Rebirth in a Courtyard: I Am a Little Hunter

Yi Zhonghai took the hot water Wei Ran handed him, sat down on the stool next to him, cleared his throat, and put on his usual gentle yet dignified smile: "Wei Chen, the old lady and I came here today for no other reason than to see you and... chat with you."

"Please speak, sir, I'm listening." Wei Chen moved a small stool and sat down by the stove, his posture relaxed and his face showing the respect due to a junior.

Yi Zhonghai was very satisfied with Wei Chen's attitude, feeling it was a good start. He glanced at the deaf old lady, who nodded slightly. Yi Zhonghai then said, "Wei Chen, you are the most promising young person in our compound. The factory leaders value you highly, and you have made great contributions to the factory. This is your ability, and it is also an honor for our entire compound!"

First, flatter him—this was Yi Zhonghai's usual tactic. Wei Chen knew this perfectly well, but on his face, he showed a slightly "ashamed" expression: "Uncle, you flatter me. I was trained by the factory and trusted by the leaders."

"Hey, the credit is yours." Yi Zhonghai waved his hand, then changed the subject, "However, we Chinese believe in 'not forgetting one's roots when one is rich and powerful.' You've made something of yourself now, and your family is doing well, which is a good thing. But our compound is a whole, a big family. Look at the old lady, she's the oldest, the matriarch of our compound, she's worked hard for the compound her whole life; and there are other elderly people living alone, people in difficulty, like Grandma Li in the backyard, Aunt Liu's family of orphans and widows in the middle yard... This year-end is going to be tough."

He paused, observing Wei Chen's expression. Seeing that Wei Chen remained calm, he continued, "You're a good child, sensible and filial, we all know that. Now that it's the New Year, and your family is able, shouldn't you... also think about the elderly and neighbors in need in our compound? Shouldn't you uphold our compound's fine tradition of respecting the elderly, caring for the young, and helping each other? Set a good example for everyone?"

The deaf old woman coughed at the opportune moment and spoke slowly, her voice carrying a natural air of authority: "My dear grandson Wei Chen... I'm old and useless now, so I only hope that you younger generations will prosper. It's a good thing that you are capable and blessed... This blessing should be shared by everyone; that's true blessing. Helping poor neighbors and respecting the elderly are good deeds that accumulate merit... Everyone will remember your kindness."

"Grandson?" Wei Chen felt a wave of disgust. This old lady really knew how to take advantage of people. His smile remained unchanged, and his tone was still respectful: "Grandma, I dare not accept such a title. My grandparents are both doing well in their old home in the countryside. You even met them when I moved here last time. I wouldn't dare to randomly claim a 'grandson,' for fear of shortening my lifespan." His words were laced with barbs, both indicating that he had paternal grandparents and implying that it was against custom for the old lady to randomly claim relatives.

The deaf old lady's face stiffened slightly, and she choked for a moment.

Yi Zhonghai quickly smoothed things over: "The old lady just likes you and treats you like one of her own juniors. Our courtyard is a big family, and the old lady is the oldest and most respected. She's like the matriarch of the whole courtyard, and we all have to respect her."

Wei Chen smiled, not responding to the "ancestor" comment, but instead echoing Yi Zhonghai's earlier words: "Uncle, I completely agree with what you said about respecting the elderly and caring for the young, and about unity and mutual assistance. Our compound has always had a positive atmosphere and harmonious neighbors, which is why I'm willing to live here."

Yi Zhonghai was overjoyed, feeling that there was a way, and was about to continue guiding him.

But then Wei Chen changed the subject, his tone becoming somewhat troubled: "However, sir, madam, there are some things I need to explain to you about this meat and grain... and I ask that you understand my predicament."

Yi Zhonghai and the deaf old lady both looked at him, waiting for his "difficulties".

Wei Chen sat up straight, his expression becoming serious: "First of all, I need to clarify something. I did purchase a batch of meat for the factory before, but that was a business transaction, a task assigned by the factory. All purchased materials, where they came from, where they went, and in what quantities, are strictly registered and accounted for by the factory's logistics department and security department. Every pound of meat is traceable by the government."

