Rebirth in a Courtyard: I Am a Little Hunter

Seeing the reluctance and excitement in Sha Zhu's eyes, Yi Zhonghai knew the time was ripe. He said in a seemingly casual but actually thoughtful tone, "Zhu Zi, you are the head chef of the cafeteria, you have skills, eat in the cafeteria."

In this situation, even with the cafeteria in a tight spot, it's common for you chefs to bring back leftovers or less-than-perfect dishes—it's an unspoken perk.

He deliberately pointed out that "everyone understands this implicitly," both to provide a reasonable excuse for Sha Zhu's behavior and to imply that it wasn't a big mistake. "Even if you have a big appetite, how much can those two lunchboxes hold? Sometimes there's too much, and if you can't finish it, it'll just go bad and be a waste."

You're a kind-hearted child, you can't bear to see people suffer. If... if it's convenient, could you occasionally... share a little with the Jia family? Even if it's just... helping your sister Qin, saving the child. As for Dongxu, I'll talk to him, tell him to remember your kindness and keep it in mind. Also, tell him to keep an eye on his mother, so she won't cause trouble all the time and act recklessly with you again.”

Sha Zhu was fueled by the alcohol and the "tragic scenes" described by Yi Zhonghai, his blood boiling and his heart filled with heroic spirit.

Hearing Yi Zhonghai say this, he didn't even think twice. He slammed his wine glass on the table with a loud "bang," patted his chest, and spoke with unusual firmness despite his slightly slurred speech: "Hey! I thought it was something serious! That's it? No problem! Leave it to me! Don't worry, old man! It's just some leftovers!"

Anyway, there's always leftovers in the cafeteria. If I don't bring them back, those guys will just benefit! As long as Dongxu doesn't mind that they're leftovers, it's fine! Sister Qin... she's had such a hard life, I should help her out whenever I can! I, Shazhu, may not be good at much else, but I can't stand seeing honest people being bullied!

The heavy weight that had been hanging over Yi Zhonghai's heart finally lifted, stirring up a cloud of triumphant dust. His face immediately lit up with a mixture of gratitude, relief, and the excitement of "I didn't misjudge him." He picked up the nearly empty glass of wine in front of him, his voice trembling slightly (this time, it was a bit of an overacting performance): "Zhuzi! Good boy! On behalf of Dongxu, Huairu, and those children, thank you! The Jia family will remember this kindness for a lifetime!" With that, he tilted his head back and downed the remaining wine in his glass, coughing a few times from the spiciness, his eyes reddening even more.

Sha Zhu quickly downed his drink, the alcohol making him flushed. He felt a surge of heroic spirit, as if he were performing a chivalrous act to save someone from dire straits. "Uncle, don't be so polite! It's nothing! We're neighbors, we should help each other out!"

This "thank yousit" and "alliance" banquet, each with its own hidden agenda, finally came to an end as the moon hung high in the sky. Dazed and unsteady, Sha Zhu returned to his small, bachelor-like room, collapsed into bed, and seemed to mumble in his sleep, "Sister Qin...don't be afraid...Zhu Zi's here..."

As for Yi Zhonghai, after seeing Sha Zhu off and closing the door, the drunkenness and excitement on his face vanished instantly, leaving only deep exhaustion and a cold smugness in his eyes.

He slowly sat back in his chair, met the worried gaze of the older woman, and whispered his instructions, his voice calm and utterly unwavering: "From now on, with Zhuzi bringing back lunchboxes, the Jia family's situation should be a little better! They won't have to worry about our meager food every day! When no one's around, also remind Huai Ru to be smart. When Sha Zhu brings back leftovers, have her accept them and say nice things to him; he'll fall for that!"

An elderly woman stood there blankly, holding a rag, staring at her husband's profile, which flickered in the oil lamplight. That familiar face was now filled with unfamiliar calculation and indifference.

Her lips trembled as she tried to say something, such as "Zhu Zi has it tough too," "Won't this cause trouble?" or "The Jia family is a bottomless pit"... But in the end, all the words stuck in her throat, turning into a faint, almost inaudible sigh.

She silently turned around and began to tidy up the mess of dishes. The cold well water washed away the grease stains on the rims, but it couldn't wash away the heaviness and unease in her heart. Ever since that money was lost, it seemed as if something else had been lost with the house, something that could never be found again.

The next day, the late autumn sun was pale and weak. Sha Zhu rubbed his still throbbing temples as he went to work. A cold wind blew, and the heroic ambitions of the night before seemed to clear his mind a bit, but Yi Zhonghai's words and the grateful smile that Qin Huairu might show still warmed his heart.

Upon arriving at the canteen, he changed into his greasy work clothes and began his busy day. Kneading dough, chopping vegetables, cooking in large pots... Amidst the swirling smoke, he subconsciously began to notice the "leftovers."

At noon, after thousands of workers flooded in and out like a tide, the bottom of the large pot would always be left with some poorly presented dishes—potato slices that were overcooked and turned slightly black, cabbage stalks that were stewed until they were too soft and didn't look very appealing, or the few remaining bits of meat scraps from stir-fried soybeans with meat scraps. In the past, these things would either be divided up by the canteen staff or mixed together and disposed of at the end.

