Courtyard Houses: Starting with the principle of hard work paying off

Chapter 194 In the arms of a beauty, now a haven of gentle comfort

For Li Hongbing, the existence of the system was undoubtedly a huge advantage.

No matter what you learn, as long as you invest time and effort, you can continuously gain corresponding experience points.

God rewards hard work!

Of course, we can't do nothing.

However, talent, which is seen as the barrier between geniuses and ordinary people, only determines how fast one can reach the path to success. As long as you put in the effort, you will definitely be able to reach the destination.

Li Hongbing has gained considerable insights into the various ways to acquire skill experience points and the speed at which they increase over the past few years through exploration and practice.

The simplest and most basic method is to repeatedly do a simple thing, like Li Hongbing's current wood-planing action.

However, the experience points for woodworking skills do not increase very quickly.

The best way to speed this up is to have some relevant professional books, or guidance from famous teachers, and to conduct complex and highly technical hands-on practice, just like when Li Hongbing became Guo Youzhong's apprentice and took charge of cooking at Fengzeyuan.

However, Li Hongbing does not intend to continue seeking a master.

Specializing in one thing, or wanting to make great progress in a certain field, even with Li Hongbing's system that can greatly shorten the time required, still requires a considerable investment.

For example, it took Li Hongbing more than three years to upgrade his cooking skills from level 1 to level 6, and he devoted the most time and energy to it.

It's perfectly understandable that culinary skills are one's main career path.

Unlike other woodworking crafts, Li Hongbing doesn't plan to pursue a deep and long-term development in this area. He just wants to make toys for his son, so there's no need for him to apprentice under a master.

Taking on a disciple is a very serious and formal matter for both the master and the disciple.

These days, if you want to learn a trade, you can't just pay tuition to get training. You either have to become an apprentice or enter a particular industry and make a living from it.

Entering the new society, the development of various industries and the changes in systems, under the intervention and intervention of the state, have indeed greatly changed the previous sectarianism, while promoting industry development and personal progress.

Making a small wooden horse is not difficult; the main thing is to understand its structure and simple mortise and tenon techniques, plus some hands-on ability.

In addition to his own knowledge, Li Hongbing had also consulted professional carpenters beforehand.

The other party was a friend of Master Guo Youzhong. He had asked Guo Youzhong to make furniture for Li Hongbing before his wedding and to customize a crib for Li Jianwu.

After all, it only involves some simple technical issues and has nothing to do with the other party's special skills. The other party also gave us some face, so there was no need to deliberately steal or steal their skills.

As Li Hongbing finished making all the parts and completed the mortise and tenon joint assembly, a small wooden horse was formed.

However, this does not represent the final completion of the work.

Next.

Since it was a toy for his son, Li Hongbing polished the little rocking horse for comfort and to enhance the experience. He also applied a layer of wax to preserve it and prevent insect infestation.

Waxing is simple, and polishing is also not difficult, but it requires a lot of patience.

Carpentry +10

With the completion of the little wooden horse, Li Hongbing gained an extra ten points of woodworking skill experience.

When everyone in the courtyard saw that Li Hongbing had not only put his hands to work, but had actually made a wooden horse that looked quite impressive and exquisite, they were full of praise.

Everyone in the courtyard knew that Li Hongbing was very capable. His cooking skills were superb and he was very talented, but they didn't expect that he could even do carpentry.

Li Hongbing ignored all of that and, looking at the remaining wood, made a few small wooden stools and some small wooden car or windmill models.

Carpentry +1

Carpentry +1

Carpentry +5

Carpentry +1

……

[Heaven rewards diligence! Congratulations, host, your woodworking skill level has increased from lv0 to lv1! Your woodworking skills have reached a new level. Reward: 100 cash and 100 jin of apples!]

In one day, Li Hongbing not only created many successful woodcraft works, but also successfully upgraded his woodworking skill to level 1, unlocking the skill upgrade rewards and reaping considerable rewards.

One hundred pounds of apples is enough for them to eat for a long time.

……

the next day.

When Li Hongbing woke up, Chen Xueru was still sound asleep.

After having a child, Li Hongbing deeply realized how difficult it is to take care of a child. Although Chen Xueru is still in her postpartum period and has her mother's help, there are some things that cannot be replaced.

When a child cries, it doesn't matter whether it's day or night.

Chen's mother wasn't a robot either; she also needed rest. During the day, she took care of the baby and served Chen Xueru during her postpartum period, which was already quite tiring. At night, she would leave the baby in Chen Xueru and Li Hongbing's room, since Chen Xueru also needed to breastfeed in addition to changing diapers.

