Courtyard House: A Start with Black Gold Swallowing 100,000 Silver Dollars

He loosened his grip, his smile fading slightly, and his tone turned cold: "Oh? What happened? The talks broke down?"

"It didn't fall apart, the talks went quite smoothly." She shook her head, her fingers already unscrewing the wine bottle, the amber liquid gushing into a wine glass. "I invited you here not for a marriage alliance, but for myself."

Noticing his brow furrow slightly, she immediately poured a full glass, tilted her head back and took a small sip, then leaned closer, pressing her lips to his and transferring half a mouthful of wine to him.

He didn't dodge; instead, he flicked his tongue and teased her for a moment.

After all—this person is dazzlingly beautiful and irresistibly fragrant.

After half a bottle of red wine entered his stomach, the alcohol flowed through his body like a warm stream, his tense shoulders relaxed, and his eyes became a little moist.

Xu Wanqing then lowered her eyes, her voice as soft as a sigh: "The clan has arranged a marriage for me."

Fuck!

What you fear most is what happens!

Li Wenguo felt a tightness in his chest, as if someone had squeezed it.

"He's a dissolute playboy who already has three concubines. I heard he has a temper as explosive as thunder, and he's quick to resort to violence. His first two wives were beaten to death... If I marry him, I'm afraid I won't even last three months."

She looked up at him, her eyes reddening, her fingertips icy, and her hand gripping his sleeve trembling slightly: "Wen Guo, can... you help me?"

"Which family's young master?" he asked in a deep voice, suppressing his surging emotions.

"The Chen family."

"The Chen family of Jinling?"

—At present, the four major families of the Republic of China are Chiang, Chen, Soong and Kung. The Chen family is entrenched in Nanjing and wields great power.

"Mmm." She nodded, glancing at him quickly, her eyelashes fluttering slightly.

"Isn't your Xu family already getting in touch with the Song family? Why are you trying to get involved with the Chen family again?" He frowned.

"Wen Guo, you don't understand." She dipped her fingertip in wine and drew a circle on the edge of the table. "A family that has survived from the Qing Dynasty to this day wouldn't just bet on one family. Besides, the one I'm engaged to is the most useless member of the Chen family's collateral branch—arrogant, domineering, and despised by everyone. They don't even bother to record his name in the family genealogy. But it is precisely him who will be the 'underground agent' connecting the two families in the future."

Ah!

It's the Republic of China era, why are you still playing these games?

It's from a distinguished family and is old-fashioned!

The doubts that had been clouding Li Wenguo's mind dissipated.

In the past, which wealthy family didn't weave a complex web of connections? Even after the previous dynasty fell, these old trees with deep roots continued to grow and spread their branches according to the old rules, without the slightest incongruity.

"But that's the Chen family... How can I help them?" He spread his hands, his tone filled with helplessness.

"Normally, the clan elders make the decision on marriages. This time, they were the ones who arranged it, and it's just a verbal agreement so far. But my father is the clan head, and his word is law. He can make the final decision on my marriage." She paused, her breathing slightly rapid, "As long as you're willing to propose to the Xu family—given your current role as the Song family's liaison, my father... will most likely agree."

She finally revealed her trump card: he would come to her door to propose marriage, so that she could rightfully marry into the family, and everything else would fall into place naturally.

That's quite a clever plan.

Go propose marriage?

I couldn't ask for more!

I originally wanted to marry you!

Li Wenguo didn't hesitate at all when it came to marrying Xu Wanqing—but the matter came too smoothly and coincidentally, as if someone had paved the way in advance, just waiting for him to step into it.

Seeing him remain silent for a moment, Xu Wanqing mistakenly thought he was still thinking about Song Caidie. Her heart tightened, and with a flick of her finger, she grabbed his hand and pressed it directly onto the porcelain-like skin on the side of her neck.

"Wenguo, touch it. Is it smooth? Is it cool? Are you really willing to let it be ruined and abused?"

Her eyes trembled slightly, and her voice was as soft as mist.

Even if I'm destined to suffer, I'd rather fall into your hands.

His eyes were burning with passion, his love as intense as fire.

