Rebirth in a Courtyard: I Am a Little Hunter

Wei Chen steadily propped the bicycle against the wall, put his arm around his mother's slightly thin shoulder, and led her into the house: "Mom, everything is ready in the city, pots and pans, bedding, all new and ready-made. We'll just pick out some clothes to change into, and those little things you especially cherish and can't bear to part with, and some food and such."

This old house, we didn't sell it or throw it away, it's still here! I do purchasing work, which means I often have to go to the countryside, and I can come back to stay anytime I pass through your village. If you miss home, just let me know, and I'll bring you back to stay for a few days!

"Aren't your uncle and grandfather in the village? I'll go talk to them later and ask them to help look after things. What else are you worried about?" He tried to make his tone relaxed and confident, attempting to dispel the deep worry between his mother's brows.

Upon entering the house, a mixture of firewood smoke and the smell of old furniture wafted over. Wei Chen untied the cloth bag from the handlebars and stuffed it into his mother's hand: "Mom, I brought some meat and fruit. Please keep it. I'm going to my eldest uncle's house first to tell him about the move, and I'll ask him and my third uncle to come over and lend a hand later."

"Okay, alright." Wang Xiulan took the cloth bag, feeling its weight, and understood her son's filial piety. She watched Wei Chen turn and leave, then looked around the house where she had lived most of her life.

The light was dim. On the earthen bed, the bedding was almost neatly tied up, and several open willow baskets and bulging burlap sacks were scattered on the ground.

It was crammed with what she felt she had to take with her—several old but clean and finely patched thick cotton coats; several pieces of coarse and fine cloth that she had kept at the bottom of her trunk and had never used; a small bag of snow-white, fluffy cotton that she had saved up through frugality; a small jar of pickled vegetables that were shiny and fragrant; and even a few sickles and hoes with smooth wooden handles and still sharp blades.

In her simple mind, "a poor family is worth a fortune," so she had to take everything she could with her. What if her son didn't have enough money when they got to the city? Every little bit saved was a blessing.

Wei Chen stepped out of the courtyard gate and walked straight towards his uncle Wei Changsheng's house at the west end of the village, his steps hardened by the cold. His uncle's courtyard was slightly larger and more tidy. Pushing open the creaking gate, he saw his uncle Wei Changsheng chopping firewood in the middle of the yard.

He was in his forties, with a sturdy build like the old elm tree in the yard. His face was tanned a dark red by the wind and sun, and the muscles on his arms bulged when he swung the axe.

"Uncle!" Wei Chen called out. Wei Changsheng stopped what he was doing upon hearing the voice, his axe hovering in mid-air. When he saw Wei Chen, a simple smile immediately spread across his face, revealing a set of teeth stained yellow from the smoke of a pipe: "Chenzi? What brings you back today? Come inside, it's freezing outside!" He put down the axe and vigorously rubbed his rough hands on the front of his old cotton-padded jacket to wipe away the wood shavings.

"I'm not going inside, Uncle," Wei Chen said, taking a few steps closer and stamping his feet, which were a little numb from the cold. "I came back to pick up my mom and Ranran to go to the city. They'll be on the factory's truck, arriving at our doorstep at three o'clock this afternoon to load things up. I came specifically to let you know, so I'll need your help later, Aunt and me. There's quite a lot of stuff."

"Bring your mother to the city?" Wei Changsheng was taken aback for a moment, then his smile widened, filled with genuine joy. "Great news! Excellent news! Chenzi, you've really made something of yourself! You've settled down in the city and brought your mother and sister to enjoy a comfortable life! Good! Truly good!"

He slapped Wei Chen's shoulder hard with his large, fan-like hand, making Wei Chen sway slightly. "Don't worry! Your aunt and I will definitely be there later! We also need to call your grandparents and let them share in the joy! This is a great occasion for our Wei family!"

Before the words were finished, the thick wooden door of the main house creaked open. Grandma, whose hair was almost completely white but who was still in good spirits, leaned out of the doorway, squinting as she looked into the yard: "Is that Chenzi? My dear grandson! Come in quickly, Grandma saved some roasted peanuts for you!" Grandpa also slowly strolled out, leaning on a jujube wood cane that had been worn smooth. His face, covered with deep wrinkles and age spots, had a kind smile as warm as the autumn sun.

"Grandpa! Grandma!" Wei Chen quickly stepped forward and reached out to support his grandmother's trembling arm. "We really can't go in. I still need to go to Uncle's house to let him know. I came back today to pick up my mother and Ranran to stay in the city. We'll leave as soon as the car arrives this afternoon."

"Oh my! My grandson!" Grandma grabbed Wei Chen's hand tightly, her thin fingers surprisingly strong, her cloudy eyes gleaming with joy. "You've really made our Wei family proud! You're so capable! You've settled down in the city and brought your mother and sister there! Good! Good!" She tried to stand on tiptoe, her age-spotted hands trembling as she reached for Wei Chen's head, wanting to touch it like she had when he was a child.

Grandpa puffed on his pipe, wisps of smoke rising from it. He nodded repeatedly, the wrinkles on his face smoothing out. "Hmm, good lad! You've got a sense of responsibility! Better than your father was back then!"

