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

"Hey! Don't rush to close the net—if you make a move, 'Black Sparrow' will definitely change course!" Li Wenguo hurriedly shouted to stop them.

"Do you think we're fools?"

He was stunned for a moment, then raised his hand to cover his face—oh my god, the clown was me!

"Wait!" He took two steps to catch up. "Go home early tonight."

"What is it now?" She stopped and turned around, frowning suspiciously.

"Tonight, I'm getting married!"

Dong Haitang: "..."

-

"Xiao Qi, Xiao Jie, Yu Tou, Fourth Madam's side needs help. Want to go?"

As soon as breakfast was over, Li Wenguo called the guards into the courtyard, intending to select a few to do espionage work.

These three have been following me the longest, so naturally they were the first to ask.

Liu Shouhou and Sun Gang are qualified, but they are reliable in protecting He Shuting, and Li Wenguo is reluctant to replace them.

Of course, if they really wanted to climb the social ladder, he would pave the way for them too—he remembered clearly the courage they showed when they risked their lives to stop the Japanese spies.

"Mr. Li, I'll go!"

"I'm going too!"

Xiao Jie and Yu Tou eagerly spoke, their eyes shining.

It's true that you're licking blood from a knife's edge, but the chance to turn things around is even hotter.

"Xiao Qi, what about you?" Li Wenguo nodded in response and turned to look at Ding Xiao Qi.

"No, Mr. Li... I'll stay by your side, pull the cart, run errands, and bring you water, hehe!" Ding Xiaoqi scratched the back of his head and smiled憨厚ly.

Everyone has their own ambitions, and Li Wenguo did not force him.

Besides, this kid is very good at using it.

"Where are the others?" He glanced around again.

Of the ten people, five raised their hands, willing to embark on the path of espionage.

Li Wenguo silently noted it down without saying anything more.

Time flew by and it was already afternoon. Twenty tough men, handpicked by Li Wenguo from the guard team, stood in the courtyard to report for duty.

Each of them had a family to support and was of good character; they were reliable candidates who had been carefully selected.

Hearing that they would be able to make a name for themselves with Li Wenguo in the future, everyone's eyes lit up and their backs straightened. They patted their chests on the spot to pledge their loyalty and vowed to protect the Li family to the death.

What warmed people's hearts even more was the substantial sum of money for settling down—generous, clear, and without any discounts.

As darkness fell, night descended.

This marriage was merely a temporary measure. Li Wenguo did not hold a grand banquet or invite guests from all over the city. He only invited a few experienced cooks from a restaurant to hold a lavish wedding feast in his own main hall.

The guards were not left out either; three large round tables were set up in the courtyard, and the aroma of wine and meat mingled with laughter, filling the air with their fragrance.

Li Wenguo never expected that Chang Binghui would come to the door with Dong Haitang, carrying a gilded gift box.

After a moment's thought, he realized that the other party was after "that plan".

Wen San also came, but he didn't go inside. Instead, he sat in the courtyard and squeezed into a table with his old comrades—after all, they were also former guards, and more than half of them had fought side by side with guns and drunk together.

Congratulations Mr. Li on your new marriage! May you soon have a son and enjoy lasting happiness!

Chang Binghui smiled broadly and presented the congratulatory gift with both hands.

"Oh, it's such an honor for our humble household, Team Leader Chang, to grace us with his presence!"

"Please sit down, please sit down!"

Li Wenguo's face was full of warmth, and his tone was full of respect for his superior.

"Hehe, no need. Today is a family dinner, so I won't interfere. But you've done me a real favor this time. Boss Kang personally mentioned you, and I'll be very grateful later."

With so many people talking, it's best to keep your words concise and to the point.

Li Wenguo understood immediately—his promotion was practically a done deal.

As soon as Chang Binghui left, he immediately turned to Dong Haitang: "So? How many can we squeeze in?"

"The original limit was five, but the intelligence that Master sent was too crucial, so the department specially approved ten slots."

