Rebirth in a Courtyard: I Am a Little Hunter

Grandma finally understood completely. She reached out her hand tremblingly, wanting to touch Wei Chen's face, but stopped halfway, tears streaming down her face: "My dear grandson... how much hardship and danger you have suffered outside... you can't hide it from Grandma..." The first thing the old woman cares about is always her grandson's safety.

Wang Xiulan also held her son's hand tightly, her eyes red and tears welling up. She knew her son was doing well at the factory and had earned the appreciation of his superiors, but Wei Chen never went into details about what he had done, only saying, "It's nothing, just my job." But she did know how much effort might be hidden behind the bonus of two permanent positions.

However, this is just the perspective of an ordinary person, a mother's worries! For Wei Chen, who has a cheat-like ability, these sacrifices are as insignificant as a hair on a cow!

"Grandpa, Grandma, I'm really fine, I'm perfectly alright." Wei Chen grasped his grandmother's withered, cold hand in return, then squeezed his mother's hand tightly, his voice gentle yet firm. "It's just good luck, plus the leadership's trust. This position isn't for our family; I'm already a permanent employee in the security department. Ranran is still young and needs to go to school. My mother has to stay in the city to take care of us, so she can't leave."

He looked around the room, his eyes clear and open, his voice sincere and powerful: "My father passed away early. During the most difficult time for our family, it was my grandparents, my eldest uncle, my third uncle, and my two aunts who saved every grain of their own money to help the three of us, and helped us get through the most difficult period."

This kindness, my mother, Ranran, and I will always remember it. My mother often tells me that one should never forget one's roots, to be grateful, and to know right from wrong. Now that I have some ability, these two spots are useless to me; it's only right and proper to give them to the people in my family who need them most. It's also a way of... repaying the kindness shown to me in my time of need.

His words were sincere and reasonable. He not only explained the reason for his repayment but also elevated the righteous act of helping his uncles and aunts in the past, turning "gift" into "grateful return." He skillfully maintained the dignity of the recipient and prevented any sense of "charity" from arising.

The room fell silent again, but this time, the silence was filled with burning gratitude, indescribable excitement, and even more complex emotions.

The two couples, Uncle Wei Changsheng and Uncle Wei Laishun, exchanged a subconscious glance, both seeing an unparalleled longing and a tacit understanding in each other's eyes. Two spots meant both families had a chance! But which child would get one? How would they be allocated? This involved the core interests of each family's future!

Almost simultaneously, everyone's gaze, filled with inquiry, awe, and expectation, turned to the old man sitting silently in the center of the kang (heated brick bed)—Old Man Wei.

The old man is the pillar of the family, the highest authority. Such important matters concerning the fate of the family and potentially affecting future generations should be decided by him. Only his decision can convince everyone and avoid any potential conflicts.

Old Wei remained silent, puffing on his pipe, the greyish-white smoke swirling around his deeply lined face, obscuring his expression. But his slightly narrowed, cloudy yet still sharp eyes slowly moved behind the smoke, sweeping over his eldest son's family, then his third son's family, finally settling on Wei Chen's calm face. He was thinking, weighing the weight of every word, every possible impact.

Time seemed to pass very slowly, with only the occasional soft hissing of the tobacco in the pipe and the mournful whistling of the cold wind sweeping through the treetops outside the window.

Finally, as everyone held their breath in anticipation, Old Man Wei slowly put down his gleaming jujube wood pipe handle and tapped it three times on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed). Tap, tap, tap. The sound wasn't loud, but it seemed to strike a chord in everyone's hearts.

He raised his eyelids, his gaze first falling on Wei Chen's face. In his eyes were gratification, pride, and appreciation, but even more so, a heavy sense of entrustment and recognition.

"Chenwazi," the old man spoke, his voice hoarse yet unusually steady and powerful, carrying the authority of the head of the family, "you are a fine one. You have made a name for yourself, but you haven't forgotten your roots, haven't forgotten your blood relatives. This heart, this righteousness, is more precious than the white flour and pork you brought back."

"Your father... passed away early, but if he knew how successful you are today and how much you care for your family, he could rest in peace in the afterlife." These words best describe Wei Chen's actions—not as charity or a favor, but as filial piety, the deep bond between family members, and the sense of gratitude.

Then, the old man's gaze, like a slowly moving boulder, swept over the families of his eldest son, Wei Changsheng, and his third son, Wei Laishun. Those whose gaze fell upon him unconsciously straightened their backs, their hearts leaping into their throats.

"Chang Sheng, Lai Shun," the old man's tone became even more serious, even sharp, "you heard it, you saw it. Chenwazi, remembering our past relationship, delivered an incredible stroke of luck to our Wei family's doorstep. This isn't a windfall; it's something Chenwazi earned through his own abilities, perhaps even taking risks! It's a testament to the virtue of our Wei family ancestors, and also to Chenwazi's own hard work!"

He paused, allowing the weight of his words to settle in everyone's hearts, before continuing, "Chenwazi said the two spots are for family members. As his father, I'm making the decision today on his behalf, and on behalf of our family."

Everyone, including Wei Chen, held their breath.

"What I mean," Wei Laoshuan said, enunciating each word clearly, "is that one spot for the Changsheng family and one for the Laishun family."

