Li Fang and Zhang Qiang's home is located in a typical small Chinese city, and their life is just like this city, calm and orderly. Zhang Qiang is an honest civil servant, while Li Fang is a primary school teacher, and although the lives of the two are not rich, they are warm enough.
"Qiangzi, your sister called today and said that the unit has an urgent matter and wants to borrow our car. Li Fang said to Zhang Qiang while tidying up the dining table.
Zhang Qiang raised his head from the sofa and frowned, "Fang, isn't that car your dowry?"
"I know, but our sister is also a family, she has difficulties, we can help. Li Fang smiled, although she was a little reluctant in her heart, she valued the harmony of the family more.
Zhang Qiang nodded, "That's okay, you decide." ”
The next day, Zhang Hua drove the wedding car away, and Li Fang stood at the door, watching the car disappear on the corner, feeling a little empty.
As time passed, Zhang Hua's use of the car became more and more frequent, from the occasional borrowing at first, to almost becoming her private car. The dissatisfaction in Li Fang's heart slowly accumulated, but she always told herself that her family and everything was prosperous, and she would endure it and it would pass.
Until one day, Li Fang needed to use the car to attend an important meeting at school, only to find that the car keys were missing.
"Hadron, where's the car keys? Li Fang asked anxiously.
Zhang Qiang scratched his head, "Oh, I forgot to tell you that Sister Hua said that she was going on a business trip today, and the car might take a day." ”
Li Fang's face sank suddenly, "How can this work? My meeting today is very important, how can I go without a car?"
Zhang Qiang looked a little helpless, "Fang, why don't you take a taxi, don't let this affect your relationship." ”
Li Fang sighed, she knew that Zhang Qiang was a person who valued family harmony, and she didn't want to make the family unhappy because of these things. But the grievances in her heart are becoming more and more difficult to suppress.
At night, Li Fang walked alone on the way home, with mixed feelings. She thought of her friend Wang Li, maybe she could give her some advice.
"Lily, what do you think I'm going to do? This car was obviously my dowry, but now it's someone else's. Li Fang confided in Wang Li on the phone.
Wang Li's voice was firm and powerful, "Fang, you have to stand up and defend your rights and interests, and you can't always swallow your anger." ”
Li Fang was silent, she knew that Wang Li was right, but she was even more afraid that it would destroy the harmony of the family. She was caught in a dilemma.
Li Fang's mood was like this continuous autumn rain, wet, without a trace of sunshine. Zhang Hua's frequent use of vehicles has become a stone in her heart, heavy.
"Qiangzi, after all, this car is a dowry from my mother's family, your sister drives it every day, I don't feel good in my heart. Li Fang said at the dinner table in a calm tone as much as possible.
Zhang Qiang took a sip of food, his eyes were a little evasive, "Fang, we are all a family, why do you care about this? Besides, Sister Hua is also for work." ”
"But I also need to use a car, I can't take a taxi every time, right?" Li Fang's voice carried a hint of grievance.
Zhang Qiang put down his chopsticks and sighed, "I know you're uncomfortable, but Sister Hua ...... Hey, she's been really busy at work lately. ”
Li Fang looked at Zhang Qiang and felt a little disappointed, but she still decided to try again, "Why don't you tell her and see if you can return the car?"
Zhang Qiang's face became a little ugly, "Fang, you know the current situation at home, buying a car is not a small amount, besides, Sister Hua, she ......"
"Qiangzi, I'm not going to quarrel with you, I just think that we should also have our own space, shouldn't we?" Li Fang interrupted him, with a hint of persistence in his tone.
Zhang Qiang was silent, he knew that what Li Fang said was right, but in the face of his sister, he always found it difficult to speak.
A few days later, Li Fang met Zhang Hua in the supermarket.
"Sister Hua, you've been using the car a lot lately, do you need help with anything at work?" Li Fang smiled, trying to open the topic.
