My name is Zhang Xiaomei, I am 35 years old and I am a primary school Chinese teacher. Born in an ordinary rural family, his parents were ordinary farmers who worked in agriculture. Since I was a child, I have longed to be able to step out of the small village of my hometown and live a different life.
My hometown is a very small mountain village, and most of the houses are made of adobe, brick, wood and stone, which are simple and old. Surrounded by green fields and towering trees, the village has fresh air and a peaceful environment. The villagers are very simple and hardworking, and although their lives are simple but happy. When I was a child, I loved to play by the stream at the edge of the village, and it was my happiest time, and I still feel very nostalgic and warm when I look back on it.
One day, when I was grading students' homework at school, my phone suddenly rang, and the caller ID was from my father. After connecting, my father said in his familiar hoarse voice: "Meimei, our village is going to be demolished, the government has approved a new plan, and our village is going to be moved to a new community." You should take some time off to come back and take care of your family's affairs. "
I was shocked when I heard this, and blurted out, "Ah, the village is going to be demolished, so what about our old house?"
The father sighed and said, "Yes, the old mansion will definitely be demolished as well." If you have time, come back quickly, let's pack up and say goodbye. "
After school, I hurried home and told my husband Li Hua the truth about my father's words. Li Hua is an engineer, we were college classmates, we fell in love and eventually got married. He is a very rational and independent person, and he seems a little embarrassed about returning to his hometown in the countryside.
"Your father said the village was going to be demolished?" He asked, confused.
I nodded, sighed, and said, "yes, I was surprised too." But my father asked me to go back and see our old house for the last time. "
Li Hua frowned, and after a long while, he said, "But Meimei, we have been living in the city for so many years, are you sure you want to move back to the countryside? The environment there is too backward, and our quality of life in the future will be greatly reduced." "
"And you know, I've always been in the city, and if I do move to the countryside, I'll probably have to quit. He reluctantly said, "I really don't recommend you move back." "
Hearing my husband's objection so bluntly, my heart suddenly became mixed. As a daughter, it is my responsibility to go back and take care of my elderly parents; But as a city dweller, I also crave a modern living environment and conditions. I was lost in thought, not knowing what to do.
When I heard my husband's words, I had mixed feelings. What he said is indeed the reason, we have been living in the city for so many years, if we really go back to the countryside, the living environment and quality will be greatly reduced. But as a daughter, I have the responsibility to go back and take care of my elderly parents. More importantly, I have a deep-rooted attachment to the land of my hometown, which carries so many fond memories of my childhood.
I was lost in thought, my father's words echoing in my mind: "If you have time, come back quickly, let's pack up and say goodbye." "yes, this may be my last chance to take a good look at our old house. How I wish I could see it for the last time.
A few days later, my father called again, and his tone sounded more sincere and earnest.
"Meimei, when will you be able to come back? The old house in the village is about to be demolished, and this is your last chance to take a good look at our old house. Do you remember, the old well, the old tree, the small vegetable garden in the backyard, those were your favorite places to play when you were a child? "
My father's words struck me so much that I was almost determined to go back. Those fond memories flashed through my mind like a marquee, and I could almost see myself crouching by the well, scooping water with a small spoon.
I relayed my father's words to Li Hua as they were. This time, his expression softened a lot, and he seemed to be a little moved.
"If this really matters to you, then let's go back. He said, in a firm tone, "I'll try to find a job there." The affection of the family is more important than anything else. "
Seeing him so supportive and considerate, my heart was filled with gratitude. Yes, with mutual understanding and tolerance, no difficulties will be insurmountable.
And just like that, we set out on our way home. Along the way, I was so excited that I was almost restless. Outside the car window, familiar fields, woods, and streams flashed from my field of vision one after another, and my memories also came to life. Those childhood laughter, games, and friends seem to be reproduced right in front of your eyes.
Finally, we arrived at my hometown. When you open the car door, you will see the familiar village scene, everything is so kind and warm. I took Li Hua's hand and took him around to revisit my childhood attractions.
The old mansion stands in the middle of the village, and the brick and wood structure has been mottled by age, revealing a smell of vicissitudes. We walked into the yard and everything was still so familiar. I pointed out to Li Hua the old well, the old tree, and the vegetable garden in the backyard, and the memories came back to me one after another.
