Rebirth in a Courtyard: I Am a Little Hunter

Looking at the sincere expectation and helplessness in Director Wang's eyes, Wei Chen glanced at Liu Haizhong, who was looking dejected, and Yi Zhonghai and Yan Bugui, who hadn't said much. Yi Zhonghai nodded slightly, seemingly agreeing with Director Wang's "compassion for the people below," while Yan Bugui's eyes darted around, as if he was plotting something.

Wei Chen hesitated for a moment, then met Director Wang's gaze and nodded solemnly: "Director Wang, I understand your concern for those in need. I will try my best to make contact. I will try my best to find a way to get the wild boar. However, as you know, hunters in the mountains are unpredictable, and things are not something that can be found easily. I cannot guarantee anything, I can only say... I will try my best."

He didn't mention the second part about giving benefits to the street office staff. Firstly, he really didn't want to be too high-profile, and secondly, even if he did give one to the street office, he didn't want to talk about it here; he could just send it directly to Director Wang later.

"Just do your best! Just do your best!" Director Wang said twice, a relieved smile immediately appearing on his face when he heard Wei Chen relent.

She knew Wei Chen's character; if he said he would do his best, then there was a high chance of success. "With your words, I feel relieved! Whether it works out or not, on behalf of the neighborhood committee and all those struggling families looking forward to the New Year, thank you!" She stood up and extended her hand.

Wei Chen also stood up and shook hands with Director Wang: "Director Wang, you're too kind. It's my pleasure."

"Alright, I won't bother you any longer. I'll leave this matter to you." Having achieved his goal, Director Wang was in a much better mood and didn't linger, turning to leave.

"Director Wang, take care! Let me see you off!" Liu Haizhong immediately perked up and rushed to open the door, acting as attentive as a doorman.

Yi Zhonghai and Yan Bugui also got up to see him off. Wei Chen followed and escorted him to the Moon Gate. Director Wang nodded to Wei Chen again, then gave Liu Haizhong, who still wanted to come out and continue to show his loyalty, a warning look: "Comrade Liu Haizhong, you three gentlemen should also go back and rest early." After saying that, he wrapped his scarf tighter and quickly disappeared into the night of the alley.

As Liu Haizhong watched Director Wang walk away, the fawning smile on his face vanished instantly. He straightened his back and resumed his "second uncle" demeanor.

He turned around, winked at Yi Zhonghai and Yan Bugui, then looked at Wei Chen, who was about to close the door, coughed, and said in an unquestionable tone:

"Wei Chen, don't close the door yet. We three old men have something to discuss with you."

Wei Chen paused in closing the door, a cold smile playing on his lips: They've come, after all. His face remained impassive as he stepped aside, saying, "Oh? Do the three gentlemen have something else? Please come in."

Yi Zhonghai, Liu Haizhong, and Yan Bugui filed back in and returned to the seats they had just occupied in Wei Chen's room. The atmosphere inside instantly became subtle because of the three old men's return.

Yi Zhonghai spoke first, his tone still mature and composed: "Wei Chen, you heard what Director Wang said earlier. The poor households in our neighborhood are indeed having a tough time. This year-end is going to be difficult." He sighed, as if he felt the pain himself.

Liu Haizhong immediately chimed in, his voice loud and clear, with a hint of condescension: "Yes! Wei Chen! Director Wang came to ask for help on behalf of the organization, and you agreed, that's good! It shows you have awareness! However, we can't just think about the street office, we also have to think about our own people in the courtyard!"

He leaned forward, staring intently at Wei Chen, as if issuing a command: "Look, you got twenty-eight for the factory, you should at least get one for the neighborhood committee. Our courtyard has dozens of households, young and old, who doesn't want a prosperous New Year? As a member of our community, shouldn't you do your part for your neighbors?"

"Here's what you're going to do: think of another way to contact one end! It doesn't need to be too big, just one end! Each household in our courtyard can share, so everyone can benefit and have a good New Year! This is a great thing for the neighborhood! Everyone will remember your kindness!"

Yi Zhonghai chimed in at the opportune moment, his tone earnest: "Wei Chen, a close neighbor is worse than a distant relative. Our courtyard is all about mutual help and solidarity. Since you have the ability, it's only right that you help out the neighbors in need. Look at the Jia family, Dongxu is weak, and Banggeng and Xiaodang are both growing, they rarely see meat even a few times a year..."

Yan Bugui sat to the side, adjusting his glasses, but didn't speak immediately. He had his own plans. A few days ago, when he privately spoke to Wei Chen, he had subtly mentioned that if there was any extra meat, he could share some with him. He believed Wei Chen wasn't lying. Now, Yi Zhonghai and Liu Haizhong wanted to coerce the entire courtyard into distributing the meat; how much would each of the dozens of households get? It was more practical to wait for Wei Chen to give him his share privately. So he chose silence, neither agreeing nor disagreeing, observing the situation.

Wei Chen listened to Yi Zhonghai and Liu Haizhong's back-and-forth, one playing the good cop preaching the principles of neighborly help, the other the bad cop applying pressure with bureaucratic jargon—their coordination was impeccable. This was hardly a discussion.

