Traveling back to 1952, starting a comeback from a relief station

soon.

The onlookers also noticed something was wrong.

A military truck stopped at the entrance of the alley, and a dozen soldiers carrying rifles jumped off the truck.

Immediately afterwards, several people who looked like cadres, wearing thick military overcoats, got out of a jeep and walked quickly toward the courtyard.

Clearly, the military has taken over the area, and even ordinary police officers are not allowed to remain in the compound.

Wang Anping and Chen Xueru were also invited out. People from the public security bureau and the street work group came over to inquire about the ins and outs of the matter.

Chen Xueru composed herself.

He briefly recounted the events:

She had come to discuss the courtyard, and Wang Anping, her friend, had been invited to give her courage. She never expected him to suddenly attack and even hide a gun.

That makes things more interesting.

No one expected that an ordinary business negotiation would unexpectedly uncover a group of enemy agents hiding in the city.

Naturally, some neighbors had their own doubts:

How come Wang Anping is so skilled?

He could even spot a spy at a glance—that guy had been lying in wait for so long without giving himself away, he must be quite capable.

However, Wang Anping has already accumulated several buffs.

The martyr's family member, a member of the street working group, and someone who just helped the police arrest a habitual offender a few days ago.

These are all positive.

Even if it's strange, no one would easily suspect him.

After the police officers carefully registered the situation, a member of the Qianmen Street working group stepped forward and said:

"Comrade Chen Xueru, Comrade Wang Anping, you have made a great contribution this time."

"Although the other party's specific identity has not yet been verified, judging from the items found in the house, this is definitely a big fish. If we follow the clues, we might be able to uncover a group of accomplices."

"You two have nothing else to say."

"Once the case is cleared up, the city will definitely award you a banner and publicly commend you."

"However, this matter must be kept secret for now, and we must not tell anyone."

Chen Xueru's cheeks flushed slightly, partly because the scene just now had frightened her heart so much that it was still pounding, and partly because she hadn't expected to get involved in such a big thing.

After calming down.

She began to have doubts:

Although he had previously considered taking over the backyard, it was Wang Anping who brought it up first; when he went to the yard just now, the guy's behavior was also strange, as if he had been prepared and expected something bad to happen.

However, she naturally wouldn't tell anyone else this.

It just rots inside its belly.

After the questioning ended, Chen Xueru looked at the members of the working group and tentatively asked:

"Boss, I originally wanted to take over this backyard and connect it with the fabric shop in front of it."

"Now that this has happened, do I still have a chance to take it over?"

The member of the working group hesitated for a moment before answering:

"This person is an enemy agent; the house must be nationalized."

"Once the case is fully investigated, we can discuss whether to rent or sell the house. We just have to wait until this matter is completely resolved."

"Go back and wait for news."

……

At night.

Carrying a live chicken, a piece of pork belly, a fresh carp, and some vegetables and tofu, Wang Anping led Qin Huairu toward the place Old Man Zhou had mentioned.

When they arrived at the destination, Wang Anping was stunned.

Before them stood a large, three-courtyard house, which looked recently renovated and much more impressive and cleaner than the communal courtyard where they lived.

Moreover, it wasn't a large courtyard house; it looked like a detached house.

Old Zhou was already waiting at the door.

Upon seeing them, he greeted them with a smile and led them into the courtyard.

Passing through the hanging flower gate, we arrived directly at the central courtyard. Old Zhou lived in the main house, while the surrounding side rooms were all dark.

It was clear that he lived alone in the entire courtyard.

Wang Anping was starting to have doubts:

During the day, an enemy agent occupies a courtyard with about ten rooms. But now, this seemingly destitute old man, Zhou, actually owns this three-section courtyard house!

"Old Zhou, do you live in such a big courtyard all by yourself?"

Seeing Wang Anping's surprised expression, Old Zhou stroked his gray beard and smiled smugly:

"How is it?"

"This courtyard isn't bad, is it?"

Qin Huairu looked around curiously.

Although it was dark and I couldn't see the details, the yard was clean and tidy, and there was even a dedicated kitchen!

Wang Anping pursed his lips and muttered under his breath:

"Living alone in such a big place, aren't you afraid of ghosts at night?"

Old Zhou wasn't annoyed at all; on the contrary, he was quite happy.

"Go ahead and be sarcastic, kid."

"By the way, you must be Qin Huairu?"

"Here, since we're meeting for the first time, you're this kid's wife. Take this."

As he spoke, he pulled out a small cloth bag from somewhere and handed it over, making a jingling sound inside.

Qin Huairu panicked and looked helplessly at Wang Anping.

Wang Anping reached out and took it.

While opening it, he said:

"You're being too polite."

"I just brought my wife over for a casual meal, why bother bringing anything..."

When the cloth bag was opened, Wang Anping was also stunned—inside was a pair of emerald green bracelets, completely translucent.

He doesn't understand jewelry and can't tell the quality.

But considering that Old Man Zhou lives in such a big courtyard and takes it out so seriously, it must not be a fake.

Could it be real jade?

Wang Anping vaguely remembered it.

Even a jadeite pigeon egg-shaped cabochon of emerald green is extremely rare in later generations.

The value of these bracelets is immeasurable.

"This is too valuable."

At this point, even Wang Anping had no choice but to say so and hand the items back.

Old Zhou waved his hand and said:

"It's not about how valuable it is, it's just a pair of bracelets."

"It's a gift for your wife when you first meet her."

"When Empress Dowager Longyu issued the abdication edict, the entire city of Beijing was in chaos. I was young and impetuous at the time, and I took advantage of the chaos to sneak into the palace and steal some things. This bracelet is from that time."

"Alright, keep it for your wife to play with."

"There's no use for me keeping it."

Seeing the old man's sighing expression, Wang Anping thought for a moment, then rewrapped the cloth and handed it to Qin Huairu:

"Since the old man is so sincere in giving it to you, you should accept it."

Qin Huairu still didn't dare to accept.

He kept waving his hand, telling Wang Anping to keep it safe for now, then turned around, picked up the groceries, and went into the kitchen.

Old Zhou's kitchen had two coal stoves, which made cooking convenient.

Qin Huairu quickly killed the chicken, plucked its feathers, and stewed it in a casserole; she also cut the pork belly into chunks and stewed it as braised pork; then she killed the fish and placed it aside.

He then squatted down beside her, picking vegetables.

I'm going to stir-fry some greens.

Wang Anping then realized the advantages of having a detached house and courtyard – several dishes could be stewed or stir-fried at the same time, filling the entire courtyard with aroma, and he didn't have to worry about the neighbors gossiping.

Before they arrived, Old Zhou had prepared some cooked food, and Wang Anping was drinking with him in the main room.

Wang Anping shouted towards the kitchen:

"Huai Ru, the vegetables are stewing, come and have a bite!"

Qin Huairu poked her head out and waved her hand:

"You guys eat first, I need to keep an eye on the pot so it doesn't burn."

Old Zhou glanced at Wang Anping, a hint of surprise in his eyes.