Siheyuan, integrating everything, cultivating the city

So he began to think about how to bring this "benefit" to the courtyard house. He considered many plans, but always felt that some were too monotonous or not attractive enough. He knew that he had to find a way to mobilize everyone's enthusiasm and make people truly enjoy the happiness.

The next morning, Li Xiangqian was walking in the yard when he happened to meet his neighbor, Lao Wang. Lao Wang was a retired carpenter who liked to do some carpentry work in his own hut when he had nothing to do. Carpentry and farming can actually be combined, so why not use Lao Wang's craftsmanship to make the courtyard a more interesting place?

"Old Wang, are you busy lately?" Li Xiangqian asked tentatively.

"It's nothing, I just made some small furniture to kill time." Lao Wang replied with a smile.

"I have an idea. Can you help me?" Li Xiangqian briefly told Lao Wang about his idea.

When Lao Wang heard this, his eyes lit up, "That's a good idea! I can help make some wooden benches, swings, etc., so that everyone can rest when they are tired from work, and the children can also have a place to play. Lao Wang's suggestion hit the mark. He continued to discuss with Lao Wang how to add some facilities to the courtyard so that this place would have both a working atmosphere and leisure and entertainment elements. They decided to build a simple pavilion in the open space in the middle of the courtyard, put a few benches around it, and install a small swing in the corner, so that both adults and children can find fun here.

When Li Xiangqian told other neighbors about this plan, everyone showed great interest. Some offered to donate some wood, and some said they could help plant some flowers and plants to make the pavilion more beautiful. Some young people even suggested adding some lights so that they could enjoy the cool breeze in the yard at night.

Thus, a new round of excitement began in the courtyard. Li Xiangqian led everyone to plan together, while Lao Wang was responsible for the specific carpentry. Before long, the pavilion and benches took shape. When the children saw the newly installed swing, they couldn't wait to try it out. The whole courtyard became more warm and interesting because of this small change.

Li Xiangqian watched the pavilion gradually take shape, and he felt an indescribable emotion in his heart. In the past, he always believed that farming was the core of the Siheyuan, but now he understands that farming is just a bond, and what really makes the Siheyuan shine is the interaction and communication between people. Everyone here finds their own fun and the long-lost sense of community belonging.

On the day the pavilion was completed, Li Xiangqian decided to hold a small celebration for the residents of the courtyard. He cooked several dishes himself using fresh vegetables from his own vegetable patch, and bought some snacks and drinks from the market, which filled the long table under the pavilion. Everyone gathered together, eating the vegetables they grew themselves and chatting happily.

"Xiang Qian, you are really the lucky star of our yard!" The neighbor aunt praised with a smile while biting a piece of cucumber.

"No, this is the most important thing." Li Xiangqian responded modestly, but his heart was filled with a sense of accomplishment. The small lights in the pavilion lit up, and the courtyard was filled with a warm glow. Li Xiangqian sat aside, looking at the smiles on everyone's faces, feeling extremely satisfied. He knew that there would be more possibilities waiting for him and everyone in the courtyard to realize in the future.

During this warm gathering, Li Xiangqian quietly set a new goal: He wanted to use this pavilion to regularly organize community activities, such as reading clubs, film screenings, handcraft classes, etc., so that the courtyard would not only be a place for work and rest, but also a place full of cultural and emotional exchanges.

When the night was quiet, thinking back on what happened that day, this courtyard was no longer just his home, but a home shared by him and his neighbors. He understood that there would be many challenges in the future, but he was no longer fighting alone. He had like-minded partners and a common goal. He secretly made up his mind that no matter what the road ahead was, he would lead the residents of the courtyard to move forward together and make this small courtyard a warm and happy place in the city. After getting up, Li Xiangqian started to work in the yard as usual. Neighbors came to the yard one after another to start a new day of farming and life. Li Xiangqian walked to the pavilion and saw everyone sitting together chatting. His heart was filled with peace and satisfaction.

"Xiang Qian, what should we plant today?" Lao Wang asked with a smile.

"Today, let's plant some lettuce and spinach. These two are just right for this season." Li Xiangqian replied with a smile.

"Okay, we'll listen to you!" everyone responded in unison.

In his daily life in the Siheyuan, Li Xiangqian always maintains his enthusiasm for every piece of land. Whether it is his own vegetable plot or the plots of his neighbors, he is willing to help. Everyone in the Siheyuan has different backgrounds and personalities. Some are willing to accept new things, while others are more conservative and accustomed to living step by step. He has been trying hard to make everyone find fun and satisfaction in farming, but he also knows that this is not something that can be achieved overnight.

There was a resident in the courtyard named Qin Huairu, a woman with a hot-tempered but somewhat stubborn personality. She had always been reserved about Li Xiangqian's enthusiasm for farming, thinking that farming was too troublesome and it would be easier to buy vegetables at the market. Qin Huairu usually didn't pay much attention to farm work. The small vegetable plot allocated to her in the yard was mostly left uncultivated, and occasionally she would just plant some simple vegetables and radishes. Every time she saw others busy tending the vegetable plots, she would always stand aside with her arms folded and watch coldly, muttering, "Wouldn't it be the same to buy these things at the market?"

Li Xiangqian didn't mind it too much. He knew that everyone had their own choices, and he didn't want to force anyone to accept his ideas. However, sometimes he felt that maybe he should try harder and create an opportunity for Qin Huairu so that she could also experience the joy of planting. After all, only by truly participating in it can you understand the satisfaction of watching plants grow from seeds to food.

One day, Li Xiangqian got some rare vegetable seeds from a friend. These seeds were carefully cultivated, and the vegetables grown were not only delicious but also high in nutritional value. Li Xiangqian thought that maybe he could take this opportunity to let Qin Huairu try these new varieties, and maybe she would become interested in farming.

So Li Xiangqian specially selected some seeds that were easiest to plant, put them in a small paper bag, and walked to the gate of Qin Huairu's yard. He was a little nervous, not sure whether Qin Huairu would accept his kindness, but he still knocked on the door.