"Don't be nervous, just think you're talking to a friend. The moderator warmly comforted me, "Start with your family, first tell us about your family members." "
"Your family looks traditional and ordinary. The host smiled slightly, "But it seems that something unusual has happened recently?"
I nodded, my brow furrowed. "Yes, it's all because my brother is getting married. "
Originally, it was a happy event for an ordinary family to welcome a child to get married, and everyone should be happy and happy. However, some of Li Ming's requests made our family fall into contradictions.
"He's an old-fashioned man, and he has to follow the old rules. I felt a little angry, "Let's take the bride price as an example, he actually asked our family to give him 200,000 yuan as a down payment, which is simply an appalling thing now!"
I was confused by his straight words. "What the is the banquet? Didn't you say you would just invite a few friends and relatives to a light meal?"
"That's not going to work!" Li Ming put on a serious appearance, "You have to give me a table of red and white ceremonies, invite guests to eat eight dishes, and you have to give me and my future wife 200,000 yuan as a down payment." "
I was completely stunned, speechless for a moment. 200,000 down payment? That's an astronomical sum! Although our family is passable, it is definitely not a rich family. For us, this money is simply impossible to get out of the four walls.
"Are you crazy?" I finally broke out, "Given our family's financial situation, how can you ask for a down payment of 200,000 yuan? Have you forgotten that your sister and wife just took all the family money into their own name last month?"
Li Ming frowned, as if he was a little dissatisfied with my reaction. "Brother, don't be petty. As the eldest brother, you should organize a table of decent happy events for me, who is a younger brother. A down payment of 200,000 is a very common thing now, you can't even do this, right?"
Just when I was in great pain, my parents stepped in. "Qiangzi, you have to give your brother an explanation. The mother said earnestly, "You are the eldest son in the family, and you should do your part for your younger brother." "
"That's it, you have to run a decent banquet for your brother, and a down payment of 200,000 is not much. The father also chimed in, "You must know that our common people are these bad habits, if you can't even do this, you will be too faceless in the village in the future." "
I was completely crushed by my parents' words. Yes, I should have organized a decent wedding for my brother, which has been a tradition for thousands of years. But the down payment of 200,000 is too much, and our family is almost penniless!
I was in a quandled situation like never before. On the one hand, there are the constraints of tradition, and on the other hand, there are the pressures of reality. I tried to think about it, but I couldn't make up my mind.
Just then, an unexpected thing happened. My wife, Xiaofang, decided to meddle in this matter.
"Brother, I know your current financial situation is not very good, but my request as a younger brother is also very reasonable. Li Ming looked at my expression and softened his tone a little, "200,000 down payment is a very ordinary thing now, you won't even be able to do this, right?"
I was enraged by his words, and my temper came up a little. "Reasonable? You said that a down payment of 200,000 yuan is a very reasonable thing? Li Ming, have you forgotten how much our family has in our family? Even if you add up all your savings, you can't even make up half of 200,000 yuan!"
"But brother, you have to organize a decent banquet for me, my brother, right?" Li Ming's tone was a little aggrieved, "You must know that marriage is a major event in life, if even you, the eldest brother, are reluctant to put out a little effort, I will be too faceless in front of relatives and friends in the future." "
I was struck in the sore spot by his words. As the eldest brother, I should do my part for my younger brother's major affairs, which is the traditional habit of our people. But the down payment of 200,000 yuan is too much, and I can't take out so much money!
Just when I was in great pain, my wife Xiaofang suddenly spoke.
"Enough, you two brothers don't fight anymore!" Xiao Fang said angrily, "Li Ming, your request is too much. You also know that our family's financial situation can't afford a down payment of 200,000 yuan, but you still force your brother like this, which is too selfish. "
Li Ming was a little speechless by Xiao Fang's straightforward words. He was silent for a moment, and then suddenly his tone changed and became extremely resolute: "Brother-in-law, I know that you have always been thinking about our family. But you also have to understand that marriage is a major life event, and we can't do it too shabbyly. A down payment of 200,000 yuan is a very common thing now, and if I can't even do this, I will be too faceless in front of my relatives and friends in the future. "
I looked at my stubborn brother, and then at my angry wife, and my heart was entangled.
"Brother, you have to do your best for my brother. Seeing that I was silent, Li Ming opened his mouth again to persuade me, "You must know that we ordinary people are these bad habits, if you can't even do this little thing, you will be too faceless in the village in the future." "
I was almost crushed by his words. Yes, I should have a decent table for my brother, which is our traditional custom. But the down payment of 200,000 is too much, and our family is almost penniless!
Just when I was in great pain, Xiaofang suddenly spoke.
"Alright, I'll have the final say!" Her face turned pale, and she gritted her teeth and said, "Li Ming, if you want a down payment of 200,000 yuan, I will give you 200,000 yuan, but from today onwards, we will cut off all relations, don't bother our family again!"
Li Ming and I were taken aback by Xiao Fang's cruel words, and no one was speechless for a while. What a tough character Xiao Fang is, she made such a decision!
At this juncture, my parents rushed over.
