Siheyuan, integrating everything, cultivating the city

The sun was still shining brightly in the courtyard, and the breeze blew, gently swaying the surrounding branches and leaves. Li Xiangqian stood there, feeling a long-lost tranquility rising in his heart, as if all the pressure and troubles were slowly dissolving. Qin Huairu's words were like a ray of light, illuminating the road ahead of him. Although the future was still full of uncertainty, at this moment, he finally began to understand how to face it all.

He slowly turned around and walked towards the other side of the yard. Although his steps were not hurried, they were filled with an unprecedented firmness.

Li Xiangqian slowly walked out of Qin Huairu's sight, her words still echoing in his mind. Although the fog in his heart had dispersed a little, he still felt at a loss when he could really see the situation clearly. As he walked, he stopped, suddenly turned around, and returned to Qin Huairu's side again. She was still standing there, as if she had not moved, with a calm and indifferent look.

"Qin Huairu," Li Xiangqian called softly, his voice more steady than before, "I still feel that there are things I must tell you."

Qin Huairu raised her eyes and looked at him. There was still no urgent question in her eyes, only the calmness of a person who had experienced a lot of things in the world. "Go on, I'm listening."

Li Xiangqian took a deep breath, trying to calm his heart, but he knew that he had to get this out. He had a lot of repressed emotions and complicated plots in his heart, like many tangled threads that could not be untied or sorted out. He tightened his cuffs and finally spoke: "Actually, these days, there has been something in my heart that I haven't told anyone. I know that everyone's relationship is complicated, and I don't want to cause more trouble for Siheyuan, but there are some things that I will suffocate to death if I don't say them out."

Qin Huairu listened to his words and nodded slightly, her eyes soft and silent. She knew that Li Xiangqian was not a person who spoke easily, and it was obvious that he had suppressed these words for too long.

"You know about the quarrel between Xu Damao and me the other day, right?" Li Xiangqian paused, as if wondering whether he should continue. Qin Huairu did not interrupt him, but waited quietly.

"That day, I had a few arguments with him over something." Li Xiangqian looked down at the ground, as if trying to find a suitable word to describe him. "He seems to be a low-profile person on weekdays, but he actually hides things deep inside. Judging from what happened that day, I feel like he is also secretly planning something."

Qin Huairu still didn't say anything, but just blinked gently, motioning him to continue.

"You know, Xu Damao has been helping me with some things, dealing with those messy matters. At first, I thought he was kind enough to help me, after all, I couldn't take care of it all by myself, there are so many things to do in Siheyuan." Li Xiangqian's tone was a little tired, "But I gradually found that he didn't seem to be just helping me, but a little... too proactive. Just like this time, I wanted to handle the matter of the Siheyuan house slowly by myself, but he intervened."

Qin Huairu frowned slightly, and her eyes became more focused, as if she had noticed the uneasiness in Li Xiangqian's words. "You mean, he wants to control certain things, and he doesn't even tell you?"

Li Xiangqian's eyes flashed with a hint of vigilance. "Yes, Xu Damao's recent behavior has made me begin to doubt that he may not be doing this purely for my own good. Moreover, what makes me most uneasy is that he seems to know something that I don't. This makes me feel that he seems to have a bigger plan behind it."

Qin Huairu was silent for a moment, with a thoughtful look in her eyes. Her lips moved slightly, as if digesting every word Li Xiangqian said. "If that's the case, Li Xiangqian, you have the right to know his motives. No matter what the purpose of Xu Damao's behavior is, he is not a completely transparent person." She raised her head slightly, her eyes firm, "You can't just tolerate it blindly. The matter of the Siheyuan concerns everyone's interests and future. You have your bottom line and can't compromise easily."

Li Xiangqian was moved when he heard this. Yes, he had been blinded by Xu Damao's superficial help, and he didn't expect that there might be a deeper level behind it. The struggle in the courtyard was becoming more and more complicated, but he still stayed in the superficial harmony and comfort. If he was not alert, he would fall into it sooner or later.

"I don't want to completely break up with him, but I know that if I continue like this, I won't be able to control the situation." Li Xiangqian's voice was a little low, "The problem is that I don't know how to deal with it now. If I expose him, I'm afraid the order of the courtyard will completely collapse, but if I don't expose him, I will fall deeper."

Qin Huairu frowned slightly as she listened to Li Xiangqian's words. Her eyes swept across Li Xiangqian's face, as if she was pondering every detail of his words. Then, she slowly said, "The dilemma you are in now is no longer just a friction between people, but a deeper power game. You must understand that Xu Damao's behavior is far more than just superficial kindness. If you don't see this clearly now, you will probably suffer in the future."

Li Xiangqian nodded, a look of determination flashing in his eyes. "Yes, I know. I've been thinking recently that Xu Damao's actions could not have been out of pure kindness. I have to be on guard against him." He paused, and then added softly, "Besides, it's not just Xu Damao, there are also some people who have already laid out their pawns in the courtyard. My current situation is increasingly like being in an invisible net, being restrained on all sides."

"You don't have to rush to uncover all the mysteries at once," Qin Huairu said softly, his eyes softening slightly, "I believe you have enough wisdom to sort out these things. But remember, you must remain calm in doing anything and not be swayed by momentary anger or impulse."

Li Xiangqian did not respond immediately. He lowered his head, not knowing whether he was comforting or self-deprecating. Indeed, in the past, I was always too impatient, always thinking about solving problems in one fell swoop, but never really thinking from a global perspective. Every time I encountered difficulties, I found myself confused by the confusion in front of me, but never really saw what I wanted and how to do it.

"I understand, Qin Huairu." Li Xiangqian took a deep breath, raised his head and looked at her, his eyes more determined. "No matter what, I have to figure these things out, not for anything else, just to stop being trapped in this shadow."

Qin Huairu looked at him, a gleam of relief flashing in her eyes. "You will do well, Li Xiangqian." She nodded gently, "Believe in yourself, and believe that you can find your own way out of this game."