Rebirth in a Courtyard: I Am a Little Hunter

"Don't worry, I'll drive carefully!" Wang Aiguo exhaled a smoke ring. "Brother Weichen, your new house is in Luogu Lane? That's a nice location! I heard you got one of those detached houses?"

"Yes, I was lucky," Wei Chen replied.

"Hey! You're really capable! A lot of people know about that courtyard, but they gave up when they heard they had to pay for the house repairs themselves. The factory held onto it for quite a while. I never expected it to fall into your hands. After you settle down in the city, I'll be running this route a lot. If you need any errands or deliveries, just let me know!" Wang Aiguo patted his chest.

"Then I'll definitely be troubling Brother Aiguo a lot in the future!" Wei Chen said with a smile. The two chatted casually. The topic ranged from recent interesting events at the factory to the difficulties of collecting things in the countryside, and then to the changes in Beijing.

Wang Aiguo was a talkative man, and Wei Chen was happy to listen. The afterglow of the setting sun dyed the road ahead a warm golden hue, and the truck drove smoothly on its way home, its wheels rolling over the road with a continuous, low rumble.

Inside the train carriage, Wang Xiulan's initial nervousness gradually gave way to an indescribable excitement. The wind ruffled her hair, and the expansive view stirred her emotions.

Watching my son sitting in the front, chatting and laughing with the driver, watching my daughter's excited little face, watching the city silhouettes rushing past the car window, getting closer and closer...

A brand new, hopeful life was carrying her family toward a new beginning called "home." She subconsciously tightened her clothes, then touched the tightly bound bundle beside her containing brand new bedding, and a smile of anticipation crept onto her lips.

As dusk settled, the truck drove into the bustling streets of Beijing. Traffic flowed freely, and the city lights began to twinkle. Wei Chen pointed the way, and the truck finally turned into that familiar alleyway.

The deep, powerful sound of the truck's engine slowly faded away in front of the gate of No. 95 Luogu Lane, the echoes of the wheels rolling over the bluestone pavement still reverberating in the alley.

Wang Aiguo jumped off the car with a swift movement, the side panel of the carriage slamming down with a loud bang, the metallic clanging sound particularly clear in the deepening twilight.

"Auntie, sister, we're here! Take it easy!" Wang Aiguo's voice was loud and clear, hoarse from the long journey, but full of enthusiasm. He reached out his rough hand and steadily helped Wang Xiulan, who was carefully moving down from the edge of the carriage.

Wang Xiulan finally stepped onto the solid bluestone slabs and let out a long sigh of relief, a sigh that carried the relief of being relieved of a heavy burden and a hint of apprehension about the unfamiliar environment.

She quickly brushed off non-existent dust from her clothes, a grateful smile spreading across her face: "Oh, thank you so much, Mr. Wang! You must have had a long and bumpy journey!"

Wei Chen had already reached out and lifted his younger sister, Wei Ran, out of the car. As soon as Wei Ran's feet touched the ground, she immediately stood on tiptoe like a little sparrow freed from its cage, curiously looking up at the magnificent courtyard gate in front of her.

The vermilion gate was tightly shut, and the doorplate "95 Nanluoguxiang" above the door gleamed faintly in the afterglow of the setting sun. Her big, dark eyes were filled with curiosity, and her little hands unconsciously gripped the hem of her brother's clothes.

"Thanks, Brother Aiguo! I'll remember this kindness. I'll definitely treat you to a couple of drinks another day!" Wei Chen patted Wang Aiguo's strong shoulder hard, his words filled with sincere gratitude.

This ride not only saved his mother and sister the trouble of walking, but also eased their anxieties about entering a big city for the first time. "Hey! Stop with the formalities!" Wang Aiguo grinned, revealing teeth slightly yellowed from smoking, exuding a hearty and straightforward air. "We're friends now, we'll see each other all the time. Just let me know if you need anything! Okay, you guys get back to the factory quickly to hand over the car!"

He deftly pulled the side panel back up and locked it, jumped into the cab, rolled down the window, waved to Wei Chen's family, and the truck roared, emitting a puff of blue smoke from its exhaust pipe as it slowly drove away from the quiet alleyway.

The red light from the truck's taillights disappeared at the end of the alley, and the alley returned to silence. Wei Chen took a deep breath of the air, which carried the scent of cooking smoke and dust, and pulled out the brand-new brass key.

The key was inserted into the heavy brass lock of the independent south gate of the east courtyard, making a crisp "click" sound. He pushed open the heavy wooden door with force, the hinges creaking long and drawn-out, as if the long-forgotten years were being awakened. Inside, a brand new little world suddenly opened up, quietly waiting for its owner in the golden glow of the setting sun.

"Mom, Xiaoran, come in, we're home!" Wei Chen stepped aside, his voice carrying a barely perceptible pride and anticipation.

Wang Xiulan and Wei Ran almost held their breath as they stepped over the high threshold. Before them was a small, square courtyard paved with smooth blue bricks.

The slanting rays of the setting sun cast a warm golden glow upon the two newly transplanted jujube and peach trees in the yard.