"What's wrong with you? Seeing our stalemate, my mother hurriedly persuaded her, "Qiangzi, you have to give your brother an explanation." You are the eldest son in the family, and you should do your part for your younger brother. "
"Well, you'll have to put a decent table for your brother. My father also chimed in, "Although the down payment of 200,000 yuan is a bit high, it is very common now. You must know that we ordinary people are these bad habits, if you can't even do this, you will be too faceless in the village in the future. "
I was completely crushed by my parents' words. They were right, and I was supposed to hold a decent wedding for my brother, which has been a tradition for thousands of years. But the down payment of 200,000 is too much, and our family is almost penniless!
At this moment, Xiao Fang suddenly stood up bravely.
"Enough!" She scolded, "You old stubborns, didn't you live hundreds of years ago?
"Y-What nonsense are you talking about?" The mother was taken aback by Xiao Fang's straightforward tone, "Wedding banquet and bride price, that is our traditional custom, how can you talk like this as a woman?"
"That's right, Xiaofang, you're too presumptuous!" The father also changed color, "You must know that we are the teachers of our parents, how can we go against the teachings of our ancestors? Even if the society has changed a lot now, we must not lose the good traditions left by our ancestors!"
"What a fart tradition!" Xiao Fang was furious, "Do you know that our family is almost penniless? With your pitiful savings, you expect to come up with a down payment of 200,000 yuan?"
"Y-What are you talking about?" The mother was so frightened that her face turned pale, "Xiaofang, you have to manage your words and deeds well." Although we are poor, we can't lose the good customs left by our ancestors!"
"Okay, okay, I'll make it clear today!" Xiao Fang's eyes shot a fierce light, "Li Ming, you have to make a down payment of 200,000 yuan, I will give you 200,000 yuan, but from today onwards, we will cut off all relations, don't bother our family again!"
There was a solemn silence in the room. Li Ming and I, and even my parents, were taken aback by Xiaofang's cruel words.
"Xiaofang, you, what do you mean by that?" I finally found my voice and stammered.
"What I mean is that our family and Li Ming will sever all relations from today onwards!" Xiaofang said mercilessly, "Since he attaches so much importance to the 200,000 down payment, then I will give it to him, but as a price, he will not come to disturb our family in the future!"
It's your own brother, how can you be so determined to disown him?"
"That's it!" The father also glared angrily, "Xiaofang, you are too much! Although we are poor, we must also respect traditions." Li Ming, as his younger brother, asked for a down payment of 200,000 yuan, although it was a bit high, but it was also reasonable. But you are so ruthless, it is simply disobedient and unfilial!"
I looked at Xiao Fang's stubborn expression, and then at the angry faces of my parents, and my heart was entangled. As the eldest brother, I should do my part for my younger brother; But the down payment of 200,000 yuan is too much, and our family can't come up with so much money!
Just when I was in great pain, Xiao Fang suddenly spoke.
"Okay, okay, I'll make it clear today!" Xiao Fang gritted her teeth and said categorically, "Li Ming, you have to make a down payment of 200,000 yuan, and I will give you 200,000 yuan, but as a price, you are not allowed to disturb our family again in the future." From today onwards, we will cut off all relations!"
"Xiaofang, are you crazy?" The mother was so frightened that her face turned pale, "How can you talk like that? Li Ming is your own brother!"
"That's right, Xiaofang, you're too much!" My father also glared angrily, "Although we are poor, we must respect traditional customs." Li Ming, as his younger brother, asked for a down payment of 200,000 yuan, although it was a bit high, but it was also reasonable. But you are so ruthless, it is simply disobedient and unfilial!"
In this tense atmosphere, to everyone's surprise, Li Ming suddenly spoke.
"Enough, stop arguing!" He was silent for a long time, with a hint of apology on his face, "Brother-in-law, parents, I know that my request is a little excessive. It's because I'm too willful, I only care about my own face, and ignore the actual situation at home. Xiaofang, I'm sorry, I was too selfish. "
We were all stunned by Li Ming's words. I didn't expect him to be so reasonable and take the initiative to admit his mistakes.
Watching my brother's changes, I couldn't help but be immersed in reflection. Yes, we've all been so attached to the old customs that we've lost sight of the realities of our difficult situation.
The down payment of 200,000 is indeed an astronomical amount for our family. Even if I tighten my belt for a few days, I'm afraid I won't be able to scrape together enough money. And the reason why our family is so entangled is precisely because we are bound by those old customs.
We all care so much about "face" that we ignore more practical issues. Although Xiaofang's approach is a bit extreme, her original intention is to defend the interests of our family. And Li Ming's change also made me realize that instead of resting on my laurels, it is better to let go of prejudices and look at problems with a more open mind.
Yes, we should keep up with the times, not live in the shadows of the past forever. I took a deep breath and felt a lot of relief.
In fact, money is not the root of the problem, it is the unrealistic expectations that come with it that are really painful.
A down payment of $200,000 is a lot of money, but if we weren't bound by old customs, we might not take it too seriously.
