The town is built on the hills, and the verdant mountains sway gently like a green silk skirt. The stream flows through the edge of the village, crisp and pleasant. Cooking smoke wafted lightly under the eaves, and the setting sun shrouded the village in a warm orange. This is my hometown, a peaceful and wonderful place.
My name is Xiaofang and I am the eldest daughter in the family. My father was a manual worker, and my mother did some manual work at home to support the family. Our family is not wealthy, but we can get by. I have a younger brother Xiao Ming, who is two years younger than me, who is smart and clever, and has excellent character and learning.
My father used to say, "Although we don't have any property, as long as you study well, you will be able to change your destiny in the future." "My mother always hoped that I could marry a rich man and give Xiao Ming a large amount of dowry money, so that he could marry his daughter-in-law in the future without worrying about the dowry.
"If you marry a rich only child, your brother's bride price will not be worried. This is a phrase that my mother often said. She felt that with the bride price money, Xiao Ming would be able to marry smoothly and live a good life. But I don't think so, I want to love with my own heart, instead of using marriage for profit.
"Fang'er, you're six out of twenty, it's time to think about marriage. My mother sat down beside me with the freshly prepared side dishes and said earnestly, "If only you could marry the only child of a rich family, then you don't have to worry about the bride price, and Xiao Ming will have a lot of worry about marrying in the future." "
"I know you have an idea about this, but you also have to think about Xiao Ming. Your brother is so good, but it's a pity that his family is poor, and it would be a pity if he couldn't afford to marry a daughter-in-law in the future. "
My mother's words made me ponder. On the one hand, I understand her good intentions and want to pave the way for Xiao Ming's future. But on the other hand, I can't agree with her.
But then again, my mother's idea is not unreasonable. Xiaoming is really good, but his family is poor, and the bride price is a big expense. If I marry a rich man and come back with some bride price money, Xiao Ming will indeed be much easier.
My troubles were seen by Xiao Ming. That night, he took the initiative to find me and said frankly: "Sister, I heard from my mother that she hopes that you can marry a rich man and give me a bride price." But I don't want to do that, I think marriage should be based on sincerity, not money. "
I nodded, motioning for him to continue.
"I know my mother's intentions are good, but her ideas are a little one-sided. Money is important, but feelings are even more important. In the future, I will definitely rely on my own hands and work hard to make money, and I will not rely on you to marry and make a fortune. "
When I heard this, I was moved to tears. Xiao Ming's thoughts coincide with mine, we both hope to change our fate with our own abilities, instead of relying on others.
"Thank you, Xiao Ming. I hugged him tightly, "I don't want to marry someone for money, I hope to marry someone who truly loves me in the future." "
In order to support my family, I worked in a garment factory in the county. One day, the boss invited a wealthy businessman named Lao Wang to inspect the factory. As soon as I entered the door, Lao Wang's big red face attracted my attention.
"Hey, you're the new girl in our factory, aren't you?" Lao Wang looked me up and down, and the corners of his mouth hooked up a strange smile.
I nodded, feeling a little hairy. Lao Wang's gaze was too hot, and I felt uncomfortable.
"You look so good, I like you. "Old Dynasty, I blinked my fat eyes a few times, and I didn't forget to stick out my tongue and lick my lips when I spoke.
I was disgusted by his actions and quickly lowered my head, trying to avoid his gaze. I was startled, and hurriedly took a few steps back, glaring at Lao Wang.
"Fuck off, what do you want to do?" I yelled.
"Huh! You're an old pervert!" I glared at him hard and walked away without looking back.
After that day, Lao Wang pestered me like a stalker, harassing me all the time. Sometimes it's a small gift, sometimes it's a courtesy, and sometimes it's a dirty remark. Although I was disgusted with him, I had to admit that he was indeed a rich man.
The thought of spending my life with such a person makes me feel terrified and disgusted. But on the other hand, my mother's expectations have always hovered in my heart, making it impossible for me to completely reject Lao Wang.
I began to have frequent nightmares, dreaming that I was married to Lao Wang and lived an extremely depressed and painful life. I even dreamed that Xiao Ming hated me to the bone because I married Lao Wang and cut off all ties with me.
My entanglement was soon discovered by Xiao Ming. One day, he asked me to talk to me under the big tree at the entrance of the village.
