Siheyuan, integrating everything, cultivating the city

"It's okay, I just need to think something through." Li Xiangqian forced a smile, trying to hide his inner uneasiness and confusion.

Lin Xiaoyu frowned slightly, obviously not satisfied with Li Xiangqian's reaction. "Is it because of what happened today? I think you shouldn't talk to Liu Guangfu like that. After all, he is also a neighbor in the yard. Wouldn't it be better to handle the matter more smoothly?"

Li Xiangqian's heart suddenly sank, and he frowned almost subconsciously. He didn't expect Lin Xiaoyu to say that. She was a rational person, but today she was inexplicably agitated. He lowered his head and was silent for a moment, but the uneasiness in his heart still could not be calmed.

"I know you think it's inappropriate, but I can't just watch him bully Yu Zhu." Li Xiangqian's tone was a little low, with a hint of uncontrollable anger in his voice, "You don't understand, he endures Liu Guangfu's threats every day, that's not something I can tolerate."

Lin Xiaoyu seemed a little unhappy, her voice was a little anxious, "You know what, Xiang Qian, what else can you change by doing this, except angering Liu Guangfu? Do you really think he will restrain himself because of this? What you are doing will only make us more uncomfortable, or even cause more trouble!"

Li Xiangqian's heart was shaken. He raised his head and looked straight at Lin Xiaoyu. There was obvious fatigue in her eyes, as if she no longer had the patience to argue with him. Li Xiangqian's heart began to be a little confused. He didn't know why he suddenly became at a loss.

"Uncomfortable?" Li Xiangqian repeated, but the violent face of Liu Guangfu and the hurt look of He Yuzhu appeared in his mind. His hands tightened unconsciously, and his fingertips sunk into his palms. "Do you think I should be patient? Like before, endure all these injustices?"

Lin Xiaoyu frowned, and it was obvious that her patience had reached its limit. "It's not about patience, but the way you deal with problems. Your drastic approach won't solve the fundamental problem, but will put us in a deeper predicament. I know you are angry, but you can't take it out on others every time."

Li Xiangqian was stunned. His mind suddenly went blank, as if he had been hit by Lin Xiaoyu's words and had no reaction. He knew she was right, but the anger and unwillingness in his heart could not be calmed down. This was not the first time this happened. Every time he felt like doing something, Lin Xiaoyu would always calmly remind him: Sometimes, the best way is to take a step back. But he was never good at giving in, especially when he felt that he had a responsibility to protect others.

Li Xiangqian gritted his teeth and finally spoke, "Do you think what I did was wrong? Do you think I am always so impulsive and don't consider the consequences?" When he said this, his tone was mixed with a bit of uneasiness and self-blame.

Lin Xiaoyu did not answer immediately, but sighed and looked at the dark night sky in the distance. She stood there and shook her head gently. "That's not what I meant, Xiang Qian. You have your reasons for doing things, but sometimes, you shouldn't bear all the pressure alone. You should know that you are not alone." She paused, and her words were a little soft, "We are husband and wife, aren't we? If you don't tell me what you think in your heart, how can I understand you and help you?"

Li Xiangqian felt a sharp pain in his heart. He knew the truth of what his wife said and understood her good intentions. But he still felt an indescribable depression, as if there was an invisible wall separating him from Lin Xiaoyu.

"I..." Li Xiangqian's voice was a little choked, as if the words stuck in his throat suddenly became extremely heavy. "I don't think I can let go of these things, especially Yu Zhu. He never asked me for anything, but he was always bullied. I can't just do nothing."

"I know," Lin Xiaoyu gently held Li Xiangqian's shoulders, her voice soft and soothing, "I understand that you are unwilling in your heart, but don't you feel that you are also crushing yourself invisibly? You always put other people's affairs first and ignore your own feelings. You also need someone to care about you, Xiangqian, not all responsibilities should be borne by you."

Li Xiangqian was slightly stunned, and he blinked a few times, and suddenly felt a little stunned. He had always been used to bearing it alone, and used to hiding his pain and struggle in his heart. However, Lin Xiaoyu's words today were like a heavy blow, hitting a certain vulnerable point in his heart.

He smiled unconsciously, with a hint of bitterness. "I always feel that I can take on everything, and I feel that I can protect everyone, whether it's you, Yu Zhu, or every neighbor in this courtyard. I always think that no matter what, I can hold on, but sometimes, I also wonder if I can let go of something and be myself again."

Lin Xiaoyu didn't say anything, but just looked at him quietly, with gentle eyes, as if waiting for Li Xiangqian's self-awakening. She knew that Li Xiangqian was never good at showing his vulnerable side, and even when he needed help the most, he still chose to bear everything alone. But she no longer forced him to respond, but just stood quietly beside him, feeling the distance between them gradually bridged.

As the night deepened, the courtyard of the quadrangle became even quieter, as if all the sounds disappeared under the moonlight. Li Xiangqian stood at the gate of the courtyard, looking at the dim street lights in the distance, and an indescribable emotion still surged in his heart. The conversation with Lin Xiaoyu just now seemed to pull him out of some bottomless vortex, but the guilt and uneasiness still followed him.

"Go ahead." Lin Xiaoyu's voice came from the house. Her words were gentle and warm, but also carried a hint of firmness that could not be refused. "Go and do what you think is right. I will wait for you at home."

Li Xiangqian didn't say anything, just nodded, turned around and walked out of the yard. The wind outside was still cold, and the stars in the night sky were like ancient eyes, watching his every move indifferently and quietly. Li Xiangqian's pace began to speed up. He knew that tonight's decision was not only a response to Liu Guangfu, but also a challenge to a certain persistence in his heart.

A few minutes later, he stood at the gate of the courtyard and turned to the corner. The street lights were still dim on both sides, and occasionally a few cars passed by him, leaving dusty traces. Li Xiangqian did not stop, because he knew that tonight's events were not over yet, and he had more important things to do.