"Father!" Uncle Wei Changsheng blurted out, his voice choked with emotion, his eyes instantly reddening. Although he had expected it, hearing the old man fairly distribute the spots and confirming that his family would receive one was still overwhelming, and the immense joy and sense of relief he felt broke down the farmer's defenses. Uncle Wei Laishun also trembled, clenching his fists so tightly that his nails dug into his palms, barely managing to suppress the trembling in his body.

"But!" The old man's voice suddenly rose, like a gavel slamming down, suppressing the excitement that was about to overflow. "This spot is precious! More precious than gold! Whoever gets it must stand tall! Once they enter the city and become workers, they'll have a government job, they'll be respectable people! They must be honest and hardworking! They can't cheat, they can't cause trouble for their superiors, and they absolutely cannot take shortcuts!"

"If anyone thinks they're something special just because they've come to the city, forgets their roots, and disgraces the Wei family and Chenwazi—" The old man's gaze flashed like lightning as he swept over his two sons and several grandchildren. "Don't even mention the factory can't tolerate him; I'll be the first to break his legs and kick him out of the house!"

The voice, though not loud, carried an undeniable resolve and a chilling aura, instantly sobering Wei Changsheng and Wei Laishun, who were caught up in their excitement, as if doused with cold water. A chill ran down their spines, and they quickly straightened up, repeatedly assuring them, "Father, don't worry! We will discipline them properly! We will never bring shame to the family!" "Father, we understand! We will cherish this opportunity! We will never act recklessly!"

The old man's expression softened slightly, and he nodded: "This spot was earned by Chenwazi with his life (he firmly believes it), and he trusts me, so he let me distribute it. Do either of your families have any objections to this distribution?"

"No! Father's division is the fairest!" "Yes! Listen to Father! One for each family, it's fair!" The two families spoke in unison, their tone sincere.

At this moment, they felt only gratitude and trust in the old man's arrangement. One child per family, impartial and fair, it both preserved sibling affection and ensured maximum fairness; no one could find fault with it.

"Hmm." The old man nodded in satisfaction, his tone softening. "This quota is specifically for the person who gets to work at the factory. You two families, go back tonight, close your doors, and discuss it carefully. Each family has its own situation, so think it through. Come over tomorrow morning after breakfast and give me and Chenwa a definite answer."

Remember, this is a one-time opportunity. Whoever you choose, you have to shoulder the responsibility and make something of yourself in the factory! Not only for yourself, but also for your brothers and sisters back home, and for the kindness of your brother Chenzi! If you squander it or mess things up in there, don't blame me for being ruthless!

The old man's words served as both a warning and a heartfelt expectation. Both families heeded his words and took them to heart.

"Chenwazi," the old man looked at Wei Chen one last time, his gaze softening and questioning, "what do you think of Grandpa's arrangement?"

Wei Chen nodded immediately, his attitude respectful yet affectionate: "Grandpa's arrangements are the most appropriate. I'm young and inexperienced, so for such important matters, it's up to you, Grandpa, to steer the ship. I'll listen to you." He skillfully upheld the old man's authority while also demonstrating his complete delegation of power.

With the major decision made, the tense atmosphere in the room eased slightly, but a more intense and secretive excitement and calculation stirred within both families. Which child would receive this spot? This wasn't just a job; it was the future of a family for decades to come, the key to escaping poverty and the shackles of the land!

They chatted for a while, mainly about what to pay attention to when going to the city to work as a laborer. Wei Chen also gave a brief introduction to the factory and the approximate cost of living.

Looking at the sky outside, it was past mid-afternoon.

Wei Chen stood up and said, "Grandpa, Grandma, Uncle, Third Uncle, I want to go out this afternoon to see my master."

"Master?" Grandpa Wei Laoshuan paused for a moment, then realized, "Oh, Zhao the hunter from the back mountain, Zhao Gensheng?"

"Yes, Master Zhao." Wei Chen nodded. "I learned martial arts and hunting from him for a few years! It's only right and proper for me to visit him when I come back this time. After my father passed away, my family was struggling, and Master Zhao always secretly helped us out by getting us some wild game. He always thought of us."

What he said wasn't untrue. Zhao Gensheng was a reclusive man who lived alone in the mountains, but he possessed exceptional martial arts skills and was a master hunter. When Wei Chen's father passed away, the family lost its breadwinner. Zhao Gensheng saw that Wei Chen had a good physique and a resolute character, so he took him in as an apprentice, teaching him both martial arts and hunting! Occasionally, when he caught some pheasants or rabbits, he would have Wei Chen secretly bring some home to nourish his family. Although this was originally the original owner's doing, Wei Chen was deeply grateful for this kindness! The Wei family also knew of this skilled, reclusive hunter and were very thankful to him.

"You should go, you should go!" Grandpa nodded repeatedly, a look of emotion on his face. "Master Zhao is a capable man, and also a kind one. Back then, your father... sigh, it's all thanks to him for teaching you, and for secretly helping our family. Go see him, and give him our regards. The New Year is almost here, and he lives alone on the mountain, it's so lonely." Grandma chimed in, "Yes, Master Zhao is a good man. Chenwa, take some things with you, don't go empty-handed."

"Okay, I got it, Grandpa and Grandma," Wei Chen replied, then said to his mother and sister, "Mom, Ranran, you two stay home and talk to Grandpa and Grandma. I'll be back before dinner."