The footsteps of the Spring Festival are approaching, and the streets and alleys are filled with an annual festive atmosphere. This year's Spring Festival is of special significance to Zhao Hao, this is the first time he has taken his father-in-law Li Guoqiang and mother-in-law Wang Fang back to his hometown for the New Year after confirming the relationship with his fiancée Li Qing.
Zhao Hao's hometown is in a small town far away from the hustle and bustle, and the people here live a leisurely life. His cousin Zhao Gang has been guarding the ancestral old mansion and is a well-known warm-hearted person in the town. Although Zhao Hao has not returned home for many years because of work, the contact with his cousin has been cut off. But this year, I decided to bring my family back in person to feel the warmth of my childhood family.
The car jolted for hours and finally reached its destination. The old mansion stands quietly there like a witness of time. Seeing this, his father-in-law Li Guoqiang sighed: "There is really a different flavor here, I have seen too many high-rise buildings in the city, but I have forgotten what I looked like when I was a child." ”
When Uncle Zhao Gang saw them from afar, he shouted, "Haozi, you're finally back!" I haven't been able to see you all these years, come on, come on, is this your daughter-in-law? It's beautiful! Li Qing smiled shyly and greeted her cousin.
Wang Fang looked around curiously and sighed: "This is the feeling of the New Year, how can you have such a simple scenery and friendly neighbors in your city." ”
Zhao Hao took his family into the house, and although his cousin's home was simple, it was clean and tidy. Uncle Zhao Gang was busy entertaining, and said to Zhao Hao with a smile: "Look at it, I haven't seen you for so many years, I'm old." ”
Zhao Hao was a little moved in his heart, and handed the gift he brought to his cousin: "Uncle cousin, this is a gift I prepared for you, which can be regarded as making up for our inability to come back to visit you often over the years." ”
Cousin Zhao Gang took the gift and said that there was no need to be so polite, while his father-in-law Li Guoqiang bowed slightly, looking quite calm: "Your cousin is so enthusiastic, we are a little embarrassed to come." ”
Uncle Zhao Gang laughed and said: "Where is it, what do relatives talk about, you can come to give me the greatest face." ”
The table was filled with a sumptuous Chinese New Year's Eve meal prepared by my cousin himself, and the whole family sat around and enjoyed themselves. At the dinner table, Zhao Hao kept picking up vegetables to his father-in-law and mother-in-law: "Dad, Mom, you try this, my cousin's craftsmanship is really not covered." ”
Wang Fang tasted it and couldn't help but praise: "This taste is really the taste of home, how can those fancy dishes in our city be so real." ”
Li Guoqiang also echoed on the side: "Yes, this braised pork is well done and tastes authentic, which reminds me of the taste of my hometown." ”
After dinner, the whole family sat by the fire, and the cousin began to tell stories from the past. "You don't know, Haozi was naughty here when she was a child. Once, he climbed onto the roof to chase the kitten, and almost fell off it, scaring us out..."Uncle Cousin's words caused a warm laugh.
But in this laughter, Zhao Hao also deeply felt the difference between this small town and the city where he lives now. Life here is slow-paced and humane, in stark contrast to his hectic and competitive city life.
Zhao Hao looked at the fire, and couldn't help but think in his heart: I don't know if my parents-in-law can adapt to such an environment? How should he and Li Qing balance their lives in the future? With the deepening of the Spring Festival holiday, the relationship between Zhao Hao's family and his cousin's family gradually revealed some subtle changes. After the initial novelty, some daily life events began to become the subject of communication between family members.
