Siheyuan, integrating everything, cultivating the city

He suddenly realized that he hadn't picked ingredients so carefully for a long time. In the past, he was always busy with work or struggling in his own little world, ignoring these details in life. But today, he felt that these simple dishes could actually bring him some comfort.

"Xiang Qian, look at this potato, it's pretty good, what do you think?" He Yuzhu's voice came, and she walked to his side, holding a few potatoes in her hand, with a smile on her face and gentle eyes.

Li Xiangqian looked up at her, feeling warm in his heart. He Yuzhu had always been like this, always taking good care of him and caring about every detail of his life. He always remembered her kindness to him. Although the shadows in his heart would occasionally emerge, every time he saw his wife's caring eyes, Li Xiangqian could always feel an indescribable sense of peace.

"Well, it looks pretty good, take a few." Li Xiangqian nodded casually, with a tired but gentle tone. Even though he was not completely relaxed, his mood had eased somewhat with his wife's company.

He Yuzhu gently put the potatoes into the basket, then looked at Li Xiangqian again: "You didn't talk much today, are you thinking about those things again?"

Li Xiangqian was stunned for a moment, his eyes flickered, and then he lowered his head. He didn't want her to know his inner uneasiness, especially today, under the warm sunshine, he didn't want to make his wife worry. He shook his head gently: "Nothing, just a little tired, something happened at work, and I wanted to go back and rest early."

He Yuzhu didn't ask any more questions. She looked at Li Xiangqian with soft and warm eyes. She knew he didn't want to say too much, and she didn't want to put too much pressure on him. So, she smiled and patted his shoulder gently: "Then let's buy the good things and go home quickly. I'll make you something delicious today so you can relax."

Li Xiangqian nodded, feeling slightly relieved. He knew that He Yuzhu would never force him to face things he didn't want to face. She always gently gave him space and understanding. And this understanding was exactly the support he needed most.

They continued walking in the market, picking up some vegetables and eggs. Li Xiangqian did not choose too many complicated ingredients, but instead chose some simple, common seasonal vegetables and a few boxes of fresh eggs. Although these ingredients seemed ordinary, they made him feel a sense of peace. The trivialities of daily life seemed to inadvertently dilute his inner anxiety and bring him an inexplicable peace.

When he walked to the checkout booth, Li Xiangqian couldn't help but look around. The market was bustling with people and the vendors were shouting one after another. Although the bustle around him didn't really make him excited, at least he could feel the breath of life, which quietly grew in his heart and slowly dispelled those invisible fears.

He looked down at the ingredients, and a warm feeling rose in his heart. In fact, he didn't really need more food, but more of the process of him and He Yuzhu walking through the market together. This simple daily routine was enough to make him feel satisfied. The ordinary moments experienced with his wife gradually became what he desired most in his heart, as if it was more important than any precious treasure.

After returning home, He Yuzhu skillfully washed and cut the ingredients and prepared to start cooking. Li Xiangqian stood at the kitchen door, watching his wife's busy back, and a complex emotion rose in his heart. His wife's back was always so familiar. She was always so patient and gentle in taking care of him, even though he could not always repay her so much.

"Xiang Qian, help me beat some eggs." He Yuzhu's voice came from the kitchen, warm and kind.

Li Xiangqian walked into the kitchen, took the eggs she handed him, and gently beat them in a bowl. Each action seemed so simple, yet so ordinary and warm. He felt that he had never been so willing to calm down and seriously feel the details of life as he did now. Perhaps it was these daily little things that made him slowly find the long-lost self.

After beating the eggs, Li Xiangqian and He Yuzhu prepared the other ingredients together, and the kitchen was filled with the aroma of food. The two of them worked together tacitly, occasionally chatting with each other, with ease and laughter in their words. Li Xiangqian noticed that although his wife had been doing these daily chores, her eyes were still gentle and firm, as if no matter what happened in life, she would stick to her role and give him endless support and understanding.

"Xiang Qian, what do you want to eat for dinner tonight?" He Yuzhu suddenly looked up at him with a smile in his eyes.

Li Xiangqian was stunned for a moment, then smiled and said, "I like all the dishes you cook. Just make something simple today." He spoke in a relaxed tone, as if these simple foods could make him feel calm. In fact, he didn't care about the taste of the food, but enjoyed the quiet time spent with his wife.

He Yuzhu glanced at him and sighed slightly. She knew that Li Xiangqian's mood was unstable recently. Although he didn't say it clearly, she could feel the potential uneasiness from his eyes and words. However, she didn't intend to force him to face those problems. She just wanted to give him more time and more space so that he could slowly come out of it.

She nodded and continued to work on her things: "Okay, I'll cook your favorite dish today and we'll eat together."

Li Xiangqian looked at her, and suddenly an inexplicable emotion surged in his heart. His wife's attentiveness and warmth seemed to make all his uneasiness and fears insignificant. Although he knew that he had not completely walked out of the shadow of his heart, at least at this moment, he felt a long-lost sense of security. This comfort came not only from his wife's company, but also from the fact that he began to re-examine every detail in life, every simple communication, and even every warm touch.

He took a deep breath and smiled: "Thank you, Yuzhu."

The stove in the kitchen made a slight hissing sound, and the aroma of the dishes gradually spread. Li Xiangqian felt that the tension in his heart gradually relaxed. He might not be able to solve all the problems immediately, but at least he knew that he was no longer alone, and there was a gentle presence beside him, silently supporting him to move forward.

Li Xiangqian sat at the dining table, with a bowl of freshly cooked soup in front of him. He felt a slight warmth through the steam rising from the soup. However, this warmth did not completely dispel the heat in his heart.