"Alright, send six in first, and keep the remaining four for later when the opportunity arises."

Li Wenguo nodded in agreement.

After the party ended, he slowly strolled towards Xu Meijing's room.

Of course, it was just a formality.

Pushing open the door, I saw her dressed in a bright red wedding gown, wearing embroidered red shoes, and with a bright veil covering her head.

She has a slender and well-proportioned figure; her silhouette alone is captivating.

But the moment Li Wenguo's gaze fell upon it, his heart skipped a beat—

Where it should be drumming, it's as flat as a board.

Why isn't it plump and full?

Pity!

He sighed softly.

"Meijing, this marriage is fake, there's no need to be so serious. Just lift the red veil yourself."

Xu Meijing remained unmoved, her voice clear and cold as frost: "Wen Guo, how about we discuss a business deal?"

"Oh? What kind of deal?"

Li Wenguo perked up. Since he couldn't go see anyone else tonight, and it was a long night, he figured he might as well chat about something interesting.

"Help me kill Xu Jiancheng!"

She suddenly gritted her teeth, each word sharp and icy.

She could endure being kidnapped and having her property seized.

She couldn't swallow the insult her mother had suffered.

Her mother was her only remaining blood relative in the world, her last root and shore.

How can we allow ourselves to be trampled on?!

Her heart was in turmoil, filled with pain and, even more so, hatred.

I hate that beast Xu Jiancheng to the core!

I was so angry that I lay awake at night, wishing I could tear his heart out with my own hands!

But how could a defenseless, weak woman like her possibly touch that high and mighty young master of the Xu family?

Having witnessed Li Wenguo's actions firsthand yesterday, I dared to speak up only today.

Li Wenguo was slightly taken aback upon hearing this, but not surprised.

He was unaware of the hidden reasons for her mother's humiliation, and assumed it was revenge for the loss of her family business and her detention.

He strolled over to the table covered with red silk and sat down, a smile playing on his lips, and said with great interest, "Xu Jiancheng is the legitimate young master of the Xu family, with a noble status, so the price won't be low. Even if you put all your savings in, I might not make a profit."

"What if... I were included?"

"I will be your proper concubine, serve you in your daily life, accompany you to bed, and bear you children."

Her tone was calm and even, as if she were simply handing over an ordinary item.

I rely on!

Are they really going all out?

As for?

Weren't the person rescued? And weren't the family property taken back?

Why are they focusing on Xu Jiancheng?

This woman holds grudges to the core!

Li Wenguo was shocked, not expecting her obsession to run so deep—indeed, a woman's mind should not be underestimated.

The deal sounded tempting, but he couldn't muster any enthusiasm for it.

Killing Xu Jiancheng was easy for him, but he really didn't have that kind of feeling for Xu Meijing.

Influenced by Teacher C's obsession, he yearned to be a team coach—either to lead an invincible volleyball team or to train a well-rounded football team. In his eyes, if even the slightest flaw appeared in the team, the entire team would be like a flawed gem, no longer considered perfect.

To put it bluntly, it's almost a kind of obsessive-compulsive disorder ingrained in one's bones.

He chuckled twice. "Well... you know how deeply entrenched the Xu family is in the capital. Trying to take them down? Easier said than done. Even if we went all out, who would take responsibility if word got out?"

"My whole family, young and old, are counting on a peaceful life, don't you think?"

The intention to decline was made without any attempt to conceal it.

"Okay, I understand. I was too impatient and made unreasonable demands."

Xu Meijing's voice lowered, as if all her strength had been drained away.

She didn't blame Li Wenguo; she knew perfectly well that everything he said was true. As a member of a collateral branch of the Xu family, how could she not know how intricate and oppressive the Xu family's web was? If she truly dragged Li Wenguo's family into this quagmire, she would never have peace for the rest of her life. The thought arose, but she quickly extinguished it.

well! ! !

Must this grudge just rot in my stomach?

