My name is Li Ming, I am 68 years old this year, I have a fairly rich life after retirement, I have a pension and some stock dividends every month, plus I find a cleaning job by myself, and my monthly income is about 5,000 yuan. I live alone in a small building in the suburbs, and in addition to cleaning, I also grow vegetables, visit the park, chat with my neighbors, and live a leisurely life.
My son's name is Li Qiang, I got married and had children a few years ago, and now the family of three lives in a community not far from me. In the past few years, he was always very busy and rarely came to see me, so I went with him. A few months ago, he suddenly came to me alone, saying that their family's mortgage was still nearly 500,000 yuan unpaid, and asked me if I could help them pay off part of it. I was a little angry, thinking that they young people should be able to solve this kind of problem on their own, so why should they ask their old father to help.
"Dad, you see, we're really in a bit of trouble right now, and this mortgage is really overwhelming us. If you can help us pay back 200,000 yuan, we can save a lot of money and pay you back slowly. Li Qiang looked at me pleadingly.
"You chose the house yourself, bought it yourself, and now you can't afford it, why do you want me to help? I said a little angrily.
"Dad, look, you earn a lot every month, if you can help us with 200,000 yuan, we will pay you back slowly in the future, and you will be easy. Besides, you're almost 70, what else do you need to save so much money for? If it weren't for the idea of buying us a house, you wouldn't be living in such a remote place. Li Qiang said with a wry smile.
Hearing him say that, my heart didn't feel good. I did buy this house for them, and I lived in the suburbs to give them enough for a down payment. Although my life is quite rich now, I also know that I am an old man after all, and I may have various expenses in the future. However, thinking that my son's family is indeed facing difficulties now, I can't bear not to help them.
"Okay, then tell me first, how much can you repay? I'll see if I can help you pay back 200,000. I said helplessly.
"Thank you so much, Dad! I have discussed with my daughter-in-law, if we can repay 5,000 yuan every month, you can give us 200,000 yuan first, and then we will pay you back slowly. Li Qiang said happily.
"Okay, you tell me the bank card number and password first, and I'll transfer money to you tomorrow." I sighed and agreed.
Seeing my son's relieved appearance, although I was a little reluctant, I still felt that it would be good to help them. After all, they are also young now, and there will be more outlets in the future, and they will slowly pay off the money.
In the following months, my son repaid 5,000 yuan every month as scheduled, and I was a lot more relaxed. In addition to cleaning every day, I grow vegetables at home and occasionally go out for a walk. Life is quite fulfilling.
I wake up at 7 a.m. every morning, do a simple morning exercise at home, and then go out to do cleaning work after breakfast. I'm in charge of a few shops in a large shopping mall, and I come every morning to clean, clean the glass, mop the floor, and so on. Although the work is a bit hard, it is not bad to earn 5,000 yuan a month. I feel very satisfied that I can find such a job after retirement, which not only fulfills my life, but also earns a lot of extra money.
In between work, I would chat with my colleagues, and everyone was very kind and often told me to pay attention to my body and not to get too tired. I will also introduce them to some health tips, which are very interesting to everyone. Sometimes the owner of the shop would buy us some fruit snacks, which was great.
I also feel a lot more relaxed when I repay my son 5,000 yuan on time every month. I used to worry that my savings would not be enough, but now that I have a cleaning job, I can still save some money every month. Although life is not as laid-back as it used to be, I still feel quite fulfilling.
A few days ago, I was cleaning in the mall, and suddenly I saw a couple walking in front of me, and when I looked closely, it was my son Li Qiang and my daughter-in-law. The two of them were talking and laughing, looking happy.
"Son, why are you in the mall too?" I shouted with some surprise.
"Dad, you're here too? Li Qiang also said with some surprise.
"Yes, I come here every morning to do the cleaning work. Why are you two here?" I asked curiously.
"Let's go to the mall and buy something. How did you end up working here?" The daughter-in-law asked in surprise.
"Oh, I got this janitor job after I retired, and I make 5,000 dollars a month, so I've been working here. I laughed.
"Dad, why do you work so hard? Don't you have a pension, you don't need to work again. The daughter-in-law said with a frown.
"It's so hard, I like this job. Wake up every morning to do exercise, and then come here to clean up, it's nothing, and you can still make some money. But you two didn't tell me, why did you come to the mall?" I asked, confused.
I took a closer look at the two of them and saw that they were all dressed decently and didn't look like they were here to buy something. Is it dating here? But I'm glad I think they asked me to help pay off the mortgage some time ago.
"Oh, then you guys take your time, I still have work to do. You guys play slowly, and call me if you have something. I smiled and prepared to leave.
"Dad, don't go, let's have lunch together. You're working here anyway, so it's time to take a break. My son hurriedly grabbed me and said.
"Okay, let's have a meal together. I smiled and nodded.
After eating, the three of us chatted for a while. I learned that the two of them have been working quite smoothly recently, and their incomes are also good, so there is no major financial pressure. Hearing such news, I also put down a big stone in my heart.
"Alright, it's time for me to get back to work, you two take your time. Call me anytime if anything. I smiled and stood up.
"Dad, you should be busy first, we should go too. You work hard, so take a break. My son also stood up and patted me on the shoulder.
"Okay, take care. I'll go first. I waved my hand and turned to get back to work.
When I got home, I was cooking dinner while thinking about what I had just met with my son and daughter-in-law at the mall. The two of them do look and behave a little abnormal, are they really here for a date? But I don't want to ask too much, after all, they are both adults and have their own lives. As long as they're doing well, I don't care too much.
After dinner, I called my son to find out more about them.
"Hey, son, it's my dad. I opened my mouth first.
