Siheyuan: Starting with one acre and three fen of land

The winter chill grows deeper and the winds become biting.

"Squeak..."

As the door hinges turned, the hanging door curtain was suddenly lifted, and a gust of cold wind rushed in.

Tang Mingping wrapped his coat tightly, stepped over the threshold, shook off the coldness on his body, and rubbed his palms as he walked.

"Hiss, the weather is getting colder! This year's winter has come earlier than in previous years."

I just came back from outside. Although the factory is not big, necessary daily inspections are still necessary.

The team members behind him followed him into the house, their faces red from the cold.

"Brother Tang, who said it wasn't true? We need to prepare more coal this year, otherwise it will be difficult to survive this winter."

Tang Mingping walked straight to the table, picked up the thermos skillfully, and poured himself a cup of hot water.

He held the cup of hot water in one hand, feeling the warmth and dispelling the coldness in his hands.

Then he took out a cigarette case and skillfully handed cigarettes to other team members: "Simao, what you said is right. We still need your help to arrange this matter!"

"Thank you, Brother Tang!"

The team member named Simao swiftly caught the cigarette, put it in his lips, walked quickly forward, struck a match, and helped Tang Mingping light the cigarette.

"Brother Tang, what you said is true. We are brothers, so why don't we make arrangements?"

As she spoke, she lit her cigarette, took a puff, and a look of satisfaction filled her face.

There are no invoices for coal these days, but the supply is still tight, and every household needs to budget carefully.

Coal supply is scarce in winter, so getting more depends entirely on your ability.

Simao has someone in his family working in the coal plant, so he has the convenience to provide benefits to people he has a good relationship with.

There aren't many people in the security department, and they're not doing it for free, so they're paid according to the price.

Tang Mingping took a puff of his cigarette, patted his shoulder, and looked satisfied.

Just as he was about to speak, hurried footsteps were heard, the door curtain was opened again, and a team member came in hurriedly to report.

"Director Tang, you're here! That's right, someone is looking for you outside and is waiting for you!"

Tang Mingping's heart moved slightly, he nodded, signaling the team members to do as they pleased, and he quickly walked out of the lounge and headed straight for the door.

"Okay, Brother Tang, you are busy."

Outside the gate, the Xiang brothers were wrapped in heavy coats, squatting in a sheltered place, holding unburned cigarettes in their hands, and looking towards the door from time to time.

When they saw Tang Mingping, they immediately stood up and smiles appeared on their faces.

"Brother Tang!"

Seeing that the two of them came directly here to find him, Tang Mingping had some guesses in his mind, so he quickened his pace and went forward to meet them.

Walking closer, Tang Mingping looked at the two men, and seeing the tiredness on their faces, he took out a cigarette and handed it to Xiang Hua: "Did you have breakfast?"

Xiang Hua took the cigarette, flicked one out with his fingertips and handed it to Xiang An, then looked at Tang Mingping and said, "Just eat a little to fill your stomach."

Tang Mingping looked around inconspicuously. After confirming that there was no one around, his eyes became serious and he lowered his voice: "Did you find anything?"

Xiang Hua and Xiang An exchanged glances. Xiang An nodded slightly, then walked to the side, lit a cigarette, and looked around vigilantly.

Xiang Hua turned to Tang Mingping and said, "Brother Tang, the target moved last night. We followed him all the way until he entered the heizi's yard."

The black guy Xiang Hua mentioned was the boss from last night, who was considered a middleman.

He ran a black market outside Andingmen, bought local products from the suburbs and sold them in the black market at Lama Temple in the city.

Of course, this is just his open business. After joining forces with Xie Xingsheng and others, he has a stable source of goods.

Although the profit is not as good as that of long-term local product transactions, there is a stable supply every month, and the business reputation is gradually established.

Hearing this, Tang Mingping frowned slightly and thought for a moment: "Is it the one shipped from Andingmen?"

Xiang Hua exhaled a puff of smoke and nodded gently: "Brother Tang, what should we do next?"

Tang Mingping is still not sure that this is the only next home. After thinking for a moment, he made a decision: "Dahua, you two should continue to watch."

"Understood, Brother Tang, we will keep a close eye on him." Xiang Hua nodded in response.

Tang Mingping patted Xiang Hua's shoulder gently, his tone full of sympathy: "Looking at the faces of both of you, you must have been busy last night. Go and rest first."

