Rebirth in a Courtyard: I Am a Little Hunter

Li Huaide's family lived in a red-brick tenement building, which was considered "high-end housing" among the surrounding bungalows, and was inhabited by middle and senior-level cadres from the factory. The stairwell was fairly clean, with half of the walls painted green. Wei Chen stopped in front of a door, took a deep breath, straightened his slightly disheveled clothes from riding his bicycle, and then raised his hand to knock on the door, neither too loudly nor too softly.

"Who is it?" A gentle female voice came from inside. "Is Director Li home? I'm Wei Chen from the security department, here to wish the director and his wife a Happy New Year in advance." Wei Chen's voice was clear and bright.

The door opened quickly, revealing the face of a kind middle-aged woman—Li Huaide's wife. "Oh, it's Wei Chen! Please come in, please come in! Is it cold outside? Old Li, Wei Chen is here!" She stepped aside to let Wei Chen into the house, greeting him warmly. Wei Chen had visited their home once before, and she had a deep impression of this young and handsome man. In addition, Li Huaide often remarked at home that Wei Chen was simply his lucky charm! So she remembered this young man even more.

The house was much more spacious than that of an average worker's family, about fifty square meters, and was divided into two bedrooms and a living room/dining room. The furniture was of a uniform mechanical style, but it was spotless and bright. A thermos and an enamel tea tray were placed on the chest of drawers, a sewing machine stood in the corner, and certificates of merit and a landscape painting hung on the wall, showing the owner's standard of living and taste.

Li Huaide was sitting on the sofa in the living room, holding a copy of the People's Daily. Hearing the sound, he put down the newspaper and put on a friendly yet authoritative smile: "Xiao Wei is here! You still made the trip in such cold weather. Please sit down!" He pointed to the chair opposite him and said to his wife, "Pour Wei Chen a cup of hot tea to warm him up."

"Director Li, sister-in-law, I wish you both a Happy New Year in advance! I wish you a prosperous New Year, good health, smooth work, and happiness for your whole family!" Wei Chen bowed slightly, his smile sincere and his words appropriate.

"Alright, alright, I wish you all the best in the new year and may your work reach new heights!" Li Huaide smiled and gestured for Wei Chen to sit down, glancing at Wei Chen before nodding approvingly.

"You look great! You've done a fantastic job for our factory this year, especially for our logistics department! Those tens of thousands of kilograms of meat were a godsend! Not only did the factory workers benefit, but even the higher-ups are impressed with our factory's logistical support capabilities! You, as the purchasing agent, deserve immense credit for this!"

When Li Huaide said this, his voice was loud and clear, and his eyes revealed undisguised pride. This credit went to the logistics department, and as the leader in charge, he felt proud and received substantial benefits.

"Director Li, you flatter me." Wei Chen sat on one side of the chair, his posture respectful but not servile. "It's all thanks to the factory leaders' wise decisions and your proper command. I was just running errands according to instructions, and I happened to be lucky enough to find the right channels. Without the factory's support and your trust, I wouldn't have been able to do this." He humbly attributed the credit to the collective and the leaders, which was the proper attitude.

"Haha, young man, not arrogant or impatient, very good!" Li Huaide was clearly pleased, waving his hand and speaking in a more friendly tone, "Ability is ability, and luck is also part of strength! You can both open up channels and seize opportunities, that's skill! The factory needs young comrades like you who are energetic and resourceful! Keep up the good work, I have high hopes for your future!" His words were full of encouragement, but also implied a desire to win him over.

At this moment, Madam Li brought over two cups of hot tea, in covered glass cups, filled with ordinary jasmine tea powder. "Wei Chen, have some tea."

"Thank you, sister-in-law." Wei Chen accepted the gift with both hands and expressed his gratitude. He did not drink it immediately, but instead placed his satchel on his lap, took out the prepared oil paper package from it, and placed it on the coffee table in front of Li Huaide with both hands.

"Director Li, it's the New Year, so here's a small token of my appreciation. I know you don't lack anything at home. This is some tea that a friend of mine at the Southern Agricultural Research Institute cultivated and processed himself. It's not famous, but it's fresh and unique, and the taste is alright. Please try it. If you like it, it can help you stay alert when you're tired from work."

