Siheyuan: Being a fisherman in 1962

"Xiao Han, I'll make your favorite meat for you tonight." Chen Fei stroked Xiao Han's head and promised with a smile.

However, when the workers who were working hard on the roof heard Chen Fei's words, waves of dissatisfaction and jealousy rose in their hearts.

They felt that their hard work did not get the respect it deserved, while Chen Fei's dog was able to enjoy a special delicacy.

"We work so hard here, but that dog eats better than us." A worker complained and hit the hammer a little harder.

"Yeah, this treatment..." another worker echoed, his tone full of helplessness.

Despite their complaints, the workers still insisted on working. They had a common goal in mind: they hoped that the Siheyuan would be rated as an advanced collective because of this reconstruction project, so as to receive rewards and bring honor and practical benefits to the entire community.

Jia Zhang, the elder of the Jia family, was standing in the yard supervising the progress of the reconstruction project. She watched Fade Chen lying leisurely on the recliner while the workers on the roof were working hard, and anger rose in her heart.

"Fade Chen, why are you still lying there?" Jia Zhang's voice was full of reproach. "Look at the workers. They are working hard for our home. Can't you come and help them?"

Fade Chen opened his eyes, looked at Jia Zhang, and calmly replied, "Grandma Zhang, I'm tired today. I promise, I will help you tomorrow."

Jia Zhang sighed. She knew Chen Fei's temper and didn't want to say anything more. She turned her attention to the upcoming house topping-out ceremony.

“On the day of the roof completion, I’m going to buy some firecrackers to celebrate.” Jia Zhang’s eyes sparkled with anticipation.

Qin Huairu heard this and immediately raised an objection: "Zhang, our family is in a tight financial situation right now, and buying firecrackers is a waste. We don't have enough money to treat our neighbors who helped us to a meal."

Jia Zhang shook her head and insisted on her opinion: "Buying firecrackers is not for waste, but for good luck. Capping is a big deal and cannot be sloppy."

Qin Huairu knew how stubborn Jia Zhang was, so she stopped arguing and silently planned in her mind how to express her gratitude to her neighbors with limited resources.

As night fell, the workers finished their hard work for the day, and Chen Fei fulfilled his promise to Xiao Han and prepared a sumptuous dinner for it. Xiao Han wagged his tail and happily turned around Chen Fei, enjoying the love of his master.

The lights in the courtyards gradually lit up, and warm light shone through the windows of every household. Despite some minor frictions today, the neighbors in Nanluoguxiang still live in harmony and support each other.

This story is a heartwarming episode in Nanluoguxiang, which shows the mutual help between neighbors and the small conflicts between individuals. It tells us that even when facing difficulties and pressure, we should not forget to care for and respect others. At the same time, it also reminds us that while pursuing auspiciousness and tradition, we should pay more attention to practical life needs and the harmony of interpersonal relationships. In this place full of human touch, everyone is maintaining the warmth and unity of this big family in their own way.

In the courtyard of Nanluoguxiang, Qin Huairu felt helpless when Jia Zhang insisted on buying firecrackers. She knew that the family's financial situation was not good, and although Jia Zhang had some savings, she was always stingy about spending money for family emergencies.

"Mrs. Zhang, you know our family situation. We don't have any extra money to buy firecrackers right now." Qin Huairu tried to persuade Mrs. Zhang. "Didn't you always say that savings should be kept for emergencies? Now that our family is rebuilding, isn't it time to spend money?"

Jia Zhang frowned. She knew that her savings were the result of years of hard work and was unwilling to use them easily. "That money is for emergencies and cannot be used casually." Her answer was firm and cold.

Qin Huairu sighed. She knew Jia Zhang's temper, so she didn't argue anymore. But she was thinking in her heart how to let Jia Zhang pay for the purchase of firecrackers herself to avoid unnecessary waste.

Jia Zhang made a decision in Qin Huairu's silence. She planned to steal to get the money to buy firecrackers. Her eyes were fixed on Chen Fei's house, because Chen Fei was well-known in the alley for his high income and generosity.

"Fade Chen walks his dog every day, so that's a good time for me to act." Jia Zhang secretly planned in her mind, "I will only take a little cash, he shouldn't notice."

Jia Zhang's plan seemed perfect, but she didn't know that Chen Fei had a special system that could alert him to potential dangers.

On the day when Jia Zhang was about to take action, Chen Fei's system suddenly issued a warning: "Warning, Jia Zhang intends to steal your property."

Chen Fei was shocked when he heard this tip. He faced two choices: one was to ignore the theft, and the other was to set a trap to fight back. Chen Fei fell into deep thought. He didn't want to escalate the situation, but he also didn't want his property to be damaged.

Finally, Chen Fei decided to take a more clever countermeasure. He decided to deliberately leave some cash in a place where it could be easily found while walking his dog, and secretly observe to see if Jia Zhang would really come to steal.

The next day, Chen Fei took Xiao Han for a walk in the alley as usual, and he deliberately put some cash under a flower pot at the door of his house. When Jia Zhang saw Chen Fei leaving, she tiptoed towards Chen Fei's house, her movements light and skillful.

However, just when Jia Zhang was about to get the cash, Chen Fei suddenly appeared. "Grandma Zhang, what are you doing?" Chen Fei's voice was calm, but with a hint of blame.

Jia Zhang was caught red-handed, and a trace of embarrassment and panic flashed across her face. "I... I just..." She stammered to explain, but soon realized that her behavior had been exposed.

Chen Fei did not continue to ask, he knew the difficulties of Jia Zhang. "Grandma Zhang, I know you want firecrackers to celebrate, but our family really does not have extra money right now. How about this, I can help you think of other ways."

Jia Zhang looked at Chen Fei, feeling a mixture of guilt and gratitude. "Chen Fei, I was wrong. I shouldn't have done this. Thank you for helping me."

Chen Fei smiled and shook his head. "We are all neighbors and should help each other. Let's go and discuss with Aunt Qin to see if there are other ways to celebrate the completion of the project."

This story, like an episode in Nanluoguxiang, shows the complexity of human nature and the delicate relationship between neighbors. It tells us that when faced with temptation and difficulties, we should choose integrity and wisdom instead of taking the wrong path.

At the same time, it also reminds us that in community life, mutual understanding and support are the key to building harmonious neighborhood relations. In this place full of human touch, everyone is maintaining the warmth and unity of this big family in their own way.