"Look at you, they are all girls, if you get married in the future, the house is not someone else's?"
My name is Chen Juan, I am 35 years old this year, this warm and ordinary home is the result of my husband Li Qiang and I have worked hard for many years. Li Qiang is a contented person who can always surprise me unexpectedly. Last year, our daughter "Heart Whisper" was born, and our life was filled with joy and happiness. Who knew that the little brother-in-law Li Hao suddenly stretched out greedy minions to us.
"Big brother, Juanzi, I think it's really good to have Pixiu at home, I heard that it can gather wealth!" Li Hao said casually while looking our family up and down.
"Business is tight?" Li Qiang asked with concern.
"Alas, I will not hide it from you, it is so. Recently, I want to expand my business, but I have a little bit on hand..."Seeing that the little uncle was a little embarrassed, I hurriedly played a round, "Why don't we help you think of a way?"
Who knew Li Hao's words, but they were like frosted eggplants, "No need, no need." It's not easy for you as a couple, you have a daughter to raise, and you have to give her a dowry in the future, so I'm embarrassed to increase your burden. ”
My heart tightened. Although Li Qiang and I have worked hard, our pace of life has always been so harmonious. We know how to cherish.
At the dinner table, Li Hao mentioned the matter of the house again. "You see that you husband and wife are so hand-in-hand, and you can buy it again if you are taken away by Xinyu in the future. Li Hao said while looking at the starry sky outside the window, as if he had seen a bright future for the transfer of real estate.
"Xiao Hao, we still have to think about this matter. There was a hint of hesitation in Li Qiang's tone. I looked at his slightly frowning brow, and an indescribable feeling welled up in my heart, as if I had a premonition of something.
In the dead of night, the sucking sound of the heart was extremely loud in the quiet, Li Qiang slowly said the little uncle's intention, "Xiao Hao hopes that we can transfer the house to his son, and he said that in this way the family property can be regarded as staying in the family." ”
My heart tightened, "But this house was built by the two of us!
"You also know the situation at home, the influence of traditional thinking, the old people feel that the family's property should be left to their son, and she ...... in their hearts"
"What if she's a daughter?" I suddenly raised my voice, and I cried out in fright.
I was relieved and kind-hearted, and recalled all kinds of bits and pieces with Li Qiang in my mind, we were so in love with each other, and we built this small harbor together. Now, all this may be erased because her daughter is a girl...
"Strong, I don't want to. My words were simple and firm, "It's not fair to the heart, and it's not fair to us." We cannot sacrifice the fruits of our labor because of outdated ideas. ”
Li Qiang silently held my hand, and the tacit power flowed between us. "Juanzi, we'll find a solution. Li Qiang's voice was firm and gentle.
I know in my heart that this is only the beginning of a conflict and that the road will be more bumpy, but at least, we have taken the first step.
In the sleepless night, Xinyu finally fell asleep in my soft singing, and Li Qiang sat quietly on the sofa, looking deeply thoughtful. "Juanzi, did you really decide not to agree to Xiao Hao's request?" Li Qiang finally broke the silence.
"Yes, I don't take it for granted. I replied firmly.
"But he is my younger brother after all, and the old people in the family want to leave the property to the boy. Li Qiang's voice revealed a hint of helplessness.
"Then what's the point of our hard work?" I asked rhetorically, my heart overflowing with unwillingness, "Is Xinyu destined to be marginalized just because she is a girl?"
Li Qiang was silent, he knew that there was irrefutable justice in my words. But family responsibilities and the constraints of tradition make it difficult for him to choose.
That night, none of us convinced anyone, just silently looked at the moonlight outside the window, thinking about our respective mental journeys.
The next day, I went to visit my parents. Although my parents are old, they are open-minded and have always supported me to be independent. "Juanzi, listen to your uncle, is there something going on at home?" asked the mother with concern.
I told them what happened. The father frowned and whispered, "Daughter, it's also your own bloodline, how can you say that it doesn't count?"
My mother clasped my hand, "Girls should also be treated equally, your insistence is right." ”
Having the understanding and support of my parents made me firm in my choice.
That afternoon, the elders of the family gathered at our home for a family meeting. Li Hao smiled attentively, but he couldn't hide his eagerness.
"Big brother and sister-in-law, I really don't mean anything else about this, I just want the family's property to be passed on. He said with a smile on his face.
"Passed on?" I asked, "can't the heart be inherited?"
"Juanzi, you don't understand, after the girl gets married, she will be from another family. An elder said flatly.
"I don't agree!" I retorted firmly, "we are a family, why do we have to be treated like this just because we are girls?"
The atmosphere in the room was tense, and the voices of arguments came and went.
Suddenly, Li Qiang stood up, "I support Juanzi's decision. Our house should not change its original intention just because of a paper transfer. ”
Li Hao's face changed, "Big brother, what do you mean by this?"