Today, Sha Zhu deliberately found a quiet corner and took out his two dented but shiny aluminum lunchboxes.

He glanced around and, seeing that no one was paying particular attention, quickly scooped the still edible "leftovers" into the lunchbox, packed them down, and put the lid on.

He then casually grabbed two slightly cracked but definitely not spoiled steamed buns made from two different types of dough and stuffed them deep into his canvas satchel. The movements were practiced and discreet, a tacit "skill" shared by the cafeteria chefs.

Today, however, he did it with extra care, thinking about how Sister Qin and the children might feel when they got a taste of the food, and even felt that his actions had taken on a "sacred" quality.

After get off work in the afternoon, his bulging canvas bag felt heavier than usual. Sha Zhu carried the bag out of the back door of the cafeteria, facing the biting autumn wind. The unease in his heart was replaced by a warmth mixed with loyalty, pity, and a vague expectation.

The autumn dusk came exceptionally early. Sha Zhu, carrying his bulging canvas satchel with two aluminum lunchboxes inside, made a slight clinking sound with his steps as he returned to the courtyard house.

In the cold air, the faint aroma of oily meat emanating from the lunchbox was irresistibly tempting to hungry people.

As soon as he entered the courtyard, he saw Qin Huairu standing next to his own door, holding a basin and pretending to wash clothes by the pool. The water was icy cold, and her hands were red with cold. Her movements were somewhat absent-minded, and her eyes kept drifting towards the direction of the hanging flower gate.

Upon seeing Sha Zhu's figure, Qin Huairu's eyes lit up slightly, but she quickly lowered her head again, her hands unconsciously quickening their scrubbing motions. However, her thin shoulders shivered slightly in the cold wind, adding to her pitiful appearance. She had clearly received a hint from Yi Zhonghai or the older woman and was waiting here on purpose.

Sha Zhu's heart skipped a beat, and he quickened his pace. Reaching her, he stopped and deliberately cleared his throat: "Sister Qin, washing clothes in this cold weather?"

Qin Huairu seemed to only just notice him. She looked up, a weak smile appearing on her pale face, her eyes still slightly red (whether from the cold or something else, it was unclear): "It's Zhuzi, just got off work? I... I quickly washed Banggeng's dirty clothes before it got completely dark. That kid's naughty, he's filthy by the end of the day." Her voice was soft, a little hoarse, like a spider's silk about to break in autumn.

Looking at her hands, which were red and even cracked from the cold, and her face, which was noticeably more haggard than when they last met, Sha Zhu felt an overwhelming surge of pity and a sense of responsibility as a "man."

He looked around and, seeing that there weren't many people in the courtyard, lowered his voice and said with a hint of eagerness, as if he wanted to take credit: "Sister Qin, well... I brought some leftovers from the cafeteria today. It's not much, but at least it has some oil. You and the kids... can make do with it to supplement your diet." As he spoke, he went to unbutton his satchel.

Qin Huairu's eyes immediately welled up with tears. It wasn't an act; she was genuinely touched by this sudden "assistance" and Sha Zhu's undisguised concern, which touched the most vulnerable chord in her heart.

She quickly put down the wet clothes in her hands, wiped her hands on the old apron, took a small step forward, and spoke in an even softer voice, filled with gratitude and timid probing: "Zhuzi... this... how can we accept this? You've had it so hard... how can we ever repay you..." As she spoke, tears actually rolled down her cheeks, shimmering in the dim light of the day.

Sha Zhu had never seen anything like this before. He panicked and frantically pulled two still-warm aluminum lunchboxes from his bag, shoving them into Qin Huairu's hands. "Sister Qin, don't cry! What's the big deal? It's just leftovers! It's a waste if I can't finish them all! Take them and give them to the kids while they're still hot!"

In his haste, his hand accidentally brushed against Qin Huairu's fingers as she took the lunchbox. Those fingers were icy cold, damp with laundry water, delicate yet chilly to the touch. A tingling, electric sensation shot from his fingertips to Sha Zhu's heart, making him stiffen and his face flush red.

Qin Huairu seemed to be burned as well, her fingers slightly twitching, but she quickly caught the lunchbox. The lunchbox was heavy, and its warmth seeped through the aluminum sheet to her cold palm, bringing a long-lost, reassuring warmth.

She raised her tear-filled eyes and looked deeply at Sha Zhu, her gaze a mixture of gratitude, vulnerability, dependence, and a complex, indescribable emotion. Her voice choked with emotion: "Zhu Zi... you really... you're such a good person. I... I don't know what to say. In this whole courtyard, you're the only one who still cares about us..."

She lowered her head slightly, revealing a section of her fair and delicate neck, her voice so soft it was almost inaudible, "Our family is registered in the countryside, we don't have any food rations! We rely entirely on you, Dongxu... and Mom is... Zhuzi, I'll remember your kindness."

That one word "sister," that one word "good person," that one look, and that lingering cool, soft touch on his fingertips, were like the finest liquor, instantly shattering Sha Zhu's already unguarded heart.