He paused, looking at Yi Zhonghai: "I do have some meat at home, but it's not leftovers from the procurement. It's a reward from the factory for completing the procurement task, approved by the factory leaders and in accordance with regulations. But even as a reward, it's essentially part of public resources. Private individuals cannot dispose of large quantities of it at will, much less circulate it privately. This is a matter of principle, and violating the regulations will be punished."

Yi Zhonghai frowned, as if he wanted to say something.

Wei Chen didn't give him a chance and continued, "Secondly, I was promoted by the factory because I did a good job in completing the procurement task. Now is a critical period for the organization to evaluate me. Grandpa and Grandma, you two have experienced the old society and are welcoming the new society, so you understand the importance of organizational discipline best."

If I were to take out a large amount of supplies and distribute them generously to my neighbors right now, even if it were out of good intentions, what would the consequences be? What would others think? Would they think I was abusing my power for personal gain? Would they think I was using public resources to buy a good reputation for myself?

If someone with ulterior motives were to report this, it would be considered misappropriation of public property at best, and at worst, a lack of moral awareness and a failure to distinguish between public and private interests. In that case, not only would the reward be revoked, but my newly appointed rank and promotion would likely be affected, and my future prospects would be jeopardized.

His words were clear, logical, and well-founded, placing himself on the high ground of "obeying organizational discipline" and "cherishing his political life." At the same time, he also subtly implied that if he got into trouble for "helping his neighbors," then Yi Zhonghai and the deaf old lady who encouraged him to do so would also be implicated.

Yi Zhonghai's expression darkened. He hadn't expected Wei Chen to refute him from this angle, and with such weighty accusations. Public property, organizational discipline, ideological awareness, political future… these terms carried immense weight. He had tried to use "compound rules" and "human relationships" to blackmail Wei Chen, but Wei Chen had invoked higher-level "national rules" and "organizational principles." The clash between these two was starkly clear.

The deaf old woman understood roughly what she was saying, and a hint of dissatisfaction and disappointment flashed in her cloudy eyes, but she didn't speak again easily.

Yi Zhonghai was unwilling to give up and tried to bypass this "principle" issue by putting pressure on him from another angle: "Wei Chen, I understand your concerns. But... let's put this behind closed doors. Recently, haven't some families in the courtyard managed to get some meat?"

Everyone has their struggles, and helping each other out is only natural. You see, you have the ability, shouldn't you... show some appreciation? After all, you're the most promising young person in the compound; you should set an example. One shouldn't be too selfish, only thinking about one's own family's well-being.

This statement carries a connotation of moral blackmail and implicit threat. It implies that if others can get the meat, they must have gotten it from Wei Chen!

Wei Chen sneered inwardly, but his face showed surprise and seriousness: "Oh? Sir, you mean someone in the yard got meat through other channels? Is it the black market? That's against the rules! Although it's a tough year and everyone's struggling, speculation and disrupting market order are strictly prohibited by the state!"

He leaned forward slightly, looking directly at Yi Zhonghai, his voice lowered but carrying a sense of pressure: "Uncle, I'm from the factory's security department. Although we mainly manage the factory premises, we also have the responsibility to assist in maintaining public order. If you know anyone who's been secretly trading meat on the black market, that's a crucial lead. Tell me, and I'll report to my department whether we need to investigate. After all, this isn't a small matter; it concerns the atmosphere of our compound, and even the stability of our street and the district."

Yi Zhonghai's heart skipped a beat, and his expression instantly changed. His original intention was to imply to Wei Chen, "If others can get their hands on it, you can get a share too," but he hadn't expected Wei Chen to seize on the "black market" as leverage and turn the tables on him! If word got out that Yi Zhonghai knew people were going to the black market but didn't report it, and even implied that the security personnel could turn a blind eye, how could he maintain his "boss" image? What would the neighborhood committee think of him? If he actually reported it, he would be cutting himself out of the compound!

