Siheyuan, integrating everything, cultivating the city

Li Xiangqian walked to the old house. The wooden door had become mottled, and the walls were covered with traces of time. It seemed that every inch of the air was filled with an invisible historical atmosphere. The furnishings in the house had hardly changed. The wooden table was covered with a yellowed tablecloth, and the old chairs still stood there quietly. There were a few old books on the windowsill next to the table. Everything seemed to have been covered in dust for a long time, as if time had stopped here, quietly waiting for Li Xiangqian's arrival.

He pushed open the door, his steps heavy and hesitant. The dim light from inside the house shone through the window, and the air was filled with a musty smell. His eyes swept through every corner of the house, and those old items reminded him how the time he had spent here had passed. Li Xiangqian walked to the window and slowly pushed it open. The air seemed to become fresh all of a sudden. The wind from the yard blew in gently, with a hint of chill, but without any vitality. At this moment, Li Xiangqian suddenly heard a familiar voice, it was He Yuzhu's voice.

"You're here." He Yuzhu appeared in his sight, standing in the middle of the yard. At that moment, Li Xiangqian could hardly believe his eyes. He Yuzhu still looked the same as he was familiar with, but his eyes had become a little empty, as if they had lost their former brilliance. He stood there, lowering his head slightly, his eyes flickering with a hint of confusion.

"How did you become like this?" Li Xiangqian couldn't help but ask, his voice choking. He Yuzhu's change exceeded all his expectations. The friend who was once sunny and full of energy has now become so strange, as if he is no longer the fearless boy with him.

He Yuzhu did not answer immediately, but looked down at the ground. His footsteps did not make any sound, and he stood there, as if he had merged into this empty courtyard. At that moment, Li Xiangqian suddenly realized that he seemed to see something very special in this courtyard - a lost soul, a loneliness that had nowhere to go.

"Yuzhu, what happened?" Li Xiangqian couldn't help but walk a few steps closer, staring at He Yuzhu. He wanted to understand, to know what his once high-spirited friend had gone through, and why he became like this.

He Yuzhu slowly raised his head. At that moment, there seemed to be no light in his eyes, only a deep emptiness. He opened his mouth slightly, but seemed unable to make a sound. Li Xiangqian felt a pain in his heart. He felt that he was standing in front of a huge abyss. It seemed that the friend he once had could no longer be found.

"I'm lost." He Yuzhu finally spoke, his voice low and hoarse. The words seemed to come from the deepest part of his heart, carrying a heavy burden. Li Xiangqian stood there, not knowing how to respond. He understood that He Yuzhu's loss was not just a physical disappearance, but also a spiritual emptiness and loneliness. And this loneliness seemed to have swallowed him up completely.

"Do you still remember our dreams when we were little?" He Yuzhu suddenly asked, with a faint light in his eyes. Li Xiangqian was stunned for a moment, then nodded. Yes, they had many dreams, dreaming of going far away together, pursuing their ideals, and creating their own future. However, those dreams were eventually swallowed up by reality and crushed by the pressure of life. Li Xiangqian suddenly realized that He Yuzhu's loss was not accidental, but the accumulation of pain and helplessness suppressed in his heart for many years.

"I don't know what I'm looking for." He Yuzhu's voice sounded again, with a hint of helplessness and confusion. He lowered his head, staring at the ground with empty eyes, as if thinking about something. Li Xiangqian looked at his back, and waves of pain surged in his heart. He realized that he could no longer save this friend who was once full of hope like before.

The wind in the courtyard was still blowing, taking away every memory, dreams and laughter. Li Xiangqian stood there, quietly looking at the lost soul in front of him. He knew that some things could not be recovered, and some people could not be found.

Li Xiangqian was silent for a moment. He Yuzhu still lowered his head. The empty eyes and silent atmosphere were like an invisible wall, which made it almost impossible for him to breathe. The courtyard was still quiet. The old locust tree in the yard swayed slightly, and occasionally a few yellow leaves fell, making a rustling sound when they fell on the ground. Li Xiangqian stood a little stiff. He knew that he couldn't leave like this, and couldn't let He Yuzhu get lost like this.

"Yuzhu." Li Xiangqian finally spoke, his voice low and gentle, "You know, I always thought you would live a good life, like me, and live a fulfilling life." He looked at He Yuzhu's back, his eyes were filled with a little guilt, but more of helplessness. He couldn't believe that the friend who had fought side by side with him in this yard had become like this.

He Yuzhu did not respond, but just stood there, staring at the ground, as if all the sounds had nothing to do with him. The anxiety and pain in Li Xiangqian's heart surged like a tide, almost suffocating him. Memories of the past began to flood his mind. The boy who played with him in the yard, the friend who spent countless days and nights with him, has now become a person who has lost himself.

"How did you become like this?" Li Xiangqian suppressed his emotions, his voice becoming a little hurried. "I clearly remember you had such a dream, and I remember what you said. You said you wanted to leave here, do what you like, and live a different life. Why... why can't you even find yourself now?"

He Yuzhu slowly raised his head, and there seemed to be a trace of struggle in his eyes, but it was soon swallowed up by emptiness. His eyes were unfocused and blurred, as if he himself didn't know where to look. Seeing this, Li Xiangqian's pain deepened again. He took a step closer, wanting to touch He Yuzhu's shoulder, but hesitated and finally stopped.

"Yu Zhu..." Li Xiangqian's voice was so low that it almost disappeared in the wind. "Tell me, what happened? If you don't tell me, how can I help you?"

He Yuzhu's lips moved slightly, as if he wanted to say something, but he didn't say it. His expression was painful, and the lines on his face became stiff due to tension. Li Xiangqian could clearly see that deep confusion and self-blame emerged on that familiar face.