Siheyuan, integrating everything, cultivating the city

"Yes," Lou Xiao'e's voice was still gentle, but with a firm tone, "You can do something calmly to create an atmosphere that makes him feel uneasy, letting him know that you are not so easy to 'read'. In this way, Xu Damao's vigilance will be increased, and he will naturally not easily attack you."

Li Xiangqian frowned, "But I don't know if I can do this."

Lou Xiao'e did not answer immediately, but looked up at the sky in the distance, as if thinking. "Li Xiangqian, the people who can really control the situation are not those who look majestic on the surface, but those who know how to endure and strike at the right time. Your choice now is to take a step back and see the whole situation clearly."

Li Xiangqian was silent. He knew that Lou Xiaoe was right. The relationships in the Siheyuan were complicated and everyone was walking in this invisible network. Being too radical would only make oneself sink deeper. It would be a smarter approach if one could respond at the right time.

"You're right," Li Xiangqian's tone became more relaxed. "I'll be patient and see how the situation develops. But if there is any movement, I can't just sit there and watch."

Lou Xiao'e nodded. "Of course. You don't have to rely entirely on others. The situation in the courtyard is unpredictable. You must learn to adapt to circumstances and stay alert."

Li Xiangqian looked at her gratefully, "Thank you, Xiao'e. If it weren't for you, I would have acted impulsively a long time ago."

Lou Xiao'e smiled gently, with a gentle look in her eyes. "It's amazing that you can think about these things. Remember, don't let yourself be confused by everything on the surface. The rules of the Siheyuan are never direct."

Li Xiangqian nodded and stood up. "I understand. Sorry to bother you today, Xiao'e. I will be careful."

Lou Xiao'e also stood up. "It's okay. Just think it through. We have to take our time with the Siheyuan. We can't be impatient."

Li Xiangqian slowly walked out of the courtyard gate and onto the stone path in the courtyard. He couldn't help but feel a complex emotion. Everyone in the courtyard was like a frog in a well. While they lived in their own circle, they seemed to be quietly influencing others. What Li Xiangqian had to do was not to simply obey or resist, but to find the right time and find his own foothold.

He was no longer in a hurry to act, but slowed down and began to observe every change in the yard. Xu Damao, Lou Xiao'e, and even every seemingly insignificant neighbor, their every move was worth his deep consideration.

The air in the courtyard was still so cool, and the afterglow of the sunset sprinkled on the courtyard wall, vaguely reflecting a few figures. Li Xiangqian lowered his head, and his fingers gently touched the key in his pocket. It was a key to the courtyard, but it also represented his foothold here.

In the following days, Li Xiangqian did not rush to take action, but gradually integrated into the life of the courtyard and kept a proper distance from the people around him. His cautiousness may make people think that he is a little withdrawn, but Li Xiangqian knows that he is waiting for the right time, the time to break the silence and uncover all the mysteries.

As time passed, the atmosphere in the courtyard remained relatively calm. However, Li Xiangqian understood that this was only superficial tranquility. Everyone had their own calculations in mind, and these calculations would eventually intertwine at some point to form a complex network.

All he could do was to stay calm as much as possible and find his own path.

Li Xiangqian sat on the steps of the courtyard, his fingers unconsciously stroking the rough surface of the stone steps, but his heart was filled with doubts. Since he decided to keep a distance and observe the situation as Lou Xiaoe suggested, he seemed to be able to feel the subtle changes in the courtyard more. Xu Damao's eyes still fell on him from time to time. Although he did not move on the surface, Li Xiangqian knew that the threat that followed him like a shadow had not disappeared.

He began to wonder if he was too dependent on Lou Xiao'e's advice. He admired her steadiness and intelligence, but her advice always made him feel a little constrained. The atmosphere in the courtyard was like a taut string, which made people feel breathless, but she always advised him to be patient, patient, and more patient.

But there was a voice in Li Xiangqian's heart that was resisting. He was not a person who was willing to endure in the shadow all the time. He hoped to take the initiative to control the situation, rather than being a bystander and waiting for others to uncover the mystery.

That day, he came to Lou Xiao'e's yard again. The sky was a little dim, and the afterglow of the setting sun cast an orange glow on the roof. The yard was so quiet that even the air seemed to freeze. Li Xiangqian walked into the yard and saw Lou Xiao'e sitting under a tree, holding an old book in her hand, seemingly reading something. She heard footsteps, looked up, and saw that it was Li Xiangqian, and the corners of her mouth rose slightly: "Why, do you have another question for me today?"

Li Xiangqian stood in front of her and looked at her firmly. "Xiao'e, I think you may have oversimplified the situation in the courtyard."

Lou Xiao'e was slightly stunned. The smile on her face did not disappear, but a hint of doubt appeared in her eyes. "What do you mean? I advise you to calm down. It's not that I want you to take it too lightly, but you have no other choice."

Li Xiangqian paused, took a deep breath, and said in a deep voice: "I understand what you said about staying calm, but some things cannot always be waited for others to take action. The relationships in the courtyard are complicated. I can't keep swallowing my anger and let Xu Damao and others control the situation."

Lou Xiao'e's eyes flashed with a hint of helplessness, "Li Xiangqian, I know you are capable, and I also understand that you are unwilling to be a passive pawn. But you have to understand that in the current situation, the more proactive you are, the more you will be led by the nose. Have you seen Xu Damao's character? He is not someone who can be easily challenged. He can calculate every step in advance."

Li Xiangqian's eyes gradually became sharp, and his voice remained calm, but with a hint of stubbornness, "But if I continue to be passive like this, I will never be able to control the situation. I don't want to just wait, I hope to create some initiative for myself through my own actions."

Lou Xiao'e frowned slightly after hearing his insistence and whispered, "You just want to change the situation through your own power, but you forget that Xu Damao is not the only enemy. In the courtyard, everyone has a force behind them. Whatever you do may affect others. What you are doing now may not get the expected results, but may cause more trouble."