Wei Chen felt a warm glow in his heart. Seeing the genuine joy on the faces of the two elders, he said, "Grandpa, Grandma, why don't you two come and stay with us in the city for a while? My place is big enough and warm, much better than our village."

Grandma waved her hands repeatedly, beaming from ear to ear: "No, no! Your grandpa and I have spent our whole lives rolling around in this dirt, we're rooted here! These old arms and legs of ours can't take the bumps anymore! The city is too crowded, noisy with cars, it's too chaotic, we can't sleep soundly!"

She changed the subject, leaned closer to Wei Chen, lowered her voice, and said with a childlike teasing and anticipation, "Chenzi, when are you going to bring a granddaughter-in-law home for Grandma? When are you going to give me a chubby great-grandson to hold? When that happens, Grandma will risk all her old bones and go to the city to take care of your child! Holding my great-grandson every day, that's true happiness!"

Wei Chen blushed deeply at his grandmother's blunt urging him to get married, and scratched the back of his head awkwardly, "Grandma, this...this is still a long way off..."

"What do you mean 'early morning'!" Grandma playfully patted his arm. "When your dad was your age, you were already chasing chickens and dogs all over the yard! Hurry up! Grandma's waiting!"

Grandpa chuckled beside him, the firelight in his pipe flickering with his laughter. Wei Changsheng also laughed, "Mother, don't rush Chenzi. He's doing something really important in the city! Chenzi, you should go to Lao San's house quickly. I'll ask your aunt to get ready, and then we'll call Mom and Dad to come help! Your mother must have a lot of stuff!"

After saying goodbye to his uncle's family, Wei Chen turned another corner, passed through several narrow alleys, and arrived at his third uncle Wei Laishun's house.

My third uncle's yard wasn't big, but it was kept clean and tidy. My third uncle, Wei Laishun, was sitting on a small stool under the eaves, using the afternoon light to fidget with an old brass abacus, his brow slightly furrowed as he muttered to himself. My third aunt was clucking the chickens in the corner of the yard, scattering chaff on the ground.

"Third Uncle, Third Aunt!" Wei Chen called out from the courtyard gate.

Hearing the voice, Wei Laishun looked up and saw Wei Chen. A shrewd glint immediately flashed in his small eyes, and his face instantly broke into a warm smile. He put down his abacus and came forward to greet him: "Oh! Chenzi! What a rare guest! What brings you back today?"

Wei Chen understood perfectly. This third uncle was quick-witted and a little calculating, but he was genuinely good to his mother and son. "Third Uncle, I've come back to pick up my mother and Ranran to live in the city. A truck from the factory will be coming to our doorstep at three o'clock this afternoon to load things up. I'd like to ask you and my aunt to come over and help out later. There's a lot of stuff, and I'm afraid we won't be able to handle it all."

"Bring your sister-in-law to the city?" Wei Laishun laughed happily, his voice rising a few decibels. "That's great! It's fantastic! Chenzi, you've really made something of yourself! You've established yourself in the city and brought your mother and sister to enjoy a life of luxury! Okay! No problem! Your third uncle will definitely be there later! I'll lend a hand!" He patted his chest and assured him.

"Chenzi is back, come in and sit down!" Second Aunt greeted Wei Chen warmly.

"No, Auntie, I won't go in yet. I need to go back and help my mom pack her things later."

"Leaving today?" my second uncle asked. "What about the old house?"

"Let's leave the old house empty for now," Wei Chen replied. "Give the key to my uncle so he can look after it. That way, when I go to the countryside or when my mother wants to come back, she'll have a place to stay. My mother will take some of the things she needs, and the rest will just stay as they are."

Wei Laishun smiled broadly: "That's right, that's right! It should be kept! It'll be something to remember us by! Okay, Chenzi, you go back and help your mother pack. Your third aunt and I will tidy up and then head over!"

Just after two o'clock in the afternoon, Wei Chen's courtyard became lively. His eldest uncle, Wei Changsheng, and his aunt, as well as his third uncle, Wei Laishun, and his third aunt, had all arrived. His grandparents, supported by his eldest uncle, walked in shakily with their canes.

Looking at the whole family gathered together to help, Wang Xiulan felt both moved and saddened, and her eyes welled up with tears again. This familiar, lively scene would likely never return.

"Sister-in-law, stop daydreaming and hurry up! See if there's anything else that needs to be put away!" Auntie was a quick-witted and straightforward woman. She rolled up her sleeves and went into the house to check the unsealed bundles and baskets.

Everyone immediately sprang into action, busying themselves with the final sorting and packing. Wang Xiulan, however, couldn't put things down; her gaze kept lingering on the heavy household items. She bent down, intending to lift the cast iron pot in the corner, a pot that had been used for over twenty years, its bottom blackened and shiny from the firewood smoke.

"Mom," Wei Chen said quickly, stepping forward to hold his mother's hand. His voice was helpless but firm. "You really don't need to bring this pot. They use coal stoves in the city, and the burners are different. This pot won't be stable on them. I have a brand new pot. I also have a new whetstone. This earthenware pot..." He looked at the rough pottery jar with a chipped edge that his mother was trying to put into the basket. "Why are you bringing it? It's heavy and takes up space. We have everything in the city. You really don't need to bring these old things."