Siheyuan, integrating everything, cultivating the city

You lost your hair, you are in poor health, and you are confused because you are too entangled in these things. You should understand that life is like the soil in this yard. The deeper you bury it, the more fermented it becomes, and the more difficult it is to breathe. "

Li Xiangqian was stunned. His father's words made him feel a little shocked. He wanted to refute, but he couldn't find the right words. He began to doubt whether he was pursuing the truth or a mystery that could never be solved. His mother's changes, the unspeakable things in the courtyard, his father's mystery - all of these seemed to have put him in an inescapable dilemma.

"You're right, I should let it go." Li Xiangqian lowered his head and sighed, "I just feel confused lately and want to do something to distract myself."

"Distract yourself?" Li Qimin stopped and turned around, with a look of confusion in his eyes, "What do you want to do?"

Li Xiangqian was stunned. He was just talking casually, but he didn't expect his father to ask him so seriously. He frowned slightly and thought about it. Suddenly, a simple idea emerged in his mind. Maybe, as his father said, he needed to do something, even if it was just to calm himself down.

"I want to buy some cabbage." Li Xiangqian suddenly said. He felt a little strange, but as soon as he said it, the restless emotions in his heart seemed to be comforted for a moment.

Li Qimin was silent for a moment, then smiled and said, "Cabbage? What do you want to do? Make a dish for yourself?"

Li Xiangqian nodded, and he suddenly felt that cabbage was indeed a simple and direct choice. It did not require complicated cooking techniques, nor did it require too much attention. It was just pure ingredients and simple taste, which seemed to make people forget those annoying things temporarily.

"Yes, cabbage." Li Xiangqian's tone became relaxed, as if he had found an outlet that allowed him to take a temporary breath.

Li Qimin looked at him, seemed to understand his feelings, and nodded slightly: "Okay, go buy some, buy some and cook some dishes, don't always push yourself too hard."

Li Xiangqian nodded, and suddenly, the depressed mood in his heart became much lighter. He turned and left, pushed open the gate, and walked towards the street. The cool wind blew in his face, bringing a little chill, but at this moment, Li Xiangqian felt that he was not so heavy. Maybe, life should be like this, simple and real. Cabbage, even if it is just used to stir-fry a dish, can make him forget those troubles temporarily, at least give himself a little breathing space.

Walking to the corner, he saw a vegetable vendor tidying up his stall. The stall was filled with all kinds of fresh vegetables, the most eye-catching of which was a pile of lush green cabbages. Li Xiangqian stopped and carefully selected one. Looking at the huge cabbage, he couldn't help but feel an inexplicable sense of comfort in his heart.

He reached out and picked up the cabbage, and couldn't help but think of his mother. She always liked to be busy in the kitchen, making simple but warm meals. Cabbage was also one of her favorite vegetables. She would always add some when cooking. Li Xiangqian's mood softened for some reason, as if his mother's figure was right in front of him, with warm sunshine shining on her. That kind of tranquility and stability was what he longed for the most.

"The cabbage you bought is very good." The vendor looked at the cabbage in Li Xiangqian's hand and smiled. "It was just picked from the vegetable field today. It's very fresh."

Li nodded and smiled: "Thank you."

He put the cabbage into the bag, paid for it, and turned to go home. On the way home, he suddenly felt an inexplicable sense of relief, as if the greenness of the cabbage brought a long-lost freshness to his mood. Those chaotic thoughts also gradually dissipated in this peaceful atmosphere.

However, just as Li Xiangqian reached the gate of the courtyard, he suddenly stopped. The courtyard was still as quiet as if nothing had changed, but he had a strong feeling - a feeling of uneasiness. That feeling was like a cold wind, blowing quietly from behind, making him shiver involuntarily.

"What's wrong?" Li Xiangqian asked himself softly. He suddenly had a strange premonition in his heart, as if some changes were quietly happening, and the secret that he had never touched seemed to be approaching him.

As Li Xiangqian walked into the courtyard, he could not help but feel uneasy. When he was walking on the street just now, he could almost feel the subtle changes in the air, as if something was quietly changing. This feeling was like being pulled by an invisible thread, which made him unable to relax. However, this uneasiness did not come from his father's silence or his mother's seemingly distant expression, but from a dog he had just met on the street corner.

The dog came from nowhere and suddenly appeared at his feet, with an uneasy look in its eyes, as if it was also looking for a place to live. Li Xiangqian instinctively stopped and looked down at the dirty puppy. Its hair was dirty and messy, and its eyes were alert and lonely, which was unique to stray animals, but it also seemed to have some kind of desire, a desire for warmth and love.

"Why are you here?" Li Xiangqian squatted down and reached out to touch the dog's head. The puppy did not run away, but looked up at him with a hint of hesitation in its eyes, but soon it came close to Li Xiangqian and licked his palm.

Li Xiangqian's heart moved. He originally just wanted to buy some cabbage to take home, but at this inadvertent moment, he had a strange connection with the dog. Perhaps the dog's eyes touched him, or perhaps he was too lonely at the moment and longed for some companionship and comfort. In any case, his decision suddenly became clear.

"Okay," Li Xiangqian whispered, "you come back with me." He hesitated for a moment, smiled softly, reached out and picked up the dog. Although its body was thin and its stomach was empty, it still snuggled tightly in Li Xiangqian's arms, as if it had received the long-lost warmth.

When he returned to the courtyard, Li Xiangqian pushed the door open gently, afraid to disturb the people at home. He walked into the yard and felt the familiar silence, but he still couldn't ignore the complicated emotions in his heart. With the dog, he didn't know what to do for a while. Should he tell his mother or father, or continue to keep everything unchanged as before? He suddenly felt a little confused.

"What's the matter?" The mother's voice came from inside the house. Li Xiangqian was startled by the sudden voice. He quickly retracted his attention and looked up into the house.