Li Huaide's gaze fell on the simple oil paper package, a barely perceptible glint of shrewdness flashing in his eyes. He certainly didn't lack ordinary New Year's gifts, especially this year with an abundance of meat in the factory, many people were trying to find ways to give him something "gift".

Wei Chen's gift of tea, especially tea "cultivated by a friend," surprised and impressed him. It was unconventional, understated, yet showed thoughtfulness and tact.

"Oh? Tea you cultivated yourself? That's something new." Li Huaide looked interested, reached out and took the oil paper package, untied the thin hemp rope, and peeled back a corner of the oil paper.

Instantly, a delicate and elegant aroma, unlike that of ordinary flower tea or fine tea, wafted out. The fragrance was like orchids and osmanthus, with the freshness of morning dew in the mountains, refreshing and invigorating. Looking at the tea leaves inside the package, the leaves were tightly rolled and uniform, with a dark green and glossy color, and white downy hairs. Even those who did not know much about tea could see its extraordinary quality.

"This tea...it looks absolutely exquisite!" Li Huaide, a man of some knowledge, picked up a small pinch, rubbed it between his fingertips, and then brought it close for a deep sniff, his surprise deepening. He didn't have many hobbies, but drinking tea was one of them. Although he wasn't as knowledgeable as a true tea connoisseur, he had tasted quite a few good teas. The aroma and appearance of the tea leaves before him seemed to surpass even the special-supply tea he occasionally managed to snag from his superiors.

"Xiao Zhou, bring me that Yixing teapot from my desk, and two small cups too," Li Huaide instructed his wife, intrigued. Madam Li quickly brought a rather elegant, small Yixing teapot and two small white porcelain cups.

Seeing this, Wei Chen stood up, took the tea set, and rinsed it with hot water. Then he took the tea leaves, added them, poured the tea from a high position, skimmed the foam, and rinsed the pot... His movements, though not entirely fluid, were steady and skilled, clearly showing he knew something about tea ceremony. Boiling water was poured in, and the tea leaves unfurled and tumbled in the pot, releasing an even richer aroma that filled the entire living room with the rising steam.

Li Huaide's eyes lit up, and he looked at Wei Chen with even greater respect. This young man was not only capable, but also possessed considerable inner talent.

Wei Chen poured the brewed tea into two small tasting cups. The tea was a bright, tender green, clear to the bottom, with a subtle yet lasting aroma. He presented one cup to Li Huaide with both hands.

Li Huaide took the tea, first observing its color and then its aroma, and nodded in approval. He carefully sipped it, the tea lingering in his mouth for a moment, initially with a slight astringency, but then transforming into an indescribable freshness and sweetness, flowing down his throat, the aroma lingering between his lips and teeth, leaving a long-lasting aftertaste.

Even more miraculously, a warm feeling rose from my stomach and quickly spread to my limbs and bones. The fatigue from being busy with year-end affairs for days seemed to dissipate considerably, and my mind became clear.

"Excellent tea!" Li Huaide couldn't help but exclaim, taking another sip and savoring the flavor for a moment before opening his eyes. His gaze towards Wei Chen was now completely different, filled with surprise and curiosity. "Wei Chen, your friend isn't just any ordinary agricultural researcher, is he? This tea... has a delicate and lasting aroma, a fresh, mellow, and sweet taste, a lingering sweetness that refreshes the mind, and it even has a stimulating effect! It's incomparable to any tea on the market! Even those famous teas that are priceless and hard to find probably don't have this flavor!"

He was truly amazed by the tea. In those days, resources were scarce, and good tea was even rarer. The fact that Wei Chen's "friend" could obtain tea of ​​this quality demonstrated that he was no ordinary person, or rather, that Wei Chen had extraordinary connections.

The fact that Wei Chen was willing to give him such a precious item to taste made Li Huaide not only satisfied with the sentiment and "energy" behind it, but also valued it even more.

"Director Li, you flatter me. My friend is somewhat obsessed with this, just doing it for fun. I never expected it to be appreciated by you." Wei Chen said modestly with a smile. Seeing Li Huaide's reaction, he knew that the gift had touched the other party's heart.

