Li Fang sat at the dining table, holding a bill in her hand, her brows furrowed. Zhang Qiang was silently drinking tea on the side, as if he was deliberately avoiding the topic. The sunset outside the window shines through the curtains and sprinkles on them, but it fails to bring a trace of warmth.
"Qiangzi, it's time to repay the mortgage this month, what about your salary card?" Li Fang finally couldn't help but speak, with a hint of imperceptible tremor in her voice.
Zhang Qiang put down the teacup and sighed, "Fang, you know, the salary card has always been with my mother." ”
"It's been 9 years, Zhang Qiang, it's been 9 years!" Li Fang's voice suddenly raised, "I've been supporting my family, I haven't even seen your salary card, and now my family needs money, what do you want me to do?"
Zhang Qiang looked a little cramped, "Fang, Mom is also for our good, she is worried that we will spend money indiscriminately." ”
"For our good?" Li Fang sneered, "For our good, do you just let me bear everything alone?"
Zhang Qiang was silent, he knew he couldn't refute it. Li Fang stood up, put away the dishes and chopsticks, and turned around and walked to the kitchen.
There was a sound of rushing water in the kitchen, and Li Fang's tears flowed down with it. She thought of her friend Wang Li, Wang Li's husband would hand over the salary card to her, and the economic power of the family was in her hands. Li Fang couldn't help but ask herself, why can't she be like Wang Li?
At night, Li Fang lay on the bed, tossing and turning. She thought of her colleague Zhao Gang, a young and promising young man, who always told her that women should be independent and have their own financial resources. Li Fang began to wonder if she should also change.
The next day, Li Fang decided to talk to Zhang Qiang. She sat on the sofa in the living room, and Zhang Qiang sat opposite, as if there was an invisible wall between the two.
"Hadron, we can't go on like this. Li Fang's voice was calm, but firm, "I need to see your salary card, we need to bear this family together." ”
Zhang Qiang looked at Li Fang, a trace of guilt flashed in his eyes, "Fang, I... I knew I wasn't doing it right. I'll tell my mom. ”
"It's not about telling my mom, it's about us deciding together. Li Fang interrupted him, "This home is ours, not your mother's." ”
Zhang Qiang lowered his head, he knew that he couldn't escape anymore. He stood up, walked over to Li Fang, and held her hand, "Fang, I understand. We face it together and solve it together. ”
Li Fang's tears flowed again, but this time, it was tears of emotion. She knew that this decision would not be easy, but for the sake of this family and their marriage, she was willing to try.
The news of Zhang Qiang's unemployment was like a heavy stone, weighing on Li Fang's heart. The atmosphere in the house became extremely heavy, and the mother-in-law's face became more and more ugly. One night, the mother-in-law finally spoke.
"Fang, Qiangzi has no job now, and the family has a lot of expenses, do you think you can take out your salary card and use it?" Although the mother-in-law's words were tactful, Li Fang still heard the meaning of the command inside.
Li Fang felt aggrieved, she looked at Zhang Qiang, hoping that he could say something, but Zhang Qiang just lowered his head and didn't say a word. Li Fang took a deep breath and replied as calmly as possible: "Mom, my salary card is my own, and we can figure out how to spend the family together, but it is not appropriate to use my personal salary card." ”
The mother-in-law's face immediately sank, and the atmosphere became awkward. Li Fang knew that her words might upset her mother-in-law, but she couldn't give up her principles.
The next day, Li Fang found her friend Wang Li and confided in her about her troubles. Wang Li is a straight person, and after listening to Li Fang's words, she immediately said: "Fang, you can't be so weak, you have to be tough." You work so hard, why should you take out your salary card? You have to think about yourself. ”
Li Fang listened to Wang Li's words and was a little shaken in her heart, but she still felt that it was inappropriate to directly reject her mother-in-law. She found her colleague Zhao Gang again and wanted to hear his opinion. Zhao Gang is a rational person, he listened to Li Fang's story, pondered for a while, and then said: "Sister Fang, this question actually involves family financial management. You may consider having a family meeting with Zhang Qiang to discuss the family's financial situation and future plans. ”
Li Fang felt that Zhao Gang's words were very reasonable, and she decided to take his advice. When she got home, she discussed it with Zhang Qiang and decided to hold a family meeting on the weekend to talk about the family's financial problems.
