Li Ming sat on the sofa, holding the remote control in his hand and aimlessly changing the TV channel, while Xiaohui was busy preparing dinner in the kitchen. The ringing of the phone suddenly broke the silence at home, and Li Ming picked up the mobile phone and saw that it was a call from his mother-in-law.
"Mom, what's wrong?" Li Ming pressed the hands-free button so that Xiaohui could hear it too.
"Ming, when you come back during the May Day holiday, your relatives have a happy event, so you have to hold a banquet." The mother-in-law's voice came through the phone.
"Oh, which relative?" Li Ming asked.
"Your second uncle's cousin is married, and your third aunt's daughter is married, plus several other relatives, a total of six." Mother-in-law listed them one by one.
"That's good, congratulations." Li Ming responded with a smile.
"Yes, so you have to prepare some gift money, a total of 6,000 yuan, and you will give 4 copies." Mother-in-law's words made Li Ming's smile freeze.
"4 copies? Mom, isn't that a bit much? Li Ming asked cautiously.
"Not much, this is our family's rule, you have to abide by it." The mother-in-law's tone was unmistakable.
After hanging up the phone, Li Ming and Xiaohui looked at each other, and the atmosphere was a little heavy. Xiaohui put down the kitchen knife in her hand, walked over to Li Ming and sat down.
"6,000 yuan, what should we do with our living expenses this month?" Xiaohui said worriedly.
"I don't know, my mother's attitude is very resolute." Li Ming sighed.
"Why don't we tell Mom about our difficulties?" Xiaohui asked tentatively.
"Let's try, but I don't think there's much hope." Li Ming said helplessly.
After dinner, the two dialed her mother-in-law's phone again, and Xiaohui plucked up her courage and said in a calm tone as much as possible: "Mom, we know that this is a family tradition, but we are a little tight on money now, can we have a little less?" ”
There was silence on the other end of the phone for a while, and the mother-in-law's voice rang again: "Xiaohui, this is a family rule, and it can't be broken." You young people must know how to respect the old and love the young, and not just think about yourself. ”
Xiaohui wanted to say something more, but was stopped by Li Ming with his eyes. Hanging up, the two fell silent again.
Li Ming and Xiaohui's brows tightened, and the two sat at the table, barely touching the dinner in front of them. Xiaohui's fingers tapped lightly on the tabletop, looking a little anxious.
"Why don't we settle the score?" Li Ming proposed, trying to find a solution to the problem.
Xiaohui nodded, and the two took out the bill and calculator and began to calculate it one by one. Mortgages, utility bills, children's school fees, and daily expenses are all essential expenses.
"If this money is given, what will we do next month?" Xiaohui's voice trembled slightly.
Li Ming sighed, he knew that Xiaohui was telling the truth. Their lives were stressful enough, and this sudden request for gifts was undoubtedly exacerbated.
"Let's talk to Mom again, maybe she can understand our difficulties." Li Ming proposed.
Xiaohui hesitated, but still picked up the phone and dialed her mother-in-law's number again.
"Mom, we just calculated, this gift is really a bit difficult for us. Do you see if you can have less? Xiaohui tried to keep her tone as calm as possible.
On the other end of the phone, the mother-in-law's voice carried a hint of displeasure: "Xiaohui, are you questioning the family's decision?" This is our tradition, how can we say that change will change? ”
"No, Mom, we're just—" Xiaohui tried to explain.
"Just what? It's just that you young people don't know how to respect your elders and don't know how to maintain the face of your family! The mother-in-law's tone became more and more harsh.
"Mom, we really want to respect the family tradition, but our current financial situation really doesn't allow it." Li Ming took the phone and tried to calm the situation.
"I don't care what your financial situation is, it's your responsibility." The mother-in-law's attitude is still resolute.
After hanging up the phone, Li Ming and Xiaohui fell silent again. The two glanced at each other, and both saw the helplessness and anxiety in each other's eyes.
"Why don't we borrow some first?" Xiaohui whispered.
"Borrow it from whom? Our friends are also ordinary people, and they also have their own life pressures. Li Ming shook his head.
The two of them fell into deep thought again, and they knew that this problem could not be solved in a moment.
The May Day holiday came as scheduled, and Li Ming and Xiaohui returned to their hometown with a heavy heart. At the family gathering, laughter and conversation came and went, but Xiaohui was absent-minded, her mind still stuck on the issue of etiquette.
At the dinner table, relatives sat around, and Xiaohui overheard the conversation of several relatives in the corner.
"I heard that Li Ming and they are going to give a lot of gift money this time." A relative whispered.
"Yes, I've heard about it too, but I don't think it's necessary to do so much, our family has always paid attention to the heart, not the money." Another relative responded.
Xiaohui's ears immediately pricked up, and she quietly moved closer, trying to hear more clearly.