For someone like Li Huaide, who holds a certain position, needs to save face, and values ​​practical benefits, a unique and high-quality "refined gift" is sometimes more effective than simply giving money or gifts.

"To my liking? Haha, this is truly an eye-opener and a feast for the palate!" Li Huaide was in high spirits. He poured himself another cup and savored it carefully. "I really like this tea! Wei Chen, thank you for your thoughtfulness. I appreciate it."

He put down his teacup, looked at Wei Chen, and spoke in a warmer tone, even with a hint of sincerity, "If you encounter any difficulties at work or need anything in your life, feel free to come to me. Although you were snatched away by the security department, you are still part of our logistics team, and an invaluable talent for our factory. The factory will definitely focus on developing you. Do a good job, I have high hopes for you!"

After chatting for a while, Li Huaide inquired about Wei Chen's family situation, reminded him to be careful during the holidays, and encouraged him to visit more often. Wei Chen then took his leave. This time, Li Huaide personally saw him to the door, patted him on the shoulder, and encouraged him, "Work hard, young man, the future belongs to you!"

Leaving Li Huaide's house and riding his bicycle, Wei Chen felt quite at ease. The first step had been smooth; his relationship with Li Huaide had not only been strengthened but had also progressed further because of the tea. This was a trap Wei Chen had deliberately set; relationships sometimes require a binding of mutual benefit!

Next, he was going to visit Director Wang of the neighborhood committee. Director Wang was the direct manager of this courtyard area; all matters concerning the daily lives of residents, including mediating disputes and implementing policies, involved her. Maintaining a good relationship with this "current manager" was crucial for Wei Chen's family's daily life in the courtyard, and could prevent many unnecessary troubles.

Director Wang's family lived in another residential area, in typical public housing, rows of single-story houses with small courtyards. Her house was a small, detached house, but it was very neat and clean. Wei Chen parked his car in front of the door, straightened his clothes, and went up to knock on the door.

The person who opened the door was Director Wang herself. She was in her fifties, her hair neatly combed and tied into a bun at the back of her head. She wore a faded blue Lenin suit, her face serious, but her eyes revealed competence and shrewdness. When she saw Wei Chen, a gentle smile appeared on her serious face.

"Director Wang, I wish you a Happy New Year in advance! I wish you a happy new year, good health, smooth work, and a safe neighborhood!" Wei Chen said with a smile.

"It's Wei Chen! Come in quickly, it's cold outside." Director Wang ushered Wei Chen into the courtyard and then called out into the house, "Old man, make a cup of tea, Wei Chen is here."

A response came from inside the house. The furnishings in Director Wang's house were much simpler than those in Li Huaide's house, but equally tidy. Several certificates of merit and banners recognizing him as an outstanding individual in street work were pasted on the walls, indicating the owner's status.

"Please sit down, don't be shy." Director Wang sat down at the square table and gestured for Wei Chen to sit as well. "You're a rare guest, even during the New Year, you still remembered to come and see me."

"Look at what you're saying. You've always taken good care of our family and worked so hard for the people. It's only right that I come to wish you a Happy New Year." Wei Chen sat down opposite him, his attitude respectful and sincere.

Director Wang's husband, an elderly man with gray hair and a gentle smile, brought over two cups of tea—ordinary jasmine tea. Wei Chen quickly stood up to accept the cups and thanked him.

"I heard you're doing really well at the factory? You even did a great job bringing back tens of thousands of kilograms of meat! The neighborhood committee is benefiting too!" Director Wang took a sip of tea and asked bluntly, his eyes filled with approval and a hint of inquiry.

"It's all thanks to the trust of the leaders and the help of my colleagues. I was just running errands and it happened to be a coincidence." Wei Chen remained humble. "Actually, I came here today to thank Director Wang in person. You visit our home every year during the Spring Festival and have always taken good care of our family! My mother and sister just came to Beijing last year, and we are so grateful for the care from the neighborhood committee and your help. I will always remember this kindness."

