Lao Li next door owed me 20,000 yuan, and because of a neighbor, I decided to let it go.
One day, I had just returned home and suddenly saw a strange middle-aged man standing at the door. He was a little older, bearded, and looked at me nervously.
Sure enough, the strange man spoke: "Are you Zhang Xiaoqiang?" I'm Lao Li next door, and I have something I want to discuss with you.
"Oh, you say, what's the matter?" I guessed in my heart that maybe Lao Li next door needed to borrow money.
Lao Li sighed and said with a little guilt: "Don't hide it, I owe a neighbor 20,000 yuan, and recently he came to the door to ask for a debt, saying that I have money and don't pay it back, I really have no choice."
"Then what are you looking for me?" I asked, slightly impatiently.
Lao Li hesitated for a moment, and said with a somewhat embarrassed expression: "I heard that the neighbor surnamed Chen next door said that you used to be a very kind and talkative person, so I came to ask you for help."
I was a little displeased, thinking that this neighbor surnamed Chen didn't seem to be interesting enough, so he told others about me casually.
"Okay, you come and sit down for a while, and we'll discuss it again to see if there's a way to solve it." I said.
Lao Li entered my house and sat on the sofa a little cramped and uneasy. I poured him a glass of water, and the two of them began to rack their brains to find a solution.
At this time, I suddenly remembered that I happened to open a small workshop nearby recently, and it would be miserable to be in debt. So I asked Lao Li: "What money do you owe this neighbor?" Isn't it usury? ”。
Lao Li nodded a little hesitantly, and said hesitantly: "Yes, because I was in urgent need of money, I found some loan shark company loans, although the interest rate was high, but there was no way at that time.
When I heard this, my guess was correct, and it seemed that this matter was indeed tricky. I sighed and said to Lao Li as calmly as I could: "Lao Li, you owe a debt to a loan shark like this, I really can't help you.
When Lao Li heard my answer, he was stunned for a moment, then lowered his head and said in disappointment: "I have already found several lawyers, and they all said that there is no way, that loan shark company is very cunning, and the interest rate has skyrocketed very quickly, and it can't be paid at all."
I know that Lao Li is indeed in a difficult situation now, but I don't dare to easily agree to help him solve the problem, this is a lot of debt.
It's a good idea to talk to your family about it, or ask other friends and relatives to help you.
When Lao Li heard my words, there was a trace of embarrassment and loss in his eyes: "I've tried everything, but no one can help me, I've given up."
In the face of Lao Li's loss, I can't help but feel sympathy. Although I know that this is the result of his own evil, after all, he is a neighbor, and I can't bear to see death without help.
"Okay, Lao Li, since you have done your best, I have decided to help you once. However, I can only lend you this 20,000 yuan, you should know that this will be a huge burden, don't go into debt again.
When Lao Li heard my words, he was so excited that he almost choked up, "Thank you, thank you, thank you really!" I swear I will pay you back, and when I have money, I will be the first to pay you back! ”
I looked at Lao Li's sincere eyes and understood his helplessness. Perhaps, such an experience can make him know how to cherish it and not repeat the mistakes of the past.
From that day on, I decided to become good friends with Lao Li. We chatted and drank tea next door, and often shared moments of life with each other.
One day, I was walking in the community with Lao Li, and suddenly, he fell. I hurriedly stepped forward to help him up, but Lao Li pushed my hand away and said angrily, "You still don't believe me!" You've always suspected me of being a troublesome neighbor! ”。
I looked at him in surprise, a little puzzled: "Lao Li, how can you say such a thing?" It's not that I don't believe you, I'm just worried about what kind of difficulties you're encountering.
Lao Li looked at me with a straight face, "You said you were worried about me, but you came to see me every day and snooped on what was going on in my house!" Do you think I don't know? Do you think I'm going to be in debt again?! ”
This sudden accusation made me a little stunned. I think I've always been an upright and kind person, but Lao Li misunderstood me and made me feel a little wronged.
"Lao Li, you misunderstood, I didn't mean to spy on you. I just want to help you and care about you. It's so sad that you're accusing me like that now.
"Stop making excuses for yourself, I know you're a good person, but I've had enough! I don't need your help and I don't need your care! Lao Li said emotionally.
When I heard that, I felt quite lost. I thought our relationship would continue to grow, but now it's in such a dispute.
"Lao Li, I really feel very sad when you say this now. We are good friends and we should support each other, not quarrel.
"I tried to keep my emotions in check, hoping to settle the argument.
I breathed a sigh of relief, smiled and said, "It's okay, Lao Li." Friction will inevitably arise between friends, and it is important to be able to communicate, understand, and forgive.
Lao Li nodded, smiled and said, "Yes, I also hope that we can continue to be good friends." Although I really owe that neighbor a lot of money, I will try to find a job and pay off the debt.
I looked at Lao Li's determined eyes and felt a warm current surging over my heart. Although this dispute was troublesome, it also made me cherish our friendship even more.
Since then, Lao Li and I have become closer, we encourage each other, help each other, and get through many difficulties together.
This experience made me understand that family affection is not just about blood relations, but about supporting each other in difficult situations and facing the hardships of life together.
The deeper my friendship with Lao Li, the more I feel that he is not a person who gives up easily. The promise he made to me wasn't out of reach, but it kept me on my toes.
One day, I was about to go out when I suddenly heard a loud noise coming from next door. I walked quickly to the window and looked next door.
Anxious, I walked quickly to the door of Lao Li's house. As soon as I pushed the door, I saw Lao Li stumbling towards me in a hurry.
