I, Zhang Lan, am sixty years old this year, and as an ordinary retired worker, my life can be said to be very simple and boring.
My husband has long passed away, and the children have all started their own families, leaving me to live alone in the old house.
In fact, what I am most afraid of as a person is loneliness and loneliness. Eating alone at night, lying in a deserted room, my heart is empty, and I always feel that something is missing.
From time to time, I yearn for my son's home. His son Zhang Ming is married and has children, and has a lively big family.
I thought, how nice it would be to live with them!
When I used to work, my wife and I bought a house close to my unit, so I lived on the outskirts of the city and never thought about my sons and them.
Finally, the day of retirement has come. After completing the formalities, I called my son excitedly and said that I would move in with him tonight.
When I arrived at my son's house, I was so happy. My daughter-in-law welcomed me warmly for dinner and prepared a clean room for me.
In the evening, the family sat in front of the TV and watched the program, laughing continuously.
I thought to myself, this is the life I dreamed of. Reuniting with your family, eating hot meals, is no longer a cold bedroom alone.
After moving to my son's house, I suddenly had a lot of free time. I don't have to go to work every day, I don't have to do housework specifically, I have my daughter-in-law to take care of it.
I remembered that I still had an empty house on the outskirts of the city, so I came up with the idea of renting it out. The house is also empty, it is better to rent it to others, I can also earn some extra money, which is also a way to pass the time.
So I found a real estate agent, gave them information and photos of the house, and asked them to help find tenants.
At first, the agent often called me and said that someone came to see the house, and I was not satisfied after seeing the other party. For example, there was a young guy with colorful hair, dressed very casually, and was rude when he spoke to me.
I didn't expect renting a house to be so difficult, and I started to get a little anxious. Not only was the house empty, but I also needed that extra income.
Just as I was about to give up, the agent called and said that an elderly couple wanted to come to see the house, and they were very sincere and wanted me to meet him.
Hearing her say this, I also had a point in my heart, so I agreed to go to the appointment. Sure enough, after seeing it, I decided to rent the house to them.
They said that their old house in the countryside had been requisitioned and demolished, and that they were building a new house, and that they needed to rent a house temporarily.
After the two parties reached an agreement, they went to the housing agency together to sign the contract. I gave the house keys to Uncle Wang and Aunt Li and told them to keep the house tidy.
I left the agency feeling heartwarmed and happy that I had finally found the right tenant. Now I also have a little income, time has fallen, and life has suddenly become rich.
Just a few months after renting out, I received a phone call that shocked and angered me.
At ten o'clock that night, Uncle Wang called, his voice choked, saying that his wife Aunt Li had died suddenly.
Uncle Wang said that Aunt Li was fine before going to bed at night, but when he woke up in the early morning, he found that Aunt Li was no longer breathing.
I immediately reproached Uncle Wang, saying that they were already old to this age, how could they still rent a house, and some feng shui customs they didn't understand? When a person dies in someone else's house, it will be difficult for the house to sell for a good price in the future.
Uncle Wang apologized again and again, to be really sorry, he didn't expect this to happen. I was still very angry when I heard this, and bluntly said that the house would be difficult to deal with in this way, how do you plan to compensate me?.
Uncle Wang said that he understood my feelings and would give me a satisfactory answer to solve this problem, but it would take some time to deal with his wife's affairs, and hoped that I could understand.
After venting, I calmed down and thought about it carefully, feeling that I seemed to be a little too much just now, losing my partner is a very sad thing, and I should not add fuel to the fire.
Maybe I should be partly responsible, after all, I also agreed to rent the house to the elderly. I should have expected that birth, old age, illness and death were commonplace, and there should not be such a big reaction.
A few days later, Uncle Wang arrived as promised, and brought a bank card. I was a little surprised and didn't know what he was going to do.
My heart was so excited. It turned out that Uncle Wang was such a noble person, even if he suffered such a great misfortune, he first thought of how to compensate others.
It is shameful that a kind old man has an unfortunate accident, but I only think about the loss of my own interests.
Looking at Uncle Wang's face full of sincere expectation, I plucked up the courage to refuse his kindness. I said, I shouldn't blame you for the house in the first place, you don't need to give me any compensation.
I am so grateful for the lessons you have taught me and made me reflect on my mistakes.
