Rebirth in a Courtyard: I Am a Little Hunter

After seeing Wang Aiguo off, Wei Chen returned to the courtyard. Old Wu, Yan Jiecheng, Yan Jiefang, Liu Guangtian, Liu Guangfu, and Xiao Shitou, who had helped, were still there, their faces flushed from working, and their breath rising in the cold air.

Wei Chen took out the prepared cigarettes and candy from the inside pocket of his cotton-padded jacket. He first walked up to Old Wu and Yan Jiecheng, took out two cigarettes and handed them over: "Uncle Wu, Jiecheng, you've worked hard, have a cigarette to relax."

Yan Jiecheng was somewhat surprised, but then a happy expression appeared on his face. He took the cigarette and said, "Thanks, Brother Wei Chen!" He skillfully tucked the cigarette behind his ear without smoking it immediately. Old Wu didn't talk much, but after quitting smoking, he nodded and gave a simple, honest smile.

Wei Chen took out a few more hard fruit candies and gave two to Xiao Shitou first: "Shitou, thanks to you today, you were really quick! Here, have a sweet treat."

Little Stone smiled shyly, took the candy, and whispered, "Thank you, Brother Wei Chen." He clutched the candy tightly in his palm.

Wei Chen gave Yan Jiefang two more pieces of candy: "Jiefang, you've worked hard too."

Yan Jiefang happily accepted the candy: "Thank you, Brother Weichen!"

When it was Liu Guangfu's turn, Wei Chen gave him two pieces of candy: "Guangfu, here you go."

Just as Liu Guangfu was about to reach out to take it, Liu Guangtian puffed out his chest and said loudly, "Brother Weichen, I'm fifteen! I'm a grown man now! Even if I don't eat candy, I'll still smoke!" He had a "I'm very mature" expression on his face.

Yan Jiefang immediately joined in the commotion, pushing the candy he had just received forward: "Right, right! Brother Weichen, I'm fourteen now! I'm an adult now! I want a cigarette too! Give the candy to Guangfu!" He tried his best to appear more mature.

Wei Chen couldn't help but chuckle at the two teenagers' pretentious attempts at maturity. He didn't insist, shaking his head with a smile, and pulled two more cigarettes from his pack, handing one to Liu Guangtian and the other to Yan Jiefang: "Alright, you two are practically adults now, here you go! But be careful, don't let your dad smell it, or you'll get another beating!"

Liu Guangtian and Yan Jiefang happily accepted the cigarettes, mimicking the adults by proudly holding them between their fingers, chuckling and patting their chests to assure each other, "Don't worry, Brother Weichen! We're quick-witted!"

At this moment, thirteen-year-old Liu Guangfu couldn't stand it anymore. He stared longingly at the cigarette in his brother's hand and shouted, "Brother Weichen! I want a cigarette too! I'm all grown up now!"

Wei Chen chuckled and ruffled his hair: "Go away! You little brat! You're not even fully grown yet! Just eat your candy! We'll talk about it when you're as tall as your brother!"

It's not uncommon for a fourteen or fifteen-year-old boy to sneak a cigarette in this day and age, but Wei Chen can't bear the reputation of setting a bad example for a thirteen-year-old. The neighbors' spittle could drown him.

Liu Guangfu pouted, feeling a little wronged, but knowing he was in the wrong, he had no choice but to unwrap the candy, stuff it into his mouth, and puff out his cheeks.

The commotion attracted several younger children in the courtyard. Yan Jiekuang and Yan Jiedi, from Yan Bugui's family, were six and five years old respectively, clinging to their doorframe and watching intently. Banggeng, from Jia Dongxu's family, was only three years old and toddled over, standing a short distance away and sucking his fingers as he watched.

Wei Chen saw this, smiled and walked over, took out a few more pieces of candy from his pocket, and gave one to each of Yan Jiekuang and Yan Jiedi: "Jiekuang, Jiedi, here, have some."

The two children timidly accepted the candy, looked up at each other, and surprisingly said in unison, "Thank you, Brother Weichen!" Although the Third Uncle's family lived frugally, they had not neglected their family rules and etiquette.

Wei Chen took out another piece of candy, squatted down, and waved to Xiao Banggeng: "Banggeng, here, this is for you."

Little Banggeng looked at the candy in Wei Chen's hand, then at the Yan siblings, hesitated for a moment, then ran over with his short legs, took the candy with his little hand, and said in a childish voice, "Thank...thank you, Brother Wei Chen!" He looked chubby and had clear eyes. He hadn't been completely corrupted by Jia Zhangshi yet, and he still had a bit of childlike innocence and cuteness.

"Good boy!" Wei Chen smiled and patted his little head.

The children received the candy and immediately cheered. Like a flock of happy little birds, they chirped and ran off, leaving a string of innocent laughter in the cold air.

Wei Chen straightened up and saw that the third aunt was still inside the house, enthusiastically helping his mother put things away and occasionally handing her a cup and pouring her some hot water.

He went into the house, took out a small handful of candy from his pocket, about five or six pieces, and stuffed it into the hands of the third aunt: "Third aunt, we are so grateful for your help today! Please take this candy and give it to them to sweeten their mouths. Thank you also for taking care of my mother and sister."

