In a quiet town in the south of the Yangtze River, there is an old street, and the streets are lined with old houses that retain historical customs. A middle-aged man named Li Boyuan lives here, and since his wife Zhang Yan died of illness three years ago, Li Boyuan has lived alone and has never remarried.
He taught at a middle school in the county seat, and although his income was not high, he was an honest man who was well liked by his students. After Zhang Yan's death, Li Boyuan became reticent, going back and forth between the school and the old house every day, and his life remained the same.
Zhang Yan's mother, Li Wanru, knew the loneliness of her son-in-law, so she came from the village outside the city every year to take local products from the countryside to see this beloved son-in-law.
Early in the morning, Li Boyuan got up as usual, dressed in blue cloth clothes and started to make breakfast. Today is the day when Li Wanru came to visit him, and he knew that his mother-in-law had come all the way and always had to prepare something delicious. In an old-fashioned kitchen, the sound of a spatula and the aroma of food mingle.
"Mom, do you like the sweet and sour pork ribs I made this time?" Li Boyuan muttered to himself between preparing the dishes.
"My Yan'er, she is gone, you don't have to work so hard, just do anything, mom eats everything delicious. Li Wanru's mournful voice came from outside the door. She walked into the kitchen wearing a plaid cotton coat and carrying a plastic bag.
"Mom, why did you arrive so early?" Li Boyuan was a little surprised, quickly put down the spatula in his hand, and stepped forward to help Li Wanru unload the bag in his hand.
"Catch the bus in the morning, there are fewer people, and you can sit more comfortably. Li Wanru smiled, but the smile revealed the traces of time.
"Look, I've brought eggs and potatoes from home, let's make a potato stew at noon. Li Wanru opened the bag and took out a few potatoes and a basket of eggs.
"Okay, okay, damn the potato stew chicken is the most appetizing to me. Li Boyuan said, his eyes involuntarily drifted to the corner of the kitchen, where there was a photo left by Zhang Yan, and his heart was full of nostalgia.
Li Wanru casually put the eggs on the table and turned her head to look at her son-in-law, the corners of her eyes were full of distress. "Bo Yuan, you have been so tired all these years, my mother looks distressed. Yan'er went, and she didn't want to see you work so hard. "
Li Boyuan lowered his head slightly, gently stroked the edge of the photo with his fingers, was silent for a while, and then whispered: "When Yanzi is gone, I want to continue her love." When I teach in school, I pass on her warmth to more children. "
The first rays of sunlight in the morning shine through the window and sprinkle on this small kitchen, and the two people are silently busy, and the family affection flows without words.
It was another warm spring day, and Li Wanru carried the delicious food from her hometown as usual, and took a few hours of car to the small town to visit Li Boyuan. The alley is crooked, but Li Wanru's steps are firm, and she is worried about her son-in-law's life in the city alone.
Walking to the door of Li Boyuan's house, Li Wanru was about to knock on the door, when she suddenly heard a childish voice from the house and Li Boyuan's gentle answer, she was stunned. Over the years, she had never heard that Li Boyuan had a new family, and she was confused and confused.
"Who?" Li Boyuan's voice came from behind the door, interrupting Li Wanru's thoughts.
"It's me, Mom is here. Li Wanru tried her best to make her voice sound kind, but her heart was beating faster with mixed feelings.
Li Boyuan hurriedly opened the door, and the smile on his face revealed a little embarrassment: "Mom, why are you here, I didn't even notice the time." "
Entering the house, Li Wanru glanced at the living room and found several toy cars scattered on the ground, and a child's breath came to her face. Her gaze became complicated, wanting to ask but hesitating.
"Bo Yuan, why is the family so lively?" Li Wanru pretended to ask lightly.
Li Boyuan was a little embarrassed and touched his head: "Mom, this, this is a student I adopted during this time, he has nowhere to go, so I'll take it home first." "
"Oh? Li Wanru unconsciously amplified her voice, half asking, half surprised.
At this moment, a little boy of five or six years old ran out of the back room, looking lively, and when he saw Li Wanru, he shyly hid behind Li Boyuan.
Li Boyuan bent down and took the little boy's hand, and said softly: "This is your grandmother, call someone quickly." "
The little boy poked his head out and whispered, "Grandma Wan." "
Li Wanru's heart suddenly softened, but looking at this child, her heart was complicated and difficult to calm down. She suppressed her anger and disappointment, and asked, "Bo Yuan, what's the matter with this kid? Why didn't you tell me earlier?"
Li Boyuan sighed softly, led the child to the sofa and sat down, and then told Li Wanru everything. It turned out that the child's name was Xiao Ming, and his parents died in an accident, and Li Boyuan met him by chance while teaching in a remote mountainous area. Xiao Ming is introverted and has no one to take care of him, so Li Boyuan has the idea of adoption, but he has never had the right time to tell his mother-in-law.
"Mom, I'm not remarried, and I don't plan to have my own family so soon. But seeing that Xiao Ming was so lonely, I thought that if Yanzi was here, she would definitely agree to me helping this child. Li Boyuan's eyes revealed firmness.
Li Wanru listened, and the suspicion and unhappiness at the beginning gradually dissipated, and she was moved by Li Boyuan's kindness and loyalty to her daughter. She gently held Xiao Ming's hand: "Xiao Ming, I heard that you are a brave child, and this will be your home in the future." "
Xiao Ming looked at Li Boyuan, then at Li Wanru, and an innocent smile bloomed on his little face. Although Li Wanru was surprised by Li Boyuan's decision, the child's smile was very similar to Zhang Yan many years ago, which made her doubts and uneasiness gradually melt.