"I also think it's a bit too much, maybe my mother-in-law wants to show off in front of her relatives." Another relative chimed in.
Xiaohui's heart sank suddenly, and she realized that her mother-in-law's request might not be out of respect for the family tradition, but for personal face. Her mood was mixed, a little angry, and a little relieved.
After dinner, Xiaohui found an opportunity to tell Li Ming about the conversation she had heard. After Li Ming heard this, his brows tightened, obviously thinking about something.
"Ming, should we talk to Mom again?" Xiaohui asked softly.
Li Ming nodded, and the two decided to try to communicate with their mother-in-law again. They found a quiet place, and Li Ming spoke first: "Mom, we just heard some relatives talking, and they said that the gift money doesn't need that much. ”
The mother-in-law's face changed, and she looked a little embarrassed: "What do they know?" This is our family rule. ”
"But Mom, it's really hard for us to afford the money. Moreover, we heard from relatives that they did not expect so much money. Xiaohui added.
The mother-in-law was silent, her eyes flickering a little, as if she was thinking about something. After a long while, she slowly spoke, "Okay, I know your difficulties. I'll reconsider. ”
Li Ming and Xiaohui glanced at each other and breathed a sigh of relief. Although the mother-in-law did not agree immediately, at least her attitude was relaxed, which gave the two a glimmer of hope.
Early the next morning, Xiaohui and Li Ming sat in the living room of her mother-in-law's house, ready to have a frank conversation. Xiaohui's hand was tightly gripping Li Ming's, and there was a hint of firmness in the eyes of both of them.
"Mom, we want to talk to you about the gift again." Li Ming's voice was calm and firm.
The mother-in-law looked at them and frowned slightly: "What else do you have to say?" ”
Xiaohui took a deep breath and plucked up the courage to speak: "Mom, we know that you value the face of your family, but our current economic situation is really tight. It's not that we don't want to give this money, we just hope you can understand our actual situation. ”
The mother-in-law was silent for a while, as if digesting Xiaohui's words.
Li Ming continued: "We have calculated, if the amount you said is followed, our lives will be difficult in the next few months. We hope you'll consider lowering it a bit. ”
The mother-in-law's face was a little complicated, she looked at Li Ming, then at Xiaohui, and finally sighed: "I understand, you young people have your pressure." I don't want to burden you too much. ”
Xiaohui and Li Ming both breathed a sigh of relief, they didn't expect their mother-in-law to agree so quickly.
"But," the mother-in-law continued, after a pause, "you must also understand that the face of the family is also very important. In this way, you can see if you can pay 3,000 yuan, which will neither put too much pressure on you, nor will the family lose face. ”
Xiaohui and Li Ming glanced at each other, and they both saw the surprise in each other's eyes. They nodded again and again: "Thank you, Mom, we really appreciate your understanding." ”
The mother-in-law waved her hand: "Okay, this matter is settled." It's not easy for you, and I don't want to embarrass you because of this. ”
Xiaohui and Li Ming stood up and hugged their mother-in-law gratefully. They knew that this conversation not only solved the problem of etiquette, but also deepened the understanding and affection between them and their mother-in-law.
On the last day of the family reunion, Li Ming and Xiaohui prepared to attend their relatives' wedding with a relaxed mood and a renegotiated gift money. They know that although the amount has decreased, the heart and respect have not decreased.
"You're here, come in and sit down." The mother-in-law greeted them warmly with a smile on her face.
"Mom, this is a little bit of our heart." Xiaohui handed her mother-in-law a red envelope containing gift money.
The mother-in-law took the red envelope, and a trace of emotion flashed in her eyes: "You have a heart, I thank you for your relatives." ”
At the wedding scene, the relatives gathered together, and Li Ming and Xiaohui also integrated into this joyful atmosphere. They talked with their relatives and shared the bits and pieces of their lives, and their understanding and affection for each other deepened unconsciously.
"Xiaohui, you did the right thing this time." A relative took Xiaohui's hand and said, "We all know your difficulties, and my mother-in-law is also for the sake of the family's face, but it's good that the heart arrives." ”
Xiaohui smiled and nodded, her heart surging with warmth. She knew that this communication not only solved the economic problem, but more importantly, it led to a deeper understanding and respect between family members.
After the wedding, Li Ming and Xiaohui went home with their mother-in-law. On the way, the mother-in-law took Xiaohui's hand and said earnestly: "Xiaohui, this incident made me understand that sometimes, what we need is not only rules, but also mutual understanding and support." ”
Xiaohui held her mother-in-law's hand tightly, with tears in her eyes: "Mom, thank you for your understanding, we will also work harder and not let you down." ”
Li Ming watched from the sidelines, his heart full of gratitude. He knew that while the incident had caused distress, it had also taught them a valuable lesson that communication and understanding are key to maintaining harmony in the family.
This article is a microfiction, please do not sit in the opposite seat