Uncle Wang repeatedly thanked me for my understanding and insisted on giving me a small sum of money as rent. I looked at his departing back and once again lamented his kindness and wisdom.
After this incident, I thought about it again and again and realized a lot.
I began to look at some of my old habits and perceptions. For example, the so-called "feng shui taboos" I insisted on before seem a little out of place in the current environment.
I remember when I was a child, an old lady in the village passed away at her son's house, and the whole village was rumored that the house was unlucky and it was difficult to sell in the end.
I should not blame others for their misfortune because of momentary superstition.
And my previous narrow thinking, which also needs to be reflected. In the most difficult times, a person needs help and support from others, not just to blame.
This society needs more tolerance and humanity, not calculation.
This incident made me realize that birth, old age, illness and death are natural laws, and I should not comment and be surprised. It is important to cherish the present, learn more about others, and put yourself in their shoes.
I am determined to live a more humane and warm life in the future. Care for those around you who need help and give them support.
I also have to learn tolerance and compassion, and touch those around me with kindness.
When I truly reconcile with the world, I think I will be able to live a meaningful life. I will keep in mind Uncle Wang's good deeds and follow his example to become a better person.
Uncle Wang has been living in my old house ever since. I often visit him and feel that his life alone is simple, but it is also lively.
He cleaned my house very clean and tidy and took good care of every corner. When I saw this, I knew what a responsible person he was.
Once I went to visit him and saw a lot of fruits and vegetables growing in the yard. Uncle Wang said with a smile that his wife used to like growing vegetables the most, so he came to take care of these seedlings, and felt that his wife was still by his side.
Uncle Wang also often came to my son's house to sit. He always brought the fruits and vegetables he grew in the yard and told us to eat them well.
A few days ago, Uncle Wang suddenly told me that the construction team said that his new house was almost completed and he could move back to the countryside immediately.
But Uncle Wang said he already regarded me as his relative. In the future, no matter what difficulties I encounter, I can go to him for help.
After I chatted, I gave him a small gift, wishing him a smooth new home and a happy new life.
After Uncle Wang moved back to the countryside, he would occasionally call me to ask how I was doing. He always asked me to stay with him for a few days, saying that the country air would lift my spirits.
This incident made me establish a deep friendship with Uncle Wang. We became confidants to rely on each other.
This friendship lasts until the last moment of our lives.
There will be others along the way of life who need my help or inspiration. I will definitely follow Uncle Wang's example and give them support and encouragement.
I believe that by touching others with kindness, the world will become more and more beautiful. I will continue to live a warm and human life, cherishing every moment of every day.
I often think that if I had been stubborn and forced Uncle Wang to make financial compensation, then my relationship would have broken down long ago.
The most precious thing between people is this mutual understanding and recognition. It was Uncle Wang's virtue of caring for everyone that inspired me and allowed our friendship to continue to this day.
This also inspires me that there are still many people in my life who deserve my understanding and help. I began to pay attention to the people around me who needed support, and took the initiative to talk to them and listen to their voices.
For example, when my daughter-in-law first came to my house, she didn't have a good relationship with me. I always feel that she is not careful and thoughtful, and often has some small friction with her.
Later, once she was not feeling well, I volunteered to take care of her. During the chat, I found out that she usually bears a lot of housework and childcare responsibilities, and I don't understand her hard work, so I often have misunderstandings.
After that, I learned to be considerate of her situation and less critical of her. Now that our relationship has become very harmonious, she has begun to take the initiative to care about my life.
I also often go to take care of elderly people who live alone. One of the old gentlemen, whose children are all out of town, and his wife has also passed away, usually has no one to communicate except for buying vegetables.
There is also an old lady, I always felt that she had a bad attitude and a good personality. Later, she fell and was hospitalized, and when I went to visit, I found that she had experienced many ups and downs in her life, and her temperament changed greatly due to pain.
I tried to learn to put myself in other people's shoes. Through sincere communication, I also gained a lot of inspiration. These bits and pieces make my life rich and meaningful.
In the days to come, I will meet many different people. I want to remember Uncle Wang's teachings, be more tolerant and kind, and touch the lives around me.
The most precious thing in life is the rare emotion between people. It warms people's hearts and makes the world a better place.