"Sister, have you had any troubles lately?" Xiao Ming asked me with concern, "You don't look very good." "
I was silent for a moment, and finally told him about the old king's pestering of me. Xiao Ming's face changed greatly after hearing this, and he said in a daze: "What? That old thing actually stretched out his hand to you? It's really hateful!"
"Don't be angry. I hurriedly reassured him, "I've already taught him a hard lesson, he shouldn't come to harass me again." "
"No, it's not enough. Xiao Ming snorted and said, "I have to go and meet that old guy and let him know how much it costs to bully my sister!"
"Sister!" Xiao Ming interrupted me, "You don't really plan to marry that kind of person, do you? Money is important, but feelings are even more important! Marriage should be based on love, not profit!"
"Sister, listen to me. Xiao Ming grabbed my hand tightly, "I have decided that in the future, I must make money with my own hands, and I will not make a fortune by marrying." You also have to stick to your ideals, find someone who truly loves you, and don't be blinded by money. "
Xiao Ming's words made me let go of the last worries in my heart. Yes, how can I betray my ideals and feelings for a little money? I must stick to my principles!
Just when I made up my mind to reject Lao Wang, something happened that I didn't expect.
One day, Lao Wang suddenly came to my house and said to my parents: "Two uncles and aunts, I wonder if you have considered letting Xiaofang marry me as the master?"
My parents were suddenly asked, looking at each other, not knowing how to answer. Seeing this, Lao Wang hurriedly put on a flattering appearance, praised my beauty and ability, and made a lot of promises.
"Xiaofang is a good girl, I took a fancy to her at a glance. Don't worry, as long as Xiaofang marries me, I will definitely hold her in the palm of my hand and spoil her! She has whatever she wants, eat and drink spicy food, stretch out her hands for clothes, and open her mouth for food! Not to mention the bride price, I will give you a number, and you can open your mouth casually!"
Hearing this, my mother's eyes straightened. Lao Wang is the master of a rich country, and if he can marry his son-in-law, Xiao Ming's bride price will be all settled!
"Mom!" I interrupted my mother and said aloud, "Don't be fooled by the king's money!
My mother looked at me in surprise, obviously not expecting me to reject Lao Wang so firmly. And Lao Wang looked incredulous, his lips trembled, and he couldn't speak for a long time.
"Fang'er, you have to think twice!" Mother hurriedly said, "Lao Wang is a rich man, you won't have to worry about anything if you get married! Besides, he also promised to give your brother a large amount of bride price, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!"
"Fang'er, you have to think about it. Seeing that I had not answered for a long time, Lao Wang said, "If you marry me, I will give you food and spicy food, and you will not have to worry about anything! "
As he spoke, he winked his fat eyes at me a few times ambiguously. I shuddered, and I just felt numb. How could I marry such a man? He just treated me like a plaything, not an equal companion!
After much deliberation, I finally made up my mind. I took a deep breath and solemnly said to Lao Wang, "I'm sorry, Lao Wang, I can't marry you." "
"What did you say?" Lao Wang obviously didn't expect me to reject him so bluntly, and he was stunned for a while.
"I'm not going to marry you. I repeated, "Although you are rich, your conduct is really hard for me to accept." Marriage should be based on love, and you only treat me as an object, and you don't respect me at all. "
"It's hard to say whether you're ruthless or not. "I'm not giving in," I'm just saying what I think. Money is important, but it's not everything. I'd rather marry someone who is unknown but can love me than someone like you!"
With that, I left without looking back.
I rejected Wang's offer, and my mother was shocked. She thought I was just talking about it and that I would change my mind in two days. But she soon found that I had made up my mind and showed no signs of wavering.
"Fang'er, don't you really think about it at all?" One day, my mother sat down beside me with a freshly made side dish and asked me anxiously, "Lao Wang, that is a rich man, you won't have to worry about anything if you get married." Besides, he also promised to give Xiao Ming a dowry money, which is a great benefit for our family!"
I shook my head and said in a firm tone: "Mom, I've thought it through. I don't want to marry Lao Wang, because he doesn't treat me as an equal partner at all, just as an object. I'd rather marry someone who is unknown but can love me than be a puppet of Lao Wang!"
"You kid!" My mother was obviously shocked by my determination, and her face became a little ugly, "Are you so willing to watch Xiao Ming suffer because of the bride price?
