Siheyuan, integrating everything, cultivating the city

"I indeed didn't go to the village last night! I was in the melon field and found that the watermelons were eaten by mice, so I was busy checking the condition of the melon field all night. Later, I met Wang Ergou, and he can also testify." Li Xiangqian tried to keep his tone calm, but his heart was already burning with anger.

Yi Zhonghai frowned slightly, as if he was not satisfied with Li Xiangqian's explanation. He pondered for a moment, and his tone became more serious: "Xiangqian, I know you have been very busy with your own fields recently, but such a big thing happened in the village, and everyone is very worried. You have to show solid evidence, otherwise everyone will inevitably be suspicious."

Li Xiangqian's heart sank. Yi Zhonghai's words clearly implied that if he could not produce evidence of "innocence", he would be considered a suspect. He clenched his fists, his nails dug deep into his palms, and cold sweat dripped from his forehead. More and more people stood opposite him, and everyone's eyes pierced his back like needles, as if invisible hands were pushing him into the abyss.

"I don't need to prove anything. I have a clear conscience." Li Xiangqian's voice was low and firm, with a hint of stubbornness in his eyes.

"Everyone will naturally investigate what you said." A tall and thin young man in the crowd said coldly, obviously not believing Li Xiangqian's explanation.

Wang Ergou also hurried over at this time. Seeing Li Xiangqian surrounded by so many people, he immediately stepped forward and said loudly: "I can testify! Brother Xiangqian was indeed in the melon field last night. I just ran into him last night! He didn't go to the village at all!"

Wang Ergou's words seemed to make Li Xiangqian feel relieved, but he knew that Ergou's words alone might not be enough to completely clear his suspicion. The people in the village were always more willing to believe rumors than facts.

Yi Zhonghai raised his eyebrows slightly, but his tone was a little cold: "Ergou, everyone will listen to your testimony, but Li Xiangqian has been involved in these things recently, and everyone's doubts cannot be completely ignored. Before the matter is investigated clearly, I suggest that Li Xiangqian should temporarily avoid suspicion and stop moving around to avoid causing more misunderstandings."

When Li Xiangqian heard this, he felt as if a bucket of ice water had poured down his heart. He knew that although Yi Zhonghai did not say it explicitly, this was clearly asking him to admit that he was a suspect, and even directly pushed him to the opposite side of the villagers.

"Why should I avoid suspicion for something I haven't done?" Li Xiangqian couldn't help but ask loudly, with a hidden anger in his voice.

"Brother Xiangqian, Uncle Yi is doing this for the good of the village." Wang Ergou tried to comfort him, but he knew that the current situation was extremely unfavorable to Li Xiangqian.

Li Xiangqian felt depressed. He knew that the more he tried to defend himself, the more he would appear to have problems. However, he never thought that he would be in such an embarrassing situation in the village. Those suspicious eyes and those distrustful eyes were like knives, ruthlessly cutting his heart.

"Forget it, I'm innocent, I'll see what you can find out." Li Xiangqian said coldly, turned around and walked away. He was no longer in the mood to tangle with these people, the anger and grievance in his heart almost made him breathless.

When he walked home alone, the setting sun was already hanging obliquely in the sky, and the orange-red light sprinkled on the village road. His long shadow was like a huge net, covering him.

After returning home, Li Xiangqian sat on a stone bench in the yard, silent. The doubts of Yi Zhonghai and the villagers kept echoing in his mind. Those doubts were like invisible shackles, tightly binding his heart. He had never felt so powerless.

"Why? Why can they just doubt me?" Li Xiangqian clenched his fists, his heart filled with resentment and unwillingness. The rumors in the village were like poisonous snakes, entwining him, and would only get tighter as time went by.

He knew that if he did not find a way to get out of this predicament, the days ahead would only become more difficult. However, how could he prove his innocence? Even with Wang Ergou's testimony, it seemed that it was not enough to dispel everyone's doubts.

Suddenly, a slight sound of footsteps interrupted his thoughts. Li Xiangqian looked up and saw his mother standing at the door, her face full of worry. She seemed to have heard the wind coming from the village, and her eyes revealed a hint of anxiety.

"Xiang Qian, what happened?"

Li Xiangqian looked at his mother's anxious eyes, feeling mixed emotions. Since his father's death, the burden of the family has fallen on his shoulders. As his mother grew older, he never wanted her to worry about his affairs. But now, the rumors circulating in the village and Yi Zhonghai's public questioning of him today are like thorns piercing his heart. He instinctively wanted to hide it, but seeing his mother's face full of concern, his defenses collapsed immediately.

"It's okay, Mom." He tried to remain calm and said in a low voice, "It's just that something was lost in the village recently, and everyone was a little nervous and said a few nonsense words."

The mother obviously didn't believe it. She took a few steps closer and sighed, "Xiang Qian, you have been an honest child since you were young. Everyone in the village knows that you are a down-to-earth person. But recently, your complexion has been getting worse and worse, and you always look sad. Is the matter more complicated than you said?"

Li Xiangqian lowered his head and remained silent for a moment, but finally nodded. He knew his mother was very thoughtful and could not hide anything from her. So he briefly told her about recent events, including how he was framed, and especially the conflict that happened today.

"They... actually said that to you?" The mother's face turned pale instantly, with a bit of astonishment and worry in her eyes. She gently held Li Xiangqian's hand, with anxiety flashing in her eyes, "Xiangqian, don't worry, they misunderstood you, and the truth will come out one day."

Li Xiangqian smiled bitterly, his eyes deep: "Mom, of course I know that those who are innocent will be innocent. But you are also aware of the rumors in the village. If things continue to escalate, people will only become more and more suspicious of me. But I didn't do those things at all, I can't let them wrongly accuse me like this!"

He was not only angry, but also felt powerless. The people in the village knew each other well, and any disturbance would be magnified. He was now trapped in the middle of it, and it was difficult for him to move forward. He wanted to prove his innocence, but the more he tried to defend himself, the more futile it became.

His mother patted his shoulder and said comfortingly, "Go forward, don't rush to make any decisions. Think calmly. We can't let others push us into a corner with just one word. You have always been very smart, and you will definitely be able to think of a solution."

Hearing his mother's words, Li Xiangqian felt a little relieved. He nodded. Although he was a little depressed, his mother's support gave him some strength. He knew he couldn't just sit there and wait for death.