On the day of the meeting, Li Fang, Zhang Qiang and her mother-in-law all sat together. Li Fang spoke first, and she frankly expressed her worries and thoughts: "Mom, I know that my family is in trouble now, but I believe that as long as we work together, we will be able to get through it." I suggest that we create a family budget and everyone manages their expenses according to the budget. ”
Zhang Qiang also expressed his support for Li Fang's suggestion, he looked at his mother-in-law and said sincerely: "Mom, Fang is right, we should find a way together, not rely on Fang alone." ”
The mother-in-law looked at the two of them, was silent for a while, and then nodded slowly: "Okay, I understand." In the future, we will take care of the family's money together. ”
Li Fang breathed a sigh of relief, she knew that this was just the beginning, but at least, she had already taken the first step towards change.
When Li Fang was sorting out the clutter at home, she accidentally found an old wallet of Zhang Qiang, which contained a bank card and a neatly folded note. The number on the bank card made her nervous, it was not a household account she knew, and the numbers and dates written on the note confused her.
"Qiangzi, what is this?" Li Fang held the wallet and note, and her voice trembled a little.
Zhang Qiang was stunned for a moment, his face instantly turned pale, and he replied hesitantly: "That... That was some of my previous deposits, and I... I was going to use it to surprise you. ”
"Surprise?" Li Fang's voice raised, "You kept my money hidden from me, this is the surprise you gave me?"
Zhang Qiang lowered his head, not daring to look directly into Li Fang's eyes, "Fang, I was wrong, I just... Just don't want you to worry. ”
Li Fang's heart sank, and she felt unprecedented disappointment and betrayal. She began to wonder, in the past 9 years, how many things did Zhang Qiang still hide from her?
That night, Li Fang tossed and turned, unable to sleep. She thought of divorce, but when she thought of her children and the bits and pieces of these years, her heart softened again. She decided to talk to Wang Li and Zhao Gang to hear their opinions.
Wang Li listened to Li Fang's story, and said angrily: "Fang, such a man is not worthy of your affection, he doesn't even give you the most basic trust." ”
Zhao Gang was more calm, and he advised Li Fang: "Sister Fang, trust in marriage is very important, but communication is also needed. You have a good talk with Brother Zhang Qiang to see why he did this, maybe he has his own difficulties. ”
Li Fang listened to their words and made a decision in her heart. She found Zhang Qiang, and the two sat down and had an in-depth conversation.
"Hadron, we need to talk. Li Fang's voice was calm, but firm.
Zhang Qiang nodded, he knew that this conversation could not be avoided, "Fang, I know I was wrong, I shouldn't hide it from you." ”
"Why?" Li Fang asked, "Aren't we a family? Why are you hiding it from me?"
Zhang Qiang sighed, "Fang, I... I'm scared. I'm afraid you'll dislike me for not being capable, and I'm afraid you'll leave me. ”
Li Fang's tears flowed, and she finally understood Zhang Qiang's distress. She held Zhang Qiang's hand, "Qiangzi, we are husband and wife, we should face difficulties together, instead of hiding from each other." ”
Zhang Qiang held Li Fang's hand tightly, his eyes were full of remorse, "Fang, I was wrong, I will never hide it from you in the future." ”
This conversation, although it revealed Zhang Qiang's secret, also gave their marriage a new start. Li Fang knows that there is still a long way to go, but as long as they can be honest with each other, there is no hurdle that cannot be overcome.
The atmosphere of the family gathering was originally warm and harmonious, but as the mother-in-law brought up the topic of salary cards, the air suddenly froze. Li Fang felt a tightness in her chest, she knew that this moment would come sooner or later, but she didn't expect it to be on such an occasion.
"Fang, you also know the current situation at home. Can you take out your card and use it?" The mother-in-law's voice was not loud, but every word pierced Li Fang's heart like a needle.
