Siheyuan, integrating everything, cultivating the city

"Xiang Qian, this is the eggplant I just fried today. It tastes good. Would you like to try it?" She handed over the small plate with a hint of anticipation in her eyes.

Li Xiangqian was stunned for a moment. The eggplant was indeed well-cooked, but he couldn't help but feel nervous. He didn't know what her intention was. He looked up at Qin Huairu's eyes, trying to find some clues, but the other person's eyes seemed calm, as if everything was normal.

"Oh, thank you, Huairu, I'm so sorry. I don't like you always sending me food." Li Xiangqian forced a smile and took the plate of eggplants, but he began to wonder in his heart whether he should find an opportunity to talk things out with her.

Qin Huairu smiled even more brightly: "Oh, there's nothing to be embarrassed about. We are all neighbors, we should take care of each other. Besides, I made too much and I can't finish it. It would be a pity to throw it away."

"Is that so..." Li Xiangqian nodded, but he still felt that it sounded a bit awkward. He was not unaware that the amount of food Qin Huairu sent him was just right, and it was not a situation where she could not finish it. She seemed to be just looking for an excuse to get close to him.

Qin Huairu put down the plate, glanced at the onions he was tending, and said casually: "You have planted these onions very well. They are growing so well. When they are harvested, I will make some delicious dishes."

"It's still early." Li Xiangqian looked down at the onions, wondering what she wanted to say.

Qin Huairu did not stop talking and continued, "I heard that onions are good for the body, especially for men. You really have a good vision. Planting this thing is good for the body."

Her tone seemed casual, but Li Xiangqian felt that there was some meaning hidden in her words, especially the last sentence "good for men", which made him tremble slightly. Her words seemed to hint at something, but they were ambiguous and confusing.

"Well, it's good. Onions are antioxidant and antibacterial, which are all good." Li Xiangqian responded casually, but he felt more and more that something was wrong. He didn't dare to say anything more, just nodded, lowered his head and continued watering, wanting to end this topic quickly.

Qin Huairu smiled, and seeing that he didn't say anything more, she didn't continue to pester him, and turned around and left with the basket. Li Xiangqian looked at her back, and the doubts in his heart still lingered. Why was Qin Huairu suddenly so enthusiastic about him? Was it because he planted onions, or because he made that pork belly fried onion? He really couldn't understand.

"Is she planning something?" He guessed secretly, but he didn't dare to associate too much with it. After all, Qin Huairu had always had a good reputation in the courtyard. Although her family conditions were not good, she was always capable and handled things properly. She had never heard of any dishonorable things.

"Maybe she's just too lonely and wants to talk to someone?" He comforted himself. In the courtyard, Qin Huairu almost alone supported the whole family, with several children, and the pressure of life can be imagined. Occasionally getting closer to the neighbors may just be to relieve loneliness, without any special purpose. However, those ambiguous eyes and words made him unable to completely let go.

A few days later, Li Xiangqian was trimming the fence in the yard when he heard brisk footsteps outside. Not long after, Qin Huairu appeared in his sight again, still with that slightly smiling expression.

"Xiang Qian, what have you been busy with these days? Why haven't I seen you come out? Are you busy taking care of those onions?" she asked cheerfully.

"Oh, there is something. I've been busy repairing the fence recently." Li Xiangqian wiped the sweat from his hands and answered calmly on the surface, but he was still confused in his heart.

Qin Huairu approached and stood beside him. He lowered his head to look at the onion field, then smiled and said, "You have done a really good job on this field. The onions are so good. If my family can't afford to eat in the future, I will have to come to your place for a meal."

Her half-joking tone made Li Xiangqian unsure of how to respond. He knew it was a joke, but he felt that there was some tentative meaning in her words.

"You're joking. The onions I have are not even enough for the rich people to eat." Li Xiangqian replied with a forced smile.

Seeing that he did not respond, Qin Huairu stopped pestering him and just patted him on the shoulder: "Okay, I won't bother you anymore. Come and sit with me when you have time. I have stewed soup tonight." After that, she turned and walked away, leaving Li Xiangqian standing there, his heart in turmoil.

Looking at her receding figure, Li Xiangqian began to feel more confused. Why did she approach him so frequently? If it was just simple neighborly concern, it seemed a bit too much; but if she really had feelings for him, it would be too direct. He didn't know what Qin Huairu was thinking, but the inexplicable feeling of uneasiness in his heart could not be shaken off.

After returning home, Li Xiangqian sat at the table, feeling upset. Although he was not a sentimental person, he could feel that Qin Huairu's behavior seemed to be beyond the normal neighborhood relationship. This made him start to think about whether he should keep his distance from her. After all, the neighborhood relationship in the courtyard was complicated, and if he was not careful, the word might cause a lot of trouble.

"Oh, let's not think too much about it." He sighed and decided to ignore these things for the time being and continue to focus on the onion field and daily life. After all, there are many more realistic problems to deal with at the moment, and he would rather let things take their own course and not delve into the emotional matters.

Li Xiangqian sat in the yard, looking down at his onion field, but his mind was not on the greenery in front of him. Although the onions were growing lushly, he felt a little irritated. Qin Huairu's frequent approach made him feel at a loss. Although her actions seemed casual, the tentative look in her eyes and the ambiguity in her words made him feel uncomfortable every time they met.

"I can't get involved with her." Li Xiangqian frowned and thought to himself. He has lived in this courtyard for many years and knows the human feelings there, especially a woman like Qin Huairu. Although she is strong and independent, there are always some complicated rumors surrounding her. After all, she is a widow, and such an identity is bound to be discussed among neighbors. Li Xiangqian didn't want to be involved in such a vortex from the bottom of his heart. He just wanted to live his life quietly, grow his own onions, and occasionally cook his favorite dishes.

But things are obviously not that simple. Qin Huairu's approach has already attracted the attention of the neighbors. Just yesterday, he heard two aunties in the yard talking: "Hey, you said Qin Huairu has been running to Li Xiangqian recently, maybe she has a crush on him?"