Siheyuan, integrating everything, cultivating the city

Li Xiangqian sneered in his heart. Although Xu Damao said so, the obvious provocation and tension in his words were not difficult to detect. Li Xiangqian knew that Xu Damao was uneasy about Han Zemin's arrival, and this uneasiness just brought him a little opportunity.

"Really?" Han Zemin slowly walked to the stone bench in the courtyard and sat down, his eyes still on Li Xiangqian and Xu Damao. He did not continue to ask, but said lightly, "Things in the courtyard, disputes between young people, are really no big deal. But you must remember to be sensible in doing things, especially in this courtyard."

Li Xiangqian secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Han Zemin did not directly expose their conversation, but gave them a way out. However, Li Xiangqian knew that Han Zemin was not such a simple person. He must have seen through something.

"Mr. Han is right." Li Xiangqian finally spoke, his tone unusually calm, "I just had some things to discuss with Mr. Xu Damao, and we had different opinions, so it was inevitable that we would get a little excited."

"Excited?" Han Zemin raised his eyebrows and smiled gently. "I think there is more to the dispute between you than just a difference of opinion. Your dispute seems to be more than just for the sake of immediate interests. Li Xiangqian, Xu Damao, the two of you have more in mind than just this courtyard."

This sentence was like a heavy hammer hitting Li Xiangqian's heart. He suddenly felt a little dazed, feeling that all his plans and thoughts were seen through by Han Zemin. Xu Damao's eyes also darkened instantly, obviously feeling that this topic was a bit tricky.

Li Xiangqian suppressed his inner turmoil and looked at Han Zemin calmly: "Uncle Han, you worry too much. We are just discussing some trivial matters, not worth mentioning."

Xu Damao seemed to want to take this opportunity to calm the atmosphere. He smiled and said with a hint of helplessness, "Yes, Uncle Han, you see, this is nothing serious. We are just chatting casually. Li Xiangqian and I have always had a good relationship. It is normal to have some unhappiness occasionally. How can it worry you?"

"Heh." Han Zemin chuckled, but his eyes became deeper. "You say it easily, but in fact, you have already made things in this courtyard turbulent. You two are not only fighting for your own affairs, but also may affect everyone in the courtyard. Everyone knows that when the limelight in the courtyard is in someone's hands, the situation will change in the future."

Li Xiangqian felt a chill coming over him, and he couldn't help but tighten his shoulders. Every word Han Zemin said seemed to hint at some unknown truth, and these truths might be something he was not ready to face.

Xu Damao's face changed a little, he seemed to be stunned, lowered his head and stopped talking. Li Xiangqian felt a pressure in the air, he knew that the fight between him and Xu Damao was not just a contest between two people, there might be more complicated interests involved behind it.

"Uncle Han, I understand what you mean." Li Xiangqian finally said softly, "But don't worry, we don't want to make the situation in the courtyard more complicated. Since you said so, we will naturally restrain ourselves."

Han Zemin nodded, seeming to be satisfied with Li Xiangqian's answer, but the unfathomable look in his eyes remained. He looked at the ancient locust tree in the yard and sighed slightly: "Remember, it's not about exerting effort, but about using the wrong effort."

Before he finished speaking, Han Zemin slowly stood up and walked out of the courtyard. His pace was still slow, but every step seemed to tell Li Xiangqian and Xu Damao that he had seen through everything, but he didn't want to say more. It was just that his unspoken deep meaning had silently left a trace in the air.

Li Xiangqian watched Han Zemin's back disappear at the gate of the courtyard, and felt an inexplicable depression in his heart. Although Han Zemin did not say anything explicitly, every word he said reminded Li Xiangqian that the situation in the courtyard was more complicated than he had imagined. And what he faced was not only Xu Damao in front of him, but perhaps there were more hidden dangers that had not yet been exposed.

Xu Damao seemed to have realized this, and his face was no longer relaxed, but was replaced by a deep sense of vigilance. He looked up at Li Xiangqian, and the corners of his mouth curled up with a smile: "Li Xiangqian, it seems that you are indeed not simple."

Li Xiangqian did not respond, but just looked at him quietly, with a determined light in his eyes.

Han Zemin walked out of the courtyard gate and walked away, but the oppressive feeling in the air did not dissipate. Li Xiangqian and Xu Damao still stood there, as if the conversation just now was just a trivial moment. However, the fluctuations in their hearts did not subside, but became stronger.

Li Xiangqian felt upset. He knew that his position was not wrong, but he always felt like he was being led by some invisible force. Han Zemin's words were like a heavy stone pressing on his heart, forcing him to re-examine the situation in the courtyard. Every tiny change could trigger a chain reaction and even shake the stable situation he relied on.

Xu Damao did not speak immediately, as if he was still thinking about Han Zemin's words, with a complicated look in his eyes. Then, he finally smiled, with a barely perceptible hint of amusement in his tone: "Li Xiangqian, it seems that you are a little confused now? I'm afraid that Mr. Han's words have made you a little uneasy."

Li Xiangqian did not respond, but just looked at Xu Damao in front of him silently. Xu Damao's eyes were deep, as if he could see through the changes in Li Xiangqian's heart. Although his words were provocative, Li Xiangqian knew that Xu Damao was not unaware of the deep meaning in Han Zemin's words. The changes in the courtyard, both of them were involved, but now no one could predict the final direction of the situation.

At this time, there was another light sound of footsteps under the old locust tree at the gate. Li Xiangqian looked up and saw another elderly resident in the courtyard - Mr. Liu, about 76 years old, thin and old, with a heavy burden of pain. He often wandered around the courtyard. Although he was not in good health, he always showed up when he was most needed, giving people a warm presence.

Old Master Liu walked slowly into the yard, leaning on an old cane and walking carefully. Seeing Li Xiangqian and Xu Damao standing together, he smiled slightly, walked in front of them, and coughed a few times: "What topic do you two have in this yard? Why are you so excited?"