Siheyuan, integrating everything, cultivating the city

Arriving at Wang Ergou's house, Li Xiangqian knocked on the door. After a while, the door opened, and Wang Ergou came out with a trace of fatigue. Seeing Li Xiangqian, a smile appeared on his face: "Xiangqian, what do you want to see me today?"

"Brother Wang, I want to talk to you." Li Xiangqian stood at the door, secretly encouraging himself. He knew that this conversation might affect his next move.

"Come in, it's too hot outside." Wang Ergou welcomed Li Xiangqian into the house, and then the two sat at the table. The house was a little old, but it gave people a warm feeling. The sunlight from the window came in through the curtains and sprinkled on the table, casting a mottled light and shadow.

"I've been a little annoyed these days. Rumors are spreading in the village, and I want to know how to solve them." Li Xiangqian opened his mouth and expressed his distress.

Wang Ergou nodded, his eyes showing some concern: "Rumors are indeed bad, but you have to remember that the key is how to deal with them. Don't let those words hurt your feelings." He paused slightly and continued: "I heard that someone in the village has been secretly doing something to discredit you recently."

"Yes, I know it was Yi Zhonghai who was behind this." Li Xiangqian's tone became more determined, "I want to face him and confront him. I can't let him continue to spread rumors in the village."

"Showdown?" Wang Ergou frowned slightly. "We really need to think about this matter carefully. Yi Zhonghai is not easy to deal with. He has many subordinates. You have to be careful."

Li Xiangqian was secretly shocked, knowing that what Wang Ergou said was true. Yi Zhonghai was always good at using interpersonal relationships, and he was able to get around the village with ease with his cleverness. However, he was just a small character fighting alone, and it was not easy to compete with him.

"I will be cautious, but I firmly believe that I can win!" Li Xiangqian's eyes showed a trace of determination, as if he was swearing to himself. He thought to himself, should I just tolerate it blindly? The pressure of rumors has pushed him to a desperate situation. If he does not fight back, he will eventually be swallowed by these rumors.

"It's good that you have this determination." Wang Ergou nodded, "But if you really want to face him, you have to prepare evidence. After all, it's meaningless to make an accusation out of nothing."

Li Xiangqian realized that what Wang Ergou said made sense. He had to find evidence to expose Yi Zhonghai's sinister tactics. As he thought about it, a glimmer of hope ignited in his heart, and he felt that although the road ahead was bumpy, there was still a way out.

"I will find a way to collect evidence. Thank you, Brother Wang." Li Xiangqian said sincerely, with gratitude in his eyes.

"It's okay. It's normal for friends to help each other." Wang Ergou patted his shoulder and said with a smile, "If you need any help, just come to me."

After leaving Wang Ergou's house, Li Xiangqian became more determined. He secretly decided to collect enough evidence to uncover Yi Zhonghai's true face. He began to think about how to put himself in a favorable position and how to take the initiative in the next confrontation.

After returning home, Li Xiangqian ate while thinking, secretly planning his next plan. His mother's busy figure at the table made him feel a little warm, but the plans and anxieties in his heart made him feel uneasy.

"Xiang Qian, you haven't eaten enough." His mother frowned and looked up at him, her eyes full of concern. "Are you in a bad mood recently?"

"It's okay, Mom. I'm just thinking about something." Li Xiangqian raised the corner of his mouth slightly, trying to make himself look more relaxed.

"You must take good care of yourself and don't make yourself too tired." His mother's eyes showed deep concern, and Li Xiangqian felt a little sad in his heart. He knew that his mother didn't know the pressure and troubles he was facing, but he didn't want to make her worry anymore.

"I will, Mom. I will definitely take care of these things." Li Xiangqian tried his best to make his voice sound firm and silently made up his mind to protect his family and his own reputation.

After dinner, Li Xiangqian did not return to his room immediately, but walked to the yard with a flashlight and began to observe the surroundings carefully. With the weak light, he wanted to look for some clues, hoping to find some valuable clues.

"It's really windy tonight." Li Xiangqian stood in the yard, feeling the breeze, and his heart gradually calmed down. He knew that facing Yi Zhonghai, he must not be impatient, and must keep a clear head to grasp the key.

"If we can find evidence that he stole things, we can completely defeat him." Li Xiangqian thought to himself, and a smile unconsciously appeared on his face, as if he had seen the hope of victory.

At this moment, Li Xiangqian's eyes stopped at a distant ridge, where there seemed to be a swaying figure. He was shocked and immediately moved closer, observing the surroundings in the weak light, trying to stay hidden.

"Who's there?" Li Xiangqian whispered to himself, feeling nervous. He knew that if he found someone suspicious, it would be the best time for him to collect evidence.

Gradually, Li Xiangqian saw a familiar figure, and he was immediately delighted: "It's Yi Zhonghai!"

He approached quietly, trying not to make any noise, for fear of alerting the enemy. He secretly hoped to find evidence of Yi Zhonghai's conspiracy at this critical moment.

"What the hell is this guy doing?" Li Xiangqian thought to himself, his eyes fixed on Yi Zhonghai, afraid of missing any details.

As the distance gradually approached, Li Xiangqian finally heard the low voices of Yi Zhonghai and others. Their voices were light and suppressed, but Li Xiangqian could vaguely hear some key words: "Rumors in the village... We must fabricate evidence... and completely bring him down!"

There are all kinds of people living in the courtyard, and a group of old neighbors sit around the courtyard, close to each other but also full of vigilance. During the day, the courtyard is always filled with the smell of coal smoke and food, and occasionally you can hear the complaints of the aunt next door while drying clothes, or the laughter of a few naughty children playing in the alley. But at night, the silence of the courtyard is suffocating, and the darkness seems to take away the vitality of every corner, leaving everyone with an increasingly heavy burden of life and endless thoughts.

On this day, Li Xiangqian pedaled his old bicycle as usual, the wheels squeaking on the uneven stone road. The autumn wind passed through his face with a hint of chill, making him tighten his collar. At the gate of the courtyard, several old workers were smoking dry tobacco together, the smoke filled their heads, blurring the fatigue and old age in their eyes.