Rebirth in a Courtyard: I Am a Little Hunter

The night was as dark as ink, thickly painted over Baoyuquan Village. Wei Chen pushed his bicycle, which was half full of sacks, as it creaked and groaned as it rolled over the last stretch of dirt road at the village entrance.

The cart wheels were covered in dust from the neighboring village, and the burlap sack, filled with dried vegetables, eggs, and a bag of cicada nymphs that smelled of mud, weighed heavily on the back seat.

The hustle and bustle of the ancestral hall's canteen had long since dissipated, leaving only a few embers still burning deep in the stove, flickering uncertainly in the darkness, emitting the last wisp of smoke mixed with the lingering aroma of radish soup and cornbread.

Pushing open the familiar wooden door of my home, a familiar aroma, a blend of embers from a fire and the warm scent of food, wafted out. The kerosene lamp in the main room was small, casting a dim, yellowish glow.

By the dim light, Wang Xiulan was mending an old garment for Wei Ran, the needle and thread moving through the fabric with a soft hissing sound. Hearing the door open, she looked up, her face showing weariness from work, but even more so, relief at seeing her son.

"Chenzi, you're back? You must be starving!" She put down her needlework, stood up, and the lamplight cast a soft shadow on her face. "The canteen closed early, I guess you missed it, so I made you a bowl of noodles and poached an egg, it's still warm in the pot."

"Mom, thank you for your hard work." Wei Chen felt a warmth in his heart. He parked his bicycle under the porch, unloaded the heavy sacks, and leaned against the wall.

He was indeed hungry. Running around to the neighboring village, weighing and recording orders, had not only exhausted his physical strength but also his mental energy. The steaming bowl of hand-pulled noodles was served, the soup clear and the noodles white, topped with a golden poached egg and a few bright green scallions, simple yet exceptionally comforting.

Wei Chen picked up the bowl and began to slurp it down. The aroma of wheat from the noodles and the rich flavor of the eggs spread across his tongue, dispelling his fatigue and weariness.

"Eat slowly, don't choke." Wang Xiulan sat opposite him, carefully examining her son's slightly weathered face by the light. "You must be tired after running around all day. How's Xiayuan Village...? I heard the harvest isn't good this year."

Wei Chen swallowed the noodles in his mouth, and the thought of Village Chief Li Youtian's worried face and the wild vegetable dumplings the old woman handed him resurfaced, bringing back that heavy feeling in his heart. "Hmm, it's not good." He briefly described the impoverished state of Xiayuan Village, then sighed, "They gave me a steamed bun, at least that old woman can manage to have a meal." He didn't mention the box of "Da Qianmen" cigarettes he had given to Li Youtian.

Wang Xiulan listened in silence for a while, then gently patted Wei Chen's hand: "Sigh, it's not easy for anyone... Our village is doing alright this year thanks to God. You should rest early. Tomorrow is Saturday, there's breakfast at the canteen, I'll bring it back for you."

The next morning, Wei Chen was awakened by the chirping of sparrows outside his window. Sunlight streamed through the cracks in the windowpane, which was covered with old newspapers, casting dappled patterns of light on the ground.

He woke up naturally, a rare occurrence for him, feeling relaxed and refreshed, all the fatigue from the previous day gone. On the square table in the main room, there was a clean, rough porcelain bowl covered with a small dish containing two hard-boiled eggs—the breakfast his mother, Wang Xiulan, had brought back for him from the canteen.

A bowl of thick, golden cornmeal porridge, topped with a few soft, cooked red dates, and several fluffy steamed buns made from a mixture of wheat and water, exuding the sweet aroma of freshly harvested wheat. Wei Chen felt a warmth in his heart. He picked up his bowl and chopsticks, and, accompanied by the birdsong outside the window, quietly enjoyed this breakfast filled with his mother's love.

The house was quiet. My mother, Wang Xiulan, went to the canteen to help out in the kitchen before dawn. This was specially arranged by my uncle, Wei Changsheng. Working in the canteen earned her work points just like working in the fields. She was protected from the wind and rain and avoided the harsh conditions of working in the fields.

My younger sister, Wei Ran, also started school early. Now Saturday is a workday, and we only have Sunday off.

After having breakfast, Wei Chen rolled up his sleeves and began tidying up the house. He picked up a broom and carefully swept away the dust on the floor of the main room and the inner room; then he fetched clean water and wiped the stove and the edge of the water vat until they shone; seeing that the firewood piled up in the corner of the yard was a bit messy, he squatted down and carefully arranged the firewood one by one.

These familiar, down-to-earth household chores allowed him to completely relax, as if he had re-integrated into the rhythm of this small courtyard.

As the sun rose higher and noon approached, the enticing aroma of food began to waft through the air. Wei Chen knew that lunch was about to begin at the village canteen. He picked up his large bowl and strolled leisurely toward the ancestral hall courtyard.

The canteen was busiest and most lively place of the day. Several huge iron pots were steaming over earthen stoves, filling the air with the rich aroma of meat and wheat.

The chef in charge was Wei Laoshuan, the best cook in the village. He was wielding a long-handled iron ladle, stirring a pot full of meat broth in the steaming pot—today was a rare occasion for meat-infused noodles!

Wearing a clean apron, Wang Xiulan was working alongside several other women, deftly kneading, rolling, and cutting dough on the cutting board, long strands of noodles falling like silver ribbons. Seeing her son enter, a smile spread across Wang Xiulan's face, a speck of flour still clinging to her forehead.

"Chenzi's here? Quickly find a place to sit for a while, the noodles will be ready soon!" Wang Xiulan greeted.

