In a small town in the south of the Yangtze River, the lights of Lao Zhang's house, a retired teacher, are warm, and the leaves of the plane trees outside the window are gently swaying with the early summer wind. Lao Zhang sat at the dinner table, holding a list in his hand, his brows slightly furrowed. This list details a month's worth of household expenses, from groceries to utilities. Lao Zhang's wife, Lao Li, is busy cleaning up the dishes and chopsticks, with gray hair, but she can still see the beauty of her youth.
"This month's electricity bills have gone up again." Lao Zhang muttered softly.
Lao Li smiled, wiped the water droplets on his hands, and walked over to take a look: "Let's go up, let's save some rest." ”
Lao Zhang nodded, he knew that Lao Li had a set of philosophies for handling housework. The two have always been like this, tacit and harmonious, even in financial matters.
"I had a phone call with my eldest son, Xiao Zhang, a few days ago, and he recently got a raise, so he had to send some money over." Lao Zhang was a little proud when he talked about this.
Lao Li walked over and rubbed Lao Zhang's shoulder: "Let's get by ourselves, don't burden the children." I think we still divide the living expenses on a monthly basis, as discussed before. ”
In the small room, the faint fragrance of tea wafts. Lao Zhang swallowed a sip of tea, his eyes were firm: "Yes, we are both retirees, we have pensions, and it is enough to be frugal." ”
"Yes, it's not easy for the big girl Xiaoli to be in the field, every time she comes back, she has to bring this and that, and her salary is enough to spend it herself." Lao Li thought of their daughter, and his tone was full of mother's love.
Lao Zhang retorted softly: "Xiaoli's child has a good heart, as parents, watching her be self-reliant and self-reliant, our hearts are beautiful." ”
It was late at night, and only the voices of two people chatting in the house were left, talking about the future and current situation of the children, and talking about the warmth and peace of home.
After a while, Lao Li took out the household account book and began to discuss with Lao Zhang: "Starting next month, let's implement this plan, set aside a fixed living allowance every month, and leave the rest untouched." In this way, our sons and daughters come back to see us, and we don't have to worry about how our lives are. ”
Lao Zhang rubbed the corner of the account book and said with deep feelings: "Sister Li, for so many years, our husband and wife have supported the family, and now the children have their own families, and we can take care of each other like this, which is really a great blessing in life." ”
Lao Li smiled, and the ledger in his hand glowed with warm yellow light under the light: "Yes, the family is small, but the love is full, and we have to plan well in the second half of our retirement lives." ”
Isn't the conversation between two people in this calm and ordinary night a microcosm of hundreds of millions of Chinese families? They don't talk about the wind and the moon, they don't talk about the world, they just care about the small home, this harbor woven by love and responsibility. The May Day sun shined through the thin clouds in the warm small living room of Lao Zhang's house. The family gathered together, and the joy of reunion after a long absence was overflowing. Lao Zhang and Lao Li sat in the main seat of the sofa, their eyes showing satisfaction and satisfaction for their children and grandchildren.
The eldest son, Xiao Zhang, was the first to speak: "Dad, Mom, you have worked hard. Look, I've got some tonic for both of you. Xiao Zhang handed over the gift box in his hand, with a look of waiting for praise on his face.
Lao Li took it with a smile and said gratefully: "I accepted your wishes, child, and if you can go home, my mother will be satisfied." ”
The youngest daughter Xiaoli was a little dissatisfied: "Brother, didn't we say okay and don't spend money indiscriminately?" Mom and Dad don't need that. ”
Xiao Zhang retorted unconvinced: "I can spend the money I earn as much as I want, is it wrong to be good to my parents?" ”
"Alright, alright, you brothers and sisters don't quarrel." Lao Zhang stopped the dispute, but was a little helpless.
At the dinner table, the dishes were sumptuous, and the children talked about their work and life. However, before you know it, the conversation turns to the management of the family's property.
"Hey, Dad, that family thing...", the eldest son-in-law Xiao Liu said tentatively.
Lao Li immediately took over the conversation: "Yes, your father always says that the salary card is mine, but he has always held it himself." ”
Tension began to spread over the dinner table. Xiao Zhang stroked his chin and pondered for a while: "Dad, you are too, you should do it if you say it." ”
"Actually, I don't think that's okay. Dad can do it if he wants to, and forget it if he doesn't want to. Xiaoli said lightly on the side, although her tone was relaxed, but she had a hidden opinion.
Lao Zhang was stunned for a moment, and then looked at Lao Li deeply: "Do you really think this is important?" ”
"Of course, a promise." Xiao Zhang replied firmly.
"I don't care about that, but you first have to make your mom feel respected, and your commitment is important to her." There was a firmness in Xiaoli's words.
