Wang Fang and Li Wei's home has a new silence, and since the divorce, their lives are like folding screens, each occupying one side. Li Wei sat in the restaurant, drinking a light tea, reminiscing about the bitterness in his mouth alone. The dishes and chopsticks in front of him were neatly placed, but Wang Fang's familiar figure was no longer there.
"Li Wei, I have already washed your clothes for you and put them at the bedroom door. Wang Fang's voice was calm and distant, as if there was more than a room between the two.
On the night of the party, Li Wei met Chen Yue, and her appearance was like a sudden spring breeze, which made his long-lost heart beat again. During the conversation, the two found an incredible fit with each other, as if their previous lives were all for this moment.
The decision to welcome Chen Yue into his life was a decision that made Li Wei think hard. He thought, life is full of uncertainties, why not give it a go? But what he didn't expect was how bizarre it was to share the same roof with his ex-wife.
Chen Yue seemed a little hesitant when he first stepped into this home, after all, this unprecedented situation of three people living together was enough to make anyone feel cramped.
"Li Wei, this... Wouldn't it be too strange?" Chen Yue asked in a low voice.
"Wife, I know this arrangement is unusual, but I promise that everything will be fine. Li Wei looked at Chen Yue, his eyes full of promise.
Time passes quietly in this wonderful cohabitation life. In the morning, Li Wei prepares breakfast, and the sound of spatulas and stir-fried vegetables echoes in the busy kitchen. Wang Fang got up on time as usual, and habitually walked straight to the table, but paused when she saw Chen Yue.
"Wang Fang, morning. Chen Yue greeted awkwardly, with a hint of caution in his tone.
"Morning, Chen Yue. Wang Fang's calm response was without superfluous emotional ups and downs.
The three of them sat around the breakfast table, a faint embarrassment in the air, and although they were speechless, everyone was thinking about the same question: how long would this life last?
Li Wei strives to act as a mediator for a harmonious family, shuttling between Chen Yue and Wang Fang, carefully distributing attention and smiles, like a delicate magician, trying to heal all disharmony with love and patience.
At night, Wang Fang sat alone in her room, staring out the window in a daze. She knows that even if she has no husband and wife relationship with Li Wei, this family still has a bond with her. She told herself over and over again that learning to accept the new situation was the only thing she had to do now.
Chen Yue worked hard to integrate into this new family. She silently told herself in her heart that this experience was a test of her character, and no matter what the outcome was, she would have no regrets.
And Li Wei, whenever night falls, he can only taste the deep contradictions brought to him by this new life on the sofa in the living room. He looks forward to the day when these three people can really get along in harmony like a family.
As time passed, a new rhythm of life between Li Wei, Wang Fang and Chen Yue gradually established, but the already fragile balance soon showed cracks. The aromatherapy bag that Chen Yue put in the wardrobe caused unhappiness, and Wang Fang's preferred cold light made Chen Yue have a splitting headache, and small things would accumulate into contradictions.
"Wang Fang, can you not turn on the lights so bright at night? I can't read a book. Chen Yue complained, her voice revealing a secret worry.
"I think it's very comfortable with this light, if you don't like it, you can go to another room and read a book." Wang Fang's answer was straightforward but indifferent.
Li Wei knew about these small frictions between the two women, and his heart was anxious. In his daily life, he always tries his best to adjust the atmosphere, sometimes creating warmth for Chen Yue, sometimes giving Wang Fang understanding, like an acrobat walking on a tight rope.
The emotional tension reached its peak at a family gathering on a Saturday. Friends sat around the living room of Li Wei's house, chatting, and the atmosphere was harmonious. However, with the passage of time and the help of alcohol, small talk gradually became unspoken. When an old friend inadvertently asked Chen Yue how she and Wang Fang got along, the atmosphere suddenly became stiff.
"We? Oh, we're in a pretty good place, aren't we?" Chen Yue barely managed to smile, but the corners of her eyes showed discomfort.
Wang Fang gently put down the cup, as if she had expected this question, and replied lightly: "Yes, it's good." There was imperceptible sarcasm hidden in the voice.
When the party was over, the guests left, and a different kind of cold snap began to fall in the house. Li Wei realized that if the problem was not resolved, the tension would eventually ruin the family atmosphere he cherished.
A few days later, when Chen Yue questioned Wang Fang why she always took so long showers and occupied the bathroom for hours, Wang Fang broke out.
"I need to relax, can I take a shower in my own house and report to you?" Wang Fang's voice rose.
"I just want all of us to follow some basic rules and a normal order of life. Chen Yue tried to stay calm, but her voice began to tremble.
