My name is Li Ming, and I am an ordinary salaryman, in my early Chinese New Year's Eve. My wife Xiaoli and I were classmates in college, we fell in love and got married after graduation, after several years of hard work, we finally had a small house of our own in this bustling city, looking at the stability of the family, I thought I had everything. However, things are not as rosy as I thought they would be.
We have been married for five years, and Xiaoli and I have always managed our family expenses in line with the principle of "husband and wife AA system". This way was safe at the beginning, after all, we both worked very hard, each gave and shared, which seemed fair. But gradually, I began to feel that the family relationship under the AA system did not seem to be so happy. Especially recently, with a series of events, I feel more and more that there is something wrong with our relationship.
Here's the thing, I've always longed to have a child of my own, but Xiaoli always shirks it for various reasons, she said that her current job is not stable enough, having a child will affect her career development, and she also said that the house is too small and the child does not have a suitable environment to grow up. I can understand her concerns, but I also feel lost, and sometimes when I'm home alone, I'm sad in an empty room, imagining the sound of a child running. This helplessness and anxiety haunt me from time to time.
To add insult to injury, my mom had recently become ill and needed a series of treatments and surgeries, but I found that I didn't have enough money to support her medical bills. Although Xiaoli's income and I are okay, but because we have always adhered to the AA system, my savings are not much, and Xiaoli's income is mostly spent on her own consumption and entertainment, and the money in the family account never seems to be enough.
When I asked Xiaoli to borrow money, her reaction was beyond my expectations. She rejected my request on the grounds that she had some investment plans of her own and needed the money. I was so disappointed and angry that I didn't expect her to turn me down when I needed it most, and I didn't expect her to put her own private plans ahead of my mom's health. All this made me feel that our relationship was on the verge of tension, and I didn't know what to do.
Just when I was anxious about my mother's condition, I overheard a conversation between Xiaoli and her best friend, Xiaofang. They were chatting in the living room, and before I knew it, my ears heard something that made me angry.
"Do you know, recently Li Ming's mother was sick, and he borrowed money from me, of course I refused. Xiaoli's voice came to my ears and shook my heart.
"Why don't you lend it to him? His mother is sick, and that's how it should be. There was a hint of puzzlement in Xiao Fang's voice.
"Hmph, doesn't he have any savings of his own? If he had savings, I wouldn't have refused. I don't want to use my money to support his family. Xiaoli's tone was full of disdain and indifference.
I was deeply hurt by her words, I couldn't believe my ears, I thought that the affection between us was deep, but now it seems that her love for me is just a gorgeous lie. I felt like a knife in my heart, and I walked in angrily.
"What are you talking about?" I asked angrily.
Xiaoli was stunned for a moment, then her face changed, and she tried to explain: "Oh, we ...... We're just small talking. ”
I stopped listening to her nonsense, and I walked into the bedroom in a rage, filled with disappointment and anger. I even doubted that there was a future for our marriage, I didn't know how we got to this point, and I felt like I was in a predicament from which I couldn't help myself.
I lay quietly on my bed, full of thoughts. I didn't know what to do, I felt hurt deeply, but at the same time I felt powerless. I don't know how the problem between us was resolved, I just know that I feel very miserable and hopeless right now.
The next morning, the atmosphere between me and Xiaoli was very awkward, and we walked around the house like strangers, barely communicating. My heart is full of grievances and helplessness, I don't know how to solve the problem between us, I feel that we have reached a point of no return.
I sat at the table eating breakfast, and Xiaoli was silent next to me. Suddenly, my phone rang and I saw that it was a call from the hospital. My heart tightened, and I immediately picked it up.
"Hey, hello, I'm Li Ming. ”
"Mr. Li Ming, hello, I am a nurse at XXX Hospital, and I would like to confirm your mother's treatment. ”
When I heard the voice from the hospital, my heart sank, and I knew that my mother's condition might be wrong again. I nervously asked, "What's wrong?"
The nurse sighed softly and said, "I'm sorry, Mr. Li Ming, we found out that your mother needs an emergency operation, but you need to provide a certain amount of advance payment to carry it out. ”
When I heard the news, I felt even more anxious, knowing that I didn't have enough money to pay for the surgery. I thought of the scene when Xiaoli refused to lend me money last night, and I was even more angry.
