Siheyuan, integrating everything, cultivating the city

When he arrived at Jia Dongxu's home, Jia Dongxu was repairing an old appliance in the yard with skillful and adept movements. Li Xiangqian walked up to him and asked casually, "Busy man, what are you busy with?"

Jia Dongxu heard the voice, raised his head, his eyes lit up instantly, and responded with a smile: "You guy, when did you get so free that you came to see me?"

Li Xiangqian forced a smile, but there was a trace of fatigue in his eyes. "No, I've been so busy lately that I can't process all these things by myself, so I came to talk to you."

Jia Dongxu raised his eyebrows: "Oh? What happened? I noticed that you look a little unhappy these days."

Li Xiangqian sighed, "It's nothing serious. There are just a lot of trivial things in life. Recently, the family's expenses have exceeded a bit, and there are a lot of bills. I always feel uneasy."

"Oh, you don't have to worry about these things. Anyway, you are a person who won't spend money recklessly. You know that I have seen a lot of family matters because I am doing business outside. In fact, if you think positively, there will always be a way out." Jia Dongxu smiled and put down the tools in his hand, patted Li Xiangqian on the shoulder, "Don't always think about carrying it alone, we are all friends, we can discuss it together when we have difficulties."

Li Xiangqian felt a little relieved after listening to Jia Dongxu's words. But he still didn't completely relax, and whispered: "It's easy to say, but I have to take responsibility anyway. These years, I have to shoulder all the responsibilities at home. Which one of them is not my responsibility?"

Jia Dongxu nodded, his eyes becoming deep: "You are right, the responsibility is indeed on your shoulders, but don't push yourself too hard. You also have to know that many things are not decided by you alone. On the contrary, if you have some breathing space, you can better cope with the challenges ahead."

Li Xiangqian listened quietly. He knew that Jia Dongxu's words were not just empty talk, but practical experience and reminders. However, facing these realistic problems, how could he let go? The pressure of life forced him to move forward step by step, and every step seemed to be on the edge of collapse, and it could be shattered at any time.

"You're right." Li Xiangqian finally spoke, and the fatigue that could not be concealed in his eyes seemed to be revealed at this moment. "It's just that a lot of times I feel that I have been living for others. Responsibilities, pressure, and family expectations are like heavy mountains that make me a little breathless."

Jia Dongxu didn't rush to answer. He just looked at Li Xiangqian and said after a moment: "Xiangqian, I know you are not someone who gives up easily, but you have to understand that sometimes you have to learn to relax and live for yourself. You have always lived for others, so, have you never thought that one day you can also fight for yourself?"

Li Xiangqian looked down at his hands. His fingers were no longer as strong as when he was young. Although he had few white hairs, they were like a silent alarm bell, reminding him that he might have changed a lot without realizing it. He paused and whispered, "I know what you mean, Jia Dongxu. Maybe it's time for me to learn to live for myself."

Today, Li Xiangqian did not go to work in the vegetable garden. Instead, he stood in the middle of the yard, looking down at a pile of grain on the ground. His eyes were deep and solemn, as if he was thinking about something unspeakable. This pile of grain was just harvested from the field a few days ago. It was not rice, but a pile of wheat and corn mixed together. At first, this pile of grain was neatly stacked, and the golden wheat ears and plump corn kernels sparkled in the sun, looking like a symbol of a good harvest.

But now, the pile of grains has been scattered, wheat grains are scattered all over the ground, and corn ears are kicked by a group of children. In the corner of the yard, a few chickens are pecking at the fallen wheat grains, occasionally clucking, looking very happy. But Li Xiangqian's heart is filled with endless irritation and disappointment.

He walked forward, squatted down, and gently touched the fallen grains with his fingers. The golden grains rolled between his fingertips, as if each grain carried a heavy history and expectations. Li Xiangqian took a deep breath, as if trying to dispel the irritability. But he knew that this was not just an emotional problem, but was connected to the deeper dilemma behind the grains.

This pile of grain was originally the result of a year of hard work by him and his family. Every grain of wheat and corn contained their countless days and nights of labor and sweat. However, the situation before him was extremely sad. These grains were not destroyed by pests or weather, nor were they unsaleable due to the depression of the market, but because of - waste.

Li Xiangqian closed his eyes and recalled what happened a few days ago.

That day, a group of children gathered in the yard. They were wearing ragged clothes and had some stains on their faces, as if they had just returned from the fields. They were playing around the pile of grains that had just been harvested, and seemed to have no idea of ​​the value and significance of the grains. Li Xiangqian did not think much of it at the time and just let the children play. However, as time went by, the yard gradually became messy. The children did not cherish the grains, but jumped around on them, trampled on them, kicked them, and even grabbed a handful of wheat grains and threw them into the air, as if they were playing.

At that time, Li Xiangqian stood at the door of the house, watching all this, his heart filled with anger and disappointment. He hurried over and shouted, "Stop playing! Don't throw or step on these grains!" But the children ignored him and continued to play and laugh. Li Xiangqian's anger grew stronger and stronger. Finally, he grabbed a child's shoulder and said sternly, "Do you know how much these grains are worth? You are wasting them!"

The children were startled by his tone, and they all lowered their heads, not daring to say anything. Li Xiangqian looked at their regretful expressions, and felt helpless again. He knew that it was not just the children being naughty, but because they had never experienced hunger and never really understood the preciousness of food. In their world, food seemed to never disappear and never be enough.

But Li Xiangqian knew that the value and significance of grain went far beyond this.

Most of the people in the courtyard are farmers, working from sunrise to sunset. For them, food is not only a means of livelihood, but also a spiritual sustenance. He has personally seen his parents' generation working hard on the land, and every seed represents a hope.