Li Fang took a deep breath, she knew that it was not just a matter of a card, but a manifestation of the dignity and self-worth that she had silently paid for many years. She looked at Zhang Qiang, hoping that he would stand up and say something, but Zhang Qiang just sat silently, his eyes dodging.
"Mom, we've discussed this before. Li Fang tried her best to keep her tone calm, but the fluctuations in her heart made her voice tremble slightly, "We can figure out how to spend the family's expenses together, but my salary card is mine, and I hope to retain some personal independence." ”
The mother-in-law's face sank, and her voice also raised: "What yours and mine, when you enter this house, it is a family's thing!"
"Mom, I don't agree. Zhang Qiang suddenly spoke, although his voice was low, it was like thunder exploding in the house. Everyone's eyes turned to him, including Li Fang, and a hint of surprise and anticipation flashed in her eyes.
Zhang Qiang stood up, he walked to Li Fang's side and held her hand, "Mom, Fang is right. We can't always rely on Fang's salary card, and I'm responsible for that. I'll go look for a job, and we'll take on it together. ”
The mother-in-law was stunned, she didn't expect her son, who had always been submissive, to refute her like this. Her lips moved, as if she wanted to say something, but eventually she just sighed and shook her head.
Li Fang felt the warmth of Zhang Qiang's palm, and a warm current surged in her heart. She knew that Zhang Qiang's words meant that he was willing to take on the responsibility of the family with her, and it also meant that their marriage would move towards a new stage.
"Well, since you say so, then I don't care. The mother-in-law's tone softened, she looked at Li Fang, then at Zhang Qiang, and finally turned around and left the living room.
Li Fang and Zhang Qiang looked at each other and smiled, although there was still a long way to go, they knew that as long as they supported each other, nothing was impossible. This family reunion, although there were some twists and turns, also made their family relationship stronger.
Li Fang sat on the sofa in the living room, holding a cup of tea that had been slightly cooled in her hand. The clock ticked on the wall, each one as if to remind her of the importance of the upcoming conversation. Zhang Qiang walked out of the bedroom with a hint of nervousness and anticipation on his face.
"Strong, we need to talk. Li Fang's voice was calm, but her eyes were firm.
Zhang Qiang nodded and sat opposite Li Fang, "I know, Fang, I've been thinking about it too." ”
"This home needs to be shared by the two of us. Li Fang said bluntly, "I don't want to carry all the pressure alone." ”
Zhang Qiang took a deep breath, he knew that this was a problem he had to face, "Fang, I understand. I didn't do well enough before, and I should share it with you. ”
"Then we have to have a plan. Li Fang took out a piece of paper listing her plans and ideas, "We have to have a family budget, and we have to be transparent about our monthly expenses, and we all have to participate." ”
Zhang Qiang looked at the piece of paper seriously, then looked up at Li Fang, "I agree." I also had an idea, I wanted to look for a job, whatever the job, as long as it could help. ”
A trace of emotion flashed in Li Fang's eyes, she knew that this was not easy for Zhang Qiang, but he was willing to work hard for this family, "Okay, let's work together." ”
The two of them are like this, you say a word to me, and slowly refine the plan. They decided to have a family meeting every month to discuss the family's finances and life plans. Zhang Qiang also began to actively submit his resume and participate in interviews, and although the process was difficult, he did not give up.
After a few weeks, Zhang Qiang finally found a job, and although the income was not as good as before, he cherished the opportunity. He goes out early and returns late every day, working hard, Li Fang sees it in his eyes, and feels extremely warm in his heart.
At the family gathering, the mother-in-law was also relieved to see Zhang Qiang's changes. She took Li Fang's hand and said, "Fang, it was me who was wrong before, I was too stubborn." I'm relieved to see you like this now. ”
Li Fang held her mother-in-law's hand and said with a smile: "Mom, we are all a family, as long as we think in one place and work hard in one place, there is nothing we can't get by." ”
Zhang Qiang also joined the conversation with a smile, "Yes, Mom, we will work harder in the future to make you live a better life." ”
The family sat around and laughter and warmth filled the room. Li Fang knows that this home, because of honesty and hard work, has become stronger and warmer.
This article is a microfiction, please do not sit in the opposite seat