Li Ming's childhood was like a sky shrouded in dark clouds, and the occasional exposure of sunlight was only short-lived. His father, Li Guoqiang, a man with a successful career in the eyes of outsiders, is like an emotional time bomb at home, which may explode at any time.
"Dad, I'm back. Li Ming came home from school and carefully took off his shoes, trying not to make any noise.
"Are you back?" Li Guoqiang's voice came from the living room, with a hint of unmistakable sternness.
"Okay, 98 in math. Li Ming replied in a low voice, but he was a little apprehensive in his heart.
"Is it okay, you kid, why don't you fight for it?" Li Guoqiang's voice suddenly raised an octave, and Li Ming's heart also rose.
Wang Lihua heard the quarrel and hurriedly came out of the kitchen, still holding a shovel for stir-frying, "Guoqiang, the child has just come back, let him rest first." ”
"Rest, you know you're used to him!" Li Guoqiang's anger did not subside because of his wife's persuasion, but became more intense.
Li Ming lowered his head, not daring to look at his father's eyes, his heart was full of grievances and helplessness. He knew that no matter how well he did, he always seemed to fall short of his father's expectations.
At dinner, the atmosphere at home was still heavy. Li Ming silently picked up the rice in the bowl, trying not to make a sound. Wang Lihua served vegetables to her son from time to time, and her eyes were full of distress.
"Mom, I'm full. Li Ming put down the dishes and chopsticks and prepared to get up and leave.
"Wait," Li Guoqiang said suddenly, "You kid, why are you not polite at all?"
Li Ming was stunned, he didn't know what he had done wrong. Wang Lihua hurriedly played the round, "Guoqiang, the child may be tired, let him go and rest first." ”
"Rest, what qualifications does he have to rest!" Li Guoqiang's words were like a sharp knife, piercing Li Ming's heart.
That night, Li Ming lay in bed, tossing and turning, unable to sleep. His father's words kept echoing in his mind, and his heart was full of confusion and pain. He didn't understand why his father was always so capricious, why he was always unable to satisfy his father.
The next day, Li Ming went to school as usual, but his heart was a little heavier. He knew that no matter how hard he tried, that family and that father would always be a shadow that he could not escape.
Li Ming's grades have always been at the top, and he knows that this is the only way he can get his father's approval. However, even so, Li Guoqiang's expectations are like a mountain that is constantly changing, and Li Ming will never be able to catch up with its top.
"Dad, I took the first place in my class in this exam. Li Ming took the report card with a hint of expectation, hoping to get his father's affirmation this time.
Li Guoqiang took the report card, his eyes swept over the scores, but there was no expression of joy on his face, "First, what about the whole school? You can't always be confined to your own small circle." ”
Li Ming's heart sank, he lowered his head, his voice trembled a little, "The ranking of the whole school hasn't come out yet, but I did my best." ”
"Do your best?" Li Guoqiang's voice raised, "At your age, you should go all out, instead of making excuses." ”
Li Ming didn't speak again, he knew that any justification would only add fuel to the fire. He turned back to his room and closed the door, tears rolling in his eyes.
At school, Li Ming was an excellent student in the eyes of his teachers and classmates, but none of this seemed to be enough in the eyes of his father. He began to wonder if he was really not good enough.
"Li Ming, your father is too demanding of you. Xiao Zhang, who was at the same table, saw Li Ming sullen and couldn't help but comfort him, "You are already very good." ”
Li Ming smiled bitterly, "Excellent, in my father's eyes, I will never be good enough." ”
Xiao Zhang patted Li Ming's shoulder, "Don't think too much, just be yourself." ”
Li Ming nodded, but the burden in his heart was not lightened. He began to study harder, hoping to be approved by his father, but at the same time he felt more pressure than ever.
The final exams are approaching, and Li Ming spends almost all of his time on revision. He knew that this could be his last chance to prove himself.
"Ming, don't be too tired. Wang Lihua looked at her son's increasingly thin face and said distressedly, "The body is important." ”
"Mom, I know. Li Ming reluctantly squeezed out a smile, "I'm fine, I can still hold on." ”
However, after the exam, Li Ming did not wait for his father's praise, but was scolded for a small mistake. His heart was completely cold, and he began to wonder if such an effort was really worth it.
Family gatherings were supposed to be warm and harmonious occasions, but for Li Ming, it became the limit of his patience. On that day, a few relatives came to the house, and everyone sat around the dining table, and the atmosphere was harmonious.
"Li Ming, how are you studying lately?" a relative asked with a smile, trying to find a topic.
"It's okay, the teachers and classmates approve of him. Wang Lihua replied for her son, with a proud smile on her face.
Li Guoqiang's face suddenly sank, "Recognition? What is the use of recognition? Grades are the last word." ”
Li Ming felt embarrassed, and he whispered, "I've worked hard, Dad." ”
"Why haven't I seen results?" Li Guoqiang's voice grew louder and louder, and his relatives began to look at each other, and the atmosphere became tense.
