Rebirth in a Courtyard: I Am a Little Hunter

The fervor surrounding the commendation of the steel rolling mill's security department hadn't completely dissipated, but the world outside the factory's perimeter walls seemed to be growing increasingly desolate and restless, as if swept away by the chilly autumn winds.

The shadow of material shortages lashed at people's hearts like an invisible whip. In the narrow streets and alleys of the residential area, the lively atmosphere of the past was replaced by a repressed and hostile atmosphere.

Arguments erupted over a pound and a half of coarse grain rations, shoving and tearing at each other over a few wilted vegetable leaves, and even brawls broke out over picking up coal nuggets and fighting over coal ash piled up next to public toilets... All sorts of scoundrels and thugs also emerged from this "hunger," engaging in petty theft, extortion, provocation, and brawls, spreading like a plague through the dusty streets and alleys.

Director Wang of the neighborhood office, whose face was already stern, was now even more worried, his brows furrowed into knots. The office phone was ringing almost non-stop, all calls from residents in various neighborhoods reporting urgent security issues.

Looking at the "Community Prevention and Control" slogan posted on the wall, she slammed her hand on the table and made up her mind: "We can't hold on with just a few street-level cadres and those few old, frail 'small-footed detectives'! We must unite our forces!"

An urgent notice stamped with the official red seal of the local street office was quickly delivered to the security departments of several large factories in the surrounding area. Zhou Jianjun, the head of the security department of the steel rolling mill, held the notice with a furrowed brow.

The notice explicitly requires each factory to select capable security personnel to form a joint security patrol team to cooperate with the street in a concentrated crackdown lasting half a month.

The notice also included a line at the end: "In view of the outstanding performance of Comrade Wei Chen from your factory's security department and his working dog Da Huang in combating mobile theft cases, it is recommended that Comrade Wei Chen participate in this operation and give full play to his expertise."

"Old Jin!" Zhou Jianjun handed the notice to Deputy Section Chief Jin Aiguo. "Take a look. It's Xiao Chen's job! Things are very chaotic outside right now. This job... won't be easy."

Jin Aiguo glanced at the notice, then slammed his large, fan-like hand on it, making the table vibrate: "Go! We must go! Xiao Chen and Da Huang's skills should be put to good use! This is an opportunity to give our steel mill's security chief face! It's also a chance to solve practical problems for the neighborhood and our neighbors! I'll personally lead the team!"

Instead of worry, his face radiated a confident and eager spirit. "Tell Xiao Chen to get ready, and pick two more quick-witted and agile individuals to report to the neighborhood office this afternoon!"

In the afternoon, Wei Chen, leading Da Huang, along with two other capable security officers, Xiao Zhang and Xiao Li, followed Jin Aiguo to the street office. Da Huang was specifically assigned by Jin Aiguo to be brought along.

The small courtyard was already filled with people from several other factories, mostly men in their thirties and forties, their expressions serious, exuding the ruggedness characteristic of factory workers. Director Wang from the neighborhood committee was standing on the steps, giving a pep talk; his voice was a little hoarse, but carried an undeniable authority:

"...Comrades! The situation is dire! Life is hard for everyone in the neighborhood, and people's hearts are easily thrown into disarray! Those thugs and hooligans who take advantage of the chaos are exploiting this situation! Our mission is to crack down on this evil trend! To restore order! To allow the people to live in peace! This operation will be conducted regardless of factory affiliation; everyone will be under the command of the street committee! We must be bold yet meticulous, and most importantly, use the right methods! We must be willing to take action, but we must also avoid escalating the conflict! Understand?"

"Understood!" everyone responded in unison, their voices echoing in the courtyard.

Director Wang's gaze swept across the crowd, landing on Wei Chen and the sharp-eyed Da Huang sitting quietly beside him. A rare hint of approval appeared on his usually stern face: "Comrade Wei Chen, you and Da Huang really did a great job for our area last time! I specifically selected you two this time, let's see how you perform! Especially Da Huang, dealing with those who throw tantrums and try to take advantage of the situation might be more effective than humans! Da Huang will receive a daily food allowance during working hours!"

"Woof!" Big Yellow seemed to understand the praise, responding with a short, powerful bark and gently sweeping its tail on the ground.

Jin Aiguo puffed out his chest and said in a loud voice, "Director Wang, rest assured! The steel mill's security department guarantees to complete the mission! Xiao Chen and Da Huang are absolutely sharp knives that can hit their target exactly where they're pointed at!"

The joint patrol team quickly divided up the areas of responsibility. The steel mill group was assigned to several of the most complex streets and alleys on the outskirts of the steel mill's residential area, which had received the most complaints, as well as a spontaneously formed, mixed-race "black market" fringe area.

A sense of chaos washed over me. As soon as I entered a narrow alley filled with clutter and overflowing with sewage, I heard a woman's shrill cries and a man's rough shouts coming from ahead.

"You damned thief! That's our last half-pound of cornmeal! Give it back to me!" An old woman with gray hair, wearing a patched cotton-padded coat, slumped on the ground, desperately clutching the trouser leg of a burly man in greasy overalls. In front of her, a small patch of golden cornmeal lay scattered on the ground, trampled beyond recognition by dirty water and footprints. Beside her, a tattered empty flour sack lay crushed in the mud.