The little daughter-in-law, Xiao Chen, tried to calm the atmosphere: "Lao Zhang, Lao Li, let's eat, let's talk about these things after eating." ”
But at this point, the discussion could not be stopped. Family members expressed their opinions on topics such as property management and children's respect for their parents. Lao Zhang listened to the children's opinions, and his eyebrows showed contemplation.
"Kids, I've listened to what you say." Lao Zhang finally spoke, "I know that commitment is important, and I have always thought that the harmony of our family is the best property. But today I learned that respect and trust are also the cornerstones of home. ”
Lao Li looked at Lao Zhang, with a bit of expectation and a hint of inquiry in his eyes, and the atmosphere of the family dinner reached a new climax. At the dinner table, the arguments continued unabated, and a tense and serious atmosphere permeated the air. Lao Zhang's heart surged up with a hot current, looking at Lao Li sitting opposite, he knew in his heart that it was time to implement the promises made for many years.
"You children, stop arguing. Today, I'm going to make a decision. Lao Zhang's voice was not loud, but it was enough to stop the discussion in the room abruptly.
Everyone's eyes were focused on Lao Zhang. Lao Zhang stood up, took out the wallet he was carrying, and pulled out a frayed bank card from inside, the edges of the metal and plastic were polished.
"Here's my paycheck." Lao Zhang said with a sense of ceremony, his voice suddenly became firm, and his eyes were full of determination.
Xiao Zhang stared at the bank card, a little stunned: "Dad, you..."
Lao Li also looked at Lao Zhang in surprise: "Lao Zhang, you..."
Lao Zhang ignored everyone's expressions and walked straight to Lao Li, the card in his hand trembling slightly: "For many years, I have always said that the salary card is yours, but I have never really done it. Sister Li, today I want to officially fulfill my promise. ”
He handed the card to Lao Li, and with this action, an invisible weight seemed to be handed over. Lao Li's hand trembled slightly and took the bank card, and the emotions of nervousness and surprise passed across her face.
Lao Zhang solemnly announced: "From today onwards, you will manage the salary card, and the 'partner' between us will be dissolved." From now on, all the spending decisions of this family are left to you. ”
Everyone was speechless by the sudden announcement. Lao Li suddenly burst into tears, her lips trembled, and her voice was choked: "Lao Zhang, thank you." ”
"Mom, really? Dad, he..."Xiaoli looked at the scene in front of her, a little incredulous.
Xiao Zhang also stood up and patted Lao Zhang's shoulder: "Dad, I support you." It's the prettiest thing you'll ever do. ”
Everyone was shocked and moved that the owner of the family, Lao Zhang, had solved a problem that had not been formally faced for many years in such a positive way. Lao Li tightly held the seemingly ordinary, but actually heavy bank card, and the tears finally couldn't help flowing, but what these tears contained was not only moving and satisfied, but also deep peace of mind and trust.
At the dinner table, the tension caused by financial management issues eased instantly, and was replaced by emotion and laughter. The children looked at each other, and in each other's eyes they could read the approval of their father's decision, and they cherished the harmony of the family even more. Lao Zhang and Lao Li looked at each other and smiled, and this subtle change also made them feel unprecedented ease and happiness. The atmosphere of the dinner party became more and more warm, and the sound of laughter and conversation filled every corner of Lao Zhang's house. When the initial shock and surprise gradually subsided, the conversation became relaxed and deep.
"Look at you, for so many years, one sentence makes my mother happy like this." Xiao Zhang jokingly poked Lao Zhang's chest.
Lao Zhang also smiled and responded softly: "Silly boy, do you know? Respecting someone is sometimes as simple as that. ”
Xiaoli leaned on Lao Li's side and said gently: "Mom, now you can be our Minister of Finance with peace of mind." ”
Lao Li patted Xiaoli's hand with a smile and looked at Lao Zhang with affection: "Lao Zhang, from now on, our mutual trust will be part of our wealth." ”
Xiao Chen, the little daughter-in-law, also interjected: "I think today we all feel the value of family and true love. ”
The eldest son-in-law, Xiao Liu, applauded and smiled: "What a happy ending, Lao Zhang, your actions are worth learning from all of us." ”
As night falls, the lights around the table become soft and warm. Lao Zhang looked at Lao Li with a satisfied face, and thought contentedly that all these changes not only made his wife feel happy, but also made him feel more relaxed than ever.
"Today, I think I learned one thing." Xiao Zhang took a deep breath and looked at his children, "That's how to respect and trust the people you love." ”
Xiaoli nodded: "Indeed, my parents gave us a lesson today, about trust and respect in life." ”
The small room was filled with a happy and harmonious atmosphere, with a smile on everyone's face and more feelings surging in their hearts. Lao Zhang and Lao Li's actions not only gave the children wisdom in life, but also made the bond of this family stronger.
As the night wore on, the chatter in the living room gradually came to an end. Lao Zhang's heart couldn't calm down for a long time, and he suddenly asked a rhetorical question, "If every family can be as completely trusted and respected as it is today, how beautiful will the world become?" ”