building alone.

"How exactly does Chen Jianfei plan for you to get Dongxi in there?"

When Jia Dongming asked about the details, Zhang Yi quickly explained, "Section Chief Jia, when Chen Jianfei came to me yesterday, I thought he was just jealous that you had taken his section chief position, so he came up with this method to deal with you."

But he said he would send someone to distract the other two team members—it was from then on that I began to doubt his identity and motives.

"After leaving his office, I kept thinking about why he specifically targeted me."

Later, I realized that Mingbai said: I am still single, and I don't like to interact with my colleagues. I always go alone.

This situation makes him exactly the kind of person the enemy agent has his eye on—the perfect scapegoat in his eyes.

"Chen Jianfei has been in the department for seven or eight years. I don't know if any other colleagues are involved with him, so I didn't dare to make a fuss. I just quietly found a kid near your home and asked him to invite you out."

I've been on guard all the way here to see you, afraid that he's already become suspicious of me.

Sure enough, Chen Jianfei became suspicious and even sent people to keep an eye on my house.

Luckily, I was careful and noticed someone following me halfway through the journey. So I pretended to buy some winter snacks and headed home, taking a huge detour before finally finding this place.

After listening quietly to Zhang Yi's account, Jia Dongming pondered for a moment and then instructed, "I understand."

Mingtian, just do as he says for now, don't alert him.

Leave the rest to me.

Zhang Yi immediately nodded: "I'll go."

I will report any new developments to you immediately.

Jia Dongming smiled slightly: "Okay, keep in touch."

You should go back and rest.

Watching Zhang Yi's figure disappear into the night, Jia Dongming walked to his bicycle, unlocked it, and rode off towards the courtyard house.

The wheels rolled over the deserted streets late at night.

A gentle evening breeze caressed his face. As Jia Dongming pedaled, he processed Zhang Yi's words in his mind, pondering, "Engineer Xue was transferred from the steel rolling mill after Dongxu's work-related death... Could that also be related to Dongxu's accident?"

"If that's the case, then there must be other accomplices of Chen Jianfei inside the steel rolling mill."

Otherwise, given Engineer Xue's important position, the factory would never have let him transfer so easily.

"Comrade! Which unit are you from? Why are you still out so late?"

Just as he was pondering this, several police officers on night patrol stopped the car.

A flashlight beam shone directly on Jia Dongming's face, and the leading police officer asked a serious question.

The bright light made Jia Dongming squint.

He raised his arm to shield his forehead and spoke to the several shadowy figures: "Police officers, I am Jia Dongming, the head of the security department of Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill."

Some things got delayed, that's why it's late.

The police officer who stopped him did not soften his expression upon hearing this, and his voice was cold and hard, as if handling a business: "Comrade, please show me your work ID."

Jia Dongming reached into the inside pocket of his shirt.

Just as he had pulled half of the small, dark brown notebook out of his hand, another voice broke in, accompanied by the faint sound of bicycle brakes: "Guodong, what's going on here?"

He was called "Guodong".

The police officer immediately turned around and spoke more respectfully: "Chief Wang, this comrade is traveling alone late at night, and we are conducting a routine check."

Jia Dongming paused.

That new voice… His heart skipped a beat. With a hint of uncertainty, he tentatively called out in the direction of the voice, “Wang Dapao?”

The bicycle clattered.

It was propped up by the roadside with a sound.

A figure quickly stepped forward, almost touching Jia Dongming's face.

Using the dim light of the streetlights in the distance and the afterglow of their flashlights, the two were able to see each other clearly.

The newcomer was taken aback at first, then his weathered face lit up with immense joy. He punched Jia Dongming on the shoulder, not too hard, and exclaimed, "Old Jia! It really is you, you son of a bitch! When did you get back? You didn't even send a message!"