In this noisy city, forty-year-old Li Hua seems to have missed the flowering rose, and quietly blooms alone. Forty is not confused, she has already seen through the deception of the workplace, and her life alone has gradually improved, but in the eyes of relatives and friends, her life seems to be missing something.
"Hua Hua, look at the second girl of the Zhang family who has brought their children to visit the door, if you don't hurry up, it will be too late!"
Li Hua smiled slightly, but his heart was mixed. She knew that Aunt Wang's words were there, and the voice of urging marriage was like a rooster crowing in the morning, one after another.
The mother at home also often said: "Huahua, I think the boy Zhang Min introduced to you is good, he is engaged in IT, tall and handsome, you can go out and meet him." ”
"Mom, I know, I promised to meet him this weekend. Li Hua should be in her hands while packing up the documents, this is an important information in her work, she has always regarded herself as a professional woman, rigorous and serious about her work.
The man's name is Li Daqiang, a middle-level manager of a foreign company, and according to Zhang Min's introduction, he is a good target. However, when the day of the first meeting came, everything did not go as expected.
In the café, soft jazz music sounded faintly. Li Hua sat by the window, gently turning the coffee cup in his hand, his eyes through the translucent white curtain, watching the crowd coming and going.
Soon, Li Daqiang appeared on time, he was dressed smartly, with a bit of the sharpness of a professional person, but he was gentle and elegant.
"You're Li Hua, right? I'm Li Daqiang. The man held out his hand.
"Well, hello. Li Hua shook hands with him, polite and detached.
During the conversation, Li Hua could feel Li Daqiang's confidence in trying to control everything, and his first impression of him was not bad. However, it didn't take long for Li Daqiang's words to suddenly make the atmosphere awkward.
"Li Hua, I don't think we're young anymore, let's just speak directly. I've had a few failed relationships before, many of them because of incompatible personalities and bedding. I think let's just make sure it's appropriate in this regard, what do you think?" Li Daqiang was extremely straightforward.
Li Hua was stunned, she didn't expect that the first time she met on a blind date, the other party made such a direct request. After a brief loss of consciousness, she struggled to keep herself calm: "Mr. Li Daqiang, I understand your directness and honesty, but I don't think this is the right way to know someone. ”
"You're mistaken, I'm not that kind of person. It's just that I think that since we all hope to find a suitable person to live our lives, wouldn't it be better to clarify these issues as soon as possible?" Li Daqiang looked a little helpless.
Li Hua shook his head with a wry smile, a trace of complicated emotions flashed in his eyes, "I think our expectations for love and marriage may not be the same." ”
She looked out the window and couldn't help but sigh deeply. There are a lot of confusions in her heart, she really doesn't know what she can expect from this blind date at such a start. After the embarrassing blind date ended, Li Hua did not immediately tell Zhang Min the details of the experience, but chose silence and work to find comfort. She knew in her heart that instead of wasting her time in endless complaints and regrets, she should devote her energy to a career that would allow her to grow.
In the days that followed, Li Hua submerged himself in an important project. She performed exceptionally well, not only solving a technical problem, but also successfully leading the team to achieve the desired goal. During an all-hands meeting, the boss praised her in front of everyone and hinted at upcoming promotions. Li Hua gained a full sense of accomplishment, which made her rekindle hope for life.
However, Zhang Min, who had not experienced that blind date, obviously did not understand Li Hua's feelings. One weekend, when Li Hua went to Zhang Min's house again, she decided to tell her friends openly and honestly about the situation that day.
"Hey, Huahua, why haven't you told me about the blind date that day?
Li Hua smiled bitterly, and then recounted the blind date process in detail, including Li Daqiang's unexpected direct proposal.
Zhang Min was surprised when he heard this, "Scumbag, why are people like this now, it has come straight to this point! But aren't you quite independent, how can you be depressed like this because of this matter?"
Li Hua shook his head, "It's not that I'm depressed, I'm just thinking, is it really difficult to find the right person at our age?"
"Don't think like that, people like Li Daqiang are not worthy of your depression, to be honest, I don't think you are a good match for him. Zhang Min comforted.
In fact, Li Hua already had the answer in her heart, she was not distressed because of Li Daqiang, but because the whole blind date process made her question finding love in this way. But she also understands Zhang Min's kindness and concern.
In the next few weeks, Li Hua at work was like a different person, she was more focused and dedicated. During this period, Li Daqiang also met her again by chance at a friend's party, and this time his attitude towards Li Hua has changed greatly.
"Li Hua, I may have been a little reckless when I went on a blind date that day. At an unexpected party, Li Daqiang inadvertently apologized to her.
Li Hua stopped the wine glass in his hand and looked at him fixedly, "There is no need to apologize, everyone has a different way of interacting, but maybe we are not suitable." ”
Li Daqiang smiled bitterly and shook his head, "I was really too direct that day, I have been floating and sinking outside alone for so many years, and sometimes I will lose my way and seek stability, I hope you can understand." ”
Looking at each other's strange eyes and trying to understand, Li Hua was a little surprised, it turned out that this seemingly rough man also had his fragility and uneasiness. She didn't respond directly, but there was a subtle change in her mind about him.
