Retired Li Ming and Wang Fang, like most couples of this age, live a simple and regular life. Every morning, they would walk together in the park and then go to the market to buy groceries. Wang Fang likes to pick the freshest vegetables, while Li Ming always waits patiently on the sidelines, occasionally chatting with the aunt who sells vegetables.
"Ming, look at how red this tomato is, how about we make a tomato scrambled egg today?" Wang Fang held a red tomato and asked Li Ming with a smile.
"Listen to you, the best food you make. Li Ming replied with a smile, his eyes full of doting on his wife.
Their lunch was always simple and warm, and after the meal they would watch TV together, or Li Ming would read the newspaper to Wang Fang. Their lives, although uneventful, are full of happiness and contentment.
"Wife, look, Zhang Qiang's family called again today, saying that they wanted us to come over for dinner. Li Ming took the phone and said to Wang Fang with some hesitation.
"Let's not go, Zhang Qiang just left, and it's not easy for Liu Mei to be alone. Wang Fang sighed, a hint of worry in her eyes.
"But if we don't go, she'll be even more lonely alone. Li Ming frowned, he knew his wife's worries, but he couldn't bear to see his old friend's wife face the hardships of life alone.
"Alright then, let's go over and have a look in the evening. Wang Fang finally agreed, she knew that Li Ming was a person who valued affection, and she didn't want to embarrass him.
In the evening, they came to Liu Mei's house as promised. Liu Mei looked a little haggard, but when she saw them, a smile still appeared on her face.
"You're here, sit down, sit down. Liu Mei greeted warmly, although there was still a hint of sadness in her eyes.
"Liu Mei, how are you doing? Li Ming asked with concern.
"I'm fine, but sometimes I feel a little lonely. Liu Mei smiled bitterly, and there was a hint of helplessness in her eyes.
Wang Fang looked at Liu Mei and felt a little uncomfortable in her heart. She knew that Li Ming was a warm-hearted person, but she was still a little uncomfortable when she saw her husband caring so much about other women.
"Wife, do you want to stay and do something for Liu Mei?" Li Ming turned his head and asked Wang Fang.
"Well, let's stay and help. Although Wang Fang was a little reluctant, she still agreed. She knew that this was Li Ming's kindness, and she didn't want to disappoint him.
So, they stayed to help with the cooking, chatted with Liu Mei, and tried to make her feel less lonely. In the evening, when they left Liu Mei's house, Wang Fang gently held Li Ming's hand.
"Wife, you're so nice. There was a hint of gratitude in Wang Fang's voice.
"We're all old friends, and it's right to help each other. Li Ming replied with a smile, his eyes full of warmth and firmness.
The news of Zhang Qiang's death was like a cold wind that blew away the tranquility of the town. Li Ming stood in front of Zhang Qiang's house, holding a basket of fruits carefully selected by Wang Fang in his hand, and his heart was mixed. He knocked lightly on the door, and behind the door was Liu Mei's haggard figure.
"Liu Mei, how are you? I brought some fruit. Li Ming's voice was full of concern.
"Li Ming, thank you, come in and sit. Liu Mei's voice was a little hoarse, but she still maintained her politeness.
Li Ming walked into the house, looked around, and found that the furnishings in the house were still the same, but Zhang Qiang's laughter was missing, and the whole room looked extremely deserted.
"Is everything okay at home? Li Ming put down the fruit basket and asked softly.
"Alas, it's okay at home, it's just me, and sometimes I feel a little empty. Liu Mei sighed, a hint of loneliness flashed in her eyes.
Li Ming nodded, indicating understanding. From that day on, he began to help Liu Mei frequently, from repairing the electrical appliances at home to chatting with her to relieve boredom, and the interaction between the two became more and more frequent.
However, all this did not escape Wang Fang's eyes. She began to notice that Li Ming was returning more and more often, and every time she came back, she was tired and satisfied with Liu Mei.
"Wife, why do you always go to Liu Mei's house lately?" One night, Wang Fang finally couldn't help but ask.
