On a spring afternoon, the breeze blew into Aunt Li's hut through the half-hidden curtains, bringing a little coolness and the faint fragrance of osmanthus outside. She sat comfortably on the couch, holding the detective novel she had recently indulged in, a cup of freshly brewed jasmine tea steaming lightly. She enjoys this peaceful time alone, a pattern of life that she has been cherishing since she was a child.
However, this tranquility is not always sustainable. The peace was interrupted by the sudden ringing of the telephone, and the clock ticked in the room, as if counting down to something. The display on the phone is the name of her niece Li Xiaoxiao, and Aunt Li knows that behind this phone call, there must be another housework that gives her a headache.
"Auntie, it's Xiaoxiao, I'm sorry to disturb your rest." Li Xiaoxiao's voice was a little apologetic and a little urgent on the other end of the phone.
Aunt Li sighed lightly, with a helpless smile on her face: "What's the matter, is something wrong again?" She knows that every time her niece calls, it is either something big at home or she needs help to solve some troubles.
Li Xiaoxiao paused: "That Aunt Wang at home suddenly took a long vacation, and there are many things in the unit, I am really in a hurry, and there is no one to take care of the child." ”
"Isn't there a babysitter over there?" Aunt Li asked strangely, she clearly remembered that her niece's family hired a nanny.
"She, she's only responsible for cleaning, and she doesn't have anything to do with the baby." Li Xiaoxiao explained, her tone full of helplessness.
After a moment of silence, Aunt Li spoke: "What do you want me to do now, you know that I have never liked to participate in this." ”
"I know Auntie, you don't like to be disturbed, but I really have no other way, I just hope this time..."Li Xiaoxiao's voice was a little choked, "I really don't know what I should do." ”
"Xiaoxiao, I know your difficulties, but you also have to understand me, taking care of children is not so simple, this is not what I can afford in my current life." Aunt Li tried to explain, but she knew that such words might be too blunt for Li Xiaoxiao.
"Auntie, you can do this favor! I... I don't know who else to ask for. Li Xiaoxiao on the other end of the phone, with a crying voice, looked extremely anxious.
Aunt Li's heart softened, but she still adhered to her principles: "Xiaoxiao, I can help you this time, but you have to promise me that this is the last time." I also have my own life to live, and I hope you understand. ”
"Okay, auntie, I know it's not easy for you, I'll find a long-term solution after this time. Thank you, auntie, I really appreciate you. ”
Hanging up the phone, Aunt Li sighed deeply and put down the book in her hand, she knew that she might not really be able to stay out of it. Although life has given her freedom, the severance of the family has always tugged at her heart. At this point, she could only hope that this was really the last time.
Aunt Li pressed the answer button, and on the other end of the phone, her niece's voice was eager, "Auntie, are you there?" I'm in a bit of a hurry, can you come and help me take care of the child? ”
Li Xiaoxiao's rapid breathing came from the other end of the phone, and Aunt Li could feel her uneasiness and anxiety, even though she herself had hardly been indifferent to housework for years. "What's wrong? Aunt Wang, isn't she very good? "Aunt Li tried to understand the situation.
"Aunt Wang, something happened to her family, and she had to take a long vacation. I'm also very busy with work here, so I really don't have the skills. Li Xiaoxiao spoke quickly, as if she wanted to convince Aunt Li in the shortest possible time.
Aunt Li paused, she knew that once she agreed, this short-term help might turn into a long-term burden. "Xiaoxiao, you know that I have been retired at home for a long time, and suddenly let me take care of the children, and I have to adapt to it."
"Auntie, don't worry, Xiaobao is very well-behaved, and he won't cause you too much trouble." Li Xiaoxiao said quickly, with pleading in her words.
"What about the other babysitters? Isn't there anyone who can help? Aunt Li tried to stay calm, she didn't want to be bound by promises in a hurry.
"The other nannies are just cleaning and cooking, and they are really not good at taking care of the children." Li Xiaoxiao's voice carried obvious helplessness, which made Aunt Li feel a trace of guilt.
Aunt Li sighed lightly, she knew that Li Xiaoxiao had always been a responsible child, and such a request must have been forced to do so. She softened, although she knew that she might have worries, "Okay, I'll go over now, but Xiaoxiao, you also have to remember that I can't come every day." ”
"Really? Thank you so much, Auntie! I'll find another solution as soon as possible and it won't cause you too much trouble. Li Xiaoxiao on the other end of the phone was overjoyed, and her voice was full of gratitude.
After hanging up, Aunt Li's mood was a little complicated. She walked to the window and looked at the bustling street scene outside, and couldn't help but think of the warmth and busyness of her home in the past. Although her heart is muttering about the possible hardships, she has always been unable to give up the care and help of her family.
She straightened her clothes and prepared to go out. At the door, she stopped, took a deep breath, and reminded herself that all this was temporary, and she only hoped that Li Xiaoxiao could find a long-term nanny as soon as possible, and she herself could return to that quiet reading afternoon.
Aunt Li came to the door of Li Xiaoxiao's house, took a deep breath and slowly knocked on the door. When the door opened, it was the anxious face of the niece and the half of gratitude on her lips: "Auntie, you are here." The anxiety in Li Xiaoxiao's voice made Aunt Li's heart tighten, she gently rubbed Li Xiaoxiao's shoulder, and motioned for herself to go into the house before talking.
The little baby in the living room was a toddler in the crib, and his eyes widened with curiosity when he saw Aunt Li. Aunt Li bent down to pick up the baby a little stiffly, and there was a sense of strangeness in her heart. Li Xiaoxiao was still busy beside her, while constantly saying words of thanks.
The baby's actions suddenly pulled Aunt Li back to reality, "Auntie, you light...", Li Xiaoxiao reminded. Aunt Li adjusted the posture of holding the child a little embarrassed, and then smiled gently, "It's okay, Xiaoxiao, I'll learn slowly." ”
However, as time went by, the baby cried from time to time and needed constant care, and Aunt Li felt that she was about to be exhausted. She sat on the couch, and the baby finally fell asleep in her arms, and she gently rocked the rocking chair, but she thought to herself, "How long can I last?" ”
At this time, Li Xiaoxiao walked over and sat next to Aunt Li, with tears in her eyes, "Auntie, I know that you have retired and should enjoy life, I am really embarrassed to let you help me." ”
"That's what I'm supposