Rebirth in a Courtyard: I Am a Little Hunter

Wei Changshuan took a deep drag on his cigarette; the pungent smoke seemed to calm him down a bit. He looked at Wei Chen, his eyes filled with unprecedented solemnity: "Chenzi, you thought of your older sister for this spot! I understand you're remembering Zhenzhen's kindness. We appreciate that, and Zhenzhen appreciates it too." He glanced at his daughter-in-law, whose eyes were also red-rimmed, and continued, "However, Chenzi, I've lived to be this old and experienced a lot. There's something I'm not sure if I should say."

"Uncle Wei, please speak freely. We're all family, so just say whatever you want to say." Wei Chen sat up straight, adopting a listening posture.

Wei Changshuan took another drag of his cigarette, slowly exhaling the smoke, seemingly carefully choosing his words: "This position is incredibly valuable, extremely valuable! A permanent position at the Red Star Steel Rolling Mill in Beijing! If word gets out, the whole surrounding area will be in an uproar!" He paused, his gaze sweeping over his son and daughter-in-law, "If Zhenzhen went to Beijing alone and landed this golden job, it would naturally be a fantastic thing. But…"

He changed the subject, his tone taking a more realistic approach: "Zhenzhen is a young woman. Even though she's married and has children, she'll still be all alone in such a faraway place, unfamiliar with the people and the land. Once she's in the factory, she'll be all alone. Even with Chenzi looking after her, she'll still be all alone."

Furthermore, she and Qiangzi would have to live apart for most of the year. Hu Zi is still so young; it wouldn't be good for him to be without his mother or father. A family separated in two places, life... sigh." He sighed, not finishing his sentence, but the meaning was clear.

The joy on Wei Qiang and Wei Zhenzhen's faces faded a little. They looked at each other and saw hesitation and reluctance in each other's eyes.

Yes, we were so happy that we didn't think about this. If Zhenzhen goes, the couple will be separated, and the young child will either lack maternal care or have to go with his mother to a completely unfamiliar environment. Qiangzi will be left alone in the commune, taking care of the family, and life will be difficult for him too. If Qiangzi goes... But Chenzi clearly stated that this spot is for Zhenzhen.

Wei Chen listened quietly without interrupting. He understood Wei Changshuan's concerns and knew it was indeed a real problem. In this era, with inconvenient transportation and communication difficulties, long-term separation between husband and wife was a huge test for the family. He initially suggested sending her to his cousin mainly out of gratitude, and he had also considered who would be more suitable for her family, but the final decision rested with them.

He was simply stating his position: I'm giving this job to your family for my eldest sister's sake! As for who goes, Wei Chen really doesn't care!

Seeing that Wei Chen wasn't displeased but rather seriously considering the matter, Wei Changshuan felt somewhat relieved. Mustering his courage, he continued, "Chenzi, I have an idea. Tell me, and see if it's suitable. If you think it's inappropriate, just pretend I didn't say anything. We'll stick to the original plan, and Zhenzhen will go. We won't say a word!"

"Uncle Wei, please speak freely." Wei Chen nodded.

Wei Changshuan leaned forward slightly, lowered his voice, and his eyes gleamed with the shrewdness of a seasoned veteran: "Chenzi, your spot is a formal position in a major factory in Beijing, it's incredibly valuable! Here, people would fight tooth and nail for even half a spot, let alone one! What I mean is... could we use your Beijing spot to exchange with the commune for two... local jobs?"

"Change to two local jobs?" Wei Chen raised an eyebrow; he hadn't thought of that. Wei Feng, standing to the side, was also stunned.

"Yes!" Wei Changshuan's spirits lifted when he saw Wei Chen's interest, and he spoke faster. "Look, in our commune, and in the neighboring communes, and even in the county, many factories and units, like the agricultural machinery station, supply and marketing cooperative, grain station, food station, post office... these places also have permanent positions, but compared to those in Beijing, they're far less prestigious. But for us locals, having a permanent job in the commune or county, with a guaranteed food ration, is an incredibly desirable job!"