The old woman's eyes lit up when she saw the small handful of candy in her hand. Her smile bloomed like a chrysanthemum, but she kept saying politely, "Oh! Wei Chen, look at you! You're too kind! We're neighbors, lending a hand is just what we should do! I'm so embarrassed..."

That's what he said, but his hands quickly stuffed the candy into his apron pocket, and he was already calculating in his mind: Jie Cheng, Jie Fang, Jie Kuang, Jie Di, plus the old man, that's one piece for each person and there's still some left! This Wei Chen is indeed a generous man!

Watching the three aunts leave with satisfaction, Wei Chen chuckled inwardly. This Yan family really doesn't act until they see a clear benefit. The younger ones who helped today, plus the three aunts, all got a share; not a single piece of candy was missed.

With a creak, Wei Chen carefully closed the small side door and bolted it shut. Inside the main room, only the mother and her two children remained, along with the luggage and bundles piled on the floor, still carrying the dusty scent of their hometown.

Outside, the courtyard was completely shrouded in twilight, and the windows of each house gradually emitted a warm, dim light, from which the sounds of pots and pans clattering and indistinct voices could be faintly heard.

Their brand-new city life quietly began amidst this unfamiliar yet bustling atmosphere. Wang Xiulan looked at the closed door, then at her two children beside her, and let out a long, silent sigh.

Wei Chen carefully closed the small south-facing side door leading to the outside world. The heavy wooden door creaked, shutting out the rising chill wind from the alley and the hustle and bustle of the city as dusk settled. The latch clicked down, as if sealing the first door of peace for this small home.

Under the dim yellow light, dust motes danced silently in the beams of light. The sudden silence of the space made Wang Xiulan and Wei Ran, who were new to the place, feel a sense of unfamiliarity and disorientation.

Wei Ran looked around the main room with curiosity and a little timidity. It was much brighter and more tidy than the house in the countryside. Her eyes lingered on the unfamiliar tables, chairs and benches.

"Mom, Ranran, come on, let me show you around." Wei Chen broke the brief silence with a gentle smile, trying to dispel the lingering unease in his mother's brow and the curiosity and confusion in his sister's eyes.

He first walked to the moon gate (hanging flower gate) that led from the courtyard to the main courtyard. This gate was exquisitely crafted, with thick and heavy door panels, and simple ruyi patterns were carved on it.

"This is the moon gate leading to the main courtyard. I added a big gate, and now our little courtyard is our own. We usually go in and out this way. After all, we are in a big courtyard and we are subject to the management of the elders. We also have to get along with our neighbors, so we usually go this way."

As Wei Chen spoke, he pulled out the key and handed it to his mother, Wang Xiulan's, rough hand. "Mom, please keep this key. It's the key to our front door." The cool metallic touch made Wang Xiulan instinctively tighten her grip.

Then, he walked to the small south-facing side door where they had unloaded their things, took out a slightly smaller key, and unlocked it. "This door isn't usually opened; it's mainly for moving large items. You can take the key too."

He placed the second key in his mother's palm as well. The two heavy brass keys, with the unique coolness and weight of metal, lay quietly in the lines of Wang Xiulan's palm, like a weighty entrustment, or a certificate to start a new life.

Wang Xiulan looked down, her fingers unconsciously tracing the fine lines on the key. The feeling of being adrift and helpless seemed to be somewhat diluted by this tangible "doorway".

"Come on, Mom, I'll show you the cellar." Wei Chen picked up a flashlight leaning against the wall and pushed open an inconspicuous, low wooden door next to the kitchen. A unique smell, a mixture of earth, vegetables, and coal, wafted out. He went down the steep wooden ladder first, the beam of his flashlight cutting a bright path through the darkness.

Wang Xiulan followed nervously behind her son, carefully holding onto the damp, cold earthen wall as she slowly descended. Wei Ran, curious, wanted to follow, but Wei Chen stopped her: "Ranran, you wait up there. It's dark down there, don't fall."

The cellar wasn't large, but it was quite deep. The walls were roughly constructed with bricks, making it appear rather neat. A flashlight beam swept across the cellar, revealing several large vats filled with rice, flour, cornmeal, and other grains prepared by Wei Chen, as well as several large willow baskets filled to the brim with large, moist cabbages, their green leaves looking exceptionally fresh and tender in the light.

There were also several burlap sacks, their openings open, revealing plump potatoes and round radishes inside. Next to them were a few small jars, from which one could faintly smell the distinctive salty aroma of pickled vegetables.

"Mom, look," Wei Chen's gaze lingered on the grain and winter-stored vegetables, "this coal will last for a while. The cabbage, potatoes, and radishes were all stored before winter; enough to eat. Those jars over there are pickled mustard greens and mustard tubers. Our family's food supplies, and these winter provisions, are all here. We're all set!"

By the light, Wang Xiulan carefully examined the stock in the cellar. When she saw the neatly stacked and plentiful winter vegetables, her heart, which had been hanging in suspense, finally settled down with a thud.

In the countryside, whether you can survive the winter depends on whether you have enough food stored in the cellar. What she saw before her was even more abundant and well-organized than she had expected!

Her son had truly settled the family in! She reached out and gently touched the cool, smooth grain jar, then weighed the heavy potatoes in her hand. Finally, a truly relaxed smile, filled with relief and contentment, appeared on her face for the first time that day.

Wei Chen took his mother to see the cellar mainly to put her mind at ease.