In the stormy spring of 1983, the Zhao family in the town ushered in a short period of tranquility because they finished paying the public grain. That evening, a rare smell of meat wafted out of the kitchen, and Zhao's mother was busy in front of the stove, stir-frying the stewed meat in the pot while urging Zhao Tiezhu: "Tiezhu, go and call Xiaofang to eat, the meat is stewed very well today, don't be cold." ”
Zhao Tiezhu responded, "Xiaofang, after a day's journey, the meal is ready, don't come back soon!" The voice was a little muffled in the heavy rain.
Zhao Xiaofang ran back from the rain, with crystal raindrops on her face, but with a faint smile on the corner of her mouth. She rushed to Zhao's mother's side, rubbing her hands and coquettishly: "Mom, the rice is dead!" ”
Zhao Tiezhu glared at his daughter angrily, "All over the water, go and change into clean clothes." He was actually anxious and kept thinking about how to speak. Zhao Xiaofang didn't notice her father's abnormality, and went to change her clothes obediently.
At the dinner table, Zhao Xiaofang ate meat, and Zhao's mother added food to her daughter distressedly: "Eat slowly, don't choke." Zhao Tiezhu put down the dishes and chopsticks, and said in a deep voice: "Xiaofang, you are close to Xiao Li at the grain station, aren't you?" ”
This sudden question surprised Zhao Xiaofang, she was a little flustered, and her face was red: "Dad, we, we are ordinary friends." ”
Zhao Tiezhu's face became more and more stern: "I heard that it's not just ordinary friends. Although Xiao Li is a nephew of the county, the foundation of that family is terrible, and our daughter can't follow him. Zhao Xiaofang argued: "Xiao Li is good and smart, he is different from his family." ”
Mother Zhao was embarrassed in the middle and persuaded: "Tiezhu, talk about the children's affairs slowly, let's have a good meal." However, Zhao Tiezhu did not relent: "I am for Xiao Fang's good, I have to say this early, stay away from that Xiao Li." Looking at his father's wrinkled brows and firm eyes, Zhao Xiaofang couldn't help crying aggrieved.
That night, the rain became heavier and heavier, and the quarrel at home did not subside because of the change in weather. Zhao Xiaofang was locked in the room and cried secretly, while Zhao Tiezhu leaned on the edge of the kang in the living room, looking at the rain curtain outside the window with deep eyes, his heart was like a mess. The conversation is accompanied by the sound of rain, as if there is a rhythm, but it is a silent battle. In the Zhao family's hut, the sound of arguments and the sound of the rain are intertwined, as if no path to reconciliation can be found. The next day, there was still smoke curling in the kitchen, but the aftermath of last night's argument was still there, and Zhao Tiezhu stayed awake all night, staring resolutely at Zhao Xiaofang, who was about to go out.
"Xiaofang, have you thought through what I told you?" Zhao Tiezhu asked.
"Dad, Xiao Li and I are really just ordinary friends." Zhao Xiaofang muttered, her eyes dodging.
Zhao Tiezhu refused to give up, "Oh, you don't have to hide it from me, I know it, are you with him a long time ago..."
Zhao Xiaofang was anxious, "Dad, we really don't have what you think!" ”
That day, Zhao Xiaofang didn't have lunch at home, and Zhao Tiezhu took this opportunity to discuss with his wife, "We have to have an idea about this matter." ”
Mother Zhao sighed, "My daughter is older, and we can't control her heart." ”
The neighbor next door, Aunt Li, knocked on the door, "Tiezhu, Aunt Wang saw that Xiaofang and the young man from the grain station were walking so close to the river, you husband and wife should have planned this matter earlier." ”
Zhao Tiezhu patted his thigh, "That's what worries me, that young man's family is poor, I can't let my daughter suffer." ”
At dinner, the Zhao family's table was exceptionally silent. Zhao Xiaofang came home late, with traces of being blown red by the wind on her face, and her eyes were still moist.
"Xiaofang, where did you go today?" Zhao's mother was concerned and inquired.
"Mom, I went to the river and thought about myself." Zhao Xiaofang replied weakly.
"Xiaofang, have you thought about your future? Although the conditions of our family are not good, my parents have worked hard for you. Zhao Tiezhu spoke earnestly.
"Dad, I know, I'm thinking about it too. I'm not going to do anything to be sorry for you. Zhao Xiaofang's eyes moistened again.
Zhao Tiezhu calmed down, "Xiaofang, you can choose your own path in the future, but you must see people clearly and don't be blinded." ”
After eating, Zhao Xiaofang sat sullenly by the window of her room, looking at the rain outside the window, with mixed feelings. She picked up the pen and wrote a letter to Xiao Li, in which she poured out her feelings and her helplessness.
As autumn approaches, the grain harvest is abundant, and the atmosphere in the town gradually becomes lively. Zhao Xiaofang was busy working in the fields, while Xiao Li was in charge of the acceptance of the grain. Whenever the two met, they silently passed on information, and their feelings for each other gradually deepened in the interaction, but they cautiously avoided the eyes of the villagers.
Zhao Xiaofang was working in the fields, and secretly walked towards the river with a love letter to Xiao Li. On the way, he was seen by Zhao Tiezhu, and he chased him out, "Xiaofang, what are you doing here?" ”
Zhao Xiaofang was startled, and quickly hid the letter, "No, it's nothing, I'm just going out for a walk." The tone was visibly nervous.
