Rebirth in a Courtyard: I Am a Little Hunter

The people in the courtyard quickly gathered, men and women, young and old, crowded into the central courtyard, chattering amongst themselves.

"Uncle, it's almost Chinese New Year, what kind of meeting is this?"

"Yes, we're busy making dumplings at home. What can't we talk about after the New Year?"

"Could it be that the compound offers some kind of perk?"

Listening to the discussions, Yi Zhonghai waved his hand, lowered his voice, and waited until the courtyard was completely quiet before slowly speaking. His gaze first swept across the entire scene and finally landed on Wei Chen, who was standing on the outside of the crowd.

"I've gathered everyone here today for no other reason than that the New Year is just two days away. We have so many neighbors in this courtyard, and we see each other all the time. We need to help each other out so that we can live in harmony, right?" Yi Zhonghai said earnestly, as if he was thinking of everyone in the courtyard.

Everyone nodded in agreement, saying, "The old man is right."

Seeing this, Yi Zhonghai was secretly pleased. He changed the subject and looked directly at Wei Chen, raising his voice so that everyone present could hear him clearly: "Wei Chen, this kid is capable. Ever since he came to our compound, everyone has seen how hardworking and reliable he is. He even brought his mother and sister from the countryside to the city to enjoy a better life. He's a filial son. What's even more remarkable is that he's also a skilled hunter. This is a blessing for our compound."

Wei Chen frowned almost imperceptibly, already understanding that Yi Zhonghai had ill intentions and was definitely after the wild game in his hands. He remained calm and stood there, waiting for Yi Zhonghai to continue.

Sure enough, Yi Zhonghai then said, "Look, the New Year is just around the corner. Many families in our compound are struggling to make ends meet. Forget about eating meat, some families don't even have enough white flour to eat."

"Wei Chen, you're a great hunter. You have wild boar meat and other game; your family can't possibly eat it all. We're all neighbors in the same compound, and as the saying goes, a close neighbor is worse than a distant relative. Don't you think we should share some of the game with everyone in the compound, so that everyone can have a good, lively New Year with plenty of meat?"

As soon as he said that, the entire courtyard fell silent for a few seconds, and then everyone's eyes fell on Wei Chen.

Some were envious, some were greedy, some were waiting to see the show, and some thought it was only natural.

Standing in the crowd, Jia Zhangshi's eyes lit up instantly. She stared intently at Wei Chen, muttering, "That's right, that's right! We're all neighbors, what's wrong with sharing some meat? There's so much wild game, we can't even finish it all! What's with the stinginess!"

Qin Huairu tugged at Jia Zhangshi's sleeve, her face full of anticipation. Her family had many children who had been craving meat for a long time. If they could get some wild boar meat, Banggeng and the others could finally satisfy their cravings this New Year.

Sha Zhu stood to the side, stroking his chin. He wasn't greedy for the meat, but he felt that Yi Zhonghai's words made some sense. They were neighbors, so sharing some meat wouldn't hurt.

When the third uncle in the crowd, Yan Bugui, heard this, he shrank his head and kept his head down the whole time, not saying a word, as if he were invisible.

Yan Bugui knew perfectly well that he had just exchanged meat with Wei Chen, and judging from Wei Chen's attitude, he had no intention of paying attention to those selfish guys in the courtyard.

The third uncle tried to persuade Wei Chen to give him some meat, and although Wei Chen was unwilling, he didn't argue with him. The third uncle knew in his heart that Wei Chen's game was all earned with his life, not obtained by chance, and Yi Zhonghai was clearly using moral blackmail.

If he spoke up for Yi Zhonghai, and Wei Chen brought up past grievances, he would lose face and wouldn't be able to get any more food from Wei Chen in the future. Therefore, even though Yi Zhonghai frequently gave him meaningful glances, Yan Bugui pretended not to see them and remained silent throughout.

Seeing that Yan Bugui remained silent, Yi Zhonghai didn't pay any attention and continued to morally blackmail Wei Chen: "Wei Chen, our compound is a whole. Neighbors should share happiness and hardship. Now that you're doing well and have meat to eat, you can't forget your old neighbors in the compound. If word gets out that you're hogging the good food and not letting your neighbors benefit, what will people think of you? They'll say you don't understand neighborly relations and are selfish!"

These words put Wei Chen in a very difficult position.

In front of the entire hospital, they pressured Wei Chen by emphasizing neighborly harmony and moral reputation, forcing him to bring out wild game, otherwise he would be considered selfish, ignorant, and disregarding neighborly relations.

Looking at Yi Zhonghai's hypocritical demeanor, Wei Chen found it all laughable.

Since he entered this courtyard, he has always adhered to the principle of "I will not offend others unless they offend me," kept to himself, never caused trouble, and never took advantage of anyone in the courtyard.

On ordinary days, he would help anyone in the neighborhood with any small matters. He fixed the water pipes when they broke, helped move heavy objects, and even took a neighbor's sick child to the hospital at night when no one could take him.

He had never wronged anyone in the compound, and although he knew the wild game in his hands came easily, in those days, who didn't risk their life to hunt?

