Zhang Qiang and Li Fang are a young couple living in a small city full of human touch. Zhang Qiang works as an accountant for a local company, while Li Fang is a secondary school teacher. Despite their busy schedules, the two lived smoothly and happily until one day, Zhang Qiang's mother made a request that caused a family storm.
It was an ordinary weekend, and night had just fallen, and Zhang Qiang and Li Fang were preparing dinner together in the kitchen, while Zhang's mother sat on the sofa in the living room, watching her favorite TV series.
"Mom, did you go to the square dance today?" Zhang Qiang chatted while chopping vegetables.
Zhang's mother replied softly, "No, aren't you very busy?" ”
"It's not because of this home. Li Fang scooped the steamed rice into the rice bowl and complained, "You also know that after paying the utility bills and mortgage for a month's salary, you will be tight-handed." ”
As he spoke, the dishes in the pot squeaked, and Zhang Qiang hurriedly got up to stir-fry. Zhang's mother turned off the TV and changed the topic: "Zhang Qiang, Li Fang, I've thought about it these days, can we consider the AA system for our family's expenses?"
Hearing this, the shovel in Zhang Qiang's hand almost fell into the pot, while Li Fang was stunned in place, and his surprise was beyond words. Li Fang was stunned and asked, "Mom, what do you mean by this?"
Zhang's mother is like a ready debater: "You have also seen that I live alone in such a big house, and my pension is not much, so I can take care of each other by living with you." The three of us can save everything, and I can take part of the rest of my pension. ”
Li Fang felt that something was wrong, and responded tentatively: "Mom, but didn't you say before that home is home, how can anyone in the family calculate it so clearly?"
Zhang Qiang also felt that his mother's proposal was too abrupt: "Mom, let's do it, you are retired at home, you should have enjoyed Qingfu, you don't have to worry about these things." ”
Zhang's mother insisted on her opinion: "In that case, I don't want to go, I have already calculated, my little pension, I will bear my daily expenses, and I will help me pay for the water and electricity network fees, so that I am also psychologically comfortable." ”
Li Fang looked at Zhang's mother and muttered in her heart. It's not that she doesn't understand Zhang's mother's hard work, but in this way, the family economy, which is not abundant, will be even more stretched. And although her mother-in-law's proposal was unexpected, it also made her feel a trace of unprecedented pressure.
At the dinner table, the three of them did not eat much, and there was a subtle atmosphere on the table. Li Fang was absentmindedly snorting the noodles, Zhang Qiang also silently bowed his head to eat, and only Zhang's mother still maintained her usual eating appearance. After the meal, Zhang Qiang sent away the dishes and chopsticks on the dinner table, returned to the bedroom, and found that Li Fang had already taken the first step on the bed, with an elusive expression on his face. On that rainy night, the loud thunder and the rapid sound of rain pierced the silence in the room. Li Fang tossed and turned at the head of the bed, and Zhang Qiang's breathing sounded evenly on the side. She got up, walked to the closet, and pulled out the new door lock that she had bought beforehand from the hidden drawer.
The rain outside the door was getting heavier and heavier, Li Fang opened the door lightly, quickly and skillfully changed the door lock, and the meticulous movements gave her enough cover on this rainy night.
The next day, everything was as usual, Zhang's mother got up as usual, and Zhang Qiang also got up and prepared for work. But no one noticed the small change that happened the night before. At the dinner table, the conversation between the three of them still couldn't avoid the proposal of the initiator - the AA system.
Zhang's mother insisted: "I thought about it again last night, I can't escape this matter, Zhang Qiang, what do you say?"
Zhang Qiang replied embarrassedly: "Mom, you also know that Li Fang and I are both ordinary workers, and we don't have a lot of money, and you know the situation of our family." ”
At this time, Li Fang suddenly spoke: "Mom, let's still do the same as before, don't talk about that." Her tone was pleading, wanting to end the never-ending topic.
"Okay, okay, let's not talk about this for now. Zhang's mother brushed her sleeves and finished breakfast.
That afternoon, Zhang Qiang got off work as usual, but unexpectedly, when he touched the door, he found that the key could not be turned. He took out his mobile phone in surprise and dialed Li Fang's number.
"Hey, Fangfang, why did you change the lock? I can't get into the house. ”
Li Fang's deep voice came from the other end of the phone: "Yes, I changed, we have the final say on our family's affairs, AA system, I don't believe it, even a door lock must be counted?"
Zhang Qiang was anxious but helpless: "Fangfang, what are you doing? You have to tell me first." ”
"What can you do? Zhang Qiang, do you think that the two of us are not as important as your mother alone?" Li Fang had obviously saved up enough resentment, and her words were sharp and cold.
Zhang Qiang's heart was filled with countless confusion and bitterness. He knows that this is another test for marriage and family, and if it is not properly handled, the conflicts in the family will be even more irreconcilable.
At this time, the thunder outside the window symbolizes the infinite amplification of the tension in the home. Zhang Qiang could only return to the office with guilt and confusion to avoid the storm for the time being.
In the evening, Li Fang and Zhang's mother sat around the dining table as usual, and Zhang Qiang's vacant seat made the atmosphere even more depressing. Mother Zhang hesitated for a moment, but still spoke: "Fangfang, did I do something wrong?"
