Mom and aunties say you're 10 years older than my dad, is that true?
I was in the kitchen making my daughter's favorite sweet potato syrup, and I couldn't help but be stunned when I heard her innocent question.
Silly child, just remember that your mother is the one who loves you the most. I forced a smile and teased her.
yes, I'm 10 years older than your dad, if not more. After remarrying and giving birth to you, relatives and friends nodded behind their backs, saying that my bones really deceived him at a young age. But no one knows how much I have paid to get the little happiness I have now.
I looked at my daughter's innocent smiling face, infinite pity. Reaching out and brushing her hair, she giggled and ducked away. Once upon a time, I was also a young and beautiful girl, full of infinite hopes for the future. But fate played a merciless joke, and I experienced the torture of life and death at the best age, and embarked on a life path that is ridiculous.
That was 5 years ago. One sunny morning, I went to the farmer's market as usual with fresh vegetables I picked from home, hoping to sell them for a good price.
Auntie, how much do these vegetables cost a pound? A young boy asked me.
Are you a new boy? 5 yuan a pound, the old price. I smiled and quoted the price.
Oh, then give me 10 pounds. He said without hesitation.
I was a little puzzled, but this is a lot of quantity and price, so I asked: Can you eat so many vegetables by yourself?
No, no, no, I bought it for my family. He was embarrassed to explain that my mother had never bought so many vegetables for cooking before, and I wanted to give her more energy.
Your filial piety is really not small. I was moved by his filial piety, and hurriedly carefully selected the vegetables and wrapped them firmly.
Auntie, you grow this green vegetable home, right? By the way, my name is Xiaogang, and I will learn from you to grow vegetables when I have the opportunity in the future.
Xiao Gang's funny and hearty opening remarks made me involuntarily attracted by his affable personality. Since the death of my ex-husband, I have lived a simple life alone. I'm the only one in the family, so why do I need to grow too many vegetables, but it's interesting to have a young man learn the art of growing vegetables.
Well, we'll teach you some tricks then. I laughed and accosted.
Since that casual encounter, Xiao Gang has visited my vegetable stall almost every week to buy a large bundle of fresh vegetables. Gradually, we have changed from unfamiliar stall owners and buyers to familiar friends.
Auntie, why are you still doing this kind of work at such an old age? Aren't you tired? Xiao Gang couldn't help but ask me once.
I smiled and replied: It's nothing, just make some pocket money. When we're old, how much money do we need? As long as we are physically strong.
That's not going to work, Auntie, you have to take care of yourself. Xiao Gang persuaded, I see that you are alone, and your life is not very easy, right? Otherwise, move in with us? My mother will praise you for the good vegetables you grow, and she will definitely welcome you.
I was warmed by Xiaogang's kindness, but I was also a little embarrassed. Ever since my husband died, I have been carrying the burden on my own. Fortunately, with a vegetable garden and stalls, life can be passed. If I move in with a stranger, I can't put my mind at ease.
Thank you, Xiaogang, but I can't stand your mother's naan. I'll just have a part-time job, you young people should have a good time.
Xiao Gang couldn't persuade me, so he had to give up. But since then, he has often brought me some of my mother's new skills to try, and he is as considerate to me as he is to his own mother. Sometimes when I come home in the evening, I will bring them some fresh side dishes. Over time, we became as close as a family.
One day, I had a high cold and fever and lay at home for a few days without going to the vegetable market. Xiao Gang suddenly found that my stall was empty, and hurriedly found my house.
Auntie, what's wrong with you? Are you sick? Xiao Gang asked me anxiously.
Seeing the concerned look on his face, I couldn't help but feel heartwarmed. When I think of my ex-husband's death, I was also so helpless.
Xiao Gang looked at my room with complicated eyes, and then said: Auntie, my mother gave birth to another child two years ago, and now she is short of manpower to help take care of the child. Why don't you move in with us? You don't have to set up a stall all day, you can just help your mother do some housework.
Hearing this, my heart jumped a few times, and my eyes moistened a little. I had planned to grow old like this, but I didn't expect such a young man to care about me from the bottom of my heart.
In this way, a young man who was originally a stranger became a relative-like existence that allowed me to embrace life again. And I, like a member of the family, have been accepted unconditionally.
In the days that followed, I lived a life with children and daughters. Xiaogang's mother was very affectionate to me, and the children liked me. I also do my best to help with household chores and take care of the children.
In the blink of an eye, Xiao Gang's wife Lily was pregnant and gave birth again. When the cute little princess was on the full moon, the whole family prepared a grand full moon wine. I never imagined that in the last years of my life, I would be able to experience the warmth of such family happiness.
On the day of the full moon wine, relatives and friends came to congratulate each other, and the scene was lively. Lily took the little guy out, and while everyone ate the delicious full moon banquet, they happily praised the child for how much he looked like his father, Xiaogang.
Xiao Gang's words were like a slap in the face, hitting the hearts of everyone present. All laughter came to an abrupt end, and the atmosphere fell into an awkward silence for a moment.
I was stunned, my mind was in a state of confusion, and I couldn't even react to what was going on. Lily immediately covered her mouth and began to cry, tears rolling down her face. Mom held her in a panic and anxiously asked Xiao Gang what was going on.
Lily couldn't help but cry out, "What do you say? We just had a baby, how can you be so ruthless!"
Xiao Gang sighed helplessly, and his eyes fell gloomily on the poor little girl. I could see that he was no less bitter than Lily.
At this, he couldn't help but look at me, his eyes glazed and lost in thought. At that moment, I felt as if I had read something deep in his eyes, and I couldn't help but get nervous.
Xiao Gang, do you have any other thoughts about your aunt when you do this? Xiao Gang's mother pointed out this possibility to the point.
No, Mom, you're all mistaken. My aunt and I don't have the kind of relationship you think, never have. Xiao Gang hurriedly waved his hand and explained.
I breathed a sigh of relief and felt glad. But then I was a little disappointed that I was ashamed of myself that I had such thoughts about this young man, who was only a few years older than my own daughter.
Then why do you want to divorce? You have been in love for so long, how happy is the family of three! Xiaogang's mother cried and questioned her son.
Xiao Gang took a deep breath, and finally showed a relieved look on his face.
Actually, I discovered a long time ago that I didn't have much desire for women. After years of living with Lily, I have been lying to myself and barely maintaining this life, but I know that I can't fool myself for the rest of my life.
What do you mean by that?" Mom asked, surprised.
I'm gay, Mom. This is a fact that I have never had the courage to confess to everyone. Xiao Gang said the word that shocked everyone present.
My hands clashed over my mouth, tears welling up in my eyes. It turned out that Xiao Gang had been burdened with such deep pain and pressure, but he didn't tell anyone. And his warm care and affinity actually came from this family-like love for me.
Lily cried so much that she almost fainted, and her mother hugged her and comforted her. Seeing this sudden family tragedy, I sat down in my chair weakly, tears raining down.
I nodded dumbly, although I was helpless and sad, but I also slowly understood Xiaogang's distress. There are so many difficult choices in life, and even I have encountered such a dilemma myself. Xiao Gang didn't mean to hurt anyone, he just hoped that he and the people closest to him could be happy.
It's a cruel choice that requires courage to face, but it's also a necessary path to a new life. And I am about to witness Xiao Gang's rebirth in the face of his own heart.