August of 1958.
The scorching summer sun relentlessly baked the earth, as if intent on roasting all living creatures.
Extreme heat had become the main theme of the capital city, Beijing.
In courtyard number 95 of Nanluogu Xiang, Lin Yu lay lazily on a reclining chair, seeking refuge in the shade of the backyard to block the harsh glare.
"Damn it, why did I have to transmigrate? And why here, in this overcrowded courtyard?" Lin Yu muttered under his breath, his face filled with existential despair.
Lin Yu was 18 years old, one of the countless souls who had crossed over into another world, a classic case of soul-swapping.
As far as Lin Yu understood, his namesake predecessor was a rather petty soul.
He had been unhappy with his assigned job after graduating from a technical secondary school and was dumped by his "white moonlight", leading him to his untimely demise.
Lin Yu desperately wanted to console the guy, "It's not worth dying over a little thing like that. Come back, brother! I'll go back to my wild life and those caring sisters at the club are waiting for me!"
After fusing with his predecessor's soul, Lin Yu felt a deep sympathy for the guy.
What's the big deal about being called a "nice guy" by someone you have a crush on? I've been called that by countless kindhearted sisters and little sisters, and I never cared.
What's wrong with being a procurement officer, anyway? I've even worked in a factory tightening screws. Procurement is a good job.
Why do you have to compare yourself to college students? Why do you have to be a technician or an engineer? Aren't you just being ridiculous?
You must be thankful for your parents...
Wait... (⊙o⊙)...
It should be our parents who earned a lot, and our brother and sister who are close to you, so you can eat your fill and have the energy to complain.
Otherwise, you'd be dead from starvation after two months of graduation.
Lin Yu might not realize it, but he and his predecessor were now one and the same.
Lin Yu's father, Lin Wei Guo, was the deputy head of the Security Department at the Steel Mill, holding a level 17 administrative rank, earning 99 yuan a month. In this era, that was a hefty salary.
His mother, Ye Yu Lan, was a level 4 clerk at the Nanluogu Xiang Neighborhood Committee, earning 56 yuan a month, the same as a newly graduated college student.
His older brother, Lin Shan, was 24 years old and serving in the army in Northeast China, having participated in the frozen battlefield up north. He currently served as the battalion commander of a special forces unit.
His younger sister, Lin Miao, was a 16-year-old girl who was in her senior year of high school and would be graduating soon.
The girl's brain was far from like her brother, the simpleton. She was incredibly intelligent, a university prospect for sure.
You could say that her IQ was two kilos more than her brother's. She was a university prospect for sure.
In the entire courtyard, the Lin family could be considered the most prosperous.
Combined, Lin Yu's parents earned 160 yuan a month, truly a high-income household for the time.
It was still 1958, and the courtyard drama had not begun yet.
As the saying goes, "Shallow water has lots of turtles; everywhere you look, there's a big brother." Let me introduce the "Big Brothers" of this courtyard.
Good Big Brother Jia Dong Xu was currently in good shape and still had the energy to chase his "White Lotus".
As a result, the "养老集团" wasn't in such a hurry, and there weren't as many chaotic events in the courtyard.
First Uncle Hai was not yet an eighth-level fitter, so he didn't earn the high salary of 99 yuan a month yet. He was only a seventh-level fitter, but you have to admit that Hai's skills were truly excellent.
Once the senior masters from the Steel Mill all went off to "搓二踢脚", our Hai would be the most skilled fitter in the area.
Second Uncle Zhong was currently a sixth-level forging fitter, a "锻工", and he was not as overweight as he would be later. He was still a robust man. He didn't swing that big hammer for nothing; the fat under his skin was all muscle. When he hit his son, he could hit hard.
Third Uncle Gui was still the same old man, an eighth-level elementary school teacher, earning 37 yuan a month to support six people. But you gotta admit, Gui was incredibly stingy; even when passing a dung-carrying cart, he would insist on getting a scoop to use as fertilizer.
His constant mantra was, "You can't be poor from eating or drinking, but you can be poor from not being careful with your money."
You can say that Third Uncle Gui is hopeless.
Finally, there was the middle-level big boss, Deaf Old Lady. This old woman was not a good person.
She constantly pretended to be deaf and mute, using her age to bully others and freeload, a total "老嘎嘣死的".
In the past, the Lin family had fought tooth and nail with the old hag over the backyard house.
As for the current "亡灵法师" Jia Pang, he was not yet at his peak power. Dong Xu, the good big brother, was still alive and kicking, so she could only summon Old Jia, reducing his power by half.
As for everyone else, Lin Yu said, they were all just "弟弟".
【Ding, congratulations to the host for successfully merging with the predecessor. The Hunting System has been activated for the host.】
【Ding, introducing the system functions. Would you like to receive them?】
Lin Yu jumped up from the reclining chair with a start.
"Holy cow, my cheat has arrived!"
He then scurried into the house like a big black rat.
Through the window, Deaf Old Lady, watching Lin Yu's actions, asked First Aunt with a curious expression as the latter was cleaning her room.
"Lin's kid, is he getting a hot seat? I hope it burns his eggs as well, he'll be a barren man for life."
Back in his room, Lin Yu shut the door and windows tightly and whispered, "Hey, System, are you free? I'm buying you a ten-yuan snack."
【Ding, in recognition of your politeness toward this system, rewarding the host with the hidden system skill 'Death Hunt'.】
【PS: Death Hunt: 100 km range, can mark 10 targets. As you level up, the number of targets you can mark will increase.】
【This tracking-weakening skill will grant the host the abilities of the best hunters. Any prey marked by the host will be unable to escape the host's pursuit until death.】
【Tracking doesn't necessarily mean killing, but killing always requires tracking. No matter how terrifying the creature, in the eyes of the host, it will become prey.】
Lin Yu's eyes immediately lit up. "This is good, this is good. I'll mark Hai tomorrow, and when no one is around, I'll grab a spear and gut him like a pig."
【Ding, the host's perverted thoughts align with the system's intentions. Rewarding the host with the Hunting Space.】
【PS: Hunting Space: can help the host dispose of corpses... Wait, no, start again.】
【Hunting Space: can help the host store prey, tame undeaded prey, train hunting companions such as hunting dogs and falcons.】
【Hunting Space comes with land, where the host can plant grains, fruits, and vegetables to meet the needs of the prey. It also comes with a spirit spring, which is beneficial to the body. Long-term consumption can strengthen the body and cure diseases and injuries.】
"Yep, yep... Good stuff, this is even better. You're a good guy, System. You're my half-brother from now on."
After merging with his predecessor's memories, Lin Yu discovered that he shared the same hobby: hunting. He even specifically learned from an old master who was incredibly skilled in combat.
Lin Yu had hardened, his backbone stiffened. The System was so thoughtful. Now he had a place to live, eat, and dress.
From now on, if anyone messes with me, I'll just kill them, throw them into the Hunting Space to feed the wild animals, and make sure no one finds them.
Since heaven has given me this chance to be reborn, I will step by step rise to the top. I will become Zhao Gao...
Wait, wrong script! I can't be Zhao Gao, and I can't be at the top. After all, it's cold at the top, easy to catch a cold.
I still plan to find a curvy, long-legged chick as my wife once my life improves and my body is strong again.