Siheyuan: Mastery started in the 50s

He Yuzhu also looked at the hut, thought for a moment, and nodded in agreement, "Indeed, this hut is quite old, especially after years of wind and rain, the walls are cracked, it really needs to be repaired."

Wang Qiang was thinking about how to renovate the hut in a traditional way while making it a little more comfortable. He thought he could find a craftsman who was good at repairing old buildings to help him keep the original style of the hut, but add some modern facilities inside, such as vents, lighting, and stronger door frames and floors.

"Zhu Zi, I plan to invite an old craftsman to renovate the toilet. You see, the exterior will remain unchanged, but the inside will be made more comfortable. It would be best if we could add a ventilation system or something, so that we can use it comfortably and the guests will be more satisfied." Wang Qiang said with a hint of anticipation in his eyes.

He Yuzhu nodded in agreement, "This is a good idea, Qiangzi. Since we are going to renovate it, we should do it with care. We should pay attention to every brick and tile in this courtyard."

Wang Qiang already had a plan in mind, but he also knew that repairing the hut was not as simple as other places. This hut was originally part of the quadrangle, with a unique old Beijing style, and any changes might destroy this style. He decided to ask his friend Lao Ma, who had experience in repairing old Beijing buildings, for advice.

The next day, Wang Qiang contacted Lao Ma. Lao Ma is a craftsman with rich experience in the restoration of old Beijing buildings. He is very good at all kinds of repair work in Siheyuan. Wang Qiang made an appointment with him and asked him to come to the Siheyuan to check the condition of the toilet.

"Uncle Ma, are you busy recently? I have a toilet here that I want to repair, and I'd like to trouble you to help me take a look." Wang Qiang said politely on the phone.

Old Ma laughed loudly, "Qiangzi, what you said is true. We have been friends for many years. If you have any questions, just tell me. No matter how busy I am, I will take time to help you."

The two agreed on a time, and three days later, Lao Ma came to the courtyard. Lao Ma was a middle-aged man in his fifties, with a smile on his face and a pair of sharp eyes that made him look energetic. Wang Qiang took him to the toilet and explained his idea of ​​repair in detail.

Old Ma touched his chin and looked at the structure of the hut carefully. "Qiangzi, your hut really needs repairing. It looks like it can last for a few more years from the outside, but the walls and floors inside are a bit old. If you want to preserve the original appearance, you'll have to spend some effort, but I have a way to do this job."

Wang Qiang was delighted when he heard this and asked hurriedly, "Uncle Ma, what do you think is the best way to do it?"

Old Ma smiled and patted Wang Qiang on the shoulder. "Don't worry, I'm good at this. We can keep the bricks and tiles outside, waterproof the inside of the wall, and replace it with a stronger wooden door. The ventilation system can add traditional wooden shutters, which will not affect the appearance and allow better air circulation."

Wang Qiang nodded repeatedly after hearing this, and he had a clear idea in his mind. He imagined the renovated toilet and felt that everything in the courtyard would be more perfect. He knew that although the toilet was just a small place in life, if it could be made brand new, it would not only improve the overall feeling of the courtyard, but also improve his quality of life.

The repair work started soon. Lao Ma and his team came to the courtyard, first carefully inspected the outer wall and internal structure of the toilet, and then began to repair it step by step. Wang Qiang would take time to check the progress every day, and his mood became better and better when he saw the toilet becoming brand new little by little.

One day, Wang Qiang stood at the door of the toilet and watched Lao Ma's team busy. He suddenly realized that repairing the toilet was not only for his own comfort, but also a reflection of his attitude towards life. He hoped to do his best in every detail in this courtyard and make every part of life full of care and attention.

During the renovation process, Wang Qiang and Lao Ma also talked a lot about old Beijing buildings. Lao Ma told Wang Qiang that every brick and tile of these old buildings has its own story, and every structure has its own meaning. Renovation work is not only a technical job, but also a respect for history and culture. Wang Qiang listened with great interest, and his determination to take care of every corner of the courtyard became stronger.

After several weeks of renovation, the toilet was finally completed. Wang Qiang stood at the door of the newly renovated toilet, looking at the brand new wooden door and wall, feeling relieved. Although the appearance has not changed much, the improvement of the interior has made the entire toilet more comfortable and practical. The ventilation shutters allow for better air circulation, and the anti-slip treatment of the floor and the waterproof coating on the wall also greatly improve the user experience.

"Uncle Ma, thank you so much, this toilet is built so well!" Wang Qiang praised Uncle Ma highly.

Old Ma smiled and waved his hands, "Qiangzi, don't be polite, this is all I should do. You have preserved this courtyard so well, and I am willing to spend more time to help."

Wang Qiang was grateful and thought about treating Lao Ma well in the future. Repairing the toilet not only made him feel good, but also made him realize that every detail in life is worth treating with care.

With the completion of the toilet renovation, Wang Qiang's accumulated pressure was relieved. He understood that although there are many things in life that cannot be controlled, as long as you treat them with care, many problems can be solved. The toilet renovation made him realize that every small detail in life may bring unexpected changes, which also made him more confident about the future.

After the renovation of the toilet, the atmosphere of the courtyard seems to be more cozy. Wang Qiang stood in the yard, looking at the brand new toilet, and felt an indescribable sense of satisfaction. After years of care and maintenance, the whole yard has become more and more comfortable and lively. Every corner reveals a kind of meticulousness and care, which makes Wang Qiang feel that this is not only a place for business, but also a part of his life, and the result of the joint efforts of him and his friends.

It was the weekend, the sun was warm, and the usually busy kitchen was temporarily quiet. Wang Qiang was in a good mood, and suddenly an idea came to his mind: for so many years, he and He Yuzhu and other friends have worked hard together, but there has never been a group photo. Thinking of this, he felt that today was a good opportunity, and he should call He Yuzhu and a few other friends to take a group photo together to commemorate the hard work and friendship over the years.