Director Wang waved her hand, her expression softening further: "That's what the neighborhood committee should do. It wasn't easy for your mother to raise you and your siblings alone, and your family is also the responsibility of a martyr's family, so it's only right that the neighborhood committee cares! And you've both been so successful; the neighborhood committee knew about it, and we'll definitely help if we can. But this year," she changed the subject, a genuine smile appearing on her face, "your factory has really helped our neighborhood committee a lot this time!"

She leaned forward slightly, her voice tinged with emotion: "In previous years, during the Spring Festival, we'd distribute some gifts to the families of martyrs and impoverished households in our jurisdiction. The meat ration coupons were so scarce they kept me up at night. Seeing those veterans who shed blood and made contributions for the revolution, and those families who truly couldn't afford to eat, not even a speck of oil on their New Year's table...it just didn't sit right in my heart!"

She sighed, then smiled again. "This year is much better! Thanks to you, we managed to get a batch of meat from your factory. It's plentiful and of good quality! Finally, those who deserve the most care can have dumplings with meat during the Lunar New Year and taste some meat! Xiao Wei, for this alone, on behalf of the neighborhood and all the people who have benefited, I have to thank you!" As she spoke, Director Wang actually got up.

Wei Chen quickly stood up: "Director Wang, you flatter me! This meat was allocated by the factory; it's the factory leaders' concern for the people. I dare not take credit for it. I was just doing my job."

"Hey, you can't say that." Director Wang sat down, looking at Wei Chen with a hint of appreciation in his eyes. "Without your connections and hard work, the factory wouldn't have been able to get so much meat, and naturally, our neighborhood wouldn't have gotten any. You deserve some credit for this. You're a capable young man, yet you don't take credit for yourself; that's rare."

She paused, then spoke in a more friendly tone, "In the future, if there's anything in the compound or on the street that needs coordination or resolution, as long as it doesn't violate any principles, you can come to me. I'll help as much as I can."

These words were a clear promise and support. That was exactly what Wei Chen wanted. He thanked him again, then took out another oil paper package from his bag and handed it to Director Wang with both hands: "Director Wang, I know you work tirelessly day and night for the affairs of the neighborhood. This is some tea, which I got myself. It's nothing expensive, just decent-tasting. Brew yourself a cup when you're tired from work to relax and refresh yourself."

Director Wang took the oil-paper package. Unlike Li Huaide, she didn't examine it closely. She simply held it in her hand, weighed it in her hand, and then brought it closer to smell it. The unique fragrance couldn't be concealed by the oil paper. A smile appeared on her face: "You're so thoughtful. I'll accept the tea. I tend to get sleepy when reading documents at night, and this will help me stay awake." She didn't inquire about the tea's origin. This insightful observation earned Wei Chen's silent approval. Grassroots cadres sometimes need this kind of wisdom even more.

After chatting for a while about some trivial matters in the neighborhood and the courtyard house, Director Wang specifically inquired about Wang Xiulan and Wei Ran, and instructed Wei Chen to take good care of his family. Wei Chen agreed to everything, and seeing that it was almost time, he got up to leave. Director Wang saw him to the gate of the courtyard house, and specifically said, "Please give my regards to your mother. Tell her to come and visit the neighborhood sometime."

Leaving Director Wang's house, Wei Chen glanced at the sky; it wasn't even noon yet. He rode his bicycle towards the steel rolling mill outside the city. The last person he needed to visit today was his direct superior, Jin Aiguo, the deputy head of the security department. This senior section chief had special circumstances and required extra attention from Wei Chen.

Jin Aiguo is a veteran who participated in the revolutionary war, bearing the scars of battle, reportedly injured in a fight, which prevented him from ever marrying. His family members were scattered or died during the war, leaving him truly alone.

He treated the factory like his home, and always volunteered to work during holidays, giving up the chance to reunite with his family to his colleagues. Wei Chen had great respect for him; this senior section chief was highly capable, upright, and had also given him, a newcomer, much guidance and support.

The steel rolling mill had entered its Spring Festival holiday mode. The tall factory gates were tightly closed, with only a small side door open for staff on duty. The factory area, devoid of its usual roar of machinery and bustling crowds, felt empty and desolate, save for the biting wind whistling through the bare branches and the narrow passageways between the factory buildings. The security guard at the gate recognized Wei Chen, greeted him, and let him through.

