Rebirth in a Courtyard: I Am a Little Hunter

In the middle courtyard, Yi Zhonghai squatted on his doorstep, puffing on his pipe. Listening to the noise from the front yard and looking at the brand-new medal on Wei Chen's chest, which gleamed faintly even in the twilight, complex emotions surged in his cloudy eyes.

The meager sense of presence brought by the cornbread he had given away seemed so pale and powerless in the face of this medal, a symbol of real merit. He silently smoked, the smoke swirling around him, unable to conceal the desolation and lingering bitterness on his face. The winds of change seemed to be blowing further and further away from him.

In Liu Haizhong's house in the front yard, the windows were tightly closed, but the Second Uncle's deliberately raised voice, thick with sarcasm, could still be faintly heard: "...Catching an armed robber? Humph! It's just the security department's duty! What's there to brag about? Medals, huh? When we help those in need, that's true enlightenment! That's a matter of moral character! Do you understand? Moral character! Does Wei Chen catching thieves elevate his moral character?"

The second aunt chimed in, "That's right! He's stolen all the limelight! Why doesn't the factory leadership praise us for the flour and rice we send out?"

Wei Chen pushed open his front door. The warm light and the aroma of food dispelled the chill of late autumn and the noise outside. Wei Chen's mother looked at the medal on her son's chest, feeling both heartache and pride: "Take it off and put it away, wash your hands and eat. It's cold outside, isn't it?" Wei Ran curiously leaned closer: "Brother! What's that shiny thing? Is it a medal for catching bad guys?"

Wei Chen smiled, casually took off the medal, and put it in the drawer as if it were just an ordinary object. He walked to the washbasin stand, letting the cool water wash over his hands. He sat down at the table and picked up the bowl of thick, piping hot cornmeal porridge.

Outside, the undercurrents in the courtyard surged even more fiercely, fueled by the medal. Calculation, jealousy, resentment, and unwillingness to accept defeat collided and fermented silently in the late autumn twilight. Inside, the rough, warm texture of cornmeal porridge soothed his stomach. Big Yellow lay quietly at his feet, its ears twitching slightly, guarding this peaceful corner.

The medals were locked in a drawer, the honors faded into obscurity. But Wei Chen knew that while a drawer could conceal the luster of metal, it couldn't contain the poison festering in some people's hearts. His and Da Huang's very existence was like a pebble thrown into this deep pool, the ripples it created far from subsiding. He lowered his head and took a large gulp of porridge, his eyes calm as still water.

A bowl of grain, a dog in the yard, and a ruler in one's heart. That's enough. As for the darkness and scheming lurking in the corners, they're nothing more than a few feeble chirps of insects on a cold autumn night.

The air in the steel rolling mill's Party Committee meeting room was filled with a solemn warmth. A dark green velvet cloth covered the long conference table, and several enamel teacups emitted wisps of steam.

Several key leaders of the factory were present. Jin Aiguo, wearing a faded but neatly ironed security officer uniform, sat upright near the door.

Wei Chen sat to his left, dressed in clean dark blue overalls. The "Factory Guardian" medal on his chest gleamed under the light, which made his young face appear somewhat mature beyond his years.

The meeting was chaired by a deputy secretary with graying hair and a serious expression. He picked up a notification document stamped with a bright red seal, cleared his throat, and his loud voice echoed in the quiet meeting room:

"...In view of the outstanding performance of the Security Department of Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill in maintaining factory security and thwarting enemy sabotage plots in the recent period, the higher-level public security and industrial security departments have jointly decided to issue this commendation order!"

Special commendation should be given to Comrade Jin Aiguo for his composure and decisive command in the face of danger, and to Comrade Wei Chen for his crucial role and heroic performance in discovering clues, identifying targets, and carrying out the arrest!

Comrade Wei Chen, with his high revolutionary vigilance, excellent professional skills and fighting spirit to step forward at critical moments, successfully captured hidden enemy agents, seized important evidence, eliminated major security risks, and made outstanding contributions to protecting national property and the safety of people's lives!

After deliberation by the factory's Party Committee, it was decided to award Comrade Wei Chen the title of "Model Advanced Worker at the Factory Level," award him a third-class merit citation, and grant him a bonus of one hundred yuan! ..."

The deputy secretary's voice was strong and resonant, each word carrying significant weight. A round of enthusiastic applause filled the meeting room. The leaders' eyes were fixed on Wei Chen, filled with approval and affirmation.

Jin Aiguo rubbed his hands excitedly, turned to the side and patted Wei Chen's shoulder hard, whispering, "Good lad! Did you hear that? Third-class merit! Model worker! You've made our section chief proud!" His smile was almost overflowing, he was even happier than if he had received the award himself.

Wei Chen stood up, bowed slightly, and said in a clear but calm voice, "Thank you for the organization's trust and training. I only did what a security officer should do; the credit belongs to everyone." His response was appropriate, but his eyes showed little emotion, as if the thrilling achievements described in the report had little to do with his calm mind. He was more concerned about where to lock the new medal and certificate in the drawer when he got back.

The announcement of the commendation was like a boulder thrown into calm water. The steel rolling mill's internal broadcasting station repeatedly broadcast the commendation order and award decision, and Wei Chen's name echoed throughout the factory area. Soon, the news seemed to have grown wings and flew over the high walls of the steel rolling mill.