"You see, that well was my favorite place to play when I was a kid, and I always squatted by the well and scooped water with a little spoon. I pointed to the well, my eyes smiling.
Li Hua looked at me, and a smile appeared on the corner of his mouth.
Just as I was immersed in my memories, Li Hua suddenly said something that surprised me: "But Meimei, the environment here is really too backward. If our children live in this kind of place, will they suffer in the future?"
I was stunned, I didn't expect him to say such cruel words at such a moment. I glared at him almost angrily and asked, "What do you mean by that, is there anything wrong with my hometown?"
Li Hua was taken aback by my reaction and repeatedly explained that his meaning had been misinterpreted. But I was furious, almost screaming, asking him if he despised my origins.
"No, no, no, you misunderstood Meimei. He quickly explained, "I'm not despising your hometown and origin, I'm just thinking about the education and development of our children in the future." I want my children to be able to live in a better environment that will be beneficial to them in the future. "
Hearing this explanation, my anger gradually subsided. After I calmed down, I began to reflect on whether my anger was too much. I understood that Li Hua had good intentions, but his remarks still inadvertently hurt my feelings for my hometown. I was deeply entangled in whether to return to the countryside or continue to live in the city, and my heart was still unresolved.
"Meimei, did my words hurt you today?" Li Hua opened his mouth first, with apologies in his tone.
I sighed and said sincerely, "Yes, a little." However, I also understand your good intentions, you are thinking about the education and development of our children in the future. "
"But you also have to understand that this village means a lot to me. My eyes darkened, "This place carries so many fond memories of my childhood, it is my roots, my roots." I didn't stubbornly want to stay here, I just wanted to say goodbye to this place. "
Li Hua nodded, and his expression became extremely serious: "I know, I will try my best to be considerate and understand your thoughts." "
Next, Li Hua began to explain his thoughts to me. "As an outsider, I can't fully understand your nostalgia for your hometown. But I'm going to try to feel your feelings, because it's really important to you. "
"I said that because I was too rational. I always subconsciously consider the reality of the environment and conditions, and ignore the emotional factor. He smiled self-deprecatingly, "Perhaps, as you said, I'm too pragmatic." "
I shook my head, took his hand and said, "It's okay, that's what you're so valuable about." We just have different positions, I'm more emotional, and you're more rational. We need to be considerate and tolerant of each other, and use each other's strengths to make up for each other's shortcomings, which is the most perfect state. "
Li Hua nodded, stared into my eyes and said solemnly: "No matter what decision you make in the end, I will support you unreservedly, because the feelings of your family are more important than anything else." I promise you. "
When I heard his words, my heart suddenly warmed. Yes, with mutual understanding and support, no difficulty will be insurmountable.
Pushing open the old door and entering the familiar courtyard, my heart suddenly felt sour. I walked slowly around every corner, stroking the old wood and masonry with my hands, as if to imprint their texture forever in my heart.
I sat in the yard, staring at the old well, the old tree, the vegetable garden in the backyard, everything was so familiar and intimate. There were so many fond memories flashing through my mind, and tears were rolling in my eyes. This is my roots, my roots, and it is about to cease to exist.
Just as I was about to leave, Li Hua walked in and sat down beside me silently. He didn't speak, just reached out and took me into his arms and told me to rest my head on his shoulder.
We just sat quietly, staring at the old mansion that was going to be demolished, at the place where we were going to say goodbye. After a long time, Li Hua spoke: "No matter what decision you make, I will be by your side." "
I know that although this home will no longer exist, we will start a new life and create a new home in a new place. And, as long as you're there for each other, anywhere will be home.
At that moment, my heart finally let go of all my worries. I took a deep breath and blessed this place in my heart, wishing it to rest forever with good memories.
I turned my head and said to Li Hua, "Let's go, let's go back to the city and start a new life." "
Li Hua nodded, took my hand, and we walked out of the courtyard gate side by side and left this place.
Behind him is a village that is gradually moving away, and in front of him is an unknown but equally hopeful new life. With each other's company, we have the whole world. I know that wherever I am, as long as you are there, it is my home.