Wang Lianhua sat in the semi-dark living room, clutching a note with numbers written on it. The clock in the room ticked slowly, each of which seemed to urge her to make a decision. Her eyes were determined and hesitant, and her musings were interrupted by the sound of lively footsteps. Wang Ming happily entered the door, still holding a smoking cigarette in his mouth.
"Mom, let me tell you, I went to the entrepreneurial park again today to have a look, and the atmosphere there is really suitable for us young people." Wang Ming's face was excited and eager, and he seemed to have seen the glory of his future.
Wang Lianhua nodded, and said in a gentle but resolute tone: "Ming'er, Mom supports you, your dream Mom understands, but you also know the situation of our family." Your sister's deposit ......"
Wang Ming interrupted his mother's words and said anxiously, "Mom, I know what you have to say. I don't want to make it difficult for my sister, but you also know that once you miss this opportunity, you won't have it anymore. ”
Wang Lianhua sighed, she knew that what her son said was right, but as a mother, how could she let her daughter's hard work be squandered by her younger brother. She was silent for a moment before she said slowly: "Then tell your sister yourself and see what she means." ”
Not long after, Wang Xiaoxiao returned home from work. The food on the table exudes heat, but you don't feel a trace of home. She took off her shoes, put on her home slippers, and walked lightly into the kitchen.
"Xiaoxiao, you're back." Wang Lianhua tried her best to maintain a smile and greeted cautiously.
"Mom, why are you cooking so early today?" Wang Xiaoxiao felt something unusual.
"You sit down for a while, we have something to discuss in our family." Wang Lianhua's voice trembled, but she tried to appear calm.
Wang Xiaoxiao was sitting on the sofa, and Wang Ming was looking at her expectantly. "Sister, you know, I've always wanted to start a business, and now I finally have a good opportunity. I need some start-up capital ......" Before Wang Ming's words were finished, a trace of alertness flashed in Wang Xiaoxiao's eyes.
"What do you mean......" Wang Xiaoxiao spoke faintly.
"That's right, Xiaoxiao." Wang Lianhua took over the topic, "Your brother wants to start a business, and the family can't come up with so much money for the time being, see if you can support it first......"
"But my money is also hard work, and it was originally planned to be used for ......" Wang Xiaoxiao never thought that the money she saved by saving money would eventually become a bargaining chip for her younger brother to start a business.
There was expectation and helplessness in her mother's eyes, "Xiaoxiao, you also know what Mom means, family and everything is prosperous." Lend your money to your brother first, and when he succeeds in starting a business, won't he be able to repay you? ”
Wang Xiaoxiao was silent, she lowered her head slightly, looking at the dream in her hand that was getting farther and farther away because of her squandering brother and eager mother. In her heart, family harmony is important, but her future is equally important.
Time seems to stand still at this moment, and what weighs on Wang Xiaoxiao's heart is not only the weight of money, but also a heavy family responsibility and expectation. She took a deep breath and nodded helplessly, "Okay, but I still have one condition......"
A year has passed in a blink of an eye, and although Wang Xiaoxiao's study and life abroad is hard, she feels unprecedented freedom and fulfillment. She tries not to think about her family and dedicates herself to her studies and part-time job. However, she knows that no matter how hard she tries, she can't erase the faint guilt and longing in her heart.
That evening, Wang Xiaoxiao turned on the computer as usual and prepared to make a video call with her family members far away in China. Mother Wang Lianhua's face appeared on the screen, and the wrinkles on her face seemed to be more than a year ago.
"Xiaoxiao, how are you doing?" The voice came through the Internet, and it seemed to tremble with a hint.
"It's not bad, Mom, I'm fine here." Wang Xiaoxiao tried to make her voice sound as easy as possible.
During the conversation, Wang Lianhua was suddenly silent for a moment, and her expression became solemn, "Xiaoxiao, that's the case, your dad is ...... He was sick, very serious. ”
This sudden news struck Wang Xiaoxiao's heart like a thunderbolt, and she sat there stiffly, unable to speak for a long time. "Sick? What disease? How's it going? ”
The mother's voice lowered, "It's a heart attack, it's not very good." Now in the hospital, surgery is needed, but ......"
"But what?" Wang Xiaoxiao's voice was nervous and eager.
"But the medical expenses are very expensive, and the family can't afford that much money." When Wang Lianhua said this, she began to choke.
Wang Xiaoxiao thought of the money she had worked so hard to save, "That...... Isn't there still money? Can you get that money? ”
Wang Lianhua's voice became heavy, "Your brother...... He failed to invest, he almost lost all that money, and now he can't get a penny. ”
Silence fell again, and the air froze. This news is by no means surprising to Wang Xiaoxiao, she has a premonition of her brother's irresponsibility and her mother's partiality, but the blow of the facts is still so heavy.
Wang Xiaoxiao clenched her fists and tried to calm her emotions, "Okay, I know, I'll find a way." ”
After the call, Wang Xiaoxiao sat in the dimly lit room, tears rolling in her eyes. I knew in my heart that even if I gave everything I had, I would not be able to solve the dilemma at home. Only look to the future, treat my father's illness, and continue to move forward for my own path.
The next day, Wang Xiaoxiao remitted all her scholarship and part-time savings back home. Although the money is insignificant, she hopes to help her father. She also reached out to relatives and friends in the country in the hope that they would lend a hand.
The medical expenses were finally paid, and the operation of his father Wang Gang was successfully completed, although it still took a long time to recover, the atmosphere at home was much lightened. Wang Ming looked at his mother, who was busy in front of the hospital bed, and his frail father, and began to reflect on his behavior.
