Rebirth in a Courtyard: I Am a Little Hunter

As the get off work bell rang, the workers packed up their tools and prepared to leave. Wei Feng also put his tools away and cleaned his assigned area.

"That's all for today." Li Dahai packed up his toolbox, glanced at Wei Feng, and said, "Be in the workshop at 7:30 tomorrow morning, don't be late. When you get here, first wipe down this machine tool and fill the oil can."

"Yes, Master! I understand!" Wei Feng replied loudly.

Li Dahai waved his hand, picked up his tool bag, and left. Wei Feng breathed a sigh of relief, only then realizing that his arms were a little sore, but his heart was filled with energy.

Wei Chen came to find him after get off work and saw that he looked disheveled but full of energy. He smiled and asked, "How are you? Tired?"

"Not tired at all!" Wei Feng wiped his sweat, his eyes shining. "Chenzi, the workshop is huge! There are so many machines! The foreman had me polish the parts, and watching those lumps of iron become smooth in my hands was so interesting!"

"It's good that you're interested." Wei Chen patted his shoulder. "Come on, let's go home for dinner. My mom will definitely have something delicious."

Wei Feng hesitated for a moment, then shook his head: "Chenzi, I won't go today. I'll go to the cafeteria for lunch, then go back to the dormitory. Today is the first day, and I need to get to know my roommates. There's a long road ahead, and if I don't go back to my hometown on Sunday, I'll definitely visit my aunt, you, and Ranran."

Wei Chen paused for a moment, then understood his cousin's thoughts. He wanted to integrate into the new environment and build his own social circle as soon as possible, rather than relying on his younger cousin for everything. This was a sign of independence.

"Okay, you can arrange it yourself then." Wei Chen didn't insist. "The canteen is over there, you'll use meal tickets. There should be a few food and grain tickets in your newly issued work allowance, use those first. Let me know if you need more. Get along well with your coworkers, but also be mindful of boundaries."

"Yes, I know!" Wei Feng nodded emphatically.

The two brothers parted ways at the factory gate; Wei Feng headed towards the dormitory area, while Wei Chen rode his bicycle home. The setting sun bathed the massive factory in a golden glow. Wei Feng glanced back at the towering chimneys and enormous factory buildings, his heart filled with anticipation and determination for the future. His working life officially began today.

Wei Chen, watching his cousin's figure disappear into the crowd, smiled with satisfaction. The seed had been planted; now it was up to him to grow it. He believed that his honest, hardworking, and resilient cousin would surely carve out his own path in this concrete jungle.

Friday arrived in the blink of an eye. The steel rolling mill was still bustling with activity, the roar of machines, the clanging of steel, and the shouts of workers creating a symphony of the industrial age.

Wei Chen continued his daily maintenance work in the armory under the guidance of his mentor, Li Zhijun, and then spent his time slacking off. After a few days of adjustment, Wei Feng gradually integrated into the rhythm of Workshop Two. Although he was still doing the most basic odd jobs, his mentor, Li Dahai, would occasionally give him a few pointers on the basics of fitter work, which motivated Wei Feng. Although he was so tired that he would fall asleep as soon as he got back to the dormitory every day, he felt a great sense of fulfillment.

It was a little past three in the afternoon, and the armory was dimly lit, with only the table lamps on the worktables casting a yellowish glow. Wei Chen was carefully using fine sandpaper to smooth out the minor rust on the slide of a pistol, his movements gentle and focused. Li Zhijun sat beside him, squinting as he inspected a batch of newly delivered bullets, occasionally picking one up and examining it under the light.

Just then, a series of slightly hurried footsteps came from the corridor outside the armory and stopped at the door. Immediately afterward, a knock sounded, accompanied by the voice of the doorman, Old Zhang: "Officer Wei? Is Wei Chen in? Someone's looking for you at the door, saying they're a relative from your hometown!"

Wei Chen paused, his hands still. Relatives from his hometown? His uncle had already gone back, and his cousin was at the factory. Who else could it be? Could it be… Uncle Wei?

