Siheyuan, integrating everything, cultivating the city

You have to understand everyone's bottom line and even their hidden motives. Xu Damao has obviously realized this, and what he called "control" is just a hint - if Li Xiangqian continues to think independently in this high-handed way, he will be overwhelmed by various undercurrents sooner or later.

"I understand what you mean." Li Xiangqian's tone remained calm, but he had already started to make a plan in his mind. "However, Xu Damao, you seem to have overlooked one point. The situation is so complicated, but there are still people who are unwilling to get involved."

Xu Damao frowned slightly, obviously not expecting Li Xiangqian to make such a counterattack at this moment: "Unwilling to participate? You mean, a bystander like you?"

Li Xiangqian shook his head with a faint smile on his lips: "No, I mean, some people can't leave even if they don't want to participate. Siheyuan is not just a place of profit, it is a chessboard in itself, and every chess piece is subject to other chess pieces. So, saying not to participate does not necessarily mean that you can control everything."

Xu Damao was inspired to think a little by Li Xiangqian's words. He didn't expect that Li Xiangqian's calmness could be transformed into a counterattack force at a critical moment. Li Xiangqian's words were vaguely suggestive, as if he had seen through the mystery.

"What do you mean by that?" Xu Damao's tone suddenly became a little serious, and there was a hint of vigilance in his eyes. "Are you threatening me?"

"Threat?" Li Xiangqian sneered, "I'm just telling you that you think everyone can be used by you, but in fact, not everyone wants to be controlled by you." He paused, his eyes suddenly sharpened, and his tone became more determined, "You said the situation in the courtyard is complicated, but in fact, what is really complicated is the relationship between you. This is not just a game between you and me, but more about how everyone chooses to stand on the side and how to find their own position in this complex network."

Xu Damao's expression changed slightly. He obviously didn't expect Li Xiangqian to make such a profound response at this moment. After a moment of silence, he slowly said, "So, you have already noticed this." His tone was a little admiring, but also a little provocative. "So, how do you plan to 'choose'? Shouldn't you let us see how you plan to 'choose'?"

Li Xiangqian looked at Xu Damao calmly, with an inexplicable light flashing in his eyes. He did not rush to respond, but gently brushed the hair on his forehead, his expression still calm. "Choice? I told you a long time ago that Siheyuan is not just a simple game of interests, it is a constantly changing chess game. Only by truly understanding the meaning of each move can you find the most advantageous position in it."

Xu Damao didn't seem to fully understand Li Xiangqian's intention, but he didn't dare to show his doubts easily. At this moment, he was silent for a while, and then smiled: "It can be seen that Li Xiangqian, you are ready. Then I am looking forward to seeing how you can live a more exciting life in this chess game."

Li Xiangqian looked down at a fallen leaf on the ground, and then turned his eyes slightly to the distant sky. The sun was still shining on the roof of the courtyard, giving everything a warm color. But he knew in his heart that behind this warmth, there was an invisible pressure, which was a lot of temptations and challenges from all directions.

He knew that Xu Damao had only made a beginning, and the days to come would be the most difficult test.

"I'll let you see." Li Xiangqian finally raised his head, his eyes firm and calm, "In the chess game of Siheyuan, no one can underestimate me."

After hearing this, Xu Damao stopped talking, just smiled slightly and gave Li Xiangqian a meaningful look. There was no threat or sarcasm in that look, it seemed like some kind of approval, more like a rehearsal. Li Xiangqian was no longer the person who relied on his family background and past events to calmly deal with everything. He had already stood in this chaotic situation and began to make his own choice.

Siheyuan is not a world for one person. Everyone has his own calculations and schemes. Whether Li Xiangqian can make his own way on this chessboard is still an unknown.

Li Xiangqian's words seemed to leave a heavy echo in the air. Xu Damao frowned slightly, obviously not expecting Li Xiangqian to react like this. The atmosphere between the two became tense, as if a fierce conflict could break out at any time.

Xu Damao stared at Li Xiangqian, the smile on his face still there, but it was getting colder and colder, as if he had seen through all of Li Xiangqian's thoughts. He did not answer immediately, but walked slowly into the yard, his steps were long and steady, and each step carried an aura that could not be ignored. Suddenly, he stopped, turned around and looked at Li Xiangqian, his voice low but with a sense of oppression: "Li Xiangqian, do you think you can control the situation?"

Li Xiangqian took a deep breath, and the tension in his heart suddenly increased. He understood that Xu Damao's words were not a simple provocation, but a questioning of his confidence, or even a provocative test. In the courtyard, everyone has invisible power and resources, and Xu Damao is undoubtedly the one who is best at manipulating the situation.

"I don't need to control the situation, I just need to know what I want." Li Xiangqian spoke calmly, but there was a slight ripple in his heart. He didn't want to confront Xu Damao head-on, but at this moment, he had no way out. Although Xu Damao's words seemed calm on the surface, they were actually very threatening, as if every word was forcing him to respond.

"Heh." Xu Damao sneered, a trace of contempt flashing in his eyes, "What do you want? A courtyard, a few pieces of land, some profits? Or do you think that just because of your 'smart' appearance, everyone will obey you? You think too simply."

Li Xiangqian couldn't help but frown, and the anger in his heart began to spread under the stimulation of these few words. His calmness and confidence all along seemed to become fragile in front of Xu Damao. And every word of Xu Damao seemed to be provoking the deepest anxiety and uneasiness in his heart. Li Xiangqian didn't dare to show his emotions easily. He took a deep breath, and his voice became clearer and calmer: "What do you think I'm doing? My goal all along is just to stand here steadily. It's just that everyone in the courtyard is too scheming, forcing me to fight back."

Xu Damao's eyes flickered slightly, as if he was a little surprised by Li Xiangqian's reaction. He stopped and looked at Li Xiangqian deeply: "What do you think you are fighting back? You are just taking every step carefully and looking for an opportunity. To fight back, you need to have enough confidence, and you obviously don't have it yet."