Siheyuan, integrating everything, cultivating the city

As winter turns to spring, the snow in the yard gradually melts, and the withered grass and trees begin to sprout new green leaves. Grandpa He's health is gradually improving, and his mental state is much better than before. Although he still needs to be carefully taken care of, he can finally go out occasionally to get some fresh air and bask in the sun. Li Xiangqian often accompanies him, helping him to sort out some carpentry work, and bringing in new customer needs from time to time, so that Grandpa He can continue to feel the fulfillment and hope of life.

Li Xiangqian stood beside the small oil lamp with a steady gaze, watching the light flickering slightly, reflecting the figure of Grandpa He who was concentrating on his work. Although Grandpa He's hands were covered with calluses and his joints were slightly stiff, his movements were still flexible and full of experience. With each carving, wood chips fell finely, forming a rhythmic beauty. Li Xiangqian couldn't help but feel warm in his heart, thinking that although Grandpa He was old, he still maintained his concentration on this craft, and he even felt a little proud of Grandpa He.

But at the same time, he also secretly made up his mind - he had to find a way to make the He family more stable, and he couldn't just rely on this carpentry work. Especially since Grandpa He's health was no longer young, if his illness recurred in the future, the He family might still be in trouble. He frowned slightly, thought for a long time, and secretly thought about how to find more income for the He family. He thought of several businessmen he had met in the town several times before. They seemed to be quite interested in the handicrafts of the Siheyuan, and even asked to see some finished samples of traditional furniture. This suddenly gave him a bold idea - why not let Grandpa He make some small and exquisite woodworking products? In this way, even older craftsmen can complete it without much effort, and he can be responsible for liaison and sales for the He family.

"Uncle He," he said softly, breaking the silence of the night, "I've thought about it. Your skills can't just be buried in our courtyard. Since you can do carpentry, several merchants I know are worried about not being able to find good carpentry jobs. Why not let them see your skills, too? What do you think?"

Uncle He raised his head, with a look of surprise on his wrinkled face. He thought for a moment, with a look of doubt in his eyes: "Xiao Li, I know your intentions. But... I am old and can't do much work. Besides, it's enough to barely make a living, why bother to work so hard to earn that money?" His tone revealed a kind of modesty and nostalgia, which was his character of being poor but self-sufficient throughout his life.

Li Xiangqian shook his head and advised gently but firmly: "Uncle, please don't misunderstand. I don't want you to be tired, but I think your craftsmanship should not be buried. You only need to make some small things, without spending too much effort. I will contact the customers for you, and they will naturally be willing to pay a good price. Besides, this can also be regarded as inheritance. Let everyone know how exquisite the craftsmanship of the Siheyuan is. Isn't it good?"

Grandpa He listened quietly, his eyes flickering in the dim light, and he seemed to be a little shaken. The warmth in Li Xiangqian's words touched him, and he had to admit that he really didn't want to see these decades of craftsmanship disappear. Finally, he sighed softly, smiled and nodded: "Okay, Xiao Li, I'll follow your arrangements. But I'm an old man, so I'll do as much as I can, so young people, don't look down on my slowness."

When Li Xiangqian heard this, he immediately relaxed a lot and smiled: "Uncle, what you said really embarrasses me. Your craftsmanship is to work slowly and carefully, who dares to despise it!" As soon as he said this, Uncle He couldn't help laughing, and the atmosphere in the room suddenly became lively. Even Aunt He smiled with satisfaction. She watched Li Xiangqian and Uncle He talking happily, and secretly thanked this young man in her heart. She silently poured him a cup of hot tea and gently handed it to him.

From that day on, Li Xiangqian began to help Grandpa He design some small woodworking works. He spent many nights patiently sketching under the dim light, revising again and again. In order to make the work both traditional and innovative, he visited several craftsmen in the town and listened carefully to their suggestions. Every time he came back from a trip, he would bring back a pile of drawings, work late into the night, and study them carefully. As time went on, Li Xiangqian gradually designed a series of exquisite wooden ornaments, accessories, and some small furniture parts, and planned to give these samples to Grandpa He to try to make.

After several discussions and adjustments, Grandpa He finally started to make the first sample. He first selected the best wood, polished and carved it with the help of Li Xiangqian, and made it step by step according to the design of the drawing. Li Xiangqian watched Grandpa He's movements intently, full of admiration and satisfaction. He seemed to see the vitality of a craftsman, which glowed with new brilliance in these works.

Li Xiangqian brought several finished samples to a small shop in town with great expectations. He exchanged a few pleasantries with the shop owner, opened the cloth bag, and placed the small and exquisite woodworking ornaments on the counter. The shop owner was a man with a unique vision, and he could see the uniqueness of these works at a glance. He carefully examined every detail and said in amazement: "Xiao Li, these are really rare and good craftsmanship, clean and neat, and full of charm." He twirled his beard, his eyes lingered on the samples, and after a moment he made a decision, "I want them all. There must be people who like these small ornaments! Tell the old master that I am willing to cooperate with him for a long time."

Li Xiangqian was overjoyed and agreed immediately. After leaving the shop, he quickened his pace back to the courtyard and told the good news to Grandpa He and Grandma He. After hearing this, Grandpa He held Li Xiangqian's hand tightly with trembling hands, and there were tears in his eyes: "Xiao Li, I didn't expect that my old bones could be worth some money. This is all thanks to you..."

Li Xiangqian gently patted Uncle He's hand and said with a smile: "Uncle, this is your own ability. You can just focus on making small items in the future, and I will take care of the rest. This way it is not laborious and you can earn some money, which is better than doing nothing."

Aunt He listened on the side with a rare smile on her face. She gently patted Uncle He on the shoulder and said half-jokingly: "See, I told you that your skill is very useful, but you just didn't believe it. You have to listen to Xiao Li in the future and stop belittling yourself!"

As time went by, Li Xiangqian gradually managed this small woodworking business in an orderly manner. He helped Grandpa He contact customers and even helped find better quality wood to ensure that every piece of work could achieve the best effect. Every night, Li Xiangqian would sit in the yard, listening to Grandpa He humming old tunes and watching him working attentively under the light, feeling fulfilled.