We all care so much about "face" that we ignore more practical issues. Although Xiaofang's approach is a bit extreme, her original intention is to defend the interests of our family. And Li Ming's change also made me realize that instead of resting on my laurels, it is better to let go of prejudices and look at problems with a more open mind.
Money is important, but it shouldn't be overstated. In contrast, the affection between family members is the most valuable asset. We should let go of those old ideas and approach everything in life with a peaceful mind, instead of being blinded by money.
It also made me reflect on the relationship between tradition and modernity. We are so superstitious about old customs that we ignore the needs of reality.
Tradition is valuable because it embodies the wisdom and experience of our ancestors. But if we rest on our laurels and refuse to keep up with the pace of the times, we will fall behind in the torrent of the times.
We should take the essence and remove the dross. For some outdated stereotypes, we should put aside our preconceptions and be brave in innovation. At the same time, we should also inherit those excellent traditional cultures and integrate them into modern life.
Take this incident as an example, the down payment of 200,000 is undoubtedly an outdated custom, which is no longer in line with the development needs of modern society. But marriage itself is an excellent traditional culture, which embodies people's yearning for a better life. We should inherit this culture and not be bound by superficial forms.
Yes, we should have the courage to break away from those old, anachronistic customs and embrace modern life with a more open mind. At the same time, we should also inherit the excellent traditional culture and integrate it into the present to enrich our spiritual world.
Only by achieving the organic combination of tradition and modernity can we truly keep up with the pace of the times and live a happy and fulfilling life.
This incident made me realize that the power of family affection is unparalleled. It is precisely because we are a family that we will quarrel over the matter of 200,000 down payment.
If we were just strangers, how could we go out of our way for this money? But it is precisely because we have a kinship relationship that blood is thicker than water, that we attach so much importance to this matter that a violent dispute arises.
It is family affection that binds us together and makes us feel uneasy about each other. As the eldest brother, I always felt that I should do something for my younger brother; As a parent, they also want me to do my duty as the eldest son.
And Xiaofang, as a wife, is to defend the interests of our family. Although everyone has different positions, they are all driven by a kind of family affection.
But affection is not always a positive force. If we are bound by it and cannot think calmly, then it will become a shackle for us. Just like this time, we are all blinded by the old customs to the point of ignoring the reality of the family.
Through this incident, I realized how important a shift in values is. If we rest on our laurels and live forever in the shadow of the past, we will fall behind the tide of the times.
Once upon a time, a down payment of 200,000 was indeed a very "decent" thing. However, with the development of the times, this concept has gradually become obsolete. Nowadays, people pay more attention to the actual living situation, rather than the ethereal "face".
We all care so much about "face" that we ignore more practical issues. Although Xiaofang's approach is a bit extreme, her original intention is to defend the interests of our family. And Li Ming's change also made me realize that instead of resting on my laurels, it is better to let go of prejudices and look at problems with a more open mind.
Yes, we should keep up with the times, not live in the shadows of the past forever. The outdated custom of 200,000 down payment is no longer in line with the development needs of modern society. We should put aside our preconceptions, be brave in innovation, and embrace modern life with a more open mind.
At the same time, we should also inherit the excellent traditional culture and integrate it into the present to enrich our spiritual world. Marriage itself is an excellent traditional culture, which embodies people's yearning for a better life. We should inherit this culture and not be bound by superficial forms.
Only by achieving the organic combination of tradition and modernity can we truly keep up with the pace of the times and live a happy and fulfilling life. We need to learn to change our mindset and face everything in life with a more inclusive and open mind.
Eventually, after we all calmed down, the family reconciled. We all realize that money is important, but the affection between family members is the most valuable asset.
"Brother, I'm sorry, but I was too stubborn. I said to Li Ming sincerely, "The down payment of 200,000 yuan is indeed a huge amount of money, and our family can't come up with it at all." However, I will definitely try my best to handle your marriage, although the scale will not be too large, but I will definitely invite relatives and friends to share your joy. "
"Brother, I'm too willful. Li Ming also nodded again and again, "I only care about my own face, and ignore the actual situation at home." I shouldn't have forced you to come up with a $200,000 down payment, it was my mistake. "
"Okay, okay, don't talk about that. Xiao Fang hurriedly played a round, "Everyone is a family, and the most important thing is to understand and tolerate each other." Li Ming's marriage, we will definitely go all out to handle it, so that their newlyweds have a good start. "
"Yes, although our family is poor, as long as we have your blessings, I believe that my fiancée and I will be happy. Li Ming said gratefully.
I watched the scene of the reconciliation of the family, and my heart was extremely gratified. Yes, we all care so much about the ethereal "face" that we ignore more practical issues. Now, we have finally let go of those old ideas and faced life with a peaceful mind.
Marriage is an important moment in life, and it represents the beginning of a new stage of life. Although we can't give my brother a big deal of extravagance, I believe that as long as he has the blessing and love of his family, he will be happy.
This incident made me realize that money is important, but the relationship between family members is the most valuable asset. We should let go of those old ideas and approach everything in life with a peaceful mind, instead of being blinded by money. Only in this way can we truly feel the warmth of family affection and live a happy and fulfilling life.