On that warm spring afternoon, at home in an ordinary community in Beijing, Li Xiaohua's busy figure once again swayed between the rooms, and she was preparing a special family banquet to celebrate the first anniversary of her marriage to Xiao Zhang. With fresh vegetables and meat on the table, Li Xiaohua methodically cuts the ingredients, her face with a focused and calm expression, as efficient as she does when she handles complex projects at work.
"Xiaohua, do you need help?" Xiao Zhang probed into the kitchen, his eyebrows and eyes full of love.
"No need, Xiao Zhang, go and see the layout of the living room and see what is missing?" Li Xiaohua responded, with a slight tiredness and a light smile in his voice.
At this time, the doorbell rang, and her mother-in-law, Wang Meimei, stood at the door with a smile on her face, carrying a large bag of gifts. Her arrival brought a warm breeze of spring to the calm home.
"Mother-in-law, you're here, haven't you worked the road?" Li Xiaohua warmly stepped forward and took the heavy luggage in his hand.
"Ouch, Xiaohua, this kid, what is the hard work, how happy I am to be able to come to see you. Wang Meimei's voice was full of joy, "By the way, I have brought you some hometown specialties, and you can taste them later." ”
At dinner time, the delicious food on the plate was full of aroma, and Xiao Zhang and Wang Meili sat around the table, and the atmosphere was warm and harmonious. Although Wang Meili is always busy with various interest groups and community activities, whenever she is reunited with her family, she always finds time as much as possible, traveling from the south to Beijing to participate in every important family moment.
"This braised pork is just right, Xiaohua, your skills are getting better and better. Wang Meili praised her daughter-in-law's cooking skills.
"You learned from your mother-in-law's recipes, you are the real master. Li Xiaohua responded with a smile, his eyes flashing with sincerity.
After dinner, the three of them sat around the living room and chatted, talking about topics ranging from home decoration to the trivialities of work and life. Wang Meili talked eloquently and gave various tips for life, while Li Xiaohua nodded from time to time to express agreement. However, she also had to step forward to interrupt her mother-in-law's change of course, for fear of touching on an embarrassing topic in the conversation.
"Mother-in-law, you came just in time, there is a pottery exhibition these days, I heard that you are very interested in this, how about we go with you?" Xiao Zhang proposed.
"Is this good, does Xiaohua like it too?" Wang Meili turned her head and asked.
"Of course, I'm glad to go out with everyone. Li Xiaohua said with a smile, although she knew in her heart that it meant that she might need to postpone her originally planned work.
In the evening, when Wang Meili returned to the guest room to rest, Xiao Zhang whispered to his wife: "Xiaohua, although work is important, but my mother-in-law came here this time, spend more time with her, there are not many such moments." ”
"I know, don't worry, I'll adjust. Li Xiaohua touched Xiao Zhang's hand and agreed softly.
Even though there are occasional small conflicts between Li Xiaohua and Wang Meili, Li Xiaohua always tries her best to understand and respect this elder who brings her husband and endless love. She knows that the existence of her mother-in-law is of great significance to Xiao Zhang, she is not only his mother, but also a bridge to the family. And Wang Meili has never been shy about her appreciation for this smart daughter-in-law, although she is sometimes a little concerned about Li Xiaohua's work attitude, but this is more based on the expectation and watchfulness of future happiness.
A few days later, Li Xiaohua took a few days off to accompany her mother-in-law to a community-organized pottery exhibition, and after the exhibition, she planned to take her mother-in-law to a Peking Opera performance. In Wang Meimei's heart, Li Xiaohua is always so sensible, and skillfully arranges the life of his family in an orderly manner, so that the warmth of home is always there.
One leisurely afternoon, Li Xiaohua took her mother-in-law, Wang, to stroll beautifully through the hutongs of Beijing. "The old Beijing style here is well preserved, Xiaohua, do you usually have little time to walk here?" Wang Meili sighed.
"yes, it's very busy at work, and it's really rare to have the opportunity to slow down like today. Li Xiaohua smiled bitterly, "Mother-in-law, don't think the place I took you is too cheesy." ”
"No, no, I like it, with you, anywhere. Wang Meili replied with a smile, but there seemed to be a hint of deep meaning in her gaze.
At home, the dinner party came to an end quietly, and Wang Meili and Li Xiaohua sat in the living room and drank tea. Wang Meili lightly started the topic: "Xiaohua, I see that you are so busy with work, sometimes you can't take care of both sides?" Xiao Zhang has also been busy with work, how long have you not gone out for a walk together?"
"Mother-in-law, we all know how to balance ourselves, so you don't have to worry too much. Although Li Xiaohua replied respectfully, he couldn't help but feel a little fluctuating in his heart.
"You know I didn't mean that, I meant to say..."Wang Meili paused, "Work is important, but family can't be ignored either. ”
Li Xiaohua bowed slightly, although he was a little resistant to such a topic, he had to say: "I understand what you mean, mother-in-law." ”
A few days later, at a family gathering, Wang Meili made another suggestion: "Xiaohua, I think it would be great if you could reduce your work pressure a little and spend more time with Xiao Zhang and her family." ”
"Mother-in-law, I have my own plans and plans, and work is a very important part of them. There was a little firmness in Li Xiaohua's tone.
"I know you can do it, I'm just giving you a little advice as someone who came over. Wang Meili responded a little helplessly.
