Siheyuan, integrating everything, cultivating the city

Qin Huairu's eyes lit up slightly, as if at that moment, she realized what she had missed and what she had ignored. Her heart was shaking violently, and she took a deep breath, as if she wanted to say something, but in the end, she was left with silence.

In this moment of silence, the air between the two of them became heavier and heavier. Li Xiangqian stood there, as if he had finished what he wanted to say, while Qin Huairu's heart became more and more complicated at this moment, as if it was about to collapse.

Li Xiangqian stood in front of Xu Damao, with no warmth in his eyes, only a seemingly indescribable coldness. He locked his eyes on Xu Damao, as if he was examining an object he hated, with mixed emotions in his heart. At this moment, Li Xiangqian had no mercy, and everything he did was to make Xu Damao understand something, and even to make Xu Damao feel the "price" of what he had done to him.

Xu Damao stood straight, his eyes full of fear and confusion, he lowered his head somewhat, as if he couldn't look Li Xiangqian in the eye. Li Xiangqian's eyes were filled with a kind of cold determination, as if foreshadowing that what was to come would be far beyond Xu Damao's imagination.

"Li Xiangqian, what do you want to do?" Xu Damao's voice trembled, and his tone was filled with endless anxiety. He knew that he had completely fallen into Li Xiangqian's control. This man who once seemed gentle, today's eyes were full of a power that made him shudder.

Li Xiangqian did not answer immediately, but slowly approached Xu Damao, getting closer and closer. The air seemed to freeze at this moment, and the surrounding environment suddenly became unusually quiet, even the sound of breathing seemed particularly heavy. There was no hesitation in Li Xiangqian's eyes, he knew that he had come to this point, and Xu Damao would have to pay the price.

Xu Damao's heart beat faster and faster, and he was filled with fear. Every step closer made him feel an irresistible pressure, as if he was trapped in some invisible cage. He wanted to escape and to defend himself, but he knew that in the current situation, it was meaningless for him to resist. Li Xiangqian's calmness and determination were like a net that tightly bound him.

"You know, you have been doing the wrong thing." Li Xiangqian finally spoke, his tone was calm, but with a frightening force.

Xu Damao bit his lips tightly, trying to refute, but found that he had no ability to make a sound. He lowered his head, not daring to look into Li Xiangqian's eyes. All his shameless behavior seemed to be exposed at this moment, and it seemed so unbearable.

"Do you think you can escape forever?" Li Xiangqian's words once again hit Xu Damao's heart. "You have always wanted to get away with all the consequences by pretending to be innocent and harmless, but now, the truth will not allow you to escape anymore."

Xu Damao's breathing became rapid and he subconsciously took a step back, but Li Xiangqian still approached.

"I didn't--" Xu Damao wanted to explain, but was interrupted by Li Xiangqian.

"Nothing?" Li Xiangqian sneered, "Do you think you haven't done anything? Xu Damao, do you know how many unspeakable things you have done behind your back? Do you think I won't find out, or do you just not take me seriously?"

Xu Damao's face turned pale, his hands tightly grasped his pants, and his legs trembled slightly. His heart seemed to be torn apart, with both anger and deep regret. All this stemmed from what he had done, from his long-term concealment and evasion. Now, Li Xiangqian stood in front of him, mercilessly exposing all his disguises, forcing him to have nowhere to escape.

"Li Xiangqian, please, let me go..." Xu Damao's voice was a little broken. He was no longer as arrogant as before. Instead, he became fragile and pleading.

Li Xiangqian stopped, a cold light flashed in his eyes. He looked at Xu Damao, as if he was thinking about something. Xu Damao's plea echoed in his ears, and his heart was not shaken by this sentence. Li Xiangqian was not a person who would let others go easily, especially when things had come to this point, he could not let go easily.

"Let you go?" Li Xiangqian asked coldly, "Have you ever thought that you have also begged others in this way, but you have hurt you time and time again?"

Xu Damao was speechless, with a flash of deep guilt and regret in his eyes. Indeed, he had begged for mercy and forgiveness in front of many people, but he never really realized how deep the harm he had done was.

"Li Xiangqian..." Xu Damao called in a low voice, his eyes full of helplessness, "I know I was wrong, but I really didn't mean it, I...I..."

"That's enough!" Li Xiangqian finally raised his voice and interrupted Xu Damao's defense. There was no trace of pity in his eyes, only indifference and determination. "Do you think these words can change anything?"

Xu Damao's eyes gradually lost their luster, and all the anger, regret, and fear in his heart intertwined. He seemed to understand his current situation and knew that this was an inevitable outcome. And Li Xiangqian did not seem to intend to give him any leeway.

Li Xiangqian walked slowly in front of Xu Damao, looked down at him, and a sneer appeared at the corner of his mouth.

"You need to pay a price." Li Xiangqian's words were calm, but carried a deep power. "And this price is everything you have been avoiding."

Li Xiangqian stood in front of the courtyard gate, looking at everything in front of him, but his heart was confused. The sun's rays penetrated the mottled courtyard wall and sprinkled on the old locust trees. The leaves swayed gently in the breeze, making a rustling sound, as if telling some silent story.

This courtyard has a history of several decades and was inherited by him from his parents. There are a few unfamiliar neighbors in the courtyard, some of whom are distant relatives, and some who moved in for no reason. Almost all of those who once lived in the courtyard with his parents have moved away, and the only ones left are some insignificant strangers.

The neighborhood relationship in Siheyuan has always been delicate. Li Xiangqian is used to keeping a certain distance from his neighbors. After all, they each have their own lives and their interactions with each other are getting less and less. However, something wrong happened recently, breaking this peaceful situation.

Li Xiangqian reached out and gently tapped the wooden frame of the courtyard door, making a crisp sound. There was a faint sound of footsteps coming from the gap of the courtyard door, and then the door was slowly pushed open. Standing behind the door was a thin middle-aged man, wearing a faded old coat, with a somewhat unfriendly look on his face. Li Xiangqian glanced at him and frowned slightly.