One day after dinner, Uncle Zhao Gangtang raised the issue of the division of the family's land: "Haozi, you also know what to do with the old land in the family, do you have any plans?" ”
Zhao Hao was a little surprised, after all, he hadn't participated in the family's affairs for so many years: "Uncle Cousin, I really haven't thought about this." How else do you think it's appropriate? ”
Uncle Zhao Gang pondered for a moment: "It stands to reason that you also have a share of this land, but if it is divided, I am afraid that the people in the village will also have something to say." ”
Zhao Hao touched his chin, thinking that he didn't lack this piece of land: "Uncle Cousin, otherwise, you still keep the land, and we won't need it." ”
When Li Guoqiang heard this, he frowned and interjected: "Haozi, how can you give up easily, this matter must be considered in the long run." ”
Li Qing looked at Zhao Hao, with some worry in her eyes, and said softly: "Haohao, listen to Dad, don't rush to make a decision first." ”
Zhao Hao was in a dilemma for a while, and the family's property problem made him feel the conflict between the old and new concepts. He was more inclined to the modern idea that property should belong to the individual, but he couldn't help but think about what this land meant to his cousin.
On the other hand, there is also a big difference in the life concept of the parents-in-law and the cousin's family. Wang Fang chatted with her cousin's wife, Aunt Li, while washing the dishes: "I see what customs do you have here for the New Year?" ”
Aunt Li replied while washing: "Actually, it's nothing, it's just that everyone gets together for a meal, and the children set off firecrackers." ”
Wang Fang nodded: "Yes, we are almost only left to shop and watch TV during the Chinese New Year in the city, and we have almost forgotten our old rules." ”
Aunt Li smiled and said, "That's not good, the tradition still has to be inherited." ”
The next day, the family went to the town to play, but an unexpected episode occurred. Li Qing took a fancy to a hand-knitted bag in a small shop, and said to Zhao Hao excitedly: "Haohao, do you see if this bag looks good, let's buy one?" ”
Zhao Hao felt that the price of the bag did not match its value, so he said: "Qingqing, although this bag is beautiful, the price is unreasonable, we might as well not buy it." ”
When Li Guoqiang heard it, his face sank: "Haozi, how can you say that, Qingqing will buy it if she likes it, it's not bad for this money." ”
Zhao Hao smiled bitterly in his heart, he knew how to live frugally and carefully in the city, but his father-in-law's words put him in a dilemma, if he didn't buy it, it seemed unkind.
Li Qing saw Zhao Hao's embarrassment, so she said, "Dad, it's okay, I just think it's good-looking, it's okay if you don't buy it." ”
That night, cousin Zhao Gang took Zhao Hao for a walk, and said as he walked: "Haozi, I can see your embarrassment in today's matter." Do you think we can talk about these things in private? ”
Zhao Hao nodded: "Uncle Cousin, I also think I should have a good chat with you." ”
Uncle Tang sighed: "Over the years, the difference between inside and outside the city has become bigger and bigger, and our older generation sometimes can't accept too many new things. ”
Zhao Hao knew in his heart that this might be a microcosm of the cultural collision, but he also knew that what family members needed was understanding and communication, which was the only way to overcome difficulties.
In this way, the warmth of the Spring Festival is becoming more and more subtle and complex in the collision of old and new concepts and the distribution of economic benefits, but Zhao Hao believes that as long as there is love and communication between family members, these problems will eventually be solved. Halfway through the Spring Festival, the relationship between family members has become more tense because of the previous events. However, at this moment when the family is at an impasse, at a family gathering, cousin Zhao Gang reveals a family secret that shocks everyone.
The evening breeze blew, and the family sat in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows of the old house. Zhao Hao tried to ease the atmosphere: "Uncle Cousin, do you have any interesting stories to share when you were a child?" ”
Uncle Zhao Gang sighed, looked at the dim light in the distance, and slowly spoke: "Actually, there is something I have been holding back for many years, and I want to take this opportunity to say it today." ”
Zhao Hao and Li Qing glanced at each other, and his father-in-law Li Guoqiang looked a little impatient: "Zhao Gang, just say anything directly, don't sell it." ”
Uncle Cousin took a breath, and his voice was a little hoarse: "That's the case, when your mother-in-law was seriously ill in the past, the family spent a lot of money on treatment. Later, when the family land was not enough to sell, your father found me..."
As soon as the father-in-law heard this sensitive topic, he immediately frowned: "I know this, I was too young to help with anything. ”
Uncle Tang shook his head: "Guoqiang, in fact, at that time, your father left a sum of money for me to keep, which was for you to start a family in the future, but later I used that money for emergencies." ”
In an instant, the atmosphere in the room froze. Zhao Hao and Li Qing were shocked, and Li Guoqiang's face instantly became ugly, after all, this was a heavy secret.
