Rebirth in a Courtyard: I Am a Little Hunter

The workday bell finally rang, and the steel rolling mill seemed to instantly transform into a sea of ​​joy. Workers, carrying, hugging, and stuffing their New Year's goods into net bags, poured out of the factory gates with beaming smiles.

Everyone wore a smile and walked with light steps. That pound of meat seemed to represent more than just meat; it was a reward for a year of hard work, a hope for the future, and the warmest touch of brightness in the cold winter.

Pedestrians on the street couldn't help but cast envious glances at the New Year's goods carried by the steel mill workers. The workers of Hongxing Steel Mill truly felt a sense of pride and accomplishment during this year-end season.

Wei Chen and Wei Feng met at the factory gate. Wei Chen's bicycle handlebars were crammed full, and the back seat was also covered with bags and packages. Wei Feng clutched his own belongings tightly to his chest, while his other hand carried some things for Wei Chen. The two brothers smiled at each other, and under the watchful eyes of countless envious, curious, and complex gazes, they mounted their bicycles and rode towards the courtyard house.

Along the way, they were like a moving "New Year's goods exhibition hall," attracting everyone's attention. The white flour, the chunks of meat, the candy... all spoke of the owner's skill.

As the brothers' car wheels rolled over the bluestone pavement of Nanluoguxiang and entered the gate of courtyard house number 95, the people who were busy or chatting in the courtyard seemed to be paused, and their eyes all focused on them.

Yan Bugui was tending to his few half-dead flowers in the front yard when he glanced up and saw the things hanging on Wei Chen's handlebars and strapped to the back seat. His eyes widened instantly behind his glasses, and he almost dropped the water bottle in his hand.

Refined white flour! So much meat! And eggs! His heart started pounding uncontrollably, and his breathing quickened. Compared to this, his own meager perks (a few pastry coupons and some candy) seemed pitifully meager!

"Wei Chen...off work? Got...got your benefits?" Yan Bugui's voice was dry, filled with undisguised envy and a hint of barely perceptible flattery. He wanted to go over and take a closer look, but felt it would be beneath him, so he stood there, his gaze fixed on those things.

"Yes, Uncle, it's from the factory." Wei Chen nodded calmly, pushing the cart inside without stopping. Wei Feng followed closely behind him, holding his own portion in his arms. Although it wasn't as eye-catching as Wei Chen's, the substantial amount of meat and flour was enough to make many families in the courtyard envious.

By the pool in the courtyard, Qin Huairu was vigorously washing her family's clothes, the icy water making her fingers red from the cold. Hearing the noise, she looked up and saw the things in Wei Chen's car, her hands instantly stopping.

The white flour... the meat... the eggs...! An indescribable bitterness and grievance welled up in her heart. She quickly lowered her head and vigorously rubbed her clothes, as if she wanted to vent all her emotions on that pile of rags.

Jia Dongxu happened to come out of the house to get some water and saw this scene. His face instantly darkened, turning as black as the bottom of a pot. He was also carrying a net bag containing a pound of meat and two pounds of mixed grain flour issued by the factory. He had been in a good mood, but compared to Wei Chen's, his bag felt incredibly light and weightless. He felt a burning sensation on his face, as if he had been slapped in public. He grunted, turned around, and went back into the house, slamming the door shut.

In the backyard, Xu Damao, who hadn't gone to the countryside today, was excitedly bragging to a few neighbors about how he had shown a movie in the countryside, how hospitable the villagers were, and how they had given him chickens and eggs.

Just as he was getting into the swing of things, he saw the Wei brothers returning with their haul full of goods, especially Wei Chen's "luxury setup." His voice stopped abruptly, his smugness froze, and then turned into embarrassment and a hint of barely perceptible jealousy.

He coughed twice, forcibly changing the subject: "...Well, I have some things to take care of at home, so I'll head back first." After saying that, he slunk back to his room.

Liu Haizhong was originally "patrolling" his own front door with his hands behind his back. When he saw Wei Chen, he deliberately stick out his belly and coughed twice, trying to show off his "second uncle's" presence.

But when his gaze fell upon Wei Chen's New Year's goods, all his composure crumbled instantly, leaving only a heart full of bitterness and helplessness. He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but found his throat dry, unable to utter a single word. He could only watch helplessly as the Wei brothers walked past him without glancing at him, heading straight into the east courtyard. The slamming of the door felt like a lock on his heart, suffocating him.

The deaf old lady was still sitting at the door. Her squinting eyes seemed to open a crack as she looked towards the east courtyard, then slowly closed them again. She let out a faint sigh, whether it was a lament or something else, it was hard to tell.

The gate to the east courtyard was closed, shutting out the complex and varied gazes and thoughts outside. But inside the courtyard, the discussions about Wei Chen's family's New Year's goods exploded like a drop of boiling oil being thrown into a pot.

"Did you see that? Did you see that? My God! How much stuff did that kid Wei Chen bring back! White flour! Refined white flour! At least five pounds!"

