Rebirth in a Courtyard: I Am a Little Hunter

"Let's go to the backyard to see the deaf old lady and take the meat to her. Gentlemen, why don't you come along? I also want to find out how the old lady is doing," Director Wang suggested when he saw that the three gentlemen had arrived.

"Of course, of course!" Yi Zhonghai immediately replied, his tone carrying an undeniable sense of responsibility. "The old lady is one of the elderly people in our compound, and also a key recipient of the 'Five Guarantees' program that the neighborhood office is focusing on caring for. We three old men also keep an eye on her all the time. Director Wang, please, this way." He naturally stepped aside to lead the way, as if he were the one who was "primarily responsible" for the deaf old lady.

Liu Haizhong quickly chimed in, "Yes, yes, yes! The old man is right! The old lady is in good spirits! With us taking care of her, Director Wang, you can rest assured!" He then habitually patted his chest.

Yan Bugui quickly echoed, but his eyes lingered for a moment longer on the piece of meat and the martyr's family plaque that Wei Chen's family had just received before he forced a smile and followed the group: "Director Wang is so thoughtful, the old lady will definitely be happy to see you!"

The group passed through the moon gate and walked along the narrow passageway towards the backyard. Yi Zhonghai walked beside Director Wang, quietly introducing the deaf old lady's recent situation, inadvertently emphasizing phrases like "in our courtyard" and "when the old lady brought her food..." Liu Haizhong and Yan Bugui followed behind, exchanging quiet conversations, naturally revolving around the martyrs' family plaque and Wei Chen.

A faint light shone from the window of the small house in the backyard where the deaf old woman lived. Yi Zhonghai stepped forward and gently knocked on the door: "Grandma? Are you asleep? Director Wang from the neighborhood committee is here to see you!"

A rustling sound came from inside, and then the door was pulled open a crack, revealing the gentle but somewhat tired face of an older woman.

Seeing so many people outside the door, especially Director Wang, the middle-aged woman's face immediately lit up with a smile: "Oh! Director Wang! What brings you here? Please come in! The old lady just lay down and hasn't fallen asleep yet!" She quickly opened the door completely.

The small house was simple in furnishings but kept very clean. A faint, unique smell of an old man's room mingled with the warmth of the coal stove.

The deaf old lady leaned against the headboard, covered with a thick quilt. Her full head of silver hair was neatly combed. Although her eyes were a little cloudy, she seemed to be in good spirits.

Seeing so many people come in, especially seeing Director Wang's iconic blue Lenin suit, they seemed to recognize him as a "government official" and a somewhat restrained smile appeared on their faces as they tried to appear respectable.

"Grandma, Director Wang from the neighborhood office has brought you New Year's gifts! Take a look!" Yi Zhonghai whispered in the old lady's ear.

Director Wang stepped forward with a friendly smile and raised her voice: "Grandma! It's almost Chinese New Year, so the neighborhood committee is bringing you some meat and vegetables! How are you feeling?" She gestured for Xiao Li to hand over two jin of wild boar meat, which was also wrapped up.

An older woman quickly took the meat from the old lady, repeatedly expressing her gratitude: "Thank you, Director Wang! Thank you for the government's concern! The old lady has been doing well lately, and her appetite is good too! Look, isn't she much more energetic than she was in the summer?"

As she spoke, she placed the meat in front of the old woman for her to see, and then loudly repeated in the old woman's ear, "Director Wang has brought you meat! It's from the government!"

The deaf old woman looked at the oil paper package, then at Director Wang, and seemed to understand. Her smile deepened, and she murmured, "Good...good...good government..."

Yi Zhonghai chimed in at the opportune moment, his tone clearly tinged with self-praise: "Yes, Director Wang, the old lady has indeed been much more settled lately. My family takes meticulous care of her every day, preparing three different soft and easily digestible meals, feeding her every single one. We also frequently get up at night to check on her, worried she might kick off the covers and catch a cold. We old men also often come over to ask if she needs anything. The old lady is a treasure in our compound, and everyone has a responsibility to take good care of her."

Director Wang listened, her gaze sweeping over the clean and tidy room and the old woman's neatly washed clothes. She nodded approvingly, "Master Yi, Auntie, you've worked hard! Taking care of elderly people living alone is not easy. Your spirit of neighborly care and mutual assistance is a new trend that our street office promotes! It deserves praise!" She looked at Yi Zhonghai and the old woman, her eyes filled with sincere affirmation.

Yi Zhonghai smiled modestly and waved his hands repeatedly, "Director Wang, you flatter me. It's all the right thing to do. A close neighbor is worse than a distant relative! The old lady has no children, so it's our duty to take care of her." An older woman chimed in, her face showing satisfaction at being recognized.

Not to be outdone, Liu Haizhong immediately chimed in, "Director Wang, don't worry! The old lady's affairs are the affairs of us three old men! With the three of us here, we guarantee that the old lady will enjoy her later years in peace! Look at the old lady's complexion, isn't it wonderful!" He pointed to the old lady's face, as if he was the one who had brought about her good complexion.

