Zhou Xiaoyun's dreams always start from the small restaurant at home, the sound of spatulas in his spare time, the bustling customers, and the gentle smile on his father's face. It's a modest little restaurant on the edge of the city, and although it's small, it's the result of the hard work and sweat of the whole family.
"Xiaoyun, come and help set these dishes and chopsticks!" Mother Zhang Mei's voice came from the kitchen, and Zhou Xiaoyun put down the account book in his hand and went to share his mother's work.
The business of the restaurant is not booming, but it is also steady. Zhou Xiaoyun's father, Zhou Hai, is a real person, and he always seems clumsy about investment and financial management. "We ordinary people should do some small business in a down-to-earth manner, and we won't touch those high-risk things. These are the words that Zhou Hai often says.
However, such a concept is not understood by everyone, especially Zhou Xiaoyun's second uncle, Li Guocai. The second uncle is the kind of person who always likes to show off at relatives' gatherings, and often makes fun of Zhou Hai's "not aggressive": "Ouch, Hai, you plan to do this in your life? ”
"Second uncle, it's good that dad is like this, and we are living safely. Zhou Xiaoyun is trying his best to maintain his father's dignity, but there is always a trace of unhappiness in his heart.
At the annual Spring Festival party, in the courtyard of my hometown, my relatives say a word to me, and the air is filled with the smell of steaming dumplings and heavy oily fish. Zhou Hai always smiled and listened to the second uncle's boastful talk.
"Hai, look at you, just this spatula and chopsticks all day long, and I don't want to think about how to expand investment and turn over. The second uncle patted his chest, and his self-righteous appearance made the relatives around him can't help but snicker.
"Ah Cai, how can it be as easy as you say it is to invest in this matter. I'm not doing this very well, with Meizier, Xiaoyun is also moisturizing. Zhou Hai responded with a smile, but there was a hint of helplessness hidden in his eyes.
"Dad, don't be like the second uncle. You and Mom have worked hard, we know. Zhou Xiaoyun leaned beside his father, with a trace of emotion in his heart.
After the party, the crowd dispersed, leaving the courtyard with clear moonlight and the warm figure of the family. Home has always been the warmest place in Zhou Xiaoyun's heart. The days passed in the ordinary, but on a seemingly ordinary afternoon, Zhou Hai's mobile phone suddenly rang, and Li Guocai's anxious voice came from the other end of the phone: "Brother Hai, I am in a bit of a hurry and want to ask you for help." ”
On the phone, the second uncle described his business difficulties incoherently. "Brother Hai, I really made a big mistake this time, bank loans, private debts... Now people are coming to collect debts. ”
Zhou Hai could hear that the second uncle was really anxious this time. There was a hint of pleading in the voice of this conceited second uncle at this moment, and the lofty appearance was gone.
Zhou Hai was silent, he faced the golden sunset outside the window, and his heart was mixed. He remembered the contempt that his second uncle had given him in the past, and his self-esteem told him that he should not help, but his conscience reminded him that this was his own brother after all. "Okay, don't worry, I'll go home and talk to my wife. ”
Zhou Xiaoyun stood at the door and heard his father's phone conversation. At dinner, she boldly put forward her own thoughts: "Dad, are you really going to lend money to the second uncle? This is not a small amount." ”
Zhou Hai sighed: "Yes, your second uncle is in big trouble this time, although we are not rich, we can't watch our relatives in the fire pit, right?"
Zhang Mei was a little hesitant: "But we don't have much savings, so many years of hard work is not easy, Brother Hai." ”
"Mom, the second uncle also got the lesson he deserved. I think we can help him, but not unconditionally. Zhou Xiaoyun proposed.
"What does Xiaoyun have in mind?" Zhou Hai asked curiously.
"We can give the second uncle some problems, such as... Let him and Dad formally write an IOU and set a specific repayment plan. Zhou Xiaoyun slowly said his thoughts.
Zhou Hai and Zhang Mei glanced at each other, and felt that Xiaoyun's proposal was quite pertinent.
At that moment, the second uncle rushed into their restaurant like a bear in the water, with teary eyes and a document on his company's debts.
"Brother Hai, you must save me. The second uncle was almost in a kneeling posture.
Zhou Hai grimaced and pointed to the chair opposite: "Sit down, let's talk slowly." ”
In the ensuing conversation, the Zhou family of three and the second uncle discussed the terms of the loan in detail, and Zhang Mei especially emphasized the importance of IOUs and repayment plans. After some discussion, Zhou Hai finally agreed to help the second uncle according to the conditions proposed by Zhou Xiaoyun.
