Rebirth in a Courtyard: I Am a Little Hunter

At each house, Wei Chen would calmly introduce them: "Mom, this is Uncle Zhang Dashan from the east room in the front yard, a senior worker from the third workshop of the steel rolling mill." "This is the third aunt of the third uncle's family in the west wing."

"This is Aunt Li from the Intermediate People's Court. Both of her sons are in school."

"This is Grandma Li in the backyard, living alone with her grandson. Mom, give Little Stone a few more candies..."

Following her son's instructions, Wang Xiulan would grab a handful of candy and hand it to anyone with a child, her smile warm and gentle; when she saw the male head of the household, Wei Chen would offer him a Daqianmen cigarette at the opportune moment.

She still didn't say much, only repeating simple and polite phrases like "We'll be neighbors now, please take care of me," "The child is so handsome," and "You're busy." But her sincerity from the countryside and her careful humility silently melted away the sense of alienation in the city, making it hard for people to feel any ill will towards her.

The three elders—the Jia family goes without saying, and Wei Chen introduced them briefly to his mother; the Xu family was empty, so we won't go into details; the deaf old lady in the backyard didn't come out, so Wei Chen and his mother knocked on the door to greet her and grabbed a handful of candy.

The atmosphere in courtyard houses is still quite good now. Everyone is a simple neighbor. Although everyone has their little schemes, who doesn't try to please everyone these days? As long as it doesn't bother others, it's fine.

After walking around the area, most of the two pounds of sugar had been used up, and half a pack of cigarettes was gone. Returning to the entrance of the east courtyard, Wang Xiulan let out a soft sigh of relief. Fine beads of sweat glistened on her forehead, but her face held a sense of relief at fitting into a new environment and the ease of having completed an important task. She looked at her son, her eyes filled with silent affirmation.

The kitchen was now steaming and filled with delicious aromas! Sha Zhu's rough shouts, the clanging of the spatula against the iron pot, the bubbling of the stewing meat in the pot, and his occasional off-key Peking Opera humming all intertwined to create a symphony full of life's passion and warmth.

The rich aroma of meat, soy sauce, and the spicy fragrance of stir-fried scallions and ginger permeated the entire courtyard, even wafting through the moon gate to the front and middle yards, making one's mouth water.

Yan Bugui stood in the middle of the courtyard with his hands behind his back, like a supervisor. His nostrils flared exaggeratedly as he greedily captured every tempting aroma in the air. His gaze swept towards the kitchen, where the aroma was strongest, like a searchlight. He couldn't help but grin, revealing his yellowed teeth, and his mind was racing with calculations.

This tastes amazing! Sha Zhu's cooking skills! This is real wild boar meat! And the Arctic Ocean soda Wei Chen bought… This meal was such a steal! Absolutely worth it! So worth it!

A few days ago, Wei Chen said he wouldn't invite anyone from the compound when he moved, but I didn't expect him to invite those three old men today. That kid really knows how to handle things!

The sun climbed high in the sky, warming the blue brick floor of the east courtyard. After delivering candy to each household and recognizing their homes, Wei Chen and Wang Xiulan returned to their own south gate. By then, the shadows cast by the sun against the wall had shrunk considerably. Wei Chen glanced at his watch; it was almost ten o'clock.

Wang Xiulan's forehead was beaded with sweat, but her face showed the relief of having accomplished something important. She let out a soft sigh and said to Wei Chen, "Chen'er, the neighbors in this city... seem quite friendly."

"Yes, things are looking alright. Mom, are you tired? Come inside and rest for a while. I reckon Uncle and the others will be here soon."

As soon as Wei Chen finished speaking, he heard a familiar shout with a strong local accent coming from outside the south gate, along with the panting of a donkey and the clattering of cart wheels over the stone road.

"They're here!" Wei Chen's eyes lit up, and he quickly stepped forward and opened the newly installed heavy gate. From now on, Wei Chen's small courtyard would use this newly opened south gate as the main entrance, and the moon gate would lead to the courtyard house. Normally, he would just lock the door.

Outside the gate, a slightly dilapidated but fairly clean donkey cart was parked in the alley. The driver was Wei Chen's uncle, Wei Changsheng, a sturdy, dark-skinned farmer with deep wrinkles, wearing a worn-out indigo coarse cloth jacket.

The cart was covered with thick straw, and two elderly people sat on it. Grandpa Wei Shoutian was wrapped in a worn dark blue thick cotton-padded coat and wore an old felt hat that was worn shiny. His face was thin, but his eyes were sharp like an eagle's. He was squinting and looking at the unfamiliar alley and the brand-new and impressive gatehouse with scrutiny and pride.

Grandma Wang was wearing a faded white coat with neatly mended collar and cuffs. Her gray hair was meticulously combed back and tied with a smooth old silver hairpin. Her face bore the marks of a long journey, but more than anything, it showed joy and anticipation at seeing her grandson.

My grandparents are both nearly sixty years old, but they are in good health and often work in the fields at home.

In the back of the donkey cart, several teenagers were squatting or standing: Wei Feng, the eldest son of the eldest uncle's family, was in his twenties, already quite burly, with broad shoulders and a thick back, and a simple and shy smile on his face; Wei Yan, the second son, was fourteen or fifteen years old, with bright eyes, and was curiously looking around, taking in the hutongs of Beijing.

Uncle Wei Laishun and his eldest son Wei Guo came together. Wei Guo was about ten years old and at the age when he was mischievous. Now that he was in an unfamiliar place, he seemed more reserved and his hands were twisted together awkwardly.