The man had a fierce look on his face. He tried to shake off the old woman's hand, swearing, "You old hag! What are you doing? Who stole your noodles? They're on the ground, who knows whose they are? Which eye of yours saw me take them? Let go! If you don't let go, I won't be polite!" He raised his large palm as if to hit her.

A few emaciated residents stood at a distance, their eyes numb yet filled with fear, but no one dared to approach.

"Stop!" A sharp shout rang out like a thunderclap. Jin Aiguo's burly figure had already strode over and grabbed the man's raised wrist. The iron grip made the man's face change, and he struggled but could not break free.

Wei Chen followed closely behind, his sharp gaze sweeping across the scene, immediately locking onto the outline of a clearly flour sack bulging in the back pocket of the man's work pants. His voice wasn't loud, but it was exceptionally clear and cold: "Half a pound of cornmeal? Doesn't it feel uncomfortable in your pocket? Take it out."

The man, wincing in pain from Jin Aiguo's grip and exposed by Wei Chen, twitched his face and roared, his voice a mixture of bravado and fear: "Who...who are you? Mind your own business! So what if you're from the security department? Does the security department have the right to frame people? Do you have any evidence?"

"Evidence?" Wei Chen's lips curled into a cold smile, and he raised his chin slightly.

The big yellow dog, which had been quietly following Wei Chen's feet, suddenly darted out like a black lightning bolt that had received a command! It didn't pounce or bite, but instead, with perfect precision, it grabbed the fabric from the back pocket of the man's work pants and pulled it sharply backward!

"Rip—" The sound of tearing cloth was particularly jarring. An old flour sack covered in flour crumbs, along with the little cornmeal left inside, fell out of the man's ripped back pocket and rolled into the muddy water.

"Ah! My noodles! My noodles!" The old woman cried out even louder when she saw it.

A low gasp escaped the crowd. The man's face turned a deep shade of liver color. He tried to bend down to pick it up, but Jin Aiguo held his wrist tightly, preventing him from moving.

"Caught red-handed! Still dare to deny it!" Jin Aiguo roared, tightening his grip, causing the man to wince in pain and bend over. Xiao Zhang and Xiao Li immediately stepped forward and swiftly pinned the man's hands down behind his back.

Wei Chen bent down and carefully picked up the dirty flour sack from the mud, walked up to the old woman, and handed it to her: "Auntie, look, is this it?"

The old woman took it with trembling hands. Looking at the remaining golden liquid, stained with mud and water, tears streamed down her face. "It's...it's...thank you...thank you, Your Honor..." She struggled to kowtow to Wei Chen.

Wei Chen quickly helped her up and said gently, "Auntie, get up. We're from the steel mill's security department, working with the neighborhood to maintain order. It's good that your things have been found, so hurry home." He gestured to a woman watching the commotion nearby to help the old lady leave.

Jin Aiguo, holding the dejected thief in custody, shouted to the onlookers, "You all saw it! Petty theft, bullying the old and weak—this is what happens! The street committee and factory security departments are working together to maintain order. If we find any more of these black sheep, we'll arrest them all without exception!"

Sparse but sincere applause rang out from the crowd, and their gazes toward Wei Chen and Da Huang were filled with awe. Da Huang held its head high, as if it had only done something insignificant.

In the days that followed, similar scenes played out repeatedly in several streets and alleys. Wei Chen and Da Huang became the sharpest combination in Jin Aiguo's hands.

One incident occurred during a chaotic rush to buy grain outside a store. Two burly men were arguing heatedly over who had cut in line, their faces flushed and necks red. A physical altercation seemed imminent, with the surrounding crowd pushing and shoving, threatening a stampede at any moment. Jin Aiguo led a group of men to try and separate the crowd, but with little success.

Wei Chen observed for a moment, then suddenly blew a short, sharp whistle. Big Yellow, who had been vigilantly guarding him, darted into the gap in the crowd, precisely charging between the two burly men about to wrestle. Facing one of the men's raised fist, it let out a low, penetrating, threatening growl: "Woof—woof woof!" At the same time, it leaned forward slightly, revealing its gleaming white teeth, its eyes fiercely fixed on the other man.

That low growl, full of wildness and intimidation, was like a bucket of cold water poured over his head. The burly man's fist-throwing motion froze instantly. Looking at the large dog before him, baring its teeth, its muscles taut, ready to pounce at any moment, a chill ran from the soles of his feet to the top of his head, and his arrogance was instantly extinguished by more than half. The other man also shuddered in fear.

"Stop it, all of you!" Wei Chen's voice rang out at the opportune moment, carrying an undeniable authority. "Is it worth fighting over something like this? If you win, you'll end up in jail; if you lose, you'll be lying in bed drinking bitter medicine! Think of your wives and children at home! Grain store staff, maintain order! If anyone causes trouble or cuts in line again, report it to the security department immediately!"

His voice wasn't loud, but it clearly drowned out the noise, and combined with Da Huang's imposing posture, the chaotic scene miraculously calmed down quickly. The grain store staff seized the opportunity to loudly organize order, and the crowd slowly resumed queuing.