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

She chuckled softly, her voice low, yet as sharp as a knife scraping across a brick floor:

"Two years ago, there was also a deputy section chief in the General Office named Lin Guosheng, who, like you, wanted to pursue me. And what happened? He fabricated evidence and sent Li Guoxuan to the police station. In the end, it was found out that he had hired someone to secretly film him, forged surveillance footage, and bribed witnesses—it took a full seventeen days to get him released."

She paused, her gaze sweeping over several familiar faces around her—the old accountant was slowly adjusting his glasses, the archivist was organizing files with his head down, and the typist was still tapping on the keyboard, but no one looked up or made a sound.

"What happened today is exactly the same as two years ago. Who is Li Guoxuan? He was an outstanding employee in the entire bureau last year, and a key member who is slated for promotion this year. Even the canteen staff call him 'Teacher Li.' What is he after? To steal a few boxes of ink pads? To steal half a box of envelopes?"

As soon as he finished speaking, no one responded, but a tacit silence clearly rose in the air.

Several young clerks exchanged glances discreetly—it wasn't that they didn't believe it, it was that they had stopped believing it a long time ago.

Li Guoxuan is down-to-earth, hardworking, and never competes for anything; he even voluntarily gives up his year-end performance evaluation to older colleagues. On the contrary, in the past two years, any man who has gotten close to Cao Ying has either been transferred, gotten into trouble, or backed out on his own.

Some people thought to themselves: This girl is tough; getting involved with her is like getting burned.

"this……"

Young Master Han's face turned pale and then red, his Adam's apple bobbing up and down, but he couldn't utter a single word.

Cao Ying slung her bag over her shoulder, her gaze as cold as well water:

"What you did today will only annoy me more. Don't say it was impossible before—even if every man in the world died, I wouldn't give you a second glance."

He laid it out there, unhurried and calm, without fuss or argument, but it was louder than slamming a table.

The entire office was so quiet you could hear the ticking of the clock.

She turned and walked away, her leather shoes clicking on the terrazzo floor, tap, tap, tap, each sound like a blow to Han Gongzi's heart.

He stood frozen in place, his hand still half-raised, like a withered branch nailed to the door frame.

No one was looking at him, but he knew—those who were looking down, turning pages, refilling water, or stacking documents were all listening intently.

My face was burning, and my heart felt heavy and suffocated.

—The branch office.

Sun Xiaowang was interrogated again.

This time, the presiding judges were changed to Zheng Weihua and Li Guolei.

Zheng Weihua personally oversaw the interrogation room. The ashtray was piled high with cigarette butts, the lid of the thermos was off to the side, and he hadn't even taken a sip of the cold tea.

He did this not to establish his authority, but to send a message to Han Zhiyi: I'm keeping an eye on this matter, and I won't rest until I get to the bottom of it.

But Han Zhiyi sat in the deputy director's office, frowning as he stared at the newly delivered "Case Brief" on the table, becoming more and more confused the more he read it.

He had no idea what his cousin Han Zhili had done.

Han Zhili only made one phone call, saying, "There's someone in the way, can you help me put him in the way?" He casually gave him the names of two local police officers, without mentioning anything else.

It wasn't until he called in the police officer surnamed Zhang and drank a strong cup of tea for the third time that he finally understood the whole story.

His face darkened, and he tapped his fingers on the table repeatedly.

Others might not know, but how could he not know?

Duan Tianming is Zheng Weihua's brother-in-law and Li Guoxuan's brother-in-law—only four people in the bureau know about this relationship: Duan Tianming, Zheng Weihua, the political commissar, and Han Zhiyi.

Now his own men are targeting the bureau chief's brother-in-law...

He closed his eyes, his voice as low as sandpaper grinding iron:

"You've gotten yourself into big trouble. They have powerful connections; they might even take off your badges."

The police officer surnamed Zhang's legs went weak, and beads of sweat rolled down his forehead: "Chief Han! We really are doing this for Young Master Zhili! You have to lend us a hand!"

"Then let's see if Sun Xiaowang's mouth is tight enough." Zheng Weihua leaned back in his chair, his knuckles pressed against his temples. "If he reveals anything about you, I can't protect you either."

"He wouldn't dare!" the police officer surnamed Zhang hurriedly said. "His son is still studying in the countryside, and his wife works as a caregiver at the county hospital—he knows very well that if anyone dares to talk nonsense, his whole family will lose their jobs."

Han Zhiyi didn't reply, but just waved his hand: "Alright, you guys don't need to worry about this anymore, go out."

Since it was his own cousin who caused the trouble, he couldn't yell at him on the spot, nor could he truly abandon the situation. Fortunately, he didn't use force against Li Guoxuan, leaving no serious injuries, and the situation hadn't spiraled out of control.

—Of course, this is his own situation. As for Han Zhili?

He sighed, took out a cigarette, lit it, and muttered to himself amidst the swirling smoke:

"Zhili, Zhili... This time, I'm afraid he's really in deep trouble."

He had been secretly keeping an eye on Qian Shaoyong's case for a month. The Qian family had sent someone to his door, and he had barely given his consent when Duan Tianming called, saying, "The case is handled directly by the Criminal Investigation Division; no one is allowed to interfere."

As a result, Qian Shaoyong was sentenced to ten years in prison.

Now, his cousin has once again set his sights on Li Guoxuan, using the same old tactics—framing him, pressuring him, and expediting the process.

Can Duan Tianming tolerate this? Will Zheng Weihua let it go?

He stubbed out his cigarette and stopped thinking about making amends.