In this era of scarcity, formula milk was not popular; breastfeeding was the norm.

Li Hongbing and Chen Xueru often woke up several times throughout the night.

This didn't affect Li Hongbing much, since he was in good physical condition and could recover quickly after a proper rest, but it gave Chen Xueru quite a hard time.

Although Chen Xueru and her mother forbade him to do things like changing diapers, Li Hongbing would help her at night so that she could get more rest. However, breastfeeding was something that Chen Xueru had to do herself.

Li Hongbing gently kissed Chen Xueru on the forehead without waking her. Instead, he quietly got up, dressed, and went out.

At this time, Chen's mother and the other people in the courtyard who had gotten up early to cook also got up one after another.

Chen's mother was a hardworking person. Although she initially brought her over to take care of Chen Xueru, who was pregnant at the time, she basically took over most of the housework after she arrived.

At first, Li Hongbing felt a little embarrassed, as if he were exploiting his elders and sponging off them.

It's true that Chen's mother needs help with some things, but Li Hongbing didn't intend to use her as a nanny.

However, seeing that Chen's mother was enjoying herself immensely and was even more energetic than before, always cheerful with a constant smile on her face, Li Hongbing felt relieved.

After Chen Xueru married and moved here, Chen's mother was left all alone. Although her previous place was close to the silk shop and Chen Xueru often went there for meals, she was still somewhat lonely.

As people get older, they need the company of their loved ones even more.

Chen's mother is not actually very old right now, and she is still in good health. Although she has no shortage of money and food, and has a harmonious relationship with her neighbors, she ultimately lacks a sense of emotional support.

Now that she has things to do and family members by her side, no matter how busy she is, Chen's mother feels incredibly fulfilled.

Although Li Hongbing is a son-in-law, Chen Xueru is her only daughter, and Chen's mother has long treated him as a son.

In addition, Li Hongbing, her son-in-law, treated her mother-in-law well and never treated her like an outsider. Whether before or after marrying Chen Xueru, his words and actions remained the same, which allowed Chen's mother to rediscover a sense of belonging to her family here.

While Chen's mother was making breakfast, Li Hongbing, after brushing his teeth and washing his face, went to the yard for his morning exercise as usual. However...

Today, Li Hongbing is not practicing the Eight Pieces of Brocade as usual, but Tai Chi.

In his previous life, Li Hongbing mainly practiced Baduanjin, but he also had some superficial knowledge of Tai Chi, Wuqinxi and Babu Jingang Gong.

The reason I changed my exercise method today is not because I want to give up the Eight Pieces of Brocade that I have practiced for so long, nor because I have already perfected the Eight Pieces of Brocade. It's just that I want to farm some skill upgrade rewards.

In the past, Li Hongbing only spent his energy on cooking, Baduanjin (Eight Pieces of Brocade), and calligraphy. Now his level is not low. Not to mention cooking, which has been upgraded to level 6, Baduanjin has also reached level 5. It is obviously not something that can be easily achieved overnight.

Li Hongbing had no intention of giving up or stopping, but recently he had some ideas. He planned to expand his skills in other areas and farm more system rewards, since it was obviously much easier to upgrade lower-level skills.

While upgrading lower-level skills doesn't yield as many rewards as upgrading higher-level skills, it offers better value for money.

Tai Chi +1

Tai Chi +1

……

As you practice Tai Chi, the Tai Chi experience points provided and rewarded by the system will gradually increase.

half an hour.

Li Hongbing finished his Tai Chi morning practice and didn't receive a skill upgrade notification immediately, but his experience points increased significantly. He believes that in another two or three days, he will be able to unlock and claim the corresponding upgrade rewards.

"Hongbing, what you're practicing today is different from before. It's not the Eight Pieces of Brocade anymore, is it?"

Yan Bugui noticed that Li Hongbing's morning exercises were different from his usual Baduanjin routine and couldn't help but ask curiously.

"Uncle Yan, this is Tai Chi."

Li Hongbing explained.

Hear the words.

Yan Bugui then spoke up, saying, "Tai Chi? I think I've heard of it, but isn't that a martial art?"

Li Hongbing thought for a moment and replied, "Not really, it's just a modified version of Tai Chi for health, and it might be different from what you've heard."

Tai Chi is naturally a martial arts style, but unlike the traditional exercises that focus on health and fitness like Baduanjin, it is not the kind of martial arts version that Li Hongbing knows, which is not offensive.

