It was 180, and I had just been demobilized, penniless, with only a backpack and full of injuries. My friend Cuong invited me to stay at his house for a while, so I went.
Late that night, I was falling asleep in a daze, when I suddenly heard a knock on the door, and when I opened my eyes, it was Cuong's sister Xiaofang. She walked to my bed trembling in a thin pajama with tears in her eyes.
"Brother, can you marry me?" Xiao Fang's voice was soft but firm.
I woke up suddenly, sat up and looked at her: "Xiaofang, what's wrong with you? Why do you say that?"
Xiao Fang choked up and said: "I can't stand the atmosphere at home, my father drinks every day, my mother cries all day long, and Ah Qiang is busy with work and has no time to care about me." I just want to find someone I can rely on and live a peaceful life. ”
I understand that Xiaofang has taken a fancy to me, a "veteran", and thinks that I can give her a stable life. But I, a penniless veteran with nothing to do, what to do to give her happiness?
I was conflicted, but I was reluctant to refuse her. All I could say was, "Xiaofang, give me some time and let me think about it." ”
From that day on, I started looking for a job, and no matter how tired and dirty it was, I gritted my teeth and persevered. Because I know that I am no longer alone, I have Xiaofang, and I need to give her a home.
One day, I was moving bricks at the construction site, and suddenly I received a call from Ah Qiang, who cried and said, "Brother, my dad is sick and needs surgery money urgently, I am short of money, can you help me?"
I didn't say a word, and gave all the salary I had just paid to Cuong. After Xiaofang found out, she looked at me with teary eyes: "Brother, you are so good to me." ”
Time flies, and half a year has passed in the blink of an eye. I finally saved enough money to propose to Xiaofang. Xiao Fang smiled and nodded, at that moment, I felt that I was the happiest person in the world.
However, just as we were getting married, Cuong suddenly told me that his father's illness had relapsed and that he needed more money for treatment. I hesitated, I knew that after helping Ah Qiang this time, my wedding date would be postponed again.
Xiaofang saw my hesitation, she held my hand and said, "Brother, it doesn't matter if we get married later, Ah Qiang is our family, we can't leave him alone." ”
Once again, I gave up on our wedding for the sake of Cuong. However, just as I was borrowing money from everywhere, I accidentally discovered a secret.
It turned out that Cuong didn't have my dad sick, he just lost all my money. I angrily went to him to settle the score, but he said, "Brother, you are a good person, but you are not suitable for Xiaofang." She deserves a better life instead of suffering with you. ”
I was stunned, Ah Qiang was right, did I really delay Xiaofang?
That night, I got drunk and came home, Xiaofang was still waiting for me. She hugged me and said softly, "Brother, don't worry, I will accompany you through this difficult time." ”
I burst into tears, and I knew that I had found the most precious thing in my life - Xiaofang's company.
So, I decided that no matter how bumpy the road ahead was, I would work hard to earn money and give Xiaofang a happy life. And that former friend Ah Qiang has also become an eternal pain in our hearts.
This is my story, the story of a veteran and a small-town girl. We don't have earth-shattering love, only ordinary and sincere together. In this world, we support each other and move forward.
As the days passed, Xiaofang and I worked hard together, and although life was hard, our hearts were getting closer and closer. I decided not to mention Cuong again, it was a scar in our hearts, and it only added to the pain when I uncovered it.
One day, on the construction site, I accidentally rescued a man named Boss Li. He thanked me for saving my life and asked me if I needed help. I thought about it and said, "I want to open a small shop and give Xiaofang a stable life." ”
Boss Li smiled and said, "It's not difficult, I'll find you a storefront, and I'll help you solve it in terms of funds." ”
In this way, Xiaofang and I opened our shop. Xiaofang was in charge of looking after the store, and I was running around, buying and delivering goods. Although it was hard, our days were full and happy.
One night, Xiaofang suddenly said to me, "Brother, let's have a child." ”
I looked at her, and my heart was surging: "Xiaofang, are you really ready?"
She smiled and nodded: "With you by my side, I am not afraid of anything." ”
Time flies, Xiaofang is pregnant. During her pregnancy, I worked even harder to give my child a better living environment.
On the day the child was born, I looked at Xiaofang's tired smiling face and vowed in my heart that I would be the guardian of their mother and son for life.
As our children grow up, our lives get better and better. However, life always likes to play jokes with us.
That day, Cuong suddenly appeared in front of our shop. He looked much older, and the wrinkles on his face showed signs of age.
I looked at him coldly, "What are you doing here?"
Ah Qiang lowered his head, his voice was a little choked: "Brother, I know it's wrong, I came to you to ask for your forgiveness." ”
Xiaofang walked out and looked at Ah Qiang, her eyes were full of complicated emotions: "Ah Qiang, let it pass, we all have our own lives." ”
Ah Qiang raised his head, and a trace of gratitude flashed in his eyes: "Thank you, I will remember this love, and in the future, I will be a good person." ”
After sending Ah Qiang away, I looked at Xiao Fang: "Do you still blame him in your heart?"
Xiao Fang shook her head: "It's over, it's all over." Now we have each other and children, and that's all that matters. ”
I held Xiaofang's hand tightly, yes, we have each other, we have children, this is the home we protect together.