"Sister, don't worry. I have made up my mind that in the future, I will make money with my own hands, and I will not make a fortune by marrying. Just look for someone who truly loves you and don't be blinded by money. "
Hearing Xiao Ming say this, my eyes couldn't help but moisten. Yes, how could I betray myself for money? With Xiao Ming's support, I was even more determined to reject Lao Wang.
However, the mother was not so easily convinced. Instead, she was annoyed by my and Xiao Ming's decision.
"You two, you're just too young and naïve!" The mother slapped the table hard and said angrily, "Money is the most important thing now! But you just can't see that!"
"Mom, what you said is too one-sided. I tried to persuade her, "Money is important, but feelings are even more important." I'd rather marry someone who is unknown but can love me, than marry the kind of king who treats me as a plaything. "
"You kid is just too stubborn!" My mother was obviously annoyed by my words, and her face became even more ugly, "You have disregarded the interests of your family for the sake of momentary affection!
"Get out of here! My mother started to get so angry that she picked up the plate and threw it at us.
My mother was very annoyed by the decision of Xiao Ming and me, and the atmosphere in the house was very tense for a while. In order to avoid further escalation of the conflict, the father decided to mediate.
"Calm down, all of you!" That night, my father called the three of us to the table and said with a serious face, "Noisy and noisy won't solve anything." Why don't you sit down and have a good talk? "
The mother lowered her head, looking a little unwilling. Seeing this, his father hurriedly continued: "Besides, Xiao Ming has already made up his mind to make money with his own hands. We can trust him completely. "
Then, my father turned to me and Ming. "You sisters and brothers should also reflect on it. Marriage is important, but the love of family members is equally important. You can't completely ignore me and your mother's thoughts. "
I bowed my head, feeling a little guilty. My father made a lot of sense, and Xiao Ming and I were indeed a little complacent.
"But it's good that you're sticking to your principles. The father smiled slightly, and his tone softened, "Marriage should indeed be based on love. You have to learn to stick to your ideals and pursuits. "
Under my father's persuasion, the three of us gradually calmed down. I saw that my mother's expression softened a lot. Perhaps, through this heart-to-heart conversation, we can finally find a mutually acceptable solution.
"Fang'er, mom wants to talk to you. She sat down on the edge of my bed and sighed, "Mom's attitude was too tough a few days ago, I'm sorry." "
I quickly took her hand and motioned for her to continue.
"Mom is so worried about the future of your siblings that she ignores your own thoughts. Mother's eyes were full of tears, "But you should also be considerate of Mother's good intentions." You are my mother's biggest concern, and my mother is just too concerned. "
I nodded, my eyes moistened. Yes, my mother's intentions are good, but the way is a little overdone.
"From now on, your mother will never force you to marry someone you don't love. The mother said firmly, "Go with your heart and marry someone you really love." As long as you're happy. "
Hearing this, I finally let go of the burden in my heart, and tears flowed uncontrollably. My mother hugged me comfortingly and comforted me softly, "Silly child, don't cry. Mom is now fully supportive of your decision. "
In this way, the conflict between me and my mother was finally resolved. I know she had good intentions, but in a way that was a little extreme. Now that she understands and supports my thoughts, I have completely let go of the mustard in my heart.
At the same time, Xiao Ming also strengthened his determination under the guidance of his father.
"Dad, I've made up my mind. That night, Xiao Ming took the initiative to find his father, "In the future, I must make money with my own hands, and I will never make a fortune by marrying." "
The father nodded, motioning for him to continue.
"I know you and your mother have good intentions, but I still hope to change my fate on my own. Xiao Ming's eyes were firm and focused, "Although our family is poor, I will study hard, and I will definitely be able to be admitted to a key university in the future and find a decent job." "
"And what do you plan to do in the future?" Father asked curiously.
"I want to be a teacher. Xiao Ming said without hesitation, "I hope to become an excellent people's teacher and contribute to the country's education." "
His father was moved by Xiao Ming's determination and ideals, and tears welled up in the corners of his eyes. He hugged Xiao Ming vigorously, and his tone was full of pride: "Good boy, Dad is proud of you! "
From that day on, Xiao Ming studied harder. He is determined to change his destiny with his own hands and never depend on others. And I was determined to find someone who shared the same ideals and pursuits as me and became a partner with him.
In this way, with the understanding and support of our family, my sister and brother finally found the right direction in life. Although the road ahead is full of hardships, as long as we adhere to our ideals, we will definitely be able to overcome all difficulties and live a happy and fulfilling life.