In the following period, in addition to his job, Li Hongbing gradually expanded his hobbies to include fishing, gardening, and chess, following his previous interests in carpentry and Tai Chi. He also focused on gaining experience points and cultivating his hobbies.

Simultaneously.

Li Hongbing has also unlocked many rewards one after another, including quite a few little surprises.

……

In the blink of an eye.

After Chen Xueru finished her postpartum confinement period, and some time passed, her body gradually recovered.

This night.

Li Hongbing practiced calligraphy for a while, and seeing that it was getting late, he was about to turn off the light and go to bed when he realized that his son was not in the room. He couldn't help but look at Chen Xueru and ask, "Xueru, where's Jianwu?"

"It's with Mom. I'll put it in Mom's room today."

Just as Li Hongbing was wondering, Chen Xueru stepped forward, stood on tiptoe, wrapped her arms around Li Hongbing's neck, looked at him with a charming gaze, and said softly with a hint of resentment, "I've been out of confinement for quite a few days, and you haven't touched me. Do you think I've gotten fat and ugly after giving birth?"

Faced with Chen Xueru's captivating appearance, Li Hongbing was naturally tempted. However, hearing her words, he realized she had misunderstood and could only helplessly explain, "You're overthinking it. It's just that you've just given birth and your body is still recovering. Doing that kind of thing too early might have a negative impact on you..."

As a man, how could Li Hongbing not be tempted by such a beauty as Chen Xueru, especially after she gave birth and became even more charming?

However, Chen Xueru is his wife, and even if Li Hongbing wanted to, he had to consider her health. He couldn't let his lust get the better of him and disregard Chen Xueru's well-being.

"I've already asked, I can do it now..."

Chen Xueru's breath was sweet and fragrant, and every word she spoke touched a nerve with Li Hongbing.

It's clear that Chen Xueru came prepared for all of this.

Not only Li Hongbing, but Chen Xueru also had this need.

Not long after they got married, Chen Xueru became pregnant. During Chen Xueru's pregnancy, Li Hongbing was afraid of harming the child and did not dare to do anything too outrageous, so he restrained himself a lot.

Come to think of it, they haven't really enjoyed their time as a couple since they got married, even though they're both at an age where they're in good physical condition and full of energy.

At this moment.

Looking at Chen Xueru's crystal-clear ears, her fair and delicate neck, and her alluring eyes, Li Hongbing disregarded everything else and immediately picked her up in his arms.

"Turn...turn off the lights!"

Although they had already been completely honest with each other and done everything they could, even having a child, Chen Xueru still felt incredibly shy in this situation and quickly reminded him.

Feeling Chen Xueru's slightly reproachful tone and appearance, Li Hongbing's heart burned even hotter. He smiled slightly, turned off the lights in the room, and skillfully carried his beloved to the bedside.

"Wait a moment."

Just as his clothes were completely removed and there were no external obstacles, Li Hongbing suddenly remembered something and stopped what he was doing. He took out a box of spirit-blocking items from his system space.

This item is not something that should exist in this era; rather, it is one of the rewards that Li Hongbing unlocked by upgrading various skills during this period.

Although Li Hongbing didn't particularly like using this product, he thought about how Chen Xueru got pregnant in just one month, or even less, and he seriously suspected that his current physical condition was too good, or that Chen Xueru was just naturally fertile. He worried that Chen Xueru might get pregnant again soon after giving birth.

It wasn't that Li Hongbing didn't want Chen Xueru to have more children for him, but Chen Xueru had just given birth to her first child, and if she were to become pregnant and give birth again, it would obviously put a considerable burden on her body, so he didn't want to see that happen.

Even if you want to give birth, you have to wait a while first.

Moreover, Li Hongbing genuinely wanted to enjoy more of his married life as a couple, especially now that he had a child.

Fortunately, Chen's mother was able to help take care of the child, which gave Li Hongbing and Chen Xueru the opportunity and the means to do so.

It will be even more difficult when there are more children later on.

Not long after.

After Li Hongbing made preparations, the two had a long-awaited reunion.

After a long time.

Chen Xueru, her face slightly flushed, leaned against Li Hongbing's chest, giving him a flirtatious wink, but did not scold or stop him from continuing his offensive hand gestures.

A beauty's embrace, a haven of tenderness.

Even with Li Hongbing's strong self-control, he couldn't resist this deep-seated tenderness.

(End of this chapter)