Courtyard House: Rebirth of a Shopkeeper in 1937

As dawn broke and the morning mist had not yet completely dissipated, the vegetable fields at the breeding base were already bustling with activity, breaking the tranquility of the winter morning. Xingbao and his three siblings arrived early with their father, carrying neatly bundled straw ropes. Soon after, their friends, including Dashan, Fugui, Xuewen, and Xiaohua, arrived one after another, rubbing their hands, which were red from the cold, eager and full of enthusiasm, their eyes brimming with anticipation, ready to tie the cabbages and show off their skills. Even more interestingly, many adults from the village also gathered around, standing in twos and threes along the field ridges to watch. Winter is a time of leisure for farmers, so adults are happy to come and join in the fun. Some carry tobacco pouches, slowly lighting and smoking, the smoke dissipating gently in the morning breeze; others carry sewing baskets, holding shoe soles and thimbles, sewing soles while keeping an eye on the fields, ready to lend a hand or give the children some pointers; still others are simply there to watch the fun, chatting idly, commenting on their own children's skill, or teasing other children for their clumsy attempts. Laughter and chatter fill the air along the field ridges, creating a lively scene.

The eldest brother, Yanbang, was the first to pick up a straw rope. Following the instructions his father had taught him the night before, he first reached out and smoothed the loose outer leaves of a cabbage beside him, gently smoothing out the wrinkles with his fingertips, careful not to damage the tender leaves. Then, with his left hand, he firmly held the heart of the cabbage, securing the sturdy plant, while his right hand pulled the straw rope around the middle of the leaves twice, tightening it slightly with his fingertips to quickly tie a tight slipknot. Although his movements weren't particularly skillful, and he was still figuring out the right amount of strength, his movements were quite impressive, earning nods of approval from his companions watching. "Wait a minute!" Grandpa hurriedly reminded him from the edge of the field, his tone full of concern. He stepped into the field, his feet sinking into the soft soil, and reached out to support the cabbage, demonstrating for himself. "If the rope is wrapped too high, it will weigh down the heart of the cabbage and affect its growth. It should be wrapped around two-thirds of the way through the leaves, just tight enough to hold the leaves in place. Too tight and it will damage the cabbage; too loose and it will all be for nothing, and the wind will blow it away." As he spoke, Grandpa reached out and untied the straw rope, re-wrapping and knotting it, his movements skillful and efficient, explaining each step clearly and concisely.

Everyone joined in, and the rustling sound of straw ropes rubbing against the cabbage leaves filled the field. The adults on the edge of the field weren't idle either, chatting and instructing the children. Uncle Deng and Uncle Youcai rubbed their hands together, stamping their feet in frustration. Seeing the children's clumsy attempts, they were afraid they would ruin the thriving cabbages, so they rolled up their sleeves and went to the field to help tie them up themselves, patiently teaching the children and correcting their techniques. Xingbao and Guixiang also found a slightly smaller cabbage to try, but that cabbage was exceptionally plump and firm, almost reaching Guixiang's shoulder. The two of them held the cabbage together, carefully winding the straw rope around it, but after several attempts, they couldn't tie it securely—either the knot was loose and would come undone as soon as they let go, or the rope was tied crookedly, tearing the leaves out of shape. The siblings exchanged a glance, afraid that they might tear the vegetable leaves if they tried to continue, so they had no choice but to lead a few other children of similar age to the side and obediently take on the task of assisting others. They were responsible for handing out straw ropes and picking up fallen straws, and from time to time they would huddle up to watch, leaning forward slightly to carefully observe the adults' techniques and secretly memorize them.

