In a bustling town, as the first rays of sunlight in the morning quietly climbed up the gauze curtains, Lao Zhou turned over in bed as usual. The little thorn in his heart that has been dulled by the years constantly reminds him that in addition to these quiet overtures, life can also have different movements.
Lao Zhou, named Zhou Guoqiang, is a retired teacher in this small town. When I was young, I was in my prime, but now, when I get older, except for the monthly punctual pension and the children's greetings from time to time, life doesn't seem to have much hope. My wife passed away three years ago, and my son Xiao Zhou was developing in other places, and the home seemed empty.
He often thinks of the bohemianism of his youth, even if it is just the firewood, rice, oil and salt of the old man now, he also wants to struggle and find that suppressed romance.
"Old man, do you want to go to the park for morning exercise together?" Neighbor Lao Li pushed open the door, and he would come to call Lao Zhou every day.
"I'm not going, Lao Li, I want to change the event today." Lao Zhou refused simply, which surprised Lao Li.
He changed into a neat set of clothes, combed his rather thick silver hair, and the trench coat behind him danced in the autumn wind. Lao Zhou's eyes were firm, and he walked out of the house with a little inexplicable expectation.
On the way, he also specially bought a bouquet of flowers and said to the little girl in the flower shop: "Order a big bouquet of roses for Xiaofang, beautiful roses." ”
"Ah, Lao Zhou, what are you going to do..."The little girl was a little surprised, and the neighbors around her knew that Lao Zhou was a real honest person.
"Well, today I want to add some color to my life." Lao Zhou's eyes revealed a little naughtiness, as if he had returned to the youth of hard work.
After passing through the long streets, Lao Zhou arrived at the place he had already visited several times—the famous Fengyue place in the city. The world here is very different from his daily retirement, and every time he comes, his heart beats so fast.
At the door, a familiar figure greeted her, it was Xiao Fang, the woman who would blush her cheeks every time she saw Lao Zhou.
"Old Zhou, you came so early today." Xiao Fang greeted her cheerfully, the cheerful bow in her hand as bright as her smile.
"Well, I wanted to see you today." Lao Zhou's voice was deep and magnetic, and despite his age, he still showed the confidence of a man when he spoke.
"That's... Are you worried about me? Xiao Fang smiled and pinched Lao Zhou's arm mischievously. This kind of intimate behavior is not surprising between them.
"Worried? Ha, I'm here to worry about myself. Lao Zhou smiled and raised the bouquet of flowers in his hand high, "For you, what you should worry about is how the flowers are worthy of you." ”
Lao Zhou's words, although there are jokes, but also truly express his appreciation for Xiao Fang and that special emotion.
Xiao Fang's face was dyed with a faint flush again, "Ouch, look at what Lao Zhou said, where are people worthy..."She said as she reached out to take the roses carefully selected by Lao Zhou.
This unexpected little romance seems to have turned Lao Zhou's life from gray to colorful, although he knows that this color is not easy to come by. With each meeting, Lao Zhou found that his feelings for Xiaofang became more and more complicated. At first, it was just to pass the time, but now, he found that he really liked this woman, and he began to care about her life, her joys and sorrows.
Xiao Fang didn't have feelings for Lao Zhou. The unhappy marriage when she was young made her lose trust in men long ago. But Lao Zhou's gentleness and thoughtful care for her slowly opened her long-closed heart.
One evening, Lao Zhou knocked on Xiao Fang's door with a gift he bought, "Xiao Fang, this is the warm autumn coat I found for you, the weather is getting cold, don't catch a cold." ”
Xiaofang took the gift and said with a smile: "Old Zhou, why are you more careful than my mother?" ”
"Silly boy, taking care of yourself is the most important thing." A loving smile appeared on Lao Zhou's face.
However, this unusual relationship did not escape the eyes of Lao Zhou's son, Xiao Zhou. By chance, he saw his father on Xiaofang's street, and his face was full of joy.
"Dad, why are you here?"
Lao Zhou picked up the things he had just bought beside him and said perfunctorily: "Oh, there is a store here that has good things, come and buy them by the way." But his voice trembled slightly.
Xiao Zhou was suspicious, but he still didn't say much. Until one day, he accidentally found a note with intimate words written in his father's pocket, the handwriting of the note was feminine, and the signature was "Xiaofang".
The relationship between father and son is therefore ossified. Xiao Zhou couldn't help but question his father: "Dad, are you spending time drinking now?" ”
Lao Zhou instinctively retorted: "What's the matter, your father and I are still that Lao Zhou." ”
"So what's going on with this note? Don't think son, I don't know who Xiaofang is! ”
Lao Zhou was speechless, he knew that for the child, this was undoubtedly a betrayal. He sighed and fell silent.
"Dad, do you know what people outside think of our family?" Xiao Zhou almost collapsed, "You are discrediting yourself and embarrassing me!" ”
Lao Zhou's face was blue and white for a while, he thought that this was his private little luck, but he didn't expect it to affect the child. But this emotion, which was purely for entertainment at the beginning, but gradually sublimated later, how could he be willing to give up?