"Have you heard? Wei Chen from the steel mill has done another great job!" "Yeah, yeah! He caught a hidden enemy spy! I heard he was hiding explosives and a radio transmitter! Goodness, if that blows up..."

"Absolutely! I heard it was all thanks to Wei Chen who discovered it! That kid's young, but he's incredibly capable!" "Yeah, he's the best under Section Chief Jin! He's top-notch at everything—solving cases, arresting people! I heard he's incredibly skilled in combat; that enemy agent was taken down before he even had a chance to react!"

Security officers from several large state-owned factories in the vicinity—textile factories, machinery factories, and chemical factories—unanimously mentioned this name during meetings or exchanges.

"Old Li, Wei Chen from your factory has really made a splash this time! A commendation has been issued!" "Yeah, Old Zhang, that kid's got potential, quick-witted, bold, and meticulous!"

"I should talk to Jin Aiguo another day and ask him to let Wei Chen come and share his experience with us. His investigation and arrest skills are definitely worth learning!"

Director Wang of the subdistrict office was beaming from ear to ear. The emergence of such a hero in her jurisdiction made her feel proud. She even straightened her back a bit more when attending meetings in the district.

When they met the leaders of the steel rolling mill, they spoke with obvious friendliness: "Oh, Director Zhang, your comrade Wei Chen is truly outstanding! He rid our area of ​​a great menace! The whole neighborhood is buzzing with news of him; they call him our 'guardian angel'! With him around, everyone feels safe and secure!"

Wei Chen's reputation spread rapidly throughout the surrounding factory and residential areas. "Little Wei from the Red Star Factory," "Wei Chen who catches enemy spies," "The top lieutenant under Section Chief Jin"... various titles filled with admiration and amazement quickly followed.

His image as a young, capable man who had repeatedly achieved remarkable feats became increasingly vivid and admirable through word of mouth. When he walked through the factory area, workers, whether they knew him or not, would greet him warmly and proactively, their eyes filled with trust and closeness. When he went to the local street office, the staff were exceptionally polite and attentive.

This warm breeze of praise naturally blew into the courtyard house as well.

Yan Bugui, standing in the front yard, had become the de facto "chief spokesperson" for Wei Chen's deeds. Holding the day's Beijing Daily, which contained a brief report about the commendation, he stood under the old locust tree at the gate, spitting as he spoke: "See that! See that! Front page! Although it's not the most conspicuous position, it's still the front page! 'The Security Section of Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill cracks a case of enemy spies, young guard Wei Chen performs a great feat'! Tsk tsk tsk, amazing! Commendation issued! Third-class merit! Model soldier!" He shook the newspaper, his voice rising and falling, as if he had a share in the credit for that medal.

"Old Yan, what does that enemy agent look like? Did he really hide explosives?" someone asked curiously. "Of course he does," Yan Bugui replied mysteriously, lowering his voice to make sure everyone around could hear him.

"My friend Jiefang said that the guy was hiding in the big courtyard on the west side, and he usually pretended to be a beggar! He dug a hole in his house! Explosives, detonators, a radio transmitter! Good heavens! If it weren't for Wei Chen's sharp eyes, and his amazing dog Dahuang smelling the gunpowder and following the clues... tsk tsk, the consequences would have been unimaginable!" His vivid description drew gasps and exclamations of surprise from those around him.

"It has to be Wei Chen! He's got talent!" "That's right! This young man has really brought honor to our department!" "Teacher Yan, you're familiar with Wei Chen's family, could you ask him to tell us about him later?" "Sure! Sure!" Yan Bugui stroked his non-existent beard, looking very proud.

Inside Yi Zhonghai's home in the Intermediate People's Court, the doors and windows were tightly shut. Yi Zhonghai sat at the eight-immortal table, on which lay the newspaper. He looked at the few lines about Wei Chen's commendation, his fingers unconsciously tapping the tabletop, producing a dull "tap-tap" sound. The air in the room felt somewhat stagnant.

An older woman brought over a cup of hot water and gently placed it on the table. Looking at her husband's gloomy face, she sighed, "Honey, try to look on the bright side. That kid... he's really capable, and he's really willing to go all out. Catching enemy spies is a life-or-death job."

Yi Zhonghai picked up his cup but didn't drink, his eyes somewhat vacant: "Skill? It is skill... but this skill is too dazzling." His voice was low, "A commendation, a third-class merit... How many years has it been since our institute produced someone like this? And at such a young age..."

He paused, his tone complex, "Before, everyone respectfully called me 'Grandpa' because I could manage things, mediate disputes, and help the neighbors make a living. It was about human relationships, seniority, and 'high prestige'..." He gave a self-deprecating smirk, "But now? Wei Chen earned his reputation through real achievements, through commendations from his superiors! That carries... different weight now."

He put down his cup, his voice carrying a barely perceptible hint of weariness and dejection: "The winds have... changed. Our principles of 'mutual help' and 'respect for the elderly' seem so insignificant in the face of their dazzling achievements."

"Look at Yan Laoxi's enthusiasm, he'd love to be Wei Chen's butler." He looked out the window, at the vaguely bustling figures in the front yard, his eyes filled with complex and unreadable emotions. A sense of powerlessness, like being silently lapped ashore by the tides of time, quietly spread through him.