My name is Sun Li, I am 23 years old, and I am a post-90s young man who works in an Internet company after graduating from university.
He came to my city to study at university after the college entrance examination, and I am very happy to help take care of his life.
Soon after the start of school, my brother-in-law called me to tell me that he had decided to live on campus and would not live with me.
"Brother-in-law, it will be very convenient for you to live with me, and you can save a lot of living expenses." I persuaded him.
"Thank you, brother, but I want to live in my own dormitory and live with other students, which is a valuable experience in college.
The brother-in-law's tone was decisive.
I knew his need to grow up, so I respected his choice and let him live in school. In order to take care of my brother-in-law's life, I still send him a little living expenses every month.
Time passed quickly, and in the blink of an eye, my brother-in-law was already in his sophomore year. I was at work that day when I suddenly received a call from him.
"Hey, brother-in-law, what's going on?" I picked up the phone.
"Brother. That is true. It seems that I can't pay my tuition this semester. The brother-in-law's tone was full of hesitation and embarrassment.
I was surprised that my brother-in-law had always been very self-disciplined, and my parents were well prepared for living expenses, and I had never mentioned the issue of money before.
"What's going on? Is there any difficulty at home? I asked with concern.
"No, it's just that there are some temporary changes, and it is not convenient for me to explain it here." Brother, can you lend me 50,000 yuan first, and I can solve the tuition and living expenses for this semester.
The brother-in-law's tone was full of pleading.
I know that my brother-in-law is a down-to-earth and studious child, and his living expenses are usually given by his parents, so he is not very good at spending money indiscriminately.
After much deliberation, I decided to lend him first so that his studies would not be affected.
"Well, brother-in-law, I believe you must have encountered difficulties. My side will go to withdraw the money tomorrow, and it will be delivered to your dormitory in the evening.
"Know know, brother, thank you! I promise to make the right choice and never fail to live up to your help. I will definitely pay you back when the time comes.
The next day, I took half a day off, went to the bank to withdraw 50,000 cash, and then drove to my brother-in-law's university.
"Brother-in-law, how are you doing? Have you encountered any difficulties, can you tell me about it? I asked with concern.
"Brother, I'm fine, you give me this money to help a lot!" He replied with a smile, seemingly deliberately avoiding my question.
"Okay, if you need anything, just tell me. This is 50,000 pieces, count carefully, don't lose it. "I handed him the money.
"Thank you brother!" He counts the money happily with a smile on his face.
I told him to use the money carefully and not to live up to my good intentions, and he enthusiastically said that he would make the right choice.
One day, I met my brother-in-law in the mall. He didn't see me, so he wandered around and looked around, entering luxury stores from time to time, and then coming out with several shopping bags.
This further confirmed my suspicion that my brother-in-law had spent a lot of the money I had given, and not at all on essential supplies.
Seeing this, I was very worried and angry. Because I know my brother-in-law's family situation and know that he has always been very frugal, such lavish consumption is definitely not normal.
The next day, I asked my brother-in-law to eat at the restaurant I frequented and ordered his favorite dish. When he arrived, I smiled and persuaded him to eat, and then pretended to ask casually: "By the way, how did you use the money you borrowed from you last time?" Have all the tuition fees been paid? ”。
When he heard me ask this, he immediately looked embarrassed, and he didn't answer my question for a long time. I knew that things were really not simple, and immediately pressed him seriously: "Brother-in-law, tell me the truth, where did all the money go?" What's going on with you lately, fooling around all day and not studying? ”。
When pressed by me, my brother-in-law showed a painful expression on his face, and he lowered his head, as if he was engaged in a fierce struggle with himself.
After a long time, he suddenly raised his head and said with red eyes: "Brother, I'm sorry, I deceived you." That money, I didn't pay the tuition at all, all took it to pay off the debt.
"Pay off debts? Who do you borrow money from and need to pay it off in such a hurry? I asked in surprise.
The brother-in-law hesitated for a long time, and finally confessed: "It's a gambling debt." Last month I met a couple of bad friends and followed them to underground casinos.