Li Wei came out of the kitchen and tried to resolve this sudden quarrel: "Okay, everyone calm down, we can sit down and talk and solve the problem..."
However, this conflict was not alleviated by Li Wei's insertion. Although both have converged, it is clear that the relationship has reached a point where it must be resolved. After the quarrel, Li Wei looked at the moonlight outside the window, and couldn't help but remember in his heart that sometimes he pursued harmony too desperately, but he would be swallowed up by the emotions accumulated in the depression. Maybe it's time to find a new outlet to bring the home back to life, he thought, instead of clinging to a deformed harmony.
Li Wei knew that if the tension at home did not ease, the situation would only worsen. But he didn't expect this day to come so quickly.
That night, the trio sat around the sofa in the living room to discuss the important decision to make: whether to move their family to a spacious new home in the suburbs to meet Chen Yue's aspirations for a living environment. Chen Yue is tired of the hustle and bustle of the city and hopes to find a quiet place to restart her new life.
"Li Wei, I know it's a big decision, but I really feel like we need a fresh start. Chen Yue held Li Wei's hand tightly, his eyes solemn.
However, Wang Fang is not interested in this, "We have all lived here for so long, this is my home. I don't want to move to the suburbs. ”
The controversy ensued, and the three men had very different opinions, and what was originally a discussion quickly turned into a quarrel. Chen Yue felt that her wishes were being ignored, but Wang Fang believed that Chen Yue had no right to decide whether the family would stay or not.
"I don't understand why you're so stubborn, Wang Fang. Chen Yue's voice gradually raised.
Wang Fang replied coldly: "Because this home has always been my home, Chen Yue." I was already here when you came. ”
Li Wei tried to calm his emotions, but his words could no longer penetrate the other party's stubbornness and defense, "Please calm down, we can find a compromise..."
"Forget it, Li Wei, there's nothing to talk about. Obviously, Chen Yue is much more important than me. Wang Fang said stupidly, feeling marginalized.
Li Wei's heart sank to the bottom, and he suddenly realized that the harmony that he had been maintaining with high morale was only a fragile peace built on the avoidance of quarrels. He knows that the problem is not just a new house in the suburbs, and the conflicts between family members have fermented to the point where they have to be resolved.
Eventually, in an effort to defuse the impasse, Li Wei proposed a mutually acceptable plan: they could try renting a house in the suburbs and spend the weekends together, and then make further decisions if the actual experience was suitable.
There was a bit of pleading in his tone: "Chen Yue, Wang Fang, we all need time to slowly adapt to this change, don't we? ”
In the face of Li Wei's proposal, Chen Yue and Wang Fang were a little shaken. Their expressions gradually changed from resolute at first to silent thought, and finally both nodded reluctantly, agreeing to try to accept Li Wei's proposal. In this way, after some fierce exchanges and mediation, the three of them barely found a rugged path that could move forward side by side.
Gradually, with Li Wei's unremitting mediation and the mutual understanding and compromise between the two women, the resentment of the past dissipated like a cloud of smoke. Despite the friction, they learned to seek common ground on common family matters and to respect and appreciate their differences.
Chen Yue began to participate in Wang Fang's favorite gardening activities, and they planted flowers together and exchanged ideas for raising flowers. By working together to maintain the garden, their relationship grows in silence like those plants that are carefully cared for.
Wang Fang no longer resists spending weekends in a suburban cottage as she used to, and this natural and serene environment gives her a new perspective and a peaceful space for the three of them. There, she was able to leave all her mind behind and simply enjoy the integration with nature.
Li Wei felt that the pressure on his heart was finally relieved, and he was grateful for the patience and understanding that the two women had given him. He knew that without their compromise and courage, this particular home would not have been able to sustain.
One morning, the three of them sat down at the table again and enjoyed a hearty breakfast prepared together. The aroma of the food mixed with a hint of coffee wafts through the air, making it feel serene and content.
"After so many detours, we can still sit together like this," Li Wei said, "It feels really amazing." ”
"Yes, Li Wei, none of us expected that it would be like this in the end. I'm glad we didn't give up. Chen Yue smiled and cooperated with him.
Wang Fang also added softly, "No family is perfect, but a home that is willing to sit together to solve problems is a real home." ”
The three of them looked at each other and smiled, knowing that although the family structure was different from the tradition, it was this difference that taught them how to value and care for this unique home even more.
As the sun shines through the window onto the dining table, the three of them quietly enjoy the peace of the morning. Yes, no matter how the outside world defines it, for them, the emotion of supporting each other and advancing and retreating together is the real home in their hearts.