"No, no, no! Wei Chen, you've misunderstood!" Yi Zhonghai hurriedly waved his hands, sweat almost beading on his forehead. "That's not what I meant! I meant... I heard... someone might have swapped them with relatives in the countryside, or... I'm not entirely sure! I was just saying it offhand, please don't take it seriously! And definitely don't investigate! It's the New Year, it's not good to cause panic!"

He completely panicked and quickly tried to distance himself from the situation. He was incredibly frustrated. He had come intending to take advantage of Wei Chen and manipulate him, but instead of gaining anything, he almost got accused by Wei Chen of "failing to report" or even "condoning the black market"! This guy doesn't play by the rules at all!

The deaf old woman sensed something was wrong. She tapped her cane on the ground with a dull thud, her face showing displeasure, but more so, dissatisfaction with Yi Zhonghai's incompetence. She had finally realized that this "good grandson" was nothing but a slippery eel, unyielding to both soft and hard tactics, and covered in thorns!

Seeing that things were going well, Wei Chen stopped, his face regaining its humble smile: "Uncle, please don't be in a hurry. I was just asking casually, and it was only out of my duty to remind you. You're right, it's the New Year, so let's keep things peaceful. I believe that our neighbors are all law-abiding citizens, and even if they have some difficulties, they will find a way to overcome them and won't resort to crooked means."

His words shut Yi Zhonghai down again. The implication was that, as an elder statesman, Yi Zhonghai should trust the masses, not imply that someone might have gone astray.

Yi Zhonghai was speechless, his face turning red and white in turns. The set of grand principles he had prepared—"collectivism," "selfless dedication," and "respect for elders"—appeared so pale, powerless, and even laughable in the face of Wei Chen's firm adherence to "organizational discipline," "distinction between public and private interests," and even "crackdown on the black market."

Seeing the situation rapidly deteriorate, the deaf old woman knew she wouldn't get to eat the meat today, and staying any longer would only be pointless. She snorted, leaning on her cane, and tried to stand up: "I'm old, useless, and nobody listens to me anymore... Let's go, Zhonghai, let's go back inside."

Yi Zhonghai felt as if he had been granted a pardon. He quickly helped the old lady up, forgetting even to say polite words, and left Wei Chen's house almost as if he were fleeing. His back view looked somewhat flustered and disheveled.

Watching the two disappear outside the courtyard gate, Wang Xiulan finally breathed a long sigh of relief, patting her chest with lingering fear: "That scared me to death... Chen'er, didn't you offend someone by talking to them like that?"

Wei Ran's face tightened as she looked at her brother with concern.

Wei Chen smiled and poured his mother a glass of water: "Mom, don't worry. Reasoning with these kinds of people is useless; you have to use rules to control them. We're upright and honest, what are we afraid of? They want to take things for free and try to intimidate us with their authority—there's no such thing as a free lunch."

He walked to the door, gazing in the direction Yi Zhonghai and the deaf old woman had left, his eyes slightly cold. This Yi Zhonghai, he really has a short memory.

Just six months ago, he suffered a loss over the "retirement money" issue. After only a few days of peace, he's trying to use the deaf old lady's name to extort money and re-establish his authority? It seems I need to find an opportunity to give him a good talking-to and make him wake up completely so he won't keep trying to take advantage of me.

This confrontation, seemingly peaceful, was actually fraught with danger. Yi Zhonghai invoked the two mountains of the compound's most traditional "morality" and "seniority," only to be easily neutralized by Yi's higher-level "organizational discipline" and "policies and regulations." Not only did Yi not gain the upper hand, but he was also outmaneuvered, making Yi dare not easily use "helping neighbors" as an excuse again.

After this incident, Wei Chen's position in the courtyard was further solidified. At least, the "golden duo" of Yi Zhonghai and the deaf old lady wouldn't dare to provoke him easily in the short term. And those who were watching in the courtyard would see more clearly that Wei Chen was not a soft persimmon that could be easily manipulated by "moral blackmail" and "collectivist" slogans.

The undercurrents of the year-end were stirred and diverged once again during this seemingly ordinary visit and rejection. Wei Chen knew that the calm was only temporary, but as long as he was strong enough and had enough confidence, he could stand firmly in this complex courtyard.