Rebirth in a Courtyard: I Am a Little Hunter

The three elderly men ate to their hearts' content. Yi Zhonghai and Liu Haizhong praised Sha Zhu's superb cooking skills as they ate, calling him the "pillar" of the steel mill's canteen.

Yan Bugui fully embodied the essence of "not speaking while eating" and prioritizing efficiency. His chopsticks reached for each main dish with precision and speed, especially the braised pork and the glutinous rice filling in the eight-treasure duck. He ate with his mouth full of oil, and when a little oil splattered on his glasses, he didn't bother to wipe it off, but just casually wiped it with his sleeve.

After several rounds of drinks and several dishes, the atmosphere at the table became even more harmonious.

Wei Chen raised his glass and toasted the three elders again: "Uncle, Uncle, Uncle, Uncle, it is my honor to have three highly respected elders like you in my home today! I would like to offer you another toast to thank you for your continued care and support!"

The three men laughed and raised their glasses to drink. Wei Chen put down his glass and said sincerely, "There's something else I'd like to discuss with you three gentlemen and hear your opinions."

"I plan to move my mother's and my younger sister Ranran's household registration from our hometown after the New Year, so they can officially move to the city. My mother has worked hard in our hometown for half her life, and it's time for her to enjoy her retirement. Ranran is nine years old now, and the schools in the city are generally better than those in the countryside, which will be better for her in the future."

Upon hearing this, Yi Zhonghai put down his chopsticks, pondered for a moment, and nodded: "That makes sense! If your mother comes over, there will be someone to take care of things at home, and you can go to work with peace of mind. As for the household registration..."

He looked at Yan Bugui, who considered himself a "cultured man," and said, "Old Yan, you're a teacher, you understand these policies and regulations. Is it easy to transfer your household registration now?"

Yan Bugui was about to put a piece of glistening, trembling duck skin into his mouth when he heard this. He immediately put down his chopsticks, pushed up his glasses, straightened his back, adopted a "policy expert" posture, and raised his voice: "Easy! The key to this matter lies in two points!"

He held up two fingers. "First, Wei Chen, you are a legitimate, officially employed worker at the steel rolling mill, with organizational connections and a proper job. That's the biggest guarantee and reason! Second, you have the approval from the subdistrict office to register your household registration."

He paused, looked at Wei Chen, patted his chest, and said with a hint of boasting and eagerness to build a closer relationship: "Wei Chen, you've come to the right place for this! We've seen our Hongxing Elementary School before, we've even had kids going through the transfer procedures, we know each other very well! Once you've prepared the factory's certificate and the relocation certificate from your hometown..."

He tapped the table with his finger as if he were surveying the land, "I'll take you to Director Wang at the neighborhood office! I guarantee he'll handle it smoothly for you! Besides, you're both a martyr's family member and a full-time employee of the steel mill, with impeccable credentials!" He spoke with unwavering conviction and confidence.

"Oh! Thank you so much, Uncle!" Wei Chen was overjoyed and quickly picked up the wine bottle to fill Yan Bugui's glass again. "With your words and your personal guidance, I can finally breathe a sigh of relief! I toast you!" He raised his glass and drank it all in one gulp.

"Hey, don't thank me yet." Yan Bugui picked up his wine glass, smiling at Wei Chen, then glanced towards the kitchen, clearly in a very good mood. "That girl Ranran is smart and clever, I like her at first sight. After her household registration is transferred, don't worry about her schooling! She can go to our Hongxing Elementary School! It's the closest to our compound! I'll personally arrange for her to be in the best class, and find an experienced teacher to teach her! Your third uncle has that kind of authority!"

His words were both a guarantee and a subtle way of saying, "Look how capable I am," which made the favor even more solid.

"Really? That's wonderful!" Wei Chen was overjoyed. His sister's schooling had always been on his mind. "Third Uncle, you've really done me a huge favor! I... I don't even know what to say! Thank you so much!"

Wei Chen raised his glass again. "Uncle, let me toast you again! Please feel free to drink, I'll drink it all!" With that, he tilted his head back and downed a glass of fiery Fenjiu. The burning sensation went from his throat to his stomach, but he felt incredibly refreshed.

Yan Bugui happily drank a glass as well, his face flushed. He felt that the meal was worthwhile, and the favor he had done was even more worthwhile. He would be even closer to Wei Chen, this capable and sensible young man, in the future.

Grandpa Wei Shoutian, Uncle Wei Changsheng, and Uncle Wei Laishun listened from the side. Although they didn't understand the complicated ways of the city, seeing their grandson (nephew) talking so well with these three uncles and getting things done so smoothly, they all showed genuine, relieved smiles on their faces, and felt much more at ease.

Grandpa looked at Yi Zhonghai with deep emotion and said, "Master Yi, look at us, our Xiao Chen is so fortunate to have such kind and capable elders like you in the city helping and guiding him! It's a great blessing for him! It's also a blessing for our Wei family! I... feel so warm and at ease!"

The old man raised his glass, "Let me toast you all!"

The air was filled with clinking glasses and cheerful laughter.

