Siheyuan, integrating everything, cultivating the city

“Does it hurt?” Li Xiangqian asked in a low voice, trying to make his tone as gentle as possible, as if he was afraid to scare the little guy.

The child looked at him. Although there were still some tears in his eyes, he seemed to be slightly comforted by Li Xiangqian's gentle breath. He pulled the corners of his mouth and forced a small smile, "It doesn't hurt anymore, it's okay."

Li Xiangqian smiled slightly, and a little pity rose in his heart. Although this child was young, he already knew how to hide his emotions. That calmness surprised Li Xiangqian.

"You're quite brave," Li Xiangqian continued, his tone a little low but with a relaxed approval, "It's not easy to stand up right after falling down without crying or making a fuss."

The little guy looked up at Li Xiangqian, with a hint of excitement and curiosity in his eyes. He seemed to be amused by what he said, and couldn't help but grin, "I'm not afraid, it doesn't hurt if I fall. Mom said that boys should be strong."

Li Xiangqian was slightly shocked when he heard this. Qin Huairu's words made him realize that this child's strength might not be innate, but gradually developed under her mother's teaching. Although she is still young, the child's world has begun to have a force that cannot be ignored - a deep, silent love and expectation from her mother.

"Mom is right." Li Xiangqian also smiled. "Boys really need to be strong. But remember to relax yourself sometimes and don't always carry everything on your shoulders."

The little guy tilted his head, seeming a little confused. His clear eyes were full of curiosity, as if he didn't quite understand the deep meaning of Li Xiangqian's words, but he still nodded to show that he understood.

"Are you not in pain now?" Li Xiangqian asked, his eyes becoming more gentle.

The little guy nodded vigorously, finally stood up straight, wiped the last tear from his face, and tried to show a "strong" attitude. Although his weak legs were obviously not fully recovered, he still showed the courage he wanted to show to the adults.

Qin Huairu stood by and watched this scene. Her eyes seemed to soften and her mouth slightly raised. Her eyes were filled with a complex emotion, including the pride of a mother, as well as the helplessness and exhaustion hidden in her heart. She always knew that although her son was strong on the surface, deep down in his heart, there were still many things that needed her care and concern. She stood by and watched the interaction between Li Xiangqian and his son quietly, but she was silently sighing in her heart.

"You are such a good person." Qin Huairu suddenly spoke, her voice soft but full of deep meaning.

Li Xiangqian did not respond immediately, but lowered his head and looked at the small toy on the carpet. A complex emotion passed through his heart, and he did not know how to face Qin Huairu's words. In fact, he did not think that he was a "good person". In this complex courtyard, who could say that he was a "good person"? Everything he did was just to survive in this intricate chessboard.

"Nothing." Li Xiangqian smiled slightly, "As long as the child is okay."

Qin Huairu looked at him with a softer look in her eyes, as if she had some new understanding of him. She sighed softly, looked outside through the window, and whispered, "Li Xiangqian, you know what? Many times, I also hope to be as calm as you, not be swayed by emotions, and not be affected by the chaos in front of me. However, when facing children, I can never be so rational."

Her words were low and sincere, with a hint of fatigue that could not be concealed. Li Xiangqian felt the heaviness in her words, and realized that the responsibility that this mother in front of him carried far exceeded the scope of his understanding.

"You've done very well." Li Xiangqian said slowly, his eyes still gentle. "Sometimes, who can stay completely calm in front of a child? Everything you do proves how much you care about him and love him. Perhaps, this is the most important thing."

Qin Huairu was touched when she heard this. She turned around and looked at Li Xiangqian with a complicated look: "Thank you, Li Xiangqian."

Li Xiangqian stopped talking. He stood there quietly, feeling the warm air in the house and the gradually dimming light outside. Suddenly, he found that he had never been so close to this woman's heart. The disputes in the courtyard may no longer be able to block the delicate feelings between him and Qin Huairu, but that is not something he can control. He also knows that what he is facing is not only the family in front of him, but also the intricate situation behind it, and the choice he must make for himself.

At this time, Qin Huairu was also silently thinking about the unspeakable connection between her and Li Xiangqian. She looked at her son still sitting in her arms, with some complicated thoughts in her eyes, as if she was looking for some answer, some balance, or even a way to release the anxiety and worry in her deepest heart.

But no matter how hard she struggled, the outside world always silently reminded her that the helplessness and pressure in life were far from as simple as she hoped.

Li Xiangqian stood at the door, looking at the scene in the yard, still immersed in the warmth of the scene just now. The little guy fell down, and although he comforted him a few words just now, seeing the child's pain and anxiety at that moment, he always felt a heavy stone in his heart. Qin Huairu was holding the child next to him, coaxing him softly. Although she kept a smile on her lips, Li Xiangqian could clearly feel her inner anxiety and uneasiness from her eyes.

Suddenly, he broke the silence in the room, "I'll take him to the hospital for a checkup to prevent him from getting hurt accidentally."

Qin Huairu was stunned for a moment, and looked at Li Xiangqian, with a hint of hesitation in her eyes. She instinctively wanted to refuse, but seeing the sincere expression on Li Xiangqian's face, she couldn't help but lower her head. She knew that Li Xiangqian was a trustworthy person in the courtyard. Although he had a calm personality and always gave people a feeling of being difficult to approach, he could always lend a helping hand at critical moments. She was silent for a moment, and said softly: "Then please help me take care of him, he just fell a little hard, and I am worried."

Li Xiangqian nodded, walked to the child, and gently took him from Qin Huairu's arms. The little guy's face was no longer as pale as before, but he was trying not to cry because he was worried that his mother would worry, which made Li Xiangqian feel distressed.

"Don't be afraid, just go to the hospital for a check-up. The doctor will help you heal your leg." Li Xiangqian said, trying to comfort the child in a light-hearted tone. However, he knew in his heart that this was no trivial matter, especially for such a young child. A fall might affect his future quality of life.