"Okay, Brother Tang, let's retreat first."

Xiang Hua bowed and said goodbye, then turned and walked towards Xiang An. The two left side by side, and their backs gradually disappeared from sight.

Tang Mingping watched them go away, thinking to himself that if everything went well, he would go to the He family in person at the weekend.

The warm sun gently shines on every corner of the city. On weekend afternoons, the He family's courtyard is filled with a cozy atmosphere.

A round table was set up in the courtyard, and four members of the He family were sitting around the table, happily making dumplings.

The beginning of winter is next week. Last time I invited Cai Quanwu to visit my house, so today I will take advantage of the weekend to make more dumplings.

"Hehe, sister-in-law, the dumplings you make are at the level of a six-year-old me!"

He Yushui playfully pointed at the dumplings in Chen Xueru's hand with a mischievous smile on her face.

There are already quite a few dumplings on the table, all of which are made by Chen Xueru in various shapes.

She used to have Feng Liping to serve her, and now, needless to say, there is no need for her to cook.

Chen Xueru was teased by He Yushui, and her cheeks flushed, and a hint of embarrassment flashed in her eyes.

She tried to hide her panic, but the dumplings in her hands seemed disobedient and became even more bizarre.

He Yuzhu was standing aside, tumbling the rolling pin in his hand with skillful and rhythmic movements. He couldn't help but chuckle when he heard his sister's joke.

Feng Liping's eyes moved gently between the two people, but the dumplings in her hands were formed perfectly one after another. At this moment, she was the main force in making dumplings.

Chen Xueru glanced at her "masterpieces" on the table and simply threw the dough in her hand onto the table.

Her eyes rolled and she pinched Yu Shui's nose with her floury fingers: "Okay! You dare to make fun of me!"

He Yushui was not willing to show weakness, and immediately started a fight between the two girls. They no longer cared about their main job of making dumplings, and laughter filled the central courtyard.

At this moment, Tang Mingping appeared at the door of the middle courtyard, scratched his head and greeted: "Zhu Zi!"

This call was like pressing the pause button, bringing the frolicking in the yard to an abrupt halt.

Everyone in the yard turned their eyes to him, and the two of them had to stop fighting and go back to the table to make dumplings.

"Brother Tang, you're here! Wash your hands quickly and come over to make dumplings together. We'll have this for dinner!"

He Yuzhu heard the voice and looked over. He knew why he came, but there was no rush.

The rolling pin in his hand did not stop, and he enthusiastically called him over to make dumplings.

Tang Mingping smiled and nodded, walked forward to greet everyone one by one, washed his hands and joined the dumpling-making army.

Under the cover of night, under the guidance of Tang Mingping, He Yuzhu shuttled through the winding alleys and headed straight for the surveillance point.

When they approached the edge of the surveillance point, Tang Mingping suddenly stopped and gently raised his hand to prevent He Yuzhu from getting any closer.

The corners of his mouth moved slightly, imitating two crisp insect sounds. This was a unique code between them to confirm their identities.

Soon, a light sound of footsteps came closer and Xiang An's figure appeared from the darkness.

"Brother Tang, you're here!" His eyes then swept past Tang Mingping and fell on He Yuzhu who suddenly appeared.

Seeing this, Tang Mingping did not reduce He Yuzhu's status and waved his hand: "Let's go and meet your brother first."

"Okay!" Xiang An responded readily, then turned around and led the two forward with brisk steps.

Tang Mingping signaled to He Yuzhu and quickened his pace to catch up.

After several twists and turns, the three finally arrived at the surveillance point.

Xiang An took the initiative to step forward to replace Xiang Hua, and then turned to walk towards Tang Mingping and He Yuzhu, whispering: "Brother Tang!"

He Yuzhu quietly observed the handover between the two, with a hint of admiration in his eyes.

He spoke slowly, his voice steady and powerful: "You two are great. I can go in by myself tonight. You just stay outside to keep an eye out."

Xiang Hua didn't know who He Yuzhu was. He frowned slightly and was doubtful about what he said. He turned to look at Tang Mingping, waiting for his instructions.

Tang Mingping was naturally aware of He Yuzhu's skills, and nodded to Xiang Hua, agreeing with He Yuzhu's proposal.