With the passage of time, the relationship between Li Hua and Li Daqiang was not completely interrupted because of that awkward blind date, but slowly changed slightly because of occasional intersections. Perhaps because they both have a hard understanding of the world and human nature in their hearts, they began to try to understand each other as friends. And the blind date, which was originally full of countless possibilities, slowly opened a new chapter in the hustle and bustle of the city. Time is like a slowly moving cloud, taking away the heat of summer and dyeing it with the faint coolness of autumn. That chance night, Li Hua was walking alone on the way home after working overtime, and decided to take a detour through the park to rest his tired soul.
Li Hua sat on a park bench, staring at the twinkling stars in the night sky, and fell into deep thought. At this time, a familiar figure appeared in her sight, and the person was slowly walking towards her, it was Li Daqiang.
"Hey, Li Hua, do you also like to come to the park at night?" Li Daqiang greeted with some surprise.
"Ah, it's you. Li Hua smiled slightly, "The park at night is quiet, suitable for emptying yourself. ”
The two sat down like this. The night breeze blew softly, and they both felt the harmony of each other's differences.
Li Daqiang looked at Li Hua, "What I said to you last time may have made you misunderstand what I meant. ”
"Oh?" Li Hua looked sideways at him, motioning for him to continue.
"I... My past relationships didn't go well. Every time I break up because of something that seems trivial, I begin to wonder if I pay too much attention to material things and ignore feelings," Li Daqiang said here, with a hint of heaviness in his tone.
Li Hua could hear the helplessness and bitterness hidden in his words, "Then do you think you know how to love now?"
"I'm not sure, but at least I figured out one thing, and that is that the true meaning of a relationship is mutual understanding and support. Li Daqiang looked at her, as if he wanted to find the answer from Li Hua's eyes.
"Everyone has their own story and is unique. Li Hua said softly, "My story is actually very ordinary. An ordinary woman looking for a balance between career and love. ”
Li Daqiang listened, and he felt the sincerity and strength in Li Hua's words.
"I may still have a little 'old-school' attachment to love, even if I am sneered at by reality, I still believe that one day I will meet the person who is willing to hold hands and spend this life together. Li Hua's voice was a little dreamy.
The night in the park is getting deeper and deeper, but the two hearts, which were once estranged by misunderstanding, gradually narrowed the distance between each other in this silent night.
"So you're such a person. Li Daqiang looked at her, with appreciation in his eyes, "At this age, it is not easy to maintain a pure heart." ”
Li Hua didn't answer, just smiled faintly. She knew that Li Daqiang finally understood her difference.
In the night sky, meteors streak across the sky, and on this special night, two once strange hearts give each other a new chance to get to know each other. Their conversation continued into the night, when the lights in the park faded and they reluctantly went home. But after that night, everything changed – understanding, perhaps the most scarce and most precious emotional gift. With the deepening of mutual understanding, the relationship between Li Hua and Li Daqiang has also quietly changed. They began to communicate frequently, and whether they would find common footprints in each other's world became a topic of discussion between them.
One evening, they walked together by the river. The breeze was blowing, and the two were talking and laughing.
"You know, I used to think that when I was looking for a partner, I had to find someone who could protect me and had an economic foundation. Li Hua looked at the river in the night and said softly.
"And now?" Li Daqiang looked sideways at her and asked softly.
"Now I think it's more important to find someone who can understand each other and face the ups and downs of life together. Li Hua's words were calm and firm.
"Is it possible for me to be that person?" Li Daqiang smiled slightly with a hint of playfulness.
Li Hua looked at him, "There is always a possibility, as long as we are willing to work together." ”
That night, the two decided to give each other a chance, no longer bound by traditional concepts, and no longer let the gender framework become a barrier to getting along. They began to act as friends, trying to build a new relationship.
Time is like flowing water, taking away a lot of twists and turns, misunderstandings, and also leaving growth and cognition. Li Hua found that happiness is like sand in your hands, the tighter you hold it, the faster it is lost. As a result, she learned to face life with a more relaxed and inclusive attitude.
And Li Daqiang, after experiencing those exchanges with Li Hua, also began to re-examine his views on love and marriage. He learned to listen, to understand what it means to be a woman's independence and the power that goes with it.
Some time later, the two attended a friend's wedding together. On the way home, they were immersed in the infinite imagination of the future.
"If our encounter was a misunderstanding, then what was our acquaintance?" Li Hua looked at the night sky and sighed.
"Maybe it's a windfall. Li Daqiang held Li Hua's hand and said gently.
The two of them gradually walked away, their figures stretched under the streetlights. With an equal attitude and an open mind, they explore the preciousness of life together and redefine their own happiness.
When the story of the two came to this point, Li Hua suddenly had an idea, she turned her head and asked Li Daqiang: "Are those past unsatisfactory like a passing cloud, paving the way for our happiness today?"