Wei Chen pushed his cart, familiar with the way, to the two-story building where the security department was located. The building was quiet, and most of the offices were locked. He went straight to the door of the duty office on the first floor. Before he even entered, he could hear Jin Aiguo's signature loud voice coming from inside, mixed with the laughter of several young security officers, who seemed to have just returned from patrol.

Wei Chen knocked on the door and then pushed it open.

A stove was burning inside, its warmth wafting in and dispelling the chill outside. Jin Aiguo sat on a long bench by the stove, his cotton hat off, revealing short, slightly graying hair, a hand-rolled cigarette between his fingers. Three young officers stood around him, their belts removed, warming themselves by the stove, their faces showing the relief of having just completed a mission.

When they saw Wei Chen enter, they were all taken aback.

"Section Chief Jin, guys, you've worked hard! Still sticking to your posts during the New Year!" Wei Chen greeted him with a smile, and casually leaned his bicycle against the wall by the door.

"Wei Chen? What are you doing at the factory? Isn't today a holiday?" Jin Aiguo was a little surprised to see Wei Chen, then grinned, revealing his teeth that were yellowed from smoking. "What, are you itching to come and keep us old bachelors company on duty?" He always spoke directly, with the roughness of a soldier.

"Oh, not at all, Section Chief! I came here specifically to wish our security section members a Happy New Year in advance, and also to bring some 'gifts'!" Wei Chen said with a grin, taking off his satchel and pulling out two large handfuls of roasted peanuts wrapped in newspaper, their aroma filling the air. "Here, come on, homemade, still warm, don't be shy!"

As he spoke, he poured the peanuts into a broken enamel plate beside the stove. Instantly, the rich aroma of peanuts mixed with salt and five-spice powder filled the air, making one's mouth water. Several young officers' eyes lit up immediately. Duty shifts were boring, and having some snacks to satisfy their cravings was a welcome treat.

"Hey, thanks, Brother Wei!" "Brother Wei is so kind! I was starving!" "It smells delicious!" The group didn't stand on ceremony and gathered around, laughing and joking as they grabbed peanuts and started peeling them. The crackling sounds and laughter filled the room.

"You little rascal, you're the slyest of all!" Jin Aiguo laughed and scolded, grabbing a handful of peanuts, deftly peeling off a few and tossing them into his mouth. After chewing a couple of times, he nodded. "Hmm, you've got the cooking time just right, fragrant and crispy! Tell me, instead of staying home with your mom and sister during the New Year, you've come all the way to the factory. It can't be just to deliver some peanuts, right?" His eyes were sharp, filled with a knowing smile.

"Look at what you're saying. Can't I genuinely come to express my concern for the leaders and colleagues?" Wei Chen also grabbed a few peanuts, peeling them while chatting with a few young staff members. "How's it going? Things have been peaceful at the factory these past few days, haven't they? No one dared to mess with us, right?"

"It's peaceful! Not a soul in sight," a young officer said, munching on peanuts. "It's just so boring, just sitting here by the fire." "Yeah, Wei-ge, you're so kind, you get a day off to go home."

Wei Chen smiled and gave a vague reply, changing the subject. After chatting and laughing for about fifteen minutes, they had almost finished eating the peanuts. Jin Aiguo waved his hand and said to the cadres, "Alright, you've eaten the peanuts and warmed up, go do what you need to do! Xiao Zhang, go check with the gatekeeper; Xiao Wang, Xiao Li, you two go take another walk around the factory area, be careful!"

"Yes, Section Chief!" Several young officers responded with grins, put on their hats, fastened their belts, and went out.

Jin Aiguo then gave Wei Chen a wink: "Come on, let's go sit in my office for a while. There are too many people talking here."

Wei Chen understood, picked up his satchel, and followed Jin Aiguo out of the duty room to his deputy section chief's office next door. The office was small and extremely simply furnished: an old desk with peeling paint, two wooden chairs, a filing cabinet, and a hardboard bed against the wall. The quilt on the bed was folded into a neat square with sharp edges, a standard "tofu block," exuding a strong military style.

"Sit down." Jin Aiguo gestured to a chair, picked up the thermos on the table, shook it, and said, "There's still hot water. Want some?"