Siheyuan, integrating everything, cultivating the city

He decided to go to the market to buy some fresh peppers and see what other seasonal vegetables he could pair with them to add some variety to his simple dining table. As he thought about it, he stood up from the rattan chair, stretched himself, and prepared to go out.

When he reached the gate of the courtyard, he happened to meet Grandpa He who was strolling back from outside. Grandpa He was holding a bamboo basket filled with some fresh vegetables. The juicy green vegetables and red tomatoes made Li Xiangqian's eyes light up. He couldn't help but take a few more glances.

"Xiang Qian, are you going out too?" Uncle He asked with a smile. He had obviously just returned from the market and his face was full of satisfaction.

Li Xiangqian nodded and replied with a smile: "Yes, I want to buy some peppers today and make some spicy dishes to eat."

"Chili pepper? That stuff is good, it stimulates appetite and enhances flavor." Uncle He seems to have a special liking for chili peppers. "I bought some too. I plan to go home and make some stir-fried pork with chili peppers today. Are you interested in coming to my house to try it?"

Li Xiangqian felt warm at heart after hearing this. Grandpa He has always been a warm-hearted person, especially to the young people living in the courtyard. But he didn't want to always eat at other people's expense. After all, the old man was old, and he had to be more sensible.

"Thank you, Uncle He, but I'd better go buy some myself. I just happen to want to cook some heavy-tasting dishes these days." Li Xiangqian declined Uncle He's invitation with a smile, trying his best to appear polite and decent.

Uncle He waved his hand and said with a smile, "Okay, go ahead. When you are not busy one day, come and sit with me."

"Okay." Li Xiangqian responded and watched Uncle He slowly walk into the yard. Then he quickly walked out of the courtyard and walked towards the market.

As he walked along the road, Li Xiangqian couldn't help but think of his life before he moved into the courtyard. At that time, life was simple and casual. He could buy whatever he wanted to eat without having to think too much. It was not like now, when neighbors frequently moved around and even buying food and cooking made him feel like he was being watched. Especially neighbors like Qin Huairu, who always appeared around him intentionally or unintentionally, made him feel an invisible pressure.

"She has been quieter recently." Li Xiangqian was secretly glad. Since he politely rejected Qin Huairu's kindness last time, she really didn't take the initiative to look for him again. Although she would still say hello when they met in the yard occasionally, her eyes lacked the tentative tenderness of the past and became more cold. Li Xiangqian didn't feel relieved about this, but instead had a subtle sense of loss. After all, Qin Huairu was a rare warm presence in the yard.

As he thought about these things, he walked quickly to the market. The market was crowded with people and noisy. Various small vendors were shouting, selling fruits, vegetables, fish and meat, each showing their best goods. The air was filled with a mixture of spices, vegetables and people, which made Li Xiangqian feel familiar and a little restless.

He walked to a vegetable stall and saw several baskets of bright red peppers, each of which was plump and bright, and seemed to be covered with dew. His eyes lit up immediately, and he thought that if these peppers were fried with pork belly, they would definitely go well with rice.

"Boss, how much is this pepper per pound?" Li Xiangqian asked casually, picked up a few, and took a look at the other vegetables.

"Young man, these peppers are very fresh. They were just picked from the field today. They are three dollars and fifty cents a pound, which is quite cheap." The stall owner greeted with a smile, obviously very confident in his own peppers.

Li Xiangqian nodded and weighed two kilograms of peppers, thinking that he could have a few spicy meals in the next few days. After picking the peppers, he bought some fresh garlic sprouts and potatoes next to the stall, and prepared to go back and make another dish of fried potatoes with garlic sprouts. The light taste with a hint of spicy fragrance can just balance the greasiness of the pork belly.

"Now we have something to eat." He was contentedly carrying a bag of vegetables, thinking about improving the food tonight. After returning to the courtyard, he planned to pack up the peppers and vegetables he bought as soon as he entered the door and prepare dinner early to avoid being too tired.

However, when he just stepped into the courtyard, he ran into Qin Huairu again. She was wearing a light-colored cotton shirt and holding a basket in her hand, and seemed to have just returned from a visit to her neighbor's house. When their eyes met, Li Xiangqian lowered his head unconsciously, feeling a little embarrassed.

"Xiang Qian, you bought a lot of things today?" Qin Huairu still had that faint smile on her face, and there wasn't much emotion in her tone.

"Well, I bought some peppers and vegetables and am going to go back and cook." Li Xiangqian didn't want to say much, so he just responded briefly, thinking about ending the conversation quickly.

Qin Huairu looked at the bag in his hand, nodded slightly, and then said casually: "It's been hot recently, and my children have poor appetites. The chili you bought is just right to stimulate their appetite."

Li Xiangqian listened to her words and felt alert. Although her words sounded harmless, he still felt a little uncomfortable. He didn't want to get too entangled with her, so he smiled and said, "Well, it's quite appetizing."

After saying this, he deliberately quickened his pace and walked towards his home. Qin Huairu stood there, watching him leave without saying anything more. After Li Xiangqian returned home, he put the bought dishes on the table, but his mood was a little complicated. He knew that he shouldn't be too cold to Qin Huairu, after all, she didn't do anything excessive, but the inexplicable feeling of uneasiness in his heart made him unable to relax.

"I have to stay calm and not get involved." Li Xiangqian warned himself. He didn't want the rumors in the courtyard to come back again. He knew very well how fast those aunts could talk.

Thinking about this, Li Xiangqian began to concentrate on preparing dinner. He cut the pepper into thin strips and the pork belly into thin slices. The oil in the pan slowly heated up, and an alluring aroma began to fill the air. While he was frying, he thought, maybe I should find an opportunity to make my attitude clear again to avoid similar embarrassment in the future.

Li Xiangqian sat on a small stool in the kitchen, listening to the crackling sound of the pot, and the aroma of the peppers and pork belly stir-fried slowly filled the whole hut. However, this strong aroma did not make him feel relaxed. Although his hands did not stop moving, his mind was in a mess. He always felt that this matter should not be publicized, especially in a place like this courtyard where news spreads quickly. Although the delicate relationship between Qin Huairu and him seemed to have cooled on the surface, the feeling of undercurrents always made him uneasy.