The spring sun shines through the dappled shadows of the trees and sprinkles on the green space of the community, and the breeze carries the fragrance of new shoots to every corner. Emma walked into her and Li Qiang's home with the fresh vegetables she had just bought, and her heart couldn't help but feel a warm current. Since she crossed half the world to marry in China, life has been magical, and it has become both surprising and challenging.
"Dad, do you think the food we bought today is fresh?" Li Qiang helped with things while smiling and reporting to his father Li Haiying, who was sitting on the sofa.
The old man Li Haiying, his face was slightly vicissitudes, but there was shrewdness in his eyes, he looked up and down, and nodded: "Fresh is fresh, but Emma, are you still used to marrying far away in China?" Li Haiying's tone was a little concerned, but also a little tentative.
Emma smiled, "Daddy Haeyoung, I'm very comfortable with life here now. Although sometimes I still feel homesick, with Brother Qiang by my side, everything is easy to say. ”
When Li Haiying heard this, she felt a little awkward in her heart. He said categorically: "It's a good thing to adapt, but you also know that we have an ancient tradition in China, and the bride price..."
Li Qiang hurriedly spoke, trying to interrupt his father: "Dad, these customs are changing, and Emma doesn't understand these very well, we just have a good life." ”
Li Haiying waved his hand: "Qiangzi, I have to make this matter clear." As the old Chinese saying goes, there are no rules. You married Emma, you don't have a bride price, how can you be worthy of your ancestors, how can you show the sincerity of our family? ”
This sudden topic made the atmosphere in the room suddenly tense. Li Qiang looked a little helpless, he knew that his father was an authentic traditional person on this issue. The corners of his mouth twitched, trying to use humor to ease the atmosphere: "Dad, Emma is a girl from the end of the world, can't you see her sincerity?" ”
However, Li Haiying didn't buy it, and his tone suddenly became serious: "Qiangzi, I know you young people don't care about this, but I'm just making such a request." I'm not for the money, it's a test for Emma and a test for you. I'm only going to give you one chance, and you've figured it out. ”
Li Qiang and Emma glanced at each other, and they could feel each other's helplessness. The bride price is a foreign concept in Emma's country, but in Li Qiang's heart, it is the weight of heavy family honor and tradition.
"Daddy Haeyoung," Emma finally spoke, with a bit of firmness in her tone, "I respect your adherence to tradition, and I respect this family. I will work hard with Brother Qiang to make you satisfied. ”
"But 3 million, where do we come from?" Li Qiang's face was anxious, his brows tightened, as if he was overwhelmed by the pressure.
"Hadron, this is your time to test." Li Haiying made a pun, "3 million, this is my bottom line." ”
Silence echoed in the room, not only in the air in the family, but also in the future. They have to find a solution to this problem, and that solution has to be acceptable to all.
Li Qiang barely slept that night. Three million is not a small amount for him; As an ordinary company employee, this is almost an unthinkable task. Lying in bed, he kept tossing and turning, his mind full of plans and schemes.
Early the next morning, Emma found Li Qiang sitting at the dining table early, his brows furrowed and his expression serious. She stepped forward and asked softly, "Brother Qiang, you must not have slept last night, right?" ”
Li Qiang barely pulled out a smile, "How could it be?" I'm not thinking about how to make money. ”
Emma knew that Li Qiang was pretending to be calm, "I will not shirk if I can help." We're family, right? ”
"yes, we're family." Li Qiang grabbed Emma's hand, "But you also know that my current salary can't save so much money." ”
"Then start a business! I've heard that there are a lot of successful start-ups in China," Emma said encouragingly, "maybe I can use my foreign language advantage and we can start an education consulting company, how about it?" ”
Li Qiang's eyes seemed to light up, "That's a good idea!" However, starting a business is very risky, and if it fails......"
Emma smiled, "Success is always reserved for those who are prepared, let's give it a try." ”
However, when they told Li Haiying about this idea, the old man just shook his head, "Start a business? Now this is not the era when pigs on the tuyere can fly, and blind entrepreneurship will only fail. ”
Li Qiang hurriedly explained, "Dad, you have also seen the country's support for innovation and entrepreneurship. We have a clear direction, we have advantages, and we are not blind. ”
Li Haiying was still unmoved, "No matter how clear the direction is, no experience, what success can we talk about?" I think you're still working honestly, and it's true to work steadily. ”
"But when will I be able to save enough 3 million for work?" Li Qiang was a little anxious, "We have to try a new method, right?" ”
"If you want to try, you have to be reliable. Besides," Li Haiying raised her voice, "I want more than just money, but your responsibility as a man, a husband, and a pillar of the family." ”
The three of them ended up at an impasse. For the Li family, this is an unprecedented challenge. How to find a balance between tradition and contemporaneity has become a difficult problem for Li Qiang and his team.
However, the reality is far more brutal than they imagined. Poor investment, tight funds, fierce competition...... All the difficulties came like a flood of beasts, one after another. Several times, Li Qiang felt desperate, lowered his head and asked himself, "Is it really worth it?" ”
Every time at this time, Emma would always walk up to him and hold his hand tightly, "I remember you told me that there is an old Chinese saying that if you don't go through one thing, you won't grow wise, and if we go through this together, no matter what the result is, it's a valuable experience, right?" ”
Late one night, in their small apartment, Li Qiang suddenly had a flash of inspiration, "Can we consider crowdfunding?" Combine the characteristics of online and offline education and do some creative marketing activities. ”
Their efforts are finally paying off. A "cross-cultural exchange" themed event curated by Emma unexpectedly attracted the attention of the community, and many parents became interested in the educational services they provided. Although the money earned is still far from 3 million, they have already seen the glimmer of hope.
