Li Mei sat in her husband's favorite rocking chair, playing with the faded key in her hand. Since her husband's death, this key has been her only consolation. The sunset outside the window sprinkled on her face, reflecting a faint sadness. She decided it was time to start a new life.
"Xiaomei, have you really thought about it?" asked Aunt Wang, a neighbor, with concern.
"Well, I thought about it, I want to find someone to spend the rest of my life with. Li Mei's voice was soft, but firm.
Aunt Wang sighed, "Alas, men nowadays want to find a wife who can cook." ”
Li Mei smiled bitterly, "I know, I don't know how to cook, I know that." ”
"Then what are you going to do?" Aunt Wang continued.
"I... I want to try a blind date first. Li Mei replied, a hint of anticipation flashing in her eyes.
On the first blind date, Li Mei dressed up carefully, and she put on the blue dress that her husband loved before his death. The other party is a retired middle school teacher who looks very cultured.
"Do you know how to cook?" the teacher asked straight to the point.
"I... Not really. Li Mei was a little embarrassed.
"Oh, that might not be appropriate. The teacher politely ended the blind date.
Li Mei returned home disappointed, and Aunt Wang greeted her, "How is it?"
"It didn't work out. Li Mei shook her head.
"I'll just say, you have to learn how to cook first. Aunt Wang said with regret.
Li Mei was silent, she knew she had to make a change.
The next day, she went to the vegetable market, and looking at the dazzling array of ingredients, she felt both novel and a little overwhelmed. She bought some basic ingredients and decided to try it herself.
"How do you pick this?" Li Mei asked the stall owner, pointing to a pile of potatoes.
"To pick this kind of skin smooth, no sprouts. The stall owner enthusiastically taught her.
Li Mei listened carefully, and she felt as if she had learned something.
Back home, she started trying to cook. Although the process was a bit rushed, when a plate of fried shredded potatoes was served, she felt a sense of accomplishment that she had never felt before.
"Xiaomei, what are you...?" Aunt Wang looked at the dishes on the table in surprise.
"I tried to do it and see if I could learn it. Li Mei was a little embarrassed.
Aunt Wang tasted it, and her eyes lit up, "Oops, it tastes good!"
A long-lost smile appeared on Li Mei's face, and she knew that this was just the beginning.
Li Mei's blind date road was not smooth. Every time we meet, they always ask her if she can cook, and she always shakes her head in embarrassment. This became an unspeakable pain in her heart.
"You can't even cook, how can you do that?" said a middle-aged man bluntly on a blind date.
Li Mei's heart sank, and she tried to keep smiling, "I... I can learn. ”
"Learn, only now, is it too late?" the man's tone was visibly dissatisfied.
Li Mei was speechless, she could only silently pack her things and end this unpleasant blind date.
When she got home, Aunt Wang saw that she was depressed, so she comforted: "Xiaomei, don't be discouraged, it's not difficult to learn to cook." ”
"However, I don't even know the basics, it's a problem every time..."Li Mei's voice was choked with a hint of choking.
"Then start learning now, it's not too late. Aunt Wang encouraged her.
Li Mei nodded, she decided not to run away anymore, but to face up to her shortcomings. She started looking up cooking tutorials online and took notes seriously.
A few days later, she tried a blind date again. This time, she meets an old man who looks amiable.
"Do you know how to cook?" asked the old man with a smile.
"I'm learning," Li Mei replied, with a hint of determination in her eyes, "I'm sure I'll learn soon." ”
The old man nodded, seemingly satisfied with Li Mei's attitude, "It's not difficult to learn to cook, the key is to have a heart." ”
Li Mei's heart was warm, and she felt a long-lost hope. She began to work harder to learn to cook, and after each failure, she encouraged herself, telling herself that she could do better.
Over time, Li Mei's cooking skills have improved significantly. She began to experiment with complex dishes, and although she occasionally failed, she was able to feel the joy of cooking.
"Xiaomei, your skills are getting better and better. After Aunt Wang tasted the braised pork she made, she was full of praise.
Li Mei smiled, her hard work finally paid off. She knows that she is not only learning to cook, but also learning how to face life's challenges.
Li Mei's culinary learning has finally ushered in a turning point. On the recommendation of Aunt Wang, she met Zhang Tao, a young chef who was not only highly skilled, but also helpful.
"Hello, Master Zhang, I'm Li Mei. Li Mei greeted in the kitchen, a little nervously.
"Just call me Zhang Tao, I heard that you want to learn to cook?" Zhang Tao smiled, without the slightest impatience in his eyes.
"Yes, I want to learn, but I don't know where to start. There was a hint of anticipation in Li Mei's voice.
"Don't worry, cooking is actually very simple, the key is to be patient and attentive. Zhang Tao said as he began to prepare the ingredients.
Li Mei stood aside, watching Zhang Tao's movements intently, for fear of missing any detail.
"First, let's learn how to make a simple tomato scrambled egg. Zhang Tao picked up two eggs, knocked them lightly, and skillfully beat them into the bowl.
