Rebirth in a Courtyard: I Am a Little Hunter

The night, like thick ink, gradually soaked into the sky of Beijing. The biting wind swept away the last bit of daytime noise from the alleyways, seeping into every corner of No. 95 Nanluoguxiang, swirling under the eaves and emitting a low, mournful whine.

The few potted plants belonging to Uncle Yan Bugui in the front yard looked even more shriveled under the dim streetlights, their leaves drooping listlessly as if frozen.

A faint light shone from the window of the Jia family's house in the middle courtyard, intermittently drifting out from Jia Zhangshi's suppressed, sandpaper-like curses, adding an unpleasant noise to the cold winter night.

Just then, a small figure, almost swallowed by the darkness, carefully peeked out from the moon gate leading to the backyard, carrying a heavy enamel basin. It was Li Jianjun, nicknamed "Little Stone".

He walked with unusual slowness and focus, each step firm and steady, as if he were holding not a cleaned pheasant, but some priceless and fragile treasure.

The two pheasants, plucked and meticulously cleaned, their pale pink plumage now inviting, were neatly stacked in a basin, carefully covered with a faded but clean coarse cloth to prevent dust from settling on them. Water droplets condensed on the rim of the basin shimmered faintly in the dim light.

Little Stone arrived at the moon gate leading to Wei Chen's courtyard, tiptoed, and gently knocked three times on the wooden door with his little hands, which were red from the cold. The sound was soft, carrying the unique caution and politeness of a child.

With a creak, the door opened. Warm light, mixed with the orange glow of the fireplace, flooded in, enveloping the small figure in the doorway and dispelling the chill he exuded. Wei Chen's tall figure appeared in the doorway, a gentle smile on his face.

"Brother Chen!" Little Stone looked up, his eyes sparkling with the relief of completing a task and a hint of barely perceptible anticipation. He carefully lifted the heavy basin in his hands. "All done! Both are clean!"

Wei Chen quickly reached out and took the heavy enamel basin. It was icy cold to the touch, but the contents had clearly been carefully prepared. He stepped aside, saying, "Come in quickly, it's cold outside."

Little Stone shook his head, standing only outside the threshold, his little face flushed from the steam in the house. Pointing to the chicken in the basin, he said with a touch of pride, "Grandma boiled the water for me and scalded the chicken feathers so well! The rest—plucking the feathers, gutting it, cleaning the inside and outside… I did it all myself! Grandma taught me, and I did it step by step, very carefully!"

As he spoke, he gestured with his fingers, puffing out his small chest as if he had accomplished something extraordinary. He emphasized "myself," and his clear eyes shone with an almost sacred sense of responsibility and accomplishment born from being trusted and relied upon.

Wei Chen looked down carefully. The two pheasants in the basin were indeed cleaned exceptionally well. Not a single feather was left, not even the finest downy feathers could be seen.

The chicken skin was intact, a healthy light pink color, without a single tear or remaining feather. The chicken's belly was cut open, the internal organs were completely removed, and the abdominal cavity was scraped and washed clean, without a trace of blood or residue.

The chicken head, feet, tail, and innards—parts Wei Chen had specifically asked him not to have—were neatly placed on the other side of the basin, clearly reserved for the grandfather and grandson. However, they didn't take them directly; instead, they placed them in the basin and brought them over, intending to leave them for Wei Chen if he truly didn't want them.

"Good lad!" Wei Chen exclaimed sincerely, a genuine smile of admiration spreading across his face. He reached out and vigorously ruffled Xiao Shitou's worn-out cotton hat. "You're really capable! Even more efficient than I imagined! You did a fantastic job; there's not a single flaw!"

The praise came from the bottom of his heart. Seeing this thin child taking such a serious and responsible approach to a "small matter," Wei Chen felt more gratified and...heartbroken than when he had cleaned the two chickens.

Little Stone was a little embarrassed by the praise. He lowered his head slightly, but couldn't help but smile up at the corners of his mouth, revealing a shy yet satisfied smile. Receiving Brother Chen's affirmation made him happier than anything else.

Wei Chen, carrying the basin, turned and went into the house. He didn't immediately look at the two chickens, but instead walked to an old rice jar, about half a person's height, placed against the wall. He lifted the lid and reached inside to feel around.

Little Stone curiously tiptoed to look inside, and when Wei Chen took his hand out again, there were five round, plump potatoes in his palm, their skins still smelling of fresh soil!

