Siheyuan, integrating everything, cultivating the city

Liu Cui'e was busy in the kitchen, and the sound of the spatula colliding made Li Xiangqian's thoughts wander. She was doing the housework alone, taking care of him and the children. Her back projected a lonely outline under the dim light, and the whole person looked a little tired and a little old. She was always silent and tenacious, and never complained to him even in the most difficult times. But Li Xiangqian knew that even if she didn't show it on her face, she must have endless bitterness in her heart.

His fingers holding the teacup gradually became stiff, and he felt an unspeakable guilt in his heart. He had been working hard to try to bring a better life to this family, but no matter how hard he tried, Liu Cui'e was still the one who silently carried the burden. And what about himself? Although sometimes he was very busy, most of the time, he was just a man standing by and could do nothing.

He couldn't help but lower his head, his eyes were a little empty. He felt a little uneasy and even a little self-blaming. After this injury, he knew that he couldn't hold on like before. Life seemed to be pushed in front of him again, and he had to face some problems. But what should he do?

"Cui'e." Li Xiangqian called softly, his voice a little low, as if there was an invisible burden in his heart that prevented him from speaking.

Liu Cui'e stopped beside the pot in the kitchen, turned her head and looked at him with a trace of fatigue in her eyes: "What's wrong? Do you need help?"

Li Xiangqian hesitated, not knowing where to start. He felt that he should say something to comfort her and give her some support, but when the words came to his lips, he couldn't say them.

"Are you... okay?" Li Xiangqian finally spoke, but his words sounded so pale and weak, as if he himself did not believe that he would say that.

Liu Cui'e smiled, with a hint of helplessness at the corner of her mouth: "I'm fine, they're just trivial things, I'm used to doing them, it's no big deal."

This sentence concealed her fatigue lightly, but Li Xiangqian could hear her grievance from her tone, even though she tried hard to act as if nothing had happened.

"Cui'e..." Li Xiangqian opened his mouth again, wanting to say something, wanting to express the heavy thoughts in his heart, but as soon as he said it, he fell silent again. The unspeakable guilt in his heart trapped him like a wall, almost making it impossible for him to continue speaking.

Liu Cui'e saw his struggling expression and suddenly felt something in her heart. She put down the bowl in her hand, walked a few steps to his side, and sat on the edge of the bed. She raised her hand and patted his shoulder, saying softly, "Don't think about it. I'm fine. I can handle the things at home. It's not the first time I've taken care of you. It's really nothing."

Li Xiangqian felt a warmth coming from her palm, but this warmth did not relieve his mood. On the contrary, the guilt in his heart became stronger. He lowered his head silently, and his fingertips unconsciously slid across the edge of the teacup, making a faint sound of impact.

"Cui'e, I... I'm really sorry." Li Xiangqian finally spoke, his voice choking. "I know that you have been the only one to take care of the family affairs. I am like this now, I don't even have the strength to do it."

Liu Cui'e was stunned for a moment when she heard this, then she sighed softly and raised her hand to touch his back: "Silly boy, how can you think like that? Am I not doing this for this family? We have been together for so many years, it is worth the hard work, who wouldn't work hard for the family?"

Li Xiangqian's mood became heavier and heavier. He felt as if he was being held down by something, and it became difficult for him to breathe. He looked at Liu Cui'e in front of him. Her eyes were gentle, as if she was infinitely tolerant, but he was always unable to repay her. Life was forcing him to move forward day by day, but he was always walking so hard, as if he would never be able to do what she expected.

"Cui'e, I..." Li Xiangqian paused, and before he finished speaking, his eyes suddenly became hot, and an indescribable emotion surged in his heart. He subconsciously raised his hand to cover his eyes, took a deep breath, and tried to suppress his inner emotions.

Liu Cui'e seemed to sense his emotional fluctuations. She was slightly startled, then reached out and held his hand, saying gently, "You don't need to say sorry. I know you tried your best. We are all trying, and we have been trying all the time."

Her voice was quiet and firm, with a kind of strength, which comforted Li Xiangqian a little. Although he still couldn't let it go, at least at this moment, he was not alone in his heart. In any case, he knew that he was not alone in this difficult journey.

He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down, and finally whispered: "Thank you, Cui'e. You are my greatest support."

Liu Cui'e smiled gently, with a warm light in her eyes: "We are husband and wife, we should rely on each other, right?"

Li Xiangqian looked at her, and suddenly a strong determination rose in his heart. He knew that no matter what the future held, he could not let this family become more burdened by his own powerlessness. He was not a man who did nothing, he had to stand up straight and take on the responsibilities that he should take on.

But he also understood that this road would not be easy, and he had to work harder to give Liu Cui'e the comfort and support she deserved.

"I will recover as soon as possible, Cui'e." Li Xiangqian finally smiled, with a determined light flashing in his eyes, "In the future, we will live a better life."

At the end of the alley, a tall, thin, middle-aged man was standing next to a dilapidated tricycle, waving a stick and glaring at the people opposite him. The man surrounded in the middle was not tall, wearing an old work suit that was washed white, and holding a cloth bag full of steamed buns. There was a bit of anger on his face, but more of helplessness.

"He Yuzhu!" the tall and thin man shouted angrily, "Tell me, did you take a few extra buns today? Don't think I don't know your little tricks!"

Li Xiangqian recognized the short man as He Yuzhu, who lived in the next courtyard. He was an honest cook who usually got along well with others. But now, he was blocked in the alley and was obviously at a disadvantage.

"Liu Guangfu, stop slandering me!" He Yuzhu's voice was filled with anger. "I took a few steamed buns, which were distributed by the factory. Why do you say I took too much?"

"Why?" Liu Guangfu sneered and waved the stick in his hand, "Because I'm your team leader! If you don't accept it, don't blame me for making you pay for it!"

Hearing this, Li Xiangqian frowned even more. Although he usually didn't like to meddle in other people's business, in this situation, it was obvious that Liu Guangfu was bullying others by taking advantage of his power. He hesitated for a moment, but decided to go forward to see for himself.