The scene grew increasingly lively, with adults and children each doing their part and helping each other, creating a busy yet harmonious atmosphere. Some children bent down to hand over straw ropes, while others carefully straightened the cabbage leaves. When they encountered a problem they weren't sure about, they would look up and call out to their elders for advice, their clear voices echoing through the vegetable patch. The adults, while deftly tying the cabbages, kept a close eye on the children around them, correcting anyone who was doing it wrong with a light touch of their fingertips. They would also occasionally recite tips for growing cabbages, such as, "After tying, gently straighten the outer leaves to protect them from the winter chill and the heart of the cabbage," and "Tie the knot on the side, don't press down on the roots, otherwise it will affect rooting." The eldest brother, Yanbang, and the second brother, Yanming, learned the fastest. After practicing with their grandfather and father a few times, they quickly grasped the technique. The cabbages they tied were all upright, with just the right amount of tightness, and the leaves were neatly spread out. Even their picky grandfather couldn't help but nod in approval, his eyes full of satisfaction. Xingbao looked at the cabbages that were as tall as his shoulders. Although he was a little itchy to try, he knew to do what he could. After handing over the straw rope, he kept a close eye on the adults' movements, memorizing all the useful tips, thinking that when he grew up a bit more, he would also be able to tie decent cabbages.

As the sun gradually climbed higher, it dispelled the chill and mist of the early morning, gently bathing the lush green cabbage fields and the busy figures of people, gilding the cabbage leaves with a faint golden light. Laughter from the field ridges, the adults' pointing, the rustling of straw ropes against the cabbage leaves, and the children's questions intertwined, creating the most vibrant and lively sounds of winter, dispelling the oppression of chaos and the bleakness of winter. Before noon, all 1,400-plus cabbages in the field were tied up, each one neatly arranged, upright, and brimming with vitality. They were noticeably stronger than the cabbages in other vegetable fields in the village, a sight that brought joy to the heart. The adults, smiling and nodding, watched the children, their faces covered in sweat and mud but brimming with a sense of accomplishment. Then they turned to look at the thriving vegetable patch, their minds filled with various thoughts—some considered learning to grow it themselves next year, hoping for a good harvest; others wondered what methods the children had used to grow the cabbages so well; still others secretly calculated how many cabbages their children would receive at harvest time, to supplement their families' food supply. Each person's eyes held a small calculation, yet their mouths never stopped praising the children's competence and thoughtfulness, and commending Xingbao's parents for their excellent upbringing. After everyone finished tidying up, they went home to rest, leaving only the neat vegetable patch, its surface glistening with a vibrant green under the warm sun. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves, exuding vitality, and life gradually returned to its usual peaceful and mundane routine.

Father counted the days on his fingers, estimating the arrival date. The teachers and students from Sanmin Middle School should arrive a few days around the eleventh month of the lunar calendar. He had already taken out the small flag given to him by Sanmin Middle School, found a sturdy wooden pole, and, standing on tiptoe, firmly tied it to the most conspicuous crossbeam under the eaves of the shop. The blue flag fluttered in the biting cold wind, the rustling sound audible from afar. When the villagers passing by saw it, they all stopped and discussed it, their hearts filled with knowingness—Dawei's family was about to receive a big order from Sanmin Middle School, and the teachers and students should arrive soon.

The quick-thinking villagers simply went into the shop to greet Dad. Some said they had fresh vegetables from their gardens and could bring some over to supplement their produce; others said they had two spare rooms at home that they could use if there was too much room for the students. Dad smiled and agreed to each request, thanking them repeatedly and saying that he would definitely come to their door to ask if they needed anything when the teachers and students arrived. He then specifically contacted his uncle, Uncle Deng, and Uncle Wang, arranging for them to come over and lend a hand, helping to greet the guests and handle miscellaneous tasks, so that there wouldn't be a shortage of manpower and things would fall apart.

Xingbao's mind was almost entirely focused on this matter. He eagerly awaited the arrival of the teachers and students, and had already meticulously planned out the book copying. He hoped that after the teachers and students settled into the kitchen, he could borrow several books to copy, both for his own study and to share with his colleagues at the breeding base, broadening their horizons. The days passed quietly amidst anticipation and peaceful routines. The cabbages in the fields grew stronger, and the kitchen remained as usual, awaiting only the first snowfall and the arrival of the visitors from afar. But this anticipation seemed to drag on longer than expected.