Siheyuan, integrating everything, cultivating the city

After finishing his noodles, he paid the bill and walked out of the food stall. It was already completely dark. The street lights were on, and under the dim light, there were few pedestrians, making it seem a little deserted.

Li Xiangqian stood under a street lamp, lit a cigarette and took a deep puff. He looked up at the night sky and thought to himself: "Should I find someone to talk to? If I keep going like this, I'm afraid I'll really get sick."

He thought of He Yuzhu, the friend who seemed heartless at ordinary times but always helped him out at critical moments. He decided to talk to He Yuzhu when he got back, maybe it would make him feel better.

Li Xiangqian walked on the street, carrying a bag of fresh vegetables and meat, with a rare relaxed smile on his face. He has been in a bad mood recently, but today is different. He decided to make a hearty dinner and eat with He Yuzhu, and chat about his worries. This plan made him forget his troubles for a while.

He was about to turn into a small shop to buy some sauce when he suddenly heard someone calling his name from behind: "Li Xiangqian?"

This familiar voice made him shudder. He stopped and slowly turned around. Sure enough, standing not far away was his ex-girlfriend, Wang Xue.

Wang Xue was wearing a light grey coat, with long hair draped over her shoulders, and a look of surprise and complexity on her face. She stood by the roadside, her eyes fixed on him, as if she couldn't believe what she saw was real.

Li Xiangqian was stunned for a few seconds, and his heart was in turmoil. He didn't expect to meet Wang Xue in such a place, and he didn't expect it to happen when he was busy planning for the future.

"It's really you." Wang Xue took a few steps closer, with a hint of disbelief in her voice, "I haven't seen you for so many years, how did you become like this?"

Li Xiangqian subconsciously tightened his hand around the bag and forced a smile: "It's me. Long time no see."

The two stood face to face, and the air was filled with an inexplicable awkwardness. Li Xiangqian's heart was filled with mixed emotions, some of which were past memories and some of which were present realities. He remembered the quarrel when they broke up, and also remembered Wang Xue's resolute back when she left.

Wang Xue looked at him for a few times, her eyes fell on the bag of vegetables in his hand, and her brows slightly frowned: "Are you... going home to cook?"

"Yeah." Li Xiangqian nodded, saying calmly, "Buy some vegetables and go back to make something simple to eat."

Wang Xue sighed softly: "You are still the same, liking to do things yourself. But...how are you now? Are you doing well?"

"It's OK." Li Xiangqian's tone didn't contain much emotion. He didn't want to talk about his current situation, nor did he want Wang Xue to know too much. He knew that the other party's concern might be out of politeness, but to him, it was like an invisible pressure.

Wang Xue was silent for a while, as if she was hesitating whether to continue. Finally, she spoke: "Actually, I heard something about you... Are you still living in the courtyard?"

Li Xiangqian's heart tightened, but his expression didn't change much. He nodded: "Yes, I still live there. It's convenient and close to the factory."

Wang Xue's eyes became more complicated, as if she felt distressed and regretful: "Don't you think... that place is too depressing? We broke up because -"

"Wang Xue." Li Xiangqian suddenly interrupted her, his tone low but firm, "Let's not talk about the past. How are you doing now?"

Wang Xue was stunned for a moment, then smiled bitterly: "Me? I'm fine, my job is stable, and my life is ordinary. What about you? Have you found someone to take care of you?"

Li Xiangqian's heart skipped a beat. He pursed his lips and was hesitating whether to answer when he suddenly heard a familiar voice behind him: "Xiangqian, why are you standing here?"

Li Xiangqian turned around and saw that it was his recent date, Li Fang. She was holding a small bag and had a gentle smile on her face, and it was obvious that she was here to see him.

"Li Fang?" Li Xiangqian was a little surprised, and then a little embarrassed. He turned his head to look at Wang Xue, then at Li Fang, and for a moment he didn't know how to introduce them.

Wang Xue obviously noticed Li Fang as well. She glanced back and forth between the two of them, and her expression gradually became cold: "Oh, it seems you have found someone."

Li Fang was slightly stunned, obviously not expecting who the woman in front of her was, but she quickly adjusted her expression and nodded politely to Wang Xue: "Hello, I am Li Xiangqian's friend."

"Friend?" Wang Xue gently repeated the word, with a hint of sarcasm on her lips, "It seems that I asked too much. Xiang Qian, I wish you happiness."

After saying that, she turned and left, her steps hurried, as if she didn't want to stay even a second longer.

Li Xiangqian looked at Wang Xue's departing back, feeling mixed emotions. He knew that her tone was filled with disappointment and reluctance, but he also knew that the past relationship could not be restored.

"Xiang Qian, who is that?" Li Fang's voice brought him back to reality.

"An old friend." Li Xiangqian forced a smile, trying to hide his emotions, "Nothing, let's go."

Li Fang glanced at him, and although she didn't ask any more questions, a hint of doubt flashed in her eyes. She knew that Li Xiangqian had not completely opened his heart, but she also understood that this would take time.

The two walked back side by side, but Li Xiangqian's heart was still restless. He remembered Wang Xue's eyes and her last words. Did she really bless him? Or was this just a helpless farewell?

Li Xiangqian said goodbye to Li Fang in a hurry with mixed emotions in his heart. His steps seemed a little hurried, as if someone was chasing him. He didn't know where to go, but just walked along according to his intuition until he saw a small shop on the corner, and then he stopped.

This is an inconspicuous grocery store, with an old sign hanging at the door, the words are blurred. The store is dimly lit, the shelves are filled with a variety of goods, and the air is filled with a stale smell. Li Xiangqian stood at the door and hesitated for a while, but finally pushed the door open.

"Ding-ling--" The wind chime on the door rang, the sound was crisp but made him feel nervous. He walked quickly to a row of shelves in the corner, lowered his head and pretended to pick something, but his eyes kept looking at the door, fearing that someone would follow him.

"Sir, what do you need?" A middle-aged man's voice came from behind the counter, sounding a bit casual.

"Just take a look." Li Xiangqian responded in a low voice, trying to make his tone sound calm, but his hands were tightly gripping the edge of the shelf, and his knuckles were slightly white.

He was in a state of confusion. The unexpected encounter with Wang Xue just now was like a stone that hit his already restless lake.