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

Xiao Hui is Cao Ming's brother-in-law. Cao Ming had already been eliminated by the clone, so Zhou Dahai took the opportunity to promote his brother-in-law's brother-in-law to the position of team leader.

The phrase "nepotism" is ingrained in the very bones of this day and age.

Even though Zhou Dahai had threatened to kill him, those old rules still firmly bound people's minds.

"Halt! Who are you? What are you doing barging in? Are you perhaps accomplices of the local gang?"

Before he could finish speaking, another group of people rushed in through the door—twelve in total, each with a brisk pace and sharp eyes.

Xiao Hui immediately demanded an explanation, and his agents all turned their guns around, their blades flashing coldly, exuding murderous intent.

The newcomers were Ding Xiaoqi, Agui, Haozi, and Binzai, along with two bodyguards, Dong Haitang—all members of the guard team, so familiar with each other that they could call each other by their maternal uncle's name.

"Whoever you are, my master is watching a movie in the living room. We're here to protect him."

Ding Xiaoqi's voice was loud and clear, each word hitting the ground with force.

"We are agents of the Lixingshe (Powerful Action Society), ordered to apprehend rebels! Those who know what's good for them should leave immediately, otherwise they will be considered obstructing official business and detained on the spot!"

Xiao Hui sneered, thinking to himself: A bunch of guards dare to challenge the Lixing Society?

What's even more astonishing is that Ding Xiaoqi actually stepped forward, pressing the muzzle of his gun directly against Xiao Hui's temple.

Xiao Hui reacted extremely quickly, and the gun was instantly pressed against Ding Xiaoqi's forehead.

"I will only retreat when I die."

He spoke each word slowly and deliberately, as if cleaving stone with a knife: "I won't leave until I see you, my lord."

There was no hesitation, no bargaining in his tone, only a ruthless determination to risk everything. Anyone could tell that these people were tough as nails and would never back down.

"You...you're disobeying orders! You're covering up for the rebels! If they escape, can you handle the consequences? You'll all be in jail!"

Xiao Hui's voice was already weak, and his confidence was gradually fading.

"Go to jail! Get out of the way, or I'll riddle you with bullets right now—you choose!"

No sooner had he finished speaking than another squad burst through the door, carrying rifles. The leader was a middle-aged officer with slightly gleaming epaulets. He glanced at the stalemate, pointed, and shouted, "The 3rd Division of the 5th Army is here to provide support! My young lady is inside! Clear the way!"

What? Even the regular army has been alerted?

Who are the people sitting in this movie theater today?

Xiao Hui broke out in a sweat, secretly thinking that he should have consulted the Chinese almanac before going out today.

"How about... how about we let the audience out first? Once they've all left, we can go in and search. What do you think?"

He finally softened his tone.

On the other side were bodyguards who would risk their lives to protect their master, and on this side were soldiers carrying guns and bearing insignia; neither of them were easy targets.

Instead of a head-on collision, it's better to remove the human wall first—we can't let hundreds of people block the entrance while we can only watch helplessly.

Meanwhile, the three local party members were enveloped in the crowd, hunched over and head bowed, silently sliding towards the exit.

Inside the screening room, the air was taut like a fully drawn bowstring.

Three impatient agents had broken free from the crowd. Their eyes swept across the empty seats and then fixed on Li Wenguo—he was holding a gun in one hand, standing sideways, protecting the three women behind him in the shadows.

The three immediately concluded that the local party members must have infiltrated the audience.

But the man in front of her was also holding a gun. Even if he was protecting the woman, it was hard to say that he wasn't an accomplice.

Better to arrest the wrong person than let one escape—once the thought crossed their mind, two men drew their guns and surrounded the suspect, while the other turned and ran to deliver the message.

"We are the action team of the Lixingshe Society, carrying out an emergency mission! Disarm immediately, or you will be considered an accomplice of the rebels and arrested on the spot!"

The leader shouted at Li Wenguo, his hand already on his holster.

"I'm not some kind of rebel—we're just here to watch a movie. Those three guys already slipped away into the crowd after the movie. Instead of chasing after the main characters, you're blocking us ordinary folks and acting tough?"

Do you really think I'm so easily fooled?

Once the gun is released, you can mold it however you want.

Li Wenguo sneered inwardly.

"Ordinary people carrying weapons?"

The agent immediately seized the opportunity, his eyes like hooks, fixed intently on his waist.

