Rebirth in a Courtyard: I Am a Little Hunter

In the backyard of Liu Haizhong's house, the atmosphere was like a spilled vinegar jar. Uncle Liu Haizhong, with his hands behind his back, paced back and forth in the narrow main room, his face as black as the bottom of a pot. Aunt Liu Haizhong sat on the edge of the kang (heated brick bed), sewing shoe soles, her needlework hurried and heavy.

"Outrageous! Outrageous!" Liu Haizhong abruptly stopped, pointing towards the front yard, his voice trembling with agitation. "It's just catching a spy, is it really necessary? A commendation, a newspaper announcement! 'Youth Guardian'? Pah! It's just the security department's job! If Wei Chen doesn't do it, are you expecting the factory director to?"

"Exactly!" Auntie Er immediately chimed in, slamming her shoe sole on the kang (a heated brick bed). "When our family delivered flour and rice to impoverished families, why didn't the broadcasting station shout about it like that? Why didn't we publish any commendations? That's true awareness! That's a high level of thought! That's caring for our class brothers! Can Wei Chen, who catches thieves, demonstrate any high level of thought? Huh?"

Liu Haizhong seemed to have found a theoretical basis, his voice rising even higher, spittle flying everywhere: "That's right! Mindset! That's the key! No matter how good Wei Chen is at catching thieves, that's just brute force! It's professional ability! If his mindset doesn't improve, he'll never achieve anything great!"

"Are we sending out grain? We're sending out proletarian class sentiment! We're sending out noble communist ideals! Does Wei Chen understand this? Does he deserve all the praise in the newspapers?"

He became increasingly agitated as he spoke, as if he were the one who had suffered a tremendous injustice: "No! I have to find an opportunity to speak to Director Wang of the neighborhood committee! We can't just publicize these violent acts and ignore the fundamental issue of ideological development! When our institute evaluates advanced individuals and moral exemplars, we must consider their moral character!"

He seemed to have found an excellent breakthrough, his eyes brightened, and he pondered how to use the big label of "ideological realm" to suppress Wei Chen's overly dazzling brilliance.

Xu Damao's room was filled with a strong smell of Chinese medicine, mixed with a gloomy and decaying atmosphere. He lay half-reclined on the cold kang (a heated brick bed), wrapped in a thick, tattered quilt. His face was sallow, his eyes sunken, only his eyes burning with resentment and unwillingness. A small crack opened in the window, and Yan Bugui's deliberately raised, boastful voice drifted in intermittently from the front yard.

"Wei Chen... Third-class merit... Model soldier... His reputation resounds throughout the region..." These words were like poisoned needles, piercing Xu Damao's ears and the darkest corner of his heart.

As Wei Chen pushed his bicycle into the front yard of the courtyard, the afterglow of the setting sun gilded the gray brick walls with a warm golden edge. Yan Bugui immediately stopped his "speech" and greeted him with a beaming smile: "Oh, Wei Chen is back! You've worked so hard! Look, it's in the newspaper! Our courtyard's great hero!" He eagerly handed him the newspaper.

"Teacher Yan." Wei Chen nodded politely, took the newspaper, glanced at it casually, folded it, and stuffed it into the bicycle basket. "It's all part of the job, it's what I should do." His attitude remained calm, as if the newspaper was reporting on someone else in such detail.

The neighbors gathered around, offering their congratulations and admiration. "Little Wei, well done! You've brought honor to our compound!" "Brother Wei Chen, you're amazing! Was that enemy agent particularly fierce?" "I heard you subdued him in one move? Teach us, please!"

Wei Chen responded briefly to each person, a gentle but not enthusiastic smile on his face: "Thank you everyone. Nothing special, just a coincidence. Please be careful." He had no intention of lingering there, and even less did he want to become the center of attention.

He led his bicycle, politely parted the crowd, and walked straight toward the central courtyard. As he passed the open door of Yi Zhonghai's house, he keenly felt a complex gaze fall on his back. He did not turn around, and his steps remained steady.

Back in his own little house, the familiar warmth enveloped him. Wei Chen's mother was stirring the cornmeal porridge in the pot by the small coal stove, the porridge steaming hot. Seeing her son return, her face immediately lit up with a smile, filled with both tenderness and pride: "You're back? Wash your hands quickly, the porridge will be ready soon. Outside... it's noisy again, isn't it?" She had clearly heard the commotion in the front yard as well.

"Yeah, it's nothing," Wei Chen replied, propping up his bicycle. He took off his jacket, revealing faded work clothes underneath, then walked to his desk and opened a drawer. Inside lay the "Factory Guardian" medal and a neatly folded certificate.

He took out the brand-new "Model Worker" medal and third-class merit certificate he had just received, and gently pushed the drawer shut. The metallic clanging made a soft "click," locking away all the external glory.

Wei Ran ran out from the inner room and asked curiously, "Brother, you got another medal? Let me see it! Isn't it shiny?" Wei Chen ruffled his sister's hair and smiled, "I've put it away. Wash your hands and get ready to eat. I'll show it to you after we finish eating!" "Oh." Wei Ran was a little disappointed, but she was quickly attracted by the aroma of the food.

