It was 1974, and I was a small squad leader in a state-owned factory. At that time, life was tight, but the colleagues in the factory were like family, especially Lao Li, who had a special relationship with me.
That day, Lao Li came to me with a sad face, saying that something had happened at home and he urgently needed money. I asked him how much he needed, and he said, "Can you lend me a hundred yuan?" I widened my eyes, a hundred yuan, that's my two months' salary! But looking at Lao Li's appearance, I didn't say a word, took out my wallet, and handed him the only two big unity sheets.
It didn't take long for rumors to spread in the factory, saying that Lao Li had taken someone else's money and ran away. I didn't believe it at first, but as the days passed, Lao Li never showed up. I started to panic in my heart, that's a hundred yuan, where can I get it back?
On this day, I was sitting in the workshop smoking a cigarette when Zhang, the factory manager, walked in. He glanced at me and said, "Xiao Li, the 100 yuan you lent Lao Li, I heard that he ran away?" I widened my eyes, how did I let the factory director know about this? I said hesitantly: "Factory director, don't listen to their nonsense, Lao Li is not that kind of person." ”
The director sighed and said, "I hope not, but you have to get the money back." There are rules in the factory that you can't lend money to such people. I was anxious, stood up and said, "Factory director, I guarantee Lao Li, he is definitely not that kind of person!" The factory director shook his head and left.
At night, I tossed and turned and couldn't sleep, and my heart felt like a stone had been crushed. Just when I was about to despair, I suddenly heard movement outside the window. I hurriedly ran out, and it turned out to be Lao Li!
He was covered in dirt and looked embarrassed. I glared at him: "Where have you run away these days? It has been spread all over the factory, saying that you ran away with my money!" Lao Li sighed and said, "Brother, I can't help you, but I really use this money." My wife is sick and in urgent need of surgery, and I can't watch her die. ”
I was stunned, so it was. I patted him on the shoulder: "Lao Li, you are a man." You can take this money, between our brothers, don't talk about that. With tears in his eyes, Lao Li held my hand tightly.
The next day, I took Lao Li to the factory director and told him about the situation, and the factory director was also emotional. In the end, the director said: "Since this is the case, I will not pursue the money." But you have to remember that if there is such a situation in the future, you must tell me first. ”
Life has returned to peace, and Lao Li's wife's operation was also successful. And I, because of this incident, won the respect of my colleagues in the factory. That year, I learned that sometimes, trust is more important than money.
Time flies, and decades have passed in the blink of an eye. Now, Lao Li has passed away, and I am also retired at home. But when I think about that year, my heart is always warm. It was a difficult time we had together, and it was a precious memory that we will never forget.
Life after retirement is calm and uneventful, and I have more time to reminisce about the past. That day, I sat on an old bamboo chair and looked through a photo album given to me by Lao Li before his death, and the photos in it were all bits and pieces of our youth in the factory. Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.
When I opened the door, it was Lao Li's son Xiao Li. He looked a little haggard, and I hurried to let him in. Xiao Li sat down, took a sip of water, and said, "Uncle Zhang, before my father died, let me find you and tell you one thing." I looked at him suspiciously, and I couldn't help but get nervous.
Xiao Li took out a yellowed notebook from his pocket and said, "This is my father's diary, which contains a piece of his past, and he wants you to know." "I took the notebook and flipped through the page, which was written about the year I borrowed.
It turned out that when Lao Li borrowed money, he actually went to an old friend for help, hoping to borrow more money. However, the friend misunderstood what Lao Li meant, thinking that he was here to collect debts, and the two had a big fight. Lao Li was angry and did not borrow money from others, which caused him to return late.
After reading this past, my eyes were red, it turned out that Lao Li was under so much pressure back then. Xiao Li continued: "Uncle Zhang, my father has always wanted to apologize to you, but he feels that he has no face to face you. He said that the person he is most grateful to in his life is you, and it is you who have made him understand what true friendship is. ”
I shook Xiao Li's hand and said, "Your dad is a good person, and the relationship between us cannot be measured by money." It was a difficult time for us, but we all got through it. Xiao Li nodded, tears sliding down his cheeks.
After sending Xiao Li away, I sat alone on the sofa, unable to calm down for a long time. I took out my journal and wanted to record today's events. In the margins of that page, I wrote: "Lao Li, you will always be my best brother." ”
That night, I dreamed of Lao Li, who was still the same as when he was young, and we worked side by side in the factory, laughter and laughter echoed in the workshop. When I woke up, tears soaked the pillow towel. I know those years are gone, but those precious memories will always remain in my heart.