"Uncle Li, I'm going out to take a look." Wei Chen put down the tools and parts in his hand.

"Go ahead." Li Zhijun waved his hand without even looking up.

Wei Chen took off his sleeves, wiped his hands, and walked out of the armory. Standing at the door were Old Zhang, the gatekeeper, and Xiao Zhao, a young officer from the security department.

"Wei Chen, there are three people at the door: an old man, a cadre-looking man, and a young man. They say they're from your hometown, Xingshou Commune, and their surname is Wei. They're looking for you," Xiao Zhao said.

It really was Uncle Wei. Looks like the exchange is progressing well; they're moving really fast. Wei Chen thought to himself, nodding to Xiao Zhao and Old Zhang: "Thanks, Master Zhang, Xiao Zhao. I'll go take a look."

He strode towards the factory gate. From afar, he could see three people standing outside the gate. The one in the lead was his cousin's father-in-law, Wei Changshuan. Today, he had specially changed into a nearly new Zhongshan suit. Although it was a bit faded from washing, the buttons were fastened tightly, and his hair was combed meticulously. His face showed a hint of urgency and anticipation.

Standing next to him was a man in his forties, who looked like an official. He was also wearing a Zhongshan suit and a Liberation cap, and was carrying a black briefcase. His face was serious, but his eyes held a hint of scrutiny and an almost imperceptible attempt to curry favor.

Behind the two men was a young man in his early twenties, wearing brand-new blue overalls, with his hair slicked back and his face filled with excitement and curiosity, looking around at the magnificent factory gate and towering chimney.

"Uncle Wei!" Wei Chen quickened his pace to greet him.

"Chenzi!" Wei Changshuan's eyes lit up when he saw Wei Chen, and he quickly took two steps forward, his wrinkles smoothing out. "I've been waiting for you! I hope I didn't keep you from your work?"

"No, I happen to be free." Wei Chen replied with a smile, his gaze sweeping over the two people behind him.

Wei Changshuan immediately stepped aside and introduced him warmly: "Chenzi, this is Xu Zhiguo, Director Xu, from our Xingshou Commune Grain Station! We owe a great deal to Director Xu for his help this time!" His tone was clearly respectful and grateful.

Xu Zhiguo stepped forward, a perfectly timed smile on his face, and extended his hand: "You must be Comrade Wei Chen, right? I've heard Lao Wei mention you before. You're young and promising! Working in a large factory like Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill with tens of thousands of employees, and being a key member of the security department, is truly remarkable!" His words both flattered Wei Chen and made it clear that he knew Wei Chen's background.

"Hello, Director Xu, you flatter me. I'm just an ordinary worker." Wei Chen shook hands with Xu Zhiguo with neither humility nor arrogance, feeling that the other's palm was dry and strong, indeed a cadre who often sat in an office.

"This is Director Xu's nephew, Xu Xiangqian," Wei Changshuan said, pointing to the young man.

Xu Xiangqian hurriedly stepped forward, extending his hand as his uncle did, and said somewhat nervously, "Brother Wei... Brother Wei Chen, hello! My name is Xu Xiangqian, the 'Xiangqian' in 'forward'!" He looked a year or two older than Wei Feng, but unconsciously called him Brother Wei Chen, his eyes filled with curiosity and longing for the big city and factories.

"Hello." Wei Chen shook hands with him, feeling that the other's palm was slightly sweaty. "Uncle Wei, Director Xu, Brother Xiangqian, let's not stand here, let's go inside and talk." He gestured to the side, greeted the gatekeeper, and led the three into the factory area, but instead of going deep into the workshops or office buildings, he led them to a relatively quiet spot behind a bulletin board. It was convenient to talk there, and it wouldn't disrupt the factory's order.

After stopping, Wei Changshuan rubbed his hands together, his face beaming with barely suppressed joy, and exclaimed impatiently, "Chenzi, it's done! You were right, it's done!" His voice trembled with excitement. "It's all thanks to Director Xu! After hearing about our family's situation and seeing the certificate for the spot you provided, Director Xu said right away that it could be done! Director Xu has many connections; he knows the leaders of the county's labor bureau and supply and marketing cooperative. He made countless trips back and forth, putting in a tremendous amount of effort!"

