Rebirth in a Courtyard: I Am a Little Hunter

Wei Chen felt disgusted, but maintained a respectful smile on his face: "Second Uncle, you are right. I will definitely pay attention and make sure all the procedures are in place before starting construction. I will never violate any regulations."

"Good, that's good! Young man, you need to know the rules and follow them!" Liu Haizhong nodded with satisfaction, as if he had successfully given a lecture. He weighed the candy in his hand and finally smiled. "Alright, I'll take the candy. If you need anything in the future, you can come and report to me."

"Thank you, Second Uncle," Wei Chen replied. His gaze swept over the tightly closed door of the deaf old lady's room in the corner, and after a slight hesitation, he walked over.

Although he knew this so-called ancestor lived a secluded life, he couldn't neglect formalities. He knocked lightly on the door, his voice low: "Grandma? Is Grandma home? I'm Wei Chen, your new neighbor, I've brought you some candy."

A moment of silence followed before a frail, slow, but still fairly clear voice said, "Who is it... bringing candy?... Come in... the door isn't locked..."

Wei Chen gently pushed open the door. The room was dimly lit, filled with the distinctive scent of an elderly person and a faint smell of medicine. An old woman, hunched over, with sparse, snow-white hair and a face covered in deep wrinkles, sat cross-legged on the kang (a heated brick bed), stroking a well-worn cane. Her eyes were somewhat cloudy, but her gaze was unusually calm, even carrying a kind of world-weary serenity, quietly fixed on Wei Chen.

"Hello, ma'am. I'm Wei Chen, new here, living in the east wing." Wei Chen walked to the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), bent down slightly, and placed some milk candies that he had specially picked out and that were relatively well-packaged on the edge of the kang. He raised his voice a little, "I'm bringing you some candy to sweeten your mouth."

The deaf old woman's gaze lingered on Wei Chen's face for several seconds before slowly shifting to the few pieces of milk candy. She didn't speak, but simply stretched out her withered hand and gently patted the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), gesturing for Wei Chen to sit down.

Then, in her old, slow voice, seemingly ignoring the question, she said, "The east wing... has been abandoned for many years... it's good that it's been cleaned up... young man... you're capable..." Her words were fragmented, yet they sent a chill down Wei Chen's spine. This old woman, though seemingly confused, was as clear-headed as a mirror.

"Thank you, ma'am." Wei Chen didn't say much, just smiled respectfully. "Please rest. I'll be going now. I'll come see you again later."

The deaf old woman didn't speak again, but nodded slightly, her gaze falling back to her cane, as if nothing had happened.

Wei Chen left the small house and gently closed the door. With that, all the candy had been delivered, and the prominent figures in the courtyard had been introduced to each other.

The setting sun hung on the western horizon, and the aroma of food from the courtyard mingled with the smell of coal smoke, becoming even more intense. The radio began playing rousing news and revolutionary songs.

Wei Chen pushed his bicycle back to the boundary between the middle and front courtyards. Yan Bugui was still at the door, clicking away on the large Qianmen cigarette Wei Chen had given him. Seeing him come out, he waved enthusiastically, "Comrade Wei Chen, it's getting dark. Where are you staying tonight?"

Yi Zhonghai also came out of the house to pour water. Hearing this, he politely said, "Yes, Xiao Wei, if you're not comfortable, stay and eat at home before you leave. Don't be shy, we're family now."

Qin Huairu stood at her own doorway, casting a gentle glance her way. Sha Zhu even called out directly, "Brother, come over here, I'll show you what I've got!"

Wei Chen stopped, his face filled with sincere apology, and clasped his hands in a fist and palm salute to everyone: "Thank you, Uncle San! Thank you, Uncle Yi! Thank you, Brother Zhu, thank you, Sister-in-law! I'm so sorry, my luggage is still at my relatives' house outside the city, I need to go back and pack it before it gets completely dark. I'll officially report to the steel mill next Monday, and then I'll move it over. I won't bother you all today! Thank you again for your understanding and care!"

His reasons were sound and his attitude sincere. Seeing that he was determined to leave, the others did not try to persuade him to stay, and said polite things like "Be careful on the road," "Ride slowly," and "See you next week."

Under the watchful eyes of Yan Bugui, Yi Zhonghai, Shazhu, and others—some enthusiastic, some scrutinizing, some curious—Wei Chen pushed his bicycle through the front yard and out of the mottled, heavy gate of No. 95 Nanluoguxiang.

Sparse streetlights had already been lit in the alley, their dim yellow light barely dispelling the heavy twilight. Wei Chen straddled his bicycle, the crisp sound of the bell echoing in the now quiet alley. The wheels rolled over the stone slabs, making a rhythmic creak, carrying him swiftly into the cool early autumn night of Beijing.

The huge, complex, and bustling courtyard house behind me, full of life yet also rife with undercurrents, gradually blurred into a silhouette in the twilight.

