Rebirth in a Courtyard: I Am a Little Hunter

With everything prepared, the symphony of activity in the kitchen grew louder. Wei Chen looked at his mother, Wang Xiulan, who was preparing vegetables, and carefully began, "Mom, since we've decided to move here permanently next year, today's a good opportunity. I'll take you to meet everyone in the courtyard, say hello, give them some wedding candy, and let everyone know that our Wei family is now part of the No. 95 Luogu Lane compound. What do you think...?"

Wang Xiulan hesitated at first. Country people are used to living behind closed doors, and she couldn't help but feel uneasy about suddenly having to knock on the doors of so many unfamiliar neighbors.

But looking into her son's calm and expectant eyes, and thinking about how she would be living here for a long time, she understood the saying that a close neighbor is worse than a distant relative. She smoothed her neatly combed hair, took a deep breath, and nodded: "Okay, I'll listen to you. Mom will go change into something more presentable." She turned and went into the house.

A moment later, Wang Xiulan came out wearing a navy blue, diagonally-buttoned cloth jacket that had been washed clean and had only small patches on the collar and cuffs. Although she still had the restraint of a countrywoman, she was neat and tidy, and her eyes revealed a gentle nature.

Wei Chen picked up the two packets of fruit candy, opened one packet, then opened the packet of Daqianmen cigarettes, and stuffed half a packet into his mother's hand: "Mom, take this candy, and grab a handful from any family with lots of children. If you see a man, just offer him a cigarette, and I'll handle the rest."

The mother and son walked one after the other through the moon gate that connected the hustle and bustle with the tranquility, and entered the central courtyard.

Beside the sink in the courtyard, Qin Huairu, her slightly protruding belly, was laboriously bending over, scrubbing a large basin of dark-colored work clothes and children's clothes with a washboard. Soapy water splashed onto a few strands of hair on her forehead, sticking to her smooth temples, and fine beads of sweat slid down her temples.

Two elderly women, Yi Zhangshi and Jia Zhangshi, sat on small stools in front of their houses. One wore a thimble and was sewing a thousand-layer sole, while the other squinted and was mending a hole in an old jacket.

An elderly man named Yi Zhonghai stood with his hands behind his back on the bluestone steps of his main house, puffing on his pipe. Amidst the swirling smoke, he gazed into the distance at the jujube tree in the courtyard.

The appearance of Wei Chen and Wang Xiulan was like a pebble thrown into calm water, immediately attracting everyone's attention. Seeing the conspicuous bag of candy in Wei Chen's hand and the cigarette in Wang Xiulan's hand, everyone knew perfectly well that the new neighbors had officially come to "spread the wedding candy" and introduce themselves to the new family.

"Grandpa and Grandma, busy with something?" Wei Chen greeted Yi Zhonghai with a polite smile, walking up the steps first and handing him a brand new Daqianmen cigarette.

Yi Zhonghai took the cigarette, lit it with Wei Chen's signature match, took a deep drag, and put on his usual kind smile, tinged with the authority of an elder: "Wei Chen, so early? And who is this...?"

"Uncle, this is my mother, Wang Xiulan. We just brought her to the city yesterday," Wei Chen introduced. He then turned to his mother and said respectfully, "Mom, this is Master Yi Zhonghai, the manager of our compound. He's an eighth-grade fitter from the steel rolling mill! A technical expert! And this is Auntie."

Wang Xiulan quickly stepped forward, a humble and gentle smile on her face, and handed a few colorful fruit candies to the old lady: "Hello, Uncle and Aunt! We're just country folk, new here. We have a long life ahead of us. If there's anything you don't understand or can't do, please bear with us and give us some guidance."

The older woman took the candy, her smile becoming more genuine. She took Wang Xiulan's hand and greeted her warmly, "Oh, Wei Chen's mom, you're too kind! We're neighbors now, and it's only right to look after each other! Please come in and sit for a while!"

"No, no, I have a lot of things to do at home, and my relatives are arriving soon, so I really can't delay them." Wang Xiulan quickly waved her hand, her smile carrying just the right amount of apology.

At this moment, the sharp-eyed Jia Zhangshi had already put down her needlework. Like an old cat that had smelled blood, she hugged her precious grandson Banggeng and quickly approached, her face full of exaggerated, almost fawning smiles: "Oh my! Weichen's mother! Congratulations! Moving to a new house is a great joy! Look at your complexion, you're definitely blessed! Banggeng, quick! Say hello to Grandma!" As she spoke, her shrewd triangular eyes seemed to be drawn to the candy bag in Wang Xiulan's hand.

Three-year-old Banggeng, a chubby-faced boy wearing open-crotch pants, was being pushed around by his grandmother. In a childish and unclear voice, he called out, "Hello, Grandma!" His little hands unconsciously reached for the candy bag.

"Oh, good boy! So good!" Wang Xiulan's heart softened at the child's innocent "Grandma" address, and her smile widened. She quickly grabbed a handful of colorful fruit candies and stuffed them into Banggeng's little hand without saying a word. She also gave Jia Zhangshi a handful of candies as well.

Jia Zhangshi smiled so broadly that her eyes disappeared, and she said in rapid succession, "Thank you! Thank you! Wei Chen's mother is too kind! You're too kind!" As she spoke, she quickly stuffed most of the candies into her large pockets, leaving only two of the smallest ones for Bang Geng.