"It's not just flour! That meat, I reckon it weighs seven or eight pounds! And there's beef too!"

"Eggs! Two neatly arranged compartments of eggs! And bottled liquor! Daqianmen cigarettes!"

"Is the factory treating him like royalty? Giving him so much!"

"I heard he made a great contribution and received the highest level of benefits specially approved by the factory, equivalent to that of a section chief!"

"Sigh, comparisons are odious. My husband is also a third-level worker, but his combined income isn't even a fraction of what others earn!"

"That kid Wei Feng got one too! He's just a new apprentice! He even got a pound of meat! The steel mill is really... really generous!"

"Being generous depends on the person! If you weren't capable, would the factory be paying you this much? Even my second uncle, who's a level six worker, is just so-so."

"Wow, amazing, truly amazing! Only a few years have passed? They're bound to soar even higher in the future!"

These discussions included pure amazement and envy, sour jealousy, and even calculations involving a secret reassessment of Wei Chen's worth.

This incident has significantly elevated Wei Chen's status within the courtyard. Previously, some might have looked down on him because of his youth, but now, that contempt has been shattered by reality.

Being able to procure rare food is one thing, but receiving such a blatant and extraordinary reward from the factory is quite another. Behind this lies real merit, the leader's high regard, and an immeasurable future.

In the east courtyard, however, a different, warm scene unfolded.

Wang Xiulan was already waiting inside. Seeing her son and nephew bring back so many things, especially Wei Chen's, she was both happy and worried: "How...how come they sent so much? This...this is too much..."

"Mom, the factory issued these according to regulations, so please keep them without worry." Wei Chen carefully put the items away one by one. "Put the meat and noodles away. We'll eat the eggs soon, they're fresh. I don't need the cigarettes and alcohol; I'll see if I can give them away or exchange them for other coupons later."

Wei Feng proudly placed his share on the table, his honest face beaming with pride: "Auntie, this is what I got! The factory is so nice! I've only worked here a few days, and I already got a share of the benefits! We'll have meat for the New Year!" He then took out the bag of fruit candies and handed it to Wei Ran, who was watching him expectantly: "Ranran, here, these are candies from your brother!"

Wei Ran cheered and took the candy, but didn't eat it immediately. Instead, she peeled one, stood on tiptoe, and put it in Wang Xiulan's mouth: "Mom, you eat first, is it sweet?" She peeled another one for Wei Chen, then for Wei Feng, and finally put one in her own mouth. She immediately squinted her eyes happily, her little face puffed out, and said indistinctly, "Sweet! So sweet!"

With a candy in her mouth, Wang Xiulan looked at her sensible and considerate daughter, her promising son, and her hardworking nephew. Looking at the table piled high with New Year's goods, a warm feeling welled up in her heart again, and her eyes even became a little moist.

This is what life should be like—life with purpose, hope, and warmth! As for the gossip, envy, and jealousy outside, they're irrelevant to her once she closes the door. All she knows is that this year, her family will have a prosperous and warm New Year.

"Okay, okay, they're all sweet!" Wang Xiulan wiped her eyes, a genuine smile spreading across her face. "We'll make dumplings tonight! With this white flour and this good meat! Fengzi's been working hard all week, he deserves a good meal!"

"Oh! Time to make dumplings!" Wei Ran clapped her hands happily.

Wei Feng grinned sheepishly, rubbing his hands together. "Auntie, let me chop the filling for you! I'm strong!"

Looking at the scene before him, Wei Chen smiled with relief. He didn't care what others thought or how they viewed him. Wasn't everything he strived for simply to protect this simple, warm happiness that belonged to his family?

As night fell, the long-awaited aroma of meat wafted intermittently from the courtyard house. Although the portions varied from family to family, many people's dreams that night were likely filled with the savory scent of oil and the anticipation of tomorrow's New Year's Eve dinner.

For the East Courtyard, this abundance was just the beginning. Outside, the cold wind still howled, but inside, the lights were warm, the air was filled with fragrance, and laughter echoed continuously.

This upcoming New Year is destined to be even more vibrant and flavorful because of these abundant New Year's goods. For Wei Chen, all of this is just a simple yet solid step in his plan.

The next day, early in the morning, the atmosphere of the New Year seemed even stronger, although the cold wind was still biting and the sky was always overcast. But for the employees of Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill, this day was particularly special – it was the last official working day before the Lunar New Year.

After today, the factory will start to close for the holidays one after another. People who have been busy all year can finally take a short break and prepare to welcome the Spring Festival, which symbolizes reunion and hope.

Early in the morning, Wei Chen and Wei Feng, as usual, pushed their bicycles out to work together. The alley was a bit noisier than usual, and when neighbors greeted each other, the conversation always revolved around topics like "Have you prepared all the New Year's goods?" and "What did the factory give out?"

Seeing the Wei brothers, many people had mixed feelings, some envious, some jealous, but more than anything, they felt a deep sense of emotion—this Wei family lad has truly made something of himself.