"Xiaoqiang, help me! The neighbor surnamed Chen suddenly came to the door and said that I owed him 20,000 yuan and didn't go back, and said that he would sue me in court! Lao Li said breathlessly, looking flustered.
I took a deep breath and tried to stay calm and said to Lao Li, "Don't worry, tell me the ins and outs of the matter first." ”
Lao Li's lips trembled, and he explained in a difficult voice: "I borrowed 20,000 yuan from a neighbor surnamed Chen before, but I couldn't pay it back because of temporary difficulties.
I decided to go to the neighbor's house surnamed Chen to find out the situation myself. As soon as I stepped into the door of Chen's house, a suffocating smell of smoke came to my face.
"Are you Zhang Xiaoqiang? I heard that you helped Lao Li with 20,000 yuan, and you are very good at helping people! The neighbor surnamed Chen said to me with a sneer.
"Yes, I helped Lao Li, is there any problem?" I stared at him relentlessly, and I already had a sense of foreboding in my heart.
The neighbor surnamed Chen stood up suddenly, pointed at my nose and shouted, "Since you are so indignant, why don't you give me back the money I owe him?" Don't you know that I really like Lao Li's daughter? 20,000 yuan, I spent a lot of effort to save, I really wanted to help Lao Li, but I didn't expect him to treat me as a debt rescuer! ”
When I heard this, I couldn't help but feel a shock in my heart. It turned out that the root of all these entanglements was Lao Li's daughter's emotional problems.
With a heavy heart, I returned home with a lot of thoughts. Looking at Lao Li's anxious eyes, I knew that I had to try my best to solve this matter.
"Lao Li, I will try my best to help you solve this problem. The neighbor surnamed Chen is unwilling to borrow money from you, and we have to find a way to calm his resentment.
Lao Li looked at me gratefully: "Xiaoqiang, I'm really embarrassed." I didn't expect my relationship issues to drag you down and get you into such big trouble.
I shook my head and said to Lao Li seriously: "Since I promised to help you, I won't give up easily." We have to face this problem and find a solution.
My relationship with Lao Li next door is getting better and better, and our communication has become more frequent and intimate. Over time, I also got to know his family situation.
He hopes that Yang Tao can take over the family's business and continue to develop in the future.
However, recently I found that Yang Tao's performance was not normal. I once met him in the hallway, and he greeted him with a sad face.
Yang Tao hesitated, lowered his head and was silent. I watched him closely, and saw a pain and helplessness in his eyes.
I empathize with Yang Tao's feelings, and I understand that my father hopes that his career can continue to flourish and is unwilling to let go.
Thinking of this, I hesitated a little. I knew it was not a wise choice to intervene in the affairs of this family, but I couldn't bear to watch Yang Tao suffer because of this.
One day, I met Lao Li at a café. Facing Lao Li's worried expression, I said solemnly: "Lao Li, I have talked to Yang Tao, and his expectations and pressure on you are indeed very high.
Lao Li was silent for a moment, and then sighed: "I know that I have always been a little harsh on Yang Tao, I just hope that he can inherit the career I have worked hard for many years."
I comforted Lao Li: "You are a good father, but we all understand that everyone's growth and development has its own trajectory and pursuit.
Lao Li showed a thoughtful expression, he nodded and said, "You're right, I should sit down with Yang Tao and have a good talk to understand his thoughts."
We continued to talk for a while and discussed how to improve communication and understanding between father and son. I believe that as long as Lao Li can listen attentively and understand Yang Tao's wishes, the relationship between them will definitely change.
After a while, I noticed that there was something wrong with Lao Li's attitude next door. Our close neighborhoods gradually became estranged, and he always avoided my gaze and stopped chatting quietly with me as he used to.
One day, I met Lao Li's son at the door of my house, his name was Li Chen, a boy of fifteen or sixteen. He looked like he had a headache, and he looked a little embarrassed to see me.
"Uncle Xiaoqiang, can I tell you the truth?" Li Chen spoke with some hesitation.
I felt a little uneasy and nodded for him to continue.
"Actually, the money my dad owed to that neighbor was borrowed for me to go to school. We thought we would be able to return the exam on time, but although I studied hard, my exam results were poor.
I was relieved to hear what he said. It turned out that Lao Li didn't dare to face me for another reason, probably to protect his son and not let me know his predicament.
I looked into Li Chen's eyes and said to him sincerely: "Li Chen, it's a good thing that your father borrowed money for you to study, as long as you study hard and have a skill, you will be able to repay this debt in the future."
Li Chen listened to my words, tears flowed quietly, and he held my hand excitedly: "Thank you for your understanding, uncle."
From that day on, I began to pay attention to Li Chen's studies and provide him with all possible help. He has improved significantly in his grades and has become more confident and motivated.
Time passed quickly, and in the blink of an eye, Li Chen had been admitted to a prestigious university, and he excitedly announced the good news to me.
However, on the eve of Li Chen's entrance to university, I suddenly received a phone call from someone claiming to be a representative of a loan shark company.
I felt angry and helpless that this debt was so intractable that it had put me in trouble. But when I recalled my feelings for Lao Li and Li Chen, and thought of their predicament and efforts, I decided not to give up easily.
I calmly told the other person on the other end of the phone, "I'll try to find a way to pay off this debt, but please give me some time."
The other party just replied coldly: "Time is limited, you'd better solve it as soon as possible." We will not be relentless.
Listening to the voice on the other end of the phone, I felt the weight of the pressure. I understand that this is a difficult task, but I am willing to give everything for the sake of my family and affection.