Rebirth in a Courtyard: I Am a Little Hunter

"Xiao Chen! Quick!" Uncle Wei Changsheng immediately called to Wei Chen, while carefully pulling a package wrapped in several layers of oil paper from his pocket. It looked like a piece of cured meat or smoked chicken. "Let's go, before everyone leaves, let's hurry over there!"

Wei Chen responded and quickly followed his uncle. The two of them squeezed against the flow of people leaving the theater to the projector.

Xu Damao was directing two young men from Dongying Village who had come to help to dismantle the projector screen and pack up the equipment, while he himself was carefully wiping the projector lens with a clean white cloth, his movements as gentle as if he were handling some rare treasure.

"Projectionist Xu! Projectionist Xu, you've worked so hard!" Wei Changsheng squeezed forward, his face beaming with a warm smile, his voice booming.

Hearing the sound, Xu Damao looked up and saw Wei Changsheng and Wei Chen (a rural youth who looked fairly energetic but dressed in rustic clothes) behind him. The professional enthusiasm on his face immediately faded, replaced by a reserved and slightly aloof expression. He slowly lowered the white cloth, his tone carrying a hint of city dweller's accent: "Oh? Village Chief Wei? What can I do for you?"

"Oh, Projectionist Xu, your movie was fantastic! Everyone thoroughly enjoyed it!" Wei Changsheng first flattered him, then lowered his voice, offering the oil-paper package in his hand with a hint of ingratiation, "It's getting late, and it's not easy for you to come all the way from the city. We don't have anything special in Baoyuquan Village, just this little bit of smoked wild rabbit meat from our own farm. It has a slightly earthy taste, but please take it back and try it; it's just a small token of our appreciation!"

As Wei Changsheng spoke, he subtly touched Wei Chen's arm.

Wei Chen understood and immediately stepped forward, his face bearing the characteristic "admiration" for technology and city dwellers that comes with youth. At the same time, he quickly pulled out a box of "Da Qianmen" cigarettes that had just been opened from his pocket. These were second-class cigarettes that were rationed and were much more upscale than the "Economy" brand. They were his special "stepping stone."

"Projectionist Xu, have a smoke!" Wei Chen deftly pulled out a cigarette and respectfully handed it to Xu Damao, his tone sincere. "Your movie projection skills are amazing! Watching you handle that machine just now, you were even more efficient than when I saw people repairing tractors in the commune! You've worked so hard so late at night!" He subtly revealed his curiosity about the projection technology and his "admiration" for Xu Damao himself.

Xu Damao's gaze was first drawn to the "Daqianmen" cigarette with its snow-white filter tip that was offered to him. This cigarette was considered a good brand in the city, and it was even more of a rarity in the countryside.

His expression softened considerably. He accepted the cigarette with a reserved air and casually tucked it behind his ear. When he looked at Wei Chen again, his eyes held a hint of scrutiny and a barely perceptible satisfaction—this kid knew how to handle things, and was more pleasing to the eye than that old village chief who only delivered local produce.

"Hehe, young man, you have a good eye." Xu Damao casually praised him, then took the oil paper package handed to him by Wei Changsheng. It felt heavy in his hand, and a genuine smile appeared on his face. "Village Chief Wei, you're too kind! We're all serving the people! The screening work is a bit tiring, but seeing the villagers enjoy it makes it all worthwhile!" He said politely, but his hands deftly stuffed the oil paper package into his large canvas tool bag.

Seeing that the items had been delivered, Wei Changsheng felt half relieved and quickly seized the opportunity to say, "Projectionist Xu, when would be a convenient time for you to come and show a film in our Baoyuquan Village? So that the whole village, young and old, can also benefit from it and learn about the revolutionary spirit?"

Xu Damao took out a match, slowly lit the "Daqianmen" cigarette clipped to his ear, took a deep drag, exhaled a smoke ring, and then said slowly, "Village Chief Wei, well... the factory's screening schedule is very tight, all the communes and brigades are lined up. But..."

He deliberately dragged out his words, his gaze sweeping over Wei Changsheng and Wei Chen's faces. "Since Village Chief Wei has spoken up, and the young man is quite sensible, I'll go back and check the schedule, and try my best to get it done! Our Director Yang of the Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill is most concerned about the integration of industry and agriculture and supports rural cultural development, so I should also take the voices from below back with me, shouldn't I?"

"Oh! Thank you so much, projectionist Xu!" Wei Changsheng was overjoyed and nodded and bowed repeatedly. "You'll have to go to great lengths for me!" He knew that Xu Damao's words were somewhat exaggerated, but at least it was a positive sign.

Wei Chen's heart skipped a beat. The name Yang, the factory director of Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill, came out of Xu Damao's mouth with an air of self-assurance that came from being an "insider," which once again confirmed his judgment.

His smile remained unchanged, and he offered Xu Damao another cigarette at the opportune moment: "Xu projectionist, you speak with such expertise! You must be just as capable at the factory!" He gave him a thumbs up.

This flattery made Xu Damao feel incredibly comfortable. He proudly dusted off non-existent dust from his work clothes cuffs and raised his chin slightly: "Young man, you have good taste! I'm not bragging, but in our Red Star Factory's propaganda department, when it comes to film projection skills and experience dealing with the communes and brigades below, you have to look to me, Xu Damao! Director Yang specifically asked me to go with him to project films when he went to the grassroots!" He boasted, with a sense of superiority unique to urban workers and a condescending attitude towards rural youth.

