Siheyuan, integrating everything, cultivating the city

"Uncle Zhonghai, it's so late, why haven't you slept yet?" Li Xiangqian asked in a low voice.

Yi Zhonghai stood in the middle of the yard, looked up at the stars in the sky, and said casually: "I am old and can't sleep well. I saw the light in your room was still on just now, so I came to take a look."

Li nodded forward and said nothing.

"Move forward." Yi Zhonghai suddenly turned around and looked at him, his tone serious, "I know you have a lot of energy in your heart, which is good. But you have to understand that life is not lived by passion alone, especially for a head of a family like you. If you fall, what will happen to this family?"

Li Xiangqian was shocked when he heard this. He looked up at Yi Zhonghai and suddenly felt that this old man who was usually quiet could see things more clearly than anyone else. He opened his mouth and wanted to say something, but found that he didn't know where to start.

"Don't think too much." Yi Zhonghai patted his shoulder, "You have to be sensible in doing things. Sometimes, being patient is not a sign of weakness, but a way to stand up better in the future."

Li Xiangqian woke up early, when the sky was just beginning to turn pale. He lay on the kang, his eyes fixed on the blurry light and shadow on the roof, his heart heavy as if it were filled with stones. Yi Zhonghai's words from last night were still echoing in his ears, but he still couldn't find an answer: what should he do next?

Liu Cui'e turned over and muttered softly, as if she was awakened by his tossing and turning. Li Xiangqian held his breath and climbed up from the kang lightly. He didn't want to wake his wife, and he didn't want to hear those annoying reproaches. He knew in his heart that every word she said made sense, but the days were getting harder and harder, and sometimes he even felt breathless.

After getting dressed, he tiptoed out of the house. The cold morning breeze blew in his face, making him more awake. The yard was silent, and the neighbors were still asleep. Only the occasional barking of dogs broke the silence before dawn. Li Xiangqian looked around to make sure no one noticed him, then he quickened his pace and walked out of the courtyard.

The streets were empty, with only some early vendors pushing carts and the occasional crowing of a rooster. Li Xiangqian shrank his neck, put his hands in his pockets, and walked quickly toward the fields outside the village. He felt an indescribable depression in his heart, as if he needed to find a place to calm down.

When he reached the edge of the field, he stopped and took a deep breath. The air here was filled with the freshness of the soil, mixed with the faint fragrance of plants, which made him feel a little comforted. He squatted down, grabbed a handful of wet soil with his hands, squeezed it, and slowly let go, and the soil scattered between his fingers. He stared at the soil, as if he was looking for something, as if he was avoiding something.

Li Xiangqian's mind was filled with images of the past. He remembered when he was a child, his father took him to work in the fields. Although it was hard work at that time, at least the family was happy. Now his father is gone, and his mother's health is getting worse. He is the one who carries the whole family, but it is getting harder and harder. Liu Cui'e keeps talking about food and daily necessities, and the crying of the child makes him even more upset. He has asked himself countless times, what is the meaning of such a life?

As he was lost in thought, the sound of footsteps in the distance interrupted his thoughts. Li Xiangqian turned his head sharply and saw a familiar figure walking towards him. He squinted his eyes and waited for the man to get closer before he recognized that it was He Yuzhu from the yard. The man was carrying a hoe on his shoulder and was walking hurriedly, apparently coming to work in the fields.

"Xiang Qian? Why are you here?" He Yuzhu was obviously surprised when he saw him, and stopped to ask.

Li Xiangqian forced a smile and stood up: "Walk around and get some fresh air."

He Yuzhu looked at him, then at the field behind him, with a hint of doubt in his eyes, but he didn't ask any more questions. He put down his hoe, leaned against the edge of the field, and wiped the sweat from his forehead with his hand: "What's wrong with you, kid? You look distracted. Did something happen at home?"

These words seemed to hit the nail on the head. He lowered his head and kicked the dirt at his feet. After a while, he spoke: "What else could it be? It's just a trivial matter. Life is tight. Cui'e complains about me all day long, saying that I don't care about the family and am ignorant. How can I have the energy to do anything else?"

He Yuzhu listened and nodded, but his expression was a bit complicated. He sighed and patted Li Xiangqian on the shoulder: "Xiangqian, this is how we men live. Whose family is not a mess? But then again, don't hold it in. If you have anything to say, talk to your brothers, don't just bear it by yourself."

Li Xiangqian smiled bitterly, thinking that it was useless to say anything. Others could help him temporarily, but not forever. He lowered his head and fiddled with the soil at his feet, trying to change the subject: "Brother Zhuzi, what are you going to plant in this field?"

"What else can I grow? Vegetables." He Yuzhu smiled, his tone somewhat relaxed, "Life is tight these days, so I'll grow some vegetables for myself, and save as much as I can."

Li Xiangqian nodded, but he couldn't help feeling sad. Everyone was struggling to make a living. He Yuzhu seemed optimistic, but in fact, wasn't he still overwhelmed by life?

"Okay, stop standing there." He Yuzhu stood up and patted the mud off his hoe. "How about you give me a hand? We can plant more today and I can give some to your family later."

Li Xiangqian wanted to refuse, but seeing He Yuzhu's sincere expression, he could not speak, so he could only nod and agree. He rolled up his sleeves and followed He Yuzhu to dig and turn the soil. After working for a while, his palms were rubbed with red marks, and the sweat on his back soaked his clothes, but he felt more at ease.

The two chatted while working, and occasionally He Yuzhu would tell some funny stories about family life, which made Li Xiangqian laugh. This simple work and chatting made him forget the troubles at home temporarily.

The sun gradually rose higher, and the air in the fields began to become hot. He Yuzhu wiped the sweat off his face and panted and said, "Okay, let's stop here today. If your family needs anything later, just tell me and we will help if we can."

Li Xiangqian nodded, with mixed emotions in his heart. He knew He Yuzhu really wanted to help him, but the pressure of life made him feel that these good intentions were not enough to change anything. He whispered, "Brother Zhuzi, thank you. I will definitely return the favor if I have the chance in the future."

He Yuzhu waved his hand and smiled carelessly: "We are brothers, so what's the point of talking about human feelings. Okay, go home and don't let your sister-in-law wait anxiously."

Li Xiangqian has been waking up in the middle of the night lately, with the dark roof in front of him and the steady breathing of his wife and children in his ears. Although his body is exhausted, his thoughts keep turning like a revolving lantern and he can't calm down.