Rebirth in a Courtyard: I Am a Little Hunter

"Huai Ru," Jia Dongxu put down his chopsticks and said to his wife in a low voice, "I'm going out for a bit."

Qin Huairu looked up at him and asked, "Where are you going so late?"

"I need to talk to an old man about something," Jia Dongxu mumbled, then got up, put on his coat, and headed outside.

Madam Jia glanced up, but said nothing, continuing her incomprehensible mutterings. Qin Huairu watched her husband's figure disappear through the door, a vague unease creeping into her heart. Looking for an old man? What could he possibly want?

It's probably for that job opening... but will that old man really help? Even if he does, will Wei Chen accept it? For some reason, she felt the hope was slim. But looking at the meager meal on the table, and the patched clothes on the children's bodies, a faint flame of hope flickered in her heart again. Perhaps... just what if?

Zhongyuan, Yi Zhonghai's house.

Yi Zhonghai was eating peanuts and sipping small amounts of bulk liquor. An older woman was mending clothes under the lamp. Hearing a knock at the door, she went to open it and was somewhat surprised to see Jia Dongxu: "Dongxu? Come in quickly, have you eaten?"

"Master's wife, I've already eaten. Is Master home? I have something I'd like to discuss with him." Jia Dongxu forced a smile.

"I'm here, come in." An older woman ushered Jia Dongxu into the house.

Yi Zhonghai saw Jia Dongxu, his face expressionless, and pointed to the stool next to him: "Sit down. What's up?"

Jia Dongxu sat down, rubbed his hands together, looking somewhat uneasy. After gathering his emotions, he finally spoke, "Master, I'm really sorry to bother you so late... but my family... my family is facing a real difficulty. I would like to ask you for advice, or... to help us out."

Yi Zhonghai slowly sipped his wine, remaining silent and waiting for Jia Dongxu to continue. He could roughly guess Jia Dongxu's purpose. The courtyard had been abuzz with rumors lately about the "potential spot" in Wei Chen's hands, and it was perfectly normal for the Jia family, who were struggling financially, to be envious.

"Master, as you know, my family situation... five people, and with my meager salary, it's really... barely enough to make ends meet." Jia Dongxu began to play the victim, his voice tinged with bitterness.

"Bang Geng is about to start school, and Xiao Dang is growing up day by day, and we need money for everything. Huai Ru has a rural household registration and doesn't have a job, so she can't help the family even if she wants to... My mother is also getting old and her health is not good..." He listed his family's difficulties again. He had often told Yi Zhonghai these things before, and now he said them with even more fluency and sincerity (at least he felt that they were very sincere).

Yi Zhonghai listened quietly, his fingers tapping unconsciously on the table. Only after Jia Dongxu had finished speaking did he slowly begin, "Dongxu, I know your difficulties. No one in the courtyard is well-off. But as for jobs… now it's one job for every radish, it's tough."

"Master, I know it's difficult!" Jia Dongxu quickly interjected, leaning forward slightly and lowering his voice, "But isn't there an opportunity right now? Wei Chen... didn't Wei Chen do a good job and get a job as a reward from the factory? I heard... maybe there's more than one? He gave one to his cousin, maybe... maybe there's another one?"

His eyes gleamed with hope. "Master, you're the most respected elder in the courtyard, highly valued and respected. Even Wei Chen has to give you some face. Could you... could you help me ask around? If there are still spots available, our family will pay for them! As long as Huai Ru can get a job and change her household registration to an urban one, our family... our family will be grateful to you for the rest of our lives!"

Yi Zhonghai sneered inwardly. Pay money to buy it? How much money could the Jia family possibly come up with? Qin Huairu, a rural woman, unskilled and uneducated, even if she got a job in the factory, what could she do? Sweep the streets or watch the warehouse?

More importantly, if the Jia family really becomes a dual-income family, and Qin Huairu has an independent income, or even changes her household registration to an urban area, will Jia Dongxu still be as dependent on her and obedient to her as he is now? Will that old hag Jia Zhangshi still have to be polite to her because of her family's difficulties and need for assistance?

He had painstakingly used the guise of providing relief and assistance to firmly bind Jia Dongxu, his "elderly care candidate," to his side, exchanging small favors for the latter's gratitude and obedience, and even subtly controlling some of the Jia family's power. If the Jia family became too powerful, would they still willingly be manipulated by him? Yi Zhonghai absolutely did not want to see that happen.

However, he couldn't say these words aloud. On the surface, he had to maintain his image of being "public-spirited" and "caring for his apprentice." Moreover, he genuinely didn't believe Wei Chen would give the spot to the Jia family. That kid was shrewd, and he had no connection with the Jia family. Why would he give such a good opportunity to a neighbor he had no relation to, or even someone he'd had a falling out with?