"Hey, isn't this our chief purchasing agent?" A sharp-eyed woman named Aunt Wei asked jokingly, "Which village did you go to yesterday? Did you pick up any good stuff?"

Wei Chen smiled and placed the bowl on the table where people collect food: "Third Aunt, please don't laugh at me. I'm just running errands to earn a living. Yesterday I went to Shangyuan, Xiayuan, and Qinjiatun and collected some dried vegetables and eggs."

"Tsk tsk, working in a big factory in the city is really different, you get to see the world!" Another woman chopping scallions chimed in, "Chenzi, are those city girls... pretty?" This remark elicited a burst of good-natured laughter.

Wei Chen wasn't annoyed and readily agreed with a smile: "Sister-in-law, city girls are fashionable, but they can't compare to the honest and capable girls in our village!" This remark drew another round of laughter and praise for "Chenzi's eloquence."

As they were chatting and laughing, the sounds of commune members coming from work and their footsteps approached from afar. Soon, men and women, covered in the smell of mud and sweat, poured into the canteen courtyard, each carrying various bowls and chopsticks. The once spacious canteen instantly became crowded, with several long queues forming.

Seeing this, Wei Chen rolled up his sleeves and said, "Mother, Third Aunt, I'm just killing time anyway, why don't I help you make some braising liquid?" As he spoke, he took the long ladle that Wei Laoshuan handed him and stood by the large bucket of braising liquid.

"Alright, Chenzi! This braised meat is so juicy, you should scoop some more for everyone!" Old Wei said cheerfully, making room for everyone.

"Alright! I'll make sure everyone's bowls are covered in oil!" Wei Chen replied loudly, his hands moving non-stop. He took the bowls of noodles from the members with his left hand, and with his right hand, he steadily scooped up a large spoonful of fragrant, glistening meat sauce, pouring it evenly over the freshly cooked white noodles. The aroma of meat mixed with the fragrance of sauce and scallions, steaming hot, enveloped everyone's faces.

"Chenzi, give me more diced meat! I'm so hungry!" a familiar young man called out with a smile.

"Brother Zhu, don't worry! There's enough for you!" Wei Chen smiled and deliberately shook two extra trembling pieces of fatty meat into his bowl.

"Chenzi, I want some fatty meat, soft and tender." An elderly woman tremblingly handed over a bowl.

"Alright, Grandma Qi, I'll water you a little more so the green beans and radishes in the braised dish are all mushy!" Wei Chen responded readily, efficiently fulfilling the requests of different people.

For a time, greetings of "Chenzi, Chenzi" were heard everywhere. He was so busy that his forehead was slightly sweaty, but he always had a warm smile on his face. He looked particularly energetic amidst the steaming heat and the clamor of voices.

As the peak of the crowd subsided, Wei Chen saw Wei Laogen, the brigade accountant, sitting at a small table in the corner with an account book, presumably checking the accounts. He wiped his hands, walked over, and took out the grain coupons he had prepared.

"Uncle Lao Gen, are you busy?"

Wei Laogen looked up and adjusted his reading glasses: "Hey, Chenzi! What's up?"

"That's right, Uncle Lao Gen." Wei Chen handed over the grain coupons. "My household registration has been moved to the city, so I've been eating at the village canteen these past few days. I can't just eat for free. Here are today's coupons, and tomorrow morning and noon's coupons too. Please keep them and keep track of them." He pointed to the date and denomination on the grain coupons, explaining very clearly.

Wei Laogen took the grain coupons, examined them carefully, and a look of appreciation appeared on his face: "Oh, Chenzi, you're such a discerning child! A discerning person indeed! Alright, Uncle will write it down for you!"

He solemnly wrote down Wei Chen's name and the amount of grain coupons in the ledger, then looked up and smiled, "Your uncle is right. You're a good kid; you know your place and are well-behaved when you're out in the world! Good!"

At this moment, Uncle Wei Changsheng also came over carrying a large bowl, which was piled high with noodles and oily meat gravy.

He had clearly heard what was said, and with pride and satisfaction on his face, he patted Wei Chen's shoulder forcefully: "Good lad! That's how it should be! Public matters are public matters, and private matters are private matters. We, the Wei family, can't let anyone talk behind our backs, no matter where we go!"

Wei Chen smiled and said, "It's my pleasure, Uncle." He saw that there weren't many people in line anymore, so he picked up his bowl and said, "You continue eating, I'll go get myself a bowl of noodles."

Wei Chen, carrying a full bowl of noodles topped with a thick layer of meat sauce, sat down on a small stool next to Wei Changsheng. The noodles were chewy, the sauce was savory and rich, and the diced fatty meat melted in his mouth. He ate until he was sweating and felt completely satisfied.

"Uncle," Wei Chen slurped up a large mouthful of noodles, swallowed, and then lowered his voice, "I think it'll be cooler after work this afternoon. Could you perhaps use the village loudspeaker to announce it again?"

"What are you shouting for?" Wei Changsheng put down his chopsticks.

"Just shout out, 'If anyone has eggs, dried vegetables, or mountain produce they want to sell, bring them directly to the small square outside the village canteen after work this afternoon. I'll be waiting here to collect them,'" Wei Chen explained. "Yesterday I went to other villages, today it's our own village's turn. I'll definitely prioritize collecting what the villagers have, and I won't shortchange anyone on the price."

Wei Changsheng's eyes lit up, and he immediately understood Wei Chen's meaning: this was to bring convenience and benefits to the villagers! He nodded vigorously, the noodles in his bowl wobbling as he spoke: "Great! That's a good idea! Don't worry, as soon as the work bell rings this afternoon, I'll call everyone over! I guarantee I'll get everyone here!"