The days are still going on, and I will cherish every memory with Lao Li. Those difficult years spent together made us understand the true meaning of life, and let us remember that deep friendship. And all this will become the eternal warmth in my heart.
One day, I received a strange letter with familiar and affectionate handwriting. When I opened it, it was actually sent to me by Lao Li before he died. In the letter, Lao Li described in detail the beginning and end of the loan back then, as well as his inner struggle and guilt.
"I've been wondering if our friendship would have been deeper if it hadn't been for that? I'm glad that our relationship has withstood the test. "Reading this, my eyes are hot, and my heart is mixed.
At the end of the letter, Lao Li wrote: "I know that you have forgiven me. But allow me to apologize to you again in the last moments of my life. Brother Zhang, thank you for giving me a sincere friendship and making me feel warm on the last journey of my life. If there is an afterlife, I still want to be brothers with you. ”
Tears blurred my vision, and I held the letter as if I felt Lao Li's temperature. At this time, my wife walked into the room, saw my tearful face, and asked with concern, "What's wrong with you?"
After reading the letter, his wife's eyes turned red. She patted me lightly on the shoulder and said, "Lao Li is a good person, and he will want to see you do well in heaven." The friendship between you has transcended life and death. ”
During that time, I often saw Lao Li in my dreams. We went back to our youth together, fought side by side in the factory, and got through those difficult years together. When I wake up, I always look at the picture of Lao Li and say, "Brother, are you okay over there? We're here, everything is fine." ”
One day, I decided to go to the factory. There has been a sea change, and the former workshop has been transformed into a modern production line. I found the location where Lao Li worked back then, and there was a pot of green plants there, as if telling the story of the past.
I met Zhang, the factory elder of the year, who was already a gray-haired old man. We looked at each other and smiled, reminiscing about the days we spent with Lao Li. Lao Zhang said: "At that time, you two were model brothers in the factory. Now, Lao Li is gone, and we are also old. ”
As I left the factory, I glanced back at the place I once knew. I know that the years have taken away a lot of memories, but the time spent with Lao Li is forever engraved in my heart.
As the days go by, I still think of Lao Li from time to time. Whenever the wind blows, I feel like Lao Li is waving to me in heaven. I firmly believe that whether we live or die, we will always be good brothers. That deep friendship will stay with me until the end of my life.
On a sunny afternoon, I decided to go to Lao Li's grave. It is shaded by greenery, and the sun dapples on the tombstones, making it seem peaceful and peaceful. I sat on the stone next to the tombstone, looking at the familiar name, and my heart was filled with emotion.
"Lao Li, you have been gone for so long, I will still think of you from time to time. How are you doing over there, do you miss us too?" I said softly, as if talking to Lao Li.
Suddenly, a gust of wind blew, and the leaves rustled, as if Lao Li was responding to me. I smiled, and a warmth welled up in my heart. I know that our friendship will never disappear, whether life or death.
Just then, a young figure approached. That's Xiao Li, Lao Li's son. He looked at me with tears in his eyes. "Uncle Zhang, I'm coming to see my father. He whispered.
I nodded and patted him on the shoulder. "Your dad is a nice guy and he always cares about you. He will also wish you well in heaven. I comforted.
Xiao Li nodded, tears rolling down his cheeks. "I know my dad has always loved me. I love him too. He choked up.
The two of us sat in front of the tomb for a long time, reminiscing about Lao Li. Xiao Li told me that he decided to carry on his father's last wish and become a worker to contribute to the construction of the country. When I heard this, I felt extremely relieved.
When I left the cemetery, Xiao Li held my hand tightly. "Uncle Zhang, Dad has always been very grateful to you when he was alive. He said you were his best friend. I also hope that we can become true friends like you. He said sincerely.
I looked at Xiao Li, and a warmth welled up in my heart. I know that this friendship will be passed on, just like Lao Li and me, whether we live or die, we will always be good brothers.
As the days passed, the relationship between me and Xiao Li got better and better. We will reminisce about Lao Li's past together and share the joys, sorrows and sorrows of life together. Whenever the wind blows, we will feel that it is Lao Li beckoning to us in heaven.
Time flies, and we are all old. But that deep friendship is still burning in our hearts. Whether it is life or death, we will always remember the time spent with Lao Li. That precious memory will stay with us until the end of our lives.