1952: Walking through Nantongluo Alley

Chen Xiao looked at the pale, frail Qin Huairu and the peacefully sleeping baby wrapped in swaddling clothes. A complex wave of emotions welled up in his heart, like a spilled spice bottle—a mixture of sweet, sour, bitter, and salty. Just then, upon hearing the good news, neighbors flocked to the scene, their faces beaming with joy. They congratulated Chen Xiao and Qin Huairu and handed them nutritious items like eggs they had saved from their homes. These gifts might not have been expensive, but the care and friendship they embodied was invaluable.

However, Chen Xiao was well aware that in an era of material scarcity and difficult living conditions, the financial pressure on his family multiplied with each additional mouth to feed. He knew the weight of his responsibility and secretly resolved to work even harder to earn enough to support his family. From then on, every morning, as the sun rose, Chen Xiao would rush to the factory to begin his day of hard work. By nightfall, when other workers had gone home to rest, he remained, searching for odd jobs to earn a little extra money to supplement his family's income.

At the same time, Qin Huairu was diligent and thrifty at home. Despite not fully recovering from childbirth, she persisted in daily household chores, keeping the house spotlessly clean and tidy. She meticulously arranged the family's daily needs, striving to make every penny count and minimizing the burden on Chen Xiao, who was working hard outside. Although their three children were often naughty and boisterous, their innocent laughter brought warmth and vitality to this once somewhat cold home.

Time flies by like a fleeting horse, the years whirring like the shuttle of a weaver. In a blink of an eye, the children, like bamboo shoots in spring, grow taller and taller day by day. The eldest child, unnoticed, gradually reveals his exceptional intelligence and quick wit. Like a nimble fish, he swims freely in the ocean of knowledge on campus, consistently ranking among the top students in his grade. He is a favorite of many teachers and a respected academic leader among his classmates. The second child, on the other hand, possesses a character as solid and simple as the earth. He is honest and kind-hearted. Whenever he sees his parents busy and tired, he always offers a helping hand, willingly sharing any chores within his ability. Whether sweeping the floor, mopping the table, or washing dishes and laundry, he does it diligently and without complaint. As for the youngest, the third child, despite his youth, he has already blossomed into a sweet and adorable child, like a fairy descended upon the earth, bringing joy to everyone he meets. Those big watery eyes seemed to be able to speak, blinking and flashing with childlike innocence and purity.

Watching their children grow up so healthily and happily, Chen Xiao and Qin Huairu are filled with joy and relief. However, at the same time, they also deeply feel the growing burden on their shoulders. The children's education expenses, daily living expenses, and so on all require the couple to carefully budget and work hard to make ends meet. Yet, even so, every time Chen Xiao gazes at his children growing up, he feels that all the hardships he has experienced so far are insignificant. Just seeing the smiles on his children's faces makes him believe that all the efforts are worth it. And so, this warm and harmonious family continues to live a happy and fulfilling life in this courtyard full of fireworks, writing their own ordinary yet touching story.

Time flies, and the children gradually grow up. The eldest son is about to face a major turning point in his life: the college entrance examination. Chen Xiao knows that this exam is of great significance to his child and may be the key to changing his fate. However, when he thinks about the high tuition and living expenses of university, and looks at the family's meager savings, Chen Xiao can't help but feel worried.

Just when he felt helpless, his eldest brother brought him some exciting news. It turned out that, thanks to his outstanding academic performance, he would not only receive a generous scholarship, but also be eligible for a special financial aid program at the school. This good news was like a ray of light, illuminating the previously bleak future.

Meanwhile, the second son chose a different path. He diligently learned the craft from an experienced master craftsman in the alley, hoping to quickly master a skill that would help support the family's financial burden. The second son, with his honest and sincere character, approached his training with diligence and meticulousness, a spirit that greatly pleased the master craftsman, who was happy to share his lifelong learning with him.

The youngest daughter is now of school age. Despite her young age, she is a bright and clever child. She has always been at the top of her class and is well-liked by her teachers and classmates.

However, as the saying goes, "unforeseen events occur," Chen Xiao's factory, facing poor economic performance, was forced to lay off employees to reduce costs. And Chen Xiao, a dedicated veteran, unexpectedly became one of them. This sudden change plunged the entire family into a gloomy situation, the heavy pressure almost suffocating them.

However, Chen Xiao refused to give in to the numerous difficulties he faced. Facing the pressures and challenges of life, he displayed remarkable resilience and determination. Leveraging the extensive network of contacts he had carefully cultivated over the years, Chen Xiao tirelessly sought suitable employment opportunities.

As the saying goes, "hard work pays off." After unremitting efforts, Chen Xiao finally got his wish, a job as a deliveryman. Although the work was extremely arduous, requiring him to wake up early every day and return home exhausted after dark, sleeping in the open and traveling all day, the good news was that the income was relatively stable and reliable. For his family, who was like a lone boat in the wind and rain, it was undoubtedly a timely help, at least providing them with a small umbrella to protect them from the wind and rain.

