On a warm afternoon, 43-year-old Li Hua sat on the sofa at home, his eyes shining through the window to the bustling street market in the distance. She thought about the upcoming blind date event, a little apprehensive in her heart, but also with a trace of indescribable anticipation. Li Hua was wearing simple and decent clothes, gently pulling up the ends of his hair, revealing a faint smile.
"Hua'er, are you really going? Don't forget the conditions of our house. Her mother asked with concern, her folded fingers running over the needlework at hand.
"Mom, I know, I'll tell. Li Hua's voice was resolute, and she caught a glimpse of the wall clock in the corner, "I have to go, it's not good to be late." ”
Before going out, Li Hua took a deep breath, as if he wanted to empty the insecurity in his heart. Arriving at the venue of the blind date event, her eyes searched the crowd, and finally stopped at a burly Zhang Qiang, who revealed a bit of maturity and stability between her eyebrows. Zhang Qiang's first impression gave Li Hua a hint of relief, his smile was gentle, and he got up to greet Li Hua when he saw him.
The two sat down, and after a brief greeting, Zhang Qiang opened the topic straightforwardly.
"Miss Li Hua, we are not young, let me say it bluntly, my expectation for life is simple and happy, what do you think about the future?" Zhang Qiang said in a sincere tone and his eyes were peaceful.
Li Hua was silent for a moment, she knew that the answer to this question would determine the future of the two. She sighed softly and spoke her heart openly.
"Mr. Zhang, I know that people usually have general expectations for marriage, but I have my own difficulties, and I don't want to have sex after marriage. Li Hua's voice was full of seriousness, "My previous marriage was because of ...... This question becomes painful. ”
Zhang Qiang was slightly surprised and fell into thought. "I understand your feelings, you are so honest, I have a lot of respect for you. But Miss Li Hua, you know our customs here, no...... That kind of marriage will be discussed. ”
Li Hua nodded, "I understand, I don't expect to follow the traditional path either. Marriage is more important to me than to fit each other's hearts. ”
Time was passing, and Zhang Qiang's eyes revealed a little doubt in the complexity. "We Chinese pay attention to the right person, but the bride price is ...... according to our situation."
"I'm not looking for your money, Mr. Zhang," Li Hua smiled slightly, and cut to the chase, "The bride price or not, it doesn't matter to me. ”
Zhang Qiang nodded, a hint of admiration flashing in his deep eyes. The sitting and talking of two adults has no youthful shyness, only a sincere discussion of the future life. In the twilight of the evening, they had a frank conversation about life. The night was hazy, and the hustle and bustle of blind date activities gradually dissipated, and Li Hua and Zhang Qiang were still sitting at the table in the corner, immersed in their respective thoughts. Zhang Qiang's brows furrowed slightly, and he weighed the conditions proposed by Li Hua in his heart. Over the course of many years, he has become accustomed to the implicit traditions and wordless conventions of marriage.
"Miss Li Hua," Zhang Qiang finally broke the silence, "we Chinese get married, the bride price is a very important link, you know, this is not only a formality, but also a kind of respect for the woman's family." ”
Li Hua shook her head lightly, her eyes looked resolute and persistent, "Mr. Zhang, there can be many ways to respect, and I don't want to use the bride price to measure the respect that a person gives me." ”
Zhang Qiang sighed, "Then you mean that even if there is no bride price, you still insist on your principles?"
Li Hua nodded affirmatively, "Yes, the bride price is not important to me, the important thing is that the two people have the same mind." ”
After the talks, Li Hua and Zhang Qiang were not in a hurry to make a decision, and they agreed to continue to talk about the matter later. Li Hua returned home, and she told her family about her conversation with Zhang Qiang. Li Hua's outspokenness surprised the family, especially Li Hua's mother and eldest brother Li Gang.
"What are you talking about? No bride price? How can this work!" Li Gang's voice was a little angry, "Since ancient times, it has been necessary to marry a daughter's bride price, how can our Li family not have this face." ”
"Brother, what you care about is face, and what I care about is my future life. Li Hua's tone was firm, "I don't want to marry someone because of money." ”
The mother anxiously persuaded, "Hua'er, the bride price is our woman's confidence, even the neighbor's Xiaoli gets married, and the bride price is tens of thousands." ”
"Mom, I understand your thoughts, but I decide my marriage. What I want now is to live with someone who understands me. Although Li Hua's words were calm, they revealed resolute determination.
The conversation at home was like an invisible pressure, haunting Li Hua's heart. On the other hand, Zhang Qiang has endured similar trials in his family. After Zhang Qiang returned home, his brother Zhang Hai could see his troubles.
"Brother Qiang, look at your frowning, how about the blind date?, is there any progress?" Zhang Hai asked with concern with a cup of tea.
Zhang Qiang told Li Hua's conditions, and Zhang Hai frowned after hearing this, "This is difficult to do, you think clearly, a marriage without a bride price, our neighbors and relatives will spread ten, ten and hundred, how can you save face?"
"I know it's not easy," Zhang Qiang rubbed his forehead anxiously, "but I think Li Hua is quite sincere, and she has her difficulties." ”
Late at night, Zhang Qiang and Li Hua each meditate quietly at home, knowing that the relationship would face a negotiation between social traditions and personal desires.
