Siheyuan, integrating everything, cultivating the city

"Li Xiangqian, are you free today?" the man spoke, with an indescribable sense of oppression in his voice.

Li Xiangqian's eyes sank slightly, and he nodded: "What's the matter?"

"It's not a big deal. Just a few neighbors in the yard got together to talk about that." The middle-aged man said with a little disdain, "Have you heard about it? Someone wants to reallocate the rooms in the yard, especially yours."

Li Xiangqian's heart tightened, but his expression remained unchanged. He knew clearly that this question would be raised sooner or later, and this middle-aged man was the representative of those restless neighbors. The layout of the courtyard had always been based on the old rules, and no one had moved Li Xiangqian's parents' room. After all, the value of the land in this courtyard was rising. Now, those neighbors in the courtyard who were active in thinking had obviously begun to think crookedly.

"What do you want to do?" Li Xiangqian said in a low voice, without any cowardice in his eyes.

"How?" The middle-aged man sneered, "Of course, through some means, put some pressure on you people in the 'old house'. You know, if the courtyard is readjusted, maybe everyone can live better."

Li Xiangqian stopped talking and looked up at the courtyard. The locust tree in the courtyard was still swaying in the wind, and the sun shone through the leaves, casting mottled spots of light onto the bluestone road. But even so, this beautiful scene was no longer so beautiful in his eyes, but rather a little cold.

This courtyard was once his parents' home and where he lived from childhood to adulthood. Although there were disputes and frictions between neighbors in the past, these never affected their lives. But as time went by, this courtyard was no longer a warm harbor, but a vortex where conflicts could erupt at any time.

"Li Xiangqian, we have to have a good discussion." Seeing that Li Xiangqian did not respond, the middle-aged man pushed him again, "We can't just ignore everything. We have to work together to solve the problem."

"I know." Li Xiangqian's eyes became a little cold, and suddenly he smiled, "But I never like to share my things with others, especially those who I don't want to share with."

"Heh." The middle-aged man sneered, a hint of cruelty flashed in his eyes, "Do you think you can still keep these things? With your current attitude, do you really think you can live a stable life?"

Li Xiangqian did not answer, but just looked at him quietly, his eyes like a sharp blade, as if he could cut everything at any time. The middle-aged man in front of him suddenly took a step back unconsciously, as if he felt an invisible sense of oppression.

He knew that Li Xiangqian was not a simple person. Even though he looked calm and peaceful now, the things hidden deep in his eyes were sharper than ever. This courtyard was once the business of Li Xiangqian's parents and a part of him. In the eyes of outsiders, Li Xiangqian might be just an ordinary middle-aged man, but only he knew that this courtyard was not just a residence for him, but the legacy of his parents and a heavy responsibility.

"If there really is a problem," Li Xiangqian whispered, "go directly to the judge, don't come to me."

The middle-aged man's face turned ugly. He knew that this attitude meant that Li Xiangqian had made up his mind and would not easily compromise. However, he still did not give up and said through gritted teeth: "Since you insist so much, don't blame us for being rude."

After saying that, he turned and walked out of the gate, disappearing into the corner of the yard.

Li Xiangqian stood quietly for a long time, until he could no longer hear the footsteps of the middle-aged man, then he slowly turned around and walked into the house. The house was quiet, and the old furniture was still neatly arranged, and each item revealed a sense of the accumulation of years. Li Xiangqian walked to the window and looked at the ancient locust tree in the yard, and a complex emotion rose in his heart.

The dispute in the courtyard had already begun a few years ago. The new neighbors who moved in with various purposes gradually eroded this once peaceful space. And he, Li Xiangqian, as the owner of this courtyard, seemed to be forced into this game that did not belong to him.

He knew that more troubles would come. Those neighbors who were seeking benefits had already begun to plan how to get more from him, and he could only find a balance in this complicated situation and protect the home that once belonged to his parents.

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, as if trying to drive away those complicated thoughts. But when he opened his eyes, he could still see the locust tree and the figure gradually receding outside the courtyard gate. Everything in reality seemed to no longer allow him to have too many choices.

The sky outside gradually darkened, and dark clouds covered the originally blue sky. Li Xiangqian's mood seemed to be shrouded by this sudden dark cloud. The wind in the courtyard blew the leaves flying, as if foreshadowing the coming storm.

Li Xiangqian knew that his life was no longer his own. This dispute with his neighbor was far from over and had only just begun.

Li Xiangqian sat back in his chair, tapping his fingers on the tabletop. His heart was in turmoil. The weather outside seemed to echo his mood at the moment, gradually becoming silent, and it was so depressing that it was hard to breathe. Yesterday's conversation was still echoing in his mind, and the middle-aged man's tone still made him feel a chilling sense of oppression. Li Xiangqian knew that this kind of pressure would only grow. The active neighbors in the courtyard would not let him go easily.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the gate.

Li Xiangqian frowned slightly, and he had lost his patience, but he still stood up and walked to the door and opened it. A woman was standing outside the door, wearing a dark long skirt and a light gray wool coat. She lowered her head slightly, and there was some subtle hesitation in her eyes. Li Xiangqian recognized her at a glance - Qin Huairu.

Qin Huairu is one of the neighbors who recently moved into the courtyard. This woman doesn't look particularly eye-catching. She exudes a kind of exquisite competence and calmness, and always speaks with a sense of superiority. She is not as direct or indifferent as other neighbors, but she can always skillfully make people feel a sense of oppression without showing it. Every time they meet, Li Xiangqian feels that there is a kind of depth in her eyes that seems to see through everything, like an invisible wall that blocks all distance.