Siheyuan, integrating everything, cultivating the city

"You're right." Li Xiangqian looked up, a hint of determination flashed in his eyes. He knew that this was a road full of unknowns, but instead of waiting for death, he would rather pursue a little hope, even if that hope was insignificant. Li Xiangqian stood up, took a deep breath, and decided not to delay any longer. Even if the road ahead was full of dangers, he had to give it a try. If it was true as Xu Damao said, those people behind the scenes who conducted all kinds of experiments must have some ulterior motives, and he, as a member of the Siheyuan, could no longer stay out of it.

"What are you going to do?" Xu Damao asked with a complicated look.

Li looked forward and his eyes became firm. "I have to go find them and see if I can find some clues, even the slightest clue. Since they can bring these 'items' back, I have to find out what they are doing. Perhaps only by figuring out their purpose can we find the real way out."

"Are you sure?" There was a hint of worry in Xu Damao's voice.

Li Xiangqian shook his head. "No. But since it has come to this, I can only try."

Xu Damao was silent for a moment, as if thinking deeply about what Li Xiangqian said. Finally, he sighed and said, "Okay, I'll help you. If you need any information, feel free to come to me."

Li Xiangqian nodded gratefully and stood up. Although he was still full of uneasiness, at least he had a direction to move forward. No matter what, he had to find out the truth of the matter and the hidden power behind it. In this courtyard full of doubts, he had no way out.

He walked out of Xu Damao's hut and stepped into the yard. At this time, the sky was getting dark, and the evening breeze blew gently, bringing with it a burst of coolness. Li Xiangqian looked up at the distant sky. The fiery red sunset had faded, the sky became darker, and the atmosphere around him became heavier. He did not feel relieved. On the contrary, he became more and more aware that his choice was no longer simple, and what he faced was far more complicated and dangerous than he had imagined.

When he walked out of the courtyard, his heart tensed up, and his eyes subconsciously swept through every shadow on both sides of the street. The street gradually became empty, and occasionally some unknown figures flashed in the distance, but no one stayed here. Li Xiangqian knew that tonight was destined to be not peaceful, and there were those unknown forces behind him, secretly guiding everyone's fate.

Li Xiangqian walked out of Xu Damao's hut. It was dusk outside, the lights on the street were dim, and the chill in the air gradually penetrated his skin, as if an invisible net surrounded him. His thoughts were still entangled in the disturbing news, the chicken brought back by He Yuzhu, the "item" mentioned by Xu Damao, and the unspeakable secrets hidden behind it, like a big stone pressing on his chest, almost making it difficult for him to breathe.

But the doubts in his heart made him unable to stop - his wife, Song Wen, should know something. Li Xiangqian couldn't help but think of Song Wen, the woman who had spent countless ordinary days with him in the courtyard. Her eyes were always gentle and firm, and her silent support and companionship often made Li Xiangqian feel that he was not alone. But now, he began to feel a sense of alienation in his heart, as if the once close connection was quietly cracking.

He lowered his head and walked slowly towards his yard with heavy steps. His wife was at home all the time. The air was a little cold tonight. He couldn't help but put his hand into his pocket, and his fingertips touched the slightly cold coin. Li Xiangqian clenched his hands. The coin was not worth much to him, but it seemed to have become an invisible pressure in his heart. The coin silently reminded him that the world had changed dramatically and he could never go back to his previous life.

When he walked into the house, it was quiet. Song Wen seemed not ready to go to bed yet, and there was a slight sound of water in the kitchen. Li Xiangqian lowered his head and walked into the house, took off his coat, put it at the door, took off his shoes, and quietly walked into the kitchen. Song Wen was washing vegetables, and water droplets splashed from her fingertips, creating ripples in the air. The whole kitchen was filled with a familiar smell, the fresh smell of vegetables and cooking, which made Li Xiangqian suddenly feel a little warm.

Song Wen raised her head and saw Li Xiangqian coming in. She smiled slightly, "Why are you back? Didn't you say you were going to meet a friend today?"

Li Xiangqian stood at the kitchen door. Song Wen was still so gentle and quiet, as if nothing had changed. He was suddenly at a loss, and the complicated thoughts in his mind disturbed his mood unconsciously. He coughed lightly, walked over and sat at the dining table. Looking at Song Wen, she also stopped what she was doing and frowned slightly.

"I have something to tell you." Li Xiangqian's voice was low and heavy.

Song Wen was stunned for a moment, a trace of doubt flashed in her eyes, then she put down the water pipe in her hand, walked over and sat next to him, and asked softly: "What's the matter? You don't look right."

Li Xiangqian did not answer immediately, but just looked into her eyes. At that moment, his heart felt empty. He knew that he could no longer hide anything like before. Those things would affect her sooner or later, and might even change their fate.

"Have you ever felt that something is not right about this courtyard recently?" Li Xiangqian finally spoke, his voice trembling unconsciously, "Those people, the chicken that He Yuzhu brought back, and what Xu Damao said, all seem to be complicated matters. Do you feel...that there is something wrong?"

Song Wen raised her eyebrows slightly, obviously a little surprised by Li Xiangqian's sudden questioning, but she didn't look too flustered, but was silent for a while, as if thinking about something. She sighed softly and said slowly: "You mean, those people...?" She didn't answer directly, but asked a question, as if she knew that Li Xiangqian wanted to ask more than just a superficial question.

Li Xiangqian stared at her and felt the subtle changes in her eyes. "Yes, I feel that there is something strange in this courtyard. The place where we used to live no longer seems to be familiar to us."

Song Wen did not answer immediately, and some hidden emotions seemed to flash across her eyes. She lowered her head, her fingers unconsciously kneading the napkin on the table, as if she was recalling something.

"Li Xiangqian." She finally raised her head and looked at him, her eyes becoming particularly serious. "Have you ever thought that our lives have not changed much, and the courtyard has always been peaceful. But recently... I have heard a little about those people you mentioned. Perhaps we have never noticed that we have been changed by something."