Under the eaves of Lao Liu's house, the cries of turtledoves come and go, like a prelude to the tranquility of the house. His yard is planted with seasonal flowers, and a row of greens is backed by a chicken cage. Lao Liu is wearing an old cotton robe, and the wrinkles on his face are mixed with the marks of time and the wind and frost of farming, and he is eighty-two years old this year.
"Uncle, why are you coming out again? It's windy, pay attention to your body. Daughter-in-law Wang Li carried a bowl of hot jujube porridge and reminded gently.
Lao Liu shook his head, a little unconcerned, "It's not dark yet, old man, I'm walking around the yard, let's see what's wrong with our chickens, why is one missing." ”
Wang Li chuckled in her heart, it would be best if the old man didn't know about the matter. She quickly covered it up, "Don't be the hen that Xiaohuai brought back from the market last time, I'm still watching it when I get up this morning." ”
Lao Liu stopped, turned his head and asked, "Are you looking?"
Wang Li smiled awkwardly, "Maybe I flew out to find food? ”
"Looking for food? The insects in the yard have almost pecked at them, what are you looking for! Don't you ignore it and run away?" Lao Liu's tone was a little reproachful.
Wang Li frowned and defended, "How can I have the kung fu to watch those chickens all the time? Besides, they are all locked in cages." ”
The wrinkles on Lao Liu's face seemed to be a little deeper, "Remember, that chicken was specially picked for my birthday, and the chest is full of meat, and our family is not rich, save a little." ”
As soon as these words came out, the air froze between the two of them. Under the grape trellis in the corner of the yard, a slight autumn wind blew and rustled.
"I know what you're talking about: but I didn't mean to, what if the fox takes it away?" Wang Li said in a quieter voice. Since she entered Lao Liu's house, she has been cautious, for fear of doing something wrong.
"Fox, where did the fox come from in our village? Xiaoli, I think you didn't take care of the family, and you still have to pay attention to things. Lao Liu's words were direct, revealing a strong sense of distrust.
Wang Li could hear the reproach in her words, although she didn't say anything in her mouth, she was muttering in her heart, why was she always wrong, her cooking was not fragrant, her clothes were not clean, and now even the chickens were to blame her.
At this moment, their conversation was interrupted by a rush of footsteps, it was grandson Xiaohao who came home from school, threw off his schoolbag, and ran into the yard, "Mom, the school has issued results today, I ......" He suddenly saw that the atmosphere in the yard was not right, and stopped before he finished speaking.
Lao Liu looked at his grandson, "Xiao Hao, guess what did your grandmother do today?"
Xiao Hao was dazed, looked at Wang Li, and then looked at Lao Liu, "Grandma...... Lost the chicken?" His innocence calmed the storm a little.
Wang Li found some comfort in her grandson's words, "Xiaohao, you can help grandma find that chicken, it may be hidden in some corner of the yard." ”
Xiao Hao nodded, as serious as a little adult, "Okay grandma, I'll go find it." "And this, perhaps, is just the breeze before the storm that hangs above this home. The hen seemed to have become an unsolved case in the living room of Lao Liu's family, and Wang Li's mood seemed to be oppressed by the sky of Miyun, and there was no trace of light. Husband Li Huai came home from work, and after listening to his old father's narration, he sat on the sofa with a blank face.
My dad is 82 years old and wants to eat a bite of his own chicken, but he can't keep it. Li Huai's voice was not high, but it was like a mallet on Wang Li's heart.
Wang Li wiped the tears from her face, "I don't want to! I didn't know that the chicken would be gone, and besides, I didn't mean to." As she spoke, she began to put away the dishes and chopsticks, trying to escape the invisible oppression of words with her actions.
Xiao Hao was holding a book on the side, but his ears were erected high. He could feel the heavy atmosphere in the house, but he couldn't interject. He was confused and powerless by the conflict in the adult world.
Li Huai stood up and walked to Wang Li's side, his voice softened slightly, "It's not all your fault for this, but you also have to reflect on it." My dad said that no matter how many times I looked for you, you just didn't care. His language was softened, but his attitude remained firm.
Wang Li stopped what she was doing, turned around and looked at Li Huai, "I'm busy all day long, I have to take care of the children, and I have to deal with all kinds of difficulties from your mother, I really tried my best." Tears rolled in her eyes, and her justification was filled with helplessness and grievance.
"I know you've worked hard," Li Huai said softly, "but this is our home, not my parents' home, nor your home, it's 'our'." Can you understand me?"
The unprecedented calmness flashed a hint of approval in Wang Li's eyes, but she was soon swallowed up by the actual problem, "I understand, but your parents are always making such a fuss, it's really unbearable." ”
Seeing this, Xiao Hao cautiously interjected, "Mom and Dad, don't make any noise." Shall we go and look for the chicken? Maybe it will come back on its own. ”
The two looked at the innocent child, and their hearts were sour. How willing to believe Xiao Hao's words, everything will really be as simple as he said.
At this time, the courtyard door outside "creaked" open, and Lao Liu walked in with a bag of things, and saw the atmosphere in the house at a glance, "What are you arguing about?"
Wang Li sighed slightly, "It's not noisy, we're talking about finding chickens." ”
Lao Liu snorted and put down the things in his hand, "The old hen can't be found well, can you still expect you to take care of it?"
Li Huai hurriedly eased the atmosphere, "Dad, I have already told Li about this, and I will pay more attention in the future." His gaze motioned for Wang Li to stop talking for the time being.
Wang Li sat back at the dinner table weakly, her mood heavier than the sky that was about to fall into the night. The spoon gently collided with the edge of the bowl, making a "clanging" sound, but it resounded in everyone's heart.
