On the night of May Day Eve, Zhang Shufen was busy preparing a festive dinner in the kitchen. She gently cracked the eggs into a bowl and floured them, ready to make some of her family's favorite spring rolls. The kitchen is filled with the aroma of sauces and frying oil, and everything seems calm and welcoming.
Just then, the phone rang suddenly, breaking the silence in the kitchen. Zhang Shufen wiped her hands and walked over to answer the phone. On the other end of the phone, her aunt's voice came: "Shufen, it's me, Auntie." We want to go to your place on May Day, and I plan to bring Xiaoqiang over to see you. ”
As soon as Zhang Shufen heard this, the spoon in her hand almost fell to the ground, she tried to keep her composure, and her voice trembled a little: "Auntie, this, all of a sudden... You're coming?"
The eldest aunt's voice was gentle but firm: "Yes, Shufen. I know you and your uncle haven't spoken in years, but I think someone has to take this step. Xiaoqiang also wants to meet his aunt. ”
The words on the other end of the phone made Zhang Shufen's mood complicated. She turned to look at the night sky outside the window, and her eyes gradually moistened: "Auntie, I... I don't know if I'm ready or not. After so many years, it's a long story. ”
"Shufen, I know it's difficult, but we can't just keep not seeing each other, can we? Xiaoqiang is also older, he should know his family, know his relatives. We don't want to let this misunderstanding continue. ”
Zhang Shufen took a deep breath and tried to calm her emotions: "Okay, Auntie, since you say so, then you guys come." I'll be ready here. ”
After hanging up the phone, Zhang Shufen leaned against the kitchen counter, tears finally bursting out of her eyes. She knew it was an opportunity to face the past and the beginning of healing her family's wounds. But the complicated emotions in her heart, like a long-lost storm, made her both afraid and expectant.
She went back to the kitchen and continued her cooking, silently thinking to herself, "Somebody has to take this step first, no matter what." Perhaps, this is the beginning of our reconciliation. ”
On May Day, Zhang Shufen's living room was brightly lit and the table was full of sumptuous dishes. Aunt and nephew Xiaoqiang finally arrived, and although Zhang Shufen was apprehensive, she still tried her best to show a welcoming smile.
Zhang Shufen's daughter Li Mei and son Li Jie also came to the living room, looking curiously at the aunt and cousin they hadn't seen for a long time. At the beginning of dinner, everyone sat together, and the atmosphere was quite harmonious at first.
My aunt looked at Zhang Shufen and finally spoke: "Shufen, after so many years, the misunderstanding between us should be resolved." I know you've always had some opinions about that loan. ”
Zhang Shufen was a little nervous, but she still nodded and motioned for her aunt to continue.
"Actually, your uncle really borrowed money from you because he was in a hurry, and although it was a little late, he did pay it back. It may be a communication problem, you guys didn't get the message. My aunt spoke calmly, trying to clear up the misunderstanding.
Li Mei and Li Jie exchanged a meaningful look, and Li Jie asked puzzledly: "Mom, is this really the case? Why have we never heard you mention it?"
Zhang Shufen was silent for a while, and then sighed: "Yes, someone did send money later, but the relationship between me and your uncle was already very stiff at that time. I always thought it was someone else who gave it back for him, but I didn't expect..."
Xiaoqiang listened to the conversation of the adults, and suddenly interjected: "Auntie, my father also mentioned this matter, and he has always regretted that he didn't come to you directly to explain the situation. He always said that if he could explain it face to face at that time, maybe there would not have been so many years of misunderstanding. ”
Zhang Shufen listened to Xiaoqiang's words, a trace of guilt flashed in her eyes, and she looked at her aunt: "Sister, I am also at fault, we have not taken the initiative to solve the problem over the years, but let the misunderstanding accumulate more and more." ”
My aunt nodded, her eyes slightly red: "Yes, we are all a family, and there is nothing that we can't get over." Being able to sit together today is the best place to start. ”
The atmosphere of the dinner gradually eased. The smell of food, the sounds of family conversations, and the misunderstandings that gradually dissipated made this evening especially homely. Zhang Shufen looked at the people at this table, and the burden in her heart seemed to be much lighter.
After dinner, everyone moved to the living room, on the comfortable sofa, Zhang Shufen and her aunt continued to have an in-depth conversation, and the children played on the side, and the atmosphere gradually relaxed. At this time, Xiaoqiang inadvertently mentioned a past incident.
"Auntie, do you know? My dad used to help a lot when he was sad in your house. Xiaoqiang's voice carried a hint of pride.
Zhang Shufen was a little surprised, she looked at Xiao Qiang, her eyes were full of doubts: "Xiao Qiang, what are you talking about helping?
Xiaoqiang looked at his aunt, and then said: "One year, the roof of your house was damaged by a typhoon, and at that time my uncle found out, and he anonymously donated a sum of money to the repair fund, but he never told you, because your relationship at that time was..."
Aunt gently took over the topic: "Yes, Shufen, although your uncle had some misunderstandings with you at that time, he never stopped caring about you. He always felt that the care between family members should not be interrupted by misunderstandings. ”
After Zhang Shufen heard this, her heart shook, she turned her head to look at the night sky outside the window, and tears couldn't help but appear in her eyes. "I didn't know that, I thought he..."