Li Fang placed the knives and forks neatly and said calmly: "Mom, you didn't do anything wrong, it's me who is wrong." I was also angry, and I felt aggrieved. ”
Zhang's mother sighed: "I don't want to make a mess either, for Zhang Qiang's sake, let's get along well." ”
On the surface, he reconciled, but Li Fang's heart hurt like being cut by a knife. She knew that her "rebellion" was only a temporary peace, and the contradictions in the family still needed Zhang Qiang to face.
Later, Zhang Qiang finally got the new key and stepped into the house. Seeing Zhang Qiang, Li Fang looked at him nervously and expectantly, while Zhang's mother was holding the sweater in her arms, and the expression on her face was difficult to decipher.
Zhang Qiang felt like a grain of wheat caught between two grinding discs, and the pressure made him almost out of breath. It was a situation he had never experienced before, and how to deal with it became the most difficult problem in front of him. The atmosphere in the home was heavy and tense, Zhang Qiang stood in the center of the living room, his tired mother on one side, and his wife with red-eyed eyes on the other, and the rift in the family became more and more obvious at this moment.
Zhang's mother looked at Zhang Qiang, with accusations in her tone: "Zhang Qiang, look at it, what has become of the home?"
Li Fang retorted: "It's not because you're too much..."
"That's enough!" Zhang Qiang suddenly raised his voice and interrupted Li Fang's words, "It's not a way to go on like this, we have to sit down and have a good talk." ”
After an awkward silence, the three finally sat down together.
Zhang Qiang Zhengse proposed: "Mom, Fangfang, let's all make some efforts, first calculate the monthly expenses as an approximation, and then see how to share it more reasonably." ”
Zhang's mother nodded: "I can accept this, after all, it is also for this family." ”
Li Fang was silent, she knew in her heart that Zhang Qiang was hinting that everyone had to make concessions.
"We can find a notebook to write down, the monthly expenses, who pays how much, at a glance. Zhang Qiang tried to find a practical solution.
Finally, Li Fang spoke: "But what about the trust between us? door locks, AA system, are these all manifestations of lack of trust?"
After hearing this, Zhang's mother showed a reflective expression: "I... I was just afraid that I would become a burden, so I didn't think about it..."
Zhang Qiang looked at Li Fang: "Fangfang, I know that you have been paying a lot to our family, my mother... It may be in the wrong way, but the purpose is not bad. ”
Li Fang trembled: "Zhang Qiang, I'm tired, really tired, not for money, but for the relationship between us." ”
"I know. Zhang Qiang took a deep breath, "Our family, how can we all unite, I propose, let's set up a 'family fund', everyone contributes a part, as before, use this fund to deal with family expenses." ”
Zhang's mother thought for a while: "Then who will manage this fund?"
"Well...," Zhang Qiang pondered, "I think, Fangfang, you have always managed your finances well, so you should manage it." ”
A hint of surprise flashed in Li Fang's eyes, and the knot in her heart seemed to loosen: "Okay, then I'll do my best." ”
The three of them continued to exchange opinions, and although there were differences, they all tried to move closer in one direction, which was the tacit understanding and love hidden between family members.
Zhang Qiang looked at a table of account books and notes, as if he saw the dawn of hope. He knew it wasn't a one-time solution, but at least on this cloudy night, the ark of the family was slowly sailing towards the haven of peace. In the days following the family meeting, the atmosphere of the Zhang family gradually became harmonious. Zhang's mother began to take the initiative to participate in the financial planning of the family fund, and Li Fang became more tolerant and understanding.
One day after dinner, Zhang Qiang proposed: "Let's set a time every month to have a family meeting, just like that day, if there are any problems, everyone will sit down and talk about it." ”
Li Fang said approvingly: "Yes, this can not only communicate feelings, but also solve problems in time." ”
Zhang's mother smiled at this time and said: "I think this is a good idea, I used to be the chairman of the trade union, and I organized many meetings." ”
The three of them laughed, and in a relaxed and happy atmosphere, the Zhang family regained the long-lost warmth and harmony.
As time passed, Zhang's mother's understanding and respect for Li Fang deepened, and she began to take the initiative to help Li Fang with housework and reduce her burden.
After cleaning up dinner once, Zhang's mother said to Li Fang: "Fangfang, you have worked hard for so many years, I sometimes speak inappropriately, don't take it to heart." ”
Li Fang smiled: "Mom, in fact, I understand you, it's all for this family." ”
Zhang Qiang looked at the two women he loved most and smiled, his heart was full of gratitude and warmth. He knows that all these changes are not easy to come by, and he should cherish the harmony and happiness of this family.
At the family meeting in the third month, the Zhang family's account books were neat and orderly, and every expenditure was clear and clear, including the cost of Zhang's mother's dance class.
Zhang's mother said with emotion: "Seeing that you are so attentive to our family, I feel that I should be gentle with your father when I was young." ”
"Mom, from time to time we all make small mistakes, the key is to correct them in time, just like we are now, isn't it good?" Zhang Qiang said and shook Li Fang's hand.
The evening breeze blows through the quiet alley, the lights in the home are warm and quiet, and the pedestrians on the road are hurrying home, only the three members of the Zhang family are still sitting around the warm dining table, enjoying the warmth of home.
"Isn't a family about understanding and tolerating each other?" Li Fang asked softly, her eyes shining with happiness.