That was in 1998. My name is Li Ming, I have just been demobilized from the army, and my heart is full of longing and a trace of anxiety about the unknown life in the future. On the way home, I met Xiaomei, a girl with empty eyes, standing by the bridge, as if saying goodbye to this world.
I remember that the wind was very strong that day, and it made Xiaomei's clothes horns hunt. I walked over and asked her, "Little girl, what are you doing here in such a strong wind?" She turned her head, her face streaked with tears, but said in a particularly firm voice, "I don't want to live anymore." ”
I was shocked, and I hurriedly grabbed her, and the two of us chatted by the bridge. She told me that her family forced her to marry someone she didn't like, and she felt that there was no hope in life. I didn't know where I got the courage, so I said to her, "Don't be afraid, with me, no one can force you." ”
We talked for a long time until it was almost dark and I decided to take her home with me. My parents were also shocked to see that I had brought someone back. I explained the situation briefly, and my parents didn't ask much and warmly entertained Xiaomei.
In the days that followed, I helped Xiaomei find a job and let her leave the family temporarily. She was grateful to me, but I was also well aware that I couldn't give her a promise. I'm going back home to take over my family's small business and live an ordinary life.
However, Xiaomei was dead set on me. One day, she took my hand and said, "Brother Li, since I met you, I know what real life is. In my life, you won't marry. ”
I was conflicted, I knew I had a responsibility to her, but I couldn't just delay her youth. I decided that I had to make her independent and let her find her own life.
So, I started to teach her how to live independently, how to handle interpersonal relationships, and even taught her to read and write. Xiaomei is very smart and a fast learner. As the days passed, she was slowly getting stronger.
One day, Xiaomei put a job resignation letter in front of me and said with a smile: "Brother Li, you see, I can be independent." I looked at her with both relief and loss.
At this time, someone from Xiaomei's family came and wanted to take her back. Xiaomei refused to live or die, they actually wanted to do it. Naturally, I couldn't let them bully Xiaomei, so I clashed with them.
That one, I fought in the dark, and finally alarmed the police. After the police learned about the situation, they also had a headache about Xiaomei's housework. In the end, Xiaomei stood beside me and said to the police: "I want to sue my family, I want to be independent." ”
The matter was finally resolved, and Xiaomei was truly independent. She looked at me, smiled, and said, "Brother Li, I know you've always wanted to make myself strong, thank you." ”
I shook my head, but I knew in my heart that I couldn't bear this brave and strong girl.
Since then, Mei and I have lived together, we opened a small shop, and we lived a peaceful and happy life. I don't know what the future holds, but I understand that we will face it together. And Xiaomei, she is the strongest part of my life.
The days passed like water, and Xiaomei's smile became the warmest light in my life. Although our shop is small, it has attracted many regular customers because of Xiaomei's diligence and enthusiasm. Every morning, we open the door of the store together to prepare for the new day, and in the evening, we sit quietly at the small table in front of the store, watching the sun set, enjoying this ordinary happiness.
Until that day, a familiar figure appeared in front of our store. That's Xiaomei's younger brother, who hasn't seen him for a few years, and he has grown from a young boy to a steady young man.
"Sister, I'm looking for you so hard." There was a hint of weariness in his voice.
Xiaomei stood up and looked at him with complicated eyes: "Xiaojie, why are you here?" ”
"The family has changed a lot, my father is sick, my mother is old, and they want to see you." Xiao Jie's voice was low, and it was obvious that he was not in a relaxed mood.
Mei was silent for a moment, then turned to look at me, as if seeking my opinion. I nodded slightly and whispered, "Go back and see, it's your home after all." ”
Xiaomei bit her lip, and then said to her brother, "Okay, I'll go back with you." ”
In those days, Xiaomei was not there, and the store seemed empty. For the first time, I felt the feeling of parting, and it turned out that Xiaomei had become an indispensable part of my life.
When Xiaomei came back, there were tears in the corners of her eyes, but her eyes were more determined. She told me that her parents had forgiven her and accepted our affairs.
"Brother Li, I figured it out, no matter what the future holds, I want to be with you." Mei held my hand tightly.
I held her hand with my backhand, and a warm current surged in my heart: "Xiaomei, I've been waiting for your words." ”
Since then, our relationship has grown stronger. We have experienced spring and autumn together, summer and winter snow. The shop is getting bigger and bigger, and we've even hired a few helpers.
One day, Xiaomei came to me excitedly with a newspaper: "Brother Li, look, this is our store, and the reporter interviewed us." ”
I took it and looked at the photo in the newspaper of the two of us standing in front of the store, smiling brightly. I smiled and said to Xiaomei, "It seems that our little shop is famous." ”
Xiaomei smiled, her eyes flashing with happiness: "Brother Li, this is all the result of our joint efforts. ”
Our lives have not changed because we are famous, we still live ordinary and simple lives. It's just that our story has spread through people's mouths and has become a good story.
The years are like a song, and Xiaomei's laughter is still crisp. Our love, like that little shop, is inconspicuous, but warm and real. We have gone through the ups and downs together, and we will also go to the future together. In that unpredictable future, I know that with Xiaomei by my side, I have nothing to fear.
The wheels of time rolled forward, and inadvertently, our hair began to have silver threads. Xiaomei is still busy in the store every day, and her smile can still brighten my day. However, life is always full of surprises.