Li Mei noticed the change in her mother's mood, walked over and hugged her: "Mom, it may be that everyone is a little misunderstood and a little stubborn. But now that we know the truth, can we let go of these old things and start over?"
Zhang Shufen took a deep breath, tried to calm her emotions, then looked at Xiaoqiang and whispered, "Xiaoqiang, thank you for telling me this." I... I need to have a good talk with your dad. ”
Xiaoqiang smiled and nodded, feeling as if he had helped the once divided family take an important step towards reconciliation.
That night, Zhang Shufen's heart was heavy, but she was also full of hope. She realized that her persistence over the years might have been based on misperceptions. She decided to call her uncle early the next morning to truly untie the knot in her heart for many years.
The next morning, my aunt proposed to organize the old photo album, hoping to ease the tension between the family. At the large table in the living room, the family sat together, looking through the dusty memories.
Li Mei took out an old photo album, the cover was slightly worn, and she gently blew the dust off the cover. "Look, this is a picture of my mother and uncle in the park when they were kids. ”
Zhang Shufen took the album, touched the yellowed photo with her fingertips, and saw herself and her uncle when she was young. In the photo, the two children are smiling brightly, and the innocent smile makes her mood suddenly relaxed. Li Jie and Xiaoqiang also came over and looked at their parents in amazement.
"Mom, you see that my uncle has been protecting you since then. Li Jie pointed to the uncle in the photo protecting the little Zhang Shufen with one hand.
Zhang Shufen's eyes moistened again, and she deeply felt how much her misunderstanding over the years had hurt her uncle. "It's been a long time since I've seen these photos like this, and the good old days seem like just yesterday. ”
My aunt smiled, "Yes, time flies, but the memories it leaves behind will always be beautiful." Shufen, maybe it's time to let go of the past and give your uncle a call. ”
Zhang Shufen nodded, picked up her mobile phone, and dialed her uncle's phone. On the other end of the phone, the uncle's voice sounded a little nervous, "Shufen, how are you?"
"Brother, it's me, Shufen. I now look at the pictures of our children with my children and suddenly think of many, many things. I'm so sorry for all these years of misunderstandings. Zhang Shufen's voice trembled, sincere and warm.
The uncle was silent for a moment, and his voice was relieved, "Shufen, in fact, I am also at fault. I should have talked to you directly instead of letting the misunderstanding go deeper. I regret it too. ”
The two exchanged words on the phone for a long time, expressing gratitude and apologies that had not been expressed in many years. On the other end of the phone, the uncle's voice became relaxed, "We can keep in touch often in the future, after all, we still have a lot of good memories to recall." ”
After hanging up the phone, Zhang Shufen felt a long-lost lightness, she looked at the children and aunt, smiled and said, "It seems that our family is back to the way it was before, full of love and understanding." ”
The atmosphere of the family has become more warm, and the gloom of the past seems to have been dispelled by the morning sun.
On the last day of May Day, the morning sun poured into the window of Zhang Shufen's house, and she got up early and began to prepare for the family banquet. The kitchen is filled with the smell of stewed meat and sweet and sour fish, which are all dishes that the uncle likes. She hopes that through this family banquet, the misunderstanding of many years will be completely resolved, and the love and warmth will fill the family again.
The uncle's family arrived on time, and Zhang Shufen greeted the door and warmly hugged the uncle and aunt. Xiaoqiang, Li Mei, and Li Jie also played as before, and the house was full of laughter.
"Brother, I'm really glad you can come. Zhang Shufen said to her uncle with a smile, her eyes slightly red.
The uncle smiled and patted Zhang Shufen's shoulder, "Sister, I'm also glad that we can sit and eat together like this, just like when we were children." ”
Aunt helped Zhang Shufen set up the tableware, and the two chatted while busy. "Shufen, this time I brought the osmanthus cake you like to eat, specially prepared for today. ”
"Thank you, sister, you are always so attentive. Zhang Shufen said gratefully, her heart full of emotion.
The family sat around the table, delicious dishes were served on plates, and everyone had a happy smile on their faces. At the dinner table, everyone talked about their recent situation, and laughter and conversation were intertwined, forming a warm family picture.
After the meal, Zhang Shufen brought the freshly baked cake, "This is my own making, I hope everyone likes it." She said, handing each one a small piece.
"Mom, the cake you made is so delicious!" Li Mei took a bite, her eyes narrowed into a crescent moon.
Xiaoqiang was also not polite, and praised while eating: "Auntie, your craftsmanship can open a store!"
In the laughter, Zhang Shufen looked at the family and felt that all the unpleasantness had gone with the wind. Her tears welled up again, but this time because she was moved and relieved. "Thank you, I feel very blessed to have you. ”
Uncle raised his glass, "Come, reunite with us, cheers to the warmth of home!"
Everyone looked at each other and smiled, and raised their glasses to celebrate. At this moment, all the knots have been untied, and the warmth and harmony of home have been perfectly displayed in this small gathering.
This article is a microfiction, please do not sit in the opposite seat