These potatoes were clearly extraordinary. They were uniformly sized, each one larger than an adult man's fist, with smooth skin and a healthy, plump pale yellow color that seemed to have a warm sheen under the light. The fresh scent of the earth, mixed with the unique starchy sweetness of the potatoes, was especially enticing on this cold winter night.

This was naturally the result of Wei Chen's careful cultivation and harvest using "planting techniques" in the game world. The soil in the game world was far more fertile than in reality, and with his deliberate control, the potatoes he grew were not only large and high-yielding, but also had a soft, sweet, and fragrant taste. He had mountains of such high-quality ingredients in his backpack, but he was always careful when taking them out, trying to choose unassuming yet filling items like potatoes.

"Here, take this." Wei Chen handed five heavy potatoes to Xiao Shitou.

Little Stone was stunned, his eyes wide as he stared at the five enormous potatoes that almost filled his two little hands. He subconsciously took a small step back and waved his hands repeatedly, "No, no, no! Brother Chen, I can't take this! Grandma said I can't keep taking your things! You... you've already been very kind by giving me chicken giblets!" His little face was full of panic and refusal.

These potatoes are incredibly valuable! In his limited life experience, five fresh potatoes this big would be enough for him and his grandmother to have several full meals.

Wei Chen's smile remained unchanged, but his eyes turned serious. He crouched down, bringing his gaze level with Xiao Shitou's, his tone gentle yet carrying an undeniable authority: "Xiao Shitou, this isn't free. This is payment."

"Payment?" Little Stone blinked his big eyes, full of confusion. "But...but you already gave me chicken giblets as payment!"

"Those were just things I didn't want, and you took care of them for me." Wei Chen explained patiently, as if he were teaching an important lesson. "You put in the work, the time and effort, and you completed the task for me very well."

Therefore, your labor should be respected and you should receive appropriate and reasonable compensation. These potatoes are your reward and compensation for being conscientious, responsible, and doing a good job.

He paused, looking at the child's innocent yet earnest face, and continued in a slightly serious but understandable tone: "Little Stone, you see, it's only right to work and be paid. If someone asks you to do work but doesn't pay you, or only gives you a tiny bit that's completely disproportionate, what do you call that?"

That's called exploitation! Like the landlords and capitalists of the old society! I, your brother Chen, don't want to be that kind of heartless person. So, you must take these potatoes. This is the fruit of your labor, as you deserve it.”

"Capitalist?" Little Stone clearly recognized the word. His school teacher had mentioned it; it meant a villain, a bad person who exploited the working people! Immediately, images of menacing landlords and capitalists in movies, wearing top hats, flashed through his little mind. How could his favorite brother, Chen, be that kind of villain? Absolutely not!

This thought instantly overwhelmed his grandmother's admonitions and his own unease. Little Stone immediately tensed up, his little hands no longer pushing away, but instead reaching out and carefully, almost snatching, the five heavy potatoes.

The warm potato against his cold little hand, its weight making him feel much more at ease. He hugged the potato tightly, as if afraid Wei Chen would change his mind, his little face flushed with excitement and nervousness.

"Then...then I'll take it, Brother Chen! You can't be a capitalist!" he said firmly, as if taking the potatoes would protect Wei Chen's innocence.

Looking at the child's serious expression, as if facing a formidable enemy and protecting himself from becoming a "capitalist," Wei Chen felt both amused and bittersweet.

He took the chicken that Little Stone had brought, leaving the unwanted chicken giblets in the bowl, handed it to Little Stone, and patted his head again: "That's right. Go back now, it's cold outside, don't worry Grandma. These potatoes, your grandma can stew them for you, or roast them, it's fine either way."

Little Stone nodded vigorously, hugged the precious potato, and turned to leave. He had just taken a step when he stopped, turned back, and looked up at Wei Chen.

Under the light, his eyes were clear and bright, filled with a seriousness and gratitude beyond his years: "Brother Chen," his voice was soft but exceptionally clear, "although I... I still don't quite understand the principles you mentioned, things like compensation and capitalists, and I don't know how to explain them. But, I do know!"

He paused, his little face tense, "I know you're different from others! You genuinely want to help me and Grandma! Thank you! Really... thank you!"

Having said that, he seemed to have used up all his courage, grabbed the potatoes, and ran quickly into the cold night without looking back, heading towards the low little house in the backyard. His small figure quickly disappeared into the shadow of the moon gate.