Rebirth in a Courtyard: I Am a Little Hunter

At this moment, in Wei Chen's house in the east courtyard, Wei Ran was playing jump rope with her neighbor Xiao Cao in the yard, their laughter clear and carefree.

The two were having a great time when they spotted Wei Chen in a police uniform at the doorway. They immediately stopped playing, ran back into the house, and shouted, "Mom! Mom! Come out and see! My brother's back! He's wearing a new uniform and looks so cool! It looks like he's a policeman now!"

Wang Xiulan, who was mending clothes in the house, was startled when she heard her daughter's eager and joyful shout. She quickly put down her needle and thread, walked out of the house, and saw her son in a police uniform standing at the door with a dignified air.

Wang Xiulan's heart tightened at first, and she was filled with worry. She quickly stepped forward, took Wei Chen's arm, looked him over carefully, and asked softly with concern, "Chen'er, what's wrong with you? Why are you wearing this uniform to act as a policeman instead of doing your good job as a purchasing agent?"

"Does being a police officer mean going out on patrols, making arrests, and handling dangerous situations every day? Won't you encounter dangerous situations every day? I'm really worried about you. I'm afraid you'll get hurt or have an accident while you're out there. What will I do then?"

Seeing his mother's worried expression, Wei Chen felt a surge of warmth in his heart. He quickly and gently comforted her, patiently explaining to dispel her concerns: "Mom, don't worry, don't overthink it. There's no danger at all. Although I've been transferred to the security department and am wearing a duty uniform, I'm stationed in the internal affairs and logistics section. I don't need to go out on night patrols or risk my life on the front lines. Don't worry."

Normally, I just work in the office registering ledgers, inventorying supplies, and organizing the warehouse. It's safe and worry-free; I'm protected from the wind and rain, and I can sit comfortably in the office doing my work. In my spare time, I still go out to purchase supplies. It's easy, secure, and extremely safe—there's absolutely no risk. You can relax and just live a peaceful life at home.

After listening to her son's detailed explanation, knowing that he wouldn't have to charge into battle or face danger, but only do a stable clerical job, Wang Xiulan's heart finally settled down. A relieved smile appeared on her face, and she nodded repeatedly: "That's good, that's good. As long as the clerical job is stable, that's good. I just hope that you can go to work safely and live a peaceful life. You don't need to strive for any great achievements or fight for any future. Peace and health are the greatest blessings."

Wearing a brand-new police uniform, Wei Chen stood in the courtyard of the siheyuan (traditional courtyard house), chatted casually with the neighbors for a few minutes, and then returned to his own east wing to change out of his coat and rest for a while.

Throughout the entire courtyard, every household had its own thoughts and feelings. Everyone watched Wei Chen get promoted to the security department, put on a police uniform, and wield real power. They all had their own little schemes, their minds were full of twists and turns, and they all had their own calculations and considerations.

At the Intermediate People's Court, in the home of an elderly man named Yi Zhonghai.

An older woman sat on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), sewing shoe soles, her face full of genuine praise and her tone brimming with approval: "Old Yi, look at Wei Chen! He's truly a promising young man, becoming more and more successful! He was already a capable purchasing agent at the factory, living a comfortable and stable life. Now, he's been transferred to the security department for meritorious service, wearing a proper police uniform. His future is bright; he's definitely one of the best young men in the compound. From now on, we in the compound must get along well with Wei Chen's family, treat them politely, visit them often, and not let our neighborly relations sour."

Yi Zhonghai sat at the table, holding an enamel teacup. His face was calm, but his eyes held an undisguised sense of loneliness and helplessness. He let out a long sigh.

He secretly plotted in his heart: He had originally thought that after a while, he would slowly win over Wei Chen and gain his favor so that when he got old, he could rely on the capable young people in the courtyard to support him in his old age, and hope that Wei Chen could help him and the Jia family in the future.

But now Wei Chen is becoming more and more capable, holding a higher and higher position, wielding real power, and becoming more and more calm and resolute. He doesn't fall for moral blackmail at all, and all my previous attempts to win him over and scheme against him have been useless. I can't control Wei Chen at all.

All plans were aborted and had to be completely abandoned; no more wicked thoughts were dared to arise.

Yi Zhonghai slowly shook his head, silently admonishing himself: From now on, be law-abiding, avoid provoking Wei Chen, stop scheming against him, be an honest and upright man, stop playing tricks, and just live a peaceful life. Never offend this promising and capable young man again.

In the backyard, at the home of my second uncle, Liu Haizhong.

Liu Haizhong sat in the room, pacing back and forth with his hands behind his back, his mind racing with calculations, his eyes filled with scheming and anticipation. His greatest obsession in life was to become an official, to wield power, and to have a respectable life. He had spent half his life toiling away in the factory, but he had never managed to get even a minor official position, and he was always unwilling to accept that.

Seeing Wei Chen's youthful promise and direct transfer to the security department, where he wore a police uniform, had close relationships with many factory cadres, and whose words carried weight and whose actions were prestigious, Liu Haizhong's heart was instantly filled with hope.

She secretly made up her mind that from now on she must lower her pride, take the initiative to build a relationship with Wei Chen, try to please him, visit him more often, say nice things, and do him small favors.

As long as I get along well with Wei Chen, given his current influence among the factory's cadres, he could easily say a few good words for me and recommend me. I might just be able to become a team leader or a junior cadre in the factory, fulfilling my lifelong dream of being an official and wielding power.