"It's not easy for her to be alone, and I want to help her. Li Ming replied calmly, but Wang Fang's brows became tighter and tighter.
"But if you go like this every day, people will gossip. Wang Fang's voice was worried.
"What other people say is someone else's business, I can't look at my old friend's wife and leave it alone. Li Ming's tone was firm, but Wang Fang's heart became more and more unpleasant.
As time passed, Wang Fang's worries gradually turned into dissatisfaction. She began to feel that Li Ming's concern for Liu Mei was beyond the scope of a friend, which made her feel threatened like never before.
"Li Ming, I want you to consider my feelings. Wang Fang finally said to Li Ming seriously one night.
"Wife, you think too much, Liu Mei and I are just friends. Li Ming tried to comfort Wang Fang, but his explanations didn't seem to work.
Wang Fang didn't say anything more, but her eyes were full of unease. She began to silently observe Li Ming's every move, and the worry in her heart was like a heavy stone, weighing her out of breath.
The lively atmosphere of the family gathering was broken by a sudden silence. Wang Fang sat in the corner of the dining table, the chopsticks in her hand resting weakly on the edge of the plate, her brows tightly knit, her eyes flashing with uneasiness and anger.
"Li Ming, you've been running to Liu Mei's house lately, what does this mean?" Although Wang Fang's voice was not loud, it was enough for everyone present to hear it clearly.
Li Ming was stunned, he didn't expect Wang Fang to mention this matter in front of so many people, he took a deep breath and tried to calm the situation: "Wang Fang, I'm just helping Liu Mei deal with some housework, it's not easy for her to be alone." ”
"Housework, I think it's more than that!" Wang Fang's voice raised a little, her emotions were obviously suppressed to the extreme, "You come back so late every night, and you always bring Liu Mei's topic, what do you make me think?"
Relatives and friends at the dinner table looked at each other, and the atmosphere became extremely awkward. Li Ming's nephew Xiao Li tried to play a round: "Grandma, grandpa is also kind, don't think about it." ”
But Wang Fang's emotions were no longer controllable: "Good intentions? I think it is ulterior motives! You men are always like this, and they will find an excuse to run out at every opportunity." ”
Li Ming felt both helpless and heartbroken, he stood up, walked to Wang Fang's side, and tried to hold her hand: "Wife, you misunderstood, Liu Mei and I really have nothing." ”
Wang Fang withdrew her hand suddenly, and her voice was crying: "Nothing, then tell me, why do you care so much about her affairs, but never consider my feelings?"
Li Ming was speechless, he didn't expect that his kindness would lead to such a big misunderstanding. He looked at Wang Fang, his heart full of guilt and powerlessness.
The others at the dinner table didn't know what to do, and everyone fell silent. Li Ming's sister Li Hua broke the silence, she walked up to Wang Fang's side and comforted her softly: "Wang Fang, don't be angry, Li Ming is not that kind of person." ”
But Wang Fang's emotions were difficult to calm down, she stood up and pushed away the chair: "I'll go first, you eat slowly." ”
Li Ming wanted to chase out, but was stopped by Li Hua: "Let her calm down, you will only make things worse if you chase it out now." ”
Li Ming could only watch Wang Fang leave, his heart full of remorse. He knew that the quarrel was not only because of Liu Mei, but also because of the long-accumulated mistrust and misunderstanding between them.
The day after the quarrel, Li Ming and Wang Fang sat in their cozy hut, and the atmosphere was particularly heavy. The sunlight shone mottled through the gaps in the curtains, but it couldn't dispel the chill in the air.