Wang Xiaoxiao, who is alone in a foreign country, tosses and turns in the narrow bed late at night, and the words of his family and the face of his father on the hospital bed echo repeatedly in his mind. She can't forgive her decision to run away from home, nor can she forgive the unfair treatment of her family, but those involuntary concerns always remind her that no matter what, home is always her home that she can't escape.
The picture in her mind gradually became clear: she had to return to China and face it all herself, and despite the difficult and uncertain road ahead, she had to find a solution for her father and for herself.
On the first day of returning to China, Wang Xiaoxiao stood at the end of the corridor of the hospital, looking at the figure rushing in the dim light and her anxious expression, her heart was like a knife. She slowly walked towards the ward, pushed open the door, and saw her father Wang Gang lying on the hospital bed.
"Dad......" Wang Xiaoxiao's voice choked, and tears rolled in her eyes.
Wang Gang opened his eyes weakly and saw his daughter, with a smile of relief on his face. "Xiaoxiao, you're back."
At this moment, Wang Lianhua also walked into the ward. "Xiaoxiao, it's good that you can come back, I'...... I ......" She didn't finish speaking, and a complex emotion choked her up.
Wang Ming stood quietly in the corner, his expression full of guilt and unease. "Sister, I'm sorry, it's all my fault......" His voice was almost whispering, but full of apology.
The atmosphere in the ward was extremely heavy, Wang Xiaoxiao raised her head and held back her tears, "What we should do now is to find a way to solve the problem, isn't it?" ”
Wang Lianhua wiped her tears and nodded. "yes, we've got to find a way. Your dad's medical bills are still a lot short. ”
Wang Xiaoxiao took out her mobile phone and opened a message for help that had been edited. "When I was abroad, I started fundraising, and it was an online fundraising through a platform."
"Online fundraising?" Wang Lianhua repeated puzzled.
"Yes, it's just telling people about our situation online and then asking for help. Many people who don't know are willing to lend a hand. Wang Xiaoxiao explained.
Wang Ming was uneasy, "How long will it take to raise money?" What can we do now? ”
Wang Xiaoxiao took a deep breath, "The speed is not necessarily, we still have to see how much we can produce." ”
Wang Lianhua and Wang Ming met their eyes, and a trace of determination flashed in their eyes. "We can mortgage the house, and we can sell some precious items at home......," Wang Lianhua's voice became more firm, "We are willing to do anything for your father's sake." ”
The wards that looked around made them reflect a lot. Wang Ming bowed his head, "I will also look for a job and start saving money." I'll do my best, sister, I'm sorry to let you bear so much alone. ”
Wang Gang on the hospital bed listened to his family's words, although he didn't want the children to worry about him, he also understood his situation. He held Wang Xiaoxiao's hand, and his tone was weak but resolute, "Xiaoxiao, you have been wronged." If you have a better development abroad, my father doesn't want you to delay me because of me. ”
Wang Xiaoxiao stroked her father's hand, "Dad, I came back to hope to solve the problem with my family, don't worry, I've grown up and can take on this." ”
In the days that followed, the Wang family united, and everyone was doing their part for the family. Wang Xiaoxiao's online fundraising gradually received a response, and her father's condition improved. The whole family never gave up, and the anxiety and fear in their hearts were slowly transformed into hope because of the mutual support of the family.
It's been a difficult journey that has made a difference for everyone. Wang Lianhua learned that family affection cannot be biased, Wang Ming learned to take responsibility, and Wang Xiaoxiao understood the importance of family even more. Their relationship with each other is also quietly changing and rebuilding in the process.
Wang Gang's recovery exceeded everyone's expectations, and the hospital also wrote a letter to praise the unity and efforts of the Wang family. The family sat in the living room of the home, and the sunlight shone through the window on the warm and simple furniture.
Wang Lianhua sighed, looked at her children, and her eyes began to moisten again. "Xiaoxiao, Ming'er, Mom is sorry for you. In the future, I will never be biased again. ”
Wang Ming lowered his head, "Mom, it's actually me who is wrong, and selfishness makes everyone worry about me." His tone was full of remorse.
Wang Xiaoxiao shook her head, "We are all at fault, and family affection needs understanding and support." Mom, you spoil your brother too much, which is not good for him. ”
Wang Gang smiled bitterly, his voice was weak but with a sense of understanding, "An illness made me understand that home is a place to support each other, not to drag each other down. ”
He stretched out his hand and gently wrapped his arms around Wang Lianhua's shoulder, "Now we should work together for the future of the family, not for the dream of a single person." ”
Wang Ming's eyes finally had a determination, "Dad, Mom, I will be self-reliant and find a stable job." ”
Wang Xiaoxiao nodded, her gaze firm, "I will also reconsider my future, no matter where I am, I will support my family." ”
Looking at the unity of this family, Wang Lianhua's heart flowed with unprecedented warmth. She knew in her heart that this incident had redefined the balance between family values and personal dreams. Home is not a burden for anyone, but a harbor for each other.
"Isn't it because our family has been able to get through this difficult time because we all know how to sacrifice and tolerate?" Wang Lianhua couldn't help but ask rhetorically.
Soft laughter rang out in the living room, and on a warm afternoon, the Wang family became stronger and more united because of this turmoil. Outside the window, the sun is still shining, and in the hearts of the Wang family, there is more hope for the future and a new understanding of the balance between dreams and responsibilities.
Home is a safe haven for each other, and it is also a starting point for promoting each other's growth. However, after this storm, do we really know how to love, to dream, and to live?