"Grandpa! Grandma! Uncle! Third Uncle! Brother Feng, Yanzi, Weiguo! You've finally arrived!" Wei Chen's face broke into a genuine and unreserved smile as he quickly went to greet them and carefully helped his grandfather, Wei Shoutian, who was trembling as he was about to get out of the car.

"Hey! Xiao Chen!" Grandpa Wei Shoutian's calloused, bony hands gripped his grandson's arm firmly, helping him get off the car smoothly. He then patted Wei Chen's sturdy shoulder heavily, his voice booming and full of energy, "Good lad! You've really settled down in the city! This courtyard... it's really impressive! You've brought honor to our Wei family!"

He looked up at the brand-new gatehouse and the high courtyard wall, his cloudy old eyes shining with satisfaction and pride.

Grandma Wang was helped down by Wei Chen and his eldest uncle, Wei Changsheng. She took her grandson's hand in hers, her wrinkled palm stroking the back of his hand as she looked him up and down carefully, her eyes slightly reddening: "You've lost weight! Chen'er, is the food in the city not to your liking? Are you exhausted from worrying about building the house?"

"Grandma, I'm fine! I'm strong! Feel me!" Wei Chen smiled and puffed out his chest, then turned to his eldest uncle and third uncle, "Uncle, Third Uncle, you must be tired from the journey! Quickly, come into the hospital!"

"What's the trouble! It's worth it to come see your new house!" Uncle Wei Changsheng's voice boomed as he deftly untied the donkey cart's harness and called to his sons, "Brother, Yanzi, carry all the things we brought inside! Be careful!"

My cousin Wei Feng, along with Wei Yan, Wei Guo, and a few other young men, responded and quickly unloaded several heavy coarse cloth bags and two large willow baskets from the back of the donkey cart.

The sacks were bulging, clearly filled with freshly harvested grain; the willow baskets were filled with sweet potatoes and potatoes, still carrying the fresh, damp scent of the earth, along with a small bag of sun-dried, glistening green beans and several strings of bright red dried chilies.

"Uncle, Third Uncle, you're too kind, bringing so many things! There's nothing lacking in the city! I don't cook much by myself, I eat at the factory." Wei Chen hurriedly went to take them.

"Don't mention it! It's from our own land, it's worthless! Everything costs money in the city, so every penny saved counts!" Uncle Wei Laishun didn't say much, just smiled憨厚ly and helped carry the things.

Just then, Wei Ran flew out of the yard like a cheerful little magpie, calling out in a clear voice, "Grandpa! Grandma! Uncle! Third Uncle!"

She first rushed over and gave her grandmother, Wang, a loving hug, then greeted everyone in turn, her little face flushed with excitement. "Oh, Ranran! How's it in the city?"

Grandma Wang hugged her granddaughter, the weariness on her face seemingly swept away by the call, leaving only overflowing love.

Wei Ran said sensibly, "Brother, Brother Feng, give me the things, I'll take you to the kitchen!" She led her cousins, carrying the heavy gifts full of local sentiment, and walked familiarly towards the kitchen.

Wang Xiulan also came out to greet them, her face showing joy and a hint of barely perceptible unease: "Father, Mother, Eldest Brother, Third Brother, you're all here! Come in and rest your feet, have some water to moisten your throat!"

While greeting the elders, she hurried to take a small bundle from her mother-in-law, Wang. The family walked through the south gate in a lively atmosphere and entered the east courtyard.

Sunlight streamed unreservedly into the newly paved courtyard, and the brand-new main house, side rooms, and annex rooms gleamed with a warm luster under the sunlight.

Grandpa Wei Shoutian, Grandma Wang, Uncle Wei Changsheng, and Uncle Wei Laishun—these farmers, who had spent most of their lives on the yellow earth and whose backs were slightly bent by the weight of life, looked at this clean, tidy courtyard with its "city-style" feel. Their eyes were filled with amazement, curiosity, and a hint of barely perceptible restraint.

"Chen'er, quickly show Grandpa and Grandma a good look!" Wang Xiulan urged her son softly, her tone carrying a hint of barely perceptible pride.

Wei Chen then acted as a guide, leading his relatives on a tour of the house. Pushing open the door to the main living room, the gleaming glass windows cut the sunlight into patches of light, the varnished floor was so shiny it reflected the light, and against the wall stood a brand-new sofa covered with plain-colored fine cloth, which was definitely a rare sight in ordinary households at that time. There was also a brand-new square table with several chairs, and a printed painting depicting green mountains and clear waters hung on the wall.

The sight left the elderly farmers somewhat bewildered, and Wei Feng and Wei Yan were even more at a loss for where to put their feet, afraid of dirtying the shiny floor.

"What... what kind of bricks are these on the floor? They're so shiny you can see your reflection in them! What if you get them dirty?" Grandma Wang asked her daughter-in-law Wang Xiulan in a low voice, her voice filled with awe as she looked at the gleaming floor.

"Mom, these are ceramic floor tiles, they won't get dirty. Just wipe them clean often," Wang Xiulan explained with a smile, feeling genuinely proud of the home furnishings her son had provided.

Grandpa Wei Shoutian stood with his hands behind his back, like an experienced old carpenter, carefully examining the mortise and tenon joints of the roof beams and the seams of the doors and windows. He touched the thick window frames with his rough fingers, then tapped the wall, nodded, and said with the approval of an expert: "Hmm, the materials are solid, and the workmanship is meticulous! Chen'er, this house is well-built!" His tone was the most simple and unpretentious recognition of a farmer for a "good business".

They also saw the east room where Wei Chen lived, the small side room where Wei Ran lived, and the "outhouse" with a flush toilet that made Grandma Wang marvel and exclaim, "City people are so particular!"