Xu Meijing felt a bitter taste rising in her heart, thick and astringent, which she could neither swallow nor spit out.

"Meijing, don't get stuck on this. You're free now, the world is your oyster. Do whatever you want from now on. If you meet someone you like, I'll sign the papers and let you go right away—don't feel burdened, there's still a long road ahead, and the future is bright."

Seeing her downcast expression, he quickly offered a few words of comfort.

After all, he felt secure receiving 80,000 silver dollars, so he had to do his job conscientiously.

"Do I... even have a tomorrow?"

She muttered to herself, her voice hoarse and dry, like withered leaves brushing against the ground.

Once she leaves the Li family, Xu Jiancheng will never let her go.

Besides, having been married once, what decent family would be willing to sincerely accept me?

An ordinary man might be attracted to her looks, but if the Xu family puts a little pressure on him, he probably won't even bother to stand up for himself and will simply offer her up with both hands.

Right now, where else can she go but stay with the Li family?

"Meijing, would you like to work at Meifu Trading Company? With me here, no one will dare to give you a hard time, and the work will be easy."

Seeing that she was lost in thought, Li Wenguo was afraid that she was getting into a dead end, so he simply found an excuse for her—keeping people busy will prevent their minds from feeling empty and adrift.

She didn't immediately refuse: "Let's take it slow for a while. I want to spend more time with my mother lately."

Her mother had just suffered a great calamity; she was physically weak and even more so emotionally. She had to stay by her side and pull her back from the darkness little by little.

Li Wenguo then chatted with them, offering snippets of conversation. Eventually, one of them lay on the bed, and the other in a rocking chair, both still fully clothed, and they fell asleep.

the other side.

Dr. Ke Zhuangxiong's home.

The woman in black, who had been unconscious for two whole days, finally opened her eyes.

She had changed into simple casual clothes. Although her face was pale and her eyes were tired due to excessive blood loss, her stunningly beautiful appearance still made people's eyes light up.

Her figure is flawless – slender and neat where it should be, full and upright where it should be, and plump and rounded where it should be.

It perfectly matches Li Wenguo's aesthetic standards.

"Here, take this anti-inflammatory pill, and the fever will completely subside."

Dr. Ke handed over a glass of warm water, and the pill lay quietly in his palm.

"Thank you, Dr. Ke."

Sai Honglian took it, her voice clear and bright.

She recognized the medicine—it was extremely precious, and even money couldn't guarantee you could buy it.

I never expected that this inconspicuous little clinic could be so well hidden; it must have some significant backing.

After she took the medicine, she asked, "Who was the one who saved me? When will he come?"

"It's hard to say. He rarely sets foot here. If it weren't for you, we probably wouldn't see each other for a whole year."

Dr. Ke answered truthfully.

"Could you tell me his name and where he lives? Don't worry, I genuinely want to repay your kindness."

She pressed for more details.

"No. He personally instructed that his name and address must not be revealed—he doesn't want to get involved in any trouble."

Dr. Ke shook his head, his tone resolute.

Ever since Li Wenguo became his patron, this matter has been strictly prohibited.

"I see."

Sai Honglian nodded, then stood up: "Dr. Ke, I have urgent business to attend to and cannot stay any longer."

"I am Sai Honglian from Wang'er Mountain. If this gentleman ever needs my help in the future, please don't hesitate to ask. As long as it's within my power, I will do my best."

Upon hearing the words "Wang'er Mountain," Dr. Ke was startled and blurted out:

"What???"

"You're Sai Honglian, the bandit leader from Wang'er Mountain, the 'Sai Xishi'?!"

"Director Niu, all those previous misunderstandings were just that—misunderstandings. Please forgive me, this drink is my apology—please forgive and forget everything that happened."

Inside a private room at Fuyuan Restaurant, Li Wenguo raised his glass, a broad smile on his face, and toasted Niu Dali.

The imposter who impersonated "Yang Zhengde" has finally been exposed today.