Xu Zhiguo smiled reservedly, then picked up the conversation with a composed tone, as if in control of the situation: "Comrade Wei Chen, Lao Wei and I have been colleagues and friends for many years. I know his family situation, and I've met Zhenzhen; she's hardworking and honest. Wei Qiang also worked at our grain station; he's a reliable and hardworking man. This time, Lao Wei came to me saying there was such an opportunity, and when I saw it, I thought it was a good thing! It can solve your relative's practical difficulties and also bring in a valuable talent quota for our commune—it's a win-win situation!"

He paused, then took two forms stamped with a red seal from his briefcase and handed them to Wei Chen: "Look, these are the acceptance letters and job assignment sheets issued by the County Labor Bureau and the Supply and Marketing Cooperative. After coordination, your cousin, Comrade Wei Zhenzhen, has been assigned to our Xingshou Commune Supply and Marketing Cooperative as a sales clerk, a formal employee of the supply and marketing system. Your cousin's husband, Comrade Wei Qiang, like his father, will be working at our commune's grain station. Both of these positions are formal, with official positions, and their grain rations and household registrations will be transferred to commodity grain!"

Wei Chen took the forms and examined them carefully. One was a "Notice of Recruitment for Employees of Xingshou Commune Supply and Marketing Cooperative," with Wei Zhenzhen's name at the top and the position of sales clerk. It was stamped with the red seals of the commune's supply and marketing cooperative and the county's general supply and marketing cooperative. The other was a "Notice of Job Assignment for Employees of Xingshou Commune Grain Station," with Wei Qiang listed as the recruit, and it was stamped with the red seals of the commune's grain station and the county's grain bureau. The paperwork was complete, and the seals were clear. It seemed that Xu Zhiguo had indeed put in the effort and had considerable influence.

"And this Brother Xu Xiangqian...?" Wei Chen looked at the young man whose face was full of expectation.

"Oh, Xiangqian," Xu Zhiguo patted his nephew on the shoulder, his smile filled with warmth and expectation. "He's my nephew. He graduated from high school and worked as a temporary worker at the commune's agricultural machinery station for two years. He's always wanted to find a formal job, and if he has the chance, he wants to go to a big city to broaden his horizons and learn some real skills."

This is perfect timing! We used that valuable Beijing job quota you provided to create two local positions. Zhenzhen and Wei Qiang's problems are solved, and Xiangqian now has the opportunity to move to the city. Isn't this a win-win situation?

He spoke casually, but Wei Chen understood that the core of this exchange was probably that Director Xu wanted to secure a "golden job" for his nephew in Beijing.

Wei Changshuan's family secured two stable local jobs, while Xu Zhiguo resolved his nephew's future prospects—a win-win situation for both sides. His own quota in Beijing was the key to making all of this possible.

"Thank you for your trouble, Director Xu." Wei Chen handed the form back to Wei Changshuan and nodded to Xu Zhiguo. "This way, my sister and brother-in-law's problems are indeed solved. They can stay at home and take care of the elderly and children, which is much better than going to Beijing alone. I also thank Director Xu on behalf of my sister and brother-in-law."

"Oh, you're too kind, it's nothing!" Seeing that Wei Chen was so understanding and not at all unhappy about the quota being "transferred," Xu Zhiguo felt relieved and his smile became even more sincere. "Comrade Wei Chen is very righteous and considerate of family ties, which is admirable! It's a blessing for Xiangqian to be able to get into a unit like Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill, and it's also an honor for our Xu family! In the future, I'll have to ask you to take care of him in the factory." As he spoke, he winked at Xu Xiangqian.

Xu Xiangqian quickly stepped forward, saying with a hint of obsequiousness and unease, "Brother Wei Chen, I hope you'll give me more guidance in the factory from now on. I promise I'll work hard and never let you and my uncle down!"