The next day, Zhang Qiang called Li Hua: "Miss Li Hua, I've thought about it for a long time, let's meet and talk again." ”
Li Hua readily agreed, knowing that this time, they would face an important decision for the future. The issue of bride price became the focus of discussion at the dinner table of the two families, and the topic seemed to be more lively than the sumptuous table. Li Hua sat at the end of the dining table, listening to the discussions of her family, she felt more and more tired.
"Sister Hua, do you really plan to marry like this? Not to mention anything else, it's strange that you marry without a bride price!" Her little sister Li Mei is the only person in the family who supports her, and her words are full of helpless jokes.
"Meimei, I know you're worried about me, but the matter between me and Zhang Qiang can't be explained clearly with a few dollars. Li Hua's answer was plain but firm.
"Cough, Hua'er," the old father Li Wenbin said harshly, "You don't care about the face of our Li family anymore?
Li Hua looked at his father and took a deep breath, "Dad, is face or my happiness important? I don't want to use tradition to bind my future." "
When the family disagreed, Zhang Qiang's family also sat around the living room and discussed the same issues. Zhang Hai said to his younger brother: "Qiang, if you don't give a bride price, people outside will say that you are stingy, this kind of gossip is not good for you and her." "
Zhang Qiang sighed lightly, "Big brother I know, but I respect Li Hua, she doesn't care about this, I think we should respect her choice." "
The atmosphere fell into a solemnity, and Zhang Hai's wife, Sister-in-law Zhang, couldn't help but interject, "The bride price is a tradition, but we also have to keep up with the pace of the times, there are not many girls like Hua'er now, and it is not easy for you to understand each other." "
In the next few days, this controversy about the bride price was repeated in Li Hua's family and Zhang Qiang's house, and the neighborhood also began to discuss it. Some people support Li Hua's choice, while others believe that tradition cannot be violated.
When Li Hua and Zhang Qiang met again, they both realized that this relationship had not only involved the two of them, but also the concept of the entire family and society.
"Mr. Zhang, our marriage problems have affected so many people, in fact, I ...... I'm a little tired. On the bench in the small park, Li Hua said in a low voice.
Zhang Qiang looked at Li Hua affectionately, "Miss Li Hua, I'm also tired, the pressure of this society is so heavy, it's so heavy, it'......s so heavy."
"What are we going to do?" Li Hua's eyes were full of tears, helpless and confused.
Zhang Qiang put his hand on Li Hua's hand, "No matter what, I will support you, as long as you feel happy, I will be happy." The rules of this society will change one day. "
Li Hua looked at Zhang Qiang, a trace of resoluteness flashed in his tears, "Mr. Zhang, your understanding is my biggest bride price." "
The two of them clasped hands tightly, and they knew that the real pass was ahead. On the bench in the park, Li Hua and Zhang Qiang sat for a long time. The stars in the night sky seemed to nod their heads, and even the wind blew gently, bringing a touch of coolness.
"Mr. Zhang, actually...... Is it possible for us not to follow the convention?" Li Hua raised his head, his gaze firm.
Zhang Qiang's eyes revealed a bit of understanding, "You mean, we don't want a bride price, but we don't hide our decision either?"
"Yes. Li Hua replied affirmatively, "With your understanding, the bride price is no longer important." We can tell everyone that we choose to respect and support these as the cornerstones of our marriage......"
"Haha, then how can we explain it at the wedding?" Zhang Qiang quipped, "Could it be that we have subverted the tradition?"
"Maybe," Li Hua's smile was full of anticipation, "maybe we can set up a little easter egg to get everyone involved." For example...... Each person writes down their wishes for marriage and puts them in a large box in place of the traditional bride price. ”
Zhang Qiang was moved by Li Hua's idea, "I like this idea, Hua'er, you can always come up with ways to warm people's hearts." ”
After much deliberation, they decided to make their views clear to the parents. At a family gathering, Li Hua and Zhang Qiang stood in front of their families, holding hands, and frankly expressed their decision.
"Parents, eldest brother, sister-in-law, and everyone in the Zhang family," Li Hua's voice trembled and firm, "The meaning of marriage should not be just form and material, Mr. Zhang and I respect and support each other. What we want is inner happiness, not outside judgment. ”
The family members looked at each other speechlessly, and finally gradually understood and accepted their decision in the resolute eyes of Li Hua and Zhang Qiang. The bride price is no longer the focus of the wedding, but instead is the handwritten note of wishes in the hands of relatives and friends, which are collected in richly decorated boxes on the wedding day and become a testimony to the life of the two of them.
Li Hua and Zhang Qiang's wedding was simple and warm, without complicated ceremonies, but with a deep humanistic care. The guests praised the couple, earning respect for their decision and impressing everyone in attendance.
When night fell and the wedding ended, Li Hua and Zhang Qiang stood in the empty auditorium, quietly looking back at the day.
"Mr. Zhang, do you say, will our practice of breaking the tradition become a new tradition one day?" Li Hua's voice was full of hope, and the twinkling of stars in the night sky seemed to pray for their future.