Zhang Hua smiled, "Oh, Fang, you don't know, it's really inconvenient for me to run around for this job, and I don't have a car." ”
"Look, can you find a time for us to sit down and talk?" Li Fang said tentatively.
Zhang Hua's smile was a little stiff, "What are you talking about?"
Li Fang nodded, "Well, I think we need to talk." ”
Zhang Hua's face sank suddenly, "Fang, are you going to settle accounts with me?"
Li Fang hurriedly shook her head, "No, no, Sister Hua, I just think, can we find a compromise?"
Zhang Hua snorted coldly, "Compromise, I think you're just stingy, just a car, as for it?"
Li Fang's face also became a little ugly, she didn't expect Zhang Hua to say this.
"Sister Hua, this is not just a question of a car, it is a matter of respect. There was a hint of firmness in Li Fang's voice.
Zhang Hua sneered, "Respect, are you teaching me a lesson?"
Li Fang took a deep breath, she knew that there would be no results if this topic was discussed further, "Sister Hua, let's find a time and talk about it." ”
Zhang Hua didn't speak again, turned around and left the supermarket, leaving Li Fang standing alone with mixed feelings.
Li Fang's mood was like a sky shrouded in dark clouds, depressed and heavy. She accidentally learned from a neighbor's chatter that Zhang Hua had sold her wedding car to someone else. This sudden news was like a thunderbolt from the sky, and it shook her heart.
"Qiangzi, do you know about this? How can your sister do this?" Li Fang's voice trembled, she couldn't believe her ears.
Zhang Qiang looked dazed, "What's the matter?" Fang, you speak slowly. ”
Li Fang clenched her fists and tried to suppress the anger in her heart, "Your good sister, sold my wedding car!"
Zhang Qiang was stunned, he was obviously shocked by the news, "This is impossible, Sister Hua will not do this." ”
"I heard what my neighbor said, can there be a fake?" Li Fang's tears rolled in her eyes, and she felt an unprecedented betrayal.
Zhang Qiang was silent, he didn't know what to do. After a long while, he spoke, "Fang, can we calm down first, don't cause discord in the family because of this matter." ”
"Calm down?Zhang Qiang, is this something that can be solved by calm?" Li Fang's emotions finally broke out, "That's my wedding car, it was given to me by my parents, not your Zhang family!"
Zhang Qiang sighed, "Fang, I know you're uncomfortable, but we can't make a fuss because of this, right?"
"Then you tell me, what should I do?" Li Fang's voice was full of helplessness and anger.
Zhang Qiang lowered his head, not daring to look directly into Li Fang's eyes, "Or, I'll go talk to Sister Hua and see if I can get the car back?"
"You want to come back, everyone has sold it, how can you come back?" Li Fang's tears finally flowed down uncontrollably.
Zhang Qiang stood up, walked to Li Fang's side, and patted her shoulder gently, "Fang, I understand your feelings, but we still have to take care of the overall situation." ”
"The overall situation, is the overall situation sacrificing my interests?" Li Fang pushed Zhang Qiang's hand away, and she felt more isolated and helpless than ever.
That night, Li Fang tossed and turned, unable to sleep. She thought of her friend Wang Li, and perhaps, she could give her some support and help.
Li Fang sat in the corner of the café, opposite Wang Li with a concerned face. The rain outside the window was like a curtain, but it couldn't stop the storm in her heart.
"Lily, I really didn't expect it to turn out like this. Li Fang's voice trembled slightly.
Wang Li held Li Fang's hand and said firmly, "Fang, you can't just forget it. This car is your right, and you have to stand up and defend it. ”
Li Fang sighed, "But, he ...... Qiangzi"
"I know what Zhang Qiang thinks, but he can't speak for you. Wang Li interrupted her, "You have to speak up for yourself, you can't always swallow your anger." ”
Li Fang was silent, she knew that Wang Li was right, but the fear and uneasiness in her heart weighed her breathlessly like a boulder.
"Lily, I'm afraid...... I'm afraid that will ruin our relationship. Li Fang's tears rolled in her eyes.