In such struggles and efforts, every day is like a difficulty, but they all overcome it one by one. Deep love can help people overcome difficulties, and Li Qiang and Emma are using their stories to prove this simple yet profound truth.
Time passes like flowing water, and in the blink of an eye, the golden color of autumn covers every corner of the city. Although Li Qiang and Emma's small company has improved, there is still a huge gap from the 3 million bride price proposed by their father. Li Haiying also saw it in her eyes and realized that her persistence might be a big burden for the two young people.
One day after dinner, Li Haiying took a teacup and took a deep breath, "Qiangzi, Emma, sit here, we have something to talk about." ”
Li Qiang and Emma glanced at each other, and they couldn't help but be nervous. They sat quietly across from the old man, waiting for him to speak.
Li Haiying put down the teacup and looked at the two, "In the past few months, I have seen the two of you working hard, and Dad is not uncounted." You've paid a lot to meet my bride price requirements, but do you think it's worth it? ”
Li Qiang hesitated for a moment, "Dad, I know that your request is a test for me. However, for us, family harmony is more important than anything else. ”
Emma also added, "Haeyoung's father, I came here because of love. The really valuable thing is not the money, but the every day we spend together. ”
Li Haiying sighed, "My bride price request may really add an unnecessary burden to you. He paused and continued, "After so many years of reform and opening up, China has undergone earth-shaking changes. It's time for my old thinking to be renewed. ”
Li Qiang hurriedly interjected, "Dad, you are ......"
"I'm here to tell you," Li Haiying's expression was serious, but there was tolerance in her tone, "I don't insist on the bride price anymore." You've done a great job, and I don't want to drag you down any longer. ”
After Li Qiang and Emma heard this, their hearts felt like they had let go of a thousand pounds of burden, and their gratitude was overflowing. "Dad, without this pressure, we will be more motivated to develop our careers."
"Yes, Daddy Haeyoung, we really don't know how to thank you." Emma also had tears in her eyes and held Li Haiying's hand tightly.
That night, the air in the home seemed to be exceptionally fresh, and the warm atmosphere replaced the previous tension and anxiety. They chatted for a long time in the living room, talking about stories from the past and looking forward to hopes for the future.
By the time the moon was high, all three had returned to their rooms satisfied. Li Qiang and Emma were talking about their next plans in bed, and suddenly, Li Qiang had an idea, "Em, can we use our experience to do a public welfare project?" You see, many transnational marriages and families may also encounter such confusion as us, and we can provide a platform for communication and learning. ”
Emma's eyes lit up, "That's a great idea!" We can use love to help families who are going through the same experience as us, so that they know that cultural differences are not an obstacle, but a challenge that can be overcome. ”
Since then, they have started a cross-cultural exchange project called "Heart Bridge", which aims to help Chinese and foreign families face and resolve cultural conflicts together, and promote family harmony and social integration. The project received an enthusiastic response from the community, and even Lee Hae-young offered to participate in it, and his experience and wisdom became an integral part of the project.
The tree of family harmony thrives under their joint care, and their love not only warms the small family of three people, but also begins to warm this diverse society.
The winter sun shines through the window and warmly sprinkles on the sofa in the living room, and everyone in the Li family has a comfortable smile on their faces. On the wall are photos of the just-completed "Heart Bridge" project, in which families from different cultural backgrounds are smiling and full of happiness.
"Daddy Haiying, look at this photo, how did you convince the Italian father-in-law to accept the Chinese daughter-in-law?" Emma asked curiously, she was used to discussing these cross-cultural family topics with Lee Hae-young.
Li Haiying smiled knowingly, "At that time, I told him, 'family and everything is prosperous', we Chinese attach importance to family harmony, which is internationally accepted." People's hearts are flesh and blood, communicate with heart, influence with love, and even deep cultural differences can be understood. ”
Li Qiang took the freshly brewed tea and handed it to his father, "Dad, I really didn't expect this project to be so successful, and our small company has now received a lot of attention because of it." ”
"Of course, you're working with your heart." Li Haiying took the tea and nodded with satisfaction. "I am proud of you two who have not only supported your own families, but also guided the direction of so many families."
"Thank you, Dad." Li Qiang said gratefully, then turned to look at Emma, "Em, we did it." ”
Emma smiled and gently grabbed Li Qiang's arm, "Yes, we did it together. However, I believe that the most important thing is understanding and respect between family members. ”
"By the way, this Spring Festival, can we go to your hometown and let Dad experience your traditions?" Li Qiang proposed.
"Absolutely, I'm definitely very willing. We can also invite a few friends from our project to join them and let them feel the atmosphere of the Spring Festival. Emma excitedly agreed.
Li Haiying clapped her hands gently, "Good idea!" Going to your hometown for a foreign Spring Festival is a novelty. Maybe I'll be able to learn a little more and come back to add some material to our project. ”
The living room is filled with a warm and harmonious atmosphere. Over time, families have ceased to be spectators of each other's cultural differences, but participants and understanders.
The lights are soft, the laughter is warm, and the family's faces are full of happiness and satisfaction. In the company of each other, they not only built a bridge of communication, but also established a deep emotional bond.
With each sunrise and sunset, they weave a multicultural family story with love, understanding, and respect. Such stories may still be quietly playing out in many corners of the world, and their stories also make us believe that the exchange and integration of different cultures can really bring more possibilities to our lives.
And today, when the world is becoming more and more open, what kind of novel stories will those families of different ethnicities and nationalities come together?