"Guoqiang, the child has done his best. Wang Lihua tried to lighten the mood.
"Try your best, I don't think he wants to be motivated!" Li Guoqiang slapped the table, and his voice echoed in the room.
Li Ming's heart swelled with an unprecedented sense of anger and powerlessness, he stood up, tears flashing in his eyes, "Dad, I've had enough!"
Li Guoqiang was stunned, as if he didn't expect his son to have such a reaction, "What did you say?"
"I said I've had enough!" Li Ming almost shouted, "No matter what I do, you won't be satisfied!"
"You kid, how do you talk to your father?" a relative could not help but interject.
But Li Ming couldn't take it anymore, he turned around and ran back to the room, grabbed a few clothes and stuffed them into his backpack, and rushed out of the house.
"Li Ming, where are you going?" Wang Lihua chased after her, her voice full of anxiety.
"Mom, I'm leaving, I need to be independent. Li Ming didn't look back, his voice was resolute and distant.
Li Guoqiang stood at the door, looking at his son's back, with a complicated expression on his face, as if there was anger, incomprehension, and a trace of imperceptible worry.
Li Ming walked on the street, his heart full of confusion. He didn't know what his future would hold, but he knew that he couldn't go back to the home that suffocated him.
After Li Ming left home, he stepped into society with a confused and firm heart. He rented a small apartment and started his own independent life. By chance, he met Zhang Tao, a young man with entrepreneurial dreams.
"Li Ming, I have an idea to open an online education platform, what do you think?" Zhang Tao proposed his plan in a casual chat.
Li Ming's eyes lit up, "Online education? That's a good idea, and now many people need this flexible way of learning." ”
The two hit it off and started their entrepreneurial journey. Li Ming is in charge of technology, Zhang Tao is in charge of the market, and the small company is gradually improving.
"Li Ming, how are you doing? Are you okay at home?" Zhang Tao asked with concern in the middle of the night after an overtime work.
Li Ming sighed, "At home... I haven't been back for a long time. ”
"Don't you want them?" Zhang Tao continued.
"Yes, but..."Li Ming wanted to speak and stopped, his heart was full of contradictions.
With the passage of time, Li Ming and Zhang Tao's company gradually grew, but Li Ming always had a knot in his heart. He misses his mother's warm embrace and every corner of the family, but his resentment towards his father is always difficult to let go.
"Brother Tao, I sometimes wonder, am I too impulsive?" Li Ming finally confided in him after a drink.
Zhang Tao patted him on the shoulder, "Li Ming, every family has a scripture that is difficult to read. You've done a great job, don't be too yourself. ”
Li Ming nodded, but he knew that this knot was not so easy to untie.
The company's success did not make Li Ming feel truly happy, and his heart was still empty. He began to realize that there were some things that money and career success could not fill.
Zhang Tao's words were like a warm current, warming Li Ming's frozen heart. He decided to let go of the resentment in his heart and go home to face his emotions. Li Ming stood at the door of the house, took a deep breath, and knocked on the door.
"Dad, I'm back. Li Ming's voice trembled a little, with a hint of imperceptible anticipation.
When Li Guoqiang saw his son, a trace of surprise flashed in his eyes, but it was quickly replaced by complicated emotions, "Are you back?"
"Well, can we talk?" Li Ming plucked up his courage, he knew that this was a step he had to take.
The two sat in the living room and were silent for a while, before Li Guoqiang spoke first, "Li Ming, I know that I am too harsh on you sometimes. ”
Li Ming raised his head and looked at his father, he didn't expect his father to speak first, "Dad, I..."
"No, you listen to me. Li Guoqiang interrupted him, "I have a flawed character, I admit it." I always wanted you to be the best, but I used it the wrong way. ”
Li Ming's heart swelled with complicated emotions, he didn't expect his father to confess like this, "Dad, I..."
"I know you're trying, it's me ignoring your feelings. Li Guoqiang's voice was a little choked, "I hope you can forgive me." ”
Li Ming's tears flowed involuntarily, and he finally heard his father's heart, "Dad, I forgive you." ”
The two hugged each other tightly, and the estrangement of many years disappeared at this moment. Li Ming realizes that despite his father's shortcomings, the family's love is constant. He began to learn to accept and understand his father, while also finding peace of mind.
"Dad, I miss you. Li Ming's voice was a little choked, but more relieved.
"Son, so am I. Li Guoqiang held his son's hand tightly, his eyes full of warmth.
Since then, Li Ming's relationship with his father has improved significantly. They begin to try to understand each other, to communicate, to establish a new father-son relationship. Li Ming also returned home, he knew that no matter how wonderful the outside world was, home would always be his warmest harbor.
This article is a microfiction, please do not sit in the opposite seat