The spring breeze warms, the plum blossoms bloom quietly, and the breath of the Spring Festival becomes stronger and stronger in the air. Zhang Tao, a retired teacher, stood in the simple living room, looking through the window, looking at the lively scene of neighbors in the community, but there was a trace of desolation in his heart. Zhang Yan, his only son, has been working hard in the big city for five years. Thinking of his relatives every festive season, Zhang Tao decided to surprise his son this year.
He planned his itinerary early, and before packing up and going out, he specially turned out Zhang Yan's favorite childhood recipes, and checked whether the ingredients and gifts in his bag were complete while chattering. "Yan Yan liked to eat sweet and sour tenderloin the most when he was a child, and this time I have to make it for him myself!" He said expectantly.
The train whistled, and Zhang Tao bumped all the way to the big city. Out of the hustle and bustle of the train station, the cold wind was biting, he tightened his scarf and made a phone call to Zhang Yan. "Yanyan, it's the New Year, I miss you, I..." Zhang Tao's heart tightened, but he was quickly relieved, "It may be that he is busy with work, it's okay, it's just right to surprise him." ”
He carried his luggage and followed the address in his memory to find Zhang Yan's residence. A high-rise building that looked very trendy came into view, and Zhang Tao called downstairs, over and over again, but no one answered. The mobile phone screen showed that 24 missed calls had been made, and his heart sank more and more, and he couldn't help but have all kinds of possible ominous premonitions in his mind, "Nothing will happen to Yanyan!" ”
Thinking of this, he no longer hesitated, and walked towards the building step by step. The security guard in the hall looked at his silver hair and asked kindly, "Uncle, who are you looking for?" ”
Zhang Tao found the small card that his son gave him, handed it to the security guard, and said, "I'm looking for my son, Zhang Yan, he lives here." ”
"It turned out to be Mr. Zhang's father, go up." The security guard enthusiastically pointed to the elevator, a smile written all over his face. The uneasiness in Zhang Tao's heart was slightly relaxed.
The elevator slowly rose, but his heart was beating faster and faster. Arriving at his son's floor, Zhang Tao walked in the corridor, and there were laughter and laughter from time to time all the way, and his mood gradually became clearer. The moment he pushed the door in, everything in front of Zhang Tao made him stunned. The moment Zhang Tao pushed the door open, he saw his son Zhang Yan and a group of young people sitting around, their front full of books, documents and computers. Although the room is small, it is warmly furnished and lively, with books and hand-painted promotional posters stacked in every corner. Zhang Tao was a little stunned, but when he saw his son's serious appearance, the uneasiness in his heart gradually dissolved.
"Yanyan, this is..."Zhang Tao's face was full of doubts, but he revealed a hint of pride.
Zhang Yan looked at his father and was amazed: "Dad! What are you doing here? Didn't you say that you wouldn't come during the New Year? ”
"I want to surprise you. But you see, I made so many calls and no one answered. Zhang Tao smiled, but there was a slight reproach in his eyes.
"Heck, that's because we're talking about the community book corner, and we're probably too focused to pay attention to the phone." Zhang Yan touched his head a little embarrassed.
"What is a book corner?" Zhang Tao looked around curiously.
A young girl happened to see Zhang Tao, and she explained gently: "Uncle, we plan to set up a small public library corner in this community, so that everyone can read and communicate for free, especially for those children, so that they can have more access to books." ”
"That's a great idea! But with so many books, where does the money come from? Zhang Tao asked with concern.
Zhang Yan and his colleagues looked at each other and smiled, and then he replied: "Some of us are designers, some of us are coding, and we all contribute to raising salaries." ”
"So that's not out of pocket? Aren't you concerned about yourselves? Zhang Tao became serious.
"It's a bit difficult, but we believe it's worth it, and we hope that more people will be changed because of books." Zhang Yan's eyes were firm, full of expectations for the future.
Immediately afterwards, they pulled Zhang Tao to sit down and began to discuss the planning and layout of the book corner. The enthusiasm and ideals of young people were infectious, and Zhang Tao began to share the story of his teaching and how to stimulate children's thirst for knowledge. Everyone listened with relish, interjecting and discussing from time to time.
At this moment, an elderly aunt from the community knocked on the door and asked with a smile, "Are you discussing the matter of the public library corner?" I've heard that I have some old books here, and I don't know if they can come in handy. Zhang Yan and his colleagues looked at the box of books brought by the old man, their eyes flashing with gratitude.
Subsequently, Zhang Tao helped sort out the books, and he couldn't help but joke to his son: "After so many years, I didn't expect you to learn to do these things." ”
Zhang Yan smiled shyly: "Actually, it may still be influenced by you." He looked back at his father, his eyes softened, "Thank you, Dad." ”
Inadvertently, time flies and night falls. Although not enough funds were raised, Zhang Tao saw the efforts of his son and this group of young people, and all the apprehension in his heart turned into expectation and confidence for the future. That night, Zhang Tao witnessed the enthusiasm and hard work of his son and the young people, but the ensuing wave of exhaustion was revealed from Zhang Yan, which made him feel uneasy. "Yanyan, are you really okay?" Zhang Tao asked with concern.