Not only that, I was so excited that I also borrowed 30,000 usury from them, intending to win back the capital and repay them. Who knows that in the end, if I lose everything, I must pay off my gambling debts within 3 days, otherwise they will find someone to beat me.
I heard that I was already angry here, and slammed the table: "Ma Xiaoming! How many times have I told you to stay away from gambling and it will only ruin your future! Why don't you listen! ”
"I'm sorry brother, I really know it's wrong. I promise you that I will never gamble again, I will study honestly in the future, strive to find a good job, pay off the money you borrowed, you give me a chance! The brother-in-law begged.
I was silent for a long time, I really couldn't tolerate my brother-in-law's behavior, but I couldn't bear to criticize him for a while.
"Okay, stay away from those friends in the future, I will observe your performance for a while, if you still don't accept it, I can only cut off contact with you."
After that, I watched my brother-in-law fearfully, fearing that he would go astray again. To my disappointment, however, he had no intention of repenting at all.
I couldn't bear it anymore and called him directly to scold him, but he just perfunctorily said that he was young and it was normal to relax occasionally.
"Brother-in-law, I will give you one last chance, if you deal with it so passively, we will have to break off the relationship!" I'm afraid you'll really go astray and ruin your own future! I said to him seriously.
"Okay, okay, know you're for my good. I'll cancel my card and don't go to those places. He replied perfunctorily.
I know that he simply did not recognize the seriousness of the problem, and this attitude is incurable. I could only choose to completely cut ties with him and stop letting him drag down my life.
I believe that blood is thicker than water, and he will see the light of day.
"Hello, is it Mr. Sun Li?" On the other end of the line was the voice of a strange woman.
"I am, you are?" I asked warily.
"Hello Mr. Sun, I am Li Hui, a classmate of Ma Xiaoming. He gave me your number and asked me to contact you. ”
"What's wrong with him?" An ominous premonition rose in my heart.
"That's right, Xiaoming owes some usury, and now the creditor comes to collect the debt, if he can't pay 500,000 within 3 days, the other party will plot against him."
Li Hui explained.
When I heard her say this, I immediately understood that my brother-in-law had fallen into the abyss of gambling debts again, and now his life and safety were threatened.
But this time such a large amount of money was involved, and it was beyond my ability.
"You tell him, I do my best. But 500,000 is not a small number, and I can't solve it all at once. I said heavily.
"Okay Mr. Sun, I will tell him, thank you!" The girl hurriedly said.
Although my brother-in-law disappointed me, I still cared about him after all and could not bear to see him suffer. After much deliberation, I decided the next day to meet with the loan sharks to see if I could discuss other solutions.
Through a friend's introduction, I finally met the loan shark leader. After a long period of haggling, we finally reached an agreement to use 300,000 yuan plus one of my properties as a mortgage to get my brother-in-law out of danger.
Afterwards, I went to the hospital to visit my injured brother-in-law. He was in a cast on both legs and lying on a hospital bed. When he saw me coming, he cried bitterly and kept apologizing to me, saying that he really knew that he was wrong and must be a new person.
I told him solemnly that this was his last chance to stay away from gambling and improper behavior in the future.
After being discharged from the hospital, I regularly followed his recovery and changes in his mentality. He seemed genuinely frightened, never dabbled in gambling again, and went back to school, studying diligently.
Blood is thicker than water, and I will watch him until he grows up and learns to forgive and be grateful.
After my brother-in-law was discharged from the hospital, I often saw photos of his self-study in study groups and of falling asleep in the library.
One day, he suddenly called me: "Hey, brother-in-law, what's going on?" ”
"Brother, I just received a part-time job, I can go to the restaurant to wash dishes during the winter vacation to make money, I want to ask you if you can borrow my first period of living expenses, I will work hard, and then slowly pay you back."
I was silent for a while, but finally agreed: "Well, I'm sure you won't waste money this time."
"Got it, brother! I will definitely work hard! The brother-in-law said excitedly.