The conflict between feudal family rules and modern society is constantly staged in this small kitchen. Every dispute is like the wind and sand on the desert, constantly eroding the foundation of the family. And the world outside is so vast, the child's eyes are so clear, what is home, she thought, maybe everyone has a different answer in their hearts.
The sunlight shines through the gaps in the curtains, illuminating the living room of Lao Liu's house, where a small party is held, Li Huai buys cakes and fruits from the city, Wang Li is busy preparing a sumptuous dinner, and Xiao Hao is doing homework while peeking at his mobile phone.
Lao Liu sat on the main seat in the living room, holding his cane with both hands, his eyes swept around the room, and suddenly on a whim, he said: "Xiaohao, you are about to graduate from high school, have you thought about what to do in the future?"
Xiao Hao raised his head and replied absentmindedly: "I want to study computer science in college." ”
After hearing this, Lao Liu nodded, and after a moment of silence, he decided to enlighten Xiao Hao: "That's good, but you also have to think about your family. I have to come back after learning computers, and our store will depend on you in the future. ”
Xiao Hao was slightly stunned, looking a little dissatisfied: "Grandpa, you know that I have always wanted to go to the outside world to see, I don't want to stay in this small place." ”
Lao Liu's brows twisted into a pimple: "What's so good in the outside world, it's chaotic and insecure." The warmest place is my hometown. ”
Wang Li came out of the kitchen with the dishes, and when she heard this, she echoed: "Yes, Xiaohao, although the small shop at home is hard, it is also a feeling." ”
Xiao Hao waved his hand disappreciably: "I know, but I have my own dreams." I want to go to the big city and create my own world. ”
Li Huai also joined the conversation: "Xiaohao, grandpa is old, what about the future, what about the family, ...... the family"
Xiao Hao interrupted his father's words: "Dad, I understand you. But I don't want to use my youth to fill the responsibilities of my family. Others have other options, so why can't I?"
Lao Liu slapped the table, "What do you mean by filling in the responsibility? This is the inheritance! It is your obligation!"
Xiao Hao was anxious: "Obligation? Is my ambition also an obligation? An era has passed, now is a new era, I have my own ideas." Grandpa, you asked me to inherit the family business, take care of your old age, and 'think beautifully'!"
The atmosphere in the room suddenly froze, and Lao Liu picked up his crutches angrily to stand up, but was hurriedly held down by Li Huai: "Dad, you calm down first." ”
Wang Li looked embarrassed, looked at Xiao Hao, and then looked at Lao Liu: "Don't make any noise, it's too ugly." ”
Li Huai turned his head and said to Xiao Hao: "Child, you can't talk like this disrespectful to the elders, your grandfather has a good intention......
Xiao Hao was about to burn to the extreme: "Dad, I respect grandpa, but I also need you to respect my choice." I am not your instrument to continue your legacy. ”
In silence, the cake no longer looks sweet when lying on the table, and the color of the fruit loses its luster. The party, which was supposed to be joyful, has now become suffocating due to the generation gap and the collision of old and new ideas.
Xiao Hao straightened his back, his eyes were firm, and no matter how much other family members persuaded him, he had no intention of turning back. Lao Liu sat down tiredly, looking discouraged and helpless. The family, which has always been a harbor of love, has become a battlefield where old and new ideas collide fiercely.
The air in the living room seemed to be punctured by the conflict just now, and after a long stalemate, Li Huai finally broke the silence: "Dad, I understand your feelings, but Xiaohao also has his future and dreams, and we have to respect his choice." ”
Lao Liu's hand holding the cane relaxed slightly, he lowered his eyes and looked at the floor for a long time, slowly raised his head, and his eyes fell on his grandson. "Xiao Hao, grandpa spoke a little heavier just now, but I also hope you are well. ”
Xiao Hao walked to Lao Liu's side, a little embarrassed: "Grandpa, I have also spoken, I will study hard, and I will not forget to come back to visit you in the future." ”
Wang Li sighed softly and held Lao Liu's shoulder: "We are all a family, what can't we say well?"
Li Huai looked at his father and son, and also came over to reconcile: "Yes, if the family is prosperous, our family can also prosper." ”
Lao Liu's voice was choked, and there was a hint of loosening: "Well, Jiahe, this is the most important thing." Today is my fault, the good days are yellow. ”
Wang Li brought a plate of dumplings that had just come out of the pot to the table and beckoned everyone to sit down: "Don't say it, you're all hungry, eat and eat, today is a good day, what is the chicken, and Jiahe is the most fragrant." ”
In the dining room, Lao Liu suddenly looked at Wang Li, "Xiaoli, I talked about that chicken last time." In fact, when I went out for a walk in the morning, I saw a chicken in the yard of Lao Wang's house next door, which was probably the one that was lost in our family. ”
Wang Li turned her worries into joy and smiled: "Then you said it earlier, it's okay." ”
Xiao Hao found it funny on the side, and said while eating dumplings: "Grandpa, next time the chicken is lost, I'll help you find it, don't blame grandma anymore." ”
Lao Liu also smiled, with a glint of relief in his eyes: "Okay, it's up to you in the future." ”
Three generations of them sat around the dinner table, and the family enjoyed themselves. Those contradictions caused by misunderstandings eventually melt in communication and understanding. The food on the table contains not only the deliciousness of the food itself, but also the warmth of home and the happiness of reunion.
The days go on, the family story is weaving, and everyone will have their own life and choices. But at this little round table, is every family, like them, able to find a way to mend the rift after the conflict?