Rebirth in a Courtyard: I Am a Little Hunter

The family stayed together, sitting around the warm kang (heated brick bed), keeping watch over the New Year.

On the table were peanuts, melon seeds, candies, and sweet fresh fruit. Wei Ran leaned against Wei Chen, holding a milk candy in her hand, taking small bites, and chattering about her New Year's wishes. She said she wanted to study hard and get into university in the future, that she wanted to buy lots and lots of delicious food for her brother and mother, and that she hoped her family would always be together.

Wang Xiulan sat to the side, looking at her two children, a gentle smile always on her face. She would occasionally give them a few words of advice, full of love and expectations for them.

Wei Chen listened quietly, occasionally responding with a few words, and gently stroking his sister's hair with a tender yet firm gaze.

Looking at his mother's kind smile and his sister's innocent and carefree appearance, he secretly vowed in his heart: for the rest of his life, he would do everything in his power to protect this family, to protect his mother and sister, so that they would never have to experience hunger and cold again, never have to suffer the coldness of human relationships, and could always be as peaceful, joyful, happy, and stable as they are today.

Having transmigrated to this world, he lost everything from his previous life, but gained the most precious family and warmth.

He went from having nothing to owning property, a job, a family, and a comfortable life. He finally put down roots in this world, had a home of his own, and experienced the happiness of settling down.

This New Year, there was no hardship, no embarrassment, no scheming, no strife, only family companionship, the warmth of fireworks, and a happy reunion.

As night deepened, Wei Ran, tired from playing, leaned against Wei Chen and gradually drifted off to sleep, a sweet smile still on her face, her hand still tightly clutching the red envelope Wei Chen had given her.

Wei Chen gently picked up his younger sister, carried her back to the kang (heated brick bed) in the east wing, covered her with a quilt, and then returned to the main room to chat with his mother for a while.

Wang Xiulan had been busy all day and was gradually getting sleepy. Wei Chen told his mother to rest well and then got up and went back to his room.

Lying in bed, Wei Chen didn't fall asleep immediately. He listened to the occasional sporadic firecrackers outside the window and felt the warmth of the room, his heart filled with contentment and peace.

This was his first New Year since he traveled through time, and it was the most unforgettable and heartwarming New Year of his life.

He bid farewell to his past wanderings and hardships, to loneliness and unease, and found his own happiness and home in this small east courtyard, accompanied by his family.

New year, new start.

The days to come will surely be like the Spring Festival couplets in this courtyard, welcoming joy and happiness, bringing peace, wealth, and prosperity.

A gentle smile appeared on Wei Chen's lips as he closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep peacefully, filled with happiness and anticipation.

He had a peaceful, joyful, and fulfilling New Year, and his life will usher in an even more brilliant chapter in the new year.

On the third day of the Lunar New Year, the festive atmosphere had not completely dissipated. The streets and alleys of Beijing still retained the joy of the New Year. Red lanterns still hung under the eaves, and remnants of firecrackers from the New Year could occasionally be seen on the ground. The Spring Festival couplets on the doors of every household were still bright red, but compared to the liveliness of New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, there was a touch of tranquility.

According to the national holiday regulations, the Spring Festival holiday has come to an end. Factories and companies across the country have ended their holidays and officially resumed work and production. The city is gradually returning to its former hustle and bustle from the leisure of the New Year.

As a key iron production enterprise in Beijing and even the whole country, Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill set a rule well in advance to start work on time on the third day of the Lunar New Year, not daring to delay for a moment. Steel is the cornerstone of industry, and the production and operation of the factory is directly related to the progress of the country's industrial construction. Even during the New Year, there can only be a short three-day break before they have to immediately throw themselves into the intense work.

As soon as it was dawn, Wei Chen got up early.

The house was still filled with the warmth of the Lunar New Year. There were still some dried fruits and candies left on the table. In the kitchen, his mother, Wang Xiulan, had prepared breakfast early: steaming rice porridge, snow-white steamed buns, and leftover meat from the New Year's Eve dinner. After the family had a simple breakfast, Wei Chen changed into a clean and tidy set of work clothes and prepared to go to the steel rolling mill to start work.

Wei Chen is no longer the green newcomer he was when he first joined the factory. With his outstanding abilities, calm temperament, and the perspective and resource advantages brought by the Hunter game world, he has already established himself in the Purchasing Department 3. He has won the trust of team leader Liu Yuan and his colleagues in the department dare not underestimate him.

In the new year, he not only needs to achieve results in procurement and secure his position in the factory, but also needs to complete the transfer procedures for his younger sister Wei Ran as soon as possible so that she can study in a regular primary school in Beijing and receive a good education.

This is his responsibility as the older brother, and it is also an important part of ensuring a stable life for his family.

"Brother, be careful when you go to work at the factory, and come back early." Wei Ran, wearing a brand-new cotton-padded coat, stood obediently at the door, seeing Wei Chen off, her little face full of reluctance. She would be nine years old after the New Year, and had been waiting at home for news of her school transfer, feeling both expectant and anxious, and especially dependent on her brother.

