Siheyuan, integrating everything, cultivating the city

From that day on, Li Xiangqian took Xiaozhi to work on the construction site every day. Although Xiaozhi was young, he was very sensible and took the initiative in everything. Li Xiangqian taught him some basic skills and tried his best to protect him from getting hurt while working. Occasionally, when Xiaozhi was tired, Li Xiangqian would take him to sit aside and tell him some truths about life. Although Xiaozhi was still young, he listened with great interest, as if he had become much more sensible overnight.

As time went by, the He family gradually felt the warmth brought by Li Xiangqian's selfless help. Through this "job", Xiao Zhi earned some meager income. Although the amount was not large, it was undoubtedly a timely help for the He family. Li Xiangqian deliberately set the salary a little higher. Every time he paid his salary, he would take extra care of Xiao Zhi and let him take the money home to give to his mother. Every time He's mother received this hard-earned money, she felt grateful and ashamed, but she also understood that this was the goodwill between neighbors and she had no reason to refuse.

One day, when Xiao Zhi ran home excitedly and handed his wages to his mother, He's mother couldn't help crying. She looked at her son's innocent face and thought of He Dahai still lying in bed. She couldn't help but feel sad and her heart was full of complicated emotions. However, in these tears, there was also a deep gratitude. She knew that without Li Xiangqian's help, their family would have been difficult to survive.

Li Xiangqian's help is not only material support, but also spiritual support for the He family. Every weekend, he would bring some nutritional supplements or medicinal herbs to help He's mother with housework or chat with He Dahai. Li Xiangqian's arrival is like a ray of sunshine, dispelling the haze in this cold winter and bringing a moment of warmth and comfort to the He family.

Li Xiangqian has been busy with He Xiaozhi for several weeks. As the days go by, he gradually develops a firm idea in his heart - if he can do more and help more, maybe he can really help the He family get some relief from their predicament. However, he also understands that the He family's self-esteem is deeply rooted, and if he is not careful, they will doubt his assistance and may even feel alienated. Li Xiangqian does not want to embarrass others because of his help. He wants to use his own way to slowly and steadily help this strong family.

One day, Li Xiangqian and Xiaozhi were busy at the construction site. As it was getting dark, Li Xiangqian packed up his tools and prepared to return to the courtyard. On the way out of the construction site, Li Xiangqian deliberately slowed down his pace and cast a concerned look at Xiaozhi from time to time. Xiaozhi's bright eyes sparkled in the sunset, and he kept chattering about the fun things that happened today.

"Uncle Li, today Uncle Wang, who was carrying stones, almost dropped a stone on his foot! Fortunately, someone nearby helped to stop him, otherwise it would have been painful!" Xiao Zhi said excitedly, with a pure joy in his eyes. For him, the days of following Uncle Li in the past few weeks seemed like a special journey in his little life, allowing him to see many scenes he had never seen before.

Li Xiangqian smiled and rubbed his head. "Xiaozhi, is it hard to help Uncle Li with his work? Do you want Uncle Li to treat you to a bowl of noodles with soybean paste as a reward for your little labor?"

When Xiao Zhi heard this, his eyes immediately lit up and he cheered, "Really, Uncle Li? I want to eat! I want a big bowl!"

Li Xiangqian smiled and nodded, and walked towards the stall with Xiaozhi. The night gradually enveloped the alley, and the street lights flickered in the cold night wind. The vendors had already set up tables and chairs, and the aroma of steaming noodles filled the air, making people's appetites whet. Li Xiangqian looked at Xiaozhi wolfing down his food, and his heart ached. Perhaps Xiaozhi didn't know that this small meal of noodles was already his most sumptuous meal in the past few days.

After eating the noodles, Li Xiangqian looked at Xiaozhi's satisfied smile and became more determined in his decision. As long as he could earn a little more, he would help the He family without hesitation. On the way back to the courtyard, Li Xiangqian secretly thought about which construction sites or foremen he could ask and take on more short-term work. Although his schedule was already full, he was willing to work as long as he could help the He family.

Back at the courtyard, it was completely dark. Twinkling lights shone through the windows of each household, adding a bit of warmth to the entire courtyard. Mother He had been waiting at the door early. Seeing Li Xiangqian and Xiaozhi return safely, she couldn't help but flash a trace of relief in her eyes. She quickly stepped forward and thanked Li Xiangqian, "Xiangqian, it's really thanks to you! Xiaozhi has been with you for some time and has become much more sensible. This child is usually very naughty, but I didn't expect that he would become so diligent after following you!"

Li Xiangqian smiled and waved his hand, "Sister-in-law, you are too polite. Xiaozhi is a very talented child. I still have a lot to learn from him." He said this in a nonchalant manner, but in his heart he was thinking about how to continue to help the He family and how to provide them with more support without making a fuss.

Back in his room, Li Xiangqian lit the kerosene lamp on the table. The orange light cast a layer of warmth on his tired face. He took out an old account book from the cabinet, gently flipped through the numbers on it, and thought about how to arrange his working hours next. As the end of the year approached, the work on the construction site gradually decreased. He had to seize the last opportunity to save as much income as possible. He dared not spend a penny of this money, because he knew that this was not only his own living expenses, but also the He family was waiting for this meager support.

Just then, there was a light knock on the door. Li Xiangqian looked up and saw Xiaozhi standing outside the door, looking at him shyly. Xiaozhi walked in slowly and said shyly, "Uncle Li, actually... I know you help our family a lot. My mother said that we can't always trouble you, and I also want to do more for you."

Li Xiangqian felt warm at heart after hearing this, and reached out to pat Xiaozhi on the shoulder, "Xiaozhi, if there is anything going on at home, just tell Uncle Li, don't worry. Men should help each other if they can. Uncle is doing this because he treats you as a family member."

Xiao Zhi raised his head and nodded firmly, his eyes full of admiration and trust. He whispered, "Uncle Li, I want to be like you in the future, helping others and making my family live a good life."

Li Xiangqian was moved when he heard this. Although Xiaozhi was young, he could already understand the difficulties and responsibilities of life. The persistence and desire in his eyes reminded Li Xiangqian of himself when he was young.