Rebirth in a Courtyard: I Am a Little Hunter

Wei Chen immediately put on an "overwhelmed with gratitude" expression, bowed slightly, and said in a clear but not loud voice, "Director Li, you are too kind! I was just lucky to learn a little hunting from my master. It is my honor to be able to help the factory in a way!" He cleverly attributed the credit to his "master" again and lowered his own posture.

"Good! Calm and composed, a good comrade!" Li Huaide was very satisfied with Wei Chen's "sensible" behavior. He released his grip and turned to Wang Jianshe, the logistics director, "Director Wang, immediately arrange for someone to weigh the meat! Put it into storage! Make sure the quantity is accurate and the meat is fresh!"

"Yes, Deputy Factory Director Li!" Wang Jianshe immediately directed several burly warehouse workers who had been prepared to surround the factory with large scales and levers.

The atmosphere at the scene became even more enthusiastic. The workers craned their necks to watch and discuss, as if watching a grand performance.

"Wow! This is huge! Look at the weight!" "Three hundred and sixty-seven pounds!"

"This one is even bigger! It weighs 382 pounds!"

"The five smaller ones... weigh a total of 566 jin!"

"My goodness, over a thousand pounds! Factory Director Li is really generous!" Each number shouted out by the worker in charge of counting elicited an even louder gasp and cheers. The numbers were the most direct and shocking thing!

Watching the weight rise high and hearing the heavy numbers, Li Huaide felt a surge of pride and ambition. He cleared his throat and pressed his hands down. The noisy crowd gradually quieted down, and countless eager eyes focused on him.

"Comrades!" Li Huaide's voice was loud and full of passion. "As you all can see! This more than 1,000 jin of wild boar meat was hard-won! This fully demonstrates that our factory leadership team always puts improving the lives of our employees first! They think what the workers think and are anxious about what the workers are anxious about!"

He paused, his gaze sweeping across the room, savoring the feeling of being in control. Then, with a sudden wave of his hand, like a general issuing a command for a final assault: "To thank everyone for their hard work in building the factory, and to allow everyone to share in this hard-won achievement, I announce—tomorrow at noon, the staff canteen will have an extra dish! Wild boar stew! One meat ticket per person, redeem with your ticket! Let everyone have a taste of meat, boost their morale, and create even greater glory for our Red Star Steel Rolling Mill!"

"Oh—!" "Long live Director Li!" "We'll have meat to eat!" "Director Li is brilliant!" "Thank you, Director Li!" A huge, heartfelt cheer erupted like a mountain collapsing and a tsunami crashing into the sky!

The workers' faces beamed with pure joy and gratitude, and their applause thundered and lasted for a long time. At that moment, Li Huaide's prestige reached its peak in the hearts of countless workers.

Li Huaide smiled and waved frequently to the excited workers. Amidst the deafening cheers and applause, he turned to Wei Chen, who was standing beside him and equally caught up in the enthusiastic atmosphere, and whispered something, his voice low but crystal clear: "Xiao Wei, well done. Come to my office in a bit, I'll process your paperwork."

Looking at the bustling crowd before him, feeling the wave of warmth and camaraderie of collective life, and hearing Deputy Factory Director Li's promise, Wei Chen felt a huge weight lifted from his heart. Meeting Li Huaide's gaze, he nodded solemnly, a genuine, hopeful smile spreading across his face. "Yes, Director Li!"

The deafening cheers gradually subsided like the tide, leaving only a few scattered workers in the open space in front of the warehouse, still excitedly discussing the matter.

Wei Chen stood on the ground where the noise had just subsided, watching the logistics workers shouting as they carried the last wild boar, weighing over 300 pounds, deep into the warehouse. The faint smell of blood mixed with the dust in the air reminded him that the “heroic feat” that had just shocked the entire factory was indeed true.

"Xiao Wei, come with me." Li Huaide's voice, tinged with a barely perceptible satisfaction, interrupted Wei Chen's thoughts. The deputy factory director still wore a warm, leader-like smile, but deep within that smile lay a scrutiny and consideration of this "unexpected delight."

"Yes, Director Li." Wei Chen immediately composed himself, his face regaining its awkward expression of being both flattered and a country bumpkin in the city, and followed closely behind Li Huaide, keeping a half-step distance.

He could feel the curious, envious, and even inquisitive gazes from the workers who hadn't yet dispersed. He knew that from this moment on, his name, Wei Chen, was now on the list among the thousands of people at the Red Star Steel Rolling Mill.

After walking along the straight cement road in the factory area and passing several workshops and factory buildings with wisps of smoke rising from them, we arrived at a relatively independent three-story office building with green wainscoting.

Li Huaide's office was on the far east side of the third floor, with excellent natural light, spacious and bright. The dark brown solid wood desk was polished to a shine, and neatly arranged on it were documents, a telephone, a pen holder, and an enamel teacup printed with "Serve the People".

