Rebirth in a Courtyard: I Am a Little Hunter

"What time should we go to line up? We can't be late! Last year, Old Li's family went late and ended up at the back of the line, getting lots of small, stalk-like vegetables!" an old lady said worriedly.

"Yes! We have to go early! I think we need to be there by 4:30 to reserve a spot! Bring a stool and a thermos! It's freezing out here!" someone chimed in.

"Who has more able-bodied men to help with loading and unloading? Old Liu alone can't manage!"

"My eldest son can go!"

"Count my son in!"

Everyone chattered excitedly, discussing what time to meet, who would be in charge of queuing, who would be in charge of loading the vehicle, who would be in charge of guarding it, and even down to the details of what kind of dry food to bring and how to take turns resting and keeping warm.

Under the dim light, the faces, whether weathered or young, were filled with seriousness and a hint of barely perceptible anxiety.

Winter-stored vegetables are the lifeline for ordinary people's winter meals. This bustling scene, full of life, exudes a unique warmth and cohesion on a cold winter night.

Wei Chen sat quietly in the corner, listening to the neighbors' heated discussion without saying a word. He didn't need to worry about it.

His gaze calmly swept across the crowd, noticing that Jia Zhangshi was also squeezed in, her eyes darting around. Occasionally, she would glance in his direction, then immediately shrank back like a startled rabbit, no longer daring to display any of her former arrogance. Wei Chen understood; the gun's deterrent effect was even better than he had anticipated.

The meeting lasted for nearly an hour, and finally, the details of borrowing vehicles, queuing, and loading were all finalized. Uncle Yan Bugui then gave a summary and notes. As the meeting was about to end and the crowd began to disperse, Wei Chen stood up. Instead of following the flow of people, he went straight to Yan Bugui, who was tidying up enamel mugs.

"Third Uncle," Wei Chen called out.

Yan Bugui looked up and saw Wei Chen. His eyes behind his glasses lit up instantly, and a smile several times warmer than usual spread across his face: "Hey, Wei Chen! What's up? Come on, let's go upstairs and talk, it's cold outside!"

He'd heard from his wife that Wei Chen had come back with a gun on his back that afternoon—he'd been given special permission by the factory to go hunting! In Yan Bugui's eyes, that kid was now a walking mountain of flesh! His coming to his door might just be a good thing!

Yan Bugui warmly ushered Wei Chen into his somewhat cramped but reasonably tidy house. The third aunt tactfully poured a cup of hot water for Wei Chen, then excused herself to go to the kitchen to tidy up, leaving the two of them alone.

"Uncle," Wei Chen said, getting straight to the point, "It's like this, there might be some things going on at the factory on Sunday, so I'm afraid I won't be able to get away. Could you and the neighbors in the courtyard help me buy some winter vegetables while you're at it? I'll pay you the exact amount and price. Also, for all the trouble you've gone to organize this, I'll give you an extra two cents as a tip." As he spoke, he took out the money he had prepared and his family's food ration book and handed it over. Giving the extra two cents was purely for peace of mind and to avoid giving anyone cause for gossip.

Upon hearing this, Yan Bugui's mind immediately started calculating. Two cents!! That could buy several pounds of cornmeal! His smile widened, and he waved his hand repeatedly, appearing incredibly generous.

"Oh! Wei Chen, you're being too polite! What's with the money! We're neighbors, it's only right that we help each other out! Don't worry, I'll take care of it! I'll make sure you get the best vegetables! I'll save the biggest and firmest cabbage hearts for you! Take that two cents back!" He spoke eloquently, but his eyes were fixed on the money and grocery bill Wei Chen had placed on the table, showing no real intention of refusing.

How could Wei Chen not understand his thoughts? The Third Uncle wouldn't do anything without a profit; his "righteousness" must have something else in mind.

"Wei Chen! Your third uncle knows you're capable. The New Year is just around the corner. If you manage to hunt any game, could you sell some to your third uncle?" Sure enough, the third uncle had his own plans.

Wei Chen pushed the two cents directly into Yan Bugui's hand and said bluntly, "Third Uncle, please don't refuse. This is your reward for your hard work. As for what you're thinking..."

Wei Chen paused, looking at Yan Bugui's suddenly eager eyes, his voice lowered but carrying an undeniable bottom line, "The prey, that's the factory's quota. Once it's caught, it has to be handed over to the factory canteen. Private trading? That's speculation! I, Wei Chen, absolutely will not do anything wrong!"

The eager light in Yan Bugui's eyes dimmed instantly, and his disappointment was hard to hide. It seemed that his dream of getting cheap meat was out of the question.

Wei Chen changed the subject, lowering his voice so that only the two of them could hear: "However... the factory has a heavy workload... but as a hunter, I definitely need to keep some for myself. But you know, there are many people in our compound, and I don't want to be blamed or reported. So, if anyone asks me, it's all for the factory; I can't sell it!"

"Of course, if you keep quiet and no one's around, I can borrow a bit from my family to 'exchange' some for you. It'll be enough for your family to make dumplings for the New Year and satisfy your cravings, no problem at all. But the amount will definitely not be much." He specifically emphasized "exchange" and "the amount will not be much," which both blocked Yan Bugui's way of reselling for profit and gave him a glimmer of hope to get a little bit of money.

