Rebirth in a Courtyard: I Am a Little Hunter

"Alright!" Inspired by Jin Aiguo's determination, Wang Guifen's eyes sharpened again. She slammed her hand on the table. "It's settled then! Our street office also needs to make some preparations. I'll take some staff over tonight! We'll split up and make sure this is handled flawlessly, as a warning to others! Let everyone see what happens when you bully honest people, when you bully those who have contributed to the country and the community! Let those with ulterior motives know that the organization and the government will never stand idly by!"

Their eyes met, and they both saw the unwavering determination and the urgency to make amends in each other's eyes.

The office of the head of the security department at the steel rolling mill.

Jin Aiguo strode back to the factory, knocked on the door, and went to the office of section chief Zhou Jianjun. Zhou Jianjun, also a former soldier, was burly and had a resolute face. He was hunched over his desk writing something. Hearing the noise, he looked up, saw Jin Aiguo's ashen face, and raised a thick eyebrow: "Old Jin? What's the rush?"

"Old Zhou, something's happened! Wei Chen got bullied!" Jin Aiguo said succinctly but in a heavy tone, quickly and clearly recounting the events and his own perspective.

He emphasized Wei Chen's status as a martyr's family member and his key contributions to the factory, but last night he was targeted by the "old men" in the compound at a general meeting. In particular, Yi Zhonghai and Liu Haizhong used moral blackmail and manipulated public opinion, and the most infuriating result was that Wei Chen's mother was so angry that she dared not go out, and her young sister was frightened to tears.

"...Director Wang Guifen of the Subdistrict Office takes this very seriously and feels extremely guilty, believing that the Subdistrict Office has not done a good job. She will personally go to the courtyard tonight to hold a meeting to handle this matter. Old Zhou, our Security Department must get involved! This not only concerns Wei Chen's personal honor and family, but also the reputation of our Security Department and the dignity of the factory's heroes!"

The actions of Yi Zhonghai and Liu Haizhong are undermining socialism, disrupting unity and stability, and slapping our security department and the steel rolling mill in the face! Director Wang is under a lot of pressure; we must support her and make this an ironclad case!

Upon hearing this, Zhou Jianjun's face instantly darkened, like the sky before a storm. He abruptly stood up, his burly body exuding an aura of oppression, and slammed his hand hard on the solid wood desk, making a loud "bang" that even made the enamel teacup lid on the desk jump!

"Damn it! This is outrageous!" Zhou Jianjun's eyes widened in fury, his voice booming like thunder. "Yi Zhonghai? Liu Haizhong? Two old coffin-stuffers! Are they tired of living?! They dare to touch our security personnel? Especially someone like Wei Chen, a meritorious official and family member of a martyr?! Who do they think they are? Local tyrants from the old society?! Public denunciation meetings? Attacking the family members of meritorious officials? Who gave them the guts?!"

His chest heaved violently, clearly furious. Pointing towards the door, he shouted sternly, "Old Jin! There's no question about this! We must take care of it! And we must see it through to the end! I know Comrade Wei Chen's situation well; he's upright and honest, bold yet meticulous—a promising talent!"

He's done meritorious service for the factory! If our security department turns a blind eye to this kind of treatment of someone like him, what right do we have to call ourselves security? What right do we have to wear this uniform? I'll be the first to object!

"You did the right thing! Tonight, you go there on behalf of the security department and the factory, and give them a firm grip on this bad practice! Bring your men, bring your weapons, and shut the place up! We'll give you men and vehicles if you need anything! Just tell me if you need anything! I want to see which bastard dares to bare his teeth again!"

With the section chief's strong and unwavering support, Jin Aiguo felt reassured, and a surge of pride welled up within him: "Yes, Lao Zhou! Don't worry! I guarantee I'll complete the mission! I'll make the attitude of our security section and the factory crystal clear!"

Office of Li Huaide, Deputy Factory Director in charge of logistics.

Jin Aiguo left the security department and headed straight for the logistics building. Li Huaide's office door was ajar, and melodious opera music drifted from inside. Jin Aiguo knocked on the door.

"Please come in!" Li Huaide's voice carried a hint of laziness.

Jin Aiguo pushed open the door and entered. Li Huaide was leaning back in a large chair, toying with a teacup in his hand, with a document on the table. He was in his forties, well-maintained, and always had a faint smile on his face, looking quite refined and easy-going.

"Oh, Section Chief Jin?" Li Huaide's face immediately lit up with a warm smile when he saw Jin Aiguo. He sat up straight, turned down the radio, and said, "A rare guest indeed! Please have a seat! Xiao Liu, pour some tea for Section Chief Jin!" He called to his secretary outside.

"Director Li, I'm sorry to bother you." Jin Aiguo did not sit down, but stood and saluted, his posture neither humble nor arrogant.

"Oh, don't be so polite, sit down, sit down!" Li Huaide stood up personally and gestured for Jin Aiguo to sit down. His secretary quickly brought out hot tea.

Li Huaide sat back down and asked with a smile, "Section Chief Jin is a very busy man. What brings you here today? Is there any safety instruction for the factory? Or..." His eyes held a hint of inquiry.

The security department and the logistics department don't usually have much interaction, so for Jin Aiguo, the powerful deputy section chief, to personally come to their door must mean something important.

