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

Not wanting to disturb Yan Bugui in the front yard, he pushed his bicycle around to the side wall, parked it against the wall, stepped on the pedals, used the momentum to climb over the wall, and called out in a low voice to the inner courtyard, "Huai Ru! Huai Ru!"

Because the old house is under renovation, Qin Huairu and Jia Zhangshi have temporarily moved to a side room in the other courtyard for the past few nights.

Perhaps because of the change of location, Qin Huairu didn't sleep well and tossed and turned in bed.

Just as she was drifting off to sleep, she vaguely heard a familiar voice calling from the other side of the courtyard wall. Startled awake, she reached for the bedside lamp, grabbed her coat, put it on, and, shuffling into her slippers, pushed open the door. She tentatively asked into the dark courtyard, "Is that Uncle? Are you calling me?"

Seeing that the lights were on and the door was open, Jia Dongming quickly replied, "Huairu, I just got back from get off work. The gate to the yard is locked."

"Find a flashlight and come to the front yard to open the door for me."

Qin Huairu heard a familiar voice coming from the top of the wall, and when she looked up, she saw Jia Dongming leaning over the wall and peering out.

She quickly replied, "Please wait a moment, I'll come and open the door as soon as I get some light."

After saying that, he turned and went into the main room.

Jia Dongming got off the bike and slowly strolled to the black lacquered gate of the courtyard house.

A short while later, the latch clicked and the door creaked.

With a sound, half of it was pulled open.

Qin Huairu stood inside the door, holding a dim flashlight, her eyes filled with doubt: "Weren't you supposed to be at a meeting at the bureau today? Why are you coming to the factory so late?"

He lifted the cart over the threshold, and only after Qin Huairu re-locked the door did he push the cart into the yard. "The meeting was over, and then I rushed back to the factory to handle an important matter."

In the night breeze, his voice was low, "Yang Weimin and his wife were taken away tonight."

"Ming'er's factory is probably going to be turned upside down."

"Director Yang?"

Qin Huairu paused, her flashlight beam flickering. "Really?"

"It can't be wrong."

Jia Dongming stopped under the old locust tree in the center of the courtyard. "The one in his house is a spy planted by the Japanese."

Yang Weimin has been implicated this time; he'll be severely punished, if not killed.

Qin Huairu gasped, the beam of her flashlight trembling slightly on the blue brick floor: "Could it be... related to those people arrested a few days ago?"

"It's more than just being involved."

Jia Dongming's voice sounded particularly deep in the night, "That woman is the leader of this group."

He paused, then turned to look at Qin Huairu's profile, outlined by the light and shadow. "This matter has caused such a stir that even the Ministry of Industry has been alerted."

"Ming'er, there will inevitably be some new faces coming to the factory to clean up the atmosphere. You need to be extra careful with your words and actions."

Qin Huairu nodded blankly, then suddenly remembered something: "You haven't had dinner yet, have you? There's still some noodles on the stove. Would you like a bowl of hot soup noodles?"

It would have been better if this hadn't been mentioned, but once it was, Jia Dongming suddenly felt an emptiness in his stomach. "Then I'll have to trouble you."

"Why make trouble for family?"

Qin Huairu smiled and turned to go to the kitchen.

Before long, a bowl of soup noodles with the aroma of scallion oil was placed on the square table in the main room.

Jia Dongming didn't care that it was hot; he took the chopsticks and buried his head in eating.

The steam from the noodle soup rose up, blurring the dim yellow light of the kerosene lamp on the table.

Qin Huairu watched quietly for a moment, then went back to the kitchen.

When she came out again, she was carrying a steaming wooden basin. "You've been busy all day, a foot soak will help you relax."

As she spoke, she squatted down and reached out to touch Jia Dongming's shoes and socks.

"useless!"

Jia Dongming hurriedly pulled his feet back, spilling the noodle soup in his bowl. "I can do it myself, you go and rest."

Qin Huairu had already grasped his ankle and deftly removed one of his work shoes. "The water temperature is just right, don't move."

She lowered her head, a wisp of hair falling down her temple.

When the soles of his feet touched the warm water, Jia Dongming stiffened and could only bury his head in his noodles to hide his unease.