"That's right! That's right!" Wei Chen echoed, his mind racing. Xu Damao's personality and behavior were exactly the same as in the drama—vain, concerned with his image, and fond of being fawned over, using his small screen rights to gain benefits. This was a "cutting point" that could be used.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, the people from Dongying Village had already packed up the curtain panels and put the machines back in their boxes. Seeing that everything was almost done, Xu Damao picked up his signature canvas tool bag (containing local produce given by Wei Changsheng and cigarettes from Wei Chen), waved to Wei Changsheng and Wei Chen, and said, "Alright, Village Chief Wei, young man, it's getting late, I need to get back to the factory to report. I've got your village's business in mind; I'll have someone pass on the message if I hear anything!"

"Oh! Take care! Take care!" Wei Changsheng said goodbye hurriedly.

Watching Xu Damao, surrounded by several villagers from Dongying Village, push his bicycle loaded with projection equipment and disappear into the darkness leading to the main road, Wei Chen slowly withdrew his gaze.

The crowd in the threshing ground had mostly dispersed, leaving only a mess of sunflower seed shells, fruit pits, and scattered bits of grass. The place, which had been brightly lit and bustling with activity just moments before, was now deserted, with only two gas lamps illuminating the empty space.

Wei Chen used the excuse of going to the restroom to squeeze into the crowd. He watched from afar as the village chief of Dongying Village exchanged pleasantries with Xu Damao, hung some things on Xu Damao's bicycle, and saw him off.

Wei Chen called out to him from behind a low wall near the village entrance.

"Brother Xu, wait a moment..."

"It's you! What's up?" Xu Damao pushed his bicycle and saw the young man that the village chief from the neighboring village had brought with him calling him.

"Brother Xu, here are two geese I raised. Please take them home and have a taste!" Wei Chen took two geese out of his backpack and hung them on Xu Damao's bicycle handlebars.

"You look honest, kid. Why are you being so helpful? What's up?" Xu Damao mistook Wei Chen for some country bumpkin trying to curry favor with him to get into the city, and looked at Wei Chen arrogantly.

"Brother Xu, let me introduce myself. My name is Wei Chen. The village chief of Baoyuquan Village is my uncle. I'm a hunter. I'd like to ask if you know any leaders in the logistics department of the steel rolling mill? If it's convenient, I'd like to ask you to introduce me."

"How so?" Xu Damao hadn't expected this young man to be a hunter.

"I can get a few wild boars. I'd like to ask if the steel mill will take them?" Wei Chen said with a silly grin.

"It's not just selling to steel mills, is it?" Xu Damao wasn't naive; he was a shrewd man and immediately figured out Wei Chen's purpose. "How many can you get?"

"Hehe... You see, I'm not young anymore, I need to find a way to support my family, and I don't want to spend my whole life toiling in the fields. Luckily, I'm still pretty good at hunting, so I was thinking of seeing if I could go to the city to find a job. Currently, I have two adults and five children, the adults weigh two or three hundred pounds, and the children weigh about a hundred pounds!" Wei Chen explained.

"Really?" Xu Damao hadn't expected so much. If it was true, it wasn't impossible to do it. It wasn't just about gaining a favor from Wei Chen with the gifts; more importantly, meat was really scarce these days. If he could get the factory a thousand or so catties of wild boar, he would have done a great service!

"How can you lie about something like this? We have to speak with facts!" Wei Chen replied.

"Okay, I'll tell my boss when I get back, and I'll contact you if it's possible! If you can really get it, it won't be difficult!" Xu Damao also wanted to seize this opportunity to help Wei Chen.

Come to think of it, the conditions Wei Chen offered were quite good.

After the two made an appointment, Xu Damao gave him his address, saying that he could come to him if needed. Sure enough, it was No. 95 Nanluoguxiang, a place that was famous throughout the land.

After parting ways with Xu Damao, Wei Chen quickly ran towards his family, who were still waiting for him.

"Chen, hurry up, let's go back." Wei Changsheng called to Wei Chen.

"Okay." Wei Chen nodded and followed his uncle back.

On the way back to the village, the night wind, carrying the chill of late autumn, brushed against our cheeks. Our family members were still excitedly discussing the movie plot, imitating lines from it: "Climb the train! Fight the Japanese!" "Old Hong is amazing!" "That shot was so accurate!"...

Wei Chen walked silently, listening to the laughter and chatter of his family, his heart as calm and profound as the ground beneath his feet. He gazed at the dark outline of the village under the moonlight in the distance, then looked in the direction of Beijing, his eyes filled with complex and unfathomable emotions.

Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill… Courtyard House… Xu Damao… Sha Zhu… Qin Huairu… Uncle One… Uncle Two… And that Factory Director Li, Factory Director Yang…

These names and images, which originally existed only on screens and in words, now clearly overlap with reality. He is no longer a bewildered reborn person, but clearly aware that he is in the midst of a vast and complex narrative stage.

This should be an opportunity. Xu Damao cares about his reputation, but as one of the eight key members, the projectionist can also speak up at the steel mill. This may be his chance.

Meat is scarce these days. I have the skills of gaming and hunting. Thinking of Deputy Factory Director Ji in the TV series, I think I should start preparing early.