Rebirth in a Courtyard: I Am a Little Hunter

Hu Songnian's eyes lit up, and his smile became even more genuine. He immediately stood up, walked over to Wei Chen, and extended his hand: "Oh! It's Brother Wei Chen! I've heard so much about you! I heard about you at the warehouse today—wow, carrying a wild boar weighing three or four hundred pounds all by yourself! Truly a young hero! Welcome, welcome! From now on, we're comrades in arms! Don't worry, with me, I'll make sure you get the hang of it quickly!"

"Hello, Brother Hu! I look forward to your guidance in the future!" Wei Chen immediately put on a warm yet slightly awkward "newcomer" smile, shaking hands with Hu Songnian while quickly taking out a brand-new pack of Daqianmen cigarettes from his worn-out yellow cloth satchel—actually a gaming backpack. He deftly tore open the seal, pulled out a cigarette, and respectfully handed it to Hu Songnian with both hands: "Brother Hu, have a smoke!"

Then he turned to Zhao Dashan and Liu Guoqing, offering them cigarettes with both hands: "Master Zhao, have a smoke! Brother Guoqing, have a smoke!" Finally, he didn't forget the team leader, Liu Yuan: "Team Leader Liu, would you like one too?"

As the smoke dissipated, the movements were natural and fluid, the attitude respectful yet warm, instantly bridging the distance. In this era of scarcity, cigarettes were an excellent social lubricant, especially a whole pack of brand-new Daqianmen cigarettes, which was a sign of "wealth" and "good manners."

"Hey! Daqianmen! Good cigarette!" Hu Songnian's eyes lit up even more. He took the cigarette, tapped it skillfully on his fingernail, and looked at Wei Chen with more warmth and approval that "this kid knows how to get things done."

"Thanks, Xiao Wei." Zhao Dashan took the cigarette, tucked it behind his ear, and the worry on his face seemed to lessen a bit. "Th...thank you." Liu Guoqing accepted it, somewhat flattered. Liu Yuan also smiled and accepted, though he didn't smoke it, he held it in his hand, and the atmosphere clearly warmed up.

Team leader Liu Yuan then spoke. He walked to his desk at the back and gestured for Wei Chen to come over: "Wei Chen, sit down." He pointed to an empty, slightly chipped wooden chair next to him. "From now on, you'll sit here. Even if you don't go out to buy supplies, you'll still have to come to work. This is your seat. Let me explain the situation of our three teams to you in detail."

Wei Chen sat down as instructed, leaning forward slightly to listen attentively.

"Our Purchasing Department Group 3 is officially called the 'Unplanned Materials Purchasing Group 3'." Liu Yuan's voice was not loud, but his words were clear and logical. "As the name suggests, our goal is to secure those materials that are not on the plan but that the factory urgently needs."

From small things like chicken, duck, fish, meat, and seasonal fruits and vegetables that the canteen lacks, to large things like special spare parts and work safety supplies that the workshop urgently needs, and even candy and melon seeds needed for factory events... anything that can't be arranged according to the plan, we'll find a way to get it!

He paused, looking at Wei Chen: "So, our group's work is rather unique and relatively flexible. There aren't many rules, just two hard ones: First, every Monday morning at eight o'clock, the whole group must return to the department for a regular meeting, unless there are special circumstances and prior leave is requested and approved. At the meeting, we report on the previous week's work, receive the tasks for the current week, and exchange information."

Second, each person has a minimum weekly procurement quota, currently fifty yuan. This means you must bring in at least fifty yuan worth of unplanned supplies for the factory each week. Meeting the quota means you're considered qualified for the week. Exceeding the quota results in a bonus. Failing to meet it... too many times will lead to criticism and may even affect your salary or performance rating.

Wei Chen listened attentively, quickly calculating in his mind: Fifty yuan might not sound like much, but in an era of extreme scarcity where everything was rationed, conjuring up a scarce commodity worth fifty yuan out of thin air would be an enormous challenge for ordinary people.

No wonder Li Huaide valued his hunting skills; it was a job tailor-made for him! Wild game, especially large game, has a high unit price, making it a shortcut to meeting or even exceeding targets.

"As for the way you work," Liu Yuan continued, "aside from the Monday meeting which you have to attend, you can arrange your own time at other times. You can do what Lao Zhao does, going to the pigeon market, the supply and marketing cooperative, and the suburban commune every day to try your luck and talk your way out of trouble." He pointed to Zhao Dashan.

"You could also do what Lao Hu did, visit more relevant departments, and see if you can exchange information or resources." He then pointed to Hu Songnian.

"As long as you can get the materials and meet the targets on time, we won't interfere with the process. The factory will provide you with a letter of introduction and a purchase certificate, but how you use them and whether you can use them well depends on your own abilities."

He concluded, "In short, in our three groups, the process isn't important; the result is! Everyone has their own unique abilities! Your hunting skills are your unique ability!"

He looked at Hu Songnian and said, "Old Hu, I'm entrusting Wei Chen to you. Take him around for the next couple of days to familiarize him with the procedures and get him used to the system, especially the warehouse entry and financial reimbursement processes."

"Don't worry, team leader!" Hu Songnian patted his chest, as if to say, "I've got this covered. Brother Wei is clearly a smart guy! With his skills, our team will have an easier time getting by... uh, completing missions will definitely be much easier! Tomorrow, I'll take him to the warehouse and the finance department to familiarize himself with things, and then take him to a few of our usual haunts!"