In this way, as Wang Meili repeatedly expressed her concern and views on Li Xiaohua's work status, the conflict between faint displeasure and forbearance slowly accumulated in Li Xiaohua's heart, and she involuntarily began to think about the relationship with her mother-in-law, how much she hoped that work and family could be reasonably balanced, and at the same time, she could also get the understanding and support of her mother-in-law.
Xiao Zhang saw the contradiction and dissatisfaction in his wife's heart, so he quietly took her aside: "Xiaohua, don't take it to heart, mom is just worried about you." ”
"I understand, but can't your mother understand my position? She is always like this..."Li Xiaohua suppressed the tremor in her voice, "I need a sense of accomplishment at work, and I also want to take care of my family, but she always feels that I haven't done enough." ”
This turmoil quietly spreads in the quiet life of the family, and the balance between work and family has become a difficult hurdle in Li Xiaohua's heart, she knows that her mother-in-law is out of loving concern, but this concern makes her feel pressure and contradiction when she attaches importance to her career, and the understanding and pursuit of happiness between two generations in a family are vaguely different at this moment.
On the weekend of the warm spring breeze, Xiao Zhang carefully planned a family outing. As a result, the atmosphere at home has become more active, and Li Xiaohua and her mother-in-law Wang Meili are looking forward to it. Preparations were tedious, with packages and picnic baskets piled up in the center of the living room, and items on the checklist checked and marked one by one.
When sorting out the picnic food, Wang Meili enthusiastically proposed: "Xiaohua, I think we can bring some special snacks from our hometown? ”
Li Xiaohua replied while tidying up: "Mother-in-law, in fact, there are enough preparations now, and it is too troublesome to bring too many things out, so let's simplify it a little bit and make it easier." ”
Wang Meili said unconvinced: "Ouch, it's a trivial matter, and it's not sinking, isn't it good to have a little more home?"
This small proposal quickly turned into a point of contention between the two. Li Xiaohua insisted on simplifying the preparation, but her mother-in-law thought that what she cared about was the combination of family and fun in the process.
As the dispute heated up, Wang Meili couldn't help but criticize Li Xiaohua's lifestyle: "Xiaohua, are you even too troublesome to eat some snacks from your own now? You know your work every day, and you don't even want to do this little thing." ”
Li Xiaohua felt aggrieved and shot back: "Mother-in-law, what do you mean by this? Being busy with work doesn't mean that I don't care about my family, I'm already trying my best to balance every day." ”
The opinions of the two strong women collided, and the air in the room seemed to become heavy. Seeing this, Xiao Zhang hurriedly came over to persuade: "Mom, Xiaohua, calm down, don't you go out to have fun? Don't be unhappy because of this little thing." ”
The corners of Wang Meimei's mouth twitched, and her tone suddenly softened, "Actually, I just want my family to have a good time together." ”
Li Xiaohua also realized that his tone was excessive, and took a deep breath to apologize: "I'm sorry, mother-in-law, maybe I'm too sensitive." ”
Although this small family turmoil did not affect the happiness of the outing activities, it left Li Xiaohua with deep thoughts. She wonders if she really can't get a good balance between work and family, while Wang Meili is reflecting on whether she has interfered too much with the lifestyle of young people.
In that flowery countryside, spring is in full swing, and although the family has left a shadow of small friction, they also enjoy the tranquility and beauty of nature together. The sun shines through the gaps in the leaves, sprinkled on everyone's face, and even if there are brief disputes and uneasiness, the warmth of the family is always the strongest support for each other.
Since that spring, Ms. Li and Ms. Wang have been silently reflecting on the impact of the controversy on each other. One evening after calming down, the two drank tea on the balcony and shared the view of the city skyline.
Wang Meili broke the silence: "Xiaohua, what I said that day, don't take it to heart, I just care too much about you." ”
Li Xiaohua shook his head lightly: "Mother-in-law, I know that you are for our good, and I have been thinking about how I should better handle work and family recently." ”
As a result, the wall between the two slowly collapsed, Li Xiaohua gradually realized that her mother-in-law's worries were not completely untargeted, and Wang Meili gradually understood the pressures and challenges of being a modern professional woman.
In the days since, Li Xiaohua has begun to work more from home, and it is gratifying to find that not only has her efficiency not decreased, but she has been able to achieve more with half the effort because of her family's support. Xiao Zhang saw it in his eyes and couldn't help but praise: "Xiaohua, I think you're very good now, we can spend more time together." ”
Wang Meili also began to try to loosen her control over her family's lifestyle, learning to trust young people's choices while playing a more tolerant and understanding role in her family.
The moonlight shone in the quiet living room, and Li Xiaohua, Xiao Zhang and Wang Meili sat in the living room, chatting or reading a book, and the ease and harmony became an indispensable part of their lives. Everyone had a happy smile on their faces, and the family atmosphere was warmer than ever.
After experiencing the turmoil, Li Xiaohua learned to be more considerate and respectful of her family, and she understood that the importance of family is not only about sharing time, but also about mutual understanding and support. And Wang's beautiful charm, in addition to her vitality and thoughtfulness, lies in the fact that she gradually accepts and participates in every part of her daughter's family life, and infects every family member with her love for life.
Over time, understanding and respect between the two generations are built on a more solid foundation. The subtle "fight" between Li Xiaohua and Wang Meili adds a different color to family life, and also promotes the common growth of the two in sincere communication. Family harmony is no longer just an empty slogan, it is gradually established in the bits and pieces of daily life, which is precisely the embodiment of sincere feelings.