Rebirth in a Courtyard: I Am a Little Hunter

It turns out that just recently, Wang Xiulan officially adopted Xiao Shitou and Niu Xiaocao as her godson and goddaughter. Wei Chen played a significant role in this.

He saw that his mother genuinely liked the two sensible yet pitiful children. Since his family was slightly better off, he always wanted to help them out. However, when he offered them gifts, not only did Grandma Li and Aunt Liu resolutely refuse to accept them, but the two children were also very stubborn.

So Wei Chen suggested to his mother that they become godparents. This way, Wang Xiulan, as the godmother, could legitimately help her godson and goddaughter, and no one could object.

Grandma Li and Aunt Liu initially declined, feeling that their family was poor and they shouldn't be a burden on the Wang family. But they couldn't resist Wang Xiulan's sincerity, and Wei Chen persuaded them that it was for the children's good, to give them more support, and for the two families to become closer and look after each other.

In the end, Grandma Li and Aunt Liu agreed with tears in their eyes. From then on, the three families truly became godparents, visiting each other frequently and their relationship deepening day by day.

"You're back! Come on, Xiao Ran, go wash your hands with your brother Shi Tou and sister Xiao Cao, it's time to eat! We'll have a good meal tonight!" When Wang Xiulan saw the children, the fatigue on her face vanished, and her smile became even more kind and warm.

"Delicious?" Wei Ran's big eyes blinked, and Xiao Shitou and Niu Xiaocao couldn't help but sniff. The increasingly rich and enticing aroma of meat in the air made the three children's already empty stomachs growl uncontrollably, and their eyes lit up.

Wei Chen chuckled and patted Xiao Shitou's sturdy shoulder: "Yes, there's good food! But if you want to eat well, you can't just eat for free; you have to work first! The vegetable garden isn't completely cleaned up yet, go help!"

"Okay!" the three children responded in unison, their clear voices full of energy. Motivated by the delicious treat, they were full of enthusiasm.

Wei Ran put down her schoolbag and ran over to help her mother gather the scattered vegetable leaves. Xiao Shitou snatched the broom from Niu Dali's hand and started sweeping the dirt on the ground. Even the shyest Niu Xiaocao tiptoed to pick up the fallen radish leaves.

The small courtyard was instantly filled with the laughter and busy figures of children, and the previous atmosphere of politeness was completely swept away by this vibrant energy.

Seeing this, Grandma Li and Aunt Liu knew that refusing any longer would be pretentious, and they felt both touched and warmed. Aunt Liu wiped her slightly moist eyes and said readily, "Alright! Then today, we mothers and daughters will shamelessly take advantage of your kindness! Xiulan, Weichen, if there's anything we can do, just let us know!"

"Aunt Liu, your noodle-making skills are superb! We're counting on you for today's noodles!" Wei Chen smiled as he scooped a small basin of fine, snow-white high-gluten flour from the flour jar. "We'll have beef noodles tonight, with your handmade noodles!"

When Aunt Liu saw the pure white, unblemished flour, she exclaimed with a mixture of heartache and amazement, "Oh my goodness, this...this is top-quality white flour! Wei Chen, you're too...too generous! You could have mixed in some cornmeal too!"

"No mixing, just pure white flour today!" Wei Chen's tone was firm, carrying an undeniable air of confidence. "Beef soup only tastes good with chewy white noodles! It's fine to splurge once in a while!"

Looking at the bowl of flour and then at Wei Chen's open and cheerful face, Aunt Liu's last bit of unease dissipated, replaced by a warm feeling of being genuinely cared for. She rolled up her sleeves: "Alright! Today, I'll let your Aunt Liu show off her skills! I guarantee she'll roll this flour out thin and chewy!"

Wang Xiulan wasn't idle either. She mixed the remaining wheat flour with cornmeal to make a small piece of golden-yellow mixed flour, preparing to stick pancakes on the side of the pot. Meanwhile, Grandma Li shakily peeled garlic, washed scallions, and prepared the seasonings.

Outside, Niu Dali and his three children had thoroughly tidied up the vegetable garden. The radishes and cabbages had been taken to the cellar, the withered branches and leaves had been swept away, and even the ground had been roughly leveled. The courtyard was now clean and tidy, and the air still carried the fresh scent of soil and vegetables.

The sky had completely darkened, with a few sparse, cold stars dotting the inky blue sky. In the kitchen of the east courtyard, the kerosene lamp with its glass shade was lit. Its warm, orange glow dispelled the darkness and filled the small space.

The water in the iron pot had already boiled. Wei Chen poured the warm beef broth from the small earthenware pot into the pot, and added some more boiling water. The milky white broth, thick with a layer of golden beef tallow, simmered in the pot. An even richer aroma, a blend of meaty, bone-like, and subtle spice scents, permeated the air, filling everyone's nostrils and stirring the deepest desires in their stomachs.

Aunt Liu had already kneaded the dough and was vigorously kneading it on the cutting board. The dough became smooth and elastic under her skillful and powerful hands. The rolling pin danced in her hands, and soon, a large, thin, even sheet of dough, almost translucent, covered the entire cutting board. Folded, cut into strips, shaken apart... distinct, evenly thick noodles appeared like silver threads.

On the other side, Wang Xiulan patted the dough into palm-sized flatbreads and skillfully stuck them to the edge of the hot iron wok. The flatbreads sizzled as they touched the wok, releasing a puff of steam with a fragrant aroma. Soon, a ring of golden, plump flatbreads covered the edge of the wok.

Wei Chen took out a large piece of cooked beef wrapped in oil paper from the cupboard. He had just brought it back and cooked it at the hunter's cabin that day. It weighed about five or six pounds, was bright red in color, and had distinct marbling.

