Siheyuan, integrating everything, cultivating the city

After returning to the yard, he picked up the hoe and bucket again, trying to concentrate on the work in the vegetable field. However, no matter what, the taboo in his heart never dissipated. He didn't even dare to tell anyone about this matter, not even Old Zhang, for fear that he would be considered to have something to hide. He buried his head in the vegetable field, turning the soil with a hoe, trying to wash away the uneasiness in his heart with the sweat of labor. However, every time he bent down, the coiled figure of the snake would appear in his mind, lingering with some unspeakable threat.

A few days later, Li Xiangqian became more alert. Every time he went to work in the vegetable garden, he would carefully check every inch of the land around him, especially those hidden corners, for fear that snakes would suddenly appear. He even sprinkled some lime powder in the yard, hoping to prevent the snakes from appearing again. However, the more he did this, the more taboo he felt in his heart. He felt an invisible sense of oppression, as if this land no longer belonged to him, but had become the territory of some power, and he was just a passerby who accidentally broke in.

Li Xiangqian paused while watering the vegetables, thinking secretly in his heart. He had planned to find time to talk to his good friend He Yuzhu, and even thought about asking him to help clean up some of the dirty corners in the vegetable garden to avoid attracting snakes or other creatures. However, thinking of this, he hesitated - perhaps, no one should be involved in the matter of this vegetable garden, especially He Yuzhu. He didn't want He Yuzhu to get involved. After all, his mood has been abnormal recently, and he seems to have an ominous premonition about this piece of land. It's stressful enough to deal with all this by himself. If even his good friend is dragged into it, if something unexpected really happens, he will definitely regret it.

In the past few days, the relationship between Li Xiangqian and He Yuzhu has become a little distant. He Yuzhu seems to have noticed something and casts doubtful glances at him from time to time. The two have been good friends for many years and can talk about anything. Even if there are troubles in daily life, they will support each other. But this time, Li Xiangqian has never been honest with him. Whenever He Yuzhu asked, Li Xiangqian always evaded the question with vague answers and even tried to change the subject. As time went on, He Yuzhu gradually became suspicious.

Finally one day, He Yuzhu couldn't help it. After lunch one afternoon, he pretended to walk into Li Xiangqian's yard by accident. He stood in front of the gate and knocked on it. He asked casually, "Xiangqian, what's wrong with you recently? You seem absent-minded. If you have any problems, don't keep them in your heart. I can help you share your worries, right?"

Li Xiangqian raised his head and met He Yuzhu's concerned eyes, and his heart suddenly warmed. He naturally understood He Yuzhu's intentions, but he could never let go of the taboo in his heart about this matter. After a moment of silence, he forced a smile and pretended to be relaxed and said: "Oh, it's nothing, it's just that there was a little trouble in the field recently. Don't worry about me, just think about it for a while."

He Yuzhu kept asking, "Are you just imagining? Are you violating the taboo of the snake again? You didn't believe in these things before, don't scare yourself." He paused and added in a low voice, "If that doesn't work, let's go to the field together and find out the problem. It's too tiring for you to handle it alone."

Li Xiangqian was shocked when he heard this. Although he knew that He Yuzhu had good intentions, he felt alert and repulsive. He was afraid that He Yuzhu had also seen the snake, and that this strange thing would get more and more involved, and even He Yuzhu would be involved. He was aware of the hidden taboos in his heart, but this was not something that could be shared easily. So, he shook his head as if nothing had happened, and said softly: "Zhu Zi, don't worry about it. It's really a small matter. There's nothing to worry about. Besides, haven't you been busy digging wells recently? How can I let you worry about my little thing every day."

He Yuzhu was a little unhappy to see that he was still avoiding the topic, but he didn't dare to ask directly. He just frowned and asked in a disbelieving tone, "Are you really okay? Don't hold it in and get sick."

"It's really okay, it's really okay! If anything happens, I'll be the first to find you, okay?" Li Xiangqian pretended to be relaxed and patted He Yuzhu's shoulder, but he was secretly relieved in his heart. He knew that He Yuzhu was a loyal man, and if he really told him about this, with his personality, he would definitely help him at all costs. But the matter of the snake had made Li Xiangqian very uneasy, and he must not let his good brother get into trouble again. Seeing that he was determined not to let him help, He Yuzhu could only sigh helplessly. Although he was puzzled, he finally nodded reluctantly.

After He Yuzhu left, Li Xiangqian stood in the middle of the yard, looking at the land illuminated by the sun, but his heart was still restless. He did not tell the truth and concealed the matter of the snake. Although this made him feel a little guilty, he still felt an indelible sense of taboo. He convinced himself that this was for He Yuzhu's good, but he felt a little powerless and conflicted in his heart.

As night fell, Li Xiangqian was still wandering in the yard, recalling the conversation during the day, with mixed emotions in his heart. He knew he couldn't delay any longer. If he didn't take action, the taboo and uneasiness in his heart would only accumulate, and eventually he would completely lose control of the land. Perhaps, all this was just his overthinking, and there was nothing special about the snake, but he couldn't ignore the cold eyes and the lingering feeling.

The next morning, Li Xiangqian got up early, picked up a hoe and a net bag, and planned to go to the field again and clean up the surrounding area carefully. He didn't intend to let He Yuzhu know about it, and he didn't want to let other people in the village know about it. Going alone to face the land, perhaps this would help him wash away the fear and taboo in his heart and let him regain control of the land.

When he walked into the vegetable field, the surroundings were quiet. The sun shone through the shadows of the trees and sprinkled on the ground, creating a faint halo among the grass. Li Xiangqian looked at this peaceful land, and a sense of relief rose in his heart, as if this was still a familiar territory, without any shadows or threats. But the taboo had not completely dissipated, as if it was lurking in a corner, waiting for the opportunity to appear again.

He picked up the hoe and began to search in the grass, trying to confirm whether the snake was still hiding in the vegetable garden. He moved carefully, and was a little cautious with each hoeing, scanning the ground around him, fearing that if he was not careful, the snake would jump out from some shadow, bringing a cold threat.