One act after another, she played the most vulnerable and delicate roles possible, all to stir up the protective instincts within him...

Whether the flames of protecting one's own have ignited or not is hard to say, but in Li Wenguo's eyes, a naked flame of plunder has already begun to burn.

"You'd better come to my door tonight to propose marriage tomorrow morning!"

He's the type of person who doesn't act until he sees a good deal. Even though there was a fragrant and tempting piece of tender meat in front of him, he wasn't swayed at all. Instead, he reached out to ask for a price first.

When Xu Wanqing saw that he wasn't following her plan, her heart sank—this whole thing was just bait to whet his appetite, and if the fish was swallowed before it even took the bait, she would immediately be at a disadvantage.

"Wenguo, let's wait three more days, okay?" She shook his arm, her voice so soft it could melt water.

Her two full breasts rubbed against his firm chest.

"Then shall I propose marriage the day after tomorrow?" He raised the corner of his lips, but the smile did not reach his eyes.

"No! The clan is finalizing the marriage agreement the day after tomorrow. If we delay any longer, it will be too late!" She hurriedly cut off the deadline, her tone tense.

"oh--"

A long, drawn-out sound rolled out from his throat.

Xu Wanqing's face stiffened slightly, and her heart skipped a beat.

This man probably saw through something long ago...

I was indeed getting anxious.

She sighed silently, her nails digging quietly into her palms.

"Okay, I'll come to your house to propose tomorrow night."

Li Wenguo suddenly spoke, his words crisp and decisive.

"Huh? Really?!" Her eyes lit up instantly, like a moth drawn to a flame.

Could it be... that I'm just overthinking it?

The thought had barely formed in her mind when her red lips impatiently pressed against his earlobe, cheekbone, and jawline.

"Yes, Wenguo, I've long ago etched you into my bones. I'll marry no one but you in this lifetime. If it weren't for Miss Song's sake, and the fear of hurting your relationship, why would I have endured until now? Now that she's gone, I... can't hide it any longer..."

She seized the opportunity to pour out her heart, every word dripping with sweetness.

Li Wenguo verbally agreed, but his hand kept pouring wine into his glass, the amber liquid rippling outwards.

When the party ended, Xu Wanqing's cheeks were already flushed and her steps were unsteady. He half-supported and half-carried her into the hotel.

He genuinely wanted to marry her, but he would never take on the title of marriage for nothing—how could he dare to marry such a meticulous woman without first experiencing her in person? Did he really think she was a docile cat, or a kite to be manipulated?

Li Wenguo has always been adept at dealing with this type of woman.

Sure enough, I woke up the next morning...

Sure enough, as soon as the first light of dawn broke the next day, Xu Wanqing opened her eyes and saw the person beside her. She then touched the bruises on her body and immediately put away all her sharpness, shrinking into a docile and obedient sparrow, listening to his every word.

Seeing that he still didn't mention proposing marriage, she couldn't sit still any longer, and her words were full of probing:

"There's no rush to propose marriage. We should at least talk to Director Song first, right? He's always treated you like family. If I get engaged without saying a word, how awkward will it be when we meet again?"

Li Wenguo had been waiting for her to look so anxious before he slowly spoke.

"Huh?" She was taken aback.

"But... what if he changes his mind and cancels the negotiations?"

They were at a critical juncture, and she dared not take any risks, otherwise she would really be forced into an arranged marriage.

"Of course, I'll talk to you after you've reached an agreement." He put one arm around her waist, while the other hand slipped inside her clothes, his fingertips caressing the smooth skin on the back of her neck.

"Then... propose marriage...?" Her voice softened slightly.

"Wanqing, you're so smart, surely you can find a way to stall for a few days?"

"They...they should be able to hold them off..."

So you're being led by the nose?

Sure enough, this man was more troublesome than she had imagined!

She knew perfectly well that Li Wenguo had seen through her scheme long ago—his readily agreed last night was just a long game; getting her drunk and taking advantage of her was the real plan; now he was turning the tables, using the marriage proposal as a rope to force her to submit.

Although she was outmaneuvered, she was not angry.

After all, this was the man she had personally chosen.

She'd rather be controlled by someone like that than submit to someone mediocre. At most, she might feel a slight resentment.

