Chen Li and Li Qiang walked out of the high-speed rail station hand in hand, and the air was filled with cold breath and festive joy. The return home of the Spring Festival is both an expectation and a test for the newly married couple.
"Lily, do your parents know that we are here today?" Li Qiang dragged his luggage, with an expectant smile on the corner of his mouth.
"Well, my mom said she had already started preparing the Chinese New Year's Eve dinner, and your favorite braised pork." Chen Li's eyes sparkled, and she was obviously full of anticipation for this homecoming.
They trotted all the way to the front of the house, pushed the door in, only to see that the atmosphere in the living room did not seem to be as warm as expected. Wang Mingzheng frowned, holding a piece of paper full of menus in his hand, while Liu Fang stood aside with a displeased expression.
"Why do you arrange so many complicated dishes? Every year, I am busy alone, and you know the command!" Liu Fang's voice was full of resentment.
"It's all tradition, for the New Year, you have to be lively and decent. Wang Ming replied puzzled, with a hint of helplessness in his voice.
Chen Li and Li Qiang glanced at each other, Li Qiang gently put down his luggage, trying to ease the atmosphere: "Uncle, aunt, let's help." I can chop vegetables, and Lily is good at stir-frying. ”
"No, no, you've just come back, how can I keep you busy. Although Liu Fang said kind words, the tiredness in her eyes was not easy to hide.
"Mom, that's what we're supposed to do. You and Dad have worked hard all their lives, and it's time to rest. It's good for us young people to do it. Chen Li held her mother's hand and said firmly.
Wang Ming and Liu Fang looked at each other and smiled, and the atmosphere finally eased. The preparation of the Chinese New Year's Eve dinner at home has been restarted with the cooperation of the old and new generations. In the kitchen, the sound of knives cutting boards, the sound of spatulas stir-frying, and the homely jokes of three or two gradually filled the vacancy in everyone's hearts.
Although the beginning was not very smooth, under the reconciliation of Chen Li and Li Qiang, the atmosphere of the home slowly became warmer. Through these simple chores, the gap between the two generations seems to be slowly dissolving.
The aftermath of the Spring Festival is still there, and the activities at home are continuous. Every day, Wang Ming will plan the day's activities in advance, from New Year's greetings to watching the party, everything is arranged according to tradition. Liu Fang occasionally makes a different opinion, such as suggesting that everyone can go for a walk outdoors or simply watch a movie at home to relax.
One day after dinner, the family sat around the living room, and Wang Ming began to discuss the next day's arrangements. Li Qiang noticed that Liu Fang's face seemed to be a little unhappy.
"Tomorrow we can go to the temple to burn incense and pray for good health and peace for everyone in the new year. Wang Ming said with great interest.
Liu Fang sighed softly, with helplessness in her tone: "Tomorrow I actually want to have a good rest at home and go out every day, I'm really tired." ”
"But it's our tradition, and that's how the Chinese New Year should be. The king was visibly puzzled.
Chen Li noticed that the atmosphere was a little awkward, so she tried to mediate: "Mom, if you are tired, just rest at home." My dad and I can go. ”
"No, you don't understand. Liu Fang shook her head, with a slight loss in her voice, "I hope we can have some time for ourselves, not always full." ”
Li Qiang interjected softly: "Auntie, we can completely understand the personal time you want. In fact, relaxation is also part of the Chinese New Year, and it does not necessarily have to follow a fixed pattern. ”
"Yes, Dad, we can also choose some light activities, not necessarily every tradition to adhere to. Chen Li also agreed with Li Qiang's view.
Wang Ming looked at the family, was silent for a while, and finally nodded: "It's okay, then everyone will be free to move around tomorrow, and you can do whatever you want." ”
When Liu Fang heard this, a slight smile finally appeared in her eyes. She looked at Chen Li and Li Qiang, and said gratefully, "Thank you, you can understand me." ”
At that moment, Chen Li and Li Qiang felt that home is not only a place for people to insist on themselves, but also a warm harbor for everyone to understand and support each other. Through these daily conversations and exchanges, they slowly understand the needs of each person in the family and find ways to balance traditional and personal needs.
At dinner one day, the atmosphere at home was more relaxed than usual. Liu Fang cooked her specialty braised fish, which was full of aroma and filled the whole table with a warm atmosphere. Everyone sat around, talking and laughing, and Chen Li took the opportunity to ask some things about her parents when they were young.
"Mom, did you have any special dreams when you were young?" asked Chen Li curiously.
Liu Fang was slightly stunned, then smiled, with a hint of reminiscence in her eyes: "Actually, when I was young, I always dreamed of opening my own small bookstore, and I liked to read books at that time. ”
Wang Ming also interjected: "Yes, your mother's books at home could be piled up into a hill at that time, but it's a pity that later..."
