Li Ming stood in the living room of his new home, looking around, his heart full of pride and expectation. He used most of his life savings to buy this wedding house in the center of the city for his son Li Xiaojun and daughter-in-law Xiaoli. The family portrait hanging on the wall was particularly warm, and Li Ming's face showed a satisfied smile.
"Dad, what do you think of this sofa? I specially chose it, and it is comfortable to sit on. Li Xiaojun pointed to the new sofa in the living room and said to Li Ming excitedly.
"It's good, it's good. Li Ming nodded repeatedly, although he felt in his heart that the color of the sofa was a little too bright and not quite in line with his aesthetics.
Xiaoli walked out of the kitchen, holding a plate of cut fruit in her hand, and said with a smile: "Dad, eat some fruit first, and let's go out for dinner together later to celebrate the new home." ”
"Good, good, celebrate, celebrate. Li Ming smiled and took the fruit, his heart warm.
After dinner, Li Ming sat on a rocking chair on the balcony, looking at the night scene outside the window, with a lot of thoughts. He thought of the hardships of his youth, the bits and pieces of his son's growth, and now that his son has a family, he feels that his efforts are worth it.
However, the good times did not last long, and Li Ming found that living with his son and daughter-in-law was not as harmonious as he imagined. His habit of waking up early is incompatible with the lifestyle of young people who go to bed late. The Peking Opera he likes to listen to is always interrupted by his daughter-in-law's pop music. He wanted to help with the housework, but he was always told "Dad, you can rest, we'll do this." ”
One night, Li Ming was watching the news in the living room, and Li Xiaojun and Xiaoli came back from outside, both of them with a little tired on their faces.
"Dad, we have an idea we want to discuss with you. Li Xiaojun sat next to Li Ming, his tone a little hesitant.
"What do you think?" Li Ming turned his head to look at his son, a little apprehensive in his heart.
"We think you're getting older and should find a quiet place to enjoy your old age. Xiaoli added.
"Quiet place?" Li Ming frowned, he didn't quite understand what his daughter-in-law meant.
"We're thinking of finding you a nursing home where there are people to take care of and a lot of elderly people to chat with and play chess. Li Xiaojun explained.
Li Ming was stunned, he didn't expect his son and daughter-in-law to make such a suggestion. He opened his mouth, but he didn't know what to say.
In the first week of moving into his new home, Li Ming struggled to adapt to this new environment. He got up early to make breakfast, only to find that his son and daughter-in-law preferred to sleep until they woke up naturally, and then hurried out to buy breakfast. He tried sweeping the floor with an old-fashioned broom, only to be told that there was a vacuum cleaner at home, but he couldn't remember how to use it.
"Dad, look at this button, press it lightly, and it starts working. Li Xiaojun patiently taught Li Ming to use a vacuum cleaner, but Li Ming always couldn't remember.
"Gee, this thing is too complicated, I'd better use a broom. Li Ming waved his hand, turned around and picked up the broom in the corner.
At night, Li Ming is used to going to bed early, but the nightlife of his son and daughter-in-law has just begun. The sound of their music and TV often made it difficult for Li Ming to sleep.
"Xiaojun, can you be quiet, I have to get up early tomorrow. Li Ming knocked on his son's door, with a hint of helplessness in his voice.
"Dad, we're used to this kind of life, and you'll get used to it slowly. Li Xiaojun smiled and comforted Li Ming, but Li Ming's heart became more and more uncomfortable.
At the dinner table, Li Ming's eating habits are also incompatible with young people. He likes to eat hot meals, while his son and daughter-in-law prefer takeout and fast food.
"Dad, try this, this is what young people love to eat now. Xiaoli handed Li Ming a pizza, her eyes full of anticipation.
Li Ming took a bite, but he couldn't eat it, "This is cold, how can our braised pork be delicious." ”
Xiaoli smiled awkwardly, while Li Xiaojun played a round on the side, "Dad, you will like it slowly." ”
However, as time passed, Li Ming felt that he became more and more out of place with the family. His old ideas and the way of life of young people are constantly colliding, and the generation gap is like an invisible wall separating them.
One day, Li Ming was walking in the community and met his neighbor, Aunt Wang.
"Li Ming, why are you walking here alone?" asked Aunt Wang curiously.
"Hey, it's too noisy at home, I'll come out to breathe. Li Ming sighed, his face full of helplessness.
Aunt Wang patted Li Ming's shoulder sympathetically, "You are a generation gap, young people now are different from us at that time." ”
Li Ming smiled bitterly and nodded, he began to realize that the problem between himself and his son was not only a difference in lifestyle, but also a conflict of life concepts.
Li Ming sat on the sofa, the remote control in his hand was pressed by him repeatedly, and the TV screen switched between different channels, but his heart could not calm down. For a week, he struggled to adjust to his new home, but always seemed out of place. The proposal of his son and daughter-in-law was like a bolt from the blue, which shocked and puzzled him.
"Dad, we really think a nursing home is a better fit for you. Li Xiaojun sat opposite Li Ming, his tone as gentle as possible.
"Is it right for me, are you driving me away?" Li Ming's voice trembled a little, and his eyes were full of disappointment.
"No, Dad, we just want to make your life a little more comfortable. Xiaoli also sat down and tried to explain.
"Comfort, do you know what comfort is?" Li Ming's voice raised, and he felt lonely and helpless like never before.
"Dad, you see, there are a lot of elderly people like you in the nursing home, you can chat with them, play cards, and someone to take care of your food and daily life. Li Xiaojun continued.
"I don't need to be taken care of, I can still take care of myself. Li Ming replied stubbornly, his heart full of resistance.
