Siheyuan, integrating everything, cultivating the city

Lin Qian was lying at the desk, concentrating on drawing in her sketchbook, and didn't notice Li Xiangqian's arrival. There was still a hint of silence and alienation in her eyes, which was completely different from her usual carefree smile.

Li Xiangqian stood behind her and saw his daughter lowering her head, concentrating on painting. Her brows were slightly furrowed, as if she was thinking about a certain stroke. That focused look made Li Xiangqian a little stunned. He did not speak immediately, but stood quietly aside and watched her.

After a long while, Lin Qian finally stopped painting, raised her head, and met her father's eyes. A hint of surprise flashed across her eyes, but she immediately regained her composure, as if she had long been accustomed to this kind of silent interaction.

"Dad..." she said softly, with a barely perceptible hint of distance in her tone.

Li Xiangqian looked at his daughter's drooping eyelashes, and his heart ached. He suddenly realized that his relationship with his daughter had really changed in recent days. In the past, he was always busy with his own affairs, always immersed in the trivialities and pressures of life, and ignored her growth and changes. At this moment, standing here, face to face with his daughter, he realized that he had alienated her.

"How have you been lately?" Li Xiangqian asked tentatively.

Lin Qian was silent for a moment, her eyes flickering, as if she was thinking about how to answer. "Not bad," she whispered, "just a little more homework, everything else is fine."

Li Xiangqian looked at her, a little hesitant, with a strong desire to understand his daughter's feelings. He knew from a young age that Lin Xi was a very independent child. Although she seemed a little rebellious, she was thoughtful and could always show her maturity and tenacity inadvertently. However, these days, Li Xiangqian clearly felt that the distance between his daughter and him seemed to be getting farther and farther. The girl who used to take the initiative to run to him to tell stories and share her thoughts no longer seemed to open up so easily.

He took a deep breath, slowly walked to his daughter, sat on the chair next to her, and said gently: "Xixi, why don't you talk to Daddy often recently?"

Lin Qian looked at him in surprise, then lowered her head and was silent for a while before she responded softly, "Nothing, it's just..." She paused, as if it was difficult to speak, but finally raised her head and looked directly at Li Xiangqian, "Dad, you've been arguing with Mom recently, and I feel like something's not right at home."

Li Xiangqian's heart was shocked. He didn't expect his daughter to notice these details. Looking at her slightly worried eyes, Li Xiangqian felt a slight pain in his heart. He knew that although he had always thought that these things would not affect the family atmosphere, in fact, every conflict and every trace of anxiety in the family was like an invisible thread, quietly moving everyone's heart. And his daughter, as a part of the family, although still young, her feelings and understanding far exceeded Li Xiangqian's imagination.

"Xixi, you don't have to worry." Li Xiangqian sighed softly, his tone gentle, "Dad and Mom are fine, they just had some disagreements and got a little excited."

Lin Qian looked at him, frowning slightly, obviously not completely convinced by his comfort. She was silent for a moment, and whispered: "But every time you talk to mom, your voice is very loud, I can hear it. The house is no longer as quiet as before, and I am a little scared."

Li Xiangqian felt a sharp pain in his heart. Seeing his daughter's worried expression, he was in a panic. Once upon a time, he and Li Mei had quarreled without scruples, and never realized that such things would affect his daughter. She had always been so well-behaved and sensible, but at this moment, he found that his behavior had brought her great distress and psychological pressure.

He was stunned for a moment, and couldn't help but reach out and stroke his daughter's hair. His tone became low and full of apology: "I'm sorry, Xixi, Dad shouldn't have made you worry."

Lin Qian raised her head, her eyes were a little wet, but she still showed a weak smile: "It's okay, Dad, I know you are busy. It's just... are you and Mom a little unhappy?"

Li Xiangqian was speechless for a moment, and guilt welled up in his heart. He didn't expect that his daughter could be so considerate and considerate of them at this time, which made him feel even more guilty. He lowered his head and looked at his daughter's innocent yet mature eyes, and a long-lost emotion welled up in his heart.

"We're fine, Xixi," Li Xiangqian said softly but firmly, "We will resolve Dad and Mom's issues, and it won't affect you." He paused, then said softly, "Dad promises that he will take better care of you in the future and won't let you bear all this pressure alone."

Lin Xi's eyes suddenly softened, and she nodded, as if she had finally let go of her doubts. Li Xiangqian looked at her relieved expression and suddenly felt that maybe he should really change his attitude and understand and care more about this growing child.

From that moment on, Li Xiangqian realized that he needed to rebuild his relationship with his daughter. He may have ignored her feelings and was too focused on the trivial matters in the family and his own troubles, but now he understands that his daughter is not someone who does not need a father, and she also needs his care and company.

Li Xiangqian sat in the yard, his hands crossed on his knees, staring at the old locust tree in the yard. The autumn wind blew, bringing a hint of coolness, and he shrank his neck unconsciously. The weather had begun to turn cold, and part of the food stored at home had been distributed. Li Mei's unintentional act of kindness made him uneasy. What made him most uneasy was what Xu Damao had mentioned frequently recently - contacting Jia Dongxu.

Jia Dongxu was their former neighbor, but he later moved away to a place far away. Li Xiangqian remembered that Jia Dongxu was a typical "layman" who acted impulsively and changed his mind according to the situation. Although he was quite smart, he always gave people a feeling of being unreliable. The reason why Xu Damao mentioned Jia Dongxu at this critical moment was that Li Xiangqian was unwilling to listen. Almost every time the topic turned to Jia Dongxu, he felt an indescribable depression.

Li Xiangqian's eyes gradually moved away from the old locust tree and fell on the pile of firewood at the door. The firewood exuded a faint wood fragrance. He took a deep breath, but his heart was irritated.

"How should I put it..." He whispered to himself.