Wang Li gently wiped away Li Fang's tears, "Fang, the real relationship will not break down because you defend your own rights and interests." If it does, it's not really a relationship either. ”
Li Fang took a deep breath, she knew that she needed courage and needed to stand up. She nodded, "Okay, I'll try." ”
The next day, Li Fang plucked up the courage and asked Zhang Qiang and Zhang Hua to sit down at home to talk.
"Sister Hua, I know you've been very busy at work recently, but that car is my dowry, you sold it, I ......" Before Li Fang's words were finished, he was interrupted by Zhang Hua.
"Li Fang, are you trying to settle accounts with me? I'm your sister!" Zhang Hua's voice carried a hint of disdain.
Li Fang stood up, her eyes firm, "Sister Hua, this is not settling accounts, this is about respect and rights." ”
Zhang Qiang looked a little embarrassed on the side, "Fang, Sister Hua, can we talk about it well?"
"Zhang Qiang, you too, you can't always stand on your sister's side. Li Fang turned to Zhang Qiang, her voice tinged with a hint of disappointment.
Zhang Qiang lowered his head, he knew that he was not good enough, but he was also embarrassed.
"Okay, okay, isn't it just a car? I'll pay you. Zhang Hua said impatiently.
Li Fang shook her head, "It's not a question of whether to pay or not, it's a matter of principle." ”
Wang Li's words echoed in her ears, and she knew she couldn't back down anymore. She needs more than just a car, but respect and fairness.
"Sister Hua, I hope you can understand that this is not just a car problem. Li Fang's voice was calm and firm.
Zhang Hua sneered, turned around and left. Zhang Qiang stood there, at a loss.
Li Fang knows that this road will not be easy, but she also knows that she has already taken the first step.
After a fierce inner struggle, Zhang Qiang finally realized his mistake in dealing with family problems. He began to reflect on whether he was too partial to his sister and ignored Li Fang's feelings. And Zhang Hua, after hearing Li Fang's firm position, also felt guilty, and she realized that her actions had indeed hurt her brother and daughter-in-law.
"Fang, I was wrong, I shouldn't have let you be wronged. Zhang Qiang held Li Fang's hand, his eyes full of apology.
Li Fang's tears flowed involuntarily, she had waited too long for this sentence, "Qiangzi, I just hope we can treat each other fairly." ”
Zhang Hua also came to Li Fang, her voice was a little choked, "Fang, I shouldn't be so selfish, I will find a way to buy you the car back, and I will compensate for your losses." ”
Li Fang wiped her tears, she knew that it was not easy for Zhang Hua to say such a thing, "Sister Hua, I don't need you to make up anything, I just hope we can respect each other." ”
Zhang Qiang stood up and said solemnly, "Fang, I will stand on your side in the future, and we will solve the problem together." ”
Zhang Hua also nodded, "Yes, Fang, we are a family and should support each other." ”
Li Fang's heart finally had a trace of warmth, and she knew that she was not fighting alone.
A few days later, Zhang Hua really bought the car back, although it was not the original one, but Li Fang knew that this represented Zhang Hua's sincerity.
"Fang, this is for you, I hope you can forgive me. Zhang Hua handed the car keys to Li Fang.
Li Fang took the key, and she knew that it was not just a car key, it was a symbol of respect and equality.
"Thank you, Sister Hua. Li Fang's face showed a smile that she hadn't seen for a long time.
Zhang Qiang also smiled, "Okay, we will be a real family in the future." ”
Li Fang snuggled in Zhang Qiang's arms, and she felt an unprecedented sense of security and belonging. She knew that although this incident was a test, it also made her more aware of the importance of self-worth.
Since then, Li Fang and Zhang Qiang's marriage has become stronger, and the family relationship has become more harmonious. Li Fang is also more confident, she knows that no matter what difficulties she encounters, as long as she insists on herself, there will always be a light at the end of the tunnel.
This article is a microfiction, please do not sit in the opposite seat