It's clearly a blatant act of moral blackmail under the guise of "thinking of the neighbors," trying to make them a sucker and have them contribute wild boar meat free of charge or at a low price, so that the three old men can gain favor and establish prestige among their neighbors.

His inward sneer deepened, but he feigned reluctance: "Uncle, Uncle, I understand what you mean. It's only right for neighbors to help each other."

Just as Yi Zhonghai and Liu Haizhong's faces showed a hint of satisfaction, Wei Chen's tone suddenly changed, becoming clear and cold:

"However, purchasing for the steel rolling mill is my job, and the mill pays for it with money and receipts. Purchasing for Director Wang is done by the street office in the name of the unit, and they also pay for it with money and receipts. I then transfer the money to the hunters in the mountains. These are all government-run purchases."

His gaze swept over Yi Zhonghai and Liu Haizhong, his voice not loud, but each word clear and carried an undeniable force:

"But what you two just said, asking me to contact another wild boar and sell it to our neighbors in the courtyard... that's a completely different matter."

He paused, looked directly at the two of them, and asked, word by word:

"These three gentlemen are all sensible people. I'm just a purchasing agent; I used my position to secretly contact suppliers and then resell the meat to my neighbors... What kind of behavior is that?"

The room fell silent instantly, with only the faint crackling of the fire in the fireplace.

Yi Zhonghai's earnest expression froze, his eyes flickering. Liu Haizhong's official demeanor also hardened; he opened his mouth, seemingly wanting to retort, but then fell silent. Yan Bugui instinctively shrank back, his hand, which was pushing up his glasses, stopping mid-air.

Wei Chen didn't give them time to think; he gave the answer directly, his voice striking everyone's heart clearly:

"This is called 'speculation and profiteering'! It's a serious violation of policy and a crime punishable by imprisonment!"

"These three gentlemen are influential figures in the neighborhood and the community; they know more about policies and regulations than I do. Are you asking me to do this to help me, or…?" Wei Chen's gaze sharpened, "…to harm me?"

The four words "speculation and profiteering" struck Yi Zhonghai and Liu Hai like four cold stones, slamming into their hearts. In that era, these four words carried immense weight! They were a sharp sword hanging over everyone's head; once tainted, the consequences ranged from public criticism and parading through the streets to imprisonment and ruined futures! They had been so preoccupied with official rhetoric and personal connections that they had completely overlooked this deadly risk!

Yi Zhonghai's expression changed. He hadn't expected Wei Chen to be so direct and sharp. He forced himself to remain calm and tried to salvage the situation with his usual "morality": "Wei Chen, you're exaggerating! We're just dealing with things in our own yard. It's just neighbors sharing things. How can you bring up 'speculation'?"

"This...this is just neighborhood mutual assistance at most! You helped everyone, and everyone knows it; who would tell anyone? Besides, we three old men are in our courtyard; would we let you suffer a loss?"

"Exactly!" Liu Haizhong recovered his composure, and although he lacked confidence, he still habitually put on airs. "Wei Chen! You're so young, don't exaggerate! Would the three of us old men harm you? This is for your own good! For everyone's good! To give you a good reputation in the courtyard!"

Think about it, you've only been here a short time and aren't very familiar with everyone yet. If you can help everyone solve their meat-eating problem this time, who in the neighborhood won't look up to you? Who won't remember your kindness? This can only benefit you, not harm you!

He tried to lure Wei Chen with "fame" and "benefits".

Wei Chen's inward sneer deepened. Reputation? Remembering me? More likely, it's because you three old men are good at organizing and leading the organization! Benefits? Nothing more than some vague "favors," and you might even be secretly envied, or even reported!

Wei Chen was certain he would be reported, and there would definitely be people who were jealous, perhaps even these old men, or they would incite certain people in the courtyard, so Wei Chen would never set that precedent.

He shook his head directly, refusing decisively: "Uncle, Uncle, I appreciate your kindness. But I can't afford this risk."

Purchasing for the factory and the neighborhood committee is all official business, with all the necessary paperwork and can withstand scrutiny. But to secretly resell meat to the neighbors? What would the consequences be if this got out? Even if the neighbors don't say anything, secrets don't stay hidden forever! At that point, not only would I lose my job, but I'd probably also ruin the reputations of those three old men.”

He emphasized the word "implicate," his gaze sweeping over the three men before finally settling on Yan Bugui: "Third Uncle, don't you agree? You're highly educated and knowledgeable about policies, what's your opinion?"

Yan Bugui's heart skipped a beat when Wei Chen called him out. He had always intended to stay out of it and profit privately, so why would he want to get involved? Moreover, Wei Chen had pointed out the risks of "speculation and profiteering" and implied that they might be "implicated." He immediately cleared his throat and adopted a neutral stance:

"Ahem... Well... what Wei Chen said... makes some sense. Policy red lines can't be taken lightly. This meat... is a scarce commodity after all, and dealing in it privately is too risky. I think... we should be cautious about this." His words were tantamount to indirectly rejecting the suggestions made by Yi Zhonghai and Liu Haizhong earlier.