Jin Aiguo picked up his teacup but didn't drink it. He got straight to the point, his tone calm but with just the right amount of seriousness: "Director Li, I'm here to report an emergency, and I also need your and the logistics department's strong support."

He recounted clearly and concisely the incident in which Wei Chen was besieged and humiliated by Yi Zhonghai and Liu Haizhong at a large meeting organized by the courtyard, which also involved his family.

"...Director Li, Comrade Wei Chen now has a special status. He is not only a backbone member of the security department, but also a capable purchasing agent for your logistics department. In particular, he has made great contributions to the stable supply of our factory canteen."

Now, because he was procuring supplies for the factory, he's being ganged up on and slandered by people in his own compound, causing severe emotional distress to his family. The neighborhood committee director is taking this very seriously and said he'll personally handle the matter tonight. Our security chief, Zhou Jianjun, instructed me to go with him on behalf of the factory.

Jin Aiguo paused, looked directly at Li Huaide, and emphasized, "This matter has an extremely negative impact! It not only chills the hearts of meritorious individuals, but also deals a huge blow to the enthusiasm of our logistics support work!"

In our factory, especially in logistics, Comrade Wei Chen is your right-hand man! If we allow this kind of unhealthy trend to spread, who will dare to risk their life to procure supplies for the factory like Wei Chen? Who will dare to sincerely contribute to the collective? The security department is responsible for ideology and safety, while logistics is responsible for food and supplies. If this ideological front is skewed, the foundation of logistical support will also be shaken!

Jin Aiguo's words were very skillful. He not only highlighted Wei Chen's importance to logistics, but also tied the interests of the security department and logistics together in the matter of "protecting heroes and cracking down on malpractices," implying the principle of mutual dependence. At the same time, he brought up the pressure from Director Wang of the street office and the attitude of Section Chief Zhou, putting invisible pressure on Li Huaide.

The smile on Li Huaide's face slowly faded. He picked up his teacup, gently blew away the foam, and his eyes flickered, clearly weighing the pros and cons quickly.

Wei Chen? This is his "lucky charm"! Although half of it was "snatched" by the security department, he still has the title of logistics procurement officer. The supplies from those "special channels" have brought him quite a few "surprises" in private.

More importantly, this kid is genuinely capable of getting things done! He's a rare talent who can truly solve problems for the factory and bring honor to Li Huaide! How could someone like that be bullied? Or by some "big shot" in the compound? This is practically slapping Li Huaide in the face and cutting off his supply lines!

Moreover, Jin Aiguo's words hit the nail on the head. Ideological work and logistical support, seemingly two separate departments, are actually closely linked. If the security department intervenes forcefully this time and gets things done, both cracking down on the unhealthy trend and protecting Wei Chen, it will be a source of pride for the factory leadership and even higher levels, and the logistics department will also benefit.

Conversely, if even the security department can't control the situation, or if the logistics department doesn't take a stand, who will be willing to work hard for the logistics department in the future? His prestige as the deputy factory director will also be damaged. What's more, Jin Aiguo represents Zhou Jianjun's fiery temper, and there's also Wang Guifen from the street office... There's no way to avoid this matter.

In just a few seconds, Li Huaide had made up his mind. He put down his teacup, and a smile reappeared on his face, but this time the smile carried a hint of seriousness and protectiveness, even a touch of shared hatred.

"Such a thing has happened?!" Li Huaide's voice was filled with just the right amount of shock, anger, and heartache. "Yi Zhonghai? Liu Haizhong? Humph! Two utterly muddle-headed old fogies! Are their brains filled with mush?! How much has Comrade Wei Chen contributed to the factory? How many logistical problems has he solved? Can't they see that? And they still dare to hold a denunciation meeting? It's utterly absurd! Lawless!" He stood up, paced a few steps, and his tone became resolute:

"Section Chief Jin, your actions on behalf of the factory, going with Director Wang, were timely and correct! This matter must be taken seriously! Everyone must understand that our steel rolling mill is determined to protect those who have made contributions! We absolutely cannot let good comrades like Comrade Wei Chen feel disheartened! As for logistics, I, Li Huaide, would like to express my full support! Absolute support!"

He walked up to Jin Aiguo, patted Jin Aiguo on the shoulder, and their eyes met, conveying a tacit understanding: "Wei Chen is our logistics darling! Anyone who goes against him is going against the factory's logistics support, and is going against me, Li Huaide!"

Go ahead and do it. If you need any cooperation from the logistics department, such as providing proof of Comrade Wei Chen's logistical contributions, or if you need the logistics department to send people to help boost morale, just let me know! I'll arrange it immediately!

"We're responsible for security in the defense department and logistics for food security. This time, let's cooperate and completely eradicate this malpractice! Let's get justice for Comrade Wei Chen and relieve some pressure on Director Wang of the street office! Let her see that our steel rolling mill firmly stands on the side of justice!"

These words were spoken with conviction, expressing a clear stance while cleverly uniting the interests of the logistics and security departments under the banner of "protecting heroes and cracking down on malpractices," and also inadvertently gaining favor with the street office.

Jin Aiguo understood immediately, knowing his objective had been achieved. He stood up and solemnly saluted Li Huaide: "Thank you, Director Li! With your and the logistics department's strong support, we feel much more confident! Rest assured, this matter will be handled flawlessly! We will not let the factory down, nor will we disappoint our colleagues in logistics!"

The two nodded to each other, and a temporary alliance based on a common goal was formed through silent eye contact.