"Okay." Liu Yuan nodded and said to Wei Chen, "You just started today. Today is... Friday, so I'll give you three days to settle in. You'll officially start work next Monday. Get familiar with the environment and follow Lao Hu. If you don't understand anything, feel free to ask Lao Hu, or ask me."

"Yes! Thank you, Team Leader Liu! Thank you, Brother Hu!" Wei Chen stood up again to express his gratitude.

The atmosphere in the office was quite harmonious. Hu Songnian enthusiastically tidied up Wei Chen's desk—an old desk against the wall, next to Zhao Dashan's. Liu Guoqing also came over and whispered to Wei Chen that he could get a thermos or lunchbox from the logistics department if he needed them.

"Come on, Wei Chen." Liu Yuan's voice carried an unquestionable air of concern. "Deputy Factory Director Li specifically instructed me to take you to the housing management department first to settle your accommodation. This matter can't be delayed; we can't let you sleep on the street tonight."

He paused, a slight smile appearing on his lips. "While you're at it, go to the logistics warehouse. Our three groups don't get any perks, but each of us gets a bicycle for transportation. We can't do fieldwork without these two wheels."

Wei Chen felt a warmth in his heart and quickly said, "Thank you, Team Leader Liu! You've gone to so much trouble!"

"What's the trouble? We'll be brothers in arms from now on." Liu Yuan waved his hand and walked out of the office first. Wei Chen quickly followed, and the two went downstairs one after the other.

The Housing Management Department was located on the west side of the first floor of the administration building. The door was open, and the room was filled with smoke. A man in his fifties, wearing a gray Zhongshan suit and with his hair neatly combed, was frowning and looking at a thick stack of documents spread out on the table. The cigarette between his fingers had already burned a long ash.

Liu Yuan was clearly familiar with him. He walked to the door, knocked on the doorframe, and greeted him with a smile, "Hey, Section Chief Zheng, still busy?"

Zheng Laiyun looked up and saw Liu Yuan. His tightly furrowed brows relaxed slightly, revealing a wry smile: "Old Liu, it's you. What else could I be busy with? Worried about housing! The factory is expanding, and workers are coming in batches, but there are only so many houses. People are blocking my door every day asking for houses. I'm almost bald!" He flicked his cigarette ash and looked at Wei Chen behind Liu Yuan, his gaze questioning.

"I know you're in a tough spot." Liu Yuan stepped aside to let Wei Chen pass. "Look, I've brought you a new comrade, Wei Chen. He's been assigned to our purchasing department's third group. He did a great job for the factory today, bringing back over a thousand catties of wild boar meat. Deputy Factory Director Li personally signed the receipt, asking you to arrange a place for him to stay." As he spoke, Liu Yuan gestured to Wei Chen.

Wei Chen immediately stepped forward and respectfully handed over Li Huaide's approval slip with both hands: "Hello, Section Chief Zheng, I am Wei Chen. Thank you for your help." He had the humble smile that is typical of a newcomer, but his eyes quickly swept over Zheng Laiyun's worried face and the mountain of application forms on the table.

Zheng Laiyun took the approval slip and frowned even more when he saw Li Huaide's familiar signature and bright red seal. He put down his cigarette, picked up the slip and examined it carefully, then glanced at Wei Chen, sighed heavily, and his face was full of difficulty and apology: "Oh, Comrade Wei Chen, right? Welcome, welcome! If Director Li approves this, then he's one of us! Normally, I, Zheng Laiyun, would process it for you immediately without hesitation!" He changed his tone, becoming extremely helpless, and spread his hands, "But... sigh, Lao Liu, Brother Wei Chen, to be honest, the factory really can't even fit a single empty room right now!"

He stood up and walked to a huge floor plan of the factory area and residential area hanging on the wall. He pointed at it and said, "Look, this newly built tenement building has just had its foundation laid. It would be good if it could be topped off by March next year! The current waiting list is enough to fill three buildings! And those old bungalows and courtyards are all crammed full."

A few days ago, the son of Old Wang from the logistics department got married, and he insisted on building a small shed outside his house as a bridal chamber. The factory could only turn a blind eye...

He turned to Wei Chen, his tone sincere yet reassuring, "Brother Wei Chen, Director Li's approval slip is right here. I, Zheng Laiyun, will absolutely not give you any excuses! How about this? You can try to make do for a few days in the factory's single dormitory? Or find a cheap place to stay outside for a while? Once the new building is completed, I, Old Zheng, guarantee you'll be on the first batch of housing allocations! Or... wait a bit longer, and see if there are any vacant spaces available?"

Wei Chen's heart sank slightly. Next March? That's precisely when the famine begins to show its ferocious signs, and all sorts of infrastructure projects are being halted. Whether this new building can be completed on schedule is completely unknown!

Even if the building is completed, it's uncertain whether he, a newcomer with no connections, will be on the housing allocation list! He timely revealed disappointment and anxiety on his face: "Section Chief Zheng, this... the single dormitory is a large dormitory with dozens of people, right? It's not that I can't endure hardship, it's just... I've just started my new job, and purchasing staff often have to leave early and return late, I'm afraid it will affect the rest of other comrades..."