Wei Chen reached out and ruffled his sister's hair, his voice gentle: "Don't worry, I'm fine. When I get back from the factory, I'll arrange your school transfer, and you'll be able to go to school in a few days."

"Yes!" Wei Ran nodded heavily, her eyes filled with anticipation.

Wang Xiulan also came out and instructed, "Xiao Chen, the factory has just started operations, there's a lot to do, so be careful and don't rush. Take good care of yourself."

"Okay, Mom. Don't worry about me at home. I'll be back this evening." Wei Chen replied, gave a few more simple instructions, and then turned and walked out of the east courtyard.

In the front and middle courtyards of the courtyard house, many factory workers also left one after another, wearing their work clothes, heading to the steel rolling mill in groups. Yi Zhonghai, Sha Zhu, Xu Damao, and others were also ready to start work.

Seeing Wei Chen, dressed in his crisp work clothes, walking out with an upright posture, the expressions on the faces of the group varied. Yi Zhonghai's face remained somewhat gloomy. Recalling the lavish and lively atmosphere of Wei Chen's family on New Year's Eve, and looking at himself, he felt a pang of resentment, but he only gave him a cold glance and didn't dare to say anything more. Sha Zhu scratched his head and nodded to Wei Chen as a greeting. Xu Damao waved enthusiastically and quickly followed, walking side by side with Wei Chen.

"Wei Chen, Happy New Year! Did you have a good year?" Xu Damao greeted him with a smile, his tone full of familiarity. Before the New Year, Wei Chen had firmly rejected Yi Zhonghai's moral blackmail, which had given Xu Damao a sense of satisfaction, making him even closer to Wei Chen.

"That's fine, Happy New Year, Brother Da Mao," Wei Chen replied calmly.

"That's right. Looking at all the New Year's goods you have, I can tell you're having a comfortable time. Unlike me, I'm just making do with what I have for the New Year." Xu Damao sighed, and after chatting for a few more minutes about the trivial matters of the New Year, the two of them headed towards the Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill.

Along the way, many of the people were workers heading to the factories to start work. They chatted and laughed in twos and threes, and the once quiet streets became lively because of the factories starting work. Everyone's faces were full of New Year's energy, chatting about the fun things that happened during the New Year and talking about their work plans for the new year, and everyone was full of enthusiasm.

Before long, the Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill's factory area came into view.

The tall factory buildings stand side by side, with towering chimneys standing straight. A bright red banner hangs at the factory gate, proclaiming "Happy New Year Start" and "Go all out to boost production and contribute to the nation's industrial development." Security personnel are already on duty, carefully checking the work permits of employees entering the factory; the process is orderly.

After a short break during the Spring Festival, the entire factory area is about to be bustling with production again. The roar of machines and the busy figures of employees will soon fill this huge factory area.

Wei Chen and Xu Damao parted ways at the factory gate, each heading to their respective departments. Xu Damao was the factory's projectionist, belonging to the propaganda department, while Wei Chen was an employee of the purchasing department, and he walked straight towards the office building on the west side of the factory.

As one of the core departments of the steel rolling mill, the Purchasing Department is responsible for the procurement and supply of all kinds of materials and raw materials needed for the entire plant's production. Its location is crucial, and its office area is located on a prominent floor of the office building. As soon as you arrive on the floor, you can see many colleagues from the Purchasing Department already at their posts, exchanging New Year's greetings with each other, creating a lively and harmonious atmosphere.

Wei Chen walked into the office of the Purchasing Department 3, where all his colleagues had already arrived.

The office was spotless, with desks and chairs neatly arranged, and New Year's paper-cut decorations pasted on the windows, exuding a festive atmosphere. When Wei Chen's former colleagues saw him, they greeted him with smiles and offered their New Year's wishes, which Wei Chen politely returned.

Compared to the familiar and noisy atmosphere of his other colleagues in the department, Wei Chen remained calm and reserved. He walked to his desk, put down his belongings, tidied up the desk, and quietly waited for team leader Liu Yuan to convene the start-up meeting.

Not long after, Liu Yuan, the head of the third purchasing team, strode into the office.

Liu Yuan, in his forties, wore a clean set of work clothes. He had a capable demeanor, a calm gaze, and acted decisively. He was strict yet fair to his subordinates and commanded great respect in the department. Seeing that everyone in the department had arrived, he smiled with a New Year's greeting, waved his hand, and signaled for everyone to quiet down.

"Comrades, Happy New Year!" Liu Yuan opened his mouth, his voice loud and clear, full of energy. "After the three-day Spring Festival holiday, everyone has had a good rest. Today, our steel rolling mill officially starts work, and our Purchasing Department III must also immediately get into work mode without any slackening!"

The office fell silent instantly, everyone sitting up straight and listening attentively to Liu Yuan's speech.