In the ordinary community filled with the smell of fireworks, in the home of Li Ming and Wang Li, the kitchen lights are warm and kind, Wang Li is busy stir-frying, and the sound of children laughing can be heard outside the window.
"After this busy time, we can rest assured. Li Ming looked out the window and said to Wang Li that his vision was a little blurry, as if he was recalling the hard days of the past.
"Yes, for Xiaotong's marriage, the two of us have been worried a lot in recent years. Wang Li sighed while flipping through the dishes in the pot.
"Mom, Dad, when you say 'busy', are you talking about that house again?" Li Xiaotong walked in with two cups of hot tea, looking curious.
Li Ming took the tea and nodded: "That's not your wedding room, of course we have to be busy with this matter." "
"But I had a good conversation with Lin Feng, and he didn't have any special requirements for that house. Li Xiaotong was a little puzzled.
"You don't understand, men have some thoughts in their hearts. Wang Li poured the dishes from the pot into the plate, paused and said, "When the marriage is over, you will understand." "
"Xiaotong, marriage is a matter of two families, and we do this to give you a more stable future. Li Ming said earnestly.
"I know that Mom and Dad are good for me, but I don't think Lin Feng cares about that. Li Xiaotong took out her mobile phone and looked at the photo of her and Lin Feng, her voice was full of beautiful visions for the future.
Li Ming sighed and changed the subject: "By the way, Xiaotong, won't your unit organize a tour in a few days?
"It's all arranged, Lin Feng has also asked for leave, and we plan to go together. A happy smile appeared on the corner of Li Xiaotong's mouth.
At the dinner table, the three of them sat around, talking about homely things, and the atmosphere was warm. But Li Ming and Wang Li are inevitably still a little worried in their hearts, and their hearts are full of complicated emotions for the new stage of their daughter's life that they are about to enter.
After dinner, Wang Li washed the dishes and applied some hand cream, she pulled Li Ming and said: "Today's young people have different ideas, what we can do is to try to give her the best starting point." "
"yes, it's just... You also know that Lin Feng's family is in the countryside, and it is not easy for him to get to where he is today. We can't give up all the benefits, we have to leave a way back for Xiaotong. Li Ming's brows furrowed slightly.
"I understand, that's why I think the house should remain in our name, in case something happens to them in the future..."Wang Li's voice became quieter and quieter, as if she didn't want to say something unlucky.
Late at night, Li Ming and Wang Li lay on the bed, the street lights cast on the ceiling, swaying with the leaves, as if telling the story of the future that might come. One evening a few days later, Lin Feng came to Li Xiaotong's house to discuss marriage, and after dinner, the family sat in the living room, and the atmosphere was extremely heavy.
"Xiaotong mentioned that your house is going to be used as a wedding house for us, right?" Lin Feng asked Li Ming tentatively with a hint of nervousness.
"Yes, the house was originally reserved for Xiaotong as a dowry. Li Ming nodded, but his tone was not very sure.
Wang Li answered: "But we also have to talk about our future plans, after all, life after marriage is not just a matter of one or two days." "
"I heard that the Fenghuang man got married, and the family had to contribute to their son. Lin Feng, how do you see your family's preparations?" Li Ming tried to find out about Lin Feng's family.
Lin Feng was a little embarrassed: "My parents are old, and the family doesn't have any savings, if this house can be given to Xiaotong, I will already be very grateful." "
"Well, the house is fine, but we may have to keep the title deed in our name for the future. Li Ming's words were astonishing.
Lin Feng's face became a little ugly: "This... It stands to reason that if you get married, the house should be for the younger couple. "
"Lin Feng, we are also thinking about the long term in the future. Wang Li tried to calm the atmosphere.
Li Xiaotong also spoke at this time: "Lin Feng, you also know that my parents have not been easy these years, and they are also for our good." "
"I know that my uncle and aunt work hard, but I also work hard. The two of us can live well together. Lin Feng looked firm.
Li Ming sighed and said, "A good life is the most important thing, but the world is impermanent, and we are all ordinary people, so this decision has been seriously considered." "
The evening breeze blew into the living room, and the air between the three adults and a prospective couple seemed to freeze. The trivialities of life and the uncertainty of the future are torn apart in this small space.
In the next few days, Lin Feng was obviously in a bad mood. When he met Li Xiaotong, he began to express his dissatisfaction: "Xiaotong, do you really think that your parents are right to do that? The house is in their name, so do we still have to live in their shadow?"
Li Xiaotong comforted softly: "Lin Feng, I understand your concern, but the most important thing for us now is to build our own home, and other things, take your time, okay?"
"But this matter is related to our most basic sense of family security!" Lin Feng looked a little excited.
As the days passed, the issue of real estate became an unavoidable topic on the Li family's dining table. Li Ming and Wang Li insisted that this was for the good of their daughter, but Li Xiaotong was caught in the middle and was very tormented.
"Dad, Mom, I've discussed with Lin Feng, we plan to rent a house first. That's fine, when our economic conditions are better, we will consider buying a house on our own. Li Xiaotong tried to find a compromise solution.
