Rebirth in a Courtyard: I Am a Little Hunter

"Oh, right," Director Wang recalled Wei Chen's inquiry outside, "what did you ask Officer Liu again? The bathroom drain? And opening the side door?"

Wei Chen repeated his needs again.

After hearing this, Director Wang waved his hand and called out to the outside, "Hey, Xiao Liu, come here for a second."

Soon, Officer Liu knocked on the door and entered, his attitude becoming much more respectful: "Director."

"Comrade Wei Chen wants to build a toilet and connect a sewage pipe in his own yard, and also open a side door in the east wall. You need to personally follow up on these two matters." Director Wang's tone left no room for argument.

"Go check the municipal sewage pipe network map for his area in a bit, see where the nearest main pipe is, how far away it is, and whether the connection point is feasible. As for opening the small gate, as long as it doesn't affect the main structure, encroach on public roads, or disturb the neighbors, register and file it according to the normal procedure, and get it approved as soon as possible. Remember, we must actively guide and proactively serve the reasonable and legal living needs of the people, understand?"

"Understood, Director!" Officer Liu blushed, nodded hastily, his attitude completely changing. He quickly pulled out his register. "Comrade Wei, could you please tell me your specific needs again? I'll register them immediately and get back to you as soon as possible!"

Wei Chen explained the address and requirements to Officer Liu in detail. Officer Liu quickly took notes, his attitude serious, a stark contrast to his previous demeanor.

"Alright, that's settled." Director Wang waved to Officer Liu, indicating he could get back to work. Then he smiled at Wei Chen and said, "Comrade Wei Chen, see? That solves it, doesn't it? If you need anything like this in the future, just come to me or Officer Liu. Now, let's get down to business—catching the roe deer!"

Wei Chen thought to himself, "Director Wang's style is indeed as I expected: principled, responsible, and efficient." He stood up and said, "Director Wang, I rode my bicycle here. There's a basket on it, just right for carrying the roe deer. I'll go get it; it's not far."

"Okay! Then I'll trouble you, Xiao Chen!" Director Wang's form of address changed after a while.

The wheels rolled over the sun-baked yellow dirt road, kicking up fine dust. Wei Chen rode his brand-new Forever 28 bicycle, weaving through the intricate alleys of Beijing.

He wasn't riding fast, his gaze seemingly casually sweeping over the mottled courtyard walls and tightly closed doors on both sides, but in reality, he was searching for an absolutely secluded corner.

The sun overhead gradually grew scorching, the shade of the trees thinned, the cicadas chirped desperately, and even the usually energetic stray dogs hid in the shadows against the walls, panting with their tongues lolling out. Almost an hour had passed, and the alley was deserted; people were all staying indoors to escape the heat, which suited Wei Chen perfectly.

Finally, he turned into a dead end. At the end were piles of discarded broken baskets and tiles, and waist-high weeds grew at the base of the wall, clearly a place rarely visited by anyone.

Wei Chen nimbly dismounted and propped up the bicycle. He walked to the deepest part of the alley, turning his back to the way he came, ensuring that even if someone suddenly came in, they wouldn't be able to see his movements immediately.

"Hoo..." He exhaled softly, as if he had just stretched his muscles, but his mind had already sunk into that mysterious space that only he could perceive.

With a slight thought, he locked onto the two roe deer that were already prepared. The next instant, the air seemed to produce an extremely brief, almost imperceptible distortion, like a mirage of heat waves rising from a summer asphalt road.

Two plump, brownish-yellow roe deer, which looked like they had been shot dead by arrows, appeared silently in the two previously empty bamboo baskets on the back of the bicycle.

The roe deer had clearly just died; its body still carried the warmth of the forest, and the congealed dark red blood was somewhat glaring in the sunlight. The heavy, fresh smell of blood, mixed with the distinctive stench of wild animals, instantly filled the small dead-end alley, attracting several greenbottle flies that buzzed and hovered tentatively.

Wei Chen remained expressionless, deftly tightening the ropes around the roe deer in the basket to ensure they wouldn't slip off during the bumpy ride. He clapped his hands, as if he had simply completed a routine task of moving them.

He hopped back onto his bicycle, carrying his heavy "prey," turned the handlebars, and emerged from the dead end, steadily riding towards the neighborhood office. The wheels turned, leaving two shallow tracks, and the lingering smell of blood gradually dissipated in the air with the heat.

When he rode his bicycle to the entrance of the neighborhood office with the two conspicuous baskets of prey, Director Wang was already waiting there. She stood ramrod straight in the blazing sun, her hands behind her back, her gaze fixed on the direction Wei Chen might be coming from.

Upon seeing the heavy bamboo basket on the back of the bicycle and the brownish-yellow fur peeking out from inside, a very obvious smile immediately bloomed on her serious face, and she quickly walked over to greet her.

"Comrade Wei Chen! You're back so soon! Good, that's great!" Director Wang's voice was loud and clear, revealing genuine joy and a hint of barely perceptible urgency.

Behind her, the street office staff who heard the commotion also poked their heads out of the doors and windows, or simply came out, and soon formed a circle around the gate.

