When I received a request for help, I had mixed feelings
When I received a request from a neighbor for help with my wedding, I couldn't calm down for a long time. This neighbor and I have known each other since childhood, so we can say that we grew up together. In my memory, he has a simple and simple personality, and he is straightforward in his words and deeds, which makes people easy to get close to.
When I meet him, I always give him the most cordial greetings and the most sincere wishes. Now that he has a great event, he should be congratulated. But asking him to ask me to help with tobacco and alcohol really overwhelmed me.
I am not outstanding in the village, my strength and courage are at the upper middle level, and I have never been exposed to the core affairs of happy events. What's more, after hearing about it, my father solemnly warned me that this tobacco and alcohol control is the most difficult work to do in red and white affairs, and it is easy to offend people.
I really don't want to have a disagreement with a neighbor I've known for many years because of a temporary help.
However, when the words of shirk came to my lips, I still did not open my mouth when I saw the eager eyes of my neighbors. This family is like a brother to me, and I deserve to help them.
Besides, in rural life, it has always been difficult to avoid the sophistication of human feelings. If I don't help, I'm afraid it will be seen as unrighteous enough; Even if something goes wrong, it's reasonable, and I can't really blame it.
After thinking about it, I agreed to the task and continued to work on it for the next few days. I just want everything to go well and this wedding to end in harmony and joy.
On the eve of the wedding, accept the instructions
A few days before the wedding, a neighbor came to my house and told me. He said earnestly, I only listen to Mr. Li for the expenditure of tobacco and alcohol, and anyone else, even his own family, must refuse one by one.
I didn't show it on my face, but I was surprised in my heart. It turned out that this tobacco and alcohol control was really as sensitive and difficult as my father said, and I was required to ignore my neighbors and relatives.
Thinking about the possibilities in the future, I couldn't help but get a little nervous.
The next day, I went to the venue in advance, and when I saw the big words "Manager: Li XX, Zhang XX, Liu XX, Du XX" written on the happy list, my heart suddenly tightened.
These three seem to be well-known people with heads and faces, will they just let go of the fat piece of Guan Yan? When the time comes, what authority will I, an outsider, have to contend with them? Thinking of this, I only feel that my legs are a little weak, and I have begun to regret taking this task.
Just when I was giving up on myself, Mr. Li found me and explained some storage and verification matters of tobacco and alcohol. I was a little relieved to realize that I had at least one reliable assistant by my side.
No matter how rough the road ahead, I have to muster up the courage to face it. After all, I promised my neighbors that I would do my best to do this and not lose my mind.
On the first day of the wedding, smokers from all walks of life besieged it
On the day of the wedding, I entered the battlefield early in the morning and was arranged to smoke in a remote hut. Soon after I sat down, a few "managers" came to probe and hoped that I could secretly share their share of the cigarette and alcohol pie.
I excused myself decently and patiently, for fear of offending people. Those people didn't really embarrass me, they just gave me a few displeased looks and left.
I was breathing a sigh of relief when a group of neighbors' relatives and friends followed. They smuggled me out of the official bill for tobacco and alcohol for a variety of reasons, from greeting guests to burning paper at graves.
I was surrounded by the two monks in the center and was confused, and it was not easy to refuse directly, so I could only vaguely agree, expecting them to die on their own.
By noon I was exhausted and prayed for a respite after lunch. I didn't know that the waves were still unsettled, and the new ones who joined the battle circle were actually the neighbors' own brothers! I had no temper to refuse their requests, so I could only hold back my anger and politely refuse many times.
It wasn't until dark that I ended this inhuman day.
In the middle of the wedding, the negative pressure is overloaded
The next day I felt like I was in the middle of a torrent of beasts, and the pressure was a little more intense than yesterday. Not only has the number of people coming to ask for cigarettes not decreasing, but also increasing, from distant relatives in the neighborhood to all kinds of people who meet in the village.
I was at their mercy like the walking dead, and the words of mechanical rejection had almost become an instinctive reaction. At this time, if anyone dares to ask for cigarettes and alcohol, I just want to slap him hard.
Just when I was on the verge of a nervous breakdown, Manager Li suddenly appeared and urged me to check the remaining materials and prepare for handover. I snapped to my senses and checked my ledger to count my inventory, and there were still 4 boxes of cigarettes left.
At this time, I wish I could stop for today and take a long vacation. Unbeknownst to me, the wedding was still in full swing, and I sighed to myself, and I had to continue to deal with the endless torture of this sea of suffering.
In fact, I don't want to get angry and scold these vexatious guys. But I can't, I'm just an outsider, I have no position and no qualifications.
The only thing I could do was to hold on to the last moment, and then let go of this heart-wrenching ordeal and never touch such a single step again.
Handover of cigarettes and alcohol, sloppy ending
The farce finally came to an end in the evening, and I was relieved to count the remaining cigarettes and alcohol and prepare for the handover. As careful as I am, I have a clear record of the flow and use of each cigarette, and I want to explain it to my neighbors, so that no one will come to the account in the future and not settle the total.
Who knew that the neighbor took the account book and threw it away, and his tone was a little impatient: "You think too much!" I was instantly angry, and I almost scolded on the spot.
I was so angry that my mind went blank and I just wanted to walk away. Fortunately, my father reminded me in time that the first thing is to ensure that the main family has no losses. That's when I forcibly suppressed my emotions and faced them calmly.
Later, the neighbor expressed his gratitude, and although I was frankly not happy, I also recognized this reality.
For me, this help is undoubtedly a ridiculous stain. I don't blame anyone else, I just blame myself for being too gullible in people's words. I swear I will never take on a similar errand again in my life.
Finally, reflection, people are sophisticated
Afterwards, I calmed down and re-examined the experience and gains of helping to manage cigarettes. Indeed, as my father said, I was too serious and rigid in handling things, and I did not take into account the atmosphere and sophistication of red and white ceremonies.
I don't have to worry too much about the flow of tobacco and alcohol, and a slight abuse is the norm, as long as it does not seriously harm the interests of the main family. And my almost harsh checks are inevitably unpleasant.
I also realized that my neighbor and his family had no ill will on the part of his family, and that it was purely human nature to get some advantage. I should not be plugged with preconceived notions, but put myself in their shoes.
After all, affection and neighborhood interaction are the bonds that maintain society here, and tobacco and alcohol are just a small episode. I'm ashamed that I didn't put myself in their shoes, but instead put the cart before the horse.
It was a lesson that taught me not to be rigid, but to be flexible and considerate of others. I still need to practice more Xi in the communication of people and worlds, so that I can be at ease.
I am very glad that this test has undoubtedly promoted my growth and progress. The next time I have a similar invitation, I will definitely give my best and give and dedicate to the best of my ability.