"What I mean is very simple, the property that we have as husband and wife is decided by us together. Li Qiang's voice was full of determination.
The elders of the family finally realized that this problem could not be solved in a short period of time. They looked at each other, finally sighed, and left the living room one by one.
There were only four of us left in the room, and Li Hao's angry gaze swept over everyone's faces, and finally landed on the Pixiu statue entrenched in the corner. "You're going to regret it. He left a cruel word and left angrily.
I held Li Qiang's hand tightly, although the road is difficult, we all know that the right decision is worth sticking to.
Before the turmoil subsided, Li Qiang's father, the elder of our family, Mr. Li, suddenly visited our house, which made the already tense situation even more delicate. "Why do you have time to come here today? Come in, come in!" I tried to be polite and calm.
Old Man Li looked serious, "I heard that your family has not been very quiet recently, what is going on?"
I knew that I would have to face this sooner or later, so I told everything in 1510.
After hearing this, the old man shook his head, "Juanzi, I know you are a smart woman, but you are breaking up the unity of our Li family by doing this." ”
Li Qiang stood beside me and said righteously: "Dad, it's not Juanzi's decision alone, it's a joint decision between our husband and wife." We can't sacrifice our daughter's rights because of tradition. ”
"Qiang, what are you talking about, how can family affairs be the same as outsiders. Old Man Li's tone was stern.
For a moment, the atmosphere was tense as if the air had frozen.
"Old man, I understand your insistence on the family concept, but this house is the result of the joint efforts of me and Juanzi, and we can't just give it up because of traditional concepts. Li Qiang responded resolutely.
A hint of anger flashed in the old man's eyes, "You really don't know the times! Do you know how many relatives you will disappoint by doing this?"
"We know, but we can't live up to our conscience. I said calmly.
"Conscience, everyone in the family is watching you, and tradition is so unworthy of respect?" the old man's anger began to grow.
Li Qiang clasped my hand and replied in a deep voice: "Father, we respect tradition, but it does not mean that we have to blindly follow it. The future of the heart cannot be limited by outdated ideas. ”
The muscles on the old man's face twitched, as if he was trying to suppress the anger in his heart. He turned to look at the family tree on the wall, "Are you prepared for the consequences?"
"We've got it done. We replied in unison, nervous but firm in our convictions.
After a moment of silence, the old man suddenly said, "Okay, I understand." The affairs of this family should be decided by your generation. I just hope that it doesn't make everyone in the family disgusted. ”
With the departure of the old man, we breathed a sigh of relief, but we also knew that this turmoil was only temporarily subsided. We need to think longer-term to ensure that the future is not affected by the same clash of ideas.
"Strong, can we really hold on?" I couldn't help but ask.
Li Qiang replied firmly: "For the sake of the heart, for our beliefs, we must be able to." "Our eyes met in this moment, and we had a deeper understanding and support for each other.
Time is like a medicine to dilute the mood of anxiety, leaving all controversy behind. What was once the epicenter of turmoil is now remarkably quiet. Li Qiang returned to his job, and I started a new plan to start my own business.
"Chen Juan, what are you going to do?" Li Qiang asked with some worry and support.
"My dear, I want to open a café and make it a symbol of female power. "There was a glint of excitement in my eyes.
"Cafe?" his surprised face quickly showed an approving smile, "That's a good idea, I've got your back." ”
And so, in the aftermath of the controversy, I opened a small but intimate café named after "Whisper of the Heart". Soon, it became a gathering place for women in the community, and more and more people came here to share their stories and find empathy.
"Juanzi, I have something to tell you. "One day, Li Hao appeared at the door of my café.
I calmly invited him to come in and sit down, "What's the matter?"
He looked around, no longer as flamboyant and impatient as before, but a little sneering: "I... I was confused, and I reached out to you... I want to say, I'm sorry. ”
I smiled indifferently, "I don't blame the past, I hope you can understand that each of us should stand up for our dignity and rights." ”
From Li Hao's eyes, I read his remorse and understanding, time may not be able to turn back, but our relationship still has a new starting point after all.
The "Whisper of the Heart Café" has become a source of pride for me, and has even been mentioned in some programs, and I have inspired more women to speak up for their rights with my story.
Sitting in my own shop, watching the bustling customers, I think about the turmoil of the past from time to time. They are only part of the memory today, and my beliefs and decisions affect every day.
"Qiang, you say, if we had given in at that time, would life have been completely different?" I looked at Li Qiang, who was still with me after closing, and asked him jokingly.
Li Qiang took my hand and looked at me with his consistent eyes, "We will never know, because you never stop pursuing the right thing." ”
The firmness in his words warmed me, such a life, such a couple, such a family, isn't it exactly what we dreamed of at the beginning?
What kind of change has our choice brought to us and to those women who speak up for themselves in silence?