Siheyuan, integrating everything, cultivating the city

He knew that Qin Huairu was not the kind of person who gave up easily. Her eyes, tone, and those seemingly unintentional approaches made him realize that if he relaxed a little, he would probably be involved. This was not only about his relationship with her, but also about the rumors in the entire courtyard. Once these things were caught by the neighbors, the consequences would be uncontrollable.

"I have to keep this to myself." Li Xiangqian flipped the meat slices in the pot fiercely, weighing various possibilities in his mind. He was not the kind of person who liked to cause trouble for himself, and he had never thought of having an affair with anyone. Although he had some sympathy for Qin Huairu, he knew very well that if he allowed this unclear relationship to continue, the final result would only drag him into a vortex of trouble.

"Be more careful." He said to himself, but he didn't stop. The heat in the pot was just right, and the aroma of the chili and the fat of the pork belly were just right. Although the aroma was overflowing, he couldn't muster any appetite at the moment. Qin Huairu's affairs were like a stone pressing on his heart. Even if it was just an occasional encounter, he would feel an invisible pressure.

At this moment, there was a light knock on the door, breaking his brief meditation. Li Xiangqian's heart tightened, and his first reaction was - could it be Qin Huairu again? His heartbeat inexplicably accelerated. Although he knew he should stay calm, he immediately became anxious when he thought about having to face her complicated eyes and tenderness that was hard to refuse again.

He wiped his hands, tried to make his expression look natural, walked to the door and opened it. The person standing outside the door was not Qin Huairu, but his neighbor, Old Liu. He secretly breathed a sigh of relief, but then became nervous again. Old Liu was a "well-informed" person, and he knew almost everything about the yard. While Li Xiangqian greeted him, he wondered in his heart, did Old Liu come to see him today because he heard some rumors and came to inquire about the news?

"Xiang Qian, where's the stew?" Old Liu said with a smile, sniffing lightly, obviously attracted by the rich aroma. His face was full of a friendly smile, with a casual feeling between neighbors.

"Yes, I fried some pork belly with peppers and was getting ready to eat." Li Xiangqian forced a smile, but his heart was beating fast, fearing that Old Liu would suddenly ask him a question that would catch him off guard.

"Oh, I can smell this fragrance from far away." Old Liu narrowed his eyes, as if deliberately joking, "It smells so good, why don't you invite an old man like me to taste it with you?"

Li Xiangqian's heart tightened, but he still kept smiling. "Hey, if you really like it, I'll send some to you later, and you can try it."

"That's great!" Old Liu nodded with a smile, then changed the subject, narrowed his eyes slightly, and asked casually, "By the way, I saw Qin Huairu running towards you a few days ago. Is there something wrong? You two are pretty close."

As soon as the words fell, Li Xiangqian's back stiffened instantly. He had expected that someone would notice these things, but he didn't expect it to happen so soon. Old Liu's words seemed harmless, but the inquiry in them made Li Xiangqian's heart suddenly tense. He knew that if he didn't handle it carefully, this matter would probably be exaggerated into some "gossip news" and then spread quickly in the yard.

"Nothing." Li Xiangqian tried to make his voice sound more relaxed, and smiled nonchalantly, "Huai Ru just sent some food over. It's normal for neighbors to take care of each other in the yard."

Old Liu listened and nodded, but his eyes still had a bit of inquiry. "That's good, that's good." He said, not intending to stop there, "But, everyone in our yard is watching. You know, the widow Huairu has a special status, so you have to be more careful at ordinary times, otherwise if you accidentally let others misunderstand, it will not end well."

Li Xiangqian felt a little depressed, but he also knew that what Old Liu said was true. There were many people in the courtyard, and even if you did nothing, the fact that you were "close to them" was enough to make the neighbors imagine all kinds of bizarre plots.

"Yes, you are right. I will pay attention to it." Li Xiangqian nodded in agreement, but he became more determined in his heart about his previous idea - he must not let others see any clues about this matter, and he must try to avoid too much contact with Qin Huairu, otherwise, his life would definitely not be very peaceful.

Seeing his cautious attitude, Old Liu didn't say anything more, but just smiled and patted his shoulder. "Good boy, you know your limits. I'll wait for you to bring me some fried pork with chili!" After he said this, he turned and left.

Li Xiangqian watched Old Liu leave. When he returned to the kitchen, the pork belly in the pot had already been fried to a golden and shiny color, and the aroma was fragrant. But he had lost his appetite at this moment. Old Liu's words made him feel oppressed. Although the people in the yard seemed to be harmonious on the surface, everyone was silently observing the lives of others, especially the "special" relationship like his and Qin Huairu, which could become the topic of conversation for others at any time.

"I can't do this any longer." Li Xiangqian said to himself, picking up the spatula and stirring the food vigorously a few times, as if to vent his frustration.

During the meal, he sat alone at the table. There were a variety of dishes on the table, and the pepper pork belly exuded an alluring aroma, but he had no appetite. The inexplicable pressure in his heart made it impossible for him to concentrate on enjoying the food. He knew that today's test by Old Liu was just the beginning, and there would be more eyes staring at him in the future, and there might even be direct inquiries and speculations.

He had to find a way to completely solve this hidden danger, otherwise, his simple life of growing onions would be disrupted sooner or later. The people in the yard seemed to be busy with their own things, but in this closed environment, everyone was full of curiosity and speculation about other people's lives. The more he seemed to care less, the more suspicious others might be.

After finishing his meal, Li Xiangqian sat at the table, looking at the empty kitchen, and gradually formed a vague plan in his mind. He could no longer let this ambiguous state continue, he had to take the initiative and find a way to completely cut off other people's associations between him and Qin Huairu.

"This matter must not be publicized." He warned himself again. He thought, maybe he could find an opportunity to talk to Qin Huairu face to face, explain his thoughts thoroughly, and let her understand that continuing like this would not benefit anyone. Qin Huairu was a smart person and should be able to understand what he meant.