4.4 Seeing the mysterious courtyard in the dim light (below)

  Ning Yu was used to the city's nightlife, often conducting interviews late at night. But today was different; he had stumbled into a gang of thieves at the train station, and his mood had suddenly shifted. Everything seemed suspicious and mysterious, and he no longer felt his usual calmness and comfort. As they walked down the street, Ning Yu couldn't help but observe their surroundings, feeling anxious and uneasy, as if he was on his way to the execution ground. Ma San said from up ahead, "Hey kid, can you hurry up? You're dawdling like a woman, what's wrong with you?"

  Ning Yuyuan saw a police car coming from afar. He could feel that Ma San was scared and lowered his voice to say, "Don't look at anything, just keep walking forward."

  Ning Yu replied softly, "Uh-huh, I know." In fact, he was also worried that the police would suddenly stop their car or come up to inspect them. Ma San seemed to have a plan and said to him, "Brother, you go ahead?"

  Ning Yu walked ahead, with Ma San following cautiously behind. Ning Yu thought to himself, "This guy is also an old hand, always ready to make a quick escape." Of course, Ning Yu wouldn't expose him. Luckily, the police car sped away without noticing the pedestrians on the street at midnight. When they reached the front, Ma San's attitude seemed to have improved significantly, and he asked, "Brother, where are you from?"

  Ning Yu could only say: "In the countryside, Ningdu, deep in the old mountains, it took more than 20 days to reach the provincial city. Big brother, what business are you doing? I'll follow you, can I have a job?"

  Perhaps in Ma San's heart, the Ning Yu in front of him was just a country bumpkin, someone he could bully as he pleased. Exaggeratedly saying: "What are you talking about? Following our boss, not only is there plenty of work to do, but also money and 'women'?" Only halfway through his sentence, Ma San realized he had misspoken, and changed his words to: "Anyway, there's work to do and money to be made, let's hurry up."

  Ning Yu and Ma San walked under the dim light, turning east and west, for nearly half an hour before finally arriving at a courtyard in the suburbs. Ning Yu looked around at the independent courtyard, which only had one entrance, with a large iron gate that was tightly closed, and walls that were impenetrable. Suddenly, Ma San stepped forward and lightly knocked on the gate, immediately triggering a chorus of barking dogs from inside. After the barking stopped, the door slowly creaked open, and a figure appeared in the darkness, opening the door only a tiny crack to peer out and ask: "Who?"

  Ma San immediately put on a smile and stepped forward, saying: "I am Ma San, the one under Lord Wang's command. Lord Wang instructed me to bring the guest here, please open the 'door' for us."

  The person inside said: "Wait a minute." Then he closed the door tightly again.

  Ning Yu was somewhat surprised, and Ma San softly explained to him: "Brother, this is the rule. The brothers on night watch must ask the king if you can enter. Don't worry, you will definitely be able to go in."

  Ning Yu of course knew he could get in, what was on his mind wasn't whether or not he could get in, but rather the worry of whether or not he could get out. He pretended to smile, but actually felt extremely anxious and afraid inside.

  Nothing.