A stroke of luck! Yan Bugui's dim eyes immediately lit up again! Although he couldn't make a fortune, being able to "exchange" some meat that wasn't part of the plan, even if it was just scraps, was a great thing! Being able to eat meat dumplings during the New Year was much better than that vague and unrealistic reselling!

"Oh! I understand! I understand!" Yan Bugui's disappointment vanished instantly, replaced by a broad smile. With lightning speed, he grabbed the two cents on the table and Wei Chen's food ration book, clutching them tightly as if he were holding onto the aroma of meat for the New Year.

"Wei Chen, don't worry! Uncle San is absolutely reliable! I'll take care of your vegetables! I guarantee every single one will be top-notch! As for the 'exchange'..." He rubbed his hands together, his face full of anticipation.

"I'll contact you when I get news." Wei Chen gave him a reassuring look, stood up, and said, "Then I'll trouble you, Third Uncle. I'll head back now."

"No trouble at all! Take care! It's dark on the road, be careful!" Yan Bugui warmly escorted Wei Chen to the door, watching him walk into the neighboring courtyard and close the door before contentedly weighing the two cents and the ration book in his hand, humming a tuneless little tune. Although he hadn't caught a big fish, these small fish and shrimp were enough to keep him happy for a while.

Wei Chen returned to his quiet little courtyard and bolted the door. There was no fire in the main room, and the chill was growing stronger. He walked to the window, looking at the dim yellow light shining from the windows of the various houses in the courtyard, listening to the faint sounds of pots and pans clattering and children playing. The heavy feel of the Type 56 semi-automatic rifle still lingered on his shoulder; tomorrow, he would carry it once again into the depths of the Yanshan Mountains.

The biting wind seemed to freeze the hustle and bustle of Beijing and the atmosphere of the steel jungle. It followed Wei Chen's Phoenix 28 bicycle all the way until he rode into the familiar but slightly desolate dirt road of Baoyuquan Village.

The wheels crunched over the frozen, hard mud with a dull thud, kicking up fine snowflakes. The iconic old locust tree at the village entrance, with its gnarled branches, had long since lost all its leaves; its dark trunk, like cast iron bones, silently pierced the leaden sky.

A few crows huddled on the branches, occasionally letting out short, hoarse cries, adding to the desolation of winter.

Pushing open the familiar, slightly cracked wooden door of my own courtyard, the creaking sound seemed to awaken the sleeping little yard.

A scent mingled with the smell of burning firewood and the crisp winter air wafted through the air. The courtyard was quiet, save for the pale blue smoke rising from the kitchen chimney, which wafted upwards stubbornly in the cold wind, bringing a faint yet resolute warmth.

"Mom? Xiao Ran?" Wei Chen propped up his bicycle, unloaded the canvas bag containing all his luggage and the Type 56 semi-automatic rifle wrapped tightly in thick oilcloth, and called out.

"Brother!" A clear, bell-like voice immediately rang out from the main room. Then, the door to the main room, which was covered with a thick cotton curtain, was suddenly flung open, and Wei Ran jumped out like a happy little deer.

She was wearing a floral-patterned jacket that her mother had altered from an old cotton-padded coat. Her cheeks were flushed from the warmth of the room, and her eyes sparkled with undisguised joy as she rushed towards her. "You're back!"

"Slow down, slow down!" Wei Chen smiled and opened his arms, catching his younger sister who was rushing towards him. He then ruffled her hair, which had two little braids. "Did you miss your brother?"

"Yes!" Wei Ran nodded vigorously, tilting her little face up with a hint of pride. "Brother, I have my final exams in two weeks! After the exams, it'll be winter break!" Her tone was full of longing for the holiday.

At this moment, Wang Xiulan, the mother, also came out of the kitchen upon hearing the noise. She still had her faded blue apron tied around her waist, and her hands were covered in flour. When she saw Wei Chen, her face instantly lit up with a smile, and the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes smoothed out considerably. It was the most instinctive joy a mother can feel when she sees her son returning home.

"Chenzi's back! Come inside, it's cold outside!" Wang Xiulan called out, instinctively reaching out to take the canvas bag from Wei Chen's shoulder. It felt heavy in her hand, and she exclaimed instinctively, "Huh? What's in this bag? It's so heavy!"

"Oh, some work safety supplies and tools from the factory." Wei Chen lied without batting an eye, subtly avoiding his mother's hand as he carried the bag into the main room and carefully placed it in a corner against the wall. "Mom, don't touch it, I'll put it here." It was best not to let his mother and sister know about the gun, lest they worry.

Inside the main room, the earthen kang (heated brick bed) was burning warmly, dispelling the chill that had seeped in through the cracks in the doors and windows. Wei Chen took off his heavy cotton-padded coat, rubbed his hands, which were a little stiff from the cold, and sat down on the edge of the kang.

Wei Ran immediately sat down next to him like a little shadow, chattering away as she reported, "Brother, our teacher said this final exam is very important, it affects how we'll be placed in classes next semester! I'm sure I'll do well!"

"Yes, my sister is the best." Wei Chen smiled encouragingly, feeling a warm glow in his heart as he looked at his sister's energetic face.