Siheyuan, integrating everything, cultivating the city

Li Xiangqian was anxious. It was obvious that what Lou Xiaoe said made sense. The interpersonal relationships in the courtyard were complicated and it was not easy to see through everyone's cards. He was indeed too eager to change the status quo and ignored the dangers that might be hidden behind it.

But there was still a voice in Li Xiangqian's heart telling him that he couldn't delay any longer. Xu Damao was just an obstacle in front of him. What really made him feel threatened was the silent power struggle in the courtyard. If he didn't make a change, sooner or later he would be dragged into a vortex that he couldn't control by these people.

He took a deep breath and whispered, "Xiao'e, maybe you are right, but I feel that, at least now, I must take the initiative instead of waiting for others to decide my fate."

Lou Xiao'e's expression became more complicated. She was silent for a while, as if she was measuring Li Xiangqian's determination. "You are indeed a smart person, Li Xiangqian. If you insist on doing it, then do it, but I remind you to think twice before taking action. Behind Xu Damao, there may be more forces than just himself. Your every step may be watched by these people. Don't think you can cover the sky with one hand."

Li nodded forward, with a hint of determination in his eyes, "I know, I will be careful. But if I miss this opportunity, how can I dare to wait again?"

Lou Xiao'e sighed, raised her head, and looked at the sky in the distance that was gradually sinking into the night. She understood that Li Xiangqian had made a decision, and no amount of persuasion from her seemed to change his mind. She said softly, "In that case, I won't say much. I just hope you can remember that leaving too fast may not be a good thing."

Li Xiangqian smiled slightly and said in a gentle tone: "Thank you, Xiao'e, I will keep your reminder in mind."

He turned around and prepared to leave, but his heart was still full of determination. He knew that no matter how Lou Xiao'e persuaded him, he had already made a decision. In this silent courtyard, he had long realized that if he did not take the initiative, he would never have a chance to change the situation.

As the night deepened, Li Xiangqian disappeared into the darkness, while Lou Xiaoe still stood in the yard, her eyes full of complicated thoughts. She knew that Li Xiangqian's choice might not be entirely correct, but she also knew that this man was destined not to be easily controlled. And in this small world of the quadrangle, how the situation will develop in the future is something no one can predict.

Li Xiangqian slammed the door and walked out of Lou Xiaoe's house.

Li Xiangqian's footsteps echoed in the courtyard. As he slammed the door and walked out, the sound of the wooden door hitting the wall resounded violently throughout the courtyard. He did not look back, nor did he want to look back. The closed door behind him seemed to pull him and Lou Xiaoe further apart. An uncontrollable anger and confusion surged in his heart. The voice of reason became increasingly distant, and an impulsive force began to dominate his every step.

He gritted his teeth, his heart was beating fast, and his face was full of unwillingness. He had never been so eager to prove himself and prove that his decision was right. The words that Lou Xiao'e said made him feel depressed. Her calmness and caution seemed to make him feel bound, like a bird trapped in a cage, wanting to fly but unable to spread its wings.

The atmosphere in the courtyard seemed even more silent than usual. Li Xiangqian's eyes swept over the familiar scenes around him, the stone paths in the courtyard, the bluestone-paved alleys, and the ivy climbing the walls. Each of them seemed to remind him that this place had long been deeply rooted in his life, and many people and things were quietly changing him.

He walked faster and faster, his steps hurried, as if he wanted to vent all the anger in his heart. But when he thought about the situation he was about to face, he couldn't help but stop and take a deep breath, his heart still churning.

He suddenly felt a slight headache, and the long-lost feeling of anxiety began to slowly rise. The argument with Lou Xiao'e just now seemed to have caused a bomb hidden in his heart to explode, exploding all his long-suppressed emotions. At that moment just now, Lou Xiao'e's calmness and rationality were like an invisible wall, pushing him further away. He knew that his impulse at this moment would only make the situation more complicated, but which man could remain completely calm when he was forced into a dead end?

"This is all I can do," Li Xiangqian muttered to himself in a low voice, his tone full of self-mockery, "If that's the case, then let's go ahead."

Just as he was about to take a few more steps forward, he suddenly heard a slight sound of footsteps. Li Xiangqian frowned, stopped, and scanned the courtyard vigilantly, and finally found a familiar figure.

Xu Damao was walking towards the alley with his back straight. He seemed to be deliberately slowing down his pace. A faint smile had already appeared on his face, as if he had known that Li Xiangqian would appear at this moment.

Li Xiangqian frowned slightly, and the anger in his heart seemed to be ignited again. He instinctively quickened his pace and went straight to meet him, his voice low and cold: "Xu Damao, what do you want to do now?"

Xu Damao raised his head, a gleam of teasing flashed in his eyes. He smiled lightly, and his tone was somewhat casual, "Li Xiangqian, don't be so excited. We just met by chance. Why make such a fuss?"

Li Xiangqian stood still, alert and angry. He no longer wanted to pretend that he didn't know. Xu Damao had a purpose for every move he made and a calculation behind every word he said. He knew that his dispute with Lou Xiao'e would sooner or later attract the attention of some people, and Xu Damao was undoubtedly the most sensitive observer.

"Don't play dumb," Li Xiangqian said coldly, "What on earth do you want to do?"

Xu Damao smiled, seemingly not caring about Li Xiangqian's doubts. He approached step by step, with the gentle smile on his face unchanged. "Li Xiangqian, you look very excited and emotionally unstable now. This is not the behavior of a smart person, especially at a time like this. Think about it, did you make some impulsive decisions, causing the Siheyuan to become popular again?"

Li Xiangqian's heart was in turmoil. He had seen the meaning behind Xu Damao's words. Xu Damao had probably expected all this. He could no longer stand being a pawn in someone else's game. Anger and shame made it almost impossible for him to control himself.

"What do you mean?" Li Xiangqian's eyes suddenly became sharp. "Do you think you can easily control everything?"

Xu Damao smiled, without any anger in his eyes, but seemed calm instead, "Li Xiangqian, everyone is watching the popularity of the Siheyuan. I am just an observer, and you seem to have begun to unconsciously reveal some uneasy emotions."