Rebirth in a Courtyard: I Am a Little Hunter

As evening approached, the biting wind seemed to succumb to the growing festive atmosphere, its intensity waning slightly. Inside the small kitchen in the east courtyard, however, a different scene unfolded – a bustling activity. The intense, domineering aroma of braised pork from the daytime had gradually faded, yet it seemed to have seeped into the cracks between the bricks and tiles, leaving a lingering, pleasant aftertaste.

At this moment, another richer, more inclusive, and homely aroma is wafting out from under the lid of the casserole, accompanied by the gentle "bubbling" sound, mingling with the lingering meat fragrance to create a comforting festive scene.

Wei Chen, wearing his mother's faded old apron with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, was intently tending to the contents of the pot. He poured the concentrated broth, left over from stewing meat, into a heavy, large black pot. The broth was a deep amber color, and with a slight swirl, one could see its abundant collagen—proof of the perfect fusion of fat and collagen from long simmering.

Next, he added some extra pieces of firm tofu that he had deliberately fried when making the fried dough sticks that morning. The tofu was cut into even triangles, and after being bathed in hot oil, the outer skin turned golden and bubbly, while the inside remained tender. This kind of tofu is the perfect accompaniment to stews; it can soak up the broth like a sponge, bursting with juice in your mouth for endless flavor.

Cut carrots and white radishes into chunks and add them to the pot one after the other. The vibrant color of the carrots adds a bright touch to the broth, and their natural sweetness balances the slightly greasy taste of the meat soup; the white radishes, on the other hand, are clear and translucent, becoming soft and flavorful after stewing, with a delicate aroma. These two common winter-stored vegetables will soon shine with a unique brilliance under the nourishment of the meat broth.

Then, he took out two unusual ingredients—a large handful of soaked, thick, dark green kelp, cut into wide strips; and a bundle of dark brown, jerky-like but chewier "artificial meat" (vegetarian jerky made from soy products).

These two items were "New Year's gifts" that Tiger insisted on giving him during their last pre-Lunar New Year transaction a few days ago. Wei Chen provided several well-prepared pigs, which were essential currency for Tiger to maintain relationships and make connections. Tiger naturally reciprocated by including, in addition to the agreed-upon antique porcelain pieces and a stack of banknotes, a considerable amount of dried goods and seafood that were hard to find on the market. This seaweed and artificial meat were among them, and using them in the dish would not only add flavor but also make the best use of the resources.

Finally, Wei Chen took out a handful of dried green beans from the bamboo basket hanging on the roof beam. They were dark brown in color and smelled of sunshine and time.

This is the product of a small patch of green bean vines that my mother, Wang Xiulan, carefully tended in the corner of the yard during the summer. What she couldn't finish, she carefully steamed and dried, turning it into a rare delicacy in winter. The unique richness and chewiness of dried green beans are irreplaceable by any fresh vegetable; stewed with meat broth, it brings out their hidden, wild fragrance.

All the ingredients were added to the pot one by one, and the casserole was placed back on the stove, where Wei Ran carefully tended a gentle, slow flame. Time passed quietly with a "bubbling" sound, and the various ingredients slowly unfolded and blended in the embrace of the rich soup.

The salty umami of kelp, the vegetarian aroma of soy products, the sweetness of radish, and the richness of dried green beans are gradually embraced and harmonized by the savory base of the broth, ultimately brewing a complex, layered, warm and comforting aroma.

This is no longer a display of a single type of meat, but a comforting taste that belongs to home, to reunion, and to the most basic imagination of abundance in impoverished times.

"Mom, Ranran, clear the table, dinner's ready." Wei Chen wiped his hands and called out towards the main room.

Wang Xiulan responded and, together with Wei Ran, quickly wiped the square table clean and set out the bowls and chopsticks. Soon, a large pot of steaming, hearty stew was brought to the table.

The red and white radishes were already tender and soft, easily separated from the skin with a gentle touch of chopsticks; the fried tofu, soaked in the broth, was plump and full, bursting with savory flavor with every bite; the kelp brought the moisture of the ocean, while the artificial meat provided a meat-like chewiness; and the dried green beans fully released the sun-kissed flavor accumulated throughout the summer, soft and flavorful.

Beside it, in a blue-and-white porcelain bowl, sat braised pork, reheated and now even more reddish-brown and tempting, trembling and glistening with oil. The staple food was large, plump white steamed buns, steamed in the morning and now simmering in the steamer until soft and warm, each one exuding a pure wheat aroma.

Wei Chen picked up a spoon and first filled his mother's bowl with a generous spoonful of stew, mostly radishes and tofu, then specially added two pieces of braised pork with more lean meat than fat. Next, he ladled a large spoonful for Wei Ran, who was watching eagerly. The little girl's bowl immediately piled high, and Wei Chen smiled as he placed a piece of braised pork with alternating layers of fat and lean meat, its skin glistening. "Eat slowly, be careful it's hot."

Looking at her children, Wang Xiulan's face was filled with undisguised smiles and satisfaction. She picked up a piece of braised pork and put it in her mouth, savoring it slowly. The richness of the fat, the tenderness of the lean meat, and the sweet and salty sauce melted on her tongue, bringing a long-lost, solid sense of happiness. A bite of braised tofu soaked in broth, followed by a bite of a fluffy white steamed bun, warmed and comforted her stomach, dispelling all the chill of winter.

Wei Ran ate without any regard for her image, her little mouth stuffed full, juice almost dripping onto her chin, her eyes narrowed into crescents with happiness. "Mom, brother, it's so delicious! I've never eaten such delicious food before!" The little girl's praise came from the bottom of her heart.

