Siheyuan, integrating everything, cultivating the city

"I have to ask her." Li Xiangqian thought to himself as he started walking towards home. His wife Zhang Lin has always been the person he trusts the most. Although they sometimes have small arguments, she is the only one who can give him some calm answers in this turbulent time. Her intuition and judgment can often help him make wiser decisions.

He walked into the yard. The scene in front of him was still familiar. There were wisps of smoke floating on the roof, and the crowing of chickens in the yard still echoed in the air. Li Xiangqian felt a little heavy, and every step he took was not so easy. He glanced at a corner of the yard and saw Zhang Lin hanging clothes to dry. Her back was still so gentle and tenacious, as if she could always find a faint hope in the difficulties.

"Lin, Lin!" Li Xiangqian shouted, his voice filled with some suppressed emotions.

Zhang Lin turned around and saw the heavy look on Li Xiangqian's face. Her eyes lit up slightly and she walked over immediately. "What's wrong? You look pale and tired."

Li Xiangqian lowered his head and sighed softly, the uneasiness in his heart spreading. "Lin, I just went to see Xu Damao, and he said something that made me feel very uncomfortable."

Zhang Lin frowned, obviously attracted by Li Xiangqian's tone. "What's the matter? Don't be impatient, speak slowly."

Li Xiangqian walked to a bench nearby and sat down, his fingers rubbing the hem of his pants. "He told me that this piece of land is completely different from what we thought. This is not ordinary land. Xu Damao said that many people tried to live on this land, but in the end they could not settle down. Many people died or disappeared, as if this land had some unspeakable power. Lin, he asked me not to continue farming, and even said that this land would take away people's souls..."

Zhang Lin's face suddenly became solemn when she heard this. She sat next to Li Xiangqian and listened carefully to his narration. Li Xiangqian's tone revealed an unspeakable fear, and this fear also quietly rose in her heart. She knew that Li Xiangqian was a very rational person and never easily believed in superstitions and rumors. If he said these words, he must be full of doubts in his heart.

"Did Xu Damao really say that?" Zhang Lin asked, with a hint of disbelief in his tone.

"He didn't say it directly, but his words were similar." Li Xiangqian's eyes were a little confused. "I feel like what he said is not groundless talk. He seems to really know something, or he has experienced something."

Zhang Lin was silent for a moment, then looked up at the sky outside the yard, her expression gradually becoming complicated. She had grown up on this land since she was a child, and she knew a little about the things here. But what Xu Damao said did make her feel a little uneasy.

"Do you believe it?" Zhang Lin finally asked. Her voice was so low that it was almost inaudible, but full of deep concern.

Li Xiangqian did not answer immediately. He lowered his head, thinking about Xu Damao's words and the strange phenomena on this land. In fact, he did not believe in these so-called curses or mysterious powers, but why, why did he always feel an invisible force firmly shrouding this land? He used to stand in the yard in the dead of night, watching the swaying shadows of the trees in the dark, and a strange uneasiness would always emerge in his heart. That uneasiness was like some kind of danger hidden in the darkness, waiting for the opportunity to devour everything.

"I don't know whether I should believe it or not, but what Xu Damao said was too specific. And those people who disappeared, those things that no one mentioned, all make me feel that it is becoming more and more difficult to ignore." Li Xiangqian's voice became low, "Lin, I'm wondering if I should stop my plan to farm. Can we really leave here like Xu Damao said? Or should we continue to stay on this land and face everything it hides?"

Zhang Lin looked at him, with a complex emotion flashing in her eyes. She knew that Li Xiangqian was confused, and she was also confused. But she understood that Li Xiangqian would never give up anything easily, especially when it came to survival.

"Go forward," she said softly, "If you really feel uneasy, you should stop. But if you don't have so many doubts in your heart and want to continue, I support you." She paused, her expression became firm, "But we have to face it together, no matter what."

Li Xiangqian looked at her, and his inner turmoil gradually subsided. He knew that no matter what decision he made, Zhang Lin would accompany him. Her support made him feel extremely warm, and also brought him a sense of responsibility.

He was silent for a moment, and finally spoke: "I think we should think about it carefully. I can't make a hasty decision, but I can't keep dragging it out. I have to find out what this land is hiding."

Zhang Lin nodded, a firm look flashing in his eyes. "Okay, let's find out together. No matter what the result is, I will stand by you."

Li Xiangqian walked into the kitchen, his footsteps were so light that they made almost no sound. Zhang Lin had already started preparing dinner, and the air was filled with the aroma of stewing soup, which instantly made Li Xiangqian feel a sense of warmth that he had not felt for a long time. Although today's events had made him feel heavy and uneasy, facing the familiar scenes at home, the stewing food, and the heat from the kitchen always made him forget the pressure on his heart for a while.

He walked behind Zhang Lin, stopped, and quietly watched her busy figure. Zhang Lin always prepared every meal for the family so patiently, with light and skillful movements, as if her presence itself could soothe all the fatigue and anxiety. At that moment, Li Xiangqian's heart was filled with an indescribable emotion, as if even the anxiety and confusion he had just experienced suddenly became insignificant.

"Lin, can you give me a bowl of fish soup?" Li Xiangqian finally spoke, his tone a little tired but also gentle.

Zhang Lin turned around and smiled at him, with a hint of warmth in her eyes. "Of course, sit down, the soup is almost ready." She turned around to get the stewed fish soup next to her, her movements gentle and full of love.

Li Xiangqian sat down and watched her skillfully pour the soup into a bowl and then handed it to him. At that moment, he felt a warm breath rising from the soup, as if all the pressure was dissipated at this moment. The hot soup was steaming and blowing in his face, with a little fragrance and the delicious taste of fish, which made Li Xiangqian's stomach start to make a slight gurgling sound involuntarily.

"Thank you." He took the bowl and whispered.

Zhang Lin nodded gently, sat beside him, and looked at him silently. She knew that Li Xiangqian must have a lot on his mind today. Although he didn't say it clearly, she had already noticed the uneasiness and doubt vaguely emerging from his eyes.