Rather than adding fuel to the fire, it's better to let things cool down first. Once Han Zhili is actually summoned for questioning, he can step in and say a few conciliatory words. Duan Tianming will likely give him a way out, considering that he didn't interfere or obstruct.

—He did not interfere with the interrogation.

So at this moment, Sun Xiaowang was sitting in the interrogation room, his hair disheveled, his eyes sunken, and faint marks from the handcuffs he wore during the initial interrogation still visible on his wrists.

Zheng Weihua didn't yell or slam the table. He just sat opposite him, drinking tea cup after cup, waiting for him to lose his temper.

Two days and two nights later, Sun Xiaowang finally couldn't hold on any longer. At 3:17 a.m., he said in a hoarse voice, "I did it... I set it up."

Zheng Weihua didn't even lift his eyelids: "Who told you to do it?"

Sun Xiaowang gritted his teeth: "I...I'm short of money."

"Need money?" Zheng Weihua pushed a sheet of A4 paper over, which contained a photocopy of Li Guoxuan's ID card, home address, and even the name of his child's kindergarten. "How do you, a bicycle repairman, know that his daughter attends the Third Kindergarten on Yucai Road? You even know the access code?"

Sun Xiaowang choked up and his shoulders slumped.

He didn't say anything more.

But that drooping head had already given the whole answer.

The matter reached a stalemate, with neither side willing to give in first.

Zheng Weihua knew exactly what was going on and wouldn't let up—as long as you didn't tell the truth, the case wouldn't be closed; the person wouldn't be released; the detention period was over? Then it would be changed to continued detention, and the case would be closed when you spoke.

The two lines behind Sun Xiaowang are connected: one to Officer Zhang, and the other to Officer Lin. Both are in cahoots with Young Master Han; they were ordered together to smear Li Guoxuan. Zheng Weihua is determined to bring down at least two uniformed officers; neither can be spared.

As for Young Master Han himself... whether or not he is caught is not the most urgent matter. Li Guoxian had already stated that he would handle the aftermath.

"Guoxuan, you're finally back!"

On the morning of the third day, Li Guoxuan pushed open the office door.

The day before, the police station officially withdrew all investigation conclusions, and the suspect was completely cleared; the next morning, he tidied himself up and clocked in for work as usual.

Cao Ying approached, a half-smile playing on her lips before she quietly suppressed it. Her eyes welled up with tears—a mixture of joy and embarrassment—once again, she had dragged him into trouble. The thought churned in her mind several times; she even considered: perhaps she should just settle the marriage now? That way, she wouldn't have to drag him down with her next time something went wrong.

Li Guoxuan nodded to her, said nothing more, and turned to walk towards the director's office.

Three days ago, Director Yao was summoned to the branch office, where Zheng Weihua personally explained to him that the case would be reinvestigated and the original notification would be null and void. Therefore, Director Yao only granted him three days of personal leave, which was not considered absenteeism, and he could return to work after the leave period ended.

"By the way, Guoxuan," Director Yao said with a smile, handing over a note, "Director Han specifically instructed that you go there immediately as soon as you return."

He knew perfectly well: this person had come to plead for his son, and he had to give them a way out. After all, Li Guoxuan wasn't an ordinary clerk—he had powerful backers, and influential ones at that. If his son had gotten into trouble and those powerful figures really took it seriously, the Construction Bureau would be in serious trouble.

……

That evening, as soon as Han Zhiyi stepped into his home, he told his uncle, Director Han, everything that had happened.

The Duan and Zheng families both grew up in the government compound, with deep roots; each alone was no less powerful than the Han family. But with the two families joining forces, plus the ever-powerful Li family—Director Han's face darkened immediately. He didn't even touch his dinner, instead summoning his son to his study for a severe scolding. The next morning, the Construction Bureau's personnel department posted a notice: Han's son was dismissed from his post for serious disciplinary violations, effective immediately.

This is not a private matter; it's something done for all three parties to see.

Now, it's time to appease Li Guoxuan. Hopefully, this matter will stop here and not escalate further.

Whether it will work out depends on whether Li Guoxuan will accept this opportunity.

He soon appeared at the door of the director's office.

"Guoxuan, please have a seat!"

Director Han stood up to greet him, personally brewing tea with the familiarity of someone entertaining an old friend.

A bureau chief at the level of a section chief serving tea to a clerk in his early twenties—you won't find another case like this in the entire system. Just that one cup of tea is enough for Li Guoxuan to brag about for decades to come.

"Guoxuan, my son is foolish. I'm really sorry for what happened this time. As his father, I apologize on his behalf. Please don't hold it against him."

He paused, then lowered his voice, his tone gentle yet weighty: "Next spring, your deputy section chief will retire. You're steady, hardworking, and know your limits; the organization will definitely give you more responsibilities."

These words sound light, but they carry a lot of weight.

Deputy section chief? A trivial rank, but Li Guoxuan is only twenty years old and has just completed two years of service. According to the rules, he doesn't even qualify to apply. Director Han's willingness to offer this is tantamount to using his own prestige to support him—his sincerity is genuine.

Li Guoxuan simply smiled, stood up to thank him, and then calmly declined.

He remembered his father's words: "Take things one step at a time, and eat one bite at a time. Don't even touch crooked paths."

Not to mention, last night, my older brother Li Guoxian sat under the lamp, half-burnt cigarette ash, without flicking it off, and only said one sentence: "You don't need to bow your head, I'll get back at you."

After Li Guoxuan left, Director Han looked at the closed door, slowly put down his teacup, and sighed.

He pondered: Should he send his son to stay in the county for a while? To change his environment and avoid the trouble?