That day, a man in a suit and leather shoes walked into our store, his eyes looked around the store, and finally landed on Xiaomei, with a trace of complicated emotions flashing in his eyes.
"Xiaomei, is that you?" His voice was tentative.
Xiaomei raised her head, and the moment she saw him, her expression froze: "Lin Feng, why are you here?" ”
Lin Feng, this name makes my heart tighten. I remember Xiaomei once mentioned that he was her fiancé, the one who made her flee in despair.
"I heard you're here, and wanted to come and have a look." Lin Feng's voice carried an aura that could not be refused.
Xiaomei took a deep breath, and then said calmly, "I'm doing well now, I don't have to worry about you." ”
Lin Feng looked around, as if evaluating our shop: "I heard that your business is doing well, have you ever thought about making it bigger?" I can help. ”
I stood aside, not feeling good. I know Mei's past, and I know her temptation to make these proposals. But I also believe in her.
Xiaomei turned her head, looked into my eyes, and then said to Lin Feng, "Thank you, but I don't need to." My life is very satisfying now. ”
Lin Feng's eyes sharpened, and he seemed to want to say something, but in the end he just nodded: "Okay, if you change your mind, feel free to find me." ”
After he left, Xiaomei walked up to me and held my hand tightly: "Brother Li, I'm sorry for letting you encounter this kind of thing." ”
I shook my head and hugged her gently: "Xiaomei, I believe you." Our days are our own choice, and I don't regret it. ”
Since then, our lives have returned to peace. But I know that Xiaomei has changed a little in her heart. She began to work harder and seemed to prove something.
One night, Xiaomei walked up to me with a note: "Brother Li, look, this is our deposit, I have already calculated, we can expand the store." ”
I looked at her and was both surprised and moved. I know that this is Xiaomei's own way to tell us the value of this relationship.
We started to prepare for the expansion of the store, and although we were busy, we were full of hope. Every time Xiaomei smiles, I feel that no matter how difficult it is, we can overcome it together.
On the day we were about to sign a contract to expand the store, Lin Feng appeared again. He looked at us with a subtle hint of admiration in his eyes.
"It's really not easy for you, I admire your persistence." He glanced at Xiaomei deeply, "It seems that I was really wrong at the beginning." ”
Xiaomei smiled and did not speak. I know she's let go of the past.
We signed the contract together and it was a new beginning. Xiaomei held my hand tightly, and our eyes met, where there was trust, persistence, and endless anticipation for the future. Our story, like that little shop, has been through the storm, but it is always as warm as ever.
As time went on, our stores grew bigger and bigger, and our business became more and more prosperous. Mei's status in the store also gradually rose, she became the store manager, and I was in charge of the kitchen and purchasing. We have a clear division of labor, we work together seamlessly, and our business is thriving.
However, the calm of life did not last long. One day, an uninvited guest broke into our world. It was a middle-aged woman, and her eyes revealed anxiety and despair. As soon as she entered the door, she grabbed Xiaomei's hand tightly and couldn't cry.
"Xiaomei, please, save my child!"
Xiaomei was taken aback by her actions, but she quickly calmed down and asked with concern: "Auntie, don't worry, say slowly, what's going on?" ”
The woman sobbed and told a heartbreaking story in fits and starts. It turned out that her son was seriously ill and urgently needed a large amount of money for surgery. She had borrowed money from friends and family, but she still couldn't make up for the surgery. She heard that Xiaomei was kind-hearted and hoped that Xiaomei could help her.
After hearing this, Xiaomei was silent for a moment. I know she's thinking about it because we don't have a lot of savings and we need money to expand our store. But in the end, Xiaomei still made a decision.
"Auntie, don't worry, we will help you. The problem of money, we will find a way to solve it. Xiaomei's voice was firm and warm.
The woman looked at Xiaomei gratefully, and tears welled up again: "Thank you, thank you!" ”
Mei turned to look at me, and I nodded in support of her decision. I know that this means that we may have to delay our store expansion plans and may even be saddled with debt. But I believe that as long as we work together, everything will be fine.
We started running around, borrowing money from friends and family, and even investing the profits of the store. After a period of hard work, we finally got together the cost of the surgery. Xiaomei personally delivered the money to the woman, and her gratitude was palpable.
The operation went well and the woman's son recovered. She came to our shop with her son and bowed deeply to us: "Thank you for saving your life, we will be grateful for it for the rest of our lives." ”
Xiaomei smiled and said softly, "As long as the child is healthy, we are relieved." ”
This incident became a good story in the town, and our store received more attention because of it. Business is booming, and our hard work has finally paid off.
However, just when we thought everything was going to get better, a sudden fire burned down our shop. We lost years of hard work and had to start from scratch.
In the face of the sudden blow, we were not discouraged. Xiaomei held my hand tightly, and her eyes flashed with determination: "Brother Li, as long as we are together, there is nothing that we can't get by." ”
I looked at her with gratitude. I know that as long as Xiaomei is by my side, I have the strength to stand up again.
Let's work together and start all over again. We took out a loan from the bank and rebuilt the shop. Although the process was difficult, we supported each other to get through it together.
Finally, a new store opened. It's bigger and more imposing than before. We stood in front of the store and watched the customers come and go, and our hearts were filled with joy.
The years are like a song, and our story continues. No matter what difficulties lie ahead, we will work together because we believe that nothing is impossible with love.