Chapter 293 Watered with Care

As the night deepened, the courtyard gradually became quiet. Li Xiangqian and his wife sat in the courtyard, enjoying the rare quiet time. The neighbors around them had already turned off the lights and rested, and only the chirping of crickets echoed in the night sky.

"Xiang Qian, do you think our lives will get better and better in the future?" the wife asked softly, with a hint of expectation in her eyes.

Li Xiangqian nodded firmly: "Yes, as long as we work hard, our lives will get better and better. The spring I found in the mountains today can not only solve our water problem, but also make the potatoes and other crops grow better. Next year, we will have a better harvest and our lives will become more prosperous."

After hearing his words, his wife felt more at ease. She knew that Li Xiangqian was not only the backbone of the family, but also the support of her and her children. She said softly, "Xiangqian, with you by my side, I am not afraid of anything."

Li Xiangqian smiled and held her hand tightly, his heart full of strength. He knew that the road ahead was still long, but as long as his family worked together, any difficulties could be overcome. Tomorrow, he would continue to work hard for this family and continue to bring more hope and warmth to the neighbors in the courtyard.

The next morning, Li Xiangqian started another busy day. He first went to the mountain spring to fetch a bucket of water, then returned to the courtyard to water the potato field. Seeing him busy so early, the neighbors came to help. Liu Haizhong held the hoe and said with a smile: "Xiangqian, you are really a hard-working person. You started so early."

Li Xiangqian smiled and said, "Take advantage of the coolness in the morning and do more work so that the potato fields can grow better."

Qin Huairu also came over with her youngest son in her arms to join in the fun: "Brother Xiangqian, you are really a role model for our courtyard. We also plan to learn from you and grow some vegetables."

Li Xiangqian nodded and said with a smile: "Okay, if you need any help, just let me know. If we work together, our lives will get better and better."

Everyone was busy in the courtyard, with laughter and conversations coming one after another, and the whole courtyard was full of vitality and vigor. Li Xiangqian looked at all this and felt extremely satisfied and happy. He knew that this small courtyard was the home of him, his family and his neighbors, and the place where they worked together. Here, he found his own value and belonging, as well as the hope and motivation of life.

Li Xiangqian came home from the fields and was about to drink some water when he found that there was less food on the table. He frowned and felt unhappy. He knew that every meal at home was made by his wife with great effort, and every bite was precious.

"Who stole the food?" he asked seriously, with a hint of anger in his voice.

The wife came out of the kitchen and saw Li Xiangqian's gloomy face. She quickly asked, "What's wrong, Xiangqian?"

Li Xiangqian pointed at the food on the table and said in a low voice: "There is less food. Did someone steal some?"

At this time, his son Xiaogang came in from outside, saw his father's expression, lowered his head and dared not speak. Li Xiangqian immediately understood, and the anger in his heart could not help but rise.

"Kid, did you eat it secretly?" Li Xiangqian asked sternly.

Xiao Gang was so scared that he couldn't raise his head. He stammered, "I'm sorry, Dad. I was hungry, so I ate a little."

When Li Xiangqian heard this, he became even more furious. When he thought about how his wife had worked hard to prepare these meals for the whole family, he felt that his son's behavior was unforgivable. He walked up to Xiaogang, grabbed his shoulders, and said in a more severe tone: "Do you know that these meals were prepared by mom and are for the whole family? How could you eat them secretly?"

Xiaogang was so scared that he started crying, and his tears fell to the ground. His wife saw this and hurried over to persuade him: "Go forward, the child is still young, don't blame him too much."

Li Xiangqian took a deep breath and tried to calm himself down. He knew that he shouldn't be so angry with his son, but he really cared too much about these details. He let go of his son's hand and sighed: "Xiaogang, remember, you can't steal the meals at home anymore. If you are hungry, you can tell mom and she will prepare it for you."

Xiao Gang sobbed and nodded: "I'm sorry, Dad, I know I was wrong."

Li Xiangqian felt sorry for his son as he watched him cry. He squatted down, touched his son's head, and said in a softer tone, "Okay, stop crying. If you need anything in the future, just tell us. We can solve the problems at home together."

The wife also squatted down, hugged Xiaogang, and comforted him softly: "Mom knows you are hungry, but you must learn to ask first in the future, and don't just take things from home, understand?"

Xiao Gang nodded and hugged his mother tightly: "I understand, Mom."

Seeing this scene, Li Xiangqian's anger gradually dissipated, replaced by a deep sense of guilt and reflection. He realized that he usually paid too much attention to details and neglected to care for and understand his children. He made up his mind to pay more attention to his son's growth in the future, not only to discipline him, but also to care for and guide him.

At night, Li Xiangqian lay in bed, thinking about what happened today. He kept asking himself if he was too harsh. He knew that his son was still young and would make mistakes sometimes, but as a father, he should guide him more instead of scolding him blindly.

The next morning, Li Xiangqian got up early and prepared a hearty breakfast. He hoped that in this way, his son would feel the love of his father. When Xiaogang saw the hearty breakfast, a hint of surprise and emotion flashed in his eyes. He sat at the table, looked at his father carefully, and whispered, "Thank you, Dad."

Li Xiangqian smiled and nodded: "Eat it, Dad prepared it specially for you today. If you are hungry in the future, you must tell us, understand?"

Xiao Gang nodded heavily: "I understand, Dad."

After breakfast, Li Xiangqian took his son to work in the fields. He hoped that in this way, his son would experience the hard work and learn to cherish every bite of food.

While working in the fields, Li Xiangqian told his son about the potato planting process: "Look, these potatoes were planted by Dad and Mom with great effort, and we watered each one with great care."

Xiaogang listened carefully, his eyes full of admiration and understanding for his father: "Dad, I will cherish every bite of food in the future and never steal food again."

Li Xiangqian nodded with satisfaction, feeling warm in his heart. He knew that he was not only teaching his son how to grow potatoes, but also teaching him how to be a good person and how to cherish the fruits of his labor.