Rebirth in a Courtyard: I Am a Little Hunter

The three leaders of the security department took turns giving speeches, each with a different style, but the core message was clear: get back on track, enforce strict discipline, be prepared for battle, and ensure safety.

The cold wind was still biting. After standing on the frozen ground for nearly an hour, many people's feet were numb with cold. They secretly moved their toes inside their cotton shoes, but no one dared to make any big movements.

Wei Chen listened silently, gleaning useful information from these seemingly routine words: the external security situation might become more tense, internal management would be more stringent, and training intensity and assessment pressure would increase... All of this meant that the new year would not be easy for the security department, and he, as a seemingly detached "mobile personnel," would probably find it difficult to remain completely uninvolved.

Finally, Zhou Jianjun summarized: "...In short, the new year should bring a new look and, more importantly, new achievements! All teams and groups, after this meeting, go back and quickly convey the spirit of today's meeting to everyone, organize discussions, and formulate plans! Meeting adjourned!"

At the command, the ranks dispersed instantly, like a thawing river. Stomping feet, rubbing hands, breathing out warm air, and hushed conversations and complaints filled the air. People moved their frozen limbs, heading in twos and threes towards their respective offices or posts.

Wei Chen gently stretched his stiff ankles, preparing to follow Li Zhijun back to the equipment depot. Just then, a burly man in a patrol uniform, with a dark red face, squeezed through the crowd and walked towards him. It was Zhang Dayou, the captain of the second patrol squad.

"Comrade Wei Chen, wait a moment." Zhang Dayou had a loud voice, with a straightforward manner. "Captain Zhang, is something the matter?" Wei Chen stopped. Li Zhijun also slowed down, stood to the side, took out his pipe, seemingly preparing to light a cigarette, but his ears twitched slightly.

Zhang Dayou rubbed his hands together, leaned closer, and lowered his voice, but given his habitually loud voice, even this "lowered" tone was enough for the people around him to hear clearly: "Here's what happened, Comrade Wei Chen. These past few days, at the east end of the factory area, near the scrap yard and that old wall, the brothers on night patrol keep reporting noises, like someone climbing over the wall or moving things. But every time we rush over, we can't find anything, not even a messy footprint. It's really weird!"

He paused, glanced at Li Zhijun beside him who was expressionless and lighting a cigarette, then turned to Wei Chen, a smile spreading across his face: "Well, Section Chief Zhou and Deputy Section Chief Wei have both instructed us to strengthen patrols in that area, especially at night. The brothers are all keeping their eyes peeled, but there's so much scrap metal and rotten wood piled up there, and so many blind spots. It's difficult to rely solely on human eyes. I was thinking… that big yellow dog you keep in the equipment depot's backyard, isn't it supposed to have a really keen nose? Last time it helped Workshop Three find the missing copper sleeve, it was incredibly fast! Could… we borrow it? Could it come with our patrol team for a couple of rounds tonight? Let it sniff around and see if it can detect any human scent, or find any clues?"

Dahuang was a well-known dog not only at the steel mill but also at the nearby police station, having performed many outstanding deeds. It was a police dog that had been approved by higher authorities.

In reality, it is a specially enhanced and trained "partner" produced in the game world, whose intelligence, obedience, sense of smell, and tracking ability far exceed those of ordinary dogs.

Wei Chen hesitated for a moment. Borrowing Dahuang was no problem, but it meant he might have to work overtime that night, and... He glanced at Li Zhijun. Old Li slowly exhaled a smoke ring, squinting at the distance, as if it were none of his business.

"Okay, Captain Zhang." Wei Chen nodded. "Dahuang can go on duty tonight. What time exactly? Where do we meet?" Zhang Dayou's smile widened: "Great! Nine o'clock tonight, meet at the east gate duty room. I'll send someone to call you then... or you can bring Dahuang yourself!"

"Okay, nine o'clock, East Gate, I'll take Da Huang there," Wei Chen confirmed.

"Alright! Thanks, Comrade Wei Chen! I'll treat you to a cigarette later!" Zhang Dayou patted Wei Chen's arm happily, then turned and hurried away, probably to arrange the manpower for the evening.

The crowd gradually dispersed. Li Zhijun then took the pipe from his mouth, glanced at Wei Chen, and said slowly, "The scrap yard on the east side? That place is just piles of slag from smelting and old machine parts. What else could there be besides stray cats, dogs, and rats? Is it worth making such a fuss?" His tone was somewhat dismissive, as if wondering if there were any more "rats" lurking in the shadows.

"It wouldn't hurt to go and take a look. What if someone really has designs on that place? After all, it's close to the wall," Wei Chen replied calmly. He knew in his heart that this was both normal work cooperation and an opportunity for him and Da Huang to further integrate into the security department system and demonstrate their value.

Staying in the equipment depot all the time may be leisurely, but it also means being marginalized. Participating in fieldwork appropriately, especially technical tasks, is entirely beneficial.

Li Zhijun didn't say anything more. He put his hands behind his back, hunched over, and slowly walked towards the equipment depot. Wei Chen followed half a step behind him.

