Rebirth in a Courtyard: I Am a Little Hunter

Inside the kitchen, the stove fire roared, creating a warm and cozy atmosphere, completely masking the biting cold wind outside. The family of three sat around the stove, making dumplings, chatting and laughing, enjoying each other's company.

As Wei Chen listened to his mother reminiscing about the past and expressing her hopes for the New Year; as his younger sister talked about the fun things at school and her own New Year's wishes; and as he felt the warm atmosphere around him, his heart was filled with an unprecedented sense of peace and happiness.

Without the backstabbing and intrigue of the workplace, without the hardship and pressure of survival, without the scheming and difficult neighbors in the courtyard, only family by his side and the warmth of everyday life, this was the most peaceful and reassuring moment he had experienced since his transmigration.

He finally understood that the meaning of his journey to this world was not just to survive, but also to protect his family, give them a stable and prosperous home, and prevent them from suffering again.

By the time we finished making dumplings, it was already noon.

Wei Chen didn't rest and started preparing the dishes for the New Year's Eve dinner again.

In previous years, it was considered good if every household could have one meat dish during the Spring Festival. But this year, Wei Chen plans to cook a large and sumptuous New Year's Eve dinner so that his mother and sister can have a good meal and have a lively New Year.

He took out the pre-prepared ingredients from the storage room: stewed pork ribs, braised pork belly, stir-fried wild rabbit, braised pheasant, clear chicken soup, braised fish, stir-fried seasonal vegetables, and cold dishes—a total of eight dishes, a combination of meat and vegetables, symbolizing a prosperous and happy new year.

Wei Chen's cooking skills are not top-notch, but the ingredients themselves are of high quality, and with his careful cooking, every dish is fresh, fragrant and delicious.

In the kitchen, pots and pans clattered, wisps of smoke curled, and the aroma filled the air. In the stew pot, pork ribs and chicken broth simmered, the meat tender and flavorful; in the iron pot, braised pork belly gleamed reddish-brown, rich yet not greasy; stir-fried wild rabbit was firm and spicy; and the whole braised fish, tender and flavorful, symbolized abundance year after year.

The rich aroma of meat and vegetables wafted from the kitchen in the east wing, filling the entire courtyard and reaching the noses of every household.

The smell of the aroma made Jia Zhangshi in the front yard so jealous that she stomped her feet and kept cursing, but she didn't dare to go to the door. Yi Zhonghai sat in the house, listening to the commotion in the east wing and smelling the tempting aroma. His face was so gloomy that it could drip water. Sha Zhu and Qin Huairu's family were also tempted by the aroma, but they could only sigh helplessly.

Everyone in the hospital was envious, but everyone knew that Wei Chen was not someone to be trifled with, so they could only watch helplessly and dared not have any improper thoughts.

Meanwhile, in the east courtyard, Wei Chen and his family of three were enjoying their own happiness and peace amidst the fragrant aroma.

After finishing preparing all the food, the sky gradually darkened, and New Year's Eve officially arrived.

The sound of firecrackers outside rose and fell, echoing through the sky, while colorful fireworks burst in the night sky from time to time, illuminating the entire capital city and bringing the festive atmosphere to its peak.

Wei Chen took out the firecrackers and fireworks he had prepared in advance and brought his younger sister Wei Ran to the courtyard.

Looking at the long string of firecrackers and colorful fireworks on the ground, Wei Ran felt both excited and scared. She clung tightly to Wei Chen's clothes, hiding behind her brother, peeking out with her bright eyes.

"Brother, be careful," Wei Ran whispered to him.

"Don't worry, it's fine." Wei Chen smiled and patted his sister's head, picked up an incense stick, bent down and lit the fuse of the firecracker.

Shila-

The fuse ignited rapidly, sparks flying everywhere. Wei Chen quickly retreated a few steps, shielding Wei Ran behind him.

Crackle! Crackle!

A deafening sound of firecrackers rang out instantly, the bright red firecrackers exploded, sparks flew everywhere, and scraps of paper flew in all directions. The thick smell of gunpowder mixed with a festive atmosphere filled the courtyard.

The loud sound of firecrackers drove away all the hardships and setbacks of the past, and all the unease and anxiety, ushering in the good fortune and prosperity of the new year. It foreshadows that the future days of Wei Chen's family will surely be prosperous and thriving.

Wei Ran covered her ears and leaned against Wei Chen, watching the lively firecrackers. Her little face was full of excitement and joy, and her clear laughter was particularly clear amidst the sound of the firecrackers.

After the firecrackers were finished, Wei Chen lit the fireworks he had prepared.

Whoosh—Bang!

Fireworks soared into the night sky, blooming in the darkness with vibrant colors—red, yellow, blue, and green. Each firework blossomed and faded, illuminating every corner of the east courtyard and the happy smiles of the family of three.

Wang Xiulan stood at the doorway, watching the dazzling fireworks in the night sky and seeing the happy faces of her two children. Her eyes welled up with tears, but her face was filled with happiness. In her entire life, she had never seen such beautiful fireworks, nor had she ever felt such a strong festive atmosphere. All of this was brought to her by her son.

The light from the fireworks illuminated Wei Chen's face. He looked at his family and the festive atmosphere in the courtyard, his heart filled with tenderness and determination.