Meanwhile, Qin Huairu was also busy at home. She found a vacant lot near their home and set up a simple stall, selling her exquisite handicrafts. During this difficult time, the family once again stood together, fighting side by side to weather the storms of life. Even the younger children seemed to have grown up overnight, becoming more well-behaved and sensible. The eldest son, in particular, took the initiative to use his free time after school to work as a part-time tutor, earning a small salary to supplement the family income.

It is such an ordinary yet strong and resilient small family that has always been firmly rooted in this courtyard, firmly guarding the longing and hope for a better life deep in their hearts, and moving forward step by step towards a bright future with firm belief.

Time flies, and in the blink of an eye, after unremitting efforts, the eldest son finally got admitted to the ideal university of his dreams. In college, he successfully won scholarships and financial aid with his excellent academic performance. He also used his spare time to work as a tutor to support himself, and thus maintained his academic studies with great difficulty but determination.

Meanwhile, the second child's craftsmanship skills improved, becoming proficient in various techniques and beginning to undertake small projects with his master. While these projects were modest in scale, each income stream was a timely rain, bringing hope and strength to this modest family. The third child was also diligent and motivated in school, often earning proud awards for his outstanding performance.

However, fate always seems to play tricks on us. Just as the family's life was getting back on track, Chen Xiao suffered a sudden accident while making a delivery, resulting in a severe leg fracture. This heavy blow was like a bolt from the blue, instantly plunging this already fragile family into despair.

However, faced with such adversity, the family remained undeterred. Instead, they united more than ever. Qin Huairu, resilient, decided to expand her handicraft business. She personally taught her third child how to make some relatively simple handicrafts. This not only increased the family's income but also allowed the young child to learn to be self-reliant early on.

The sensible second son did not hesitate to send most of his hard-earned money back home, just to help his parents relieve the financial pressure. When the eldest son learned of his father's injury, he was so worried that he even considered taking a leave of absence from school to go home and take care of his father. However, Chen Xiao, who knew the importance of studying, firmly opposed his son's idea. He told him earnestly: "My son, you must complete your university studies well. Only then will you have a broader space for development and a better future."

As the saying goes, a friend in need is a friend indeed. Upon hearing of Chen Xiao's family's plight, the surrounding neighbors generously offered their support. Some kindhearted neighbors occasionally delivered fresh food, while others even volunteered to care for Chen Xiao, who was unable to move. With everyone's help, Chen Xiao's injuries gradually improved, and he eventually recovered and returned to his busy work. Despite the hardships this family endured, they remained optimistic and positive, moving forward with confidence that things would get better.

As Chen Xiao once again immersed himself in his busy work, life at home gradually returned to its former peace and tranquility, like the surface of a calm lake. After years of diligent study, the eldest son finally completed his university education and successfully entered the workforce with excellent grades and extensive practical experience. Thanks to his exceptional abilities, he finally landed a job at a large, established company.

Soon after entering the workplace, this young man demonstrated exceptional talent and keen business acumen. He meticulously conceived and proposed a highly innovative plan, a brilliant jewel that instantly captured the attention of the company's top management. The implementation of this plan not only generated substantial economic benefits for the company but also significantly enhanced its competitiveness within the industry. As a result, the eldest son quickly secured a valuable promotion, and his salary and benefits saw a substantial increase.

The second-born child, however, displayed a remarkable talent for handicrafts. His craftsmanship grew increasingly refined, and his reputation grew. As his business grew, he decided to open his own small studio. To meet market demand, he recruited several skilled apprentices. Orders are pouring in, and business is booming.

As for the youngest daughter, thanks to her mother's meticulous nurturing and influence, she developed a keen interest in handicraft design and gradually developed her own unique style and perspective. Her hand-drawn designs are often ingenious and innovative, accurately capturing current consumer preferences and fashion trends. These exquisite designs quickly gained widespread popularity, creating a new source of income for the family and bringing greater prosperity and happiness to their lives.

Chen Xiao looked at the children with a smile, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction and pride. Over the years, he had witnessed them grow from infancy to maturity, each now achieving successful careers and becoming a leader in their respective fields. This filled him with immense pride and satisfaction as a father.

After a joint discussion, the family decided to use their savings accumulated over the years to completely renovate their old courtyard house. Craftsmen bustled about the courtyard, the sound of hammering and banging ceaseless. After a period of meticulous work, the once somewhat shabby courtyard house was transformed into a brand new one, its structure strengthened and its interior embellished with refined elegance.

When the new house was completed, a festive atmosphere permeated the courtyard. Upon hearing of the Chen family's happy event, neighbors flocked to offer their congratulations. Seeing familiar faces arrive with sincere blessings, the Chen Xiao family joyfully welcomed them into the house and offered them a warm welcome.

However, the Chen family never forgot the help they received from their neighbors during their difficult times. Therefore, as their prosperity grew, they often gave back in various ways. Sometimes they gave home-made pastries; other times they helped solve problems faced by their neighbors. This spirit of mutual care and support imbued the entire community with warmth and harmony.

After enduring countless hardships, the Chen family finally found their happy time. This warm courtyard bears witness to the family's struggles and the deep bonds between neighbors. Their story, like a warm current, spreads through the courtyard, inspiring everyone striving for a better life to move forward.