Siheyuan, integrating everything, cultivating the city

When he walked out of the store, the air was still fresh, the trees on both sides of the street were illuminated by the morning light, and occasionally a few birds flew through the sky, adding a bit of vitality to the surrounding tranquility. However, Li Xiangqian did not feel a little comforted as usual, but felt a little empty. Socks cannot make everything better, they are just a symbol, symbolizing the troubles he wants to forget temporarily.

When he got home, he simply changed his socks and stood in front of the mirror, looking at himself putting on new shoes and socks. He felt inexplicably complicated. He didn't understand why he was still a little uneasy after doing such a simple thing. Was it really because there were too many things that had not been resolved, and changing a pair of socks was useless?

Wang Cuihua was busy in the kitchen. When she saw him come in, she asked calmly, "Are the socks new?"

Li Xiangqian nodded and answered casually, "Well, I feel better." He walked into the kitchen and stood aside, watching Wang Cuihua chopping vegetables skillfully, occasionally looking up at him. She seemed to notice that something was wrong with him, but she didn't ask any more questions, just continued to prepare dinner with her head down.

Li Xiangqian stood at the kitchen door, watching her cook in silence. He had seen this scene countless times, so familiar that it almost made him numb. But today, he felt that all the familiarity seemed to have been drained of color. The feeling of emptiness in his heart surged up again, and it became increasingly difficult for him to ignore it.

He spoke in a low voice: "Cuihua, are we...sometimes living too dull?"

Wang Cuihua stopped what she was doing and looked up at him, a trace of confusion on her face: "What do you mean? Don't you think a simple life is good? You are so busy every day, and your family is so stable and your children are well behaved. What else do you want?"

Li Xiangqian pursed his lips and whispered, "I don't know... Sometimes I feel that life is like walking on a road with no end, repeating the same things, and it seems that nothing has changed. Sometimes I even feel like I don't recognize myself anymore."

Wang Cuihua was stunned for a moment, then sighed softly: "Xiang Qian, you haven't been quite right recently, you are depressed every day, is it really about work? If you don't tell me, how can I know how tired you are?"

Li Xiangqian did not respond directly, but lowered his head and remained silent. He was in no mood to explain those complicated emotions that he himself did not quite understand. He just felt that the more he tried to sort out these emotions, the more complicated they became.

"I know, Cuihua, it's okay." He said slowly, "I just... feel a little confused." After saying this, he turned and walked to the living room and sat on the sofa. His fingers unconsciously fiddled with the clutter on the coffee table, but his mind had long been far away from everything in front of him.

Li Xiangqian leaned against the door frame and watched quietly. His eyes swept back and forth between Yi Zhonghai and the crowd, and he quickly analyzed the situation in his mind. This letter was obviously a key, but what was the content of the letter? And who sent it to Yi Zhonghai? He keenly realized that this might be a carefully planned frame-up.

"Master Yi, is what's written in this letter true?" A middle-aged man with a face full of flesh spoke first, with a hint of sarcasm in his voice. His name is Liu Daqiang, and he is a well-known troublemaker in the courtyard. He usually doesn't get along with Yi Zhonghai.

Yi Zhonghai's expression changed again and again, and finally he gritted his teeth and said: "I believe someone deliberately framed me! I have been clean all my life and would never do such a thing!"

The crowd of onlookers suddenly exploded with discussions.

"Clear? Then what's the matter with this letter? It can't have fallen from the sky, right?" Liu Daqiang sneered, "We all have eyes. You usually look so righteous, who knows what shameful things you have done behind the scenes."

"You're talking nonsense!" Yi Zhonghai glared at him, his fists clenched tightly, obviously he was extremely angry.

Li Xiangqian's heart moved, and he took a few steps forward, his eyes fell on the letter. He said calmly: "Master Yi, can you let me see the contents of this letter?"

Yi Zhonghai hesitated for a moment, but finally handed it over. Li Xiangqian took the letter, unfolded it and read it carefully. There was not much content in the letter, but every word accused Yi Zhonghai of corruption and bribery, and listed several so-called "evidences", and even a blurry photo that seemed to capture the scene of Yi Zhonghai and a stranger doing business.

"There's something wrong with this photo." Li Xiangqian said in a deep voice, looking up at everyone, "Don't you think the angle is too weird? It looks like it was taken on purpose for someone to see."

Liu Daqiang snorted coldly: "Why, Li Xiangqian, are you trying to help Yi Zhonghai get away with it? The photos are all here, and you still want to quibble?"

"I'm just stating the facts." Li Xiangqian's eyes were firm. "Everyone knows that Master Yi has always been a well-behaved man and never seeks cheap things. Isn't it a coincidence that this letter and photo suddenly appeared?"

Some people in the crowd nodded, some shook their heads, but more remained silent, apparently still waiting and watching.

"No matter how well you talk, it's useless!" Liu Daqiang said disdainfully, "With the evidence, who can clear themselves of this?"

Li Xiangqian ignored his provocation and turned to look at Yi Zhonghai: "Master, do you know the person in this photo?"

Yi Zhonghai was silent for a moment, then slowly shook his head: "I don't know him. I have never done anything in this photo."

Li Xiangqian nodded, and then carefully examined the photo again, and suddenly discovered something. He pointed to the lower right corner of the photo and said, "Look here, the date marked is the night of three days ago."

"So what?" Liu Daqiang asked impatiently.

"That night, Master Yi was clearly with me, and we worked overtime together to repair the machines in the factory." Li Xiangqian said calmly, "The factory still has records. This photo is totally fake."

As soon as these words were spoken, there was an exclamation from the crowd.

Liu Daqiang's expression changed, and then he sneered: "Who knows if you are lying for him? You have such a good relationship, of course you will cover up for each other."

Li Xiangqian frowned and said in a more serious tone: "You can doubt me, but the factory records don't lie. If you think there is a problem, you can go with me to check it out."

The onlookers began to whisper to each other, obviously a little shaken. Liu Daqiang did not respond immediately, but changed the subject: "Even if what happened that day was fake, what about the content of this letter? It can't be fake, right?"

"The content of the letter is even more suspicious." Li Xiangqian sneered, "Since the writer can provide the so-called 'evidence', why doesn't he dare to show up? It's obvious that someone is behind this and wants to sow discord."