Chapter 214 Secretly Grateful

One night, he told Wang Chunfang about this idea: "Chunfang, I was thinking that we could raise some chickens or ducks in our yard. This way, we can not only have more eggs and meat, but also sell them for some money."

Wang Chunfang thought about it for a moment and nodded: "This is a good idea, but we need to see if there is a suitable place in the yard to raise them."

"I'll go to the yard again tomorrow morning. If there's enough space, I'll go to the market and buy a few." After Li Xiangqian said this, he looked at Wang Chunfang's gentle smile and felt secretly grateful in his heart.

In his eyes, Wang Chunfang is not only a gentle and considerate wife, but also an indispensable pillar in his life. She silently supports every decision and effort of his, making him feel that no matter how big the difficulties are, the family will always have a strong backing.

The next morning, Li Xiangqian got up early. He first measured the area in the yard and confirmed that he could raise some poultry. Then he rode his bicycle to the market. The market was full of stalls selling all kinds of poultry. Li Xiangqian carefully selected a few healthy chickens and ducks and carefully put them into a bamboo basket.

When he got home, he placed the poultry he bought in a makeshift cage in the yard. Watching them hopping around in the cage, Li Xiangqian felt a new and familiar joy. These poultry were not just the beginning of a breeding plan, but also a symbol of hope and effort for the future.

As time went by, the sweet potatoes and poultry in Li Xiangqian's home gradually grew. The autumn harvest brought a lot of delicious food to their table, and every day was filled with laughter and satisfied expressions. However, as the weather gradually turned cooler, Li Xiangqian realized that winter was coming, and he couldn't help feeling a little worried.

One evening, Li Xiangqian sat on a bench in the yard, watching the setting sun. At this time, the trees in the yard had begun to wither, and the autumn wind blew by, bringing a hint of chill. His thoughts could not help but return to the coming winter, a season that meant challenges for every family.

Wang Chunfang came out with a bowl of steaming hot soup and handed it to Li Xiangqian: "Xiangqian, the weather is getting colder. You should wear more clothes to avoid catching a cold."

Li Xiangqian took the soup, took a sip, and felt the warmth coming from it. He smiled and nodded: "I know, Chunfang, you should also pay more attention to keeping warm and don't let yourself catch a cold."

Wang Chunfang sat next to Li Xiangqian and leaned her head on his shoulder: "Look, the sweet potatoes we planted are growing really well. We should be able to eat a lot this winter."

Li Xiangqian patted her hands gently and said, "Yes, these sweet potatoes are our hope. They can help us spend a warm winter."

Their eyes met, full of confidence and expectation for the future. Although facing the coming cold season, they knew that their family had made preparations, at least in terms of food, they would no longer worry about food shortages like before.

As night fell, Li Xiangqian and Wang Chunfang put away the dishes and sorted out the debris in the yard, making final preparations for winter. The poultry in the yard gradually got used to the new living environment. They walked around in the cages in groups, quacking, as if they were also preparing for the coming cold.

The next morning, Li Xiangqian started a new round of busy work. He checked the heating facilities at home to ensure that his family would not feel cold in winter. Then, he returned to the yard and began to collect fallen leaves and trim branches to make the yard look neat and organized.

While he was busy, Xiao Ming and Xiao Hong were also helping. The two of them wore thick cotton clothes, sweeping the fallen leaves in the yard and moving those no longer needed branches and debris aside. Although they were still young, they took on their own responsibilities in every season at home in order to make the family more harmonious and comfortable.

After lunch, Li Xiangqian went to the market to buy some winter essential clothes and daily necessities. He knew that as the temperature dropped, the needs of the family would increase. In the market, he saw many people preparing for winter, some buying quilts, some buying coal and fuel, and everyone's face was full of expectations and efforts for future life.

During the preparations for winter, Li Xiangqian unexpectedly received a long-lost letter from his former colleague Yi Zhonghai. Yi Zhonghai was a good friend of his in the past. The two had worked together in the same small factory for many years and faced various challenges and difficulties in life together.

Li Xiangqian received the letter, feeling surprised and moved. He walked into the small living room, sat at the table, and gently opened the envelope. The content inside was concise and sincere. Yi Zhonghai wrote:

"Dear Qian Qian,

It's been a long time since we last met. I hope you and your family are doing well. I heard that you have encountered some difficulties recently. I am very sad. I am working in a nearby city now. If you need any help, whether it is food or other aspects, please feel free to tell me. I remember the days when we fought side by side. No matter when, I will lend a hand.

Best wishes, Yi Zhonghai"

After reading the letter, Li Xiangqian was filled with emotion and gratitude. Yi Zhonghai's words made him feel the deep friendship and sincere friendship between former colleagues. Although they had not seen each other for many years, the connection between them was still close.

He picked up a pen and wrote a reply on paper, expressing his gratitude to Yi Zhonghai and telling him some of the situation at home. In the letter, he did not directly mention the specific needs, because he knew that Yi Zhonghai was a very careful person, and he only needed to reveal a little, and the other party would understand their situation.

After writing the letter, Li Xiangqian felt much better. He knew that no matter how difficult things were at home, there was still such a good friend around to support and care about them. This feeling made him feel a little warm in his heart even in the cold winter.

A few days later, Li Xiangqian received a reply from Yi Zhonghai. In the letter, he expressed his concern and support for Li Xiangqian's family and mentioned his intention to visit. This made Li Xiangqian feel relieved and expectant. He thought about the coming cold winter, and the arrival of such an old friend at home was undoubtedly a heartwarming thing.

As winter approaches, Li Xiangqian and Wang Chunfang are stepping up preparations for their family. They are constantly adjusting their family's financial income and expenditure to ensure that they can survive this cold season. The sweet potatoes they planted are gradually growing, and every time they see those vibrant green leaves, their hope for the future becomes more resolute.