Li Hua woke up in the faint light of the early morning as usual, and she looked out the window at the thin mist, and a potential emptiness came to her mind again. At the age of 45, she is a single middle-aged woman, her daughter Xiaoxue has graduated from college and is working in other places, and her marriage to her ex-husband has ended due to personality incompatibility.
"Good morning, your package. On this day, the greeting of the courier brother Xiaogang seemed to cast a small pebble in monotony. Xiao Gang was holding a new book that Li Hua bought online. He has a clean face, a sunny smile, and a youthful air that cannot be ignored.
"Ah, thank you, young man. Li Hua's voice couldn't help but reveal some stiffness, and she took the package a little embarrassed.
"Is there anything else you need help with? The weather forecast says it could rain today. Xiao Gang's eyes had a hint of concern.
"No, no, thank you. Li Hua hurriedly waved her hand, not wanting to continue this conversation that made her heart beat faster.
Xiao Gang left, but the smile he left behind was like a warm sunshine on Li Hua's heart. She didn't expect such an accident to suddenly jump out of her life. That night, Li Hua had a long dream, dreaming that he was walking in the garden, surrounded by Xiao Gang, who was laughing.
The good times didn't last long, and a few days later, Li Hua met Xiao Gang again. This time, they met in the garden of the community, and during the casual conversation, Xiao Gang's eyes once again inadvertently drilled into her heart.
"Auntie, I see that you are often alone, if you don't mind, I can treat you to a meal in the evening. Xiao Gang's voice carried the restlessness and directness characteristic of youth.
Li Hua hesitated, "This..."
"Rest assured, I would like to thank you for your understanding and support to our couriers. Xiao Gang smiled even brighter.
"Well, I'll bother you. The smile on the corner of Li Hua's lips was invisibly a little warmer.
After dinner, the inexplicable smell of alcohol loosened the vague boundaries. Li Hua didn't expect that he would have a one-night stand with Xiao Gang by mistake. When the morning light filled the room, Li Hua sat on the edge of the bed, looking at Xiao Gang in his sleep, with mixed feelings in his heart. She didn't know how far this sudden emotion could go, but she understood that the peace of life had been completely broken. Since then, Xiao Gang seems to have found a reason to live and frequently appears in Li Hua's life. He often lends a helping hand to Li Hua when it is inconvenient, and the relationship between them is like a plant that is taking root, gradually taking root in the daily bits and pieces.
Xiao Gang left more and more personal belongings in Li Hua's home, and took a nap on Li Hua's sofa under the pretext that he was tired from work, and after a long time, he even stayed overnight a few times. Although Li Hua felt anxious in her heart, she always softened her heart in the face of Xiao Gang's inadvertent dependence.
"Auntie, I can help you pay part of this month's rent. After dinner one day, Xiao Gang casually proposed.
"No, I can still solve these things on my own. Li Hua was a little evasive, not wanting to make the relationship more complicated.
But as Xiao Gang's stay became longer and longer, Li Hua's family began to notice something unusual.
"Mom, are you hiding something from us?" A phone call, daughter Xiaoxue's voice was a little worried. "I heard Aunt Zhang say that there is often a young man in your family. ”
"Well, he just helped me deliver the courier. Li Hua's voice trembled a little, she never thought that this matter would be known to her daughter so soon.
"Mom, I know it's not easy for you to be alone, but you have to protect yourself and don't be deceived. Xiaoxue's words were full of worry.
"Don't worry, I know what to do. Li Hua hung up the phone, feeling heavy.
At the same time, his father Li Boping did not fail to notice the changes in his family. "Li Hua, what's the matter with you? Why are there always outsiders at home?" It was a normal morning, and Li Boping couldn't help but ask the question in his heart.
"Dad, it's nothing, it's just a friend. Li Hua replied perfunctorily, she didn't want her father to know too much.
But Li Boping is an old man who has experienced wind and frost, and he looked at Li Hua with sharp eyes: "Friend, I think he seems to want to stay for a long time." ”
Li Hua didn't know how to explain, and she herself felt confused and helpless. Xiao Gang is not wrong about her kindness, but such a relationship obviously cannot be made public, and she doesn't know if she can withstand the upcoming family turmoil.
