Siheyuan, integrating everything, cultivating the city

When we returned to the courtyard, it was already daybreak and the courtyard was gradually becoming lively. Auntie was lighting a fire in the kitchen, and the air was filled with the smell of firewood. Uncle Er was squatting in the corner of the courtyard repairing his old bicycle. When he saw Li Xiangqian coming in, he just glanced at him and didn't ask any more questions.

"I'm going back to my room." Li Xiangqian said to He Yuzhu and walked straight to where he lived. His mind was now full of how to get the shovel from Banggeng, and he didn't even bother to pay attention to He Yuzhu's mumbling complaints.

Back in the house, Li Xiangqian placed the bag in the corner and carefully checked it. He was relieved after confirming that there was no leakage. He sat on the edge of the bed, took out a cigarette, lit it, and took a slow puff, but his eyes fell on the direction of the stick on the opposite side.

"Bang Geng will definitely not easily agree to lend me the shovel." Li Xiangqian thought to himself, his eyes gradually becoming deeper. "But if I can really get it, use it for one night and then return it, he probably won't notice it."

He lowered his head and thought for a while, and suddenly remembered that Banggeng had recently become obsessed with marbles and seemed to be collecting beautiful glass balls everywhere. He happened to have a few glass marbles at home that he had picked up in his early years. Although he had never played with them much, they were still considered rare items.

"Exchange marbles for a shovel, maybe it will work." Li Xiangqian nodded secretly, and began to feel confident. He put down his cigarette butt, stood up, took out the marbles from the cabinet, put them in his pocket, and thought carefully about how to start the conversation.

It was almost noon, and Banggeng was squatting in the yard, drawing on the sand with a small wooden stick. Seeing Li Xiangqian approaching, he raised his head and looked at him warily: "Uncle Li, what do you want from me?"

Li Xiangqian smiled, took out a transparent glass marble from his pocket, and shook it in front of Banggeng: "I heard that you like to collect this, how about it, do you want it?"

Bang Geng's eyes lit up, but he pretended not to care: "What's so rare about this? I have plenty at home."

"Oh, really?" Li Xiangqian raised his eyebrows and took out another marble from his pocket. This marble had colorful patterns on it and was more beautiful than the previous one. He held the marble in his palm and said slowly, "Do you have this at home too?"

Banggeng could no longer hide his anger, staring at the marble, drooling. He stood up and asked tentatively, "Uncle Li, what are you going to do with this?"

"You can have it if you want, but I need your help with a small thing." Li Xiangqian took the marbles back into his palm, smiled slightly, and spoke in a calm tone.

"What help?" Bang Geng narrowed his eyes, as if trying to determine whether there was a trap hidden in the other party's words.

"It's very simple." Li Xiangqian whispered, "Lend me your shovel for one night, and I will return it to you tomorrow morning."

Banggeng frowned, obviously hesitant: "The shovel belongs to my father. If he knew that I lent it to someone else..."

"Don't worry, your dad won't know." Li Xiangqian interrupted him, his tone calm but with some confidence, "Besides, you only need to lend it to me for one night, and you can exchange it for these two marbles. It's a good deal."

Banggeng lowered his head and thought about it, with a trace of struggle in his eyes. Although he wanted the two marbles very much, he also knew that the shovel at home was not an ordinary thing. If he lost it or broke it, he would definitely be scolded.

"How is it?" Li Xiangqian looked at his expression and knew that his proposal had already shaken him, so he added calmly, "I promise that I won't damage it, and I won't let anyone know. If you are worried, you can come to my room and get it back in person."

Bang Geng was silent for a moment, and finally nodded: "Okay, but you have to keep your word and return it to me tomorrow morning!"

"It's a deal." Li Xiangqian showed a satisfied smile on his face and handed the marble to Bang Geng, "Deal done."

Banggeng took the marbles and held them in his palm, his eyes shining like stars. He turned and ran back to the house, and soon came out holding the shovel, carefully handing it to Li Xiangqian: "You hold it, don't let anyone see it."

Li Xiangqian held the shovel carefully and walked very slowly, as if he was thinking about every step, and countless thoughts seemed to be interweaving in his mind. He stared at the shovel in his hand, and couldn't help feeling a strange emotion in his heart. This shovel was not earned by him hard, and there was nothing to be happy about. It was just a tool to solve the current dilemma. But somehow, his eyes gradually became moist.

Deep in his heart, there was a long-suppressed feeling rising, as if all the exhaustion, anxiety, and even despair had finally found an outlet. Li Xiangqian lowered his head, forced himself to take a deep breath, and tried not to let his emotions explode. He had endured it for long enough during this period of time. Every day was like walking on a thin line. If he was not careful, he would fall into the abyss. And these days, he has been thinking about a question - what should they do to break through the current predicament?

Getting the shovel means that he can finally dig in a more efficient way, and perhaps complete the plan faster and find more food. But behind this, there are also more risks and pressures. Li Xiangqian understands that every choice is a gamble of life. Although he is not afraid of death, he knows that there are so many people behind him waiting for him to make the right decision and wait for him to lead everyone out of the predicament.

He stood in the yard and suddenly realized that his choice was not just for himself. Whenever he was busy on the land, he would always think of those who had children, wives, and even elderly parents at home. Their eyes were always so helpless and eager. It seemed that all he could do was to go further and more resolutely on this road.

The handle of the shovel was a little cold in his hand, and his fingers unconsciously clenched it tightly. Yes, the shovel is a tool, but behind it is everyone's hope.

A gust of wind blew by, and Li Xiangqian raised his head and looked at the still quiet scene in the courtyard. He thought silently in his heart: This family cannot fall.

He didn't think about it any more, but turned around and walked towards his hut. In the dim light in the room, he simply put the shovel in the corner, cleaned up the space around him, then sat down on the bed, gently buried his head in his hands, and closed his eyes.

Just then, there was a slight knock on the door.

Li Xiangqian frowned, stood up and walked over to open the door. Standing at the door was He Yuzhu, who looked a little strange.

"What happened?" Li Xiangqian asked directly, his voice a little low, and he became alert in an instant.