"Wife, yesterday's incident was not good for me. Li Ming broke the silence, his voice trembling a little, "I just wanted to help Liu Mei, I didn't take into account your feelings." ”
Wang Fang raised her head, with tears in her eyes: "Ming, it's not that I won't let you help, I'm just afraid, afraid of the agreement between us, afraid of losing you." ”
Li Ming held Wang Fang's hand, his palm was warm and firm: "Wang Fang, the agreement we made when we were young was out of love and respect for each other. But now, should we reconsider? We can't let a promise hold us back in the way of our present and future. ”
Wang Fang was silent, a trace of confusion and thought flashed in her eyes. After a long while, she slowly spoke: "You're right, we can't always live in the past. Perhaps, we can find a new way to help Liu Mei without affecting our feelings. ”
"Wife, I'm really glad you think so. A glimmer of light flashed in Li Ming's eyes, and he felt a relief that he hadn't seen for a long time.
They began to talk deeply, from their dreams when they were young to their confusion in the present, from their commitments to each other to their plans for the future. They found that although the years have changed their faces, the love and trust for each other has never changed.
"Ming, I think we can talk to Liu Mei and see what she has planned. Wang Fang made a suggestion.
"Well, that's exactly what I mean. Li Ming nodded in agreement.
So, they decided to invite Liu Mei to their home and talk openly and honestly. When Liu Mei arrived, she seemed a little cramped and uneasy, but with the encouragement of Li Ming and Wang Fang, she gradually relaxed.
"Liu Mei, we know that it is not easy for you to live alone, but we don't want to affect our own feelings by helping our friends. Li Ming said sincerely.
"I understand that I will not be a burden between you. A hint of determination flashed in Liu Mei's eyes, "Actually, I've been thinking about it recently, maybe I can participate in some community activities, make new friends, and start a new life." ”
Wang Fang held Liu Mei's hand, her voice was gentle and firm: "We are all a family, no matter what decision you make, we will support you." ”
In the end, they reached a consensus: Li Ming and Wang Fang would help Liu Mei appropriately, and at the same time, they would also take care of their own feelings and life. And Liu Mei will also work hard to start her new life and no longer rely on the help of others.
This in-depth conversation not only solved the misunderstanding between them, but also sublimated their friendship and love. They believe that with love in their hearts, they can find solutions to any difficulties they face.
The relationship between Li Ming and Wang Fang became stronger after that in-depth conversation. They found a solution that respects the past and adapts to the current life, that is, while helping Liu Mei, they do not forget to accompany and care for each other.
"Wife, how about we go for a walk in the park? By the way, take a look at the dance class that Liu Mei participated. Li Ming proposed.
"Well, I heard she danced well. Wang Fang responded with a smile, her mood was obviously much lighter than before.
In a corner of the park, Liu Mei is dancing to the music, her movements are not the most standard, but her face is full of confidence and happiness.
"You see, Liu Mei dances so well. Li Ming pointed to Liu Mei and said to Wang Fang.
"yes, she's finally found her interest. Wang Fang said with emotion.
After the dance, Liu Mei came over panting.
"Liu Mei, you dance really well. Li Ming praised.
"Thank you, I feel like I've found a new direction in my life. Liu Mei said with a smile, her eyes full of hope.
Wang Fang also encouraged her: "Liu Mei, you have done a good job, we are all happy for you." ”
"By the way, I have good news for you. Liu Mei said mysteriously, "The person in charge of the dance class thinks I can dance well and asks me to help teach the new students." ”
"Really, that's great!" Li Ming and Wang Fang said in unison.
Their relationship has become more harmonious because of this incident. Li Ming and Wang Fang began to participate more in community activities and communicate with their neighbors, and their lives became more colorful. And Liu Mei has also found her own new life, she no longer relies on the help of others, but through her own efforts, she has found her own happiness.
"Wife, our original agreement, now it seems, may not be the best choice. One night, Li Ming and Wang Fang were sitting in the courtyard, and Li Ming said with emotion.
"Yes, life is always full of uncertainties, and we have to learn to adapt. Wang Fang leaned on Li Ming's shoulder, her voice full of satisfaction and happiness.
Their stories tell us that no matter how life changes, as long as there is love, trust, and respect in our hearts, we can find the lifestyle that suits us best.
This article is a microfiction, please do not sit in the opposite seat