When the bowl was empty, he put down his chopsticks and was about to speak when his gaze inadvertently swept over the figure squatting on the ground—the collar of his shirt was slightly open due to the movement, revealing a soft, white curve.

He turned his face away as if burned. "I've finished my noodles, I'll wash myself."

Qin Huairu was completely unaware of the exposure she had just caused. Seeing his insistence, she stopped forcing him, got up, cleared the dishes, and went to the kitchen.

The sound of rushing water filled the air. Jia Dongming stared at the swaying reflections in the wooden basin, inwardly cursing himself for being absurd.

But another voice rose in his heart: Although this body is Jia Dongxu's own brother, the soul inside is separated by countless years, and it seems that no one can be blamed for having some inappropriate thoughts.

"The dishes are all cleared away."

Qin Huairu came out of the kitchen, wiping her hands. "You should rest early after soaking your feet. I'll go back to my room first."

Jia Dongming snapped out of his chaotic thoughts and mumbled, "You should go to sleep early too."

Qin Huairu paused at the door, glanced back at him, and then lifted the cotton curtain to go out.

The sound of footsteps echoed through the courtyard and gradually faded into the distance.

Only a basin of water, gradually cooling down, and a dim, yellowish light flickering in the lampshade remained in the main room.

Jia Dongming wiped his feet clean, tidied up the wooden basin and cloth, and turned to go back into the house.

The lights were off, but a scene lingered in the darkness—when he bent down to pour water, his eyes inadvertently caught a glimpse of a fair ankle beneath the curtain, like a pebble thrown into a still lake, creating ripples in his heart.

Perhaps it was that golden kidney that was causing the problem; a feeling of heat quietly rose from my lower abdomen and climbed up my spine.

He thought of the house with the light on in the backyard, and almost stepped out.

But the moonlight outside the window had already slanted past its zenith, and the entire courtyard was filled with the sound of snoring.

He finally stopped and sat down on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), closing his eyes and silently reciting the calming mantra he had learned in his childhood, over and over again.

As the morning light streamed over the dusty walls of the steel rolling mill, Qin Huairu stepped into the logistics office, carrying a cloth bag.

Before Dongxi could be put down, several female workers surrounded him.

The woman leading the group was a middle-aged woman with a slightly yellowish complexion. She lowered her voice and asked, "Huai Ru, did your uncle take Director Yang and his wife away last night? Everyone's saying that Mrs. Yang was sent from over there. Is that true?"

A tall, thin female worker nearby chimed in, "I live in that building, and I saw it with my own eyes—Factory Director Yang was carried out on a stretcher; they said he fainted from fright!"

Qin Huairu took off her cloth bag and placed it on the table.

She had indeed heard Jia Dongming mention this matter a few times last night.

Seeing everyone staring at her expectantly, she smoothed her hair and said softly, "Sister Wang, Sister Liu, I don't know the specifics either."

I only heard from my uncle that Director Yang's wife... is the head of the small business.

Whether Factory Director Yang himself was implicated is unknown.

She paused, then added, "But my uncle mentioned in private that even if he is innocent, marrying someone like this would be incredibly difficult."

Sister Liu exclaimed, "Ouch!"

He slapped his thigh and exclaimed, "Zhang Huizi is always smiling and approachable, who would have thought..."

A young female worker in the corner suddenly interjected, "Huai Ru, your uncle has only been here a few days, and he's already uncovered so many undercover agents. He's really capable!"

Sister Wang chuckled and glanced sideways at the young female worker: "Chen Li, how do you know if she's capable or not? Did you secretly try her out?"

Chen Li wasn't annoyed. She tossed her braid and laughed, "I'd like to try, but unfortunately Section Chief Jia doesn't think much of my looks."

Sister Liu immediately seized the opportunity, feigning surprise: "Oh dear, so your Deng Jun hasn't fed you enough? You're eyeing someone else's food?"

Chen Li's eyes darted around, and she retorted sarcastically, "Sister Liu, weren't you complaining the other day that your Section Chief Guo just lies there like a corpse as soon as he gets home? Why don't you ask Section Chief Jia to help you out and quench your thirst?"

The group burst into laughter.

Sister Wang suddenly turned her head, her gaze falling on Qin Huairu's slightly lowered face. As if she had suddenly remembered something, she leaned closer and said, "Huairu, as the old saying goes, 'Don't let the good stuff go to outsiders.'"

