In the living room of the Li family, Li Mingcai sat alone on the old sofa. The clock hanging on the wall ticks and ticks, as if counting down the lonely time. His eyes looked into the distance through the window, and his eyes seemed to be in front of him of the past when he was dependent on his wife.
"Dad, how are you feeling today?" Li Xiaoqiang's voice suddenly interrupted Li Mingcai's contemplation, and he walked in from the door, carrying a bag of fruit in his hand.
"Oh, Xiaoqiang is back, I... I'm okay. Li Mingcai barely showed a smile, but his heart was full of emptiness and reluctance.
Wang Li followed and walked in the door and said with concern: "Father-in-law, I boiled some walnut soup for you to replenish your brain and good for your eyes." "
"Thank you, daughter-in-law." Li Mingcai took the soup, but his hands trembled slightly.
"Father-in-law, don't always be bored at home, just tell us when you're in a bad mood, isn't there a saying called 'home and everything is prosperous'." Wang Li smiled and comforted.
"Yes, Dad, we will go out for a walk with you on the weekend to change your mood." Li Xiaoqiang said softly.
"Husband, shouldn't we think about whether to let Dad move in with us for some time? After all, he was the only one in the family, and he was too lonely. Wang Li turned to Li Xiaoqiang and whispered.
"This... Let's talk about it again, I know Dad likes it here and may not be willing to move. Li Xiaoqiang hesitated.
"Daughter-in-law, actually... I'm okay. Really, you don't have to worry too much. Li Mingcai looked at the outside world from afar, and a wry smile squeezed out of the corner of his mouth.
"Dad, we can understand that you are reluctant to do this, but being alone is not an option. Let's discuss, shall we? Li Xiaoqiang said softly.
Suddenly, the ringing of the phone cut through the silence of the moment. Li Xiaoqiang hurriedly walked over to answer. During the call, Li Xiaoqiang's expression became solemn.
"Wife, there's an urgent matter at the company, I have to go over and deal with it immediately." Li Xiaoqiang hung up the phone and said to Wang Li with a serious face.
"That father-in-law..." Wang Li looked at Li Mingcai and said worriedly.
"Don't worry, I'm fine at home. Xiaoqiang, work is important, you go and get busy. Li Mingcai waved his hand in understanding.
As Li Xiaoqiang left in a hurry, silence returned to the room. Wang Li took the initiative to sit next to Li Mingcai and said gently: "Father-in-law, with me with you, don't think too much." "
"Daughter-in-law, I know you are all very good to me. I... I'm just a little scared... I'm afraid of losing it again..." Li Mingcai's voice became lower and lower, and the fear and uneasiness he had hidden in the depths inadvertently flooded up.
"Father-in-law, you won't lose us, we will always be with you." Wang Li held Li Mingcai's hand, her eyes were full of determination and firmness.
Li Mingcai looked at his daughter-in-law, and a warm current surged in his heart. Although he lost his lover, he still has this small family. This small family and the mutual support between them seem to be able to resist all the uncertainty and heaviness of the world.
Li Mingcai's days passed slowly in peace. Although Li Xiaoqiang and Wang Li come to visit from time to time, their busy work makes such companionship even rarer. Li Mingcai began to feel that the empty room in his home seemed to be more silent than usual.
"Father-in-law, look, we plan to go hiking next month, how about relaxing together?" Wang Li suggested on the phone.
"Oh, yes. Then when you're done with this time, we'll go together. Li Mingcai agreed, but he knew in his heart that work was always unpredictable.
One night, Li Mingcai, as usual, walked to the window and looked at the night sky before getting ready to go to bed. At this time, the phone rang suddenly, and he hurried back to the bedside to answer.
"Father-in-law, it's me, I'm afraid I won't be able to go back, the company has an urgent project tonight..." Wang Li's anxious voice came.
"It's okay, I understand. Work matters. You can rest assured, I'm fine here. Li Mingcai tried to make his voice appear calm.
As he was talking, Li Mingcai suddenly heard a quick knock on the door downstairs, and he faintly felt that something was wrong, and he couldn't help but get nervous.
"Father-in-law, that's the case, I originally wanted to go over and accompany you tonight... But my cousin suddenly arrived from out of town, and she seems to have some emotional problems, and is now downstairs in your house. Wang Li explained anxiously.
"It's... Hurry up and let her come up, don't freeze outside. Li Mingcai hurriedly hung up the phone and walked to the door.
Wang Li's cousin Li Xin stood outside the door, with undried tears on her face, obviously very emotional. Li Mingcai let her in and asked her about her situation awkwardly.
Li Xin sat on the sofa and cried about his misfortune, although Li Mingcai could not fully understand the details, he still listened patiently and comforted.
Time passed minute by minute, and Li Mingcai anxiously waited for Li Xiaoqiang or Wang Li to come back to deal with this emergency. However, on the other end of the phone, there was only the sound of two people busy working.
As time passed, Li Xin's mood gradually stabilized, but she still wanted to stay here for the night. Li Mingcai thought about it and decided to let go of his scruples and arrange for her to spend the night in the guest room.
In the early morning of the next day, Li Xiaoqiang finally rushed back from the company in a hurry, and couldn't help but feel guilty when he saw Li Xin in the guest room and his father Li Mingcai, who looked a little tired.
"Dad, I'm really sorry I worried you last night." Li Xiaoqiang sighed, he didn't expect that his busyness would bring such trouble to his father.