"Bo Yuan, you're doing the right thing. Yan'er will be happy when she sees it in the spirit of heaven. Li Wanru's voice was full of emotion.
Li Boyuan and Xiao Ming have had a special guest every year, and the atmosphere at home has become warmer. And every time Li Wanru leaves, she will explain that Li Boyuan will take care of Xiao Ming, just like her own son.
As time passed, Li Wanru's time at Li Boyuan's house became longer and longer, and she began to learn more about the story between Xiao Ming and Li Boyuan. One afternoon, as the sun shines through the curtains in the quiet living room, Li Wanru threads a thin needle through the pinholes and slowly embroiders a new pattern. Li Boyuan was grading the students' homework on the table next to him, while Xiao Ming was drawing his pictures on the side, and the family was quiet and harmonious.
"Bo Yuan, between you and Xiao Ming, it's really like father and son. I thought you were ...... at first." Li Wanru said a little embarrassed.
Li Boyuan stopped the pen in his hand and looked at Li Wanru with a smile: "Mom, I understand." I also know I misunderstood you at first. But that's how I met Xiao Ming, and fate tied us together. "
"Then you are going to ... Future... How?" Li Wanru hesitated and tentatively.
Li Boyuan sighed, with deep thought in his eyes: "I didn't think so far myself, I just hope to give Xiao Ming a home and a place of love." If Swallow had been there, she would have supported me. "
Li Wanru put down the embroidery work in her hand and looked out the window into the blurred distance: "Yan'er is a kind child, she will definitely approve of you, she has liked to help others since she was a child." "
Xiao Ming raised his head and said softly: "Father Qiang is very good to me, he cooks food for me every day, and helps me with my homework." "
"Yes, Xiao Ming, do you know that Bo Yuan's original cooking skills are not very good. Li Wanru laughed and teased.
Xiao Ming asked curiously, "Is it? Father Qiang, didn't you cook well before?"
Li Boyuan smiled and touched Xiao Ming's head: "Oops, I was betrayed by your grandmother." Yes, when your aunt was there, I tried to cook for her, and she was the chef at home. "
"Who's Auntie?" Xiao Ming's simple question suddenly quieted the atmosphere in the room.
Li Wanru looked at Li Boyuan, and there was a faint sadness in their eyes. Li Boyuan explained softly to Xiao Ming: "Auntie is actually your sister Wan, she is a very beautiful and gentle person. However, she has gone to heaven and is not with us. "
After hearing this, Xiao Ming silently lowered his head, and after a while, he said, "Oh, then when I grow up, I will become as good as my aunt." "
At this moment, tears welled up in Li Wanru's eyes, and she knew that Li Boyuan's love for Zhang Yan had never changed. And Li Boyuan's kindness not only retains his love for his deceased wife, but also extends to a helpless little life. This is true love, selfless and generous.
"Bo Yuan, you did the right thing, you are a good father and a good son. Li Wanru's words were full of recognition and encouragement.
With the warm afternoon sun, Li Wanru sat in the warm living room, the teacup in her hand exuding a faint heat. She watched Li Boyuan and Xiao Ming play games together, her eyes full of love and satisfaction. From the initial misunderstanding to the current understanding, the vibration in her heart is self-evident.
"Bo Yuan, our house is lively again. Li Wanru said softly, the smile lines at the corners of her eyes revealing her happiness.
Li Boyuan raised his head, and his eyes were also full of smiles: "Yes, Mom, with Xiao Ming, the family seems to have returned to the time when the three of us were together." "
Xiao Ming ran to Li Wanru's side, and looked up and down curiously with a pair of clear eyes: "Grandma Wan, can we all play and eat together like this in the future?"
"Of course you can, Grandma Wan isn't here. In the future, as long as your strong father agrees, I can come to see you often. Li Wanru patted Xiao Ming's head gently.
Li Boyuan watched the interaction between Li Wanru and Xiao Ming with appreciation, he stood up, walked to the window, and took a deep breath of air: "Mom, don't worry, I will take good care of Xiao Ming and give him a complete home." "
"I believe in you, you've always been responsible. Li Wanru's words are full of trust and dependence on her son-in-law.
At dinner, the three of them sat around the dining table, and the food cooked by Li Wanru was full of aroma. Xiao Ming's first attempt to help set the dishes and chopsticks was rusty, but full of children's caution and best efforts.
"Bo Yuan, it's a good day like this. Li Wanru said with emotion while eating.
"Yes, Mom, with you, the home is warm. Li Boyuan responded, his eyes revealing his expectation for the future.
The room dyed red by the sunset outside the window, on the small dining table, three hands intertwined, like a harmonious little family. After the meal, Li Wanru helped clean up the dishes and chopsticks, while Li Boyuan accompanied Xiao Ming to read together. Home, it should be like this, a simple and ordinary day with warmth.
When night fell, Li Wanru packed her luggage and prepared to go back to the village, she looked at Li Boyuan and Xiao Ming, and deeply realized the bond between her family. "Bo Yuan, Xiao Ming, you two have to be good, Mom is relieved. "
"Mom, be careful on your way. We're here to get you back. Li Boyuan said goodbye.
Li Wanru walked out of the house, took a deep breath of the cool night sky, and felt that even the air became sweet. She understands that the status of home is not measured by time, but by heart. She turned and cast one last glance at the warm-lit window, and a thought welled up in her mind: If home is a safe haven, is love a beacon?