Siheyuan, integrating everything, cultivating the city

"What you are afraid of now is not that you can't start over, but that you can't bear the pain of failing again." Li Xiangqian's tone became more determined, "But you have to know, Yuzhu, the pain is temporary, the failure is temporary. Only by persisting can you see the real you in the future. You don't need to go very far at once, nor do you need to do your best from the beginning. You just need to give yourself some time, a little patience, and a little courage."

He Yuzhu raised his head, and a trace of confusion finally appeared in his eyes. He looked at Li Xiangqian deeply, as if he was trying to digest these words, as if he was looking for some clues to connect his past self with the possibilities of the future.

"You're right." He Yuzhu finally spoke, his voice more resolute than before, "I used to have ideals, but I don't know why, now they have become so far away, so empty. I even began to feel that I am not worthy of pursuing them anymore."

Li Xiangqian looked at him with a glimmer of relief in his eyes: "Yuzhu, you have to know that all dreams cannot be easily realized. Everyone has had lows and moments of loss, but those moments of loss do not mean failure. On the contrary, it is those moments that can make you more clear about what you really want. You once had ideals, and those ideals have not disappeared. They are still in your heart, but you have ignored them."

He Yuzhu didn't say anything else, his brows slightly furrowed, as if he was thinking about something. Li Xiangqian didn't rush him, but waited patiently. He Yuzhu was experiencing a fierce struggle in his heart, on one side was the unrealized dream in the past, and on the other side was the fear and failure that he couldn't face. Li Xiangqian understood that this was not something that could be solved in a short time, but at least, he had lit up the weak light deep in He Yuzhu's heart.

After a moment, He Yuzhu suddenly stood up, looking into the distance with a firm gaze: "I have decided to move forward." His voice was low, but with a long-lost strength, "I will not continue to avoid the past, and I will not let myself fall into this endless confusion. I don't know if I can start over, but I am willing to try once."

Li Xiangqian looked at him, the corners of his mouth slightly raised, a trace of relief flashed in his eyes: "That's enough, Yuzhu. This is your real beginning."

He Yuzhu took a deep breath, as if he had broken free from a bondage deep in his heart. The confusion in his eyes finally dissipated a little, replaced by a sense of determination. He walked to the center of the courtyard and looked deeply at the plants and trees in the courtyard. Those things that once made him feel heavy now seemed no longer so scary. Perhaps the road ahead would still be difficult, but at least he was ready to take the first step.

Li Xiangqian stood there, looking at He Yuzhu's back, feeling a long-lost sense of peace in his heart. He knew that today's conversation was just the beginning, and He Yuzhu still needed a lot of time to truly face himself, but at least, he was no longer controlled by the shadow of the past. And this was the most important thing.

The courtyard of the quadrangle gradually became quiet. The sunlight shone through the gaps between the leaves onto the bluestone slabs, and the air seemed to become heavy. Li Xiangqian stood there, his eyes deep, thinking about how to help He Yuzhu get out of his confusion. Although his words were profound, he knew that Yuzhu's heart was not fully open, and he still needed time and opportunities to face his true self.

However, at this moment, a burst of hurried footsteps broke the tranquility of the courtyard. Li Xiangqian turned around and saw a figure hurriedly approaching. The man was sweating and panting. It was Xu Damao.

"Forward! Forward!" Xu Damao's face was filled with anxiety and uneasiness. His eyes flickered and he seemed a little flustered. "Go and have a look at Yuzhu. He...he's not right."

Li Xiangqian raised his eyebrows, his heart tightened. He Yuzhu? He quickly stepped forward, his eyes anxiously scanning the courtyard, looking for He Yuzhu's figure. Xu Damao followed closely behind, his face getting paler, obviously a little uneasy.

"What's going on?" Li Xiangqian asked with a frown. He had already realized that something was wrong. Xu Damao's expression was obviously not one of simple worry, but more of a hidden panic.

Xu Damao was stunned for a moment, swallowed, and was obviously hesitant, but finally said: "Yuzhu...he went to find...he went to find Zhang Wei." As soon as Xu Damao finished speaking, Li Xiangqian stopped abruptly, his heart shocked.

Zhang Wei, this name made Li Xiangqian frown. He and Zhang Wei did not have a good relationship, and it could even be said that there were many contradictions. Xu Damao had mentioned Zhang Wei's actions many times, which made Li Xiangqian wary of this person. Zhang Wei's background and past were somewhat complicated and even dark. He was not someone who could be easily trusted.

"He went to find Zhang Wei?" Li Xiangqian's voice was low and angry. Xu Damao's face became even uglier. He nodded slightly, avoiding Li Xiangqian's gaze.

"I know this is not a good thing, but Yuzhu seems to be troubled all the time." Xu Damao whispered, "He always mentions Zhang Wei's name, saying that Zhang Wei can help him find something back, find those things from the past. I advised him that Zhang Wei is not a good person, but he..."

"Do you know where he went?" Li Xiangqian interrupted Xu Damao, his tone more urgent than before. Xu Damao's face became even gloomier, and he sighed deeply: "He went to that bar, where Zhang Wei has his own business."

The bar was full of unstable factors, and Li Xiangqian had a bad feeling in his heart. He Yuzhu shouldn't go to that kind of place, especially when he was at his most vulnerable. Zhang Wei's presence was undoubtedly a temptation to him, but also a dangerous vortex.

"You said he is in the bar now?" Li Xiangqian confirmed again. Xu Damao was silent for a few seconds and finally nodded.

Li Xiangqian didn't waste any more time. He turned and walked towards the gate of the yard, followed by Xu Damao. The two didn't say much. There was an indescribable tension in the air. Many images flashed through Li Xiangqian's mind. He Yuzhu's lost figure and his words just now seemed to remind him that Yuzhu was not completely lost in his inner fear. He was looking for a way out, and this way out might be provided by Zhang Wei.

The lights in the bar were dim, and the neon sign at the door flickered eerily in the night. Li pushed forward and opened the door, entering the place he had once avoided.