Rebirth in a Courtyard: I Am a Little Hunter

Wei Chen knew perfectly well that this was just a common tactic used by leaders to win over subordinates. He simply replied, "Thank you for your concern, Factory Director. Everything is fine, and construction on the houses will begin soon."

"Oh? Construction has started? By the way, I heard from the housing management department that you supported the policy from above, and instead of waiting for help, you paid for the repairs of the damaged house yourself. That's great! That's great! Xiao Wei, you have a high level of awareness!" Li Huaide nodded repeatedly, praising him profusely.

Then, as if remembering the main point, his smile faded slightly, taking on a more candid tone. "Xiao Wei, speaking of which, I have to thank you for the deer you sent me last time." He leaned forward again, lowering his voice. "That deer was truly excellent! So fresh and robust! You wouldn't believe it, but a few... well, important elders, all veterans who had experienced the war, came to visit that day, and their bodies needed nourishment. Your deer was just in time! Everyone raved about it!"

Li Huaide didn't say it explicitly, but Wei Chen could easily imagine the scene—he would gain immense prestige in front of his father-in-law and those powerful comrades because of this rare deer, and might even use it to solidify or expand certain networks. This was far more valuable than just wild boar meat.

"I'm glad you're satisfied," Wei Chen said calmly.

"Satisfied! Very satisfied!" Li Huaide emphasized, pulling open his desk drawer, taking out a bulging manila envelope, and pushing it in front of Wei Chen. "This is the money for that deer last time. It's calculated at two yuan per jin (500 grams). I estimate that deer weighed at least 220 jin (110 kilograms) or more, so this is 440 yuan. Count it." This price is almost double the market price! More importantly, this is a direct "reward" to Wei Chen personally, completely bypassing the factory's purchasing process and accounts.

Wei Chen didn't refuse, nor was he foolish enough to actually count them. He readily picked up the envelope, finding it thick and heavy, and stuffed it directly into his pocket, essentially putting it into his backpack. This swift and decisive action earned a flash of admiration from Li Huaide—he was sensible!

"From now on," Li Huaide's smile deepened as he saw Wei Chen accept the money. He took out another receipt from the drawer and pushed it in front of Wei Chen again, "If you have any more of these 'good stuff'—I mean, wild deer of the same quality as last time, or rare items like bear paws or mountain delicacies—don't go through the factory's accounts, just come to me! I need them!" He lowered his voice, with a hint of unspoken understanding.

This is a brand new ticket with a beautiful watch design. "Your purchasing department, the third one, travels to the communes below, and according to regulations, you're issued bicycles, so I won't be giving you a bicycle ticket. This watch ticket is a personal bonus for your work performance! Young man, having a sense of time helps you work more effectively! Wearing a nice watch also makes you look more professional!"

Watch tickets! In the early 1950s and 60s, these were just as scarce and valuable as bicycles! Even with money, without tickets, you could only stare longingly. Li Huaide's "reward" was undeniably generous, his intention to win him over obvious.

"Thank you, Director Li!" Wei Chen didn't refuse this time, and just as readily put away the heavy watch ticket. This thing was indeed useful to him.

"Good! That's great!" Li Huaide laughed heartily with satisfaction, personally handing Wei Chen the tea Liu Aiguo had just brewed. "Have some tea! Work hard from now on! The factory won't mistreat capable people!"

Wei Chen took the teacup, took a symbolic sip, exchanged a few polite words, and then got up to leave. Liu Aiguo escorted him all the way to the office building entrance, his attitude even more enthusiastic than when he arrived.

Leaving the deputy factory director's office, Wei Chen went straight to the logistics and finance department, where he collected his full amount of meal and vegetable coupons for the month, along with his monthly salary of 30 yuan. It truly was an era where the people were the masters of their own destiny; even though he had only started work in the middle of January, he still received his full monthly salary—a thoughtful gesture for a newcomer settling in. With a thick stack of coupons still smelling of ink in his hand, his basic food problem was solved.

Stepping out of the steel rolling mill's industrial gate, Wei Chen rode his bicycle, the two large baskets on the back of the bike swaying empty, through the bustling streets, heading towards the street office.

He has two important things to do today: first, to consult on how to connect his small courtyard to the city's sewage pipe system when building a toilet; second, to open a small side door in the wall of his eastern courtyard, which faces a quiet alley, for easy access.

The neighborhood office compound is small, a typical old-style courtyard house converted into an office space, with blue bricks and gray tiles, and a white sign with black lettering hanging at the entrance. People come and go in the compound, mostly residents from nearby who come to do business, making it somewhat noisy.

Wei Chen parked his bicycle and walked into the somewhat crowded office area. He found the window of Officer Liu, who was in charge of urban construction and residents' affairs; there were several people ahead of him in line. After waiting for about ten minutes, it was Wei Chen's turn.

"Hello, comrade. Do you remember me? A few days ago you took me to No. 95 Nanluoguxiang. I'd like to ask you something. I'm renovating my house and want to add a toilet with a flush. How do I connect the drainpipe to the municipal sewage system? What procedures are required?" Wei Chen asked directly.