He paused, observing Wei Chen's expression: "Your quota at the Beijing Steel Rolling Mill is like a solid ingot of gold! Take it to the leaders of the commune and even the county, tell them you're willing to exchange this 'gold quota' for their two 'silver quotas' or 'bronze quotas,' do you think they'll agree?"

Wei Chen instantly understood Wei Changshuan's meaning. This was a typical "resource exchange." A top-tier, coveted position in a state-owned factory in a core city offered far greater appeal and room for maneuver than an ordinary local job.

In exchange for two relatively ordinary but equally stable formal job opportunities in the local area, the other party would likely feel that it's a "profit," given the huge potential value of gaining an opportunity to enter a major company in the capital (whether for their own people or for other exchanges).

For the Wei family, exchanging one person's trip to the capital and the separation of husband and wife for both of them to obtain stable jobs locally, thus reuniting the family and completely solving their livelihood problems, is undoubtedly a better choice.

Seeing Wei Chen hesitate, Wei Changshuan quickly added, "Of course, whether this matter can be accomplished depends on luck and the people who can pull strings. I've worked at the commune's grain store for so many years, and although I'm just a warehouse keeper, I know a few people and can talk to the station chief. I also know two people in charge at the county grain bureau."

I can go and sound them out first, see if there's any possibility. If it works out, Zhenzhen and Qiangzi can both stay here, have stable jobs, be close to home, and look after each other. Huzi can also grow up with his parents. If it really doesn't work out... that's fine too, just let Zhenzhen go to Beijing, we'll still be grateful to you for the rest of our lives!

He adopted a very humble attitude, his words were full of negotiation and sincerity, and he also demonstrated his local connections and operational capabilities.

Wei Chen didn't answer immediately, but instead turned his gaze to his cousin Wei Zhenzhen and brother-in-law Wei Qiang: "Sister, Brother Qiang, what do you think? What do you think of Uncle Wei's idea?"

Wei Zhenzhen and Wei Qiang were already stunned by their father's bold idea and hadn't fully recovered yet. The couple looked at each other, their eyes filled with surprise, hesitation, and even more so with a sudden enlightenment and intense anticipation!

Stay local! We both have jobs! No need to separate!

Compared to one person going to the distant capital while the other stays in the countryside waiting in vain, the temptation is more than doubled! Especially for Wei Qiang, he has longed for a formal job for too long. If he could stay in his familiar hometown, take care of his parents, wife and children, and also have a secure job, it would be a dream come true!

"I... I think Dad is right!" Wei Qiang spoke first, his voice trembling with excitement. "If... if it really works out, then... that would be wonderful! Zhenzhen wouldn't have to travel so far alone, and I... I could have a proper job, and our family could be together again!" He looked at Wei Chen with pleading eyes, then at his father, afraid that this wonderful idea would fall through.

Wei Zhenzhen nodded repeatedly, tears welling up again, this time tears of hope: "Chenzi, if... if it really can be like Dad said, then... then of course it would be wonderful! I... I don't want to be separated from Qiangzi either, and Huzi is still so young..." As she spoke, she lowered her head somewhat shyly, her voice trailing off, "It's just... it's just that I'm troubling you too much, and now I'm making you worry again..."

Looking into his cousin's expectant yet guilty eyes, Wei Chen understood. He had only wanted to repay her kindness from years ago and hoped she would be happy. If the job transfer plan could be implemented, allowing his cousin and brother-in-law to live a peaceful and prosperous life with a happy family, that would undoubtedly be a better outcome. As for who would ultimately go to Beijing, that wasn't important to him; what mattered was that his cousin's family would benefit the most.

Thinking of this, Wei Chen smiled and nodded to Wei Changshuan: "Uncle Wei, your idea is excellent and very well thought out. As long as my sister and Brother Qiangzi are happy with it, I have no objection. Since this spot has been given to my sister, you can decide how to use it yourselves. As long as it makes my sister's family live well, any arrangement is fine."

