Liu Wei's life after retirement is plain and regular, getting up early every day to exercise in the morning, and taking a walk with his wife Zhang Min at night. Since they decided to travel, there has been a lot of anticipation and excitement in their lives. In the cramped study, the couple studied the route together, and Liu Wei said with a smile: "Minmin, we have to have a good time this time, and we will make money in the future." Zhang Min pursed his lips and smiled, his eyes full of tenderness.
One day before the Spring Festival, at the dinner table, Liu Wei and Zhang Min shared their travel plans. Liu Qiang buried himself in eating, still busy with work calls; Li Fang only raised her head and smiled, but did not say much. "You young people are much better now than we were then, but you're too busy." Liu Wei sighed.
"Qiangqiang, Fangfang, do you want to go together?" Zhang Min tried her best to interfere in her son's life, but she couldn't help but worry.
Li Fang put down her chopsticks and politely refused: "Mom, thank you, but I'm too busy with work." Liu Qiang also nodded in agreement: "Mom, Dad, go and have fun by yourself." ”
Zhang Min frowned, but didn't say much, just prepared for the trip attentively.
Liu Wei and Zhang Min traveled as they wished, experiencing from the tranquility of Gubei Water Town to the majesty of Zhangjiajie, from the softness of West Lake to the clarity of Lugu Lake, leaving their laughter everywhere. After returning from the trip, Liu Wei took out a photo and praised Liu Qiang: "Qiang Qiang, look, this photo of Zhangjiajie is even more beautiful than a painting." Zhang Min also nodded on the side: "Yes, Fangfang, when you have time, you can also go and see." ”
Unexpectedly, Li Fang's reaction was beyond their expectations, she smiled politely, but showed a hint of strangeness.
A few days later, at dusk, Liu Wei was trimming flowers and plants on the balcony, and when he heard Liu Qiang and Li Fang talking about money in the kitchen, their voices were not deliberately lowered. Zhang Min's cooking also stopped, apparently she heard it too. Liu Wei's heart sank, but he still pretended to be relaxed with his wife: "Minmin, you see, even this flower is blooming so happily." ”
Zhang Min walked over and gently shook Liu Wei's hand and didn't say anything, but Liu Wei knew that she didn't feel it in her heart.
When night fell, Liu Wei sat on the old sofa, gently shaking the fan, he knew that the atmosphere at home had changed, but he didn't know what to do. He looked at Zhang Min's busy back, remembered her when he was young, and felt a wave of sweetness and guilt in his heart. Even if there is no verbal communication, Zhang Min's every detail makes him feel as warm as ever.
This was supposed to be a walk-and-go trip, and I thought it would be a warm memory of the autumn sun. Unexpectedly, after returning, it became a turning point for their family. Liu Wei and Zhang Min's smiles gradually faded, replaced by a trace of confusion for their daughter-in-law Li Fang.
On the day of his return, Zhang Min opened the photo album and turned the pages one by one, his eyes full of good memories of the trip. Bursts of laughter came from the past, warming her heart. She is looking forward to sharing these joys with her family, especially her son Liu Qiang and daughter-in-law Li Fang.
One day at dinner, Liu Wei put down the dishes and chopsticks and began to tell the interesting stories in the itinerary with great interest, "Qiangqiang, Fangfang, guess how we were chased by a big white goose by the West Lake?" His laughter filled the dining table, and Zhang Min also echoed happily: "And the tofu flowers on that stall, the taste is really good!" ”
Liu Qiang smiled slightly, expressing pleasure, but Li Fang only nodded lightly, and a trace of imperceptible shadow flashed in her eyes.
Gradually, Liu Wei and Zhang Min found that whenever they mentioned travel, Li Fang always flickered and had a cold attitude. One day, Zhang Min inadvertently approached Li Fang and heard her complaining on the phone, "They are retired and spend 50,000 yuan to travel, without thinking about how we will repay the loan." "There is dissatisfaction and exhaustion in the mood.
Zhang Min was shocked and couldn't believe it after hearing this. The hand that cleaned up the dishes gradually slowed down, but there were turbulent waves in my heart. "Minmin, what's wrong? I'll wash the dishes. Liu Wei asked nervously. Zhang Min shook his head, his voice full of weakness, "It's okay, I'll just come." ”
This incident became a thorn in the hearts of the two generations.
At a dinner party, Liu Qiang proposed to discuss everyone's thoughts on the future in order to ease the atmosphere. After three rounds of drinking, Zhang Min couldn't help but ask Li Fang's opinion on their trip. Li Fang dodged for a moment, but still couldn't help but express her opinion, "Life is so difficult now, I think the travel cost is too great." ”
Liu Wei was stunned, he didn't expect Li Fang, who is gentle on weekdays, to have such thoughts. He tried to explain, "Fangfang, this is the retirement money we have saved for several years, and it will not affect you. ”
Zhang Min also joined in the explanation, hoping that Li Fang would understand the significance of this trip. However, the topic is getting hotter and hotter, and it gradually escalates into a debate about the concept of consumption. Liu Wei and Zhang Min insisted that it was important to enjoy life, while Liu Qiang and Li Fang believed that frugality was a rational choice.
