Chapter 10

Number 2 Shancher Hutong, though it only houses four families, has a rather complex structure.

In the courtyard, apart from a tall Chinese toon tree and a tap with a water pool, each family has its own small room.

This courtyard is practically devoid of any spacious areas and is very much like a large pancake that has fallen to the ground.

Pick it up, brush off the dirt, and it’s still edible, but the layers and contents inside are all in a mess.

And the reason for this is, of course, the Tangshan earthquake of 1976.

As a region that experienced strong tremors, it was during those days of fear and panic that people built earthquake shelters in the courtyard, which were later converted into small kitchens and storage rooms.

If an outsider were to walk in for the first time, they would surely feel as if they were entering a maze due to the chaotic layout.

Or, in a moment of unexpected clarity, they might trip over the uneven ground.

At 6:15 PM, when Ning Weimin walked into this "large pancake,"

it was, as usual, dinnertime.

Each family was busy preparing dinner, and the entire courtyard was filled with the aroma of cooking.

It must be said that coming home at this time has always been a bit uncomfortable for Ning Weimin.

Because in this era, people are very polite and overly courteous.

Ning Weimin, walking unevenly into the courtyard, often encounters neighbors carrying food from their small kitchens to their rooms.

When he meets them, he has to greet them.

"Uncle," "Aunt," "Grandpa," "Grandma," he has to chat a bit before he can continue walking.

Moreover, because of the enticing smell of the food, the hunger in Ning Weimin's stomach becomes even more unbearable.

With his empty stomach, he naturally feels even more hungry and thirsty.

But in those days, no one was well-off, and even if they offered, he couldn’t really accept it.

Hey, he can smell it, but he can’t eat it.

After thanking them, he still has to go back to his room with his mouth watering, and eat steamed buns with Old Kang.

The contrast in his heart is so great.

However, today is a bit different from usual.

Having made such a fortune, he must celebrate.

So he didn’t come back empty-handed.

Besides the things he bought for the vagrants, which were all packed in a large bag,

he also carried a bottle of liquor for Old Kang and four solid oil paper packages in his other hand.

Anyone could tell that the oil paper packages must contain something delicious!

Thus, the scene that usually made him feel down turned into a welcoming ceremony for his return.

The temptation that used to trouble him became a prelude to whet his appetite.

First, he passed by the home of Uncle Luo from the bakery.

Ning Weimin walked to Uncle Luo’s small kitchen and met Aunt Luo, who was carrying a plate of scrambled eggs and was about to take it into the house.

Without asking, Ning Weimin knew this was for Uncle Luo’s eldest daughter-in-law.

This was a joyous event for the Luo family this year.

The eldest daughter-in-law was already showing, and she was expected to give birth in September.

"Wei Min, you’re back..." Aunt Luo called out, turning her head.

"Ah, Aunt Luo. Your skills are amazing. I could smell it from outside the courtyard, it’s fragrant for miles."

"Hey, just a plate of scrambled eggs. Look at what you’re saying..."

"Better to be in the right place at the right time. Since you can smell it, why don’t you eat it here?" Another voice came from inside, where Uncle Luo was drinking.

The eldest son and daughter-in-law of the Luo family were also sitting at the dinner table, smiling at Ning Weimin.

But Ning Weimin couldn’t bear to, and quickly declined.

"Uncle Luo, thank you, but I’m having a feast today. Look..."

Ning Weimin’s gesture of lifting his hand was crucial.

The expression on the Luo family’s faces, if written into a book, would be titled "Ten Thousand Unexpecteds."

"Hey, this liquor is good, it’s from Huadeng. You have a good heart, you bought it for Old Kang, right?"

"Uncle Luo, I bought it for you too. Come to my place for a drink."

"Ha, no need to be so polite. But I appreciate it. I’ve already started eating. Later, when the first batch of toon leaves in the courtyard is ready, we’ll have to have a drink with scrambled eggs and toon leaves."

Hey, this was the first time Ning Weimin turned from being passive to being proactive, daring to invite others.

He had both substance and face!

After turning a corner, he came to the home of Grandpa Bian and Grandma Bian.

Ning Weimin saw the old lady carrying a steamer from the stove in the kitchen.