The courtyard was spotless, and the faucet in the corner gleamed with a quiet metallic sheen in the twilight. The east wing, the main house facing south, and the small side rooms were arranged in a pleasing, staggered pattern, enclosing this small world. The doors and windows were newly painted a dark brown, and the glass was polished to a shine, reflecting the light and shadows of the sky and clouds.

"Brother...this...this entire yard, is it all ours?" Wei Ran asked, her voice trembling slightly with excitement.

In all her life, she had only ever seen glimpses of the dilapidated courtyard of the landlord's house, crammed with more than a dozen families, from afar in the village. The brand-new, tidy courtyard that belonged solely to her was so clean and bright, like a scene from a picture book, that she could hardly believe it.

"Yes! It's all ours!" Wei Chen smiled and nodded firmly, a warm feeling and a sense of security welling up inside him. This small world was the root he had painstakingly established in this unfamiliar era.

Wang Xiulan remained silent, her gaze slowly sweeping over every corner of the courtyard—from the smooth blue bricks under her feet to the faint smell of tung oil emanating from the newly painted doors and windows, and then to the two small trees that symbolized vitality and the future.

Her rough fingers unconsciously and repeatedly rubbed the faded hem of her clothes. Her throat bobbed, her eyes welled up slightly, and finally, it turned into a low sigh filled with endless emotion: "Good...so good...Chen'er, you...you have really made our family proud..." All the words she wanted to say were choked in that sigh.

"Come on, let's move the things in and settle them first." Wei Chen called out, turning around first to move the heaviest oilcloth bundle—half a wild boar's rump given to him by his master Zhao Gensheng.

The mother and her two daughters made several trips back and forth before finally moving all their belongings—four tightly bundled quilts, two willow baskets containing pots, pans, clothes, and other odds and ends, Wei Chen's old-fashioned bicycle, and the conspicuous half-carcass of wild boar meat—into the courtyard and temporarily piling them in the center of the spacious and bright living room of the main house.

As soon as they stepped into the main living room, Wang Xiulan and Wei Ran's eyes were immediately drawn to the furnishings. The dark brown floor was smooth and warm, reflecting the last rays of sunlight streaming in through the windows.

A floor-to-ceiling wardrobe stands against the wall, its brass handles gleaming with a calm luster. The most eye-catching feature is the set of simple, flowing lines, smooth and rounded wooden sofa and matching coffee table in the center of the living room—a style unheard of and unseen in the countryside.

"Mom! Look! This chair is so strange, it looks so soft!" Wei Ran cheered as if she had discovered a new treasure. She ran over, reached out her little hand to carefully touch the armrest of the sofa, and then tentatively sat down.

The thick, sponge cushion instantly and gently enveloped her small body, bringing unprecedented comfort. She couldn't help but sigh with satisfaction, her little bottom bouncing gently on it. "So comfortable! It's even softer than our kang (heated brick bed) at home!"

Wang Xiulan couldn't help but walk over, her rough hands stroking the smooth wooden surface of the sofa and the flat tabletop of the coffee table with reverence, feeling the solidity and exquisite craftsmanship.

"This...this is all newly made furniture? This wood, this craftsmanship...it must have cost a fortune, right?" she murmured to herself, her eyes filled with admiration and a hint of heartache for spending money on her son. Their lives were truly becoming more and more like those of city dwellers.

"Mom, Xiaoran, let me show you around the rooms so you can get familiar with them." Wei Chen felt a warm current soothe his heart as he looked at the undisguised surprise in his mother's and sister's eyes.

He first led them to his east room. It was spacious and bright, with a sturdy bed placed against the wall, and a wardrobe and bedside tables in the same color scheme, exuding the fresh scent of new wood.

Next is the west room, which is mainly arranged as a study and also has a large bed so that guests can rest when they come.

Wei Chen led the two to the side rooms. He pointed to the two rooms on the left and right, which were also furnished with beds and wardrobes, and said in a light tone, "Mom, little sister, you can each have a room and choose one yourself."

"Really?! I...I have my own room?!" Wei Ran's eyes widened instantly, her mouth forming an "O" shape, a huge surprise exploding in her mind like fireworks. In the village, she always shared a kang (heated brick bed) with her mother, and even turning over had to be done carefully!

This sudden "independent kingdom" made her scream like a firecracker that had been lit, and she rushed into her own room.

The house was not small, and the side room was divided into three rooms. There was a simple living room at the entrance, and a bedroom on each side. The room was bright and clean, with a large single bed covered with a brand-new straw mat against the wall, and a light wood cabinet with three drawers next to it.

"Mom! Mom! Come quick! My bed! I have my own bed! And a wardrobe!" Wei Ran was so excited she was incoherent. She kicked off her cloth shoes in a few quick movements, cheered, and jumped onto the bed, rolling around excitedly, pulling the new quilt bundle she was holding into a mess.

"Mom! Make my bed! I want to sleep here tonight! In my own room!" Her face flushed with excitement, and she rolled around on the bed like a tireless spinning top.