Jia Dongxu also peeked out from the house, his face somewhat ashen. Leaning against the doorframe, he said to Banggeng, "Banggeng, you've got the candy, hurry up and thank your uncle and grandma!" Banggeng clutched the two candies, tilted his little face up, and parroted them in a clear, crisp voice, "Thank you, uncle! Thank you, grandma!" He called Wang Xiulan "grandma" again, which drew good-natured laughter from Yi Zhonghai, the old lady, and others. The somewhat awkward neighborhood atmosphere immediately became much more relaxed and lively.

As Yi Zhonghai watched this scene, smoke slowly billowed from his nostrils. He said to Wei Chen, "Wei Chen, judging from this, we have a distinguished guest at home today?" He deliberately used the word "distinguished guest."

"Yes, Grandpa," Wei Chen replied smoothly, his voice clear enough for the surrounding houses to hear, "My grandparents, my uncles, and my other uncles all came all the way from Weijiazhuang today to get acquainted with the place and see my newly renovated little home."

He paused, his tone carrying just the right amount of sincerity and a hint of barely perceptible embarrassment, "I was just thinking, since Brother Zhu is free today, I'll shamelessly invite him to my house to cook some home-style dishes so the whole family can get together and have a lively meal."

His gaze swept earnestly over Yi Zhonghai, his second uncle Liu Haizhong who had strolled over from the backyard upon hearing the noise, and his third uncle Yan Bugui who had also walked out of the house with his hands behind his back after hearing the commotion, before finally settling back on Yi Zhonghai's face.

"I was also thinking of taking this opportunity to formally register with the three elders in charge of our compound. The third elder mentioned to me the other day that, according to the old customs of Beijing, moving should involve treating everyone in the compound to a 'hot pot feast' to make it lively." His voice wasn't loud, but it clearly reached everyone's ears.

"But you are all discerning people, and you have all seen it," he spread his hands, making a helpless yet honest gesture, "My house, from demolishing and rebuilding to interior and exterior renovations, and then to buying all this new furniture... my family's savings have really been depleted, and I still owe carpenter Master Liu and the others a lot of money for their meals..."

He sighed softly, his gaze sweeping over the three old men: "Inviting the whole courtyard is simply beyond my means; my pockets are truly empty. I can only swallow my pride and invite the three esteemed gentlemen, and Brother Zhu, the great contributor who has been in charge of cooking, to my home for a simple meal. It's nothing more than a humble invitation for my mother and me to officially settle down in our courtyard at No. 95 Luogu Lane!" He clasped his hands in a gesture of respect, adopting a very humble posture.

Then, he raised his voice and said loudly to the entire courtyard, "I will also send a handful of wedding candy and a cigarette to each of the other old neighbors in the courtyard as a token of my appreciation! There isn't much candy or cigarette, it's just a token! I hope that you, Uncle, Uncle, Uncle, and all the old neighbors will forgive my mother and me for our lack of courtesy!" As he spoke, he handed a Daqianmen cigarette to Liu Haizhong, who was standing nearby, and also gave one to Yan Bugui, whose eyes were shining.

As Yi Zhonghai smoked his cigarette, watching Wei Chen's performance—a performance that was both frank and respectful, helpless yet polite—the slight displeasure he felt for not being treated to a meal by the entire hospital completely dissipated.

They really spent a lot of money, were in debt, but still knew to treat the three old men alone, and even gave candy and cigarettes to the whole courtyard. Their manners were thorough and they gave them plenty of face.

He chuckled, patted Wei Chen on the shoulder, and said with the air of an elder, "I understand! I understand! Everyone has their difficulties in life. Just do what you can! Wei Chen, you're a sensible and thoughtful child! Alright, your aunt and I will come over and support you in a bit!"

Liu Haizhong also exhaled a smoke ring, his signature potbelly sticking out. His official tone was just right, and his voice was loud and clear: "Hmm! Comrade Xiao Wei has thought things through very well! Moving is a happy event, and it's right to do what you can! Avoiding extravagance and waste, and practicing frugality, that's a very good mindset! We'll come over in a bit to add to the festive atmosphere of your new home!" It was as if he were giving an important speech.

Yan Bugui held the brand-new, crisp Daqianmen cigarette in his hand, then looked at the half-empty, bulging bag of candy in Wang Xiulan's hand. When he heard Wei Chen explicitly invite the three of them to dinner, the little resentment he had felt because Wei Chen was "stingy" and didn't invite the whole courtyard instantly vanished!

He got a free meal cooked by Sha Zhu, with wild boar meat and Arctic Ocean soda! Plus, good cigarettes and candy! This was an incredible bargain! His face immediately lit up with a smile, his wrinkles crinkling into chrysanthemums, and he responded repeatedly, his voice brimming with undisguised excitement: "Oh, Wei Chen! Look at you! You're too kind! You're too formal! What's with the invitation? It's all my duty! It's all my duty! Don't worry, Uncle San will definitely be there! He'll definitely be there! He'll give you a proper congratulations!" His tone was as if he was afraid Wei Chen would change his mind and the duck that was about to be eaten would fly away.

With the three elderly men's approval and their leading statements, the process of identifying the households went exceptionally smoothly. Accompanied by Mr. Yi Zhonghai, Wei Chen and Wang Xiulan started from the central courtyard and went from house to house.