Li Ming closed the page of the book he had just turned over, and followed Li Li's figure with his eyes. The umbrella opened in her hand, and in a split second, both the woman and the umbrella disappeared behind the rain curtain. He whispered, "Wife, be careful on the road." The voice was almost buried by the sound of the rain.
"I know, you're waiting for me at home. Li Li's voice faded away.
Inside the house, Li Ming and his father-in-law Zhang Wei sat opposite each other. On the coffee table, in the teacups of the two, the tea has become cold because of the gap between conversations.
"Father-in-law, you said she would-" Li Ming didn't say anything, but he hesitated.
Zhang Wei sighed and calmed his voice: "Son-in-law, you also know that Wang Hao was very ill during this time, Lili is also his ex-wife after all, and it is inevitable that there will be something in my heart—" The father-in-law's words always have a calming charm.
"But we've been..." Li Ming frowned, and the corners of his mouth hung with a sense of loss.
The father-in-law gently put down the teacup and looked firm: "Ming, I understand you, this is a test of patience, but it is human nature for her to take care of a sick person, out of sympathy." ”
"Of course I do, father-in-law. Li Ming seemed to want to be strong to convince himself, but he couldn't help but look out the window.
"I'm not afraid of what she does, what I'm afraid of is—" Li Ming paused, took a deep breath, and there was a hint of weakness in his tone, "I'm afraid that she won't be able to come back." ”
The rain outside the window was getting heavier and heavier, and the atmosphere inside seemed to be invaded by the sound of the surging rain.
"If a person is willing to take care of someone, it at least means that in her heart, that person was once very important. Li Ming's voice was so low that it was almost inaudible.
The father-in-law patted him on the shoulder: "You have to learn to trust Lili, she chose you, which is her future." ”
"Yes, trust..." Li Ming's voice faded away until it was indistinct.
Outside, the sound of wind and rain intertwine to form a symphony full of heavy rhythms. There was less conversation in the room, and both Li Ming and Zhang Wei fell into their own silence, as if waiting for some result of the rain.
Zhang Wei raised his head, looked at the street outside the door, and nodded again and again: "When the rain stops, things will always get better." ”
Li Ming, on the other hand, clutched the cover of the book, as if looking for a little comfort.
Time passed quietly minute after minute, and the two men waited for the return of the woman - Li Li in this night of tranquility and panic.
Li Li's pace was hurried, and the raindrops hit her umbrella like needletips along the way, but her mind was not in the sound of the rain. Wang Hao's home was brightly lit, and through the window, Li Li could see him lying on the hospital bed, his face pale. Pushing open the door, her presence made the air in the room seem to freeze.
"Hao, I've come to see you. Li Li's voice was soft.
Wang Hao coughed and smiled reluctantly: "Lili, you're here." It's raining so hard outside, you're still ......."
Li Li waved her hand and interrupted him: "Don't mention it if it's already over, you need my help." She began to get busy, arranging the futon for Wang Hao, serving the potion, and her movements were skillful and natural.
Wang Hao looked at this woman who had been in his life and was full of gratitude: "Lili, thank you so much." ”
In this warm night, the wordless past quietly echoes.
At this time, in the living room of Li Ming's house, Li Ming persistently flipped through the pages, but kept looking up at the window. His mind was in turmoil, and that sudden uneasiness, like a spreading vine, was firmly entangled in his thoughts.
"Are you worried about Lili?" the voice of his father-in-law, Zhang Wei, interrupted Li Ming's musings.
Li Ming looked up, but he didn't know how to answer for a while. He just nodded lightly and sighed helplessly: "Father-in-law, you know, this kind of waiting is really difficult. ”
Zhang Wei knew this son-in-law's personality very well, and he carefully comforted: "Son-in-law, you have to be steady, Lili has her own thoughts." As a husband, all you have to do is support her and understand her. ”
Li Ming clenched the book in his hand, "I'll try my best." His eyes were complex, one was trusting, the other was worried.
The rain slowly stopped, and the quiet night seemed deeper than before. Li Ming and Zhang Wei sat down again, and the two looked at each other and smiled, and they could feel a ray of warmth in each other's hearts.
However, deep in Li Ming's heart, can that uneasiness really be smoothed out by the precipitation of time? It's just that at this moment, he is more reminiscing about that rainy night, Li Li's resolute back and firm words: "I must go." ”
As the night deepened, Li Ming fell into his own silence and waiting. Zhang Wei sat aside, silently waiting, occasionally picking up the teacup and taking a sip of tea.
This night, for Li Ming, is an emotional test, and it is also a choice of trust in marriage. And Li Li's simple and firm back crossed a deep trace in his heart.
