Siheyuan, integrating everything, cultivating the city

He knew that in such a situation, once rumors started, it would not be easy for him to explain them clearly.

"Xiang Qian, come here." Yi Zhonghai was sitting in the middle of the yard, looking solemn, and beckoned him over. Li Xiang Qian's heart sank, knowing that he had to face this storm, so he walked forward slowly.

"Everyone is here. We need to clarify what happened to you last night." Yi Zhonghai's tone was more severe than before, and seemed particularly formal. Li Xiangqian looked around and found that everyone was paying attention to him, feeling a little uneasy.

"I just sprinkled some chili powder last night to prevent rats." Li Xiangqian said firmly, but his heart was beating fast. "I don't understand why this has become a topic of discussion."

"Are you spreading chili powder to keep away rats, or someone else?" a neighbor interrupted, his tone obviously full of sarcasm. "You know it in your heart."

Li Xiangqian felt a surge of anger, and the fire in his heart seemed to burn away all his calmness. "I just wanted to protect my watermelon. Is that wrong?" He tried to suppress his emotions, with a hint of urgency in his tone.

"Who here doesn't know what happened to you recently?" Another middle-aged woman spoke up, and the expression on her face made Li Xiangqian feel helpless. "Your corn was stolen a few days ago, and something like this happened again in the past few days. It's inevitable that everyone will think too much."

"I understand everyone's concerns, but I don't want to do anything small." Li Xiangqian calmed down and tried to make his voice sound more sincere. "I'm just trying to protect my harvest. I don't want to be misunderstood again."

Yi Zhonghai nodded slightly, as if he could hear Li Xiangqian's sincerity, but he still frowned: "Xiangqian, I don't mean to doubt you, but we are neighbors, we live together, and we must trust each other."

"I hope to win everyone's trust through my own efforts." Li Xiangqian clenched his fists, determined to show his sincerity to everyone.

At this time, the people around him lowered their heads and whispered to each other. Li Xiangqian felt increasingly irritated, as if he could feel the invisible pressure. People's eyes made him feel as if he was under a microscope, being criticized and scrutinized by others, and he felt increasingly depressed.

Not far away, Jia Dongxu was watching quietly. Li Xiangqian looked at him for help. Jia Dongxu breathed a sigh of relief, walked over and said to him, "Don't worry, everyone just wants to know the truth of the matter. You should explain what happened first, and things will eventually turn around."

"I just sprinkled some chili powder last night to prevent rats from coming in and eating my watermelon. That was my only purpose." Li Xiangqian's voice was a little higher, and he felt a little wronged. "I really didn't do anything bad."

"If you didn't do anything bad, why didn't you tell us?" an auntie asked with some doubt in her tone, "We all live here, why don't we share these experiences?"

"I... I just thought that I should protect the melons I planted myself." Li Xiangqian's heart tightened. He wanted to express his difficulties, but found it difficult to speak.

At this moment, another feeling of irritation came over him. Li Xiangqian thought of his teeth. His lower right tooth had been aching lately, often causing him to toss and turn when he slept at night, as if something was biting him. He thought to himself, "This is really a problem. Can I endure this pain? Or should I go see a dentist?" He forced a smile, trying to appear calmer in front of everyone.

"These days, besides watermelon and chili powder, I've also been thinking about my teeth." He whispered to himself, but at this moment, he seemed particularly powerless. His mind was scattered in every corner of his body, unable to focus on the problem at hand.

"Xiang Qian, listen, trust is not something that can be achieved overnight." Yi Zhonghai's voice sounded, and Li Xiang Qian realized that he had been distracted. At this moment, he understood that he was not only facing rumors, but also the pain in his body that made it difficult for him to concentrate. The anger in his heart gradually subsided, and he became helpless.

"I will work hard to win everyone's trust, but I also need to deal with my own affairs now." Li Xiangqian lowered his head slightly, and his tone gradually softened. "I don't want to hide anything, I just need some time to prove myself."

The crowd gradually quieted down, as if Li Xiangqian's words made them think for a moment. Li Xiangqian felt relieved, knowing that as long as everyone was willing to listen to him, he would have a chance to prove himself to them.

"I will definitely handle everything, and I hope everyone can trust me." He looked directly at the people in front of him again, with a hint of firmness in his tone.

At this moment, a sudden sharp pain came from his decayed tooth, as if a sharp knife suddenly stabbed into his heart. He couldn't help but groan, covered his mouth, and felt distressed in his heart: "This damn tooth is really going to kill me!"

"What's wrong with you, Xiang Qian?" Jia Dongxu noticed that something was wrong with Li Xiang Qian, so he quickly walked over and asked with concern.

"It's okay, just a little uncomfortable." Li Xiangqian forced a smile, but the pain in his heart surged like a tide, making it almost unbearable for him.

"You look like you're in pain. Do you want to see a doctor?" Jia Dongxu asked with concern, his eyes full of worry.

Li Xiangqian shook his head, trying to look strong, afraid that people around him would see his weakness: "I'm fine, I just need to rest."

But the pain in his heart did not ease. Instead, it intensified as everyone paid more attention to him. Li Xiangqian endured it, not wanting others to see his vulnerability. "I can't show any weakness at this time." He told himself secretly, "If I can't even defend my own body, how can I prove my innocence to everyone?"

Li Xiangqian tried hard to suppress the pain in his heart and act as if nothing had happened. He looked up at the people around him, his eyes wandering over familiar faces, but his heart was still unsettled. Looking at their concerned eyes, he realized that he had been dragged into a war without gunpowder smoke, and this war was not only about the safety of watermelons, but also about his own survival and dignity.

"I will definitely let everyone see my efforts." He vowed to himself, a trace of unyielding fighting spirit ignited in his heart. The decayed tooth seemed to constantly remind him, "The pain will always pass, and victory is the ultimate goal."

"Xiang Qian, I think you should go see a dentist." Jia Dongxu's voice once again interrupted his thoughts. His friend was always sensitive and noticed something was wrong with Li Xiang Qian.