Even though the lid was tightly sealed, he could still smell what was inside.

He knew that if he lowered his head to pass by, the old lady would get angry.

So, through the kitchen window, he greeted Grandma Bian.

"Grandma, you’re having dumplings again, with pork and cabbage, right?"

"Hey, Minzi is back, your nose is so sharp. My husband loves dumplings. Don’t go, I’ll get you a few, they’re just out of the steamer, eat them while they’re hot."

"No, no, Grandma, I bought some ready-made ones today, I can eat them as soon as I get home."

"Oh, that’s great, then you should go back quickly, don’t let Old Kang wait."

Without a doubt, the old lady was also surprised to see the liquor and oil paper packages.

This made Ning Weimin feel even better.

His heart was soaring.

But it wasn’t over yet. Even the family in the eastern room at the back of the courtyard, the projectionist of Daguanglou Cinema, Mr. Mi, wasn’t left out.

It was Ning Weimin’s turn to shine today.

Just as he put down the large canvas bag and was about to open his door,

Mr. Mi, holding a toothpick, wearing a coat, and carrying a bag, came out of his house.

He saw the things in Ning Weimin’s hands and his eyes widened.

"Hey, what’s the occasion today? It’s not a festival, but you’re having a feast!"

"Hey, I’ve been eating too much plain food lately, even my farts don’t smell right. I’m just adding some oil. Have you eaten? Want to have a drink together?"

"Ha, I’ve already eaten. You’re just teasing me. Drink well with Old Kang."

Mr. Mi was about to pass by, but suddenly stopped and patted Ning Weimin’s shoulder.

"By the way, if you’re free after eating, come to the cinema. Daguanglou is showing a new film, 'Return with All My Heart'..."

"Thank you, Mr. Mi. If I’m not too drunk, I’ll definitely come."

Laughing and chatting, Mr. Mi finally left the courtyard, and Ning Weimin could truly enter his home.

But at this moment, for some reason, he stood there, lost in thought, with a rather complex mood.

It seemed he had gained a deeper understanding of the neighborly relationships in this era.

Yes, although these words couldn’t be taken seriously, everyone knew they were just formalities, they couldn’t be simply defined as meaningless hypocrisy.

Because these formalities indeed contained genuine feelings, wrapped in warmth and enthusiasm.

Only by returning to this era did he clearly recognize what the people of old Beijing were like.

Harmony, sincerity, and kindness were the mainstream values of these older generations.

These neighbors and fellow residents had lived together for decades.

The titles "Grandpa," "Grandma," "Uncle," "Aunt" were not just formalities.

As long as they lived in the same courtyard, these neighbors were more useful than relatives.

Not to mention the daily chores like watching clothes, looking after children, lighting stoves, and guarding the house,

even in major events like production, illness, marriage, and funerals, or resolving family conflicts, these people without any blood ties could be relied upon for help.

No one was concerned about "meddling in others’ affairs and getting into trouble."

Unlike the neighbors of later times, who would ignore each other like camels yawning—turning their heads away.

To be honest, since coming to this era, he had indeed tasted the food from each family.

Now, thinking about it, his fear of these formalities and his annoyance with these scenes

might have been because he couldn’t reciprocate this kindness, feeling inferior and guilty.

In other words, if he had really accepted the invitations just now,

he would have had a share of both the scrambled eggs and the meat-filled buns.

Even if the eldest daughter-in-law of the Luo family or the family of Grandma Bian had to make do with a couple of steamed buns,

the two families wouldn’t have said anything and would still invite him next time.

Not for any other reason, but because this was the custom of Beijing, the generosity of the people of Yan and Zhao.

Hey, no wonder Old Kang often talked to him about it.

"... During those ten years back in my hometown, I felt uncomfortable no matter what. I didn’t know if it was them or me. It wasn’t until I came back that I seemed to understand. What I miss is probably not Beijing, but the human relationships here..."

At the moment of opening the door, Ning Weimin had already made up his mind.

He decided that the things he bought today must not be kept to himself.

There must be reciprocity, giving and receiving.

After entering the house, he would find a few empty bowls, divide the contents of the oil paper packages, and send some to each family.

Compared to the slight satisfaction he felt just now, this was a higher form of happiness.