The night was deep, and the autumn breeze brought a hint of coolness. The sound of footsteps outside the door gradually became clear, and Li Ming's heart couldn't help but beat faster, and the familiar sound made his tense nerves relax slightly. The door slowly opened, and Li Li stood in the doorway, her figure looking a little tired under the door lamp, and the rain dripped down her coat, forming water marks.
In the room, Li Ming and his father-in-law Zhang Wei sat silently on the sofa, waiting for this moment. Li Li walked in, and there seemed to be an expected solemnity in the air.
"Husband, father-in-law, I'm back. Li Li's voice was low, she took off her wet coat and sat down on an empty chair.
Silence enveloped the room, as if even the sound of breathing seemed harsh. Li Ming took a deep breath, he knew that this moment was inevitable and had to be faced.
"Lili, have you gone to see him?" Li Ming's voice tried to remain calm.
"Hmm. Li Li just replied simply, she knew that Li Ming was not happy in her heart, but she also had her own insistence.
After a silence, Li Ming finally couldn't help it: "Wife, do you know how uncomfortable it will make me do this?"
Li Li lowered her head and whispered, "I know, but I still went." Because no matter what, he used to be a part of me. ”
"What about me? I'm your husband now, and your feelings for me are so easily shaken?" Li Ming's tone carried a hint of anger and helplessness.
Li Li raised her head and looked directly into Li Ming's eyes: "Ming, you are my choice now and in the future." Taking care of him doesn't mean anything changes in my love for you. ”
Father-in-law Zhang Wei broke the silence at this time: "Son-in-law, I know you are uncomfortable, but Lili is also doing this out of kindness. ”
After a period of silence, Li Ming's inner emotions finally reached a boiling point, "Wife, I respect your decision, but there is always a degree to this." How will we live in the future? I don't know if we can bear it if this continues. ”
Confusion, grievances, persistence, all emotions explode at this moment. Li Ming got up slowly, and his tone revealed despair: "People, you can take it back." His eyes were full of sadness and determination, this sentence not only represents letting go of Li Li, but also an end to their former love.
When Zhang Wei heard this, a complicated look flashed on his face, a little helpless, a little sad, but he didn't make a sound to stop it.
Li Li sat still, as if she was hit by Li Ming's words in the most vulnerable part of her heart, and her eyes were filled with tears: "Ming, I-"
Father-in-law Zhang Wei finally spoke, breaking the silence: "Lili, do you understand your husband's feelings? ”
Li Ming turned around and looked out the window, a crescent moon was faintly visible in the night, as if listening to the story of this family and witnessing the turn of a relationship. Li Li and Zhang Wei were still sitting in the room, waiting for the dust to settle on this night.
Li Ming's words shook the entire room like a thunderbolt on a sunny day, breaking the silence of the night. Li Li froze in place and took a step back unconsciously, but her eyes were not flustered, nor did she have any intention of arguing, only a deep silence. She knew that although her actions were well-intentioned, they also brought a lot of waves to the family.
Li Ming's heart was fluctuating with regret and struggle at the moment, and it could be seen in his eyes that his love for Li Li had not diminished. Even so, he still chose to let go, the weight of this love, he never expected.
Father-in-law Zhang Wei looked at the two people he loved deeply, and for a while, his heart was mixed. Eventually, he decided to stand up and break the dead silence.
"Son-in-law, I understand your decision and respect your choice. He sighed softly and shook his head slightly.
Li Ming didn't answer, his gaze crossed over Li Li's heavy figure and fixed on the slowly brightening sky outside the window. The night was about to pass, the dawn was coming, and his heart seemed to stop at this moment.
Zhang Wei walked slowly towards Li Li and stretched out his hands, just like when he handed over his daughter to Li Ming. Li Li looked at the old man in front of her who cared about her, and the tears in her eyes could no longer be suppressed.
"Let's go, Lili. Zhang Wei's voice was soft and firm.
Li Li stood up and glanced at Li Ming, with both apology and reluctance in her eyes, but no words. She held Zhang Wei's hand tightly and walked out of this home full of memories together.
Li Ming watched the backs of the two of them go away until they disappeared at the end of the sky. The only thing left in the room was Li Ming's figure and the sound of deep breathing. He finally understands that the importance of family is self-evident, but when loss becomes an irreversible fact, one can only learn to let go.
The first rays of the sun shone into the room, and Li Ming slowly stood up and took a deep breath of fresh air. He knows that life has to go on, and the road ahead, although unknown, must be walked. At this moment, although he is a little lonely, he is full of expectations for the future.