In everyone's life, there is a window and a door. The scenery outside the window is ever-changing, and the story inside the door has its own merits. I am Zhang Wei, an ordinary office worker, in this busy city surrounded by steel and concrete, repeating the life cycle of squeezing the subway, working overtime, and squeezing the subway every day. My wife, Liu Li, is an executive in a foreign company, and her life cycle seems to be more monotonous than mine: business trips, meetings, business trips. Our son, Xiao Hao, is 15 years old this year, and he is gradually entering a rebellious period, and his conversation with me, and even with Lili, is full of estrangement.
One day, the sudden ringing of the phone cut through the silence of my paperwork.
"Hey, Zhang Wei, I'm the security guard in your community, and a lady said she was your new nanny, and she came. The security guard on the other end of the line said.
"Oh, yes, it's Aunt Li, please let her in. ”
Aunt Li, this is the housekeeping waiter I decided to invite after discussing with Liu Li, and I sent a message at noon asking if I could come on the same day, but I didn't expect it to arrive so soon. Because of the busyness of work, we really need someone to help take care of the daily housework and Xiaohao.
Aunt Li, who looks to be in her 40s, has a simple ponytail and always has a warm smile on her face, which makes people feel very kind. I told her about the rules at home and Xiaohao's situation.
"Xiao Hao's recent exam results have not been satisfactory, and his personality has become withdrawn, and he is very cold when he talks to us. "I told Aunt Li.
Aunt Li smiled and comforted me: "Mr. Zhang, don't worry, children will have such a stage when they reach this age." I'll do my best to communicate with him. ”
Aunt Li's tone of voice always makes people feel relaxed, and you can feel that every word she says carries warmth.
When I first saw Xiao Hao come home from school and pretend to be calm and greet Aunt Li, I realized that this might be the beginning of what change needed.
"Hello, Aunt Li, have you eaten?" Xiao Hao's voice was a little stiff.
"Have you eaten, Xiaohao has also eaten, do you want Auntie to get you something to eat?" Aunt Li's voice was warm and natural.
"No, I'm not hungry. Xiao Hao didn't answer back, and went straight into the room.
After a long time, Aunt Li gradually became familiar with everything in the house, she not only kept the house in order, but also could always inadvertently observe Xiaohao's changes, and communicate with me and Lili at the right time. Xiao Hao's attitude is also slowly changing, he is willing to say a few more words to us, although most of them are still um, ah, oh, but at least he is no longer the little child who is always indifferent to us.
The most unexpected thing is that on an ordinary afternoon, Aunt Li cooked a table of steaming meals, and Xiao Hao offered to help set the dishes and chopsticks. Although it was just a simple home-cooked meal, the atmosphere at that moment was unforgettable.
"Aunt Li, how did you make this braised pork, it tastes so good. Xiao Hao suddenly spoke, and a subtle smile appeared on the corner of his mouth.
"Well, there's a little secret..."Aunt Li smiled, cleverly avoiding a direct answer, leaving a little suspense.
Xiao Hao leaned over curiously, and the two of them gathered around the table like this and chatted about cooking tips. I watched quietly, my heart warming. It's like a new family ritual, a warm beginning...
Over time, Aunt Li has become like a part of the family in our house. She is empathetic and takes care of all matters at home. The most surprising thing is that she and Xiao Hao have established a special relationship, a rare tacit understanding between a child and an adult.
"Xiao Hao, this is how you understand this English topic, you see..." Aunt Li sat patiently beside Xiao Hao, explaining the topic and instructing him how to think.
"Oh, I see! Aunt Li, you are really amazing, you know everything. Xiao Hao's face showed a smile that he hadn't seen for a long time.
"Where, Auntie has taught before, but Auntie is very relieved to see you so smart. Aunt Li responded gently.
At the same time, Liu Li is often away from home because of work, and the atmosphere at home is a little more peaceful. Liu Li, who goes home every day, also learned many deeds of Aunt Li from Xiaohao's mouth.
"Mom, today Aunt Li taught me to make finger cakes, and when you are at home next time, we can make them together for you to taste." Xiao Hao said excitedly on the phone.
Liu Li listened to her son's rare happy voice, and felt indescribable sourness and happiness in her heart: "Okay, mom is waiting to taste the finger cakes you made." ”
And I, as the head of this house, although I am busy with work every day, I have noticed changes in my home. When I got home in the evening, I saw Xiao Hao and Aunt Li busy in the kitchen together, and I couldn't help but feel a trace of emotion in my heart.
"Dad, you're back, tonight we will eat the braised pork made by Aunt Li, you must eat more. Xiao Hao took my hand and led me to the dining table.
"Well, I must have eaten more than you. I responded with a smile.
In the evening, the lights in the house are warm and soft, and we sit around the dining table, as if the long-lost family atmosphere has returned to this space. In the laughter, there are more expectations for the future.
Outside of work, I try to find time to chat with Xiao Hao, but I always feel that his response to me is still a little detached, and I know that this is not something that can be changed overnight.
"Dad, are you working overtime again? You and Mom are busy, I know. Xiao Hao mentioned it casually at dinner one day.
"I'm sorry, Xiaohao, Dad will try to adjust and spend as much time as possible with you. I responded with some weakness.
But that being said, the busyness of work has not been lessened by this. Liu Li travels again and again, I work overtime again and again, and home, it seems that I am always looking for balance in the rotation of reincarnation.