During the winter vacation, my brother-in-law worked diligently to wash dishes in the restaurant, and although the work was hard, he never complained and reported to me every day.
In this way, time passed day by day, and my brother-in-law gradually changed from an immature college student to a down-to-earth youth.
One day, he called excitedly and said he had found a programming job with a good salary. I listened to it with a heartfelt pride and joy for him.
"Brother-in-law, congratulations on finding a good job! It's all the result of your efforts. ”
"Brother, I will definitely work hard and pay off the money I owe you as soon as possible. Also, I'm really grateful that you never gave up believing in me that I finally didn't ruin my life.
I smiled with relief. He finally grew up, and I learned to forgive and be grateful. There is still a long way to go, and I will continue to support him as always until we are all old.
After my brother-in-law found a programming job, I could feel that he had matured a lot. He no longer plays games all day, he works hard to earn money, and he contacts me regularly to report on the situation.
"Brother-in-law, congratulations on getting the bonus, which shows that the company values your ability to work." I said happily.
"Yes, I want to take out part of the bonus this time, and first repay the money you borrowed me before." The brother-in-law said.
I thought for a while: "Don't rush to pay me back, you save the money first, don't work too hard at ordinary times, take care of your body."
"Well, knowing my brother-in-law, I'll pay attention. By the way, I recently met a girlfriend, who is also a programmer, and she is very human.
The brother-in-law said a little shyly.
"Okay, I have time to bring her to the house." I said with a smile.
After a while, my brother-in-law brought his girlfriend Xiaofang to my house as promised. I see that Xiaofang is very temperamental and takes care of her brother-in-law, and I am very pleased to know that my brother-in-law has found a good partner.
"Brother, this is the engagement ring I am going to give to Xiaofang, how do you see the style?" He handed me the ring box.
When I opened it, the ring was very beautiful, and I patted him on the shoulder excitedly: "Brother-in-law, I am happy for you!" You have such a good relationship, go and propose.
A month later, my brother-in-law excitedly told me that Xiaofang gladly accepted his marriage proposal. I'm really happy for him.
To err is human. But it is important to turn back in time and have the courage to correct mistakes. My relationship with my brother-in-law broke down for a while, but it was eventually repaired.
I also looked away and learned to forgive his mistakes.
In the days that followed, I would meet regularly with his family and occasionally help look after his children. Every month, he will also remit the loan on time.
I know that he has completely come out of the shadows and truly grown up. I wish him the best in his future life and never repeat the same mistakes.
Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, the children of my brother-in-law and Xiaofang grew up and created their own families.
One day, my brother-in-law excitedly videoed me that he was ready to retire, bought an RV, and wanted to travel the country. I laughed and teased that he was finally going to the age of wandering.
"Haha, yes, after working all my life, it's time to enjoy life. Brother, I have paid off all the debts I owe you before, and I really thank you very much for reaching out when I was most difficult, and I have to thank you all in my life.
"Brother-in-law, you can get back on track all by yourself, I just gave you a little support and encouragement.
I said with a smile.
Hanging up the phone, I couldn't help but fall into memories and emotion. When we were young, we all acted recklessly, but we still went through those detours and turned back.
The wounds of the past have healed, leaving only healing scars, reminding us not to forget the past.
Later, I retired at home, occasionally going out for walks, reading, and traveling. Most of the time I was writing memoirs, documenting the story of my brother-in-law and me.
The joys and sorrows of those youthful years have become valuable treasures in my life.
I also sent my brother-in-law a copy of this memoir. Soon after, I was delighted to hear from him.
He said the experience had a huge impact on him and completely changed the trajectory of his life. He thanked me for my tolerance and gave him the opportunity to regain his strength.
After reading the letter, I also evoked the strings of memory. Those bits and pieces of grief and joy are turned into a fugue of life, with rhythms and ups and downs, forming the most beautiful music in life.
My brother-in-law came into my life, we supported each other, and finally walked through the storm and came to the other side of life.
I know my mission is complete. When my brother-in-law grew up, I also learned to forgive. This is already the best result.