Wei Chen also ate heartily. All the scheming, caution, and maneuvering he had undertaken since transmigrating seemed to find solace in this moment. Protecting this simple warmth and satiety, and keeping smiles on his mother and sister's faces, was perhaps the greatest meaning of his existence in this era.

After dinner, the family of three sat around the warm fire, cleared away the dishes, and brewed a pot of tea to aid digestion. Wang Xiulan instinctively reached for the tin can containing tea leaves, but Wei Chen stopped her with a smile: "Mom, try this today."

He turned and took out a small celadon tea canister from the inner room. The canister was simple and elegant, and felt warm to the touch. When he opened the lid, a clear and elegant fragrance, quite different from the bitter smell of burnt tea, wafted out. It was like the scent of a mountain forest after rain, with a faint sweet fragrance of flowers and fruits.

The tea leaves in the jar are tightly rolled and uniform, with a dark green color and a frosty appearance. The buds and leaves are plump, and it is clear at a glance that they are not something commonly seen on the market.

This is a precious tea he meticulously cultivated for several seasons using "planting techniques" in that magical game world, combined with a certain ancient processing method passed down from his memory. In the corner of his backpack, hundreds of kilograms of such tea leaves lie quietly, each leaf containing a timeless and refreshing flavor.

Wei Chen took a few tender buds and placed them in a white porcelain gaiwan. He then lifted the already boiled copper kettle and poured hot water from a height, causing the water to agitate the tea leaves and filling the room with a delicate fragrance in an instant. The tea leaves slowly unfurled in the water, like green clouds floating and sinking, and the tea liquor quickly turned a clear, bright, tender green with a captivating luster.

"Brother, this tea smells so good! It's like...like the smell of spring!" Wei Ran leaned closer and took a deep breath, her little face full of surprise. She didn't know much about tea, but her most genuine sense of smell wouldn't lie.

Wang Xiulan also picked up the tea her son had poured, gently blew on it to cool it down, and took a small sip. The tea was slightly astringent at first, but it quickly turned into a mellow sweetness. A refreshing sensation went down her throat, leaving a lingering fragrance in her mouth and a long-lasting aftertaste, making her feel warm and comfortable all over.

"Yes, it's good tea. It makes my heart feel clear." She put down her teacup, her gaze towards her son softening with pride. Not only could her son provide for his family, but he could also procure such unheard-of tea. His world seemed far more expansive and wondrous than she had ever imagined.

A family of three sat around the stove, sipping tea and chatting, discussing what to prepare for the New Year. A hazy mist clung to the window, separating the warm light and coziness inside from the cold darkness outside. This moment of peace and contentment was the most luxurious dream for countless families in this era, tossing and turning in poverty and anticipation.

However, the tranquility and pervasive abundance of this small space in the east courtyard, like a boulder thrown into a silent pool, creates ripples throughout the entire courtyard that are far more lasting and turbulent than they appear on the surface.

In particular, the fact that Wei Chen gave each of the children in the courtyard a small piece of braised pork spread like wildfire, reaching every household around dinner time and becoming the most interesting and controversial topic of conversation on this cold night.

In the front yard, at the Yan family's house, under the dim light, Yan Bugui sipped his thin porridge—so light you could see your reflection in it—with a little bit of pickled vegetable shreds, his ears perked up as he listened to his aunt and children excitedly recounting the "spectacle" of the afternoon.

"Dad, didn't you see? That bowl of meat Wei Chen brought out was glistening with oil, steaming hot, and the aroma... tsk!" Yan Jiefang spoke with great enthusiasm, as if the smell of the meat still lingered in his nose. "My piece, I licked the sauce first—it was sweet and salty, so incredibly fragrant! The meat was stewed until it was tender and juicy, the fat wasn't greasy at all, and the lean meat wasn't dry at all. I had to eat it in several bites before I could bear to finish it!"

Yan Jiedi nodded vigorously in agreement: "Yes! I've never eaten such delicious meat before! It's much more fragrant than... much more fragrant than the meat bought from the supply and marketing cooperative!" The little girl's vocabulary was limited, but the intoxication on her face said it all.

While sewing shoe soles, the third auntie lowered her voice, a hint of pride and smugness in her voice: "If you ask me, in our courtyard, our family has the best relationship with Wei Chen. Yesterday we got meat, and today the children benefited too... Even though it's just one bite, this sentiment is precious. Old Yan, those two industrial coupons you spent were well worth it!" Yan Bugui slowly swallowed the last mouthful of porridge, picked up a piece of cornbread, and chewed it carefully.

He knew perfectly well that he had gotten a great deal in this transaction. But listening to his children's exaggerated descriptions of the braised pork, and thinking about the piece of dried wild donkey meat hidden deep in his cupboard, a secret envy couldn't help but surface.

However, he quickly suppressed his anger with reason, cleared his throat, and adopted the usual "Third Uncle" demeanor: "Well, Wei Chen is a sensible kid. He knows how to respect the elderly and care for the young, and he's good at uniting people. When you see him in the future, be polite, understand? Also..."

He looked around at his family with a serious expression. "We also have meat in our family, so keep your mouths shut! If anyone tells anyone and causes trouble, they won't have a peaceful New Year!"

He knew the principle that "it's not scarcity that's worrisome, but inequality," and that his family's "secret treasure" had to be kept safe. "Understood, Dad," the children replied in unison, but their eyes clearly gleamed with a longing for more delicious food.