Li Guoqiang choked up: "What did you say?" The money left by my father... Did you use it? How can you do this..."
Uncle Zhao Gang was full of apologies: "Guoqiang, I know what I did wrong, I have always wanted to pay you back for so many years, but you also know the situation at home..."
Li Guoqiang stood up and turned around to try to calm down: "Then why are you only saying it now, do you know how hard I have worked all these years?" ”
Zhao Hao stood up and pulled his father-in-law: "Dad, the situation may not be as we thought, let my cousin finish speaking." ”
Uncle Tang took a deep breath and continued: "Guoqiang, I owe you, and I may not be able to pay it off in this life. But I hope that I can make up for it with action, and that piece of land, I want to officially transfer it to Haozi. Although this cannot erase my mistakes, please accept my sincerity. ”
Looking at his cousin's remorseful eyes, Li Guoqiang's anger gradually precipitated, and he knew in his heart that people always had to look forward. And Zhao Hao also silently supported on the side: "Uncle Cousin, I know you have good intentions, but this land is still left to yourself." ”
Li Guoqiang finally burst into tears and walked towards his cousin Zhao Gang, with a hoarse voice: "Zhao Gang, I don't blame you, it was not easy for everyone at that time. ”
At this moment, the secrets and misunderstandings within the family began to slowly dissolve, Zhao Hao, Li Qing and Li Guoqiang hugged each other, and Uncle Tang's words were undoubtedly a key part of the family's reconciliation. As the family secret was revealed, the afterglow of the Spring Festival and the cold wind circulated around the old mansion together, but the frost in the hearts of the Zhao family began to melt. My cousin's confession became an opportunity for the family to rebuild trust and understanding.
For breakfast the next day, Zhao Hao walked to Li Guoqiang's side with a bowl and said gently: "Dad, you must not have slept well last night, drink a bowl of hot porridge." ”
Li Guoqiang looked at Zhao Hao, his eyes revealing a touch of softness, "Well, thank you, Haozi." ”
Li Qing put down the dishes and chopsticks and gently held Li Guoqiang's hand: "Dad, I know that it has not been easy for you all these years, and we will all cherish this family even more." ”
Uncle Tang also joined them, with apologies and determination: "Guoqiang, this family has you, Haozi and Qingqing, I believe that no matter how many twists and turns there are in the past, we can go through it together." ”
Zhao Hao nodded, "Uncle Cousin is right, we will solve our family's affairs together." ”
On the way back to the city, the carriage was filled with soft and warm light. Zhao Hao drove, and Li Guoqiang and Li Qing in the back seat talked about the future.
"Qingqing, when everything is stable, we can consider a wedding." Zhao Hao smiled at Li Qing through the rearview mirror.
Li Qing looked back at Li Guoqiang with a smile in her eyes, "Yes, Dad, you have to help pick an auspicious day at that time." ”
Although Li Guoqiang didn't say much, the smile in his eyes couldn't be hidden, "Okay, of course I support this happy event." ”
The car drove on the road back to the city, and the surrounding scenery quickly regressed, and at this moment, Zhao Hao felt unprecedented family harmony and warmth.
"Qingqing, after we go back, shouldn't we also consider buying a bigger house and letting the two old people come to live there?" Zhao Hao opened a whole new topic.
Li Qing pinched the wedding ring in her hand, her eyes flashed with longing, "Well, this proposal is good, let's work hard together to give our family a better life." ”
Li Guoqiang did not stop this time, but thought about what he could do for the family.
The secrets of the past have been revealed, the wounds have begun to heal, and a new strong bridge of understanding and support between the families has been built. On the road to the future, the family seems stronger and more united.
The scenery outside the window changed, Li Guoqiang recalled the bits and pieces during the Spring Festival, and finally smiled with relief, and asked softly: "Isn't life like this?" No matter how many ups and downs you go through, isn't it also a valuable asset to be able to reunite and reconcile as a family in the end? ”