"Later, I didn't have that opportunity, I got married and had children, and many things were not something you could do if you wanted to. Liu Fang had a hint of helplessness in her tone, but soon showed a gentle smile, "But look at it now, it's not bad, there is a warm home, and the children are healthy and happy." ”
Chen Li listened to her mother's words, but her heart was turbulent. She suddenly realized that everyone can have unfulfilled dreams, and that family responsibilities can sometimes prevent people from pursuing their personal interests and dreams.
"Mom, don't you regret it, if you have the chance, do you still want to open that bookstore?" asked Chen Li.
Liu Fang pondered for a moment, and then said seriously: "Of course I think, if I have the opportunity, I still want to realize this dream." However, I now hope that you can live the life you want and not give up on your dreams for the sake of family and responsibilities. ”
Li Qiang listened to Liu Fang's words and felt a kind of cross-generational resonance, he gently held Chen Li's hand and whispered: "Lily, no matter what dreams you have, I will support you." ”
Although the table conversation was simple, Chen Li deeply felt the tension between family roles and personal expectations. She began to think about how to find balance in her own life, neither neglecting the warmth of her family nor giving up the right to pursue self-realization.
On the eve of the Spring Festival, the originally lively preparations at home suddenly became tense because of a small episode. Wang Ming accidentally caught a cold and fever, although it was not very serious, but it was enough for him to be unable to participate in the heavy preparations for the festival as usual.
"Dad, you better have a good rest, don't force it. Chen Li looked at her father lying on the bed, full of worry.
"But tomorrow is the thirtieth year of the Chinese New Year's Eve, how can you be busy with so many things alone?" Wang Ming looked at Liu Fang anxiously, with helplessness in his voice.
Liu Fang walked to Wang Ming's bedside and comforted him softly: "Don't worry, we can redistribute the affairs at home." ”
Chen Li and Li Qiang also hurriedly joined the discussion: "Yes, Dad, you can recuperate with confidence." Mom, let's reassign the work. ”
The atmosphere at home suddenly became tense, and everyone had their own thoughts and concerns. Liu Fang had hoped for more personal time, but now she had to face more household chores. Although Chen Li and Li Qiang are willing to help, they also have their own limitations.
"I can take care of buying New Year's goods and some things to go out. Li Qiang took the initiative.
"I come to cook, although my skills may not be as good as my mother's, but at least I can reduce some of the burden. Chen Li also said.
Liu Fang looked at the two young people, and although she was grateful, she was also a little guilty: "I'm in charge of the cleaning and decoration of the house, after all, I'm still quite good at this." ”
In this way, the family tried to divide labor and cooperate in tension, although there were inevitably some small frictions and disputes in the process, but everyone's efforts and compromises also made the family relationship slowly adjust under pressure.
That night, although the Chinese New Year's Eve dinner at home was simpler, everyone could feel the tacit understanding and warmth between the family members as they faced difficulties together. Through this experience, everyone has a better understanding of each other's importance and sense of responsibility in the family.
The Spring Festival holiday is coming to an end, and the atmosphere at home has finally eased completely. The family sat in the living room, drinking tea and talking about their experiences and feelings over the past few days.
Wang Ming looked at his family, and his tone softened a lot: "It's been really hard for you these days, especially you, Fangfang, I have always been too stubborn in tradition and ignored your feelings." ”
Liu Fang shook her head lightly and responded with a smile: "No, I also have something wrong, I pursue my own space too much, and sometimes I ignore the needs of my family." We all need to find a new balance. ”
Chen Li interjected: "Actually, this experience is also a kind of learning for us, seeing that you can have honest dialogue, compromise and adjustment, and let me learn how families can grow in understanding and support. ”
Li Qiang also nodded in agreement: "Yes, no matter what problems we encounter in the future, I believe we can find solutions through communication." ”
Wang Ming looked at Chen Li and Li Qiang with a smile: "You say so, I'm much more relieved." Isn't home just a common harbor for everyone? When there is a problem, we will solve it together. ”
"Yes," Liu Fang took over, "from now on, we can try to share the housework more equally, and also give everyone time to pursue their own interests." ”
Chen Li and Li Qiang looked at each other and smiled, and they felt the power of true understanding and support between family members.
In the evening, Chen Li and Li Qiang were in their room, and Chen Li whispered: "I think this experience is very precious. In the future, we will also be like our parents, who can find solutions to conflicts even if they are there. ”
Li Qiang held her hand tightly: "Of course, no matter what difficulties there are, as long as we face them together, we can always find a way out." ”
Although the Spring Festival brought some twists and turns at first, it eventually became an opportunity for understanding and growth among family members. Chen Li and Li Qiang firmly believe that every challenge for the family is a step towards a better future.
This article is a microfiction, please do not sit in the opposite seat