Siheyuan, integrating everything, cultivating the city

"How can we be more careful? They didn't find anything when they came to investigate, and our family hasn't done anything illegal. We can't really starve to death, right?" Li Xiuying was also very angry. Normally, she was a person who could hold on, but once this matter came up, she found it a little hard to bear.

Li Xiangqian sighed: "That's true, but look at the people in the hospital. I don't know how they plot against us behind our backs. Life is really frustrating."

Li Xiuying put down the needlework in her hand and glanced at her husband: "Xiang Qian, don't scare yourself. People have to take care of their own families. Who can really stick up for them? Besides, this is not a big deal. But... you have to be careful when you find Lao Hu again."

Li Xiangqian nodded and said nothing more, but his heart was in a mess. He understood that now not only were the people in the yard watching him, but also Old Hu's business was becoming increasingly difficult. Although Old Hu was willing to help before, after all, everyone wanted to take more from the limited food. In the long run, it would inevitably cause more trouble.

The next morning, Li Xiangqian got up early as usual and prepared to go to work. When he walked to the gate of the yard, he ran into Jia Dongxu. Jia Dongxu was a master in the factory. He had good skills and was quite prestigious among his fellow workers. He didn't talk much on weekdays, but he and Li Xiangqian had always had a good relationship. He was one of the few friends who treated him sincerely.

"Dongxu, you're up early too." Li Xiangqian greeted him with a smile, but the smile on his face was obviously forced.

Jia Dongxu stopped, looked at him, and whispered: "Xiang Qian, do you have time after get off work today? I heard about what happened in your family, and I think... we can't let them mess around like this. I have an idea, we can talk about it." After that, he looked around and motioned Li Xiangqian to come closer.

Li Xiangqian's heart moved, and he asked hurriedly: "What's wrong? Do you have any good ideas?"

Jia Dongxu smiled slightly: "Don't be in a hurry, let's talk about it after work. Then you can call He Yuzhu and think about it together." After that, he turned and left.

Li Xiangqian was restless in the factory, thinking over and over again what Jia Dongxu said. He and He Yuzhu were both co-workers. He Yuzhu was a hot-tempered guy, but he was also a straightforward person who was never afraid of offending people. Thinking of this, Li Xiangqian thought that Jia Dongxu's idea might be interesting, at least it could temporarily alleviate the current predicament.

When it was time to get off work, Li Xiangqian saw Jia Dongxu and quickly invited him to go home with him. On the way, he decided to call He Yuzhu as well. If this thing could succeed, it would depend on He Yuzhu's ruthlessness. So the three of them returned to the courtyard together.

As soon as he entered the yard, Li Xiangqian saw that there was no one in the yard, so he whispered to Jia Dongxu: "Dongxu, what do you think? I am almost annoyed to death by them these days."

Jia Dongxu touched his chin and lowered his voice, "It's not that complicated, we just have to unite. How many of these people in the yard are easy to mess with? If you want to live a good life alone, others will definitely not be happy. But if we have a few people together, things will be easier."

Li Xiangqian frowned and asked, "United? You mean--?"

"I think we should be tied together, especially you and Yuzhu." Jia Dongxu looked at He Yuzhu next to him and said, "Yuzhu, you are usually popular, can you think of a way to make everyone shut up about this matter?"

He Yuzhu had an impatient temper, but his mind was not muddled. He sneered, "So you two called me here to be your thug? If I really go and quarrel with those people who gossip about me, it will make people think that there is something wrong with my family."

Li Xiangqian was a little embarrassed: "Yuzhu, we really have no other choice. I really didn't expect it to turn out like this. Old Hu doesn't dare to help me anymore."

He Yuzhu waved his hand: "Forget it, forget it. I'm not afraid of anyone, and I don't want to hide. What are your plans? Just tell me, I'm listening."

Seeing that the atmosphere was a bit tense, Jia Dongxu said quickly, "Yuzhu, don't worry. I'm not asking you to really fight. What I mean is that we need to unite. Now everyone in the courtyard is eyeing the Xiangqian family. You might as well take this opportunity to stand up and pull in a few trustworthy people. Let's speak out together and don't let them think that Xiangqian is the only one with a problem. If more people in the courtyard stand up, things will be easier to deal with."

"How do you pronounce it?" He Yuzhu asked impatiently.

Jia Dongxu thought for a moment and said, "It's very simple. Didn't they say recently that the food coupons might be adjusted again? You can tell them that we, the workers, must unite to fight for a reasonable food coupon quota. Every family has difficulties, and no one should be left behind. Let's pick a few people in the yard with good tempers and go out to fight for it together. On the surface, we are speaking for everyone, but in fact, we are trying to stabilize those who are skeptical and moving forward."

He Yuzhu's eyes lit up when he heard this: "Oh, this idea is quite interesting. We are fighting for everyone, but in fact we are stopping those gossiping people from talking." He glanced at Li Xiangqian, a hint of pride on his face, "Xiangqian, look, we are all partners, who dares to say anything?"

Li Xiangqian hesitated for a moment, thinking about the risks of doing so. Although Jia Dongxu's words made sense, if he didn't do it well, would it make things worse? He stared at the ground and whispered, "But... if there are too many people, it will be easier to be exposed, right?"

Jia Dongxu waved his hand and said with a smile: "Don't think too much. With more people, the problem will be dispersed. It's not just your family that's in trouble. Besides, He Yuzhu has prestige in the courtyard. As long as he speaks out, others dare not act rashly."

Li Xiangqian nodded silently, feeling somewhat relieved. After all, he had been living a very depressing life these days. If someone could help share the burden, he wouldn't have to continue to be so nervous. He turned and looked at He Yuzhu: "Yuzhu, I'll leave this matter to you. We brothers are counting on you."

He Yuzhu grinned, "Okay, I'll take care of it. I'll go talk to a few acquaintances in the hospital and pick out a few who are not so cunning, and we'll act together. If anyone dares to gossip behind my back again, I'll show you how I'll deal with them!"

After discussing countermeasures with Jia Dongxu and He Yuzhu, Li Xiangqian felt a little relieved, but the problem was not completely solved. The rumors in the courtyard still existed. Although He Yuzhu helped to support them, those people in the courtyard did not dare to talk about Li Xiangqian's family openly, but from their occasional glances, Li Xiangqian could feel a sense of alienation and vigilance. He understood that the struggle for food was far from over.