My name is Zhao Xianming, I am 65 years old this year, and I have been officially retired for 5 years.
I worked as a clerk in an inconspicuous government department all my life, and my pension of 1,800 yuan a month was not much, but it was enough to support my simple life and occasional small hobbies - that is, fishing and reading.
I have a daughter who is married to a bank president, and despite their offer to let me move in with them, I chose to keep my independence and enjoy my peaceful old age.
But a class reunion still made me see what it means to be bitter and mean, and what it means to be unancient.
01
Today is the 48th anniversary reunion of our high school classmates.
Although I wasn't very enthusiastic about such occasions, I decided to go because I thought of meeting many old friends.
I know that some of my classmates have successful careers and must have lived a better life than me, but I never envy them, and I wear my best clothes, which are a little old but cleanly washed.
I arrived early at the meeting place, an old Chinese restaurant in the center of the city.
As soon as I entered, I saw several familiar faces, they were chatting enthusiastically, and I smiled and greeted them one by one, ready to join them.
But soon I found that the conversation had revolved around income and social status, and my heart began to sink.
One by one, they boasted about their lives abroad and their grandchildren's private schools, and I listened silently, occasionally interjecting a sentence or two, but was soon drowned out by new boasts.
"Ming, I heard that your pension is very small, is it really only 1800?" An old classmate of mine, who used to be very good, asked half-jokingly, his voice especially loud in a noisy Chinese restaurant.
I smiled slightly, trying to keep my composure, "yes, it's enough for my own use, I don't need much." I replied.
But laughter and whispers soon spread around the table, and some of the classmates' eyes were full of incredulity, even a little contempt.
"How is that enough? Now prices are soaring, everything is expensive. Another classmate shook his head and said.
I tried my best to maintain my demeanor, but the discomfort in my heart began to build.
I know I may seem like a failure in their eyes, especially in a society where money is the only criterion for success.
The conversation quickly shifted to more materialistic ostentation, and I gradually fell silent in the conversation, feeling like a relic of an era.
As the party progressed, I felt more and more out of place.
I'm starting to regret coming here today, maybe it would be more comfortable to be alone at home, to read old books with my old cat, and not to participate in this vain competition.
02
Just as I was about to say goodbye in advance, there was a sudden roar outside, and it was a very expensive looking car parked in front of the Chinese restaurant.
Everyone's eyes were drawn to the discussion, and my heart couldn't help but beat faster, because I knew that it was my son-in-law who had come to pick me up.
As the roar died down, all eyes were on the shining car.
The door slowly opened, and it was my son-in-law Zhang Hao who stepped down from the driver's seat, dressed in a suit and leather shoes, and his handsome appearance and calm demeanor made the surrounding whispers stop abruptly in an instant.
Zhang Hao smiled and waved at me, and I got up from my seat and walked towards him.
The expressions of my classmates changed from surprise to incredulity, and several of my classmates, who had been discussing my pension and life just now, now had complicated eyes, obviously shocked by the scene in front of them.
"Dad, are you ready? I'm here to pick you up. Zhang Hao's voice was clear and firm, and his every word was full of respect and warmth.
I nodded, feeling a sense of pride that I had never felt before.
"Well, thank you for picking me up. My voice rang in the ears of my classmates, whose expressions had completely changed now.
I could feel the exchange of glances and whispers from my classmates, a few of whom had laughed at me before now seemed to want to say something, but then paused, as if to reassess their perception of me.
The moment I got into the car, I glanced back and saw a few envious and even jealous faces, the car door closed to isolate the sound outside, Zhang Hao asked me softly: "How is the party, are you okay?"
I smiled and replied, "Good, it's better now." The uneasiness and embarrassment in my heart had dissipated into the air with those whispers.
As the car drove smoothly away from the Chinese restaurant, leaving behind the eyes of the students who were fading away from the window, I took a deep breath and felt a relief that I had never felt before.
Zhang Hao's driving skills are very good, and the atmosphere in the car is also relaxed and happy because of his presence, we talked about some daily small things, and he asked me about my feelings from time to time, which made me feel very warm.
As the car drove towards the night view of the city, I had a lot of thoughts, and I remembered every face, every word at the party.
Although I was ridiculed and felt isolated at first, now I realize that these outside evaluations are not important, what matters is the understanding and support of my family, and what matters is my own attitude towards life.
"Zhang Hao, do you know? Today's gathering has taught me a lot. I looked out the window at the city lights and said with emotion.
"Yes, Dad, what have you learned?" Zhang Hao looked at me curiously, and his gaze encouraged me to continue.
"I've learned that no matter what other people think, I should be proud of my life. Although I am not rich, I have dignity and people who love me and I love. "My voice was firm, and although this party made me uncomfortable at first, it eventually made me cherish my ordinary life even more.
Zhang Hao smiled and said, "Dad, you are right, you have always been a role model for our whole family." ”
The car finally stopped in front of my house, and I am deeply grateful to Zhang Hao for his company and understanding tonight.
When I got home, I stood in front of the door and took a deep breath of the cool air in the night sky, and my heart felt calmer and more content than ever.
Glancing back at the departing car, my heart was filled with gratitude to my son-in-law, who not only supported me tonight, but also made me feel true self-esteem and self-worth.
Entering the room, I sat quietly on my old couch and reflected on my experience tonight.
While the party brought some unpleasantness, it also made me realize that true respect and worth are not determined by outside voices, but by our own hearts and lifestyles.
Note: This story is purely fictional, the names and events in the story are fictional, and the purpose of using place names is only for the purpose of describing the plot and making it easy to read and understand
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