Wei Chen walked to the washbasin stand, where cool tap water gushed down. He carefully washed his hands, the water flowing through his fingers, carrying away the dust and fatigue from a day of patrolling, and seemingly washing away the noise and glamour imposed upon him by the outside world.

He looked up at the old mirror hanging on the wall. The young man in the mirror had a calm gaze, with a hint of weariness between his brows, but more so a composure that came with experience.

He dried his hands and sat down at the small, spotless square table. On the table sat a dish of pickled shredded vegetables and two bowls of steaming cornmeal porridge, exuding the authentic aroma of grain. Big Yellow lay quietly at his feet, purring contentedly.

Outside, dusk settled, and the hustle and bustle of the courtyard gradually subsided. But the scheming, resentment, and bitterness that had been festering in the corners, like lurking snakes, flicked their tongues in the darkness. Yi Zhonghai's desolation and the sour calculations hidden in his bangs fermented silently in the deepening night.

Wei Chen picked up the rough porcelain bowl, the scalding hot porridge warming his palms. He blew on it and slurped up a large mouthful. The rough, warm texture slid down his esophagus, bringing a comforting sense of fullness.

In the easternmost office of the steel rolling mill's security department, the atmosphere was unusually solemn, yet mixed with a barely suppressed smile.

Deputy Section Chief Jin Aiguo solemnly squatted down, holding a brand-new leather collar with the words "Security Section of Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill" printed in bright red, and an equally brand-new "work permit" stamped with an official seal.

"Dahuang!" Jin Aiguo cleared his throat, trying to make his voice sound authoritative, but a smile involuntarily crept onto his lips. "In recognition of your outstanding contributions to maintaining factory security and assisting in solving major cases recently, after rigorous organizational review and special approval from the higher-level public security authorities and the factory's Party Committee, you are now officially granted a police dog position in the Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill Security Department! From this day forward, you are a formally recognized, organized, and disciplined national security worker! You will receive a monthly special allowance of thirty-five yuan for police dogs, along with corresponding receipts!"

He carefully fastened the leather collar around Big Yellow's thick neck. A small metal badge was embedded in the center of the collar, gleaming faintly in the light streaming through the window.

Then, he solemnly placed the work ID card, which read "Police Dog: Dahuang, Affiliation: Security Department of Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill, Trainer: Wei Chen" and had a clear paw print on it, on the ground in front of Dahuang and let it sniff it.

"Woof!" Big Yellow seemed to sense the change in atmosphere, or perhaps it was just not used to the collar. It shook its head and made a short, loud sound in its throat. Its tail swept the ground forcefully. Its shiny black eyes looked at Jin Aiguo and then at Wei Chen standing to the side, with a bit of confusion, but also as if some kind of natural sense of mission had been awakened.

The other key team members in the office, Xiao Zhang and Xiao Li, were suppressing their laughter, their shoulders shrugging. Giving dogs official positions and salaries—this was a novel idea! But thinking about Da Huang's several heroic performances that saved the day, it seemed perfectly reasonable.

I had heard before that the military had officially registered military dogs, and the public security departments also had police dogs, but there weren't many of them. At that time, the use of police dogs was not widespread. This was the first time such dogs had appeared in the security department of the steel rolling mill.

"Alright, everyone, be serious!" Jin Aiguo stood up, trying to keep a straight face, but he couldn't hide the smile in his eyes. "This is the organization's official recognition of Da Huang's achievements! From now on, Da Huang will be a special member of our department, with the same treatment as a regular police dog! Wei Chen, the training, feeding, and daily duties will all be entrusted to you. It's a great responsibility!"

Wei Chen stepped forward, stood at attention, and said in a steady voice, "Yes, sir! Mission accomplished!" He bent down and ruffled Da Huang's hair, and Da Huang immediately nuzzled his palm affectionately. Looking at the small badge on the collar, Wei Chen felt a surge of warmth and pride. It was recognition of Da Huang's abilities and an official endorsement of their special partnership.

"Here, this is Da Huang's first month's allowance and ration coupons. You can collect it on his behalf and sign it." Jin Aiguo took out a brown paper envelope from the drawer. Inside was a thick stack of money and various ration coupons tied with rubber bands—grain coupons, meat coupons... everything was there. Wei Chen took it and signed his name in the receipt book. As he wrote, he felt a special weight on the document.

In the evening, Wei Chen pushed his bicycle into the courtyard, a heavy envelope hanging from the handlebars. Da Huang, wearing a brand-new collar with a police badge, walked beside him with its head held high, its steps seemingly more steady and powerful than usual.

"Mother, Xiao Ran, you're back." Wei Chen pushed open the door.

Wang Xiulan was stir-frying shredded potatoes in front of a small coal stove, while Wei Ran was doing her homework at the table. The two looked up when they heard the noise.

"You're back? Wash your hands and get ready... Hey?" Wang Xiulan's gaze was instantly drawn to the shiny new collar around Da Huang's neck, and she froze, captivated by the bulging envelope Wei Chen had placed on the table. "Xiao Chen... what... what's this?"

Wei Ran curiously leaned over, her big eyes blinking as she looked at the envelope, then at the majestic Big Yellow: "Brother, Big Yellow's wearing a new collar? It looks so good! What's that shiny tag?"

Wei Chen picked up the envelope, untied the white thread binding it, and poured the contents onto the table.