Zhao Tiezhu squinted his eyes and looked at his daughter's back, was silent for a while, and finally decided to continue to keep an eye on Xiaofang, but at the same time he also wanted to give her some space, hoping that she could think it out for herself.
In this way, the love between Zhao Xiaofang and Xiao Li quietly grew in the autumn rain of the town, and Zhao Tiezhu and Zhao's mother also began to make different considerations about their daughter's future and the happiness of the family. The town suddenly exploded, the corruption scandal at the grain station shocked every family, and the discussion on the narrow streets was one after another. Zhao Tiezhu was discussing with the other villagers under the big tree at the entrance of the village, and everyone's expressions revealed surprise and indignation.
"Have you heard, that Captain Huang at the grain station has made a lot of oil and water, and now he has been arrested." Neighbor Lao Wang shook his head and sighed.
"Yes, after so many years, how much grain has been in his hands, who knows?" Zhao Tiezhu took a puff of his cigarette, and the expression on his face was complicated.
At this moment, the young man in the village ran around to spread the news, "Xiao Li, Xiao Li, he..."
Zhao Tiezhu asked eagerly, "What's wrong with him?" He won't..."
"No, no, no, Xiao Li, he's fine, he was confirmed to be innocent, he has worked hard in the city in the past few years, he actually bought a house, and he was promoted to the director of the grain station!" The lad shouted.
Zhao Tiezhu's original preset mood came to an abrupt end, and he stood up in shock, "Xiao Li, he... How could he? ”
Back home, Zhao Tiezhu found Zhao Xiaofang, his voice trembled a little, "Xiaofang, Xiao Li, he... Really have a house? ”
Zhao Xiaofang looked at her father unexpectedly, "Dad, why did you suddenly ask this?" Yes, Xiao Li he worked hard, and now he is doing well. ”
Zhao Tiezhu fell into deep thought, and it was clear that his mentality was changing. After a long time, he sighed, "If he really has a good future, it can't be said that we have to rely on him." ”
"Dad, I'm not because Xiao Li can give us anything, I like him as a person." Zhao Xiaofang whispered.
That night, the atmosphere of the Zhao family seemed to be calm, and Zhao Tiezhu sat at the door smoking a cigarette and remained silent for a long time. Zhao's mother was cooking dinner, but worry was still on her brow.
Just when everyone was rejoicing in Xiao Li's innocence, Zhao Tiezhu was suddenly found to be seriously ill. The whole family fell into tension, Zhao Xiaofang had to take care of her father during the day, and secretly went to see Xiao Li at night, and neither side wanted to give up.
In the hospital, Zhao Tiezhu was lying on the hospital bed, looking at the cloudy sky outside the window, and the contradiction in his heart was getting worse and worse. He began to re-examine his usual persistence, while worrying about his daughter's future well-being.
"Iron Pillar, how are you today?" Mother Zhao asked cautiously with hot soup in her hand.
"I... I don't think the future is up to us. Zhao Tiezhu's voice was weak but full of thought.
Zhao Xiaofang stayed aside, tears couldn't help but fall, she held her father's hand tightly, "Dad, no matter what, you have to get better, we all need you." ”
Zhao Tiezhu looked at his daughter, and the hardness in his heart slowly melted. The stubbornness and prejudice of the past slowly precipitated under the tempering of reality, and he began to realize that family harmony and his daughter's happiness were what he should cherish the most. The days of late autumn are always cool, but the house of the Zhao family is full of warmth. Since Zhao Tiezhu fell ill, Zhao's mother and Zhao Xiaofang took care of them wholeheartedly, and Xiao Li often came to visit, bringing his own handmade decoction, and the atmosphere at home quietly changed.
"Dad, you can taste the chicken soup brought by Xiao Li today." Zhao Xiaofang handed the bowl to Zhao Tiezhu.
Zhao Tiezhu took a sip, and a smile appeared at the corner of his mouth, "This Xiao Li is a careful person." ”
"Yes, he not only works hard, but he is also an expert at home, and I am relieved to hand over my daughter to him." Mother Zhao praised with a smile.
On that full moon night, Zhao Tiezhu gathered the whole family, and when he saw Xiao Li and Zhao Xiaofang standing together, he sighed deeply, with reconciliation and relief in his tone, "Xiao Li, my illness has made me think a lot. I may have been too stubborn in the past, but now I know that family harmony and my daughter's happiness are the most important things. ”
Xiao Li nervously held Zhao Xiaofang's hand, "Uncle, thank you for your understanding, I will take good care of Xiaofang and this family." ”
"I believe in you." Zhao Tiezhu looked at them, his eyes were a little moist.
Zhao Xiaofang knelt in front of her father, tears flowed for a long time, "Dad, thank you for your blessings, I will be happy." ”
After that, laughter could always be heard at the Zhao family's dinner table. The harvest in autumn is not only the crops, but also the warmth and harmony of this small family.
Early in the morning, Zhao Tiezhu stood in front of the door, looking at the golden rice in the field and Zhao Xiaofang, who was working with Xiao Li, he had a satisfied smile on his face. Turning his head to Zhao's mother who was standing beside him, he said, "Shouldn't our Zhao family be happy?" ”