Siheyuan, integrating everything, cultivating the city

In this way, you can avoid escalating the matter and also let go of the stone that is weighing on your chest.

As he thought about this, he gradually calmed down. Although he knew that this matter was not that simple, at least he had a preliminary plan. In the next few days, Li Xiangqian decided to temporarily avoid Qin Huairu and not give anyone the opportunity to make up stories. Then he would find a suitable time to have a good talk with her.

The sound of rain outside the window gradually increased. The big raindrops hit the eaves, making a "pa pa" sound, like an unexpected knock, which made the whole yard suddenly quiet. Li Xiangqian sat at the table, holding a coarse porcelain teacup in his hand. The slightly cold cup turned in his palm, and the dull feeling in his heart became stronger with the sound of rain.

He suddenly felt empty in his heart, and thought of home unconsciously, that warm place. Although the courtyard is where he lives now, it is different from the feeling of "home" after all. Whenever he calms down, especially on rainy nights like this, the shadow of home is particularly clear, as if a thread is pulling at his thoughts.

Li Xiangqian sighed softly, thinking that he hadn't been home for a long time. His parents' advice, the familiar atmosphere at home, and the warmth from the bones seemed to be a little distant. During this period, he had been tied up by the trivial matters in the yard, and his mind was focused on how to deal with these complicated interpersonal relationships. Even the idea of ​​going home to visit was suppressed.

He looked up at the window. The rain was getting heavier. Lightning flashed across the night sky from time to time, followed by thunder. Li Xiangqian tapped his fingers lightly on the table. He felt a strong desire to pack up his things immediately, leave this place that made him feel oppressed, and return to the home where he could truly relax.

"This rain really came suddenly." He whispered to himself, his eyes a little vague. He knew that he would definitely not be able to go home tonight. The rain outside was too heavy, and it was already late at night. Even if he wanted to go home, it was not the right time. But the homesickness became stronger in the sound of the rain, as if it had been suppressed for too long, and once there was a chance, it could no longer be suppressed.

"Perhaps, I should find some time to go back." Li Xiangqian thought to himself, and his mother's busy figure and his father's face, which was always serious but concerned, appeared in front of him. Their instructions, concerns, and small talk about family matters, although seemingly ordinary, always brought him comfort when he was in a complicated mood.

"But, I'm afraid it's not appropriate to go back now." He thought, while raising his hand to wipe the non-existent sweat on his forehead, his heart was full of entanglement. He knew that the things in the courtyard had not been completely resolved, especially the ambiguous relationship with Qin Huairu. Although he had made up his mind to draw a clear line, things would not go so smoothly for a while.

He knew very well that this courtyard was a place with hidden dangers. Even if you didn't cause trouble, trouble would come to you. If he suddenly went home at this time and didn't know when he would come back, the people in the courtyard would probably make wild guesses, and it would be even more difficult to control the situation.

Just as he was immersed in his thoughts, he suddenly heard a light knock on the door. The sound was a little faint in the rain, but it was clearly heard by his ears.

"Who would come so late?" He frowned, and several possible candidates immediately emerged in his mind. The most direct one is Qin Huairu. She has always been a bold person. Although he has deliberately avoided her in the past few days, this woman is obviously not someone who gives up easily. Another possibility is other neighbors in the yard, perhaps they are bored on a rainy night and come to visit.

He stood up, feeling a little uneasy. Although the knocks on the door were not urgent, they always made people feel a little abrupt and depressing at such a night. When he reached the door, he paused, took a deep breath, tried to relax himself, and then opened the door.

Sure enough, it was Qin Huairu standing outside the door. Her hair was a little messy, with rain dripping down the ends of her hair. The old windbreaker she was wearing was soaked and stuck to her body, making her look a little embarrassed.

"Why are you out in such heavy rain?" Li Xiangqian frowned, his tone full of obvious reproach.

Qin Huairu did not answer immediately. She lowered her head and pursed her lips, as if she was thinking about something. After a moment, she said softly, "I... I just came to see you because I was worried that something happened at home."

This sounded natural, but Li Xiangqian immediately became alert. She obviously came not just to see if he was okay. Her eyes were a little hesitant, as if she wanted to say something but didn't dare to speak. Li Xiangqian didn't want to cause any more trouble, so he could only respond vaguely: "I'm fine, Huairu, you're not in good health, you can't stand the rain, go back quickly."

As he spoke, he subconsciously took a step back, as if he wanted to distance himself from her. However, Qin Huairu did not mean to leave. Instead, he sighed softly and said, "Go forward, I have something to tell you...really."

Li Xiangqian's heart sank. This was the moment he feared the most. He knew that if Qin Huairu wanted to say something to him, it would definitely not be just a few simple words. What was worse was that at this time and on this rainy night, she chose to come to him, which in itself revealed an unusual meaning.

He hesitated for a moment, but in the end he couldn't refuse directly. After all, everyone in the courtyard knew Qin Huairu's situation. She was a woman with a child, and life was not easy. If he drove her away with a cold face at this time, it would seem that he was too ruthless. So he slightly turned his body and whispered, "Okay, come in and sit for a while, it's raining too hard outside."

Qin Huairu nodded and stepped into the house gently. Li Xiangqian closed the door, turned around and poured her a cup of hot water. When she took the cup, her hands trembled slightly, obviously frozen by the cold wind and rain.

"Huai Ru, just say whatever you want to say." Li Xiangqian sat back at the table, looking at her calmly, trying to use a calm tone to guide her to quickly explain her purpose.

Qin Huairu bit her lip, hesitated for a moment, and then slowly spoke: "Xiang Qian, I know you have been avoiding me recently... Actually, I don't mean to do anything. It's just that I feel uncomfortable listening to the gossips of those people in the yard. You also know that it's not easy for me, a woman with a child..."