Rebirth in a Courtyard: I Am a Little Hunter

Upon hearing "a warning" and "a ten-yuan fine," Wei Chen knew this was no light punishment. A warning would be recorded in his file, affecting future performance evaluations and salary increases. Ten yuan was roughly half a month's wages for an average worker. This level of punishment would be enough to make Sha Zhu and Xu Damao feel the pinch for a long time, and it would also serve as a deterrent to others.

"Captain Liu handled the matter fairly, and I fully agree with him," Wei Chen stated.

Liu Changqing's expression softened, even revealing a faint smile: "However, regarding the solitary confinement... they've already been locked up overnight, and in this freezing weather, they've learned their lesson. Since they asked you, Xiao Wei, to plead for them, I'll give you face; the confinement can be lifted early, at noon today. But!"

He raised his voice, "Before releasing them, we must have someone give them a thorough dressing-down, explaining the consequences, especially the repercussions of repeating the offense, in great detail! Their self-criticism must be in-depth, 500 words, not a single word less!"

"I'll see this myself later! A notice, disciplinary action, and a fine—nothing can be omitted! Take him back and tell Yi Zhonghai and the others that I've given them face by releasing him early, but if they mismanage him again, next time he'll be sent straight to the police station, and no amount of pleading will help!"

This is clearly giving the green light. Releasing him early saves face for Wei Chen, but the due punishment remains unchanged. This maintains both the system and the individual's authority while also doing a favor.

Wei Chen understood immediately and stood up, his tone solemn: "Captain Liu, thank you so much! You've given them face and a chance to correct their mistakes. Don't worry, I will convey your words verbatim! When I get back, I will definitely emphasize to the elders in the compound and the parties involved that there will never be a next time! We will never cause trouble for the factory or the security department again!"

"Alright, sit down, sit down, don't be so serious. We're all on the same side, it's easy to talk." Liu Changqing waved his hand, gesturing for Wei Chen to sit down, and leaned back in his chair. "I trust you, Wei Chen, to handle things. Go ahead, go pick up the people after you start work this afternoon. I'll let the person on duty know in a bit."

"Okay, thank you, Captain Liu!" Wei Chen thanked him sincerely again before taking his leave.

As Wei Chen walked out of Liu Changqing's office, the solemn expression on his face slowly faded, replaced by his usual calm. Things had gone unexpectedly smoothly; Liu Changqing had given him considerable face. This was partly due to the good impression he had built up over time, and partly because the situation hadn't truly reached an irreparable point.

He returned to his office and, as usual, began processing routine registration documents and writing a summary of his work for the week, as if nothing had happened.

He only noticed it when he went to the canteen for lunch. At the canteen window, the other kitchen helpers were busy, but the main stove where Sha Zhu usually stood was empty, which looked a bit out of place. The workers were also whispering among themselves while queuing for food; clearly, the matter between Sha Zhu and Xu Damao had become the biggest news in the factory that day.

At 1:30 p.m., shortly after the work bell rang, Wei Chen estimated that it was about time, put down his pen, and got up to walk back to the detention room in the backyard.

Before even reaching the door, they heard a stern reprimand coming from inside. It was a strong male voice, probably from Liu Changqing's team members, giving them a "reprimand."

"...Listen up, all of you! Captain Liu is showing leniency this time because you're first-time offenders and didn't cause any serious consequences! Don't push your luck! You'll receive a reprimand, a demerit, and a ten-yuan fine! You're not getting away with any of it! Go back and behave yourselves! If you dare to cause trouble or act violently in the factory again, next time it won't be as simple as just solitary confinement! You'll be sent straight to jail! Do you hear me?!"

"I...I heard it..." two weak, trembling voices answered.

Wei Chen stood outside the door for a few seconds, waiting for the reprimand inside to end, before pushing the door open and going in.

The detention cell was dimly lit, with only a small window high up letting in a bit of daylight. Sha Zhu and Xu Damao squatted side by side in the cold corner, their hair disheveled, their faces greasy, their eyes sunken, and their lips chapped and cracked. They looked as if they had aged ten years overnight.

Their cotton-padded coats were wrinkled and covered in dust and bits of grass. Both men hunched their shoulders, their hands tucked into their sleeves, shivering, whether from the cold or fear, it was hard to tell. The brashness of Sha Zhu and the smugness of Xu Damao had vanished without a trace, leaving only fear, regret, and a hint of humiliation.