"You're no ordinary person, throw away your gun now!"

The other person also took a half step forward, his voice taut like a fully drawn bowstring.

"Who cares who I am? I have absolutely nothing to do with the rebels."

Li Wenguo remained adamant and refused to budge, the muzzle of the gun remaining completely still.

He wasn't sure if these two had truly seen through his identity or were deliberately bluffing him; but even if it was pure guesswork, he would never let his guard down—he knew the Lixing Society's methods better than anyone: once a gun left his hand, his life hung in the balance. For now, he could only stall, stall until Ding Xiaoqi and his men stormed in.

The three women behind him remained silent, leaving him to stand guard in front. Dong Haitang huddled behind her husband, using his broad frame to block most of their view. She was too conspicuous in the Lixing Society: the only female captain of the third squad of the second division, her belly protruding high, she always stood tall to roll call, making it hard for anyone not to remember her.

What you fear most is exactly what happens.

The more the agent looked at the pregnant woman, the more familiar she seemed. Although half her face was hidden by Li Wenguo's shoulder, the contours of her features were etched into his mind. He turned his head slightly, his gaze instantly fixing on Dong Haitang's face—

Oops!

It's Dong Haitang from the third squad of the second division!

His heart sank, and he immediately leaned close to his companion's ear and whispered a few words.

His companion glanced up and his expression suddenly tightened.

This is a big fish! If they manage to get rid of her without anyone noticing... the higher-ups might get promoted three ranks!

His eyes darted around, and he grinned at Li Wenguo: "Since you're innocent, we won't make things difficult for you—we'll just invite that 'friend' behind you over to ask him a few questions. Once he's here, you leave immediately."

They didn't know Li Wenguo at all, and seeing Song Caidie intimately holding his arm, they assumed Dong Haitang was one of his two female companions, and that Li Wenguo was just casually protecting her, which is why he made this move.

"No, she's family, she can't go with you."

The moment the other person's eyes flickered, Li Wenguo's mind went blank: he recognized them; they were here to silence him. He gritted his teeth, wishing he could knock these two off their feet on the spot.

But should he actually fire? He could use his spatial ability to swallow bullets flying towards him, but what about the three living people behind him? He didn't have that ability; one hit would take him down.

"Ha, protecting remnants of the local party? You, this 'family member,' are probably an accomplice too!"

The agent sneered, "If you don't hand over the person soon, once our reinforcements break down the door, things won't be as simple as a conversation."

"Okay, we'll talk about it when you all arrive."

Li Wenguo spoke in a flat tone, as if he were talking about the weather.

As soon as he said that, Song Caidie and Xu Wanqing quietly clenched their fists—this man was so tough that it made them feel at ease.

Dong Haitang simply pursed her lips, showing no sign of panic. She knew her man all too well: though he often had a sharp tongue, he had always protected her like an iron barrel, never letting her suffer even the slightest hardship.

Oh shit!

How did I end up with such a stubborn person who wouldn't listen to reason?

Aren't you afraid of being stuffed into the Lixingshe dungeon?

The two spies were so angry that their fingertips trembled. If Li Wenguo hadn't had the gun barrel firmly pressed against their foreheads, they would have pulled the trigger long ago.

A moment later, the theater lights came on, and the crowd dispersed.

"Master Li! Master Li, are you inside?"

Suddenly, Ding Xiaoqi's roar erupted outside the door.

Li Wenguo's taut shoulder line suddenly relaxed.

Once you arrive, the sky won't fall down.

Sure enough, before he finished speaking, Ding Xiaoqi had already burst through the theater door and rushed in.

"Little Seven, I'm here!"

Li Wenguo responded loudly, but his eyes remained fixed on the two ashen faces in front of him.

"Come on up! Mr. Li is on the screen platform!"

Ding Xiaoqi shouted as he stomped hard on the steps of the audience seating area.

Ah Gui and the others also rushed up in one go.

"Pah! You're tired of living, aren't you? Daring to point a gun at Master Li?"

Ding Xiaoqi and A Gui each pressed the muzzle of their guns against the backs of two spies, their voices booming so loudly that the entire corridor echoed with a buzzing sound.

"Who are you? You're from the Lixingshe, arresting rebels! If you know what's good for you, get lost, or you'll all be taken back to the department and thrown in jail!" The agent said, his neck stiff, his tie askew, his hand still gripping the holster tightly.