The second uncle also seemed to realize the seriousness of this trouble, he nodded, and agreed to all conditions. "Brother Hai, thank you very much, I will remember the lesson this time. ”
Zhou Xiaoyun looked at the benevolent backs of her parents, and she was also moved by this warm scene. Although his father Zhou Hai is not good at words, he practices true family affection and tolerance. The New Year's bell is not far away, the whole family gathers in the old house as always, and the reunion of the Spring Festival is always expected. But this year's party had an unusual atmosphere, and the anxiety on Li Guocai's face and the weight of debt made the elders of the family look like they had lost their former brilliance.
Zhou Xiaoyun remained silent, looking for an opportunity to talk to the second uncle alone. During the banquet, the second uncle secretly took Zhou Hai's hand and said, "Brother Hai, my hole is not easy to fill, can you..."
Just as the second uncle was vague and wanted to change the topic and find an opportunity to ask for help privately, Zhou Xiaoyun suddenly said, "Second uncle, is 200,000 enough?"
This sentence was like static electricity oscillating in the air, everyone's eyes suddenly froze on Zhou Xiaoyun, and Li Guocai was even more stunned, he never thought that his niece Zhou Xiaoyun, who had always been gentle and quiet, would raise it in public like this.
"Xiaoyun, you, what do you mean by that?" the second uncle's stammering reaction made him a little embarrassed.
Zhou Xiaoyun's eyes were firm and her tone was calm, but her words were like a pebble thrown into a puddle, causing ripples, "I know you want to borrow money to solve the difficulties now, what I ask is, I have prepared 800,000 for you, but do you really only need 200,000?"
The relatives on the side whispered one after another, they had never seen such a Zhou Xiaoyun, so generous and mature. And for the second uncle, who has a strong sense of self-esteem, this is like a huge resounding slap in the face, hitting his self-esteem.
Li Guocai's face changed, and he finally put down the mask full of self-esteem, "Xiaoyun, my previous attitude was really wrong... I... At this point, I don't hide it, I do need more help. ”
At this time, Zhou Hai and Zhang Mei also participated, Zhou Hai said: "Cai, we are brothers, Xiaoyun is willing to help you, it is your blessing, but in the future, in life, I hope you can remember this lesson." ”
Zhang Mei added gently: "I hope this incident can make you understand that family is the most solid backing." ”
Emotions fluctuate in the key-like dialogue, and the wall of the second uncle's heart collapses at this moment, and he falls into deep self-reflection. The rest of the relatives were also deeply touched by this scene, not only for the help of money, but also for an education of emotions and values.
"Brother Hai, Meizi, Xiaoyun, I... I don't know how to thank you enough. I will definitely change my life and become a new person in the future. Li Guocai was rare in his sincerity and humility.
Zhou Xiaoyun's move is not only material assistance, but also an emotional catharsis and the renewal of family concepts. In this trial, the image of the second uncle becomes more three-dimensional, and he changes from an arrogant businessman to an ordinary person who is willing to reflect and learn. Time is like flowing water, and unconsciously, the business of the Zhou family's small restaurant is becoming more and more prosperous. And the kindness of Zhou Xiaoyun and his parents has also become a good story in the community. The second uncle helped in the museum, diligently and gratefully every day.
In the blink of an eye, the spring breeze and the south bank of the Green River, Zhou Xiaoyun was sorting out the account books in the corner of the restaurant, and couldn't help but sigh: "This period of time has changed really much, second uncle, you see, business is much better." ”
The second uncle wiped the table and replied with a smile: "It's all your help, I'm not trying to repay it!"
Zhou Hai came out of the kitchen with a plate of freshly fried dishes, "Eh, Cai, don't patronize your work, pay attention to your body." You're half a master. ”
The second uncle bowed his head and said, "Brother Hai, I understand. This incident has taught me a lot of lessons, and I will remember it for the rest of my life. ”
Zhou Hai put the dishes on the table and said gently: "We are all a family, if there is any difficulty in the future, everyone will help each other." ”
Zhang Mei came over with a pot of tea and said to Zhou Xiaoyun: "Xiaoyun, your method is really wonderful, the family is now harmonious and beautiful." ”
Zhou Xiaoyun put away the account book and said with a smile: "Mom, no matter what, family affection is the most important." The second uncle is also a role model, if he makes a mistake, he can make amends, isn't that good?"
"yes, I feel like I've been born again. The second uncle took a sip of tea and sighed with emotion.
In such an atmosphere, the neighbors of the community also felt the sincerity and kindness of the Zhou family. They spread the good words of the Zhou family around, and the reputation of the Zhou family restaurant became even louder, and there was an endless stream of customers.
With the fresh and pleasant air after a rain in spring, Zhou Customs turned off the range hood in the kitchen, looked at the full house of customers, and couldn't help asking: "Do you say, is there a warmer place in the world than home?"