"Chenzi!" Wei Changshuan slapped his thigh excitedly, almost sliding off the edge of the kang. "You...you are so understanding! I...I, this old man, thank you on behalf of Zhenzhen, on behalf of Qiangzi, on behalf of our whole family!" He didn't expect Wei Chen to be so straightforward. Not only did he agree to the idea of ​​the exchange, but he also gave them complete control over the decision. This trust and generosity moved him deeply.

Wei Qiang was so excited he was at a loss for words, only able to rub his hands together and repeatedly say, "Chenzi, thank you! Thank you! We will definitely do our best! We will never let you down!"

Wei Zhenzhen was already sobbing uncontrollably, but she just kept nodding to Wei Chen while holding Huzi, with a thousand words stuck in her throat.

Wei Chen waved his hand and said seriously, "Uncle Wei, Brother Qiangzi, Sister, don't rush to thank me. This matter is still far from settled. First, we need to see if there are suitable positions available in the commune or county; second, even if there are, whether people are willing to switch and how the process will be handled are all unknowns. I'm afraid you'll have to put in a lot of effort, Uncle Wei, to go and explore the possibilities."

Wei Changshuan immediately straightened his back, his face radiating a long-lost glow—a sense of responsibility and mission from feeling he could support his family and children: "Chenzi, don't worry! Leave this to me! I've worked at the commune's grain store for half my life; I still have some influence! I'll go find a way, talk to our station chief, and contact my old connections at the grain bureau!" He seemed to have instantly become ten years younger, brimming with energy. For his son and daughter-in-law's future, he was willing to risk everything!

"Alright," Wei Chen glanced at the setting sun outside the window. "It's getting late. I have to rush back to the commune station to catch the last bus back to the county. Tomorrow I have to catch the early bus back to Beijing."

"Uncle Wei, please take good care of this matter. Once you have concrete news, whether it's successful or not, please find a way to let me know. If the replacement is successful and it's confirmed who will fill which position, please bring the relevant documents and certificates to the Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill in Sijiu City to find me, or I can have Brother Feng pass on the message. I'll prepare the necessary paperwork for the position."

Then he looked at Wei Feng and said, "Brother Feng, when you come the day after tomorrow, keep an eye out for any news from Uncle Wei and bring it over with you."

"Okay! I've got it!" Wei Feng quickly agreed.

"Chenzi, are you leaving already? Have some food before you go!" Wei Zhenzhen finally realized what was happening and hurriedly tried to persuade him to stay.

"No, sis, we'll miss the bus if we're any later." Wei Chen stood up. "You guys discuss it and don't rush. Let's play it safe. Contact me anytime if anything happens."

The Wei family father and son, profusely thanking Wei Chen and Wei Feng, escorted them to the courtyard gate. Wei Changshuan tightly grasped Wei Chen's hand, his old eyes filled with tears: "Chenzi, there's nothing more to say. The Wei family will remember this kindness for a lifetime!"

Wei Chen patted the old man's hand, nodded to Wei Zhenzhen and Wei Qiang, and then got on the back of Wei Feng's bicycle. Wei Feng pedaled hard, and the bicycle, carrying the two of them, headed towards the commune station.

The cold wind still blew, but the Wei family courtyard was filled with burning hope. Wei Changshuan stood at the door, watching the bicycle's departing figure until it was out of sight, then suddenly turned around and said to his son and daughter-in-law, "Quick! Tidy up! Qiangzi, go get some meat and some wine! Zhenzhen, tidy up the house! I'm going to the grain store to find Station Master Wang!" He couldn't wait to get started, as if he could see two gleaming iron rice bowls beckoning to his son and daughter-in-law.

As Wei Chen rode away on the back of his bicycle, he glanced back at Xingshou Commune, which was gradually disappearing into the twilight. He knew that the seeds he had sown had sprouted. As for what kind of flowers they would bloom and what kind of fruit they would bear, it depended on Wei Changshuan's efforts and also on fate. But in any case, he had done his best. The rest was up to their own destiny.

The wheels crunched over the snow, carrying Wei Chen and Wei Feng's boundless hopes for the future, heading towards the highway, towards the city of Beijing that would soon change their destinies.