Siheyuan, integrating everything, cultivating the city

Chapter 1299 I Trust My Judgment

Li Xiangqian stared at the old man, with a hint of coldness in his eyes. He knew very well that the old man's words were nothing more than an attempt to use "threats" to force him to change his mindset. In Li Xiangqian's view, all this was too childish and far from enough to impress him.

"I will make my own decision." Li Xiangqian's tone was calm, but with unquestionable determination, "I believe in my own judgment, and I will not be shaken by anyone."

After hearing what Li Xiangqian said, the old man's face froze slightly, as if he had not expected Li Xiangqian to be so resolute. He was silent for a moment, and finally just sighed, with a hint of helplessness in his eyes: "I really hope you can listen to my advice and don't wait until you regret it before you understand."

Li Xiangqian said nothing more and turned away calmly. For him, there was no need to listen to any more explanations and persuasions. He did not need to accept the kindness of the old man. Everyone's choice was destined to a different path, and Li Xiangqian knew that he had already embarked on the path he had chosen.

He continued to walk forward, his steps still firm. The old man behind him stood there, watching Li Xiangqian walk away, but the complicated look in his eyes had not completely disappeared. He knew that Li Xiangqian would make his own choice in the end, and those advices and concerns would not be able to change his inner decision.

Li Xiangqian's steps gradually stopped. He turned around and stared at the old man who was still standing there, with a hint of helplessness and a little sneer in his eyes. He didn't want to say anything more, but some pent-up emotions in his heart made him unable to help but speak.

"Master, you really don't understand?" Li Xiangqian's voice was a little indifferent, but his eyes were sharp, as if analyzing everything. "It's clearly Jia Zhang's fault, why do I have to take the blame?" The corners of his mouth rose slightly, but there was no smile in his eyes. "She forced me to compromise and give in. Should I give in to such a thing?"

The old man's eyes were slightly shocked, and he was silent for a moment, as if he had not expected Li Xiangqian to be so direct, and his tone was also a little angry. "Xiao Li," the old man spoke, his voice was still calm, but with a sense of helplessness, "I know you are dissatisfied with Jia Zhang in your heart, and I know that she has done something wrong, but you can't use this attitude to solve the problem just because she is wrong. Look at you now, aren't you already like her, starting to be desperate?"

Li Xiangqian raised his eyebrows, and a feeling of disdain instantly rose in his heart. He knew that what the old man said made sense, but in his eyes, this did not mean that he should give in. Li Xiangqian had already seen through what Jia Zhang had done, and he was not a character who was easily influenced by the outside world.

"She did something wrong, so should I tolerate her mistakes?" Li Xiangqian said with a cold tone, "She wants to force me to compromise and bow my head, so I want to see if I can gain the upper hand in this game. Since she wants to challenge me, I will face her directly." He paused, raised his eyes and looked directly at the old man, "This is not a question of who is right or wrong, but my bottom line has been violated."

A complicated light flashed in the old man's eyes, and he sighed slightly, as if he couldn't understand why Li Xiangqian insisted so stubbornly. "Young people are always easily swayed by momentary emotions," he shook his head, with a bit of worry in his tone, "Some things are not simply right or wrong, but more about how to choose." He raised his hand and pointed at Li Xiangqian, "Won't you regret what you are doing now?"

Li Xiangqian smiled sarcastically and shook his head. "Uncle, you don't understand," he said, his tone gradually calming down, but the coldness in his eyes never faded. "This is my own choice, I don't need to regret it. I know what I'm doing and where my bottom line is." He paused, his eyes as sharp as a knife, "But I would rather choose my own path, even if it's a little difficult."

The old man didn't say anything else. He looked at Li Xiangqian silently, as if he understood something, but still seemed to be hesitant. His eyes became deep, as if he was thinking about every word Li Xiangqian said. Although he knew that Li Xiangqian's choice might bring some unnecessary trouble, he could also feel Li Xiangqian's determination and firmness.

"Uncle, you don't need to say anything more," Li Xiangqian suddenly interrupted the uncle's silence, with a little impatience in his tone, "I understand that you are thinking about me, but I have made my choice." After he finished speaking, he looked down at his hands, and his palms were slightly sweaty. "If I give up my bottom line and give up the path I want to take, then what do I have left?" He smiled, and there was a little self-mockery in his smile, "I have long been not a good person, why should I pretend to be a saint?"

The old man looked at Li Xiangqian's expression and finally fell silent. He sighed and watched Li Xiangqian's back gradually go away. He felt a little disappointed, but he could understand Li Xiangqian's persistence now. After all, choosing and giving up is the fate that everyone must face, and since Li Xiangqian has made a decision, perhaps only he can understand the meaning of it.

But the old man still couldn't help but feel a little worried. Although Li Xiangqian's stubbornness and obstinacy might bring him some advantages in the short term, if he never knew how to compromise and let go, what would be the final outcome? Although he didn't want to say much, the uneasiness in his heart could not be shaken off.

Li Xiangqian's footsteps gradually disappeared from sight, and the air around him seemed to become even colder. The old man stood there for a long time without moving, his heart in turmoil. He did not fully understand Li Xiangqian's choice, but he knew that this road was destined to be difficult. Whether Li Xiangqian could bear everything ahead, only time would tell.

The old man stood in the direction where Li Xiangqian left, and he didn't come back to his senses for a long time. Although he knew that this dispute could not change anything, the uneasiness in his heart still tightly entangled him. After a long time, he turned around and walked towards Jia Zhang. His steps were heavy, as if every step was stepping on his heart, and he sighed inaudibly.

Jia Zhang was standing in a corner of the yard, with her back to the master, her hands crossed, and a little anger on her face. The sneer on her lips had not yet dissipated. Obviously, Li Xiangqian's counterattack did not make her feel the slightest bit of shame, but instead aroused more resentment and anger in her.

The old man walked up to her, stopped, hesitated for a moment, and then spoke: "Zhang, please stop making things difficult for Li Xiangqian."