Rebirth in a Courtyard: I Am a Little Hunter

Wei Chen carefully chose his words, "Next time... I'll try to find a way to get more dried sweet potatoes, bean cakes, or other stuff that will stave off hunger, and have someone bring them back. You and Uncle San's family should also try to find ways to plant whatever you can around the house. This difficult time... will eventually pass."

He didn't mention meat or wheat flour; those were too conspicuous. Sweet potato chips and bean cakes, though coarse, were life-saving staples in rural areas during that era, and their origin was relatively easy to explain.

Wei Changsheng's eyes lit up, as if he had seen a glimmer of light in the darkness. He patted Wei Chen's shoulder forcefully: "Chen'er! Good boy! Hearing you say that... makes your uncle feel much more at ease!"

He knew his nephew was capable; these words weren't empty promises. Wei Laishun also looked up, his gaze towards Wei Chen filled with gratitude: "Chen'er... Third Uncle... Thank you!"

Grandpa Wei Shoutian finally put down his pipe, his cloudy but still sharp eyes looking at Wei Chen. He slowly nodded and said only three words: "Be careful." This was a reminder, but also the greatest support.

The heavy topic was temporarily set aside, and the atmosphere eased somewhat. Everyone chatted about village gossip, who got married, who had a baby, and although it revealed the hardships involved, it still carried a sense of everyday life.

Wei Feng and Wei Yan also mustered up their courage and asked about things in the city. Wei Chen picked out what he could say and described the factories, buildings, and cars to them. The two teenagers were so captivated that they temporarily forgot their current difficulties.

In the kitchen, the dishes and chopsticks had already been cleaned up. Wang Xiulan, her aunt, and her third aunt carefully put the remaining fried sauce into an earthenware jar.

Aunt Zhao Jinhua took out a rough porcelain bowl, hesitated for a moment, and then carefully cut off about two or three pounds of lean and fatty meat from the ten pounds of meat. She wrapped it in oil paper and handed it to her third aunt, Li Xiuzhi.

"Xiuzhi, take this and make some soup for the children to nourish them." Zhao Jinhua's voice was not loud, but it carried an air of unyielding authority.

Li Xiuzhi's eyes reddened, and her lips trembled. She wanted to refuse, but looking at her son Weiguo and youngest son Weimin, who were eagerly eyeing the meat, she finally accepted it with trembling hands, holding it tightly in her arms as if it were a lifeline. Her voice was choked with sobs: "Thank you, sister-in-law... thank you..." Wang Xiulan also gave a bag of the snacks she brought to her third aunt: "Give the children something sweet."

The warm afternoon sun shone through the windows covered with old newspapers, casting dappled shadows on the floor of the main room. The air still held the rich aroma of fried noodles with soybean paste and the spicy aftertaste of roasted sweet potatoes, mixed with the smell of dry tobacco, creating a unique and warm atmosphere of "home".

The dishes and chopsticks had already been cleared away. The women sat on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed) chatting quietly about needlework and the latest gossip in the village. The men sat around the octagonal table, and the heavy topics seemed to be temporarily suppressed by the laziness after a full meal and the warmth of family affection.

Wei Chen looked at the sun outside the window, estimating the time. He stood up, walked to his mother Wang Xiulan, and whispered, "Mom, I was thinking of going to the mountain to visit Master Zhao. The factory will reopen on the third day of the Lunar New Year, so I'm afraid I won't have time to come back."

Wang Xiulan immediately understood, her eyes revealing understanding and a hint of heartache: "You should go see your master. He lives alone on the mountain, in this freezing weather... Go quickly and come back quickly, don't be late for your return to the city." She knew that her son had a deep respect for Zhao Gensheng, the master who taught him hunting skills and who was aloof but warm-hearted.

"Yes, I know." Wei Chen nodded. He walked to the luggage he had brought and took out a rectangular box carefully wrapped in kraft paper. Inside were exquisite pastries bought in the city. He also took out two bottles of "Erguotou" liquor with red labels that looked expensive.

Snacks are for the master to sweeten his palate, but wine is his true love. For an old hunter like Zhao Gensheng, there is no shortage of meat in the mountains, but this mellow and fragrant wine is a rare comfort in the austere life of the mountains.

"Grandpa, Grandma, Uncle, Third Uncle, I'm going to see Master Zhao." Wei Chen said goodbye to his elders.

"Go on, go on, give our regards to Brother Zhao." Grandpa Wei Shoutian tapped his pipe and instructed, "The mountain road is slippery, be careful."

"Chen'er, please thank Master Zhao for taking care of us before!" Uncle Wei Changsheng added. Everyone in the village knew that Zhao Gensheng had a strange temper, but he was very skilled. It was a rare opportunity for Wei Chen to learn from him.

Wei Chen agreed, carrying the snacks and wine. He lifted the heavy cotton curtain, and a biting gust of cold wind immediately rushed in, dispelling the warmth in the room. He tightened the collar of his cotton-padded coat, strode out of the courtyard, and headed towards the silent, towering mountain behind the village.

The path leading up the mountain was already covered by a thick layer of snow, with only a few scattered animal tracks and the shallow footprints Wei Chen had made earlier. The cold wind howled through the forest, whipping up snow that felt like knives scraping against the face. All around was silent except for the sound of the wind and the occasional crack of a snow-laden branch breaking under its weight. Far removed from the hustle and bustle of the village, a sense of desolate loneliness welled up within them.