"Wow! It really is a roe deer!" "Goodness, two of them are so big!" "Look at their fat, they must weigh a hundred pounds each!" "Tsk tsk, Comrade Wei Chen is really capable! He brought them here just like that!" "This is great, we can also benefit from it..." Envious, amazed, and delighted discussions buzzed up, and their eyes were fixed on Wei Chen and the roe deer behind his car.

These days, meat is the absolute hard currency. Being able to obtain so much fresh wild game is considered an extraordinary skill and connection by anyone. Wei Chen instantly became the focus of everyone's attention.

"Quick, bring it in, bring it in!" Director Wang called out, personally helping Wei Chen adjust the handlebars and leading the bicycle and roe deer into the street office's courtyard. The courtyard was quickly packed with people, all craning their necks to see what was so interesting.

"Xiao Zhang! Bring out the big scale! We'll weigh it right here!" Director Wang directed the logistics guys with decisive efficiency. Two sturdy male staff members immediately carried out a large steelyard scale with iron hooks from the warehouse.

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, the two roe deer were lifted together onto the large scale hook. The weight slid along the scale beam and finally came to a stop. "Director, with the basket and rope, it weighs exactly one hundred and forty-three jin!" Xiao Zhang announced loudly. A small commotion and exclamations rippled through the crowd.

Director Wang nodded, quickly calculating in his mind: "After removing the skin, fur, internal organs, and bones, the net meat should weigh over ninety pounds, but less than one hundred pounds."

She cleared her throat, looked around, and announced clearly, "Comrades, listen up! These two roe deer were painstakingly brought here by Comrade Wei Chen to support our street's work! I've decided that this afternoon we'll organize people to distribute the meat! There are a total of forty-two registered impoverished families of martyrs in our jurisdiction! Each family will receive two jin of roe deer meat!"

"Bravo!" A burst of enthusiastic cheers and applause erupted from the crowd. The families of martyrs lived difficult lives; this substantial meat dish was a timely and much-needed relief.

Director Wang raised his hand to signal for quiet, a slight smile on his face: "There are still about ten pounds of meat left, along with the bones and offal. Don't waste them! Give them all to Old Li in the canteen, let him prepare them and make a special meal for all the staff of our subdistrict office tonight! Everyone should have a good time and treat themselves! You've all worked hard these past few days!"

"Director Wang is brilliant!" "Thank you, Director! Thank you, Comrade Wei Chen!" "We're going to get some meat! Haha!" The cheers and applause grew even louder, almost lifting the roof off the small courtyard.

The staff at the neighborhood office beamed with joy, their eyes gleaming even more eagerly at Wei Chen. Although they held secure jobs, their pay was rationed, and they were also short of food and drink; this extra meal was an incredible perk.

"Patriotism," Director Wang called over a young clerk from the finance department, "Settle the bill for Comrade Wei Chen according to our previous agreement. Just use the purchase price that Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill gave them, eight cents per pound, 143 pounds in total, make sure it's clear."

The patriotic finance officer immediately took out his abacus, which made a series of crisp clicks: "Director, the total is one hundred and fourteen dollars and forty cents." He quickly counted the money, put it in a kraft paper envelope, and handed it to Wei Chen.

Wei Chen didn't reach out to take it. He looked at Director Wang, his tone calm and sincere: "Director Wang, I can't accept this money. Consider the meat for the families of martyrs and those in need a small token of my appreciation. I am also a family member of a martyr, my father..." He paused, his gaze sweeping over Officer Liu, who was in charge of household registration, beside him.

Officer Liu immediately stepped forward and gave a brief introduction to Director Wang and the others: "Director, we have a record of Comrade Wei Chen's situation in our subdistrict. His father was Comrade Mancang, who was also an underground worker before liberation. He died a heroic death on the eve of liberation and is a revolutionary martyr. He just registered his household in our subdistrict office, and his family situation has also been registered. I have already verified that he is indeed on the list of families of martyrs. Comrade Wei Chen's family is among the forty-two households that are receiving meat today."

These words immediately silenced the courtyard. The gazes of the crowd towards Wei Chen shifted from one of envy and eagerness to one of respect and understanding.

Director Wang's gaze softened and became complex in an instant as she re-examined the young man before her, who was remarkably composed.

Descendant of a martyr! His father was a hero who sacrificed his life in the early days of the founding of the People's Republic of China! He was of impeccable lineage and revolutionary background! This was not just a matter of being "one of their own," but a natural successor to the revolutionary cause! Her impression of Wei Chen instantly soared to its peak.

"Good boy!" Director Wang's voice was clearly moved. She stepped forward and patted Wei Chen's arm firmly. "Your heart is kind enough to please your father in heaven! But!"

Her tone then hardened, "Comrade Wei Chen, you must distinguish between public and private matters! Your status as a family member of a martyr is an honor and a sign of the organization's care for your family. The meat you hunted is the result of your personal labor and risks! You must take this money!"

Officer Liu chimed in, "Yes, Comrade Wei Chen, the director is right! The subdistrict office receives special funds from higher authorities to care for the families of martyrs and those in need, but often even with the money, we can't buy anything. The fact that you brought the meat today is the greatest support you can give us! If you don't accept the money, we'll feel bad, and how can we ask you for help again in the future?"

The other cadres also nodded in agreement and offered their advice.