I am a 58-year-old retired worker named Sister Li. After I retired, I received a pension of 50,000 yuan, and I wanted to open a small shop by myself to spend my old age. Who knows that I really have no experience in business, and it is difficult to open a store. In desperation, I had to find someone to partner with and share part of the risk.
Just when I was very troubled, an old king came to the village, and I heard that he had been the boss before, so I took the initiative to go up and talk to him, wanting to ask him for some advice. Lao Wang said enthusiastically: "How about we open a store together? I have experience, you have money, just complement each other!"
I was overjoyed when I heard this, and nodded again and again: "Okay, okay, I'm relieved to have your words." That's it!"
So, with the help of Lao Wang, I used my pension investment to open a small supermarket, mainly selling some daily products. I was in charge of store operations and accounting, while Mr. Wang kept and checked the inventory in the warehouse.
At the beginning, I had a great time working with Wang. During the day, I sat in the storefront and took care of the business, while Lao Wang was busy in the back warehouse, and we had a clear division of labor and cooperated seamlessly. After closing every day, everyone will also chat a few words, and the relationship is very good.
However, the good times were short-lived. Late one night, I was suddenly awakened by a strange noise. I got out of bed in a daze to check, only to find that it was the sound of Lao Wang rummaging through boxes and cabinets in the warehouse! It was already two o'clock in the middle of the night, and I really couldn't understand how an old man could still have so much energy not to sleep!
I looked at Wang suspiciously, vaguely feeling that he was hiding something. But when I think about it, people in the middle of the night, if I ask me like this, I will indeed feel shameless.
So I decided to wait a little longer. What surprised me was that every night after that, Lao Wang would work all night until dawn! What the hell was he doing? This was beyond my comprehension.
I couldn't bear it anymore, and one night I followed Lao Wang lightly and sneaked to the door of the warehouse. I only heard the "jingle bell" ringing inside, and I didn't know what kind of fame I was doing! I was so curious that I even pricked up my ears and listened carefully.
At this time, an exclamation from Lao Wang suddenly came from the warehouse! I was startled, and for fear that something would happen, I hurriedly pushed the door in.
"Lao Wang, what's wrong with you?" I yelled and rushed in.
I saw Lao Wang stunned in place, his face pale, and a few broken paper tubes and threads were scattered around. I was stunned, completely confused by what he was doing.
The old king was stubborn and refused to answer my question. That's when I realized that he probably had some secret hobby hidden.
"Lao Wang, don't be shy, tell me the truth, what are you busy with in the middle of the night?" I persuaded him softly.
Lao Wang rubbed for a long time before he blushed and confessed: It turns out that he has a small hobby, that is, he makes paper tubes and flies kites by himself! Because he has to help me take care of the store during the day, he can only sneak out to make kites in the dead of night to relieve his boredom.
It dawned on me that I had been overly worried. But when I think about it, at such an old age, what can I do with some strange hobbies? I can only respect his choice.
"Okay, Lao Wang, I understand! Let's get together and disperse, let's continue to do business!" I joked with Lao Wang with a smile.
Lao Wang also breathed a sigh of relief and patted me on the shoulder: "Hey, eldest sister, you really can tease me!"
In this way, Lao Wang and I continued to cooperate in running the small supermarket, but Lao Wang still went his own way, busy with his kite every night without resting. Although it was a little noisy, in order to maintain the relationship, I could only endure and not interfere with him.
One day, Lao Wang told me that he wanted to take a cousin from his hometown to live for a while, and let me take him in for a few days. I thought that people were usually very good to me, so I readily agreed.
Who knew that after this cousin came, my life never stopped. The two of them were like throwing frisbees at night, arguing in the house and not knowing what to do, which made me distraught and couldn't sleep at night.
Finally, one day, I couldn't bear it anymore! I couldn't bear to slam open the door of the old king's room, trying to ask for clarification. I saw Lao Wang and his cousin sitting on the ground, surrounded by a mess, covered with colored paper and the remains of a kite with broken strings. It turns out that they have been working hard all these days, making kites by themselves!
I was so angry that I grabbed Lao Wang by the collar and asked, "I said Lao Wang, what's the matter with you? I keep arguing every night, what kind of name is this? I thought there were thieves in the house!"
Lao Wang laughed wryly, but he didn't dare to fight back. His cousin hurriedly explained: "Eldest sister, we just want to make some kites by ourselves, don't be angry!"
It dawned on me that Lao Wang's kite habit was not only for myself, but also for his nephew! I was so angry that I stamped my feet and asked: "Is it worth keeping me awake day and night for this hobby?" Lao Wang, I didn't come to suffer in partnership with you!"
Lao Wang was also anxious now, he returned with red eyes and said: "Eldest sister, you can't deprive me of my interest and love, okay? I just like to make kites, what's wrong?"
Lao Wang and I just went toe-for-tat and quarreled non-stop. In the end, I couldn't make a lot of noise, so I could only beg him: "Lao Wang, I don't want you to play kites, but can you change the time?"
Lao Wang nodded reluctantly: "It's okay, we'll finish work and go to bed before eleven o'clock, okay?"
Although I was still not happy, I thought that I really had no right to interfere too much with others, so I reluctantly agreed to his request.
Since then, Wang has ostensibly kept his agreement with me, but I can still hear the sound of kites in the warehouse every few days. I just turned a blind eye and didn't hear it.
After a few months of peace, Wang's cousin finally left, and I was secretly relieved.
Unexpectedly, that night, I was awakened by a noise again. I got out of bed irritably, and found that it was Wang who was busy with his kite!
I couldn't control my anger anymore and rushed into the warehouse to fight with Lao Wang!
"Lao Wang, didn't we say okay, why are you still doing your own thing!" I almost flew into a rage.
