Siheyuan, integrating everything, cultivating the city

"I'm fine, really." Li Xiangqian forced a smile, but thought secretly in his heart: "If I go to the dentist now, it will cost money. I earned the money with great difficulty. I can't let these rumors affect my harvest again." His mind kept wandering, trying to shift his attention to solving the problem.

"No matter how much you insist, toothache is not a trivial matter." Jia Dongxu frowned, and his tone revealed some worry. "I can go with you. Let's go ask the doctor and see how to treat it."

Li Xiangqian's heart suddenly softened, and he felt his friend's concern. He sighed softly, shook his head and said, "I really can't leave now. Everyone is discussing my affairs, and I can't let them think that I am running away." He knew in his heart that he had to show courage and tenacity at this point, only in this way could the people around him gradually let go of their doubts about him.

At this time, Yi Zhonghai's voice rang out again: "Everyone, we are here today mainly to make things clear. Xiang Qian, do you think there is anything else that needs to be clarified?" He gave Li Xiang Qian an encouraging look, as if signaling him to speak bravely.

Li Xiangqian felt warm in his heart and looked at everyone with firm eyes: "I just want to tell you that I have always been working hard to protect my watermelons. I don't want you to doubt me because of some misunderstandings." He tried to make his voice loud and clear. Although there were still waves in his heart, he didn't want these emotions to affect his speech.

"So, how are you going to protect your watermelons in the future?" another neighbor asked, with a tone that was both curious and tentative.

"I'll add some chili powder around the watermelon, or maybe try other methods." Li Xiangqian thought about it and decided not to avoid it anymore, but to actively seek solutions. "Also, I'll pay more attention to the fields and come to check at irregular times at night."

"I hope this can solve the problem." Yi Zhonghai nodded, looking somewhat relieved, but his voice still seemed to be alert. "Xiang Qian, if there is anything else, we must communicate."

Li Xiangqian felt a subtle change, and everyone's eyes gradually softened. He knew that although the rumors had not disappeared, at least he had won their respect. "I will try my best." He smiled slightly, secretly feeling relieved.

However, as people's attention gradually waned, the pain of the decayed tooth resurfaced in Li Xiangqian's heart, as if reminding him: "Your physical condition no longer allows you to ignore it." This problem must be solved, otherwise it will become more difficult for him to persist.

"I'll go back and rest for a while. I'll go to the fields tonight to have another look." Li Xiangqian didn't want to be too nervous, so he decided to take a break. He turned around and said goodbye to Jia Dongxu, but he was thinking in his heart: "Maybe I should relax a little and think about the tooth problem later."

After returning home, Li Xiangqian sat on a chair with a sense of relief, stroking the watermelon on the table, thinking about every fruit he planted, and a warm feeling surged in his heart. "I will definitely keep these achievements. I have paid so much, and I will never let rumors and physical discomfort interfere with my efforts."

However, the pain was still with him, lingering in his heart. Li Xiangqian finally couldn't help it, he covered his face with his hands and sighed softly: "Why am I so unlucky that I have a toothache at this time?" He thought of the inconveniences of going to the dentist, and his heart became more and more anxious.

At this moment, the neighbors were talking and laughing outside the door. Li Xiangqian looked out the window and saw several familiar faces gathered together. Although the content of their discussion had nothing to do with him, the harmonious atmosphere made him feel a little envious. He thought to himself: "Can I also have such friendship and trust?"

He secretly vowed in his heart: "I will definitely win everyone's recognition through my own efforts, and I hope to continue this trust." Li Xiangqian knew that this would be a part of his future life. Now that he had chosen this path, he must go on with determination.

However, just as he was about to get back to work, the pain in his teeth came back. He touched his cheek helplessly, thinking: "If this continues, I'm really going to reach my limit." He sighed and decided to include the tooth problem in his next plan, thinking that maybe he would go to a dentist tomorrow to solve this problem that bothered him.

As the sky gradually darkened, Li Xiangqian walked into the yard again, preparing to go out to the melon field to check the situation. The night air was a little cool, as if reminding him: "Go forward, don't give up, keep fighting!" He took a deep breath, sorted out his thoughts, and rekindled his fighting spirit.

Li Xiangqian was born in a poor family. He gradually gained a foothold in this courtyard with his intelligence and perseverance. He knew what hunger and poverty were, and he also understood the preciousness of food. Especially in recent years, with the changes in the external situation, food has become increasingly scarce, and people in the courtyard have become increasingly nervous. Whether it is the rumors outside or the food rations at home, Li Xiangqian must be fully prepared to deal with them.

There were all kinds of people living in the yard, some were honest, some were scheming, and some were opportunists who said one thing in front of another. Li Xiangqian knew that everyone was secretly competing for their own grain. Especially recently, the grain depot was in short supply, and the distribution was getting less and less, so the atmosphere in the yard was getting more and more tense. If a family took a little more grain, they would be criticized by the neighbors or even attacked openly or secretly.

Just as he was sitting there in deep thought, suddenly the gate of the yard creaked open and Old Mrs. Zhang walked in. She was leaning on a cane and her steps were slow, but her eyes were still sharp.

"Go forward," she began in a hoarse voice. "Do you think we can continue to live like this? The food is getting less and less every day. I heard that this month's quota has been reduced again."

Li Xiangqian raised his head and smiled bitterly, "Old lady, in our situation we can only rely on the government's allocation. Please be more frugal."

Old Madam Zhang frowned, obviously not satisfied with Li Xiangqian's answer. "You are young and strong, there is no reason for you to endure this. I heard that the Liu family in the East Courtyard has been living well recently, and they seem to have more food than us. I don't understand, shouldn't the distribution be fair? Why can their family have more than ours?"