The days went on, and our small business was getting better and better. Xiaofang and I, as well as our children, live an ordinary and happy life in this small town. We have been through ups and downs, but we have also witnessed each other's growth. And those pain and tears have become the most precious memories in our hearts.
The years in the town are quiet, as if the troubles of the world have nothing to do with here. Our children grew up in the sunshine of the town, and the business of the small shop was thriving. However, life is always full of surprises.
That day, several strangers suddenly came to the town, they walked into the shop, looked around, and finally their eyes fell on Xiao Fang. One of the middle-aged men stepped forward, stared at Xiao Fang and asked, "Are you Xiao Fang?"
Xiaofang nodded suspiciously, and I walked over and held her hand nervously. The man continued, "I am your distant uncle, and your father is seriously ill and wants to see you one last time. ”
Xiao Fang's face instantly lost its blood, and she asked me tremblingly, "Brother, what should I do?"
I hugged her and said softly, "Let's go together, no matter what, I'll be there for you." ”
We simply packed our bags, closed the shop, and headed home. It was a strange city, with high-rise buildings and a lot of traffic, very different from the town I remembered.
In the hospital, Xiaofang's father was so thin that he was almost unrecognizable. He looked at Xiao Fang, his eyes full of guilt and sadness. Xiao Fang knelt in front of the bed, crying silently.
"Dad, I'm back. Xiao Fang's voice choked.
"Okay, okay, just come back. Xiaofang's father said with difficulty, "I have something to say to you." ”
I took Xiaofang's hand and sat on the edge of the bed together, listening to Xiaofang's father tell about the buried past. It turned out that Xiaofang's mother died when she was very young, and Xiaofang's father was so sad that he drank heavily all day long, estranged himself from Ah Qiang. He knew that his time was short, and he just wanted to get Xiao Fang's forgiveness before he died.
Xiaofang burst into tears, but said with a smile: "Dad, I never blamed you, I just want to have a home." ”
We stayed in that city for a few days until Fang's father passed away peacefully. After dealing with the funeral, Xiaofang looked at me and said, "Brother, let's go home, go back to the town." ”
Back in town, we reopened and life seemed to go back to the way things were. But I know that Xiaofang's heart has more sadness. I worked harder, hoping to give her more comfort.
One day, Xiaofang looked out the window in the store and suddenly said, "Brother, I want to erect a monument to my father and let him know that we are doing well." ”
I nodded, filled with emotion. We chose a sunny day and erected a monument to Xiaofang's father on the outskirts of the town. The inscription on the stele is simple and sincere: "Father, you rest in heaven, and we stay together on earth." ”
At that moment, I seemed to see the haze in Xiaofang's heart gradually dissipate, and her smile brightened again.
The days were still peaceful, and our children were growing up and starting to make friends and learn at school. Every corner of the town left our family's footprints and laughter.
I know that there will be many twists and turns and challenges in life, but as long as we hold hands and connect hearts, nothing can stop us from moving forward. Our story, like the scenery of the town, is ordinary and beautiful, quietly flowing in the long river of years.
Time flies, and the scenery of the town is still picturesque. Xiaofang's shop and I have become an icon of the town, and our children have grown up to be independent and strong. However, in this peaceful town, news suddenly arrives: Cuong is back.
When I heard the news, I had mixed feelings. Over the years, I've been wondering if it weren't for Cuong, would my life and Xiaofang's life be different?
Cuong stood at the door of the shop, his eyes full of vicissitudes. I looked at him and said lightly, "Cuong, you're back." ”
He nodded, his voice a little hoarse: "Brother, I'm back." I've heard you're doing well and I'm glad. ”
I looked at him with both resentment and relief. I know that Cuong was a part of our lives and we can't erase his presence.
Xiao Fang walked out, looked at Ah Qiang, and said lightly: "Ah Qiang, you have changed." ”
Cuong smiled bitterly: "Yes, I've changed." After going through so much, I finally understood that life is not as simple as I imagined. ”
I looked at them and suddenly felt a little emotion in my heart. We are all changing, we are all growing. And life always surprises us inadvertently.
Cuong left the town and he didn't bother us anymore. And our lives have gradually returned to peace. Our children did well in school, and Xiaofang's shop and I became the pride of the town.
However, life is always full of uncertainties. One day, news suddenly came from the town: the government was going to build a large factory here, and the townspeople would be relocated.
When I heard the news, I panicked. Our home is here, our roots are here. I can't accept this fact.
Xiao Fang looked at me, her eyes full of determination: "Brother, we have to stay." It was our home and we couldn't leave. ”
I looked at her and felt a warmth in my heart. Yes, this is our home, our roots. We can't leave.
Xiaofang and I decided to stay, even in the face of an unknown future, we must stick to our home. The townspeople have moved away, but Xiaofang and I are still here.
As the days passed, the town's scenery remained picturesque. Our children grew up and left the town to pursue their dreams. And Xiaofang and I are still here, guarding our home.
Life goes on and we don't know what the future holds. But we know that as long as we're together, nothing can stop us. Our story, like the scenery of the town, is ordinary and beautiful, quietly flowing in the long river of years.