Against the wall was a row of filing cabinets and a long sofa covered with dark green velvet. On the wall hung a portrait of the leader and several charts of production indicators. The whole space was filled with an atmosphere of seriousness and power unique to those within the system.

"Sit down, Comrade Xiao Wei." Li Huaide walked around the large desk, sat down in the leather chair, pointed to the chair opposite him, and his attitude was very amiable, even with the warmth of an elder.

Wei Chen sat down as instructed, his back straight, his hands placed neatly on his knees, and his eyes held just the right amount of respect as he looked at Li Huaide.

"Good, very good!" Li Huaide leaned forward slightly, placed his hands crossed on the table, and looked at Wei Chen intently, as if admiring a newly unearthed gem. "Well done today! Over a thousand catties of wild boar meat has solved the factory's urgent problem and greatly boosted the workers' morale! What I said at the warehouse entrance just now represented the factory's position, and more importantly, my personal feelings! You are so young, yet you have such ability, and what's even more commendable is your willingness to share the factory's burdens! Excellent!"

"Director Li, you flatter me." Wei Chen quickly bowed, his tone sincere and humble. "I just happened to learn a little hunting from my master, and I was lucky enough to run into that group of wild boars. It's my blessing to be able to do something for the factory. It's mainly thanks to your excellent leadership, Director Li, that I had this opportunity." He once again attributed the credit to his "master" and "luck," while not forgetting to elevate Li Huaide to a high position.

"Hehe, young man, humility is a good thing, but the credit that belongs to you can't be denied by anyone." Li Huaide waved his hand with a smile, clearly very pleased with Wei Chen's humility and "sensibleness".

"By the way, Xiao Wei," Li Huaide lowered his voice, his smile becoming somewhat meaningful, "you just said... you learned hunting from your master? Your master... is quite a capable person."

"Yes, Master has lived in the mountains for decades and is very experienced," Wei Chen replied cautiously.

"Hmm, there are lots of good things in the mountains," Li Huaide remarked casually, his gaze lingering on Wei Chen's face. Suddenly, he changed the subject, his tone slightly probing, "Besides wild boar... has your master, or yourself, ever... um, gotten your hands on anything else rare?"

Here it comes! Wei Chen sneered inwardly, but on his face he showed a hint of "being reminded", followed by a look of "embarrassment" and "hesitation".

He glanced around, as if to make sure the office door was closed, then lowered his voice, with a hint of youthful pride, and leaned closer to say, "Director Li, a few days ago, we got lucky and managed to get our hands on a deer deep in the mountains! A fully grown male deer, incredibly strong! I figured it was too conspicuous, so I didn't dare bring it to the factory. The venison, testicles, antlers, and antlers are all there, a whole deer, cleaned thoroughly, absolutely fresh!" He deliberately emphasized the keywords "testicles" and "antlers," two keywords that were extremely tempting to middle-aged men.

Sure enough, Li Huaide's pupils contracted imperceptibly when he heard "deer treasure" and "deer antlers," and his Adam's apple bobbed slightly.

His smile deepened, carrying a knowing admiration, and he unconsciously leaned forward: "Oh? A whole deer? And deer roe and antlers? Xiao Wei, your luck... is truly unbelievable!" His tone was full of admiration that "you're really something."

Wei Chen caught the fleeting eagerness in the other man's eyes, which gave him more confidence. He continued, "Director Li, you work tirelessly every day, handling countless matters big and small for the factory. I've heard that venison is warming and nourishing, and deer antler and deer gallstones are especially good for replenishing vital energy. Your good health is essential to leading our steel mill forward! So…" He paused at just the right moment, lowering his voice even further, filled with utmost sincerity and respect, "You see… how convenient is it? How about… I find an opportunity to deliver it to you tonight?"

Li Huaide's smile was almost overflowing. He looked at Wei Chen with admiration in his eyes, seeing him as a promising young man.

He originally only wanted to win over this young man who could get his hands on wild game, but he didn't expect the other party to be so "savvy". Not only was he very capable, but his interpersonal skills and ability to understand his superiors' intentions far exceeded his expectations!

A whole deer, along with precious deer antlers—this is an incredibly generous gift! Whether for personal enjoyment or to cultivate relationships with higher-ups, it's a priceless treasure!

"Hehehe..." Li Huaide couldn't help but chuckle. He picked up a pen, quickly wrote an address on a blank notepad, and pushed it towards Wei Chen. His voice was extremely low, carrying a tacit understanding: "Little Wei, you're so thoughtful! You're a really good comrade! Here, remember this address. Tonight... after ten o'clock, deliver it here. Knock three times quickly, then two times slowly, got it?" Wei Chen solemnly took the note, quickly glancing at the address—the name and address of a hutong near Nanluoguxiang. He nodded vigorously: "Don't worry, Director Li, I've got it! After ten o'clock, three quick knocks and two slow knocks!"