In those days, hunting meant enduring the harsh winter months, braving wind and sun, hunger, and battling wild animals. Every piece of meat had to be obtained with all one's might. If it were easy, the people in the courtyard would have gone hunting in the mountains themselves long ago! Every year, many hunters died because of hunting, let alone ordinary people!

Why should what he risked his life for be given away to these greedy neighbors for no reason, just because Yi Zhonghai said "neighborly harmony and sharing of blessings"?

Why should he be morally blackmailed and accused of being selfish just because he worked hard to live a good life?

Wei Chen's lips curled into a cold smile, his eyes sharpening, no longer as indifferent as before, exuding an aura of unapproachability. He took a small step forward, his gaze calmly sweeping over Yi Zhonghai, then over the greedy, expectant faces in the room, his voice steady and powerful, each word clearly resounding throughout the entire courtyard.

"Sir, I cannot agree with what you said."

As soon as Wei Chen spoke, the courtyard fell silent. No one expected that Wei Chen would dare to directly refute Yi Zhonghai.

Yi Zhonghai's face darkened. He hadn't expected Wei Chen to be so disrespectful. He immediately said, "Wei Chen, how can you talk like that? I'm doing this for the sake of harmony in the compound, for everyone's good. If you have wild game, share it with the neighbors. Isn't that right?"

"Right? We need to distinguish between things and things." Wei Chen spoke calmly and unhurriedly, looking at Yi Zhonghai with a firm gaze. "First of all, since I, Wei Chen, came to this compound, I have never done anything to wrong my neighbors. I have never refused to help anyone in the compound. I do not owe anyone anything."

"Secondly, the wild boar meat and game in my hands didn't fall from the sky, nor did they come from a strong wind. Every prey was the result of my hard work hunting deep in the mountains, braving the bitter cold and the danger of being attacked by wild beasts. In the dead of winter, the wind and snow are fierce in the mountains, and the wild beasts are ferocious. I have dealt with wild boars and wolves in the mountains countless times, and I have almost been injured many times. None of you have seen any of this."

"What I earned with my life is my duty to support my mother, raise my sister, and give my family a good life. It is what I deserve. I have no obligation to give away what I worked so hard for to anyone for no reason."

Wei Chen's words were clear and logical, each word resounding and hitting the nail on the head.

He didn't shout or get angry; he simply stated the facts calmly. Yet, his confidence and determination left no one present with any room for rebuttal.

Yi Zhonghai was surprised that Wei Chen was so eloquent, directly refuting his moral blackmail. His face immediately turned ugly, but he was still unwilling to give up: "You can't say that. Neighbors should help each other. What you have may not mean to you, but for the poor people in the courtyard, it's something they look forward to for the New Year. How can you be so stingy and disregard the bigger picture?"

"Stingy? Disregarding the bigger picture?" Wei Chen laughed, his eyes full of sarcasm. "Uncle, if you think neighbors should help each other and share good fortune, then you can take out your meat and flour and share them with everyone. I, Wei Chen, will have no objection. But you can't take my things to do me a favor, stand on your moral high ground, and criticize or coerce me."

"The things in my house are what I earned myself. I can give them to whomever I want, and no one can force me to. These things are about mutual consent, not moral blackmail. I don't need to wrong myself and my family for the sake of so-called neighborhood reputation, and share what I worked so hard for with those who want to enjoy the fruits of others' labor and only think about taking advantage."

These words directly exposed Yi Zhonghai's ulterior motives and also enlightened many people present.

Yi Zhonghai was speechless, his face turning pale and then red. He stood there, embarrassed and angry. He never expected that his carefully planned college-wide meeting would be resolved by Wei Chen with just a few words, leaving him in an awkward position.

Just as Yi Zhonghai stood frozen in place, unsure of how to end the situation, a voice suddenly rang out from the crowd, standing up to support Wei Chen.

"I think Wei Chen is right!"

Everyone looked in the direction of the voice and saw that it was Xu Damao who was speaking.

Xu Damao pushed through the crowd, walked to Wei Chen's side, and looked at Yi Zhonghai with disdain, saying, "Uncle, that's a bit unfair of you. Wei Chen hunted the game himself; it has nothing to do with us. Why should he share it with us? Aren't you blatantly bullying and morally blackmailing him?"

Xu Damao had a good relationship with Wei Chen. Wei Chen was an upright person who never played tricks on him and didn't look down on him like others did. Sometimes he would even share some wild game with him. Xu Damao always remembered Wei Chen's kindness.

Furthermore, he had always disliked Yi Zhonghai's hypocritical and manipulative ways, his constant attempts to control the compound, and his attempts to morally blackmail others. Yi Zhonghai was always trying to control him and favored Sha Zhu, which had long been a source of resentment for him. Now, seeing Yi Zhonghai pressuring Wei Chen, he immediately stood up to speak up for Wei Chen.

"Wei Chen doesn't owe us anything. It's a favor if he's willing to give, and it's his right not to. Nobody can say anything wrong about it. Sir, if you want to be a good person, take out what you need yourself. Don't force Wei Chen. Anyone would be happy to do this!"

Xu Damao's words were blunt and sharp, completely humiliating Yi Zhonghai.