Siheyuan, integrating everything, cultivating the city

I can only make a choice to save some food, at least to sustain for a while." Her eyes were full of helplessness, "You know, in this place, no one can stay out of trouble."

Li Xiangqian's heart was shaken. Qin Huairu's words made him feel a heavy sense of oppression, as if there was an untouchable truth behind them. Although her words seemed to be for everyone's good, he had an indescribable feeling in his heart: Qin Huairu did not fully trust him, or in other words, her choice had put her in a bigger dilemma and she could not extricate herself.

In silence, Li Xiangqian took a deep breath, and the doubts in his heart became stronger. The wind whistled again, bringing a cold chill, and Li Xiangqian couldn't help but shiver. He stood straight, as if trying to digest Qin Huairu's words, but he couldn't ignore the indescribable feeling of oppression.

"Do you really think that hiding these foods can solve the problem?" He finally spoke, his tone still low and with a hint of barely perceptible anger, "Do you think everyone can survive by relying on this method?"

Qin Huairu lowered her head, seemingly unable to answer. Her eyes were dim, as if she was bearing an unbearable burden. Li Xiangqian knew that at this moment, her heart might be more painful than his own.

The wind blew the dead branches in the yard, with an invisible force, as if reminding Li Xiangqian: on this cold night, all choices are full of uncertainty and crisis. He felt a sharp pain in his heart, and then turned around and decided to ask the second uncle for clarification.

Li Xiangqian stood on the stone road in the yard, the wind was like a knife, cutting across his cheeks. He tightened the collar of his coat, but still felt a bone-chilling chill. The thoughts in his heart seemed to be blown colder and more chaotic by the cold wind, complicated and layered, and he couldn't sort them out at all. He knew what he should do at the moment, but he couldn't act immediately. He needed time to think and sort out these complicated situations.

"Now I can only think about it." Li Xiangqian repeated this sentence silently in his heart, staring at the dark night outside the courtyard gate. He knew very well that what he was facing was not only the poverty and food shortage in front of him, but also the secrets and unknown intentions in the hearts of those people. There is a story behind everyone, and behind every decision there may be motives that others cannot detect. Qin Huairu's surface calmness could not cover up her inner uneasiness, and the mysterious behavior of the second uncle made him even more suspicious.

He suddenly felt like he was walking in the dark. Although there was some faint light around him, it could not illuminate the road ahead, nor could it dispel the panic and confusion in his heart. Every step he took seemed to be taking an uncertain step. Li Xiangqian knew that if he did not grasp the key, all his efforts might be like a mirage, which would dissipate at the touch of a button.

"What Qin Huairu said is not entirely true." Li Xiangqian silently analyzed in his heart. He did not know her well. Although he always thought she was trustworthy, judging from her performance today, her behavior had made him doubt her. Her fear and concealment not only made him unable to fully trust her, but also made him more alert.

Li Xiangqian closed his eyes tightly, and countless images flashed through his mind. Everything seemed to be presented in a complex network in his mind. He could not ignore the suggestive words of the second uncle, Qin Huairu's sudden silence, and his instinctive reaction to this situation - something was happening quietly, beyond his control. He suddenly realized that all choices might affect the future situation.

"If it's a food problem, then it's not just us who are involved, maybe there are others involved as well." Li Xiangqian muttered to himself, staring at the empty night outside the courtyard. What he needed most now was time, but time was too precious to waste.

He turned around, returned to the hut, and sat on the bed. The shovel was quietly placed in the corner, like a silent witness, quietly reminding him that no matter what, the most important task at the moment was still to find more food.

Li Xiangqian sighed deeply, and the heaviness in his heart swept over him again. To change the situation, he must find a clear path. But where is that path? He knew that the land he was standing on at the moment was no longer as simple as just looking for food. Every choice was full of invisible dangers. And how should he face it?

"No more delay." Li Xiangqian clenched his fists and suddenly had a clear determination. Whether it was Qin Huairu, the second master, or anyone else, they could not become obstacles for him to move forward. He had to find more food and protect himself and the people around him.

He stood up, walked to the window and pushed it open. The wind whistled in from outside, carrying a hint of earthy smell, blowing gently on his face. Li Xiangqian stared into the distance, with an uneasy force surging in his heart. He knew that he could no longer maintain his usual calmness. These changes were too rapid, bringing him tremendous pressure, but he had no choice.

"If there really is betrayal, what should I do if I know about it?" He thought to himself with a deep look in his eyes.

In his mind, scenes began to swirl. Every night, the courtyard was always unusually quiet, and the air seemed to carry a heavy pressure. In such a closed environment, everyone's worries were suppressed and had nowhere to vent. Li Xiangqian knew that he needed someone to trust, but Qin Huairu's silence and the mystery of the second uncle made him feel lonely.

He couldn't wait any longer. He began to look around and analyze every detail. Li Xiangqian dared not ignore any factors that might affect the situation. The plan in his mind had begun to take shape, and every action needed to be precise and decisive.

The wind was still blowing fiercely, and Li Xiangqian knew that he could not delay any longer. Every minute and every second was forcing him to make a choice.

He took a deep breath again, turned around and walked out of the house. This time, he was no longer hesitant, but had a firm determination. He knew that he had to face the coming conflict, no matter what form it took.

When Li Xiangqian walked out of the yard, the night had deepened. There was a damp smell in the air, as if it would rain tomorrow. The wind blew across the dry land, and the dust pierced his skin with a biting chill. Li Xiangqian could not help but tighten his collar. In his mind, he no longer had Qin Huairu's elusive expression or the mysterious words of the second master. In his heart, he was filled with the thought that kept lingering in his mind - his neighbors coveted his food.