Section Chief Jia is single now, and you're single too, so why don't you go with him? Don't we have the old custom of 'brother succeeding brother' in our family?"

Qin Huairu had been listening quietly with her lips pursed, but the topic suddenly turned to her, and her ears burned instantly.

These days, with her mother's subtle persuasion and Jia Dongming's support and arrangements after his return, that tall, silent figure has long been imprinted in her heart like ink seeping into paper.

Otherwise, she wouldn't have mustered the courage to bring that basin of foot-washing water last night.

But how could anyone suspect anything? She immediately lowered her eyes and pretended to scold, "Sister Wang! That's my husband's older brother... Besides, his girlfriend is already engaged. They'll get married once the house is ready. Please don't play matchmaker."

Sister Wang, however, caught a hint of evasion in her hurried tone, and her laughter deepened: "Oh, so you're saying you'd be happy if he didn't find a girlfriend?"

Qin Huairu's heart skipped a beat, and she secretly pinched her palm with her fingertips.

Sister Wang wore a half-smile, while the other person, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, blushed and hurriedly retorted, "Sister Wang! This is all baseless gossip, please don't listen to people's rumors."

At this time, Li Huaide was not living in the crowded dormitory building of the steel rolling mill, so he was completely unaware that Yang Weimin was imprisoned.

Just after seven o'clock in the morning, Li Huaide rode his bicycle into the factory gate.

A young clerk who had been waiting at the door spotted him and immediately ran up to him, his voice filled with anxiety: "Director Li! Something terrible has happened! Director Yang... was detained by the security department last night!"

Although Li Huaide had a vague premonition, he did not expect Jia Dongming to act so quickly, taking action in just one night.

The news hit him like a ton of ice, startling him instantly. He instinctively asked, "What? Yang Weimin was taken away by security? When did this happen? Why are you only reporting it now?"

The young man was flustered by his question and hurriedly explained, "Director Li, I only found out this morning when I arrived at the factory and heard everyone talking about it."

Moreover…and I've heard that Director Yang's wife has a rather unusual background; she's the head of an enemy intelligence organization over there, and she's been using the director's wife's name to secretly steal a lot of confidential materials from the factory.

"I'll go to the security office right now!"

Li Huaide had no intention of investigating further. He left those words behind, turned his motorcycle around, and sped off into the depths of the factory area.

Just as Zhang Guoping stepped out of his office and was about to head to the canteen to arrange for people to move the canned goods, he bumped into Li Huaide, who was rushing over. He quickly forced a warm smile and greeted him, "Director Li, good morning! What instructions do you have for our security department so early in the morning?"

Li Huaide had no time for pleasantries and went straight to the point: "Comrade Guoping, has your section chief arrived yet?"

Zhang Guoping immediately understood and became even more respectful: "Director Li, Section Chief Jia just arrived and should be in his office right now."

"Okay, you go ahead and do your thing."

Li Huaide nodded, and without stopping, walked straight to the section chief's office at the end of the corridor.

Without knocking, he pushed the door open and entered.

Jia Dongming was hunched over his desk preparing to write a report when he heard the voice. He looked up and saw Li Huaide, but his face did not show much surprise.

"Section Chief Jia,"

Li Huaide cut to the chase, "I heard you invited Yang Weimin and his wife 'guests' last night? Is that true?"

Jia Dongming put down his pen, leaned back, and said solemnly, "Director Li, after careful investigation, we have confirmed that Yang Weimin's wife, Zhang Huizi, is indeed the head of an enemy spy organization, and they are planning a highly dangerous operation."

When Jia Dongming came to inquire about Yang's wife yesterday, Li Huaide already had a vague feeling that something was wrong, but he never expected that this "wrong" thing would happen.

The situation is so profound.

He remained silent for a long time before slowly exhaling, his face a mixture of shock and dismay: "It's easy to draw the skin of a tiger, but hard to draw its bones... Who would have thought that the person I see every day would have such a face?"

This time, Yang Weimin is unlikely to escape unscathed.

Upon hearing this, Jia Dongming recalled the details of last night's operation, and his expression darkened further: "Director Li, it's more than just difficult to escape."

In my opinion, even if he manages to save his life, he'll most likely spend the rest of his life in prison.