Wei Chen pedaled his bike, the evening breeze brushing his face, bringing a slight chill, but it couldn't dispel the clear understanding in his mind: the sugar coating was just a prelude, and beneath the temporary peace, the true way of getting along with neighbors would probably only truly begin the moment the house repairs actually started tomorrow.

A cold smile curled at the corner of his lips. He stomped his foot, and the bicycle shot off like an arrow towards Baoyuquan Village outside the city.

As the wheels rolled over the last stretch of bumpy dirt road, the dark outline of Baoyuquan Village appeared ahead in the deep night, like a lurking beast.

Wei Chen slowed down the car. The night breeze, carrying the unique coolness of the mountains and the fresh scent of grass and trees, swept over him, temporarily washing away the hustle and bustle of Beijing. He took a deep breath of this familiar and free air, and his tense nerves finally relaxed.

Under the iconic old locust tree at the village entrance, a few dim beams of flashlight swayed in the darkness, accompanied by a few hushed conversations.

That was the village's militia patrol team, composed of several strong young men familiar with the mountains and forests. Wei Chen was quite familiar with them; they had gone into the woods, set traps, and hunted together many times.

"Stop! Who's there?" A wary voice rang out, and the flashlight beam immediately focused on Wei Chen and his seven or eight-story "Forever" 28-inch motorcycle.

"Third Brother, it's me, Wei Chen!" Wei Chen responded loudly, gripping the brakes to bring the car to a steady stop, supporting himself on one foot.

The flashlight beam shone on his face, followed by a surprised exclamation.

"Wei Chen?" "It really is you!" "Wow! This car...where did you get it? It's brand new!"

Three men wearing old cotton-padded jackets and carrying old-fashioned sleeves surrounded them. The one leading them was Zhao San, the village's militia captain, whose dark face was full of surprise and envy.

Their rough hands couldn't help but rub the gleaming handlebars and smooth paint, marveling at them. In those days, a "Forever" brand bicycle was a rarity even in the city, let alone in this remote mountain village.

With a smile, Wei Chen mentally took out a pack of economy cigarettes that had just been opened from his canvas satchel, but actually from his spatial backpack, and skillfully handed one to each person: "Third Brother, Zhuzi, Tiedan, here, have a smoke."

"Hey! You've got a mouth! You're something else!" Zhao San took the cigarette, lit it with Wei Chen's famous match, and took a deep, satisfying drag. The smoke swirled in the cool night air. "Haven't seen you in the mountains lately, thought you'd disappeared somewhere! This car... made you rich?"

Wei Chen lit one for himself, the flame illuminating his young yet composed face: "I didn't make a fortune, but I found a proper job. I got a job at the steel rolling mill in Beijing as a purchasing agent. This car was provided by the factory; it's necessary for the job." His tone was calm, yet carried an undeniable certainty.

"What? A steel rolling mill? A purchasing agent?" Zhao San nearly dropped his cigarette, his eyes wide as saucers. "My God! Wei Chen, you've really snagged a high-ranking position without a word? It's a state-owned factory! A secure job!"

Zhu Zi and Tie Dan, who were standing nearby, were also stunned. They forgot to smoke and were filled with shock and unbelievable envy.

Steel rolling mill! Purchasing officer! Government employee! These words are like a meteoric rise for farmers who toil in the fields or rely on the mountains for their livelihood!

"Really? Wei Chen, you're not kidding us!" Zhu Zi's voice changed.

"Why would I fool you?" Wei Chen exhaled a smoke ring and smiled. "The formalities are all completed. I'll officially start work next Monday."

"In the future, if you come across any rare mountain products, furs, or anything like that, and want to exchange them for some money or tickets, you can come to me. I'll try to ask around for the factory to see if they can buy them." He casually threw out a bait, both to maintain the relationship and to pave the way for potential future sources of supplies.

"Hey! Brother Wei Chen! No, Comrade Wei Chen! You'll have to take good care of me in the future!" Zhao San excitedly patted Wei Chen on the shoulder, so hard that the bicycle wobbled.

"I knew you were a promising kid! You're a great hunter and quick-witted! I never thought you'd become a government employee so soon! Great! Really great!" The envy on his face was genuine, and he was truly happy for Wei Chen.

"Congratulations, Wei Chen!" "From now on, you're a city dweller! You'll be eating government-supplied grain!"

Zhu Zi and Tie Dan also came to their senses and congratulated each other enthusiastically. In those days, it was a matter of pride for the entire village for someone to have a stable job as a worker.

"Thanks, guys!" Wei Chen replied with a smile. "It's getting late, I'll head home now, my mom must be getting impatient. Let's chat again another time!" He hopped on his bike.

"Hurry back! Give our regards to your aunt!" Zhao San quickly made way for him, shining his flashlight on the dirt road ahead. "Drive carefully! This new car is very precious!"

The crisp sound of the bicycle bell rang again, and Wei Chen's figure quickly disappeared into the darkness of the village, leaving behind three men excitedly discussing in the night. The red dots of their cigarette butts flickered in the darkness, reflecting the lingering excitement and anticipation for the future on their faces.