Yan Bugui quickly chimed in, "That's right, that's right! The eldest uncle and aunt are very well taken care of, and our second and third uncles are always there when needed! If the old lady needs anything, she can just say the word!" He had a smile on his face, but in his heart he was calculating whether Director Wang's praise of the eldest uncle would affect his third uncle's status in the courtyard.

Director Wang inquired a few more questions about the old lady's daily life and any difficulties she might be facing. The woman answered in detail, with Yi Zhonghai occasionally adding his own comments, creating a harmonious and warm atmosphere. Although the deaf old lady couldn't hear much, she felt the lively atmosphere and the concern of the "officials," and a smile remained on her face.

After visiting the deaf old lady in the backyard, Director Wang and his group were heading to Wei Chen's house, and the three old men naturally followed along.

Director Wang's trip had two main purposes: to deliver welfare benefits to Wei Chen's family and to "support" Wei Chen's family.

In this era, although the people were generally honest and kind, there were still those who bullied the weak and feared the strong. As a leader in the neighborhood committee, she had seen all sorts of people. Especially in this kind of compound, there were all kinds of people. So she often visited the families of martyrs in her jurisdiction, which helped these families in a way that was unintentional.

In Wei Chen's small courtyard, the embers from the stove emitted a warm glow. Wang Xiulan deftly cleared away the dishes, her movements swift and efficient. Wei Chen sat in the main room, his gaze calm and serene, focusing on the true energy slowly flowing in his dantian, sensing the subtle changes in the power surging through his meridians!

Suddenly, a series of clear knocks rang out in the front yard, followed by Yan Bugui's voice, raised eight octaves and brimming with eagerness, clearly piercing the silence of the winter night: "Comrade Weichen! Sister-in-law Xiulan! Director Wang from the neighborhood committee has come to visit! Open the door!" The voice, like a pebble thrown into still water, instantly shattered the tranquility of the courtyard and startled the other households.

Wang Xiulan paused in wiping her hands, exchanged a glance with Wei Chen, and both saw surprise in each other's eyes. Wei Chen stood up. Wang Xiulan quickly walked to the courtyard gate, took a deep breath, and unlatched it.

Outside the door stood several people, namely the three old men and Director Wang and his entourage.

The first one was Director Wang from the subdistrict office. He was in his forties, wearing a dark blue Lenin suit that was washed to a crisp but ironed perfectly. His short hair was neatly combed, and his serious face revealed the competence and experience honed by years of grassroots work.

Behind her followed a slightly reserved young clerk named Xiao Li, who was in his early twenties and carrying a bulging, heavy coarse cloth bag.

Yan Bugui stood to the side and behind Director Wang, his face full of smiles, trying to straighten his slightly thin back, as if he were the person in charge of welcoming the leader.

"Director Wang? What brings you here? Please come in!" Wang Xiulan quickly stepped aside, her tone carrying just the right amount of surprise and a hint of barely perceptible awkwardness. Wei Chen also stepped forward and greeted her politely, "Director Wang, hello."

"Comrade Xiulan, Comrade Weichen, good evening. I'm sorry to disturb your rest." Director Wang walked into the courtyard with a gentle yet authoritative smile on his face.

Her sharp gaze swept quickly over the neatly tidied courtyard, where the stove, water tank, and clothes drying were all in perfect order. She gave a barely perceptible nod, revealing a hint of approval.

Upon entering the main living room of Wei Chen's house, the group showered him with compliments. After taking their seats, Director Wang explained the purpose of their visit: to visit Wang Xiulan, the widow of a martyr who had recently moved to her jurisdiction, on behalf of the neighborhood committee.

After Director Wang finished speaking, Xiao Li respectfully handed Wang Xiulan two catties of wild boar meat: "Comrade Wang Xiulan, this is a small token of our appreciation from the subdistrict office."

Wang Xiulan's eyes welled up as she looked at the piece of meat wrapped in oiled paper. This meat, in a sense, was obtained by her son, and now, through the government's efforts, it had been delivered to her, a family member of a martyr, with care and concern. Her family didn't lack meat, but this meat held a different meaning!

She accepted the gift with both hands; the weight of the meat was significant, but it also represented the warmth of being recognized and remembered. "Thank you! Thank you, Director Wang! Thank you, government! You still remember us..." Her voice trembled slightly.

"Of course!" Director Wang said firmly. "Your families have made sacrifices and contributions to the country, and the Party and the people will never forget them!" She paused, her gaze becoming even more solemn, as if she were announcing something extremely important. "In addition, there is another important matter." She gestured to clerk Xiao Li to bring out something else.

It was a wooden plaque, about a foot long and half a foot wide, painted red, its color bright and solemn. On it, four large characters were neatly written in bright yellow paint: "Glorious Family Members of Martyrs". A short red ribbon, symbolizing joy and honor, was tied to the top of the plaque, standing out prominently in the dim light.

Director Wang personally accepted the plaque for the family of a martyr and solemnly handed it to Wang Xiulan: "Comrade Xiulan, Comrade Weichen, please keep this plaque safe and hang it up in a prominent place. This is not only a weighty honor, but also a declaration! Your loved ones have shed blood and rendered meritorious service for the country! They are protected by the country and the government! Let the neighbors see this, and let those who may have ulterior motives know that the families of martyrs are not to be underestimated or bullied!"