The rich aroma of braised pork, the mellow and refreshing taste of Fenjiu liquor, the sweet and fruity fragrance of Beibingyang soda, and the satisfied smiles on people's faces and the sounds of clinking glasses all intertwined and filled the entire east courtyard. Even the two newly planted jujube and peach trees seemed to be infected by this joyous atmosphere.

From the kitchen, the sounds of Grandma Wang, Wang Xiulan, and the children chatting and laughing could be heard from time to time, along with the "pop" of soda bottles being opened and Wei Ran's clear, bell-like laughter.

The meal was thoroughly enjoyed, satisfying, and filled with warmth and affection.

The meal lasted from a little after 11 a.m. until a little after 1 p.m., with most of the dishes on the table gone and the two bottles of Fenjiu liquor empty. Wei Yan and Wei Guo helped clear the table, while Wang Xiulan and Wei Ran were busy washing dishes in the kitchen, their clinking sounds filling the air.

As the last scraps of food were cleared away and replaced with steaming hot tea, everyone held their rough porcelain teacups, leaned back in their chairs with satisfaction, feeling the fullness and warmth in their stomachs and the slight intoxication brought by the wine. A tacit sense of fulfillment and belonging flowed quietly in the warm air.

Grandpa Wei Shoutian looked at his grandson Wei Chen, then at the bright and clean new home full of hope, and then at the warm-hearted city neighbors around him. A smile of immense comfort and peace of mind spread across his wrinkled face.

Turning to Yi Zhonghai, he said, "Master Yi, we had a good meal today, and we talked a lot and built up our friendship. From now on, my son Xiaochen, his mother, and his sister are truly a family settled down in this No. 95 Luogu Lane compound! From now on, we'll be relying on you gentlemen to take good care of them!"

Yi Zhonghai, Liu Haizhong, and Yan Bugui all nodded solemnly. Yi Zhonghai, speaking on behalf of the family, said in a steady and powerful voice: "Grandpa, you can rest assured! From today onwards, the Wei Chen family is one of us in this compound! It's our duty as neighbors to help each other!"

The warm afternoon sunlight streamed through the bright glass windows, casting a soft golden glow on the outlines of the new furniture and reflecting the sincere smiles on everyone's faces and their hopes for the future.

Standing by the door, Wei Chen looked at the house full of his loved ones, the warm neighbors, and the heartwarming figures of his mother and sister busy in the kitchen. An unprecedented, profound sense of belonging and a feeling of being firmly rooted settled settled deep in his heart.

This warm and meaningful housewarming banquet, like a solemn ceremony, definitively declared that the Wei family had officially become an indispensable member of this warm and welcoming courtyard.

Outside the courtyard wall, the long, drawn-out shouts of scissors and knives sharpening and the crisp ringing of bicycle bells drifted from the alley, blending with the laughter and aroma of tea inside the courtyard, together composing the most ordinary yet warmest chapter of everyday life in Beijing.

As the sun sets, long, warm shadows are cast through the clear glass windows onto the brand-new wooden floor of the living room. The messy scene of dishes and cups in the living room has been mostly tidied up, leaving only the lingering aroma of food, a faint smell of alcohol, and the unique sweet orange scent of Arctic Ocean soda, all blending into a satisfying and languid atmosphere.

The three old men all had rosy cheeks and looked content after a hearty meal.

Grandpa Yi Zhonghai put down his rough porcelain teacup, let out a satisfied sigh, and smiled at Grandpa Wei Shoutian and Wei Chen, saying, "Grandpa, Wei Chen, this meal was very enjoyable! Thank you for your hospitality. Zhu Zi's cooking is truly impeccable! Especially the wild boar meat, it was authentic! Grandpa, you must be tired today, take a good rest."

Uncle Liu Haizhong, with his protruding belly, habitually cleared his throat, his official tone now tinged with genuine warmth: "Yes, Comrade Wei Chen's housewarming celebration was a complete success! It was both lively and dignified, handled with perfect discretion! Old man, you can rest assured, Wei Chen is a good man in our compound!"

His words were both an affirmation of the Wei family and a subtle way of showing his "second-in-command" status in front of Yi Zhonghai.

Uncle Yan Bugui, the third uncle, was beaming. He carefully wiped the oily lenses of his glasses with his sleeve, put them back on, and addressed Wei Chen with unprecedented enthusiasm, even tinged with lingering relish: "Wei Chen, today's feast has truly broadened my horizons and satisfied my appetite! Zhu Zi's cooking is superb! That eight-treasure duck, perfectly cooked! That Fenjiu liquor, so mellow! And that Arctic Ocean... *burp*..."

He let out a burp with a hint of orange in it, smiled somewhat sheepishly, then patted his chest, raising his voice as if to make sure the whole room could hear his promise: "That thing I mentioned earlier—Ranran's schooling! Leave it to your Uncle! Your Uncle is at school, he has some influence! Just wait for my reply, I'll take care of it perfectly!"

He emphasized the words "Leave it to me," looking at Wei Chen with eager eyes, as if to say, "See? This meal wasn't a waste of my time, was it? I've truly remembered this favor!"