"Xiaoqiang, I know you're busy with work, but... You must not leave all the things of your house to me. After all, I'm old, and sometimes I really can't handle it. Li Mingcai's voice was full of helplessness and exhaustion.
The sudden family emergency has strained already fragile family relationships. Communication between the three of them becomes more urgent, and the accident sets the stage for a major event in the family.
Due to the last family incident, there began to be obvious friction between Li Mingcai and Wang Li. Although Li Mingcai tried to hide his anxiety and worry, Wang Li still noticed the change in him.
"Father-in-law, what's wrong with you? Do you have an opinion about the way I handled things yesterday? Wang Li took the cloth and gently wiped the table, trying to break the silence.
"Hey, what do you say? You always try to solve problems in your own way, and never consult us first. Li Mingcai complained, with obvious dissatisfaction in his voice.
"Because I think it's more efficient that way, and you're always thinking of the old-fashioned approach." Not to be outdone, Wang Li raised her voice.
"Efficiency? Does the family need to be sustained by efficiency? I'm just worried about what will go wrong, after all..." Li Mingcai's voice was full of powerlessness, thinking that his wife had taken care of this home herself, the care and warmth, he felt that it no longer existed now.
"I know you're still sad about Auntie, but you can't take everything too seriously..." Wang Li's voice suddenly softened.
Just when the two were arguing, Li Xiaoqiang hurried home, and the tense atmosphere made him feel uneasy and had to intervene.
"Dad, Wang Li, what's wrong? What are you arguing about? Li Xiaoqiang walked in and looked at the serious faces of the two family members.
"Your son, I just want to keep the house peaceful, but..." Li Mingcai pointed at Wang Li, but he was speechless.
"What did I do wrong? Is it because I didn't report back to you one by one? Wang Li couldn't help but complain.
"You calm down, there is always a solution to the matter, let's sit down and talk about it, the family's affairs can be solved no matter what." Li Xiaoqiang tried to mediate.
But at this time, the doorbell rang, and a neighbor hurriedly told them that the tree behind the old house had fallen and smashed the fence. This sudden situation caused the three of them to immediately stop arguing and unite to think of a solution.
In the process of dealing with this unexpected event, they began to understand the true meaning of family: not just superficial harmony, but the ability to rely on each other and work together in the face of difficulties. In the process of working together to clear the trees and repair the fence, the relationship between the three people also quietly changed.
Li Xiaoqiang saw the hard work of his father Li Mingcai in this incident, and felt Wang Li's helplessness and hardship, they all tried their best for the harmony of the family, but the methods were different. Hand in hand, they placed the last brick on the fence steadily, and the estrangement and dissatisfaction between them began to dissipate.
Just as Li Ming was about to rekindle the flame of the fireplace, he stopped what he was doing and turned his head to look at Wang Li and Li Xiaoqiang, with a long-lost smile on his face.
"I think we can work better together from now on, after all, we are a family." A warm current welled up in Li Mingcai's heart, and at that moment he understood that when encountering difficulties, the support and tolerance between family members is the greatest comfort and happiness in life.
The atmosphere of tension in the home is no longer there, but an atmosphere of understanding and harmony is gradually permeating. This time, although the conflict was intense, it also became a catalyst for the sublimation of family relationships.
After the wall was rebuilt, Li Mingcai, Li Xiaoqiang and Wang Li sat in the living room, looking at each other, with indescribable warmth and emotion in their hearts.
"Dad, I learned a lot about today's events. I was so focused on my work that I sometimes neglected my family. Li Xiaoqiang spoke first, his voice slightly apologetic.
"Husband, me too, I always feel that it is more efficient to follow my method. But forget, there are still feelings about you and your dad at home. Wang Li also said with some self-reproach.
"Actually, I have something wrong with me, always thinking about the old way. You should be given more space and trust. Li Mingcai said slowly, his words full of relief.
"Dad, you've done a great job, it's us who didn't do a better job of communication and understanding." Li Xiaoqiang touched Li Mingcai's shoulder, his eyes firm.
"Father-in-law, I think we will be able to do better in the future. We're going to do our best, right, husband? Wang Li looked at Li Xiaoqiang with gentle eyes.
"Of course, we are a family, and we can overcome any difficulties." Li Xiaoqiang and Wang Li held hands and replied firmly.
Li Mingcai looked at his son and daughter-in-law in front of him, and felt unprecedented satisfaction and happiness. He finally understands that life is full of hardships and challenges, but as long as the family is united, there is no problem that cannot be solved.
"Now that I've figured it out, what really matters is not every little blessing in life, but the family that can be together and get through the difficult times." Li Mingcai's voice revealed deep love and gratitude.
The three of them decided to make a hearty dinner together to celebrate their growth and understanding. Their busy figures in the kitchen, reflecting the warm lighting, this home portrait is injected with new vitality.
After dinner, they walked together under the cool night sky, Li Mingcai looked at the stars, and sighed: "After so many years, our home is still so warm." "
"Yes Dad, there is no perfect life, but with our mutual support, it is enough." Li Xiaoqiang hugged his father's shoulders and said with a smile.
"Yes, there is no banquet that will never be dissolved, but there is our home, an eternal harbor." Wang Li said warmly, her eyes shining.
At this moment, the hearts of the three members of the Li family are closely connected, no matter how rough the road ahead is, they know that as long as there is love in their hearts, there are no difficulties and tribulations that cannot be overcome. The lessons of life are not only challenges, but also the most valuable wealth, and the warmth of home is eternal sustenance and dependence.