Lao Wang roared back unconvinced: "Could it be that I can't even have my own hobbies?
Lao Wang and I got into a heated argument, and the attitude of both sides became more and more tough. After the quarrel, I finally couldn't bear it anymore and proposed to dissolve the partnership with Lao Wang and go it alone!
When Lao Wang heard this, he was furious, and swept all the things on the table to the ground: "Okay! Sister, I'll let you get your wish! Anyway, I'm fed up with you, and I'll solve it!"
My heart was half cold, I didn't expect us to come this far. I turned around and left, and started my own small shop business again. It's just that looking back on this period of time, I still feel regretful.
After parting ways, I went it alone, and my business was naturally not as good as before. But I don't have time to think too much, so I can only try to keep going. Occasionally, I think of Lao Wang, all kinds of unhappiness we had before. I am also reflecting on whether I am too harsh and not very considerate of Lao Wang's temperament and interests. As the days passed, I had no contact with Lao Wang for half a year. I heard that Lao Wang himself also opened a small shop, although the business is average, but Lao Wang seems to be doing well, and he is not a little confused.
One day, I suddenly received a letter from Lao Wang. The letter was very brief, just saying that he wanted to talk to me about whether he could redo business. I was a little surprised, I was stunned for a long time with the letter, and I couldn't calm down for a long time.
This night, I tossed and turned, and my mind was full of bits and pieces with Lao Wang. I began to reflect on whether I was too tough at that time and didn't think about the problem from Lao Wang's point of view. Lao Wang's little interest, why should I make a fuss and magnify it infinitely?
Lao Wang sighed and was a little apologetic: "Eldest sister, in fact, I have also reflected, but I was too stubborn and didn't take your feelings into account. Let's work together again, I promise that from now on, I will go to bed before 10 o'clock every night, and I will never be busy with kites!"
I heard Lao Wang's sincerity, and I was also very pleased. We finally got back together and started our business together.
The days that followed were uneventful and pleasant. During the day, I helped to look after the store as usual, and at night Lao Wang also kept his promise and rested early every day. Occasionally, I can still hear the sound of kites in the warehouse, but nowhere near as noisy as it used to be. I understand that Lao Wang's hobby is difficult to change, so I turn a blind eye and no longer blame.
After another half a year, Lao Wang suddenly fell seriously ill and could not continue to work. I temporarily hired a few clerks to take care of the business, and I had to take care of Lao Wang's daily life every day. Lao Wang kept apologizing to me during his illness, saying that he had caused me so much trouble. I reassured him that we had become friends again, and that was all right.
After Lao Wang left, I ran the small supermarket alone, and my days passed day by day. The business in the store was not as prosperous as when Lao Wang was there, but I shaved his mantle, and it was a small success. Fortunately, Lao Wang taught me a lot of business knowledge during his lifetime, so that I can support myself and take charge of myself.
Sometimes I sit in front of the store, looking at the colorful kites floating in the sky, and think of the bits and pieces of Lao Wang's life. His peculiar little hobbies have surprised me; We've had a lot of fights over it more than once. But now that I think back, those unhappiness have disappeared in the long river of time, and all I remember is the days and nights when Lao Wang and I went hand in hand.
I often ask myself, if Lao Wang was still around, how would we be doing now, would he be pleased with my small achievements, or would he keep nagging and pointing fingers at my business policy? I have no way of knowing the answers to these questions, and I can only let my thoughts drift into the distance.
On the third anniversary of Lao Wang's death, I prepared sacrifices and fireworks, and went to his grave alone to pay respects. I had mixed feelings along the way, and it was full of memories.
I lit candles, burned paper money, and took out Wang's favorite snacks and wine, hoping that he could also taste them. I looked at the black-and-white photo of Lao Wang on the tombstone, and I couldn't help but cry.
In this way, I sat in front of Lao Wang's tomb for an afternoon, ate all his favorite snacks in his life, and poured out all my nostalgia. Before leaving, I turned around and looked at his tombstone again, and said softly: "Old Wang, take care!
When I got home, I sorted out Wang's memoirs and watched him describe all kinds of interesting stories about us during his lifetime, and I couldn't help but smile. I decided to re-proofread and publish this diary to commemorate Lao Wang and let more people understand a truth: when things change, people will leave. Therefore, we should cherish the people in front of us and be tolerant of their imperfections, because we will have to say goodbye at any time.
Time flies, I am 80 years old, and the small supermarket that Lao Wang and I opened has also been in my hands for most of my life.
Over the years, most of the young people in the village have gone out to work, and most of those who have stayed in the village are elderly. I was alone with a few hired men, and I still filled the shelves from 9 to 5 and cleaned up the storefront.
The old people in the village know me and the story of me and Lao Wang. They often come and buy east and chatter. Sometimes when we chat, the topic will talk about Lao Wang, and I can't help but think of the past.
"Lao Li, I think you and Lao Wang were a pair of people in our village back then, and they haven't been connected to any good things!" Aunt Wang from the village came to buy things and sighed with emotion.
"What the hell are you!" Aunt Wang smacked at me, "I see that the two of you are arguing and shouting every day, and the relationship is good! Do you say?"
I listened and it dawned on me. Also, I quarreled with Lao Wang back then, didn't I still spend most of my life? This is the real old friendship!
I smiled and nodded, but I had mixed feelings. I began to re-examine the past with Lao Wang in this life. After quarrels and reconciliations, the friendship between us lasted for a long time, until Lao Wang died suddenly, and this friendship had to end hastily. I regret not being able to be by Lao Wang's side for a few more years, which is the regret of my life.
I struggled to hold on in my old body, and I opened my small shop. It carries the most precious memories of me and Lao Wang, and I also hope that it can stay in the village to remind people of the confusing past, representing the sincere friendship between Lao Wang and me!