Siheyuan, integrating everything, cultivating the city

"Xiang Qian, stop pretending, I know you are here." He Yuzhu said again, with a hint of helplessness and pride in his voice.

Li Xiangqian then realized that He Yuzhu had probably noticed something. It seemed pointless to continue hiding, but he was still a little hesitant. He didn't want his actions to be known to more people, especially those in the hospital who still had high hopes for him. If He Yuzhu went back and said something wrong, the consequences might be more complicated.

After a long while, he finally gritted his teeth, slowly stood up from the bushes, patted the dirt on his body, and his expression was a little stiff: "Yuzhu, why are you here too?"

"What's the matter?" He Yuzhu raised his eyebrows, put his hands on his hips, and looked righteous. "It's because you always come out in the middle of the night, acting mysteriously. I feel uneasy, so I followed you to see what's going on. Tell me, what are you doing?"

Li Xiangqian did not answer immediately, but looked down at the grass that he had trampled under his feet, as if he was organizing his words. His hands were shaking slightly, and a mixture of nervousness and uneasiness surged into his heart. He knew he had to say something, but at the same time he felt that he did not have enough reasons to explain his behavior during this period.

"Nothing, just... came out to look for something." His voice was so low that it was almost inaudible, and his eyes did not meet He Yuzhu's.

"Looking for something?" He Yuzhu snorted coldly, his tone showing disbelief, "Do you think I'm a three-year-old child? Let me see what's in your bag."

Li Xiangqian subconsciously took a step back, holding the bag tightly in his hands, as if protecting something precious. His lips moved, but he said nothing.

Seeing this, He Yuzhu sighed and softened his tone: "Xiang Qian, I don't mean to embarrass you. There are so many people in our courtyard, and it's not easy to get by together. You always do these things alone, and it's fine if others don't know, but now that I know, can I not ask about it in my heart?"

This made Li Xiangqian feel a pang in his heart. He knew that He Yuzhu was right, but the difficulties during this period of time taught him a truth: some things can be done, but they cannot be done once they are said. He raised his head and looked straight at He Yuzhu, with a hint of stubbornness in his eyes: "Yuzhu, I want to ask you for a favor."

"You say." He Yuzhu frowned, as if he had noticed something.

"Don't tell anyone in the hospital about what happened tonight. Just pretend you didn't see anything, okay?" There was a hint of pleading in Li Xiangqian's tone, but more of it was a heavy stubbornness.

He Yuzhu was stunned for a moment. He didn't expect Li Xiangqian to say that. He stared at the other person's face for a long time, trying to see something from that thin face, but in the end, he only saw fatigue and determination. He was silent for a moment, and finally nodded: "Okay, I promise you. But you have to promise me that no matter what you are doing, you have to be careful and don't get yourself involved."

Li Xiangqian breathed a sigh of relief, and his expression relaxed a little. He nodded to He Yuzhu and whispered, "Thank you." Then he bent down, put the things on the ground back into the bag, and turned to walk towards the village.

When Li Xiangqian returned to the courtyard, the sky was just beginning to turn pale. The courtyard was still quiet, with only a few clear bird calls piercing the morning air. He pushed open the gate carefully, trying to walk as lightly as possible, for fear of waking up the sleeping neighbors. However, just as he gently closed the door and prepared to return to his room, a low but intimidating voice came from the corner.

"Xiang Qian, where have you been so early in the morning?"

Li Xiangqian paused, his steps stopped in mid-air, and his hands subconsciously clenched the cloth bag. He turned around and saw a familiar figure sitting on a stone bench near the jujube tree in the yard. The man was holding a bowl of steaming coarse grain porridge, and his eyes fell on him calmly.

Yes, uncle.

Li Xiangqian's heart skipped a beat, and beads of sweat appeared on his forehead. He didn't expect that the old man had gotten up so early, and even sat here as if waiting for him. He tried to calm down and make his voice sound calmer: "Uncle, you got up so early?"

"I'm old and I don't sleep well." The old man took a sip of porridge slowly, his expression was calm, but his deep eyes seemed to see through everything. He glanced at the cloth bag in Li Xiangqian's hand and asked meaningfully, "What about you? You're carrying something in your hands so early in the morning. Where did you come from?"

Li Xiangqian felt nervous, but pretended to be relaxed: "I didn't go anywhere, I just went out for a walk and found something to eat."

"Oh?" The old man put the bowl on the stone table, straightened up, and looked more sharp. "You went out to look for food so early in the morning. You are quite diligent. What good things did you find? Bring them out so I can see them."

Li Xiangqian instinctively took a step back and held the bag tighter in his hand. He knew that if the old man saw the scattered tubers and grass roots inside, he would probably interrogate him again. But now, he had no way out and had to bite the bullet and explain: "It's nothing, just some wild vegetable roots, as long as they are edible. You see, this is not the first time."

After listening to this, the old man was silent for a moment. He did not ask any more questions, but slowly stood up, walked in front of Li Xiangqian, and looked straight at him: "Xiangqian, you are always not in the yard at night these days, are you worried about something?"

Li Xiangqian was stunned when he heard this. He didn't expect the old man to be so direct. He opened his mouth to deny it, but found that the old man's unquestionable eyes were suffocating him.

"Uncle, it's nothing." Li Xiangqian lowered his head, his voice a little hoarse, "I just can't sit still, and I want to find something to eat. Life is not easy at home, you know."

"I know you're having a hard time, and I know you're capable of taking on responsibilities." The old man sighed, patted Li Xiangqian on the shoulder, and said with some concern, "But Xiangqian, sometimes people live not only for themselves, but also for the people around them. If you work hard alone and others see it, you'll feel even worse."

This sentence shocked Li Xiangqian. He raised his head suddenly, but found that there was no blame in the old man's eyes, only deep understanding and worry. At that moment, an indescribable complex emotion surged in his heart - guilt, gratitude, and a little tired. He opened his mouth, and finally whispered: "Uncle, I don't think so much, I just feel that... It's not easy for the people in the hospital. I will do whatever I can."