After walking for about half an hour, in a sheltered hollow halfway up the mountain, several simple huts built against the mountainside and constructed of large logs and stones came into view. The roofs were covered with thick snow, and wisps of smoke rose from the chimneys, indicating that someone lived there. A small clearing in front of the huts had been cleared and was piled with chopped firewood. This was the home of hunter Zhao Gensheng.

Wei Chen walked to the front of the house, and before he could knock, the heavy wooden door, covered with animal hides, creaked open from the inside. A figure appeared in the doorway.

The newcomer was tall and robust, wearing a thick, shiny fur coat, with a leather belt around his waist and a gleaming hunting knife tucked into it.

His face was etched with deep wrinkles, like the ravines of a mountain cliff, but his eyes, sharp as a hawk's, were fixed intently on Wei Chen. His gray hair and beard were somewhat disheveled, and he exuded a fierce, unapproachable aura. He was none other than Wei Chen's master, Zhao Gensheng.

"You're here?" Zhao Gensheng's voice was low and hoarse, like sandpaper rubbing against wood. There were no pleasantries, only two simple words.

"Master," Wei Chen greeted respectfully, a smile spreading across his face as he waved the items in his hand, "I brought you some snacks and wine from the city."

Zhao Gensheng's gaze swept over the items in Wei Chen's hands, lingering for a moment on the two bottles of wine. His face, which seemed perpetually expressionless and frozen like earth, appeared to show no change in expression, but Wei Chen keenly caught a fleeting, almost imperceptible warmth in his master's hawk-like eyes, like a warm current quietly surging beneath the ice.

"Okay. Come in, it's cold outside." Zhao Gensheng stepped aside, making way for the doorway.

The small house was not large, and its furnishings were extremely simple, even rudimentary. A large hearth that occupied nearly half of the room was burning with thick pine wood, and the leaping flames illuminated the entire house in an intermittent manner, providing enough heat to dispel the bitter cold.

The walls were covered with various animal hides, dried meat strips, several hunting bows of different sizes, and a row of arrows gleaming coldly. In the corner were piles of animal bones, tanned leather tools, and some miscellaneous hunting equipment.

The air was thick with the smells of pine resin, smoke, leather, and a faint, pungent odor belonging to wild beasts. This was a world purely for hunters.

Zhao Gensheng gestured for Wei Chen to sit on a wooden stool covered with animal hide by the fire pit, while he himself sat opposite him. Wei Chen placed the snacks and wine on a rough wooden table next to them.

"How's it going in the city?" Zhao Gensheng picked up the fire tongs and poked at the firewood in the hearth, sparks crackling and popping. He asked without looking up.

"It's alright, Master. I work as a fitter in the steel rolling mill. The job is stable, and I can support myself, my mother, and my sister," Wei Chen replied simply. He knew his master didn't like to hear nonsense.

"Hmm," Zhao Gensheng snorted in response. After a moment of silence, he asked again, "The skills... haven't been lost, have they?"

"I haven't lost it, Master. I have fewer opportunities to go into the mountains, but I dare not forget the basic skills. In fact, I go up the mountain quite often to find meat for the factory." Wei Chen knew that his master was asking about the hunting skills he had taught him, such as tracking, traps, and archery.

Zhao Gensheng seemed satisfied and stopped talking. He picked up a bottle of wine from the table, his rough fingers rubbing the smooth label on the bottle, and then with a "pop," he bit open the cap with his teeth.

The strong aroma of wine instantly filled the small house, overpowering other smells. He then pulled out two rough earthenware bowls from somewhere, poured most of them out without washing them, and pushed one bowl in front of Wei Chen.

"Drink." The commanding tone left no room for argument.

Wei Chen picked up the bowl, knowing this was his master's way of expressing affection. The spicy liquid slid down his throat, bringing a burning sensation, but it quickly turned into a warm current that spread throughout his body.

"Good wine!" Wei Chen praised.

Zhao Gensheng didn't say anything, but picked up the bowl, tilted his head back and gulped down a big mouthful, his Adam's apple bobbing violently as he let out a satisfied sigh.

The firelight illuminated his bronze face, making the deep wrinkles seem to smooth out a bit. After a few sips of strong liquor, the atmosphere in the cabin seemed to warm up considerably.

The master and apprentice sat around the fire pit, chatting idly. Wei Chen recounted his observations of factories in the city, and Zhao Gensheng would occasionally hum in agreement or offer a brief comment. Most of the time, however, there was silence, broken only by the crackling of the burning firewood and the howling wind outside. But this silence wasn't awkward; rather, it flowed with an unspoken understanding and trust.

After a few sips of wine, Wei Chen remembered something important. He put down his bowl, leaned forward slightly, and lowered his voice: "Master, there's something I need to tell you."

Zhao Gensheng lifted his eyelids, his sharp gaze fixed on him, signaling him to speak.

"I... by chance, got a good dog." Wei Chen carefully chose his words. "The dog... its origin is a bit hard to say openly. I'll just tell everyone that you, sir, saw that I often have to rely on hunting for missions, so you specially found and bred it for me. If anyone asks... just give a nod, don't reveal the truth."

He's trying to find a proper "registration" for the giant yellow creature summoned in the game world.