Siheyuan, integrating everything, cultivating the city

He lowered his head and looked at his hands, as if thinking whether what Li Xiangqian said was worth trying. After a moment of silence, he finally spoke: "Do you think this will really work? How can I change the way so many people look at me?"

"You are not the only one who is affected," Li Xiangqian said firmly. "I will stand by your side and help you arrange everything. You just need to do as I say, gradually get in touch with everyone, and gradually take on those responsibilities. Gradually, you will find that everyone's attitude towards you will slowly change."

Xu Damao was still a little hesitant, and his mind kept flashing back to the past confrontations and conflicts with the people in the courtyard. The decisions he had made because of his self-esteem and the price he had paid for his competitiveness seemed to still linger in his mind. He was not sure if he could change, and whether he could endure the humiliating looks that had once given him.

"You have to believe in yourself," Li Xiangqian looked at Xu Damao with deep eyes, "Although this road is difficult, it at least gives you a chance to be reborn, compared to continuing to immerse yourself in the pain of the past. All you have to do is to take one step at a time."

Xu Damao closed his eyes, as if he was listening to Li Xiangqian's words, but also as if he was struggling with some kind of determination. After a long time, he whispered: "Okay, Li Xiangqian, I believe you this time. I am willing to try and follow your arrangements."

Li Xiangqian nodded, feeling slightly relieved, but his eyes remained firm: "Then, let me take care of the rest. You just need to do what you are supposed to do."

In the following days, Xu Damao really started to act according to Li Xiangqian's arrangement. Li Xiangqian asked him to start with some small things, such as helping neighbors move things, taking care of the elderly, and occasionally helping some neighbors in need. Although these things did not seem worth mentioning to Xu Damao, he gradually found that the neighbors who were originally indifferent to him began to change a little. Those who once looked down on him also began to look at him in a different light.

However, the real test has just begun. Li Xiangqian did not stop because of these small improvements, but continued to design a series of more difficult tasks, preparing to make Xu Damao completely change his appearance and walk out of the shadow of the past.

On a dull afternoon, the atmosphere in the courtyard was still calm. Li Xiangqian strolled in the courtyard, feeling a little irritated. Recently, he had begun to adapt to Xu Damao's new changes. Although the progress was slow, at least Xu Damao had begun to have a little sense of responsibility. At least in some matters, he was no longer so evasive, and occasionally took the initiative to help do something.

However, Li Xiangqian knew that Xu Damao's change was not that simple, especially in his heart, there was always a place that was not touched. He did not dare to be too impatient, after all, changing a person's character is never an easy thing. But at this moment, an unexpected discovery broke Li Xiangqian's thoughts.

That evening, Li Xiangqian walked into the courtyard as usual, but he accidentally saw a scene that shocked his heart. He walked through the alley outside the house and suddenly heard laughter coming from Qin Huairu's house. It was Xu Damao's laughter, low and with a little imperceptible tenderness, intertwined with Qin Huairu's laughter, the sound was somewhat intimate, as if they were sitting together to share a secret.

Li Xiangqian was stunned. He knew Qin Huairu's character and had a past relationship with Xu Damao, but he never thought that the relationship between the two would be so subtle. Qin Huairu's laughter came from the room, like a needle, silently piercing Li Xiangqian's heart.

Li Xiangqian stood there, his heart was filled with turmoil. What kind of relationship was there between Qin Huairu and Xu Damao? Their laughter sounded like they had a deep understanding of each other, but Li Xiangqian knew that if such a relationship was exposed, it would cause a stir in the courtyard. He had always thought that Xu Damao's change was due to his self-reflection, but now this scene broke all his assumptions about Xu Damao.

He instinctively wanted to turn around and leave, but he couldn't help but stand there, struggling internally. On the one hand, he knew that he had no reason to interfere in other people's private affairs, but on the other hand, the relationship between Qin Huairu and Xu Damao didn't seem simple. Li Xiangqian's intuition told him that there must be some secret behind this that he hadn't discovered yet.

After a long while, Li Xiangqian turned around and walked back to his yard. His heart was churning, and he sat at the table and began to think. He couldn't intervene rashly in the matter between Xu Damao and Qin Huairu, but he couldn't ignore the doubts in his heart. He needed to know more and find out the truth of the matter.

A few days later, Li Xiangqian decided to find an opportunity to talk to Xu Damao in person. He knew that Xu Damao was not a person who spoke easily, especially when it came to emotions and the past, he would always show a subconscious defense. Li Xiangqian did not lead the topic to Qin Huairu at the beginning, but first chatted about other things in the courtyard.

"How is Old Li in the yard these days?" Li Xiangqian asked casually. The topic seemed irrelevant, but he could feel that Xu Damao's expression became a little nervous.

"It's fine. Old Li always nags me and tells me to pay more attention to things at home." Xu Damao responded casually, seeming a little uncomfortable.

Li Xiangqian did not rush to ask, but pretended to be calm and continued: "By the way, I heard that you and Qin Huairu have had some contact recently, how do you feel?"

As soon as the words fell, Xu Damao's face changed slightly, his eyes flickered, but he quickly regained his composure. Li Xiangqian's eyes swept across Xu Damao's face and noticed his subtle reaction, but Xu Damao did not respond immediately, but remained silent for a moment.

"Do you think I'm asking something that I shouldn't?" Li Xiangqian smiled slightly, with a hint of amusement in his eyes.

Xu Damao pursed his lips, obviously hesitating about how to answer. Finally, he sighed deeply and avoided Li Xiangqian's gaze: "What did you hear?"

Li Xiangqian's heart moved, and the corners of his mouth curled up slightly: "I haven't heard anything, but there are some things that I think you may be hiding from me."

Xu Damao frowned slightly, and a complex emotion was revealed in his eyes when he looked at Li Xiangqian. He was silent for a moment, as if he was struggling with something, and finally spoke: "Qin Huairu...she is not what you think."

Li Xiangqian's heart moved. As he expected, Xu Damao finally spoke. Although his words were still cautious, at least he was willing to confess.