Siheyuan: Mastery started in the 50s

Back in the courtyard, Wang Qiang started to get busy, cooking vermicelli and frying bamboo shoots. The kitchen was filled with aroma. He seemed to see Jia Dongxu sitting at the table, smiling and saying to him, "Xiao Qiang, your cooking skills are getting better and better." He knew it was just an illusion, but he still felt an indescribable sense of satisfaction.

Jia Ming stood aside, watching Wang Qiang's busy figure, and was filled with emotion. He whispered, "Wang Qiang, thank you so much. I really don't know what I should do if I didn't."

Wang Qiang wiped the oil stains off his hands and replied with a smile: "I watched Uncle Jia grow up, and I can't just watch him suffer. This is what I should do."

The two sat at the table and tasted the dish quietly, as if time had stopped. Jia Ming said with emotion: "I always thought that I could live a better life if I left this place. But now I understand that this is my root and my real home."

Wang Qiang nodded, and a new feeling came to his mind. Although he had left the Siheyuan, he still cared about it. He decided that no matter how busy he was, he would come back often, even if it was just to clean the yard and chat with the neighbors.

As the days passed, life in the courtyard slowly returned to normal. Wang Qiang and Jia Ming worked hard every day, supported each other, and became stronger in their hearts.

One day, Wang Qiang received a notice from the company that he would be transferred to work in another place. This was a rare opportunity for him, but he was reluctant to leave. He came to Jia Ming's room and said hesitantly, "Jia Ming, I'm going to work in another place and may not be able to come back for a long time."

Jia Ming was stunned for a moment, then smiled and said, "This is a good thing, you must seize the opportunity. I'm here, don't worry."

Wang Qiang nodded and said gratefully, "Thank you. I'll leave everything here to you. I'll keep in touch. Just let me know if you need anything."

On the eve of his departure, Wang Qiang walked around the courtyard and felt reluctant to leave after seeing the familiar scene. He came to Jia Dongxu's room and gently touched the tools and works, as if saying goodbye to Jia Dongxu.

"Uncle Jia, I will remember your teachings and live a good life." He murmured to himself, with a firm light in his eyes.

Jia Ming stood at the door, looking at Wang Qiang's back, and a warm current surged in his heart. He knew that no matter where Wang Qiang went, their friendship and the memory of this courtyard would always exist.

The day Wang Qiang left, all the neighbors came to see him off. Old Zhang patted Wang Qiang on the shoulder and said, "Xiao Qiang, the world outside is wonderful, but don't forget this place. Come back often."

Wang Qiang nodded, his eyes full of determination: "I will. This will always be my home."

The train started slowly. Wang Qiang sat in the carriage, watching the scenery gradually disappearing outside the window. He felt excited but also nervous. He knew that the road ahead was full of unknowns, but he was ready to face new challenges.

In the new city, Wang Qiang started a busy work. He worked hard every day, learned new knowledge, and adapted to the new environment. He always kept in mind Jia Dongxu's teachings, no matter how hard it was, he had to stick to his dream.

Whenever it was late at night and everyone was asleep, he would think of the Siheyuan and the warm time. He would call Jia Ming to talk about his recent situation and listen to the stories in the Siheyuan. Jia Ming told him that everything was fine in the Siheyuan and everyone was working hard for their lives.

One day, Wang Qiang received a call from Jia Ming, who sounded a little excited: "Wang Qiang, I have good news for you. I decided to open a woodworking shop and name it after my father."

After hearing this, Wang Qiang was excited: "That's great! Uncle Jia's craftsmanship can't be lost like this. I support you!"

Jia Ming smiled and said, "Thank you. I will try my best. When you come back, be sure to come and see me."

Wang Qiang hung up the phone, his heart full of expectation and hope. He knew that no matter how difficult the road ahead was, as long as he had a dream in his heart and the support of his friends, he would be able to overcome everything.

As time went by, Wang Qiang's life in the new city gradually stabilized. He gained recognition from his superiors and made many new friends. But he was always concerned about the courtyard and the people who had accompanied him through the difficult years.

One weekend, Wang Qiang decided to go back and take a look. He bought some gifts and set off on the road home with full of expectations. After the train arrived, he walked out of the station and saw the familiar streets, and a warm feeling surged in his heart.

Walking into the courtyard, he saw that the yard was full of life and the neighbors greeted him warmly. Jia Ming stood at the door with a smile on his face: "Wang Qiang, welcome home!"

Wang Qiang nodded, tears in his eyes: "I'm back, it's great."

Wang Qiang has been feeling empty lately, as if something is missing. Although his work is going well and his life is gradually becoming stable, he still feels that he needs to find something to do to fill the emptiness in his heart.

One day, he was walking on the street and saw a newly opened bookstore. There was a sign hanging at the door of the bookstore that read "Looking for volunteers to share the joy of reading together." Wang Qiang was moved and walked into the bookstore. The owner was a kind middle-aged man. When he saw Wang Qiang coming in, he greeted him with a smile.

"Hello, how can I help you?" the shop owner asked enthusiastically.

Wang Qiang smiled and replied: "I saw you were looking for volunteers, I am interested."

The shop owner's eyes lit up: "Great! We are planning a community reading club and hope to find some people who love reading to share books and stories with us."

Wang Qiang nodded, feeling a long-lost excitement in his heart: "I am willing to participate. When I was a child in the courtyard, I often shared stories with my neighbors. That was a very beautiful memory."

The owner smiled and said, "Welcome to join us! We hold book clubs in the bookstore every weekend, and we hope you can come and join us."

From that day on, Wang Qiang would come to the bookstore on time every weekend to attend the book club. He shared stories from the book with like-minded friends and discussed various topics, as if he had returned to those warm nights in the courtyard. The book club not only enriched Wang Qiang's life, but also allowed him to make many new friends.

One day, after the book club was over, everyone sat together and chatted. A young girl smiled and asked, "Wang Qiang, you have so many stories, why don't you write a book yourself?"

Wang Qiang was stunned for a moment, then laughed and said, "I'm just an ordinary person, how can I have such great ability?"

But the girl's words planted a seed in his heart. When Wang Qiang got home that night, he opened his notebook and began to write down his experiences and feelings. He wrote about Jia Dongxu, the courtyard house, and those warm memories. The words gradually took shape, as if telling the story of another person.