"Dad, actually, this time is really difficult." Zhang Yan sighed and barely squeezed out a smile, "The capital turnover is not good, there are many projects, and the pressure is great." ”
"And how is your job? Will this be affected? Zhang Tao was even more worried.
"I can hold on, I can." Zhang Yan tried his best to relax, but he couldn't hide the tiredness between his eyebrows.
"Yanyan, if it's difficult, tell Dad, don't hold it by yourself." Zhang Tao held the books in his hand, but he began to think about what help he could provide.
"No, I have to carry all this by myself, and the path I choose will be completed on my knees." Zhang Yan pursed his lips stubbornly, and his eyes flashed with a strong light.
Late at night, Zhang Tao lay on the sofa of Zhang Yan's house, tossing and turning, he thought a lot, and decided to talk to Zhang Yan's colleague in detail, hoping to find a solution to the problem.
Early the next morning, Zhang Yan was still asleep in exhaustion, and Zhang Tao went out lightly. In the café, he met Zhang Yan's colleague Xiao Li.
"Zhang Yan, how is he doing?" Zhang Tao asked bluntly.
Xiao Li smiled bitterly: "Zhang Yan is very good, but he is really too hard, we all persuade him not to be too overdrawn." ”
"I've seen the situation in the book corner, and it's a good project, but you... Any plans? ”
"We're trying to raise money through various channels, but it's slow, because we're all ordinary workers." Xiao Li spread his hands helplessly.
At this time, Zhang Tao had an idea in his heart, he took a deep breath, and then said seriously: "I have some savings, although it is not much, but I am willing to contribute." ”
Xiao Li was shocked: "How can this make you, old gentleman..."
"Don't turn me down." Zhang Tao interrupted Xiao Li firmly, "This is not just for Yanyan, but also for those children, I am an old teacher, I understand the power of knowledge." ”
Xiao Li looked at the resolute old man in front of him, and finally couldn't refuse, so he had to accept the warmth and support from his father.
That afternoon, Zhang Tao returned to his son's residence, he found Zhang Yan, and the two sat in the room where they had been busy yesterday.
"Yanyan, Dad decided to help you." Zhang Tao got straight to the point.
"Dad, you know I'm not going to take it." Zhang Yan objected.
"I know what you're thinking, but it's not just about you. The proudest thing in my life is your responsibility, but this time, let me share some of it. ”
Tears of emotion welled up in Zhang Yan's eyes, the tough shells of their father and son broke at this moment, and Zhang Yan held his father's hand tightly: "Thank you, Dad." The Spring Festival is getting closer and closer, Zhang Tao's pension has been remitted to the account of the book corner, and the young people are full of respect for this ordinary but not ordinary old gentleman. Zhang Yan stood in front of the book corner that had just been arranged, looking at the rows of neat bookshelves and carefully selected books, and the shock in his heart could not be expressed in words.
"Dad, how can I repay you?" Zhang Yan's voice was choked.
"Yanyan, seeing you grow up and be responsible, this is my greatest satisfaction." Zhang Tao smiled and patted his son on the shoulder, "You continue your career, make achievements, and let those books play their true value, which is the best reward for me." ”
Children from the community flocked to the city, their faces filled with the desire for new knowledge and the joy of the new year. Zhang Yan and his father greeted these children together, passing books and sharing the joy of knowledge.
"Uncle, can I borrow this book?" A little girl asked Zhang Tao curiously.
"Absolutely, kids. You can also come often, there are a lot of interesting books here. Zhang Tao squatted down, his eyes gently responding to her expectation.
Over time, the Book Corner has become a popular corner in the community. The New Year's bell is about to ring, Zhang Yan and Zhang Tao put on window flowers and lanterns together, ready to welcome the arrival of the New Year.
"Dad, I used to think that you were too strict, and sometimes I was even a little disgusted." Zhang Yan suddenly spoke.
"Haha, does that mean I have to change my temper?" Zhang Tao smiled kindly.
"No, now that I think about it, it's all love. Your strictness, now it seems, is all for my good. Zhang Yan's eyes were filled with gratitude and understanding.
They looked at each other and smiled, in this warm atmosphere, Zhang Tao deeply felt his son's growth and tenacity, he finally understood the hardships and efforts behind those who did not answer the phone, and the gratitude in his heart spontaneously arose. Zhang Yan also understands that no matter what kind of challenges he encounters, he will always have a solid support behind him - his father.
The sound of firecrackers during the Spring Festival and the laughter of the children were intertwined, Zhang Yan looked at his father's caressing eyes, and suddenly asked: "Dad, you said, if it weren't for the 24 phone calls that didn't answer, would we have such a 'scholarly' empathy today?" ”
[This novel is fictional, no offense, please do not confuse with reality]