"This..."Li Ming and Wang Li glanced at each other, their hearts complicated.
But as time passed, the sweetness of the past faded under the pressure of reality. The matter of the house became more and more a thorn in Lin Feng's heart, and he began to avoid in-depth communication with Li Xiaotong, and the communication became less and less.
For Li Xiaotong, she always hopes to communicate and solve problems with love and trust, but gradually, she finds that the distance between the two is unconsciously widened. An unexpected turmoil made Li Xiaotong's marriage precarious. It was a weekend afternoon, and in the living room of the Li family, a family meeting was going on.
"I heard that Lin Feng and his family are moving here to live here permanently?" Li Ming asked Li Xiaotong seriously, his eyebrows full of worry.
"Yes, I heard Lin Feng mention that his parents want to be closer to us. Li Xiaotong was a little dazed, and didn't quite understand why his father suddenly mentioned this matter.
"This can't work!" Wang Li suddenly spoke, her tone was sure and resolute, "If the house is in his name, how can we rest assured?"
"Mom, but the house was said to be for us, and it has been renovated. Li Xiaotong looked anxious and helpless.
"Xiaotong, my parents did this for you. Li Ming's tone turned softened, "We can't put you in a disadvantageous position. "
However, this would hurt Lin Feng's heart. Have you considered my feelings?" Tears gradually welled up in Li Xiaotong's eyes.
"Of course we think about it, but it's more about thinking about your future. Wang Li then explained, "If Lin Feng really loves you, these storms should be carried over together." "
"He did love me, but that decision was too sudden. Li Xiaotong's tone was choked.
At this moment, Lin Feng came to Li's house and heard the countdown at the door.
"I've heard it all, so what else do we have to talk about?" Lin Feng rushed into the house, his face furious.
"Lin Feng, you calm down first, let's sit down and have a good talk. Li Ming tried to calm the situation.
"There's nothing to talk about, I've worked my own since I was a child, and now even the marriage room is under the control of my uncle and aunt?" Lin Feng's anger was hard to suppress.
"This is for Xiaotong's good, can't you see it?" Wang Li was also a little angry.
Li Xiaotong stood up at this time: "Enough! Please respect my thoughts." "
At this moment, the atmosphere in the room suddenly dropped to freezing, and three adults and a young woman who was about to enter the palace of marriage faced the division that the family was about to face.
The contradictions and conflicts that have been going on for days finally erupted at this moment.
"If we don't have even the most basic trust, then what's the point of us getting married?" Lin Feng's words were filled with despair.
Li Xiaotong's heart is like a knife, she doesn't want to see such a situation happen, family and love are equally important to her. She turned to look at her parents, her eyes full of anticipation.
"Xiaotong, we ......" Li Ming wanted to say something, but he was speechless, they didn't expect things to develop to this point.
In the tense air, there are not only the expectations and fears of the two generations for the future, but also the deep responsibilities and emotional entanglements. The harmony of the family and the happiness of the individual, in these short minutes, reached an unprecedented pull. Under the pressure of family and relationships, Li Xiaotong had to make difficult choices. She took a deep breath, looked at Lin Feng calmly and said, "Lin Feng, threatening to break up won't solve the problem. What we need is understanding and support, not evasion and blame. "
"Understanding?" Lin Feng asked angrily, "When even the most basic self-esteem is placed under the value of marriage, how do you think I should understand it?"
"Self-esteem and marriage are not contradictory. Li Xiaotong remained calm, "I have always respected you, but we must also consider practical issues. "
Lin Feng seemed to be disheartened: "Practical problem, well, if it's just an exchange of interests, then there is no need for us to be together at all." "
Li Ming and Wang Li had been listening quietly, they didn't expect things to evolve to this point. At this time, Wang Li whispered to Li Xiaotong: "Xiaotong, no matter what choice you make, we will support you." "
That night, Lin Feng left the Li family, while Li Xiaotong spent the whole night in the room meditating. Through tears, she saw the independence and strength of her heart.
The next day, Li Xiaotong found Lin Feng with a resolute face: "Lin Feng, I am grateful for all you have done for me, but if even the matter of the house can affect our relationship, then it may be really not suitable for us to come together." "
Lin Feng froze in place, he didn't expect Li Xiaotong to say this.
As time passed, Li Xiaotong began to replan his life. She actively participates in the work, shuttles to every corner of the city, and lives energetically. She also spends time with her parents over a hearty dinner or chats with friends. Although there are ups and downs in life, she cherishes every opportunity to choose independently.
"Xiaotong, you look more and more confident. One day at dinner, Wang Li said to her daughter with a smile.
"Yes, living alone may be a new beginning. Li Xiaotong responded, her eyes flashing with determination.
After experiencing the double test of family and personal values, Li Xiaotong finally understood what it meant to be independent. And the decisions she made also put her on her own path.
Night softly envelops the city, and the people who walk under the streetlights have their own stories. Li Xiaotong looked up at the starry sky and asked silently in his heart: "If time could be turned back, would we still make the same choice?"