Li Mei followed his movements and awkwardly slapped an egg, and the egg liquid splashed outside.
"It's okay, take your time. Zhang Tao encouraged her and did not laugh at her clumsiness.
Under Zhang Tao's guidance, Li Mei began to try to cut tomatoes, and although her movements were not smooth enough, they were already much better than before.
"Flip the pan quickly so that the eggs don't mush. Zhang Tao explained while demonstrating.
Li Mei nervously took the spatula and carefully turned the eggs in the pot, for fear of breaking it.
"Very good, that's it!" Zhang Tao watched Li Mei's movements and nodded with satisfaction.
After a morning of studying, Li Mei finally finished the first dish in her life. Although the appearance is average, the taste is surprisingly good.
"How about a taste?" Zhang Tao encouraged her.
Li Mei picked up a pair of chopsticks and carefully put them in her mouth, and then her eyes lit up, "It's delicious!"
"Look, you've done a great job. Zhang Tao smiled and affirmed Li Mei's progress.
A confident smile appeared on Li Mei's face, she knew that this was just the beginning, she still had a long way to go, but she was ready.
Under Zhang Tao's patient guidance, Li Mei's cooking skills have become more and more sophisticated. She began experimenting with more complex dishes, from simple scrambled eggs with tomatoes to braised pork, with each success boosting her self-confidence.
"Look, how beautiful the color of this braised pork is!" Zhang Tao pointed to the pieces of meat in the pot and said to Li Mei.
Li Mei smiled proudly, "This is all good for you to teach." ”
"No, it's your own effort. Zhang Tao encouraged her, "Now you can cook a lot of dishes independently." ”
Li Mei nodded, she did feel her love for cooking, and whenever she was busy in the kitchen, her heart was filled with unprecedented happiness.
"You know what? I found that I really enjoyed cooking. Li Mei said to Zhang Tao while stir-frying the dishes in the pot.
"It's good, love is the best teacher. Zhang Tao responded with a smile.
Over time, Li Mei not only learned to cook, but also began to enjoy the process. She loves creating delicious food in the kitchen and loves seeing the satisfied expressions of family and friends as they taste her craft.
"Xiaomei, you can open a restaurant with this skill!" Aunt Wang was full of praise after tasting the dishes made by Li Mei.
Li Mei smiled, "I'm still far away, but I'll try." ”
She began to make a name for herself in the community, and the neighbors knew that there was a retired Aunt Li who cooked good dishes. Her story has inspired many, especially those who are also feeling lost in retirement.
"Li Mei, you are really our role model!" the neighbors praised.
Li Mei just waved her hand modestly, "I'm just doing what I like." ”
Her life has become more fulfilling, and she no longer learns to cook just for blind dates, but because she genuinely likes it. She started participating in cooking classes in the community to share her cooking skills and experience with more people.
"Everyone, pay attention to the heat when stir-frying. Li Mei explained carefully in the cooking class.
The students listened attentively, and they were infected by Li Mei's skill and enthusiasm.
Li Mei's story teaches us that no matter how old you are, you should never give up pursuing your passion. She used her own experience to prove that nothing is impossible with determination.
Li Mei's transformation not only changed her life, but also infected the people around her. She no longer sees cooking as a bargaining chip for blind dates, but as a life skill and pleasure. Her story spread in the community and became an inspirational role model.
"Li Mei, why haven't you been on a blind date recently?" Aunt Wang asked curiously.
"Blind date?" Li Mei smiled, "I enjoy cooking and life more now, so let the blind date go naturally." ”
"Oh, you're right with this attitude!" Aunt Wang nodded approvingly.
Li Mei's kitchen became the most popular place in the community. Not only did she cook herself, but she also started teaching her neighbors how to cook.
"Teacher Li Mei, how do you put this seasoning?" the neighbor Xiao Zhang humbly asked for advice.
"It's a matter of personal taste, but generally ......," explains Li Mei, patiently as she is happy to share her cooking tips.
As time went on, Li Mei's cooking classes became more and more popular, and some people even came from other communities to learn them.
"Li Mei, your class is really amazing!" one student said gratefully after the class.
Li Mei smiled, "Thank you, and I'm happy to share the joy of cooking with you." ”
Her life has become more fulfilling and meaningful. Every day, she is busy in the kitchen, enjoying the joy of cooking. She no longer lives to please others, but for herself.
"Mom, you seem to be a lot younger lately. Li Mei's son said in surprise when he came home.
"Really?" Li Mei smiled, knowing that her change was not only due to cooking, but also because she had found a passion for life.
Li Mei's story is an inspiration to many people, especially those who feel lost in retirement. She used her own experience to show everyone that no matter how old they are, they can find their own joy in life.
"Li Mei, you are our role model!" the neighbors praised.
Li Mei just waved her hand modestly, "I'm just doing what I like." ”
Her life is full of new hopes and possibilities, and she knows that as long as she keeps her love, life will never lose its color.
This article is a microfiction, please do not sit in the opposite seat