Uncle Li got up very early this morning, muttering something in his mouth, and his mood seemed to be a little heavy. The bankbook lay on the table with the retirement certificate, and the figures on it were not very encouraging, and his retirement pension was far lower than expected, when in fact he did not have a pension because of the bankruptcy of his workplace in his early years.
This reality was like a winter rain that made him shudder.
His daughter Xiaowen has grown up and married a wife, and her life is not too rich. After learning about her father's pension problem, Xiaowen was very anxious.
"Dad, how can this be?" Xiaowen frowned, her voice full of worry.
Uncle Li sighed lightly, looked into his daughter's eyes under the soft lamp and said, "Hey, when the company was doing well at that time, who would have thought that it would end up like this." ”
Hearing this, Xiaowen couldn't help but shed tears: "Dad, what will you do in the future?"
"Don't cry, daughter. Uncle Li hurriedly comforted, "I also thought about it myself for a few days, and I wanted to go to my old classmate, Grandma Qin, she was widowed a few years ago, we have been in touch, maybe there is a solution." ”
There was a hint of hope in his voice.
A few days later, Uncle Li met with Grandma Qin in the park as scheduled. Two gray-haired old men sat on a bench under a maple tree, and the setting sun cast a warm glow.
"Sister Qin, you also know my situation, I am retired, and I really have no place to stay. Uncle Li looked at Grandma Qin with a hint of asking for help.
Grandma Qin covered her mouth with her hands, and there was a bit of relief in her voice: "Lao Li, what are you talking about, the love of our classmates studying together back then is here." I have a little pension, I will save you 2,500 yuan a month, and then we will settle it together, anyway, I am also a person. ”
Uncle Li was grateful from the bottom of his heart for Grandma Qin's generosity, "Sister Qin, it's really my third life to have met you for so many years. ”
There weren't too many warm words, and the eye contact between the two old men was enough to show their hearts. So, on a warm spring afternoon, Uncle Li moved into Grandma Qin's small apartment in the city and began to spend his old age with his old classmates. Although Grandma Qin's small apartment was not big, the two old men were satisfied. Uncle Li can cook, and Grandma Qin is good at housework, and they have a tacit understanding like a long-time spouse. It's a simple but harmonious life, and they often hold hands, go for a leisurely walk in the park in the evening, take a dance or tai chi class, and laugh with a group of peers.
On that day, they participated in a community-organized spring outing for the elderly. Grandma Qin happily said to Uncle Li: "Old Li, we are so old, it's really good to be able to go out for a walk like this." ”
Uncle Li smiled and nodded: "Yes, with you old friends by your side, life in your later years is much more lively." ”
While they were immersed in such a peaceful and happy life, the thoughts of their children began to affect this tranquility.
One day, Xiaowen came to visit her father, and she looked at the intimacy between her father and Grandma Qin, and her heart was mixed.
"Dad," Xiaowen asked with concern, "How are you getting along with Grandma Qin?"
Uncle Li replied with a smile: "It's good, it's all very good." ”
But Xiaowen bit her lip lightly, and there was worry hidden in her eyes: "Grandma Qin is really good to you, but I am still a little ...... about saving money for you every month."
Xiaowen's words were not finished, and Uncle Li interjected thoughtfully: "I know that you are not too comfortable in your heart, you always feel that you owe Sister Qin something, but don't worry, I have my own plans." ”
Xiaowen nodded, although the topic changed, the stone in her heart had not yet landed.
At the same time, Grandma Qin's son, Xiao Gang, who does not live together, occasionally comes to visit, and he expresses concern about his mother's monthly support for Uncle Li.
Once when he came to visit, he secretly said to Grandma Qin: "Mom, it's completely unnecessary for you to give Uncle Li money every month, his daughter can take care of him." ”
Grandma Qin waved her hand: "Xiaogang, that's my business, I'm willing." ”
Xiao Gang frowned, with a hint of firmness in his tone: "Mom, I'm worried that you won't have any money when you're old, what can you do at that time?"