He picked up the cleaver, cut the beef in half, and then skillfully sliced ​​it into evenly thick slices, each one glistening with an enticing sheen and texture. Just looking at it made one's mouth water.

"Dinner's ready!" Wei Chen's shout was like the prelude to the most beautiful melody.

The cooked noodles are scooped into large, coarse porcelain bowls, then topped with piping hot, thick, white beef broth that's glistening with oil and scallions. A few thick, trembling slices of braised beef are then added, and finally, a handful of finely chopped green garlic sprouts are sprinkled on top.

Bowls of steaming hot, fragrant beef noodles were served on the dining table in the kitchen. Next to them were golden-brown, fragrant flatbreads with the natural flavor of grains.

When these bowls of "luxurious" noodles were placed in front of them, everyone fell silent. Under the orange light, the milky white soup, reddish-brown meat slices, and emerald green garlic sprouts reflected on the white rim of the bowls, creating a scene that made one's throat tighten.

Grandma Li looked at the large, substantial slices of beef in the bowl, her eyes instantly reddening. Her lips moved a few times, but she couldn't utter a word.

Little Stone's eyes widened as he stared intently at the bowl, swallowing clearly. Little Grass looked cautiously at the bowl, then at the adults, nervously twisting the hem of her clothes. Even Niu Dali's honest face was filled with shock and longing.

"Don't just stand there! Eat it while it's hot! It won't taste good if the noodles clump together!" Wei Chen was the first to pick up his chopsticks and said loudly, breaking the brief silence.

"Yes, yes, eat it while it's hot!" Wang Xiulan hurriedly urged, her voice slightly choked with emotion.

For a moment, the only sounds in the room were the light clinking of chopsticks and bowls, and the satisfied slurping and chewing sounds that were barely suppressed but could not be resisted.

The beef was stewed until incredibly tender, almost melting in your mouth, with a savory aroma and a subtle hint of spice, incredibly rich and flavorful. The noodles, soaked in the rich broth, were smooth and chewy, the wheat and meat flavors perfectly blended. A sip of the hot soup, and the rich, buttery warmth soothed you from your throat to your stomach, seemingly dispelling the chill accumulated throughout the day. A bite of the crispy, two-grain flatbread, its coarse texture perfectly complementing the rich broth.

Adults always unconsciously put the meat from their own bowls into the children's bowls.

"Xiao Ran, eat more, you're still growing!" Wang Xiulan picked up the biggest piece of meat from her own bowl and put it into her daughter's bowl.

"Dali, come on, this piece with tendons is delicious!" Aunt Liu handed the meat to her son.

"Xiao Cao, don't just drink soup, eat some meat. You need to eat meat to have strength." After Wang Xiulan finished serving Wei Ran, she also gave some meat from her own bowl to Xiao Cao.

"Godmother, you eat!" "Grandma, there's some in my bowl!" "Mom, don't just focus on me!"

The children, however, were so understanding it was heartbreaking; they would always avoid the meat or secretly put it back in their bowls. Wei Ran put the meat back in her mother's bowl: "Mom, you should eat too. You've lost weight lately from working so hard."

Little Stone blushed and handed the meat to Grandma Li: "Grandma, your teeth aren't good, this meat is mushy, you eat it!" Little Grass quietly buried the meat under the noodles and whispered, "I...I can't eat this much."

Watching this heartwarming yet somewhat poignant exchange of polite refusals, Wei Chen felt a complex mix of emotions welling up inside him. He put down his chopsticks, cleared his throat, and spoke in a soft but clear voice that reached everyone's ears:

"Don't hold back! There's enough meat today, and there's even soup in the pot! Eat as much as you want! Grandma Li, you need to take good care of yourself. You'll be watching Little Stone get married and have his great-grandson in the future! How can you not eat your fill?"

"Pfft—" Little Stone, who was engrossed in eating noodles, choked violently upon hearing this, coughing violently. His face instantly turned as red as a large red cloth, and he wished he could bury his head in the bowl.

"Hahahaha..." Everyone was amused, even the shy Niu Xiaocao couldn't help but smile, and the atmosphere in the room instantly became relaxed and cheerful.

"Exactly! Wei Chen is right!" Aunt Liu chimed in with a smile, no longer refusing, picking up a large slice of beef and stuffing it into her mouth, chewing it slowly with a satisfied expression on her face. "Today, thanks to Wei Chen, we're all having a good time! Eat up, eat up!"

Amidst laughter, the last bit of awkwardness and politeness disappeared. Everyone finally stopped being so reserved and focused on enjoying this rare and delicious meal.

The rich aroma of beef, the smooth texture of noodles, and the crispy texture of flatbread, mixed with the warmth of family and neighbors, flow and permeate this kitchen bathed in orange light.

The night outside the window was as dark as ink, and the cold wind howled across the eaves, but inside the house it was warm and cozy, filled with laughter and cheerful conversation, as if all the cold and hardship had been kept out.

Looking at her son's calm and smiling face, at the satisfied and relaxed expressions on Grandma Li and Aunt Liu's faces, and at the children eating heartily with their rosy cheeks, Wang Xiulan's heart was filled with a heavy sense of peace and happiness.

Life is tough, but with such a filial and capable son, such harmonious and helpful neighbors, and such sensible and lovely children, even the hardest days have light and hope.

Wei Chen ate his noodles slowly, savoring the deliciousness on his lips and teeth, and feeling the warmth and joy of the moment. He knew how precious and fragile such moments were in those years of extreme scarcity and when people's hearts could easily harden.

He is willing to carefully protect this warmth in his own way, so that those he cares about can have a little more sustenance and a little more hope during the long winter.