There was a stiffness in the air, and the lights on the dining table seemed to be blinding. The weekend's delightful family dinner came to an abrupt end. Only those beautiful photos are still lying quietly in the album, but they can't make people's hearts close again.
The kitchen light is extra warm at night, but the atmosphere of the home contrasts with the warm light. On that day, Min Min cooked a table of good dishes, which was supposed to celebrate our return and enhance the relationship between the family, but unexpectedly it became the fuse of the conflict.
Li Fang's dissatisfaction seems to have accumulated to the extreme during the dinner. Liu Wei tried to ease the atmosphere and said to Li Fang: "Fangfang, our trip is also to enliven our retirement life, and by the way, we will also bring back some special products for you." Li Fang smiled reluctantly, "Dad, of course you have the right to enjoy life, but 50,000 yuan is not a small amount for us." ”
Zhang Min could hear the meaning of Li Fang's words, and his heart tightened. She tried to explain: "Fangfang, this is the pension we have saved, and we haven't used your pension at all. ”
However, Li Fang seemed to have accumulated too many emotions, "I know, but how good it would be if this money was used to help us repay the loan!" There was resentment in her voice that could not be concealed.
Liu Qiang was obviously also in a dilemma, he stood between his wife and his parents, looking extremely embarrassed.
Although Liu Wei was angry, he was more surprised, "Fangfang, this money is what we have saved all our lives, and we have the right to decide how to use it." It will not affect your life. ”
Li Fang's emotions were completely out of control, and she stood up and retorted loudly: "Your selfishness has not considered us at all!" ”
Zhang Min hurriedly stood up, tried to hug Li Fang, and coaxed: "Fangfang, don't worry, sit down and talk slowly." ”
But Li Fang couldn't control herself anymore, and her tactful grievances turned into public accusations. "Why do you understand people so much? We are as tired as dogs every day for the little loan on the house. ”
Liu Wei couldn't listen anymore, "Fangfang! He raised his voice, but he couldn't stop Li Fang's decision to slam the door and leave,
Liu Qiang was in a dilemma, the contradiction in his heart was written on his face, and he didn't know who to stand on. He looked at his parents, then looked out the door, and finally sighed silently.
Li Fang's slamming sound echoed in the home, and the force seemed to hit everyone's hearts. Leaving Liu Wei and Zhang Min looking at each other, the originally pleasant night fell apart in an instant, and the bridge of family affection seemed to collapse at this moment.
In this once warm and laughing home, there was only silence and dazedness at this time, as if even the air in the home was frozen. The wind outside howled desolately, as if to speak of the coldness of home. Life is like a record of a skipping needle, the pleasant melody suddenly changes its tune, and home can never return to the original appearance.
The sound of slamming the door was like a hammer, striking on everyone's heart, cutting through the silence of the night. The lights in the home are particularly harsh, and the long night becomes dull and oppressive at this moment. Liu Wei and Zhang Min sat on the sofa wordlessly, and in the interlacing of each other's eyes, they could see the blankness and thinking in each other's eyes.
As time passed, the tension in the home gradually dissipated, replaced by calm and deep inner reflection. The pre-dawn tranquility gave Liu Wei and Zhang Min a clearer understanding of this family conflict. As they talked to each other, they understood that Li Fang's anger stemmed from the pressures of life and the expectations of generational relationships.
Liu Wei looked at the leaves blown off by the wind outside the window, and deeply felt that the times are changing, and the thinking and values between generations are also changing. "Minmin, maybe we should really reconsider our attitude towards the children and our expectations."
Zhang Min gently touched Liu Wei's hand and nodded, "Yes, Weiwei, we make our own decisions about our own lives, and the same goes for the children." We cannot impose our ideas on them. ”
The couple eventually came to an agreement that they would no longer provide financial assistance to Liu Qiang and Li Fang's mortgages. It wasn't an easy decision, but they believed it was a responsible way for their children to learn to be self-reliant. "We can live our own lives as we like, and in the same way, they should have the freedom to choose their own way of life."
Under the firm decision, Liu Wei felt relieved like never before. "Minmin, do you think we should also learn to let go?"
"Yes, Weiwei. It's not just about letting go, it's about learning to respect. Zhang Min smiled and said, it was a deep understanding and relief.
The couple looked at each other and smiled, and had a new identity and understanding. The night is no longer so daunting, even looking at the scene of falling leaves, their hearts are as quiet as water - life must go on, no matter what path everyone chooses, I only hope that the final destination is still a warm home.