The days of each day passed slowly in such ambiguity and escape, and Li Hua's heart became more and more conflicted. She began to look at the relationship, worrying about what would turn out if things continued to develop. The more she thought about it, the more painful it became, knowing that she was already trapped in it, and she couldn't extricate herself. The conflict, like the oppressive atmosphere before a storm, finally erupted at dinner hour. Xiaoxue suddenly went home early, she didn't tell Li Hua in advance, she wanted to surprise her, but she didn't expect to bump into the scene where Xiaogang was preparing dinner for Li Hua in the kitchen.
"Mom, what's going on?" Xiaoxue was stunned, with heavy suspicion and surprise.
Li Hua's heart was beating faster, and she knew that the secret that had been hidden for a long time had finally reached the point where it could not be concealed: "He... He's just here to help. ”
Xiao Xue's intuition was wrong, she directly asked Xiao Gang: "Who are you? Why are you in my house?"
Xiao Gang stood up stiffly, he tried to maintain his usual politeness, but the situation in front of him made him feel uncomfortable: "I... I'm an aunt's... Friend. ”
Li Boping also heard the sound and walked in at this time, a family of three plus an outsider, and the atmosphere suddenly became extremely embarrassing.
"I did not come back to hear what you had to say. Xiaoxue's tone was sharp. "Mom, you know that this has a bad impact, why do you want to talk to someone so much younger than you..."
Li Hua interjected: "Xiaoxue, I know you're worried, but this is really my personal matter. ”
"A personal matter?" Li Boping's voice was filled with anger, "You brought such a person into the house, and you still said it was a personal matter?"
Xiao Gang couldn't help but intervene: "Uncle, I know it's wrong for me to do this, but I'm sincere to Aunt Li Hua." ”
"Sincerely?" Xiaoxue's words were filled with anger, "Do you use sincerity to deceive a middle-aged woman's feelings?"
"Xue'er!" Li Hua interrupted her daughter, she didn't want things to get worse.
Xiao Gang's face was pale, and he didn't expect that one day he would become such a point-pointing character. He tried to defend himself, but he felt speechless.
In this family thunderstorm, everyone is fighting for their feelings and positions, and Li Hua knows that her decision affects everyone's future. Her inner struggle and anguish were at its extreme, and only the sound of heartbeat and rapid breathing echoed in the silent table. The tense atmosphere lasted for a long time at home, and Li Hua knew that if he did not untie this dead knot, family harmony would no longer exist. Finally, late one night, Li Hua called the family to the living room and decided to tell everything.
"Cher, Dad, I have something to tell you. Li Hua's face was solemn, and he spoke in a firm tone.
Xiaoxue and Li Boping glanced at each other, sat down, and waited for Li Hua's confession.
"Regarding Xiaogang's matter, I know I didn't handle it well. Li Hua took a deep breath, "The relationship between me and him is indeed beyond the normal friendship. ”
Xiaoxue's eyes were full of worry, "Mom, you are..."
Li Hua interrupted her daughter's words, "After I divorced your father, I have always felt very lonely. Xiaogang appeared and gave me a different kind of care. ”
"Li Hua, people will always feel lonely, but you can't just be lonely..."Li Boping's voice was slightly reproachful.
"Dad, I know. Li Hua shook his head lightly, tears shining in his eyes, "But his appearance made me feel my value again." ”
"Value?" Xiao Xue asked suspiciously, "A young guy's momentary novelty can represent value?"
Li Hua smiled bitterly, "Maybe not, but I need time to understand." ”
Silence came again, Li Hua's confession seemed to open the floodgates of emotion, and Xiaoxue and Li Boping were each digesting the situation in front of them.
After a long while, Li Boping sighed, "You can control your own happiness." We just hope you don't get hurt. ”
Xiaoxue's eyes rippled, and she said slowly: "Mom, I don't want you to make a decision that you regret in order to escape from loneliness." ”
Li Hua nodded, she looked at her family, and the stone in her heart seemed to be lighter, "I will think about it carefully, thank you for your understanding." ”
In the dead of night, Li Hua sat alone in the dark, thinking about her future, fighting against her inner entanglement and the eyes of society alone. Is there really a power that transcends age and responsibility for two people to truly rely on and cherish?