Yi Zhonghai then wore a troubled yet sympathetic expression and sighed, "Dongxu, I understand how you feel. Who doesn't want their family to have a better life? As for Wei Chen... well, it's hard to say. You know, that kid is... very determined now. Yan Bugui and Liu Haizhong both ran into a brick wall, and for me, an outsider, to go and talk to him, I'm afraid..."

"Master! You're different!" Jia Dongxu interrupted him urgently. "You're the head of the household, my master! When you speak on his behalf, it represents the household's concern for those in need—that's the right thing to do! Wei Chen is, after all, a resident of the household. How could we not give him any face? Even... even if there are no more spots available, or he's unwilling, please ask him for me. My family will be grateful! Master, please help me, just ask him! Whether it works out or not, I, Jia Dongxu, will remember your kindness!"

Jia Dongxu lowered his stance to a minimum, almost begging. He knew that Yi Zhonghai valued his reputation and the status of "master" and "elder brother." He figured that if he pleaded so earnestly, Yi Zhonghai would most likely agree—or at least ask him out of the blue.

Looking at Jia Dongxu's anxious yet humble and pleading face, Yi Zhonghai quickly calculated in his mind. Agreeing to ask would simply be a formality.

Wei Chen would definitely refuse, and his reasons would be quite valid, such as the quota already being used or factory regulations. In this way, he would both demonstrate an attitude of "trying his best to help" in front of Jia Dongxu, maintaining the mentor-apprentice relationship and the image of a powerful figure, while actually suffering no loss; the Jia family would still have to rely on him. In fact, because his "help" failed, Jia Dongxu might even feel indebted to him and become more compliant.

Get more in one fell swoop.

Thinking of this, Yi Zhonghai showed a reluctant expression and sighed, "Alas, Dongxu, since you've put it that way... your master will risk his old face and ask for you. However, let me be clear, Wei Chen is not what he used to be, and I can't guarantee whether it will work out. Moreover, even if there are spots available, they probably won't be cheap, so your family should be prepared."

"I know, I know! Thank you, Master! Thank you, Master!" Jia Dongxu was overjoyed to see Yi Zhonghai relent, and thanked him repeatedly. "Whether it works out or not, our Jia family will remember your kindness! As for the money... we'll find a way, we can always scrape together some!"

"Alright, I'll find some time to talk to him." Yi Zhonghai nodded, looking like he'd go to great lengths for his apprentice. "Don't get your hopes up too high, just keep a calm mind."

"Yes! I'll listen to my master!" Jia Dongxu left, profusely thanking his master, a flicker of hope rekindled in his heart. He felt that with the old man's intervention, the chances of success were much greater. Little did he know, his "good master" had already sentenced him to death in his heart and was secretly pleased with the outcome.

When Jia Dongxu returned home, he told Qin Huairu and Jia Zhangshi about Yi Zhonghai's promise to help. Jia Zhangshi immediately perked up, her triangular eyes shining: "Really? Uncle Yi really agreed? That's great! With Uncle Yi's help, would that brat Wei Chen dare to disobey us?"

Qin Huairu, however, was not so optimistic. She knew Yi Zhonghai; he was a seemingly kind but extremely calculating person. His promise to help might not be genuine; he might just be putting on an act.

Moreover, Wei Chen… Thinking of Wei Chen's clear, seemingly piercing eyes, Qin Huairu felt uncertain. That boy wasn't easily fooled. But seeing her husband's excited expression and her mother-in-law's expectant gaze, she swallowed back the words she was about to say. Perhaps… there really was a glimmer of hope?

However, Qin Huairu's deep-seated unease led her to make another decision. She could not place all her hopes on Yi Zhonghai, nor could she rely solely on her husband's clumsy pleas.

She wanted to try it herself.

Women, especially beautiful women who know how to feign vulnerability, sometimes have their own advantages and methods. No matter how capable Wei Chen is, he's still a young man; how hard-hearted can he be? If she lowers her stance, laments her hardships, and evokes his sympathy, perhaps…

The next afternoon, when she estimated that Wei Chen would be getting off work soon, Qin Huairu washed her face, tidied her slightly messy hair, and changed into an old but still clean floral coat (this was her best outfit for going out). She looked at herself in the blurry glass window to make sure she looked haggard and pitiful enough, then took a deep breath and went out.

Instead of going directly to the east courtyard, she lingered near the moon gate connecting the central courtyard to the east courtyard, pretending to do laundry, but actually waiting for Wei Chen to return.