Siheyuan, integrating everything, cultivating the city

He sighed and rubbed his temples, but the uneasiness in his heart still could not be dissipated. Xu Damao's provocation, Uncle Liu's warning, and Lou Xiao'e's advice, everyone told him the same truth: in this courtyard, any decision is full of unforeseen risks.

Li Xiangqian stood in silence for a while, and suddenly decided to walk to the end of the yard. He no longer thought about the complicated situation, nor paid attention to the eyes around him. At this moment, he just wanted to calm down and put down those heavy thoughts. Perhaps, only by truly letting go of those prejudices can he see his future clearly.

Qin Huairu was standing under the long corridor in a corner of the courtyard, holding a bunch of red peppers that she had just picked from the vegetable garden in the courtyard. The sunlight shone on her through the gaps between the vines, outlining her elegant figure. She looked at the peppers in her hand intently, occasionally pinching them gently, with the corners of her mouth slightly raised, as if she was thinking about something. Suddenly, she glanced at the corner of her eye and saw a familiar figure walking in front of her.

Li Xiangqian.

He didn't notice Qin Huairu. His pace was still as hurried as before. His eyes were filled with a hint of contemplation after the conversation with Uncle Liu, as if there was something heavy weighing on his heart. He lowered his eyes and didn't notice her presence at all. Qin Huairu took a deep breath and couldn't help but smile slightly. There seemed to be some unknown light flashing in his eyes.

She did not call Li Xiangqian immediately, but stood there, watching him approach, as if thinking about something. The relationship between her and Li Xiangqian has always been subtle and complicated. They have known each other for many years, but have never had a deep heart-to-heart talk. Li Xiangqian rarely talks to others. He always buries himself in his own world, as if it is a field that no one can set foot in. Qin Huairu always silently watches all this from a place where he cannot see.

Li Xiangqian finally realized that there was someone in front of him. He raised his head and his eyes met Qin Huairu's. At that moment, the air seemed to stagnate for a moment, and the hustle and bustle around seemed to be isolated, leaving only the silent communication between the two of them.

Qin Huairu gently put down the chili in her hand, a faint smile appeared on her face, and there was an elusive tenderness in her eyes. Her voice was crisp and soft, breaking the silence: "Li Xiangqian, why are you in such a hurry? Is there something wrong?"

Li Xiangqian suddenly came back to his senses, with a complex emotion rising in his heart. He forced a smile and said, "Nothing, just some trivial matters in the courtyard. It's a bit troublesome to deal with."

Qin Huairu glanced at him, as if she could see the unreality in his words. Her eyes sank slightly, but she was still in no hurry to ask further questions. She just nodded lightly, "Well, the matter of the Siheyuan is indeed very complicated. You still have to be careful. Not everyone will say it clearly."

Li Xiangqian frowned slightly, and suddenly felt alert, as if Qin Huairu had something else in mind, but he couldn't easily guess what she meant. "Who are you talking about?"

"I didn't say who," Qin Huairu smiled slightly, with a sly look in his eyes, "but you looked like you had something on your mind just now. I just wanted to remind you that in the Siheyuan, some things don't always go your way."

When Li Xiangqian heard this, his heart was once again filled with ripples. He did not want to admit that his emotions at the moment had been disturbed by various external factors. His eyes stayed on Qin Huairu's face for a few seconds, and suddenly he felt that her eyes could always capture some subtle changes in his heart. He lowered his head unconsciously, as if he did not want her to see his vulnerability at the moment.

"You're right," he said softly, "some things are really beyond our control." After he said this, there was a hint of undisguised frustration in his tone.

Qin Huairu noticed the change in Li Xiangqian's tone. She narrowed her eyes slightly, still with that gentle smile on her face, as if she was not in a hurry to uncover any mysteries. "Li Xiangqian, you should understand that many times, doing things is not just based on emotions and impulses, but more about seeing the situation clearly. You are so impatient, it is inevitable that you will be led by the nose."

When Li Xiangqian heard this, he felt as if he had been hit by a heavy hammer. He looked up at her, with a flash of anger and unwillingness in his eyes, but he did not express it directly. He knew that Qin Huairu did not want to be hostile to him, but was reminding him in a very calm way, but at this moment, his emotions were really difficult to calm down.

"I know I'm a little impulsive right now," Li Xiangqian whispered, his tone filled with hidden pain, "but sometimes, I feel like I'm trapped, and everything I do is controlled by others. Everyone in the courtyard is calculating something, and I...seem to always be able to only watch from the sidelines."

Qin Huairu's expression was a little subtle. She looked deeply at Li Xiangqian, as if she wanted to see more from his eyes. She was silent for a moment, and suddenly said, "You don't have to be so anxious, Li Xiangqian. Some things can't be rushed. And you seem to care too much about how others see you. You have to understand that all situations are formed gradually, not in one go."

Li Xiangqian listened to Qin Huairu's words, and his heart changed subtly. He had always thought that he could control everything, but Qin Huairu's words made him suddenly realize that he might really be too eager for quick success. He couldn't help but lower his head, with a trace of regret and confusion in his eyes.

"You're right, I was... too impatient." Li Xiangqian sighed, his voice becoming deeper, "But sometimes, when faced with these complex situations, being patient for too long can lead to mistakes. I don't want to be led by others anymore, I just want... to have some initiative."

Qin Huairu was thoughtful when she heard this. She was silent for a while, and suddenly asked softly: "Li Xiangqian, do you really understand what initiative is now? Sometimes you seem to choose to take the initiative, but you have actually been dragged by those external emotions. The real initiative is not to do something, but to stay calm in the chaos and deal with it calmly."

Li Xiangqian did not respond. Qin Huairu's words were like a stone thrown into his heart, stirring up waves. He knew Qin Huairu's intelligence. Although her words were brief, each one seemed to hit the most vulnerable part of his heart. It was not that he did not understand these principles, but it was often difficult to stay calm when facing a complex situation.

"I understand what you said." Li Xiangqian finally raised his head, his eyes firmer, "But I think that sometimes, patience may be more important than anything else."