"Xiao Zhou, don't you want to enjoy life as an old man like me? There are some things that outsiders can understand. ”
Xiao Zhou's excitement finally reached its peak: "I don't understand, where is your public morality in doing this?" Is it worthy of Mom? ”
Lao Zhou suddenly felt an unprecedented loneliness, looking at his son in front of him who was angry because of disappointment, he suddenly felt extremely tired, "Xiao Zhou, I have borne too much alone over the years, and now I am tired." I also need a happiness of my own. ”
The story has developed here, and there is a gap in each other's hearts, but it also lays the groundwork for the subsequent intensification of the conflict. As the relationship between father and son became more and more tense, the relationship between Lao Zhou and Xiaofang became more secret and deep. However, an unexpected heart attack brought this secret relationship to an open crisis.
It was a sunny afternoon, and Lao Zhou collapsed in Xiaofang's hut, clutching his chest in pain. Xiao Fang's face turned pale with fright, she dialed the emergency number in a panic, and turned around to help Lao Zhou: "Lao Zhou, hold on, the ambulance will be there soon!" ”
In the long minutes of waiting for the ambulance, Lao Zhou gritted his teeth and insisted, holding Xiao Fang's hand, with an affectionate and calm determination in his trembling voice: "Xiao Fang, I am not afraid of death, if I die in your arms, then... That's worth it, too. ”
Listening to Lao Zhou's such painful love words, Xiao Fang burst into tears, she knew that such a relationship would bring pressure to Lao Zhou, and such an attitude could also aggravate Lao Zhou's condition.
Just when Lao Zhou was taken to the hospital and gradually calmed down after emergency treatment, the development of things was beyond Xiao Fang's control - Xiao Zhou rushed to the hospital.
"Dad, what's wrong with you? What the hell is going on? Seeing this, Xiao Zhou asked eagerly.
Xiao Fang replied stubbornly: "He... He had a seizure with me, but luckily he was taken to the hospital in time. ”
"With you?!" Xiao Zhou was furious and pointed directly at Xiao Fang's responsibility, "Is it because of you that he was emotionally charged and caused a heart attack?" ”
Xiao Fang's face was an indescribable expression, and she tried to explain: "It's not like this, I've been very careful, and today it's really..."
"I don't want to hear your explanation!" Xiao Zhou interrupted Xiao Fang's words, "I told you before, don't see my dad again!" ”
At this moment, Lao Zhou barely opened his eyes, "Xiao Zhou, it's my own business, don't blame Xiao Fang." ”
"Dad, it's not good for your health to go on like this," Xiao Zhou's tone softened, but still firm, "I won't allow this to happen again!" ”
Xiao Fang said quietly on the side: "I know I shouldn't be involved so deeply... But I really care about Lao Zhou. ”
In the hospital ward, the confrontation between Xiao Zhou, Lao Zhou and Xiao Fang seemed to stand still in time. Everyone has entanglements and conflicts in their hearts that are difficult to let go, and no one can easily give answers. Can an emotion that transcends the boundaries of age and identity really end like this? Lao Zhou closed his eyes, and his heart fluctuated. On the white walls of the hospital, the ticking of the clock is particularly abrupt in the tense atmosphere. Lao Zhou was lying on the hospital bed, next to his sons Xiao Zhou and Xiao Fang. After that heated argument, all three fell into a deep silence.
It was Xiao Zhou who broke the silence, he lowered his head and said softly, "Dad, I know I can't make decisions for you." These days, I've been thinking, I just don't want you to have any concerns. ”
Lao Zhou opened his eyes tiredly and smiled: "Son, I understand that you are worried. But you know, there is always something in this world that is more difficult to cure than pain. ”
Xiao Fang held Lao Zhou's hand, her eyes were full of worry: "Lao Zhou, I don't want to be a burden between you and your family. ”
"Xiaofang, you have given me a lot of happiness in my old age, I know this in my heart." Lao Zhou's tone was firm.
Xiao Zhou was silent for a while, and finally raised his head: "Dad, I have to respect your choice." If Xiaofang can really make you happy, I... I would like to bless you. ”
Lao Zhou's eyes were soft, and he looked at Xiao Zhou: "Child, you are sensible." Shouldn't the world be more understanding and tolerant? ”
Xiao Fang gently put her hand on Lao Zhou and Xiao Zhou's hands, and the silent tears blurred her vision again, but this time, it was because she was moved: "Thank you, Xiao Zhou." ”
After a long period of communication and contemplation, the family finally calmed down. The knot between the father and son slowly untied, and Xiao Zhou began to understand that the forms of happiness are very different, and as long as Lao Zhou feels happy, it is the best result.
The hospital wall clock continued to tick, and Lao Zhou closed his eyes and felt the peace he had not seen for a long time. Perhaps this is the happiness he is seeking. Xiao Zhou and Xiao Fang looked at each other and smiled, their hearts filled with new hope and warmth.
True happiness in this world may be hidden in these complicated and ordinary emotions, although the father's choice, although beyond the comprehension of ordinary people, but if this is his happiness, then what reason do we have to stop this attachment?
[This novel is fictional, no offense, please do not confuse with reality]