The loneliness of his past life and the hardships he endured at the beginning of his transmigration were completely soothed by the warmth of his family and the happiness before him. In this world, he finally had a home that truly belonged to him, and someone he wanted to protect for the rest of his life.

Even after the fireworks ended, the courtyard was still filled with the festive smell of gunpowder, and red confetti was scattered all over the ground, like a red carpet, making it especially festive.

The family returned home and officially began their New Year's Eve dinner.

In the main room of the house, a bright lantern hung, its soft, warm light illuminating the entire room. A square wooden table was laden with a sumptuous feast; eight bowls of dishes steamed hot, their aroma filling the air, and in the center were plates of snow-white dumplings, looking absolutely mouthwatering.

On the table, bowls and chopsticks were neatly arranged, along with peanuts, melon seeds, and candies prepared by Wei Chen, exuding a sense of reunion and celebration.

Wang Xiulan, Wei Chen, and Wei Ran, a family of three, sat around the dining table, their faces beaming with happiness as they looked at the abundant food on the table.

This was the most sumptuous, dignified, and happiest New Year's Eve dinner their family had ever had.

"Mom, Ranran, Happy New Year." Wei Chen picked up the glass of warm water in front of him, using water instead of wine, and spoke first, his eyes gentle yet firm. "Today is the first New Year our family is spending in Beijing, and it's also the first New Year our family is truly reunited in. We don't have to live through those hard times anymore. From now on, I will work hard to make our family's life better and better, so that Mom and Ranran will never have to suffer again and can always be this happy."

Wang Xiulan picked up her cup, her eyes red-rimmed, her voice slightly choked with emotion, yet full of relief: "Good, good, Happy New Year! Mom doesn't ask for anything, just that our family is healthy and safe, that's more important than anything else. Xiaochen, you're so successful, Mom and Ranran are enjoying the good life because of you."

"Happy New Year, brother! Happy New Year, mom!" Wei Ran raised her small water cup, her little face full of seriousness. "I will definitely study hard in the future, and when I grow up, I will take good care of my brother and mom. May our family always be this happy, and may we be able to eat such delicious food every year!"

The three water glasses gently tapped together, making a crisp sound.

This collision marks the end of past suffering, a testament to present happiness, and the beginning of a bright future.

It has no fine wine, yet it is more intoxicating than fine wine; it has no extravagant setup, yet it is more satisfying than any grand feast.

The family started eating and happily enjoyed their New Year's Eve dinner.

Wang Xiulan kept serving food to Wei Chen and Wei Ran, putting large pieces of pork ribs, the tenderest chicken, and plump dumplings into their bowls, while she herself could hardly eat a few bites, her eyes full of love for her children.

Wei Ran ate until her little mouth was greasy and her cheeks were bulging. As she ate, she kept praising, "It's so delicious! Brother's cooking is so delicious! Mom's dumplings are delicious too!"

As Wei Chen ate, he served food to his mother and sister, putting the best dishes into their bowls. Seeing them eat with satisfaction filled him with immense happiness.

He ate the food in front of him, looked at his family around him, and felt the warmth of the house, completely letting down his guard and letting go of all his fatigue. There was no poverty of lacking food and clothing, no scheming or difficult neighbors, no worries about making a living, no concerns about safety, only family by his side, no worries about food and clothing, warmth and peace, this was the life he had always dreamed of.

Halfway through the meal, Wei Chen took out two pre-prepared red envelopes from his pocket and handed them to his mother and sister respectively.

The red envelope he gave his mother was a thick stack of money he had saved up over this period. He knew his mother was reluctant to spend money, so he specially gave it to her so she could buy whatever she wanted and enjoy life without having to scrimp and save anymore.

The red envelope given to his younger sister, Wei Ran, contained not only money but also a handful of sweet candies—things that little girls in this era craved most.

"Mom, this is your New Year's red envelope. Take it and buy whatever you want. Ranran, this is your New Year's red envelope. Happy New Year, study hard, and be happy every day."

"Thank you, brother!" Wei Ran took the red envelope, hugged it tightly to her chest, and jumped up and down with joy. She carefully put the red envelope into the inner pocket of her cotton-padded jacket, as if afraid of losing it. She treasured it like a precious gem.

Wang Xiulan was deeply moved as she looked at the thick red envelope her son handed her. She tried to refuse it, saying repeatedly, "Give me back the red envelope. Mom doesn't need money. Mom has money. Keep it for yourself. We still need money for household expenses."

"Mom, please take this. It's from my heart. I can earn money now, and we don't lack anything at home. You can just relax and enjoy your life." Wei Chen stuffed the red envelope into his mother's hand, his tone firm.

Looking at her son's determined eyes, Wang Xiulan finally accepted the red envelope, clutching it tightly in her hand. Her eyes welled up with tears again, and her heart was filled with warmth.

The family ate and chatted for a long time during the New Year's Eve dinner.

From past hardships to present happiness, and then to future hopes, laughter never ceased inside the house. The cold wind and chill outside, as well as the plight and scheming of the other people in the courtyard, were irrelevant to them. This small east wing was their warmest and most secure haven.

After finishing their New Year's Eve dinner, it was completely dark outside, and the sound of firecrackers outside gradually subsided. Many families had already turned off their lights and gone to bed, but the lights in Wei Chen's house were still on, warm and bright.