Liu Haizhong became increasingly excited as he thought about it, and immediately instructed his wife, "From now on, whenever you see Wei Chen, be sure to treat him politely, greet him often, and say nice things. We should take the initiative to build a closer relationship with him and never neglect him. He's a great patron for our family's future career advancement!"

In the front yard, at the home of the third uncle, Yan Bugui.

Yan Bugui returned to the house, immediately put down his abacus, and settled the matter with his wife on the spot. His tone was extremely firm: "From now on, our family must wholeheartedly and steadily maintain good neighborly relations with Wei Chen's family. We will not scheme against them, avoid trouble, and honestly befriend them."

Wei Chen now works in the security department, wears a police uniform, wields power, has influence at the factory, lives a comfortable life, and has a wide network of connections. If our family ever lacks coarse grains, food coupons, or scarce goods, we can easily ask Wei Chen for help in exchanging or coordinating supplies. Our child will also receive more care at school. The benefits are countless. We absolutely cannot afford to offend him; we must sincerely befriend him and maintain a long-term relationship. Maintaining this good neighborly relationship will be entirely beneficial to our whole family!

Inside the Jia family's house in the middle courtyard.

Qin Huairu sat on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), her belly protruding, her eyes filled with complex emotions, her heart brimming with envy and calculation. She thought to herself: Wei Chen is now a security officer, respectable and wealthy, with double pay, living a comfortable life. If Wei Chen were as kind-hearted and helpful as Sha Zhu, often providing my family with coarse grains and supplementing our income, then my family would never have to worry about food or drink again, and life would be much easier. Unfortunately, Wei Chen is hard-hearted, not kind-hearted, and doesn't fall for flattery. He never readily helps others, making him difficult to win over.

Jia Zhangshi, hiding in a corner of the room, kept muttering under her breath, envious of Wei Chen's ability, future, and good life. She was extremely jealous, but dared not make a sound or go out to provoke him. She could only complain and say sour things in secret, without daring to make any open moves.

In the backyard, at Xu Damao's house.

Xu Damao's father, Xu Wude, looked out the window and sighed sincerely, his tone full of emotion: "Wei Chen, that young man, is really lucky and capable. He's getting luckier and luckier! He hasn't been in the factory long, but he's already been promoted for his merits, joined the security department, put on a police uniform, and has a secure job. His future is limitless. He's truly blessed and talented!"

Then, Xu Wude turned to his son, Xu Damao, and instructed him: "Damao, you must maintain a good brotherly relationship with Wei Chen from now on. Visit him often, be close to him, and help him out. Don't let anything happen between you, and don't let anything escalate. Wei Chen is successful now and has real power; he'll definitely need your help in the future. Being on good terms with him will only benefit you!"

Xu Damao immediately straightened his back, his face full of pride, and patted his chest, saying, "Dad, do you even need to tell me? I know perfectly well! Wei Chen and I have always been good friends, like brothers! When Wei Chen first joined the steel rolling mill, I personally introduced him and helped him with the arrangements. That favor speaks for itself, our relationship is very strong, and I will definitely stay close to Wei Chen in the future, absolutely no problem!"

Everyone in the academy had their own thoughts and plans, and undercurrents were swirling, but no one dared to provoke Wei Chen again. They all secretly resolved to be on good terms with him and live peacefully together from now on.

The night passed peacefully without incident. The next morning, just as dawn was breaking and the sky was clear and bright.

Wei Chen got up early, ate a simple breakfast prepared by his mother, said goodbye to his family, put on his neat police uniform, was full of energy, and walked steadily to the security department of Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill on time to officially start his job and begin a brand new dual-career career.

In the early morning, a light mist hangs over the factory area, the air is fresh, the blast furnaces are already running normally, and the workshop workers are arriving at their posts one after another. Everything is in good order, presenting a scene of peace and busy activity.

Wei Chen arrived at the security department's office on time, clocked in five minutes early, and took the lead in cleaning the office area, tidying up the desk and ledgers, preparing for his shift in advance. He was upright, diligent and down-to-earth, without any of the impetuousness or arrogance of a newcomer.

Old Li from the internal affairs and logistics section arrived early. Seeing Wei Chen, who was early to arrive, diligent, sensible, and reliable, he had a very good first impression of him. With a kind smile, he waved to him and said, "Wei Chen is here? You're early. You're diligent and reliable. You're a good kid who works hard. Come here, I'll show you all the internal affairs work."

For the rest of the day, Wei Chen calmed down, humbly sought advice, and worked diligently to quickly familiarize himself with all the job responsibilities, work processes, ledger specifications, and warehouse management details of the internal affairs and logistics section.

Old Li patiently taught him how to fill out the temporary registration ledger for firearms, how to classify and seal security ammunition, how to receive, dispatch, and count duty equipment, how to regularly maintain emergency equipment, how to organize and file night shift attendance records, and how to conduct regular inspections of key warehouses. He meticulously taught him all the trivial and detailed internal affairs work.

Wei Chen is intelligent, has a strong memory, and is meticulous and reliable in his work. With the added strength of his strong will, his observation skills far exceed those of ordinary people. He can learn any work process or ledger standard after seeing it once and master it after learning it once. He can get started very quickly and does not need anyone else to worry about or guide him repeatedly.

When checking security records at key locations in the factory, Wei Chen, with his keen insight, can spot minor flaws in the records and oversights in the inspections at a glance. When inventorying and storing materials, he is quick and organized, ensuring everything is in place. When asked by senior colleagues, he is flexible, speaks appropriately, and is humble yet assertive, demonstrating excellent emotional intelligence and being very popular.