"Okay, I see, I'll raise this money as soon as possible. I replied reluctantly.
After hanging up, I felt a wave of helplessness and despair. I knew I had to find a way to raise the money as soon as possible, or my mom might suffer more as a result.
I decided to borrow money from my father, and although I didn't have a good relationship with him, I had to hope for him in the face of the current emergency. I hurriedly finished my breakfast, told Xiaoli that I was going out to do something, and then left the house in a hurry.
I arrived at my father's house, still feeling a little uneasy. I knocked on the door, and after a few moments, the door opened, and I saw my father, whom I hadn't seen in a long time.
"Hello Dad. "I tried to keep my composure and say hello.
My father looked at me, didn't say anything, and walked straight back into the house. I know he's not interested in me, but the situation doesn't allow me to hold back.
I walked inside, sat down on the couch, and said as calmly as I could, "Dad, I need a favor from you." ”
My father raised his head and looked at me coldly, "What's the matter?"
I briefly explained to him my mother's condition and the medical bills I had to pay, and asked him to lend me some money.
The father was silent for a moment, then sneered and said, "You lent money to your mother? ”
I felt a pang of despair, and I knew that my father would not help me. I stood up, ready to leave, with a heavy heart.
"Wait. Father spoke suddenly.
I looked at him quizzically.
The father sighed and said, "I don't have much money, but I can lend you this money, but there are conditions." ”
I hurriedly asked, "What conditions?"
The father said in a deep voice: "You must promise me that you will not contact your mother again in the future, and you will not come to me again." ”
I was stunned, I didn't expect him to make such a condition. But for now, I have to accept it.
"Okay, I promise. I whispered.
My father took out a check and handed it to me.
"Take it, this is 50,000 yuan, you hurry up and save your mother. His tone remained aloof.
I took the check, my mind full of mixed emotions. I knew I agreed to his terms, and maybe it meant that the relationship between me and him would end forever. But the most important thing right now is that I have to give this money to the hospital as soon as possible to save my mother's life.
I hurriedly left my father's residence with a heavy heart. I knew the days ahead were going to be challenging, but I had to be strong for my mom's sake.
I hurried back to the hospital with my check, anxious and hopeful. I know that what my mother needs most now is my support and love, and I can't let her down.
When I arrived at the hospital, I quickly found the doctor in charge of my mother's treatment and handed him the check. The doctor looked at the check and nodded, indicating that the operation could go smoothly.
"Thank you for your cooperation, the surgery will take place this afternoon. The doctor said to me.
I breathed a sigh of relief, thanked the doctor for his help, and hurried home. I need to tell Xiaoli's mother about the situation and let her know that the surgery will be in the afternoon.
When I got home, I saw Xiaoli sitting in the living room watching TV, looking leisurely and not worrying at all.
"Xiaoli, I have something to tell you. I walked up to her and said.
Xiaoli turned her head, looked at me, and smiled faintly: "What's the matter?"
I said in a deep voice, "My mother's condition has changed and she needs to have an emergency operation, and I have prepared the cost of the surgery, which will be performed this afternoon." ”
Xiaoli listened to my words, her expression suddenly became nervous, she immediately put down the remote control in her hand, and asked with concern, "What's wrong? What's wrong with your mother? Will the operation be risky?"
I briefly explained to her my mother's condition and the status of the operation, and told her that the cost of the operation was ready. But after listening to this, Xiaoli didn't show too much concern, but looked impatient.
"Haven't you already solved it?" and what are you going to tell me?" Xiaoli waved her hand disdainfully and continued to watch her TV.
I froze in place, filled with anger and helplessness. I didn't expect her to be so indifferent to my mother's condition and I was so disappointed.
I couldn't stand her attitude any longer, turned around and left the living room, walked into the bedroom, and closed the door. I felt physically and mentally exhausted and didn't know how to face what was in front of me.
I lay on the bed, closed my eyes, and my heart was filled with fear and anxiety about the future. I don't know if my relationship with Xiaoli will ever be repaired, and I don't know if my mother's surgery will go well, so I can only silently pray that everything will be okay.