"Huh? Lixing Society? Who are you trying to scare!" Ding Xiaoqi spat, then swung the butt of his gun and smashed it into the top of his head. With a muffled "thud," the other man's ears rang and his vision blurred.

"You—you dare touch us? If the Chief finds out, he'll skin you alive!"

The agent clutched his forehead, blood seeping from between his fingers. Before he could finish speaking, Ding Xiaoqi delivered another vicious blow with his backhand, making another loud thud, this time kicking him to his knees.

The man opened his mouth, but dared not utter another word, his heart pounding: Are these people so tough? They even dared to slap someone from the Lixing Society, are they some kind of deity descended to earth?

"Miss Xu, you've been frightened!"

Manager Tong led a squad of armed soldiers into the hall, his back ramrod straight, his voice tinged with respect and deference.

Xiao Hui also squeezed in with several agents, his face ashen.

"Let's go."

Li Wenguo didn't give the two spies another glance—there were too many people around, and if he really wanted to take action, he would have dragged them into the back alley to feed the dogs long ago.

"Dong—"

"cough!"

Just as the guards who didn't recognize Dong Haitang were about to announce it loudly, Li Wenguo's short cough cut them off abruptly.

Xu Wanqing raised an eyebrow and smiled slightly: "Even their personal guards are so familiar with each other. These two must have been entangled for a long time."

Song Caidie, however, was completely unaware. Having just been rescued by a hero, she was still in a daze, nestled against Li Wenguo like a little bird, even her breathing became lighter.

Two spies approached Xiao Hui and added fuel to the fire, insisting that the person must not be released. Xiao Hui gritted his teeth and stamped his feet, but if he really tried to stop them, his men wouldn't even be able to withstand a single glance from Ding Xiaoqi, so he could only wave them off.

Outside the door, several secret agents were blocking the cinema exit and checking the audience. When they saw that the audience was not the target, they simply pushed them aside and let them pass.

Li Wenguo gave Ding Xiaoqi and A Gui a wink. The two immediately led their guards forward, shoving and bumping into each other, forcibly pushing the agents aside. Their actions were rough, but the message was clear: Get out of the way!

As soon as Li Wenguo stepped out of the threshold, the audience surged out in a rush. The three local party members disappeared into the crowd in the blink of an eye.

Xiao Hui was jumping up and down cursing behind him, his fists clenched so tightly they cracked – tonight's work had been for nothing.

After escorting Song Caidie home, Li Wenguo went straight into Dong Haitang's room and got straight to the point: "You and Xu Wanqing have known each other for a long time?"

"What, you're not allowed?" She glanced at Xiao Guoping as she changed his diaper.

"Yes, of course. I just didn't expect it."

"Ha, there are countless things you wouldn't expect."

"Stop being cheeky. If you try anything funny again, I'll really teach you a lesson."

Li Wenguo glanced at her sideways, his gaze deep and intense.

"Tell me everything you know about Xu Wanqing—her temper, her likes and dislikes, what she loves to eat, what she hates, don't leave anything out."

Dong Haitang was stunned: "Huh? You...you're really planning to pursue her? Weren't you with someone else today?"

"Stop talking nonsense and get to the point."

"Do you even know what her family does? Be careful, one day they might be walking out of the house lying on their backs, not even able to close their coffin lid properly!" She stared at her audacious husband, a cold smile creeping onto her lips.

"I know about the military. Just tell me, I understand."

Li Wenguo waved his hand, looking relaxed.

Dong Haitang sighed and then spilled everything out like beans from a bamboo tube.

"Have you heard enough? I'm leaving it at that; you can decide for yourself."

"How dare you talk about your own master like that?"

He frowned, displeased.

"By the way, let me add—Xu Wanqing isn't someone who's easily fooled. She's probably already figured out your little tricks today. Think about it yourself."

"Alright, I'm going to sleep."

She gently placed Xiao Guoping into the cradle, turned around, lifted the covers, and got into bed.

Li Wenguo chuckled, turned off the light, and then crawled into bed.

"What...what are you doing? I'm pregnant."

"Don't worry, I'm a sharpshooter, I won't hit your belly."

"If anything happens to the child, don't blame me!"

"Not bad, not bad—I know my limits!"

There's complete chaos outside tonight, so I can't go to Wen Keren's place. I'll just have to make do this time.