Officer Liu was tidying up the documents on his desk. Hearing this, he looked up, adjusted his glasses, and his brow furrowed instinctively. "It's you! Adding a toilet? And a flush one?"

His tone was clearly dismissive. "This is a bit troublesome! First, there has to be a municipal sewage pipe running through your area; you can't just connect to it whenever you want! Even if there is, digging up the road and connecting to the main pipe all require approval from the municipal engineering department, and you'll have to pay a hefty fee!..."

Wei Chen frowned slightly, just as he was thinking of how to argue his case, when a female voice, carrying a hint of authority yet exuding competence, came from the side: "Officer Liu, speak properly. Isn't our neighborhood office here to help everyone solve practical problems?"

As the voice spoke, a female cadre of about fifty years old and short stature walked over. She was wearing a dark blue Lenin suit that was washed and faded but ironed very neatly, and her short hair was combed up and clipped behind her ears with a black hair clip.

His face was square, his eyes were sharp and bright, and his brows carried a kind of fortitude and composure that had been tempered by war and hardship. His lips were naturally pursed, making him appear serious and earnest.

What's most striking is her slightly straight back as she walks and her decisive and efficient manner, seemingly ingrained in her very being. She's like a pine tree growing in a crack in the rock, weathering storms yet still standing tall and upright. It's Director Wang from the neighborhood office!

Upon seeing Director Wang, Officer Liu's impatience vanished instantly. He immediately stood up, somewhat hesitantly, "Director Wang, I... I meant that the procedure is rather complicated, and I'm afraid this comrade might not be familiar with the situation..."

Director Wang didn't look at him; her gaze fell directly on Wei Chen, with scrutiny and a hint of barely perceptible inquiry: "You are... Comrade Wei Chen, the one newly recruited by the Red Star Steel Rolling Mill?" She had obviously also heard about the steel rolling mill's special recruitment of hunters.

"Hello, Director Wang, I am Wei Chen." Wei Chen nodded in acknowledgment, his first impression of Director Wang was not bad.

The man before me is definitely not the kind of incompetent official who only knows how to smooth things over and cover things up. He is certainly not the "King of Cover-Ups" from later novels.

The spirit and principles she possessed, typical of veteran revolutionaries, couldn't be faked. Being a grassroots cadre in Beijing, so close to the central government, meant bearing immense responsibility; without genuine ability and a firm stance, one simply couldn't hold onto that position.

Wei Chen believes that while minor issues may involve weighing the pros and cons and employing appropriate methods and strategies, there should be absolutely no ambiguity on matters of principle, matters of fundamental interest, and matters concerning the fundamental interests of the people.

Of course, if she were truly as despicable as depicted in some novels, Wei Chen wouldn't mind showing her what it meant to "flip the table"—he had the confidence and the means to do so. But right now, his intuition told him that this Director Wang deserved respect.

"It really is you!" A rare smile appeared on Director Wang's usually serious face; though faint, it was genuine. She said directly to Officer Liu, "You go about your business. I'll receive Comrade Wei Chen; I have something to discuss with him." Then, she gestured for Wei Chen to come to her office, "Comrade Wei Chen, let's talk in my office."

Wei Chen was somewhat surprised, but he still followed Director Wang into the relatively independent and simply furnished director's office at the end of the corridor.

Director Wang closed the door, gestured for Wei Chen to sit down, and then sat behind her desk. She didn't beat around the bush and said directly, "Comrade Wei Chen, I've called you here because I have something I'd like to discuss with you. I heard about how you managed to get wild boars for the steel mill; you're quite capable. Our subdistrict office has many families of martyrs and residents facing extreme hardship within its jurisdiction. The elderly are frail, and the children are growing up, but many are malnourished; it's heartbreaking to see."

Her voice lowered, filled with genuine concern, "I was thinking, if I could get some meat to nourish them and improve their nutrition, that would be wonderful! I heard you have connections, so I wanted to contact you to see if I could purchase some from you on behalf of the neighborhood committee? As for the price, I won't let you suffer any losses."

So that's what it was for! Wei Chen instantly understood. His opinion of Director Wang improved even more. It wasn't for her own sake, but for those in the area who needed help the most. This kind of concrete action to benefit the people was a hundred times better than empty slogans.

"Director Wang, your concern for the people is truly admirable," Wei Chen said sincerely. "We are indeed out of wild boar meat on hand right now. However..." He paused for a moment, "I do have two roe deer, each weighing about seventy jin. If you need them, I can go and get them right now."

"Roe deer meat?" Director Wang's eyes lit up, and his smile widened, becoming more lively. "That's even better than wild boar meat! More tender, and more nutritious! Everyone will be even happier! That's wonderful! Comrade Wei Chen, thank you so much!"

She immediately stood up, looking somewhat excited. "We need both! We can go pick it up now? That would be perfect! I'll arrange for someone to go with you right away, weigh it, issue the invoice, and settle the payment on the spot! Everything will be done according to the proper procedures! Our neighborhood office is also qualified to make purchases." Her work style was indeed decisive and efficient, without any delays.

"Okay." Wei Chen nodded in agreement.