Siheyuan, integrating everything, cultivating the city

Li Xiangqian looked at her from behind, and he could not help but feel guilty. He knew that he had been too focused on his own problems these days, ignoring his wife's real emotional needs, as well as her loneliness and helplessness. He had been chasing those goals that seemed to solve the problem, but he had forgotten his original intention and the promise he and his wife had made to go on together.

He took a deep breath, finally stood up, walked behind Liu Jing, gently pulled her over, and turned her to face him.

"Jing, I'm sorry." He whispered, with a trace of regret in his eyes, "I really...sometimes I just look too far ahead and forget you in front of me, and forget our home." He hugged her gently, "I will change, I will try to slow down and re-examine everything."

Liu Jing stood quietly in his arms, feeling his warmth and sincerity. She didn't speak immediately, but closed her eyes and sighed deeply. She knew that Li Xiangqian was not deliberately alienating her, nor did he not care about this family. It was just that the pressure of life gradually pulled the distance between the two people farther and farther, and they didn't notice that the bond between them had actually become so fragile.

"I'm tired too, Li Xiangqian." Liu Jing finally spoke, her voice so low that it was almost inaudible, "But I've been waiting for you, waiting for you to stop, waiting for you to look at me and this home."

Li Xiangqian nodded gently, feeling a pang in his heart. He knew that what Liu Jing said was exactly the silence and helplessness she had been enduring. Life gave them too many responsibilities, but also deprived them of too much time and space, enough for them to ignore the true emotions in their hearts.

He looked up at the night sky outside the window. The wind blew outside the window, the shadows of the trees swayed, and the moonlight sprinkled on the ground, illuminating their room. At that moment, Li Xiangqian suddenly realized that maybe he should really slow down and re-examine his life and the relationship between him and Liu Jing. Life might still be difficult, but at least they would no longer miss each other.

That night, Li Xiangqian was not in a good mood. With work problems coming one after another and the pressure at home pressing down on his shoulders like a mountain, he felt that he was on the verge of collapse. His wife Liu Jing's words deeply touched him and made him reflect on his situation and wonder if he had really neglected her and this family as Liu Jing said. However, despite all the uneasiness, he still had an indescribable urge to do something to break the current predicament.

Sha Zhu is an old friend of Li Xiangqian. The two used to work in a small factory. Although everyone was not rich and life was not easy at that time, at least they could talk about everything together and there was an indescribable tacit understanding between them. Later, Sha Zhu did some business. Although he seemed to be living a good life, Li Xiangqian knew that Sha Zhu's life was more complicated than he imagined. Sha Zhu was not smart and was a little reckless, but he was kind-hearted and always cared about others. Li Xiangqian sometimes even felt that Sha Zhu was like a "big kid" who never considered the consequences of doing things and was always willing to give everything for others.

Today, Li Xiangqian was a little shaken. He thought of Sha Zhu, and an inexplicable impulse surged in his heart. He knew that he had been in a difficult situation recently and was in a low mood. He really couldn't find a way to solve the problem, so he had an idea: if Sha Zhu could help him, maybe he could breathe a little. Although he knew that Sha Zhu didn't have much brains, maybe he could use his kindness and enthusiasm to "find a way out" for himself.

So he dialed Sha Zhu's phone. After the phone rang twice, Sha Zhu picked up the phone.

"Hello, Lao Li! Why are you calling me so late?" Sha Zhu's voice is always so enthusiastic, as if there is no trace of fatigue.

"Shazhu, how have you been lately?" Li Xiangqian's tone was a little perfunctory, and he was thinking about how to start the conversation.

"Oh, nothing special. Business has been just so-so lately. I make a little money and life is okay. How about you? Why haven't I seen you call?" Sha Zhu asked with some concern in his tone.

Li Xiangqian's heart moved, and he quickly answered: "Nothing, I just have something to talk to you about recently." He paused, glanced at the night outside the window, and gradually made up his mind, "Shazhu, aren't you a businessman? I have a project recently, and I want you to help me."

"Oh? You have a project? Tell me what it is?" Sha Zhu was obviously interested.

Li Xiangqian hesitated for a moment, thinking about his words. Although Sha Zhu was kind-hearted, he was not always able to discern the truth. Perhaps he could take this opportunity to ask him to do something. Several plans flashed through Li Xiangqian's mind, and he finally chose the one that was most beneficial to him.

"It's not a big deal, actually. I just encountered some cash flow problems recently. You know, I don't have any savings from the small business I'm running now. You also know that it's not easy for everyone during this period. Can you lend me some money? Don't worry, we are friends, and I will definitely pay it back on time." Li Xiangqian said helplessly.

On the other end of the phone, Sha Zhu's voice became a little hesitant: "Well... I know you've been very busy recently. Don't worry about the money. We have been brothers for so many years. I trust you. However, I also have some urgent needs. Can you... can you give me some time?"

Li Xiangqian's heart moved, knowing that the opportunity had come. He quickly added: "Shazhu, you know that I am in trouble now, and you have seen my difficulties. If you help me, I will definitely pay you back double when I have sufficient funds. Besides, the amount of money is not too much, I believe it will be solved soon, so you don't have to worry."

Sha Zhu's tone became even more hesitant: "Then...then can you tell me clearly what is going on? I always feel that there is something wrong with your business recently, otherwise you wouldn't be so anxious to find me."

Li Xiangqian suddenly felt uneasy, but he still tried his best to make his voice sound more stable: "Shazhu, just think of it as doing me a favor. Give me a small sum of money first, and I will return the money to you immediately after the matter is resolved. You know, we have been good friends for all these years, and you will not let me treat you unfairly."

There was silence on the other end of the phone for a while, and Sha Zhu finally sighed: "Okay, since you said so, I will help you first. But you have to promise me that you must pay me back on time and don't let me worry."