Just when Liu Li and I both realized that the wall between us and Xiao Hao was getting higher and higher, Aunt Li was like a warm light, gradually dissolving this wall.
"Mr. Zhang, in fact, Xiaohao is a very emotional child. Today he did some handicrafts to decorate the room, you see..."Aunt Li whispered in my ear, holding Xiao Hao's elaborate knick-knacks in her hand.
"Really, I don't know..."Looking at the work in Aunt Li's hand, I was surprised and a little ashamed.
Aunt Li smiled and waved her hand: "Children always have their own little world, and we adults can't fully understand it." ”
I nodded, thanking Aunt Li for giving me a chance to get to know my son again.
In my daily life, I try to slow down and observe more of Xiao Hao's bits and pieces. Unconsciously, I discovered that this home, because of the arrival of Aunt Li, has more healing power.
It was a starry night, and I ended my business trip early and returned home quietly. Unwilling to disturb this harmonious little world, I didn't tell anyone the news of my return. However, the moment I gently pushed open the door, I was stunned by the scene in front of me.
Xiao Hao was hugging Aunt Li tightly, and there seemed to be undried tears in the corners of his eyes. My impulsive heart hit rock bottom all at once. "You are... What are you doing?" I couldn't help but raise my voice.
Xiao Hao and Aunt Li were both taken aback by my sudden appearance. "Mom, why are you back, this, it's not what you think..."Xiao Hao explained nervously, but obviously couldn't say why.
Aunt Li hurriedly let go of Xiao Hao and knelt on the ground: "Mrs. Liu, listen to my explanation, Xiao Hao was wronged at school today, I am just comforting him, nothing else." ”
I was stunned, and the doubts and anger in my heart instantly turned into shock and confusion. "You... Stand up and speak first. Even as I tried to stay calm, my voice was shaking.
"Mom, Aunt Li really didn't do anything, it's me, it's me who is not good, I misunderstood you. Xiao Hao explained anxiously, his voice full of apology.
I looked at Aunt Li's guilty and panicked face, Xiao Hao's nervous and scared look, and the anger in my heart gradually subsided. Maybe I really misunderstood her and Xiao Hao. However, family harmony is something that I cannot tolerate being destroyed.
"Mrs. Liu, it's me who is not good, I didn't keep a proper distance from Xiao Hao when you were away, which caused you a misunderstanding. I'm going to pack up and leave your house. Aunt Li lowered her head, her voice full of helplessness and determination.
"Don't, Aunt Li, don't go, it's me who is wrong, and I caused a misunderstanding to my mother. Xiao Hao anxiously held Aunt Li's hand, and I could tell that he really didn't want Aunt Li to leave.
I stood there, watching Xiao Hao so excited for Aunt Li, and suddenly felt that maybe Wei and I were busy making Xiao Hao lack the warmth of the family, and Aunt Li made up for all this. The changes during this period of time, and Xiao Hao's changes, are all because of Aunt Li.
The silence lasted for a while, and I took a deep breath, "Aunt Li, I know you mean well, and you are very good to this family and to Xiaohao." But in this situation, I think we still need to calm down. ”
Aunt Li nodded, didn't say anything more, packed up her personal belongings and left.
Xiao Hao watched Aunt Li's back disappear outside the door, turned to me, the disappointment and guilt in his eyes made my heart twist, "Mom, I was wrong..."
At that moment, my heart felt heavier than ever.
After the heaviness of that night, it took Zhang Wei and I a long time to calm down. We talked for a long time late at night, recalling Aunt Li's influence on this family and Xiaohao, and the misunderstanding and resentment in our hearts gradually dissipated. Yes, a home is more than just four walls and a roof, it also needs warmth and care to fill.
The next day, Xiao Hao was still silent, and his eyes revealed deep self-blame. His silence made us understand that we couldn't just let Aunt Li go.
"Xiao Hao, mom may have been too impulsive last night. I whispered to him.
"It's me who is bad, I shouldn't have let my aunt go. Xiao Hao pursed his lips, trying to control his emotions.
"Let's find Aunt Li back, okay?" Zhang Wei asked tentatively.
Xiao Hao's eyes flashed with surprise and hope in an instant, "Really, is she willing to come back?"
We re-contacted Aunt Li to sincerely explain and apologize to her, hoping that she would be able to return to our home. After some communication, Aunt Li was also relieved, and she was willing to return to our home.
"Mrs. Liu, I am willing to come back, and I don't want to lose this home and Xiaohao. Aunt Li's voice was also a little excited.
In the days that followed, we began to value family communication, and at meals, we would sit together as a family and share with each other what we saw and heard throughout the day.
"Hey, you know what? In math class today, the teacher praised me!" Xiao Hao happily recounted the details of the school.
"Oh, really, you're awesome!" Aunt Li smiled and encouraged Xiaohao.
I looked at them and felt a lot of emotion in my heart. "Aunt Li, I have to say I'm sorry again, and I hope we can become friends. I held out a handshake.
Aunt Li held my hand and said with a smile, "Mrs. Liu, it doesn't matter, we were originally friends. ”
Life goes on, and we strive to fill this home with laughter and warmth. Aunt Li and I also became better friends because of that misunderstanding, and as for Zhang Wei, he also learned to listen and grow up with Xiaohao.
In this complex world, we have gained many unexpected things: understanding, tolerance, friendship and family harmony. We seek the true meaning of life, and home is always the harbor of our soul. So, in our story, is home really just a haven for us?