"Dad, we know you're independent, but you also think about it for us, we need some space of our own. Xiaoli's words made Li Ming's heart sink.
Li Ming was silent, he looked at his son and daughter-in-law in front of him, and his heart was mixed. He thought of his old friend Zhang Qiang, and maybe he could give him some advice.
The next day, Li Ming found Zhang Qiang, and the two sat on a park bench, and Li Ming told Zhang Qiang what had happened to him.
"Lao Li, times have changed, and the children's ideas have also changed. Zhang Qiang sighed and patted Li Ming on the shoulder.
"I know, but I really don't want to go to a nursing home. There was a hint of pleading in Li Ming's voice.
"Then you talk to the children and see if you can find a compromise. Zhang suggested.
Li Ming nodded, and he decided to have a good talk with his son and daughter-in-law again. Back home, he found Li Xiaojun and Xiaoli.
"Xiaojun, Xiaoli, I've thought about it, I don't want to go to a nursing home. Li Ming's voice was much firmer.
"Dad, why do you bother? The nursing home is really good. Li Xiaojun was a little puzzled.
"I know you're doing it for my good, but I still want to live with you, even if it's just for you occasionally. A trace of tears flashed in Li Ming's eyes.
Xiaoli and Li Xiaojun glanced at each other, and they saw the persistence and desire in Li Ming's eyes. Perhaps, they really need to rethink this.
Li Ming's heart was full of anger and confusion, and he couldn't understand why he had given everything he had for his son in exchange for being sent to a nursing home. A conversation after dinner became a fierce quarrel between father and son.
"What have I worked hard all my life for? Isn't it just that I hope you can live better?" Li Ming's voice echoed in the living room, his eyes full of disappointment and anger.
"Dad, we appreciate everything you have done for us, but you also have to understand us, we need to be independent, we need to have our own life. Li Xiaojun's voice also raised, and he tried to get his father to understand their position.
"Independence, you're treating me as a burden!" Li Ming's tone trembled as he felt his worth and existence being questioned.
"Dad, we didn't mean that. Xiaoli tried to calm the argument, but Li Ming's emotions were already uncontrollable.
At this moment, the doorbell rang, Zhang Qiang and Aunt Wang were standing outside the door, they heard the quarrel, and rushed over.
"Lao Li, what's the matter?" Zhang Qiang felt the tense atmosphere as soon as he entered the door.
"Zhang Qiang, Aunt Wang, you came just in time, tell me, what did I do wrong?" Li Ming seemed to have found someone to confide in.
Aunt Wang took Li Ming's hand and comforted her softly: "Li Ming, children have children's ideas, and we, as parents, sometimes have to learn to let go." ”
Zhang Qiang also echoed on the side: "Yes, Lao Li, times have changed, and the children's lifestyles are different from ours, which does not mean that they are not filial." ”
Li Ming listened to the words of the two old friends, and the anger in his heart slowly subsided a little. He began to reflect that maybe he really needed to change some of his perceptions and learn to accept a new way of life.
"Dad, we don't want to drive you away, we just want you to have a better life. Li Xiaojun saw that his father's mood had eased and tried to communicate again.
"I understand, I understand. Li Ming sighed, he looked at his son and daughter-in-law, and a trace of guilt welled up in his heart, "Maybe, I really need some time to get used to." ”
That night, the atmosphere at home became heavy, but the appearance of Zhang Qiang and Aunt Wang provided Li Ming with a new perspective and gave him some comfort. He began to realize that family harmony is not only about sharing physical space, but also about spiritual understanding and support.
After a night of tossing and turning, Li Ming finally made a decision. The morning sun shone through the gaps in the curtains and on his wrinkled face. He got up gently and walked to the living room, where his son and daughter-in-law were already sitting on the sofa, as if they were also waiting for his decision.
"Xiaojun, Xiaoli, I thought about it all night. Li Ming's voice was calm, but firm, "I decided to accept your advice, but not to a nursing home." ”
"Dad, do you mean ......?" Li Xiaojun was a little surprised, and Xiaoli also clenched her hands nervously.
"I want to try my hand at living independently, and maybe I can have a new life of my own. Li Ming smiled, despite the reluctance and apprehension in his heart.
"Dad, have you really thought about it?" asked Li Xiaojun worriedly.
"Yes, I figured it out. Li Ming nodded, "You don't have to worry, I'll take care of myself." And, that way, we can also maintain a better relationship, right?"
A hint of relief flashed in Xiaoli's eyes, and she walked over and hugged Li Ming, "Dad, thank you for your understanding and support." ”
Li Ming patted Xiaoli's back gently, "Silly boy, I also hope you can be happy." ”
After Zhang Qiang and Aunt Wang learned the news, they also came to Li Ming's house. Zhang Qiang smiled and said to Li Ming: "Lao Li, your decision is very wise, the old man in the new era must also have a new way of living." ”
Aunt Wang also chimed in: "Yes, Li Ming, independent living is also a new experience, and you will find a different kind of excitement." ”
Li Ming looked at the two old friends gratefully, their support gave him great courage. He began to plan his new life, planning to start by participating in senior activities in the community, making new friends and learning new skills.
"Dad, we support you, but you also have to come home often. Li Xiaojun said sincerely.
"Of course, this will always be my home. Li Ming's eyes glistened with tears, but a satisfied smile hung on his face.
Eventually, Li Ming moved into his small apartment and started a new life journey. His relationship with his son and daughter-in-law was not alienated by distance, but deepened by mutual understanding and respect. Li Ming's story has also become a beautiful story in the community, inspiring more elderly people to take a brave step to change.
This article is a microfiction, please do not sit in the opposite seat