Siheyuan, integrating everything, cultivating the city

When he got closer, he saw a thin man holding He Yuzhu's collar with a somewhat arrogant smile on his face. He was Liu Guangfu, a well-known philistine in the courtyard. Behind him stood two hooligans, with their hands on their waists, looking arrogant.

He Yuzhu lowered his head, a bead of sweat seeping from his forehead, as if he was enduring it silently. He clenched his hands quietly, but did not resist. He just glanced around with the corner of his eyes, as if looking for a way to escape.

Li Xiangqian frowned, this scene made him feel uncomfortable. He knew that He Yuzhu was a straightforward person, although he offended many people with his words, but he was not a bad person at heart, and he helped many neighbors. But Liu Guangfu was a typical bully, relying on a few bad friends, he liked to show off in front of others.

"Liu Guangfu, what are you doing?" Li Xiangqian asked in a deep voice, with an unquestionable coldness in his tone. He stepped forward, put the bamboo basket on the ground, and stared at Liu Guangfu.

Liu Guangfu was stunned, then a look of contempt appeared on his face, "Hey, isn't this Li Xiangqian? So, you're here to help when you see injustice?" He pretended to be relaxed and let go of He Yuzhu's collar, but did not step back, instead he took a step closer.

He Yuzhu looked up at Li Xiangqian, the corners of his mouth twitched, as if he wanted to say something, but in the end he didn't open his mouth.

"Don't think that you can act like a tyrant in this alley just because you have a few people backing you up. Bully He Yuzhu, he is our neighbor, if you have any problems come to me." Li Xiangqian stared at Liu Guangfu, his tone neither humble nor arrogant, but revealing a firm strength.

Liu Guangfu sneered and crossed his arms over his chest. "Okay, Li Xiangqian, you said that beautifully! But look at your poor appearance. What can you use to fight me?"

Li Xiangqian did not respond, but just stood there quietly. His eyes were cold, yet they carried a kind of calm strength that made people unconsciously feel a little apprehensive.

The atmosphere froze for a moment. Liu Guangfu felt a little uneasy, but he was unwilling to lose face. He winked at the two accomplices behind him, and they immediately stepped forward, ready to fight at any time.

"Go ahead, don't mind my business, just go." He Yuzhu finally spoke, his voice low and a little helpless. Although he pretended to be relaxed on the surface, his eyes were very complicated.

Li Xiangqian didn't answer, but suddenly bent down to pick up the bamboo basket on the ground, and walked towards Liu Guangfu step by step. His movements were slow, but steady as a rock, and every step seemed to be beating on Liu Guangfu's heart.

Liu Guangfu took a step back, the smile on his face gradually faltering. The two thugs behind him were also a little hesitant, not knowing whether they should take action.

"Today's matter ends here." Li Xiangqian stood in front of Liu Guangfu and looked up at him. "Otherwise, no matter who is behind you, I will not let you go."

The words were spoken lightly, but they hit Liu Guangfu's heart like a heavy hammer. He swallowed his saliva and forced a smile, "Heh, Li Xiangqian, do you really think you are someone important? Okay, today I'll give you a favor." He waved his hand, turned around and left, leaving with the two thugs in disgrace.

The alley became quiet again, with only He Yuzhu standing there with a complicated expression on his face.

"Are you okay?" Li Xiangqian walked to his side and spoke in a slower tone.

He Yuzhu nodded and whispered, "Thank you, Xiang Qian. If it weren't for you, I would have suffered a loss today."

"We are all neighbors, there is no need to talk about this." Li Xiangqian waved his hand and picked up the bamboo basket on the ground. "But you have to be careful. Liu Guangfu will not give up easily."

He Yuzhu smiled bitterly and nodded. He looked at Li Xiangqian's back as he left, but a complex emotion surged in his heart. He knew very well that an upright person like Li Xiangqian would often not have an easy time in this complex world. But precisely because of this, he admired this person even more.

Li Xiangqian walked back home slowly. The bamboo basket in his hand was neither light nor heavy, like a weight on his heart. He thought he should feel relieved after helping He Yuzhu solve his problem, but it was not the case at all. As soon as he entered the yard, his wife Liu Cui'e poked her head out of the kitchen with a frown on her face.

"Are you meddling in other people's business again?" Liu Cui'e still had a kitchen knife in her hand. Her voice was not loud, but it was filled with undisguised dissatisfaction.

Li Xiangqian was stunned for a moment, then stopped and asked tentatively, "How did you know?"

"This courtyard is so small, how can we hide anything from others?" Liu Cui'e walked up to him in two steps, with her hands on her hips, "I'm telling you, Li Xiangqian, our family's life is already difficult enough. If you continue like this, you're not helping others, you're hurting yourself!"

Li Xiangqian lowered his head and looked at the bamboo basket in his hand. The leaves inside still had a fresh scent of dew. He was silent for a while, as if he didn't hear his wife's words, and just handed the basket over: "I bought the vegetables. It's enough for us to eat for two days."

Liu Cui'e took the basket, put it on the ground, and glared at him angrily: "Why are you pretending to be dumb? I'm talking to you! Do you think I'm making a fuss? Okay, you are powerful, but have you ever thought that if you really mess with people like Liu Guangfu, they will not let it go. Don't you know what our family background is?"

Li Xiangqian took a deep breath and finally raised his head, his eyes filled with helplessness. "Cui'e, I didn't mean to cause trouble, but if I just stood by and did nothing when He Yuzhu was bullied, would I still be considered a human being?"

"Individuals? Do you have to stand out as a person?" Liu Cui'e sneered, with a hint of resentment in her tone, "You want to help others, but who will help us? Li Xiangqian, you always say that people should be moral, but can we live our lives by morality?"

This sentence stabbed into Li Xiangqian's heart like a knife. His face changed slightly, but he didn't say anything. He knew that Liu Cui'e was right. Their family's life was already hard, and they barely made ends meet by relying on him to do odd jobs in the factory. There were old people and young children at home, and they needed money everywhere. But he just couldn't swallow this breath. Watching injustice and standing by and watching, that was not his character.

"You're right." Li Xiangqian whispered, his throat seemed to be blocked by something, "But I can't just watch it."

Liu Cui'e stared at him for a while, and finally sighed, the expression in her eyes changed from anger to helplessness. "I know you have a kind heart, and I know you are not the kind of person who stands by and watches coldly. But forward, sometimes, if you have justice in your heart, you have to have skills in your hands. In our current situation, how can we confront others head-on?"

She spoke with emotion and her tone softened, as if she was trying to compromise. Li Xiangqian felt sad, but he didn't know how to respond, so he just stood there and let the silence spread.