Siheyuan, integrating everything, cultivating the city

"Enough!" Yi Zhonghai finally spoke, his voice full of anger and helplessness, "I don't know who wants to harm me, but I will definitely get to the bottom of it!"

Li Xiangqian glanced at him and said in a deep voice: "Master, I believe you are innocent. But to prove it, we must find the person who wrote the letter."

Yi Zhonghai nodded, a glimmer of hope in his eyes: "Xiang Qian, do you have any ideas?"

Li Xiangqian pondered for a moment, then suddenly looked up and said, "This is not a simple matter. There must be someone behind this. To find out the truth, we have to start with the letter and the photos. It will take me some time, but I will definitely find out."

A trace of gratitude flashed in Yi Zhonghai's eyes: "Xiang Qian, this time it's really thanks to you."

Li Xiangqian waved his hand and said, "Master, you have done me a favor, and this is what I should do. However, there may be more troubles in the future, so you have to be prepared."

Yi Zhonghai nodded and took a deep breath: "I'm not afraid, as long as I can be cleared of all charges."

Li Xiangqian returned to his room, closed the door gently, and stood for a while holding the door. His eyes fell on the empty rice jar on the table, and he felt helpless and anxious. The food at home was almost gone, and the little left was only enough for two or three days at most. What should he do then? Go borrow food? But he knew that most people in the courtyard were not having a good time, so who could lend him extra food? What's more, the custom in the courtyard was that if you borrowed food, you owed someone a favor, and you had to pay it back, and in many cases, you had to pay double.

He sat down, his eyes falling on the whitened ceramic bowl on the table, which contained half a bowl of cold porridge. The porridge was so thin that one could almost see a person's reflection in it, and there were a few grains of rice floating in it, making it look particularly thin. He sighed, picked up the bowl and took a sip. The slightly cool liquid slid down his throat, but there was no warmth at all.

"Life is getting harder and harder." He murmured to himself, with a hint of weariness in his eyes.

Just then, there was a light knock on the door. He frowned, wondering who would come to see him so early in the morning. He stood up to open the door, but it was Yi Zhonghai standing outside. Yi Zhonghai looked even more haggard than when he was in the yard just now, with bloodshot eyes, and it was obvious that he had not slept well the night before.

"Xiang Qian, can I come in and say a few words?" Yi Zhonghai asked in a low voice, with a hint of fatigue and pleading in his tone.

Li Xiangqian nodded and let him in. The room was not big, with only a table and a few chairs, which looked extremely simple. After Yi Zhonghai sat down, his eyes fell on the half bowl of porridge on the table, and his brows frowned slightly, but soon returned to calm.

"Master, just tell me what's the matter." Li Xiangqian said, with a hint of concern in his tone.

Yi Zhonghai was silent for a while, then he slowly said: "Xiang Qian, I know you helped me today, and I am very grateful. But this matter is probably not that simple. I always feel that there is a bigger conspiracy behind this letter."

Li Xiangqian nodded: "I think so too. Someone wants to harm you. The purpose may not only be to target you personally, but also to stir up the people in the courtyard. If everyone believes the content of the letter, it will be difficult for you to gain a foothold in the courtyard in the future."

Yi Zhonghai sighed, clenched his hands into fists, and his eyes were full of resentment: "I have lived a clean life and have never done anything wrong. But now, I am being slandered like this! Tell me, what should I do?"

Li Xiangqian looked at him and hesitated for a moment: "Master, don't worry. We can always find out the truth about this matter. However, we have to start with the details and find the person who wrote the letter."

Yi Zhonghai nodded: "You are right, but where should we start?"

Li Xiangqian was actually unsure, but he couldn't show it. He knew that what Yi Zhonghai needed now was comfort and support. He pursed his lips and said firmly, "Let's start with the photo. Although the person in the photo is blurry, the background is somewhat familiar. It should be a nearby place. I'll go there tomorrow and maybe I can find some clues."

Yi Zhonghai nodded, and the worry on his face eased a little: "Xiang Qian, I really trouble you this time."

Li Xiangqian shook his head: "Master, we are neighbors, you have helped me a lot, this is nothing."

After seeing Yi Zhonghai off, Li Xiangqian leaned against the door frame, his eyes once again falling on the rice jar. His brows furrowed even tighter. He had to look for clues tomorrow, but what about the food in his stomach? Thinking of this, an idea flashed through his mind: Maybe he could go to Aunt Liu to borrow some food.

Aunt Liu was well-known in the courtyard for her kindness. She was always willing to lend a hand when someone was in trouble. But Li Xiangqian knew that although Aunt Liu was kind, her family was not doing well. He hesitated for a while, but decided to give it a try.

As the sky gradually darkened, Li Xiangqian opened the door and walked towards Aunt Liu's house. He felt a little uneasy, thinking that it was difficult to ask for food, but there was no other way at the moment.

Aunt Liu was busy in the yard. When she saw him coming, she looked up and asked with a smile, "Xiang Qian, it's so late, what's the matter?"

Li Xiangqian scratched his head, and said in an embarrassed tone: "Aunt Liu, I...my family is running out of food, so I want to borrow some from you. I'll pay you back after I get paid in a few days."

Aunt Liu was stunned for a moment, then nodded: "Child, just ask, don't be so polite. There is still some at home, I will go get it for you."

Watching Aunt Liu enter the house, Li Xiangqian felt a mixture of emotions. He was grateful, yet a little embarrassed. He didn't like to owe favors to others, but his current situation left him no choice.

After a while, Aunt Liu came out with a small cloth bag and handed it to him: "That's all I have. You can use it first. If it's not enough, come back to me."

Li Xiangqian took the bag and said gratefully, "Thank you, Aunt Liu. I am sorry for the trouble."

Aunt Liu waved her hand and said, "We're a family, don't be so formal. By the way, I heard there was a big fight in the yard today, so don't get too involved, or you'll get into trouble."

Li Xiangqian nodded, but he knew in his heart that he was already deeply involved and could not stay out of it. He returned home with food, feeling a little relieved, but the next plan became clearer. He had to find the truth as soon as possible, not only for Yi Zhonghai, but also for himself and the peace of the entire courtyard.

It was late at night, and the courtyard was completely silent, with only the sound of a few dogs barking in the distance. Li Xiangqian lay on his bed, tossing and turning, his mind a mess. The matter of the photo, the letter, and Yi Zhonghai were all circling in his mind, making it impossible for him to fall asleep.