Standing before them, reprimanding them, was a stern-faced middle-aged team member surnamed Zhao, known as the "Black Face" of the brigade. Seeing Wei Chen enter, Team Member Zhao stopped speaking and nodded to him: "Officer Wei, you're here. Perfect timing, Team Leader Liu instructed that these two are yours to take back."

He then turned to the two men in the corner and said sternly, "Consider yourselves lucky! Officer Wei is here to take you out! After you leave, thank Officer Wei properly! And remember today's lesson! Get up!"

Sha Zhu and Xu Damao, like pardoned prisoners, struggled to their feet, their legs trembling as they used their hands to support themselves. When they saw Wei Chen standing in the doorway, their dim eyes instantly blazed with an unbelievable light, as if they had seen a savior! That light was a mixture of ecstasy, gratitude, shame, and deep awe.

"Brother Wei... Brother Wei Chen!" Xu Damao was the first to react, his voice hoarse and choked with sobs. He staggered forward two steps, almost kneeling down on the spot. "Brother Wei Chen! You... you really came! Thank you! Thank you for saving us! We're not human! We're bastards! We'll never do it again!" He was incoherent, tears and snot streaming down his face. The torment of the night and half a day had completely shattered his mental defenses. At this moment, in his eyes, Wei Chen was the only true god who could pull him out of hell.

Sha Zhu struggled to stand up straight. This usually fearless and reckless man now looked haggard and ashamed. His lips trembled for a long time before he finally managed to stammer out, his eyes red-rimmed, "Wei Chen... I... I thank you! I'm so grateful for your trouble... I... I'll remember that!"

He didn't understand flowery words, but these few words were spoken with unusual weight, clearly from the bottom of his heart. Looking at Wei Chen's calm face, he felt not only gratitude, but also lingering fear and an unprecedented clarity—for the first time, he realized so clearly that in this factory, in this compound, there were some people, some forces, that he had never paid attention to before, but absolutely could not provoke. Wei Chen was one of them.

Wei Chen looked at the two men, disheveled and grateful, but his face remained expressionless. He showed neither sympathy nor contempt, simply nodding calmly and saying to Team Leader Zhao, "Brother Zhao, thank you for your hard work. I'm taking them away."

"Take them away. I've relayed Captain Liu's message. You should also give them a few more instructions." After saying this, Captain Zhao glared fiercely at Sha Zhu and Xu Damao before turning and leaving.

Only the three of them remained in the detention cell. Wei Chen then spoke, his tone calm yet clear: "Brother Zhu, Brother Da Mao, did you understand what Comrade Zhao said just now?"

"Understood! Understood!" The two nodded hurriedly.

"Your disciplinary action is as follows: a factory-wide reprimand, an administrative warning, and a ten-yuan fine. Your confinement is lifted early, but you must submit a thorough 500-word self-criticism to the security department tomorrow." Wei Chen reiterated the final decision. "You're allowed to leave early because Captain Liu is showing leniency because it's your first offense, you've already learned your lesson, and I've given you a little face. I hope you cherish this opportunity."

Upon hearing the words "a warning" and "a ten-yuan fine," the muscles on both men's faces twitched, their hearts clenching painfully. This punishment and fine were substantial, enough to give them a long time to recover. But compared to being locked up in this dark, dreary place, or even worse, this was a stroke of luck amidst misfortune.

"Yes! Yes! We will definitely cherish this opportunity! We will definitely correct our mistakes!" Xu Damao wiped his face and repeatedly assured them, "We will pay the fine immediately! We will write a thorough self-criticism! Thank you, Captain Liu! And thank you even more, Brother Wei Chen! Without you, we...we really don't know what would have happened..." As he spoke, his voice choked up again.

Sha Zhu nodded heavily and said in a hoarse voice, "Wei Chen, I, Sha Zhu, owe you this favor! I'll remember it for the rest of my life! From now on... from now on, you'll see how I perform!" His words were simple, but they carried great weight.

Wei Chen waved his hand: "Alright, let's not talk about the past. It's good that you're out. Pack your things and come back to the courtyard with me. The old men are still waiting for news."

The afternoon sun was pale and lacked warmth, but its rays still gave Sha Zhu and Xu Damao a surreal, almost otherworldly feeling, as if they had just seen the light of day again. They greedily inhaled the crisp, free air outside, watching Wei Chen's composed figure walk ahead, their emotions a complex mix. Awe, gratitude, shame, lingering fear, and worry about the future—all these emotions intertwined, weighing heavily on their hearts.