Grandma Qin smiled: "I know my own affairs. ”
Xiao Gang had no choice but to give up temporarily, but it was not a taste in his heart, he was worried that over time, his mother's decision would cause her financial inconvenience.
As time passes, these worries and worries gradually accumulate in the hearts of the children, and the day when the future will collide with this later partnership is not sure if it will eventually come. Time flies, and in the blink of an eye, 15 years have passed. Uncle Li's hair is whiter, and his gait is not as steady as before. After living in the city for so many years, he began to miss the peace and comfort of his hometown.
One day, Uncle Li sat opposite Grandma Qin and said seriously, "Sister Qin, I plan to go back to my hometown to retire." ”
Although Grandma Qin was a little surprised, she also understood: "Lao Li, you have to take good care of yourself over there alone, don't slack off." ”
Uncle Li nodded, with deep gratitude in his eyes: "You have been so good to me all these years, I must pay you back this money." ”
Grandma Qin chuckled and waved her hand: "What kind of stupid thing to say, we have been friends for so many years, and we are relatives." ”
But Uncle Li insisted on his own ideas, and he promised to pay it back, he is a person who pays attention to faithfulness.
However, when Uncle Li and Grandma Qin's son Xiao Gang discussed this matter, the situation was not as smooth as he imagined. Uncle Li found Xiao Gang and expressed his intentions.
"Xiaogang, I'm going back to my hometown, I want to return this money to your mother personally. Uncle Li said seriously.
Xiao Gang frowned: "Uncle Li, this is not good, my mother has been willing to treat you all these years, and she never thought of asking for this money." ”
In the face of Uncle Li's insistence, Xiao Gang also seemed quite embarrassed: "Uncle Li, but you have relied on this money for so many years, and now you have to pay it back all at once, mom she..."
Uncle Li interrupted him: "I know that your mother is not short of this money, but this is a matter of principle, and I can't owe it." ”
The two men were at a stalemate, and the atmosphere began to get a little tense. Not long after, Xiaowen learned about this and rushed over.
She persuaded her father: "Dad, you haven't had it easy for so many years, Grandma Qin really helped you back then, she didn't care about this." ”
While saying to Xiao Gang: "Xiao Gang, don't worry, uncle will not force your mother, you can find a suitable way to express your gratitude." ”
However, Xiao Gang still insisted, "I understand Uncle Li's intentions, but we also have to respect my mother's opinion." ”
Although the conflict has not been resolved, Xiaowen's words have given a turning point in the conflict between the two generations. Grandma Qin listened silently on the side, thinking of a way to get the best of both worlds. After communication and understanding, Xiao Gang's heart gradually softened, and he began to understand Uncle Li's determination to insist on reciprocation. After a long conversation late at night, he said to his mother: "Mom, Uncle Li has persevered all the way to the end, and we still have to respect his intentions." ”
Grandma Qin nodded, and her voice revealed relief: "I didn't plan to let him pay it back, but this sincerity, let's accept it." ”
Xiaowen also persuaded her father on the side: "Dad, just accept it, so that everyone's hearts can land." ”
In this way, finally on a warm afternoon, everyone watched the completion of Uncle Li's small house in his hometown. He insisted on using the money that Grandma Qin had saved for him over the years to build this house, which was not big or small, just right.
"Seeing that your house is built, it's good for me to stay for a few days in the future. Grandma Qin joked with a smile.
"Of course, this room is for you and Xiao Gang. Uncle Li's eyes were gentle and he looked very satisfied.
Xiaowen walked into the house, caressed the wall, turned to Xiao Gang and said, "Look, we all have a place to visit Dad." ”
Xiao Gang also smiled, "Yes, the two families have always been like relatives." ”
They looked at each other and smiled, their hearts full of anticipation for the future reunion.
In the small courtyard of the house, Uncle Li and Grandma Qin sat side by side, watching the sunset gradually sink at the end of the field, and a calm and warm atmosphere surrounded them.
"You say, we have come all the way, isn't this the best answer?" Uncle Li asked softly, his eyes flashing with deep emotion for the past years.