Back in the armory, the fire was still blazing, and the water in the kettle had long since boiled, bubbling and steaming. Li Zhijun sat back in his rattan chair, and Wei Chen refilled their teacups with hot water.

"Kid," Li Zhijun said, blowing on the hot teacup he had just picked up, "did you catch anything from the meeting just now?" Wei Chen sat down on the stool opposite him, warming his hands around the teacup: "Section Chief Zhou is emphasizing discipline, Deputy Section Chief Jin is stressing internal affairs and how to deal with inspections, and Deputy Section Chief Wei is focusing on training. Looks like they'll be tightening things up more this year than in previous years."

"Tight?" Li Zhijun chuckled, taking a sip of tea. "Tight every year. But..." He paused, his cloudy old eyes looking out at the gray sky. "That kid Jin Aiguo, usually so quiet, specifically mentioned 'the new spirit of the ministry and the municipal bureau' and 'special deployments' today... Wei Heizi (his private name for Wei Changzheng) is bringing up the militia assessment again... I'm afraid something's about to happen."

He turned to look at Wei Chen, his gaze holding something indescribable: "Your dog is a good helper. But even a good knife depends on who wields it and how it's used." He shook his head and said no more.

"Thank you for the reminder, Master Li," Wei Chen said sincerely. Li Zhijun's words, seemingly casual, were actually a subtle reminder. He was reminding him to be careful, not to be used as a pawn, and not to get involved in unnecessary trouble.

"I just took Dahuang to help with the investigation. Finding clues is the patrol team's job; if they don't, it's not Dahuang's fault for not having a good nose." Li Zhijun looked at him for a few seconds, seemingly assessing whether he truly understood, then nodded slightly, closed his eyes again, and leaned back in the wicker chair as if about to doze off. "Just keep it in mind. There are plenty of eyes in this factory."

Wei Chen stopped talking and slowly drank the tea in his cup, which had become warm. His gaze fell on the slightly yellowed "Regulations on Equipment Management of the Security Department" on the wall.

Outside the window, the factory was already ablaze with the roar of machines, thick smoke billowing from the chimneys, and a dull, rhythmic rumble emanated from the direction of the blast furnaces. This massive industrial machine of the steel rolling mill was running at full speed, devouring raw materials, processing products, and consuming the livelihoods and destinies of countless people.

And he, Wei Chen, as a seemingly insignificant cog that has just found its place in this behemoth, must also begin the operation of the new year.

As dusk fell, the long, drawn-out whistles of the steel rolling mill signaled the end of the workday, echoing through the twilight-shrouded factory area and startling several flocks of crows returning to their nests.

The bustling factory during the day, like a giant beast slowly coming to a stop, gradually sinks into a tranquil stillness. Workers pour out of each workshop like a tide, their laughter, bicycle bells, and greetings blending together, flowing towards the factory gate, towards the family quarters, and towards their perhaps crowded but warm homes.

Wei Chen and Li Zhijun checked and organized the last batch of equipment to be returned in the equipment warehouse, and also made a list of a few items that needed simple maintenance.

Old Li slowly locked the gun cabinet and other important supplies, checked that the stove was properly sealed, and then picked up his aluminum lunchbox bag, which had been used for who knows how many years and was covered in peeling paint.

"I'm leaving." Li Zhijun said briefly, his back hunched, and walked towards the door. He paused at the door, but didn't turn back. His voice drifted back in a muffled tone, "Be careful at night. The junkyard is dark and full of ditches and bumps."

"Understood, Master Li. Take care." Wei Chen replied, knowing this was Old Li's kind of concern.

Li Zhijun waved his hand, and his figure disappeared into the gradually darkening corridor.

Wei Chen didn't leave immediately. He first went to the second workshop to find his cousin Wei Feng and told him that he didn't need to go back to the dormitory that night, but could stay in the courtyard house. He also told his mother, Wang Xiulan, to send a message that he had a mission that night and would be back late. He said he would return through the small south gate of the east courtyard and didn't need to leave the door open for him.

After giving his instructions, Wei Chen returned to his small table in the corner of the warehouse. With a thought, he took out a bowl of steaming beef soup and two large steamed buns from his backpack and ate them while soaking them in the soup. He had prepared these himself in the hunter's hut in the game world, keeping them for emergencies. Then, he walked to the small door leading to the backyard and unlocked it.

The backyard wasn't large, and it was piled with some broken tools and odds and ends that weren't needed for the time being. In one corner was a makeshift doghouse made of planks and tarpaulin. Hearing the door open, a lithe black figure silently slipped out of the doghouse.

It was indeed Rhubarb. It was well-proportioned and robust, its fur glossy and smooth, resembling a fine piece of silk in the fading light. Its amber eyes shone brightly in the twilight, revealing alertness and loyalty.

Upon seeing Wei Chen, it didn't excitedly rush over, bark, and wag its tail like a normal dog. Instead, it gently wagged its tail, walked to Wei Chen's leg, rubbed its head against his trouser leg, and made a low, affectionate whimper.

"Big Yellow, we have a mission tonight." Wei Chen squatted down, rubbed Big Yellow's strong neck, and said in a low voice. Big Yellow seemed to understand, its ears immediately perked up, its eyes became more focused, and it sat up straight, waiting for further instructions.