Hearing her agree, Li Wenguo immediately understood:

Ah!

Little fox!

You dare to play tricks on me?

Now you're completely deflated!

He secretly laughed heartily.

"Is everything settled now?"

"Don't worry, now that we're husband and wife, I will definitely marry you properly—you don't need to overthink it or cause any more trouble."

The words were loaded with barbs, a warning to her: stop trying to outsmart her, and don't even think about turning the tables.

"Yes, I understand. I've always trusted you and listened to you."

How could Xu Wanqing not understand the implied meaning? She immediately agreed in a soft voice, lowering her posture to an extremely low level, as obedient as a newly tamed sparrow.

She'd already given herself away, revealed all her cards. What could she possibly use to negotiate with Li Wenguo?

It's already a stroke of luck that we weren't retaliated against.

"Come on, let's go wash up."

"good!"

Li Wenguo scooped her up in his arms and strode into the bathroom.

It took a full hour before I finally pushed open the door and went out.

Before leaving, he asked the same question as before—the same one he had asked Mitsui Miri earlier.

"Ah! Of course I'll take it with me!"

Xu Wanqing bent down and rolled up the bed sheet with dark stains, her fingertips tightening slightly.

"By the way, where's your adjutant, Tong Jinyi? I haven't seen him."

He half-embraced and half-helped her into the back seat of the car, and noticed that the driver's seat had been taken by an unfamiliar face. He casually asked her a question.

"Oh, Lieutenant Tong received his assignment this morning and went to lead troops to suppress the Communists."

She answered lightly, as if she had only mentioned the weather.

Li Wenguo's heart sank suddenly.

Suppressing the Communists?!

Which part of the "community" is being cleared?

Could it be... Chenjia Village?!

The thought had barely formed when a cold sweat broke out on my back.

Yang Yuerong is still there!

If they really march to surround the village, they'll either die or be captured alive!

When Tong Jinyi's entire regiment pressed forward, dealing with Chen Jiang's understaffed battalion was like crushing ants.

He must immediately inform Yang Yuerong to evacuate!

"Drive slowly and be careful."

He didn't press further, fearing that the astute Xu Wanqing would sense something amiss. He simply lifted her chin gently and placed a kiss on her lips.

Xu Wanqing returned his kiss on the cheek, her eyes gentle and warm. "Take care of yourself too."

My body was taken, but my heart felt as if it had truly come close, so tender it could melt.

As soon as the car drove away, Li Wenguo urged Ding Xiaoqi to rush to He Shuting's residence at full speed—she needed to send an urgent telegram to Yang Yuerong.

He knew the contact code very well.

Fuck!

Hopefully it's not too late!

I should have held it in a little longer in the bathroom instead of lingering in the washroom for an hour!

Tong Jinyi was still guarding the mansion last night, but he disappeared this morning—he most likely rushed to the barracks to muster troops and prepare weapons before dawn, heading straight for Chenjia Village!

"Xiao Qi, faster!"

It was just past 10 a.m.

Li Wenguo quickly calculated in his mind: mobilize troops, prepare equipment, set off, march... it would take at most two hours to reach Chenjia Village.

Although Ding Xiaoqi didn't know what urgent matter had occurred, he had already floored the accelerator and honked the horn deafeningly.

Pedestrians on the street glanced at the vehicle and cursed, but no one dared to stop it—just by looking at the gleaming tin shell, one could tell that the person inside was someone not to be trifled with.

In less than ten minutes, the car had come to a smooth stop in the courtyard of the small villa.

As Li Wenguo stepped inside, he bumped into He Shuting holding a calligraphy brush and teaching her eldest son, Li Guohua, to write the character "人" (person).

Wen Keren squatted under the eaves, playing with her second daughter, Li Jingfen, as they fiddled with the dolls.

The youngest son, Li Guozhi, was just learning to walk and was running around the yard unsteadily. As soon as he saw his father come back, he clumsily called out, "Dad—Dad! Dad!" and stumbled over to him.

Li Wenguo picked him up high and turned to call He Shuting upstairs.

As soon as she stepped onto the stairs, she handed the child to the maid who came to greet her.