"Dad, what's wrong? The son asked, somewhat surprised.
"It's not a big deal, I just want to know how you've been doing. I just ran into you two at the mall, and you look like you're dating. I laughed.
"Ah, you met us at the mall? Oh, that's fine, we're just here for a walk around the mall. The son stammered a little.
"It's okay, I don't want to ask too much about you young people. It's just that the two of you look very relaxed, so I think you should be doing well lately. I said earnestly.
"yes, it's been pretty good lately. The job is stable, the income is ok, and overall it's okay. By the way, Dad, you go to the mall every day to do cleaning work, is it hard?" The son changed the subject.
"It's so hard, I enjoy my job. It feels quite fulfilling to get up every morning to do exercise and then go to work. And that salary is pretty good for me. But you two need to take care of your body and take care of yourself. I laughed.
"Oh, that's good. Then you are busy with work, we will not bother you. Contact again if there is anything. Goodbye, Dad!" The son hung up the phone in a hurry.
Hanging up, I was once again lost in thought. My son's reaction was indeed a bit strange, was he really hiding something? I knew that as a father, I shouldn't interfere too much in their lives. But looking at the appearance of my son and daughter-in-law, I still can't help but be a little worried. They asked me to help pay off the mortgage, but now I'm dating in the mall, what happened?
Sure enough, during the lunch break, I saw the two of them again. This time they looked more mysterious, looking around from time to time, as if they were hiding from someone. I couldn't help myself and walked up to say hello.
"Son, are you in the mall again?" I asked, a little confused.
"Coincidentally, I happened to be resting too. Would you like to have lunch together?" I invited them with a smile.
"No, Dad, we won't disturb your work. Let's go first, you do your job. The daughter-in-law hurriedly pulled her son and left quickly.
Seeing their panicked appearance, I was even more puzzled. Are they really doing something shady in the mall? But I'm too embarrassed to ask directly. After all, they are adults after all and have their own lives. I shouldn't interfere and be suspicious too much.
In this way, I continued to concentrate on my work. Until I got home from work, I still couldn't let go of this in my heart. I called my son again and tried to communicate with them again.
"Hey, son, it's my dad. Why are you in such a hurry to leave at noon today, and are you hiding anything from me?" I asked directly.
"Son, do you know what I've seen? You two are mysterious in the mall, and you seem to be hiding something from me. You used to ask me to help pay off the mortgage, and now you're dating there, what the hell is going on?" I finally couldn't help but express my doubts.
"Dad, listen to me, we really don't have anything to hide from you. My son sighed and began to explain to me, "We went to the mall that day because my daughter-in-law and I were discussing something. We wanted to surprise you, but we didn't expect you to run into us right there. "
"What surprise?" I asked, a little confused.
"What? You're going to buy me a house?" I couldn't believe my ears, "But you guys were so mysterious in the mall just now, are you just discussing this?"
"Yes, exactly. We've always wanted to surprise you, so we've been secretly discussing it in the mall. We didn't want you to find out, so we thought we'd let you know when everything was ready. The son explained.
"But your current financial situation is not too well-off, is it, won't it bring you more burdens to buy me a house?" I said with some concern.
"No, Dad. We now have a stable job and a decent income. Moreover, you have helped us so much money before, and we have always felt indebted to you. Buying a house this time is a little bit of our heart that we want to repay you. The son said, his voice full of gratitude.
Listening to my son's explanation, I suddenly felt embarrassed. It turned out that they had been planning to surprise me, but I misunderstood them. As a father, I should not be suspicious of my own children.
"Son, I'm sorry, but I'm suspicious. I thought you were doing something unsightly in the mall, and I was so sorry for you. I said sincerely.
"Dad, don't talk about this. We know you care about us, that's why we think so. We don't blame you, you are our dearest person. "My son comforted me.
I nodded gratefully, filled with self-reproach and guilt. I should trust my children and not be suspicious of them. As a father, I should give them more trust and support instead of doubting them like that.
"So what's your plan now, when is it going to buy me a house?" I asked.
"We've found a nice house, not far from your current house on the outskirts. We are in the process of negotiating the price and payment method with the real estate agent and hope to buy it as soon as possible. When everything is arranged, we will tell you about this surprise. The son said excitedly.
"That's great! I really appreciate you. I said with emotion.
"Dad, just wait for the good news. We'll be sure to surprise you. The son said gently.
Hanging up, I couldn't help but wipe the tears from the corners of my eyes. I am so touched that my children have been thinking about me all the time. As a father, I would be suspicious of them, and I would be ashamed of my filial piety to them over the years.
Over the next few days, I worked hard, but I also kept an eye on my son's movements from time to time. Finally, one weekend morning, I received a call from my son.
"Dad, do you have time today? My daughter-in-law and I have a surprise for you. The son said excitedly.
"Of course there's time! Come on, I'll wait at home. "I can't wait to say.
After a while, my son and daughter-in-law came to my house. They pulled me with a smile on their faces and told me to follow them.
"We bought you a new house, right around here. Come and see it!" The son said excitedly.
We came to a beautiful little building, and my son took out the key to open the door and let me go in and visit. The house is decorated with simple atmosphere, good lighting, and some green plants on the balcony, which is very warm.
"Son, this house is so beautiful! You guys are so nice, I really appreciate you. I said excitedly.
"Dad, this house is yours now. You can live here in the future and don't have to be in such a remote place anymore. The daughter-in-law said with a smile.
Hearing this, my eyes turned completely red. I was really touched that my children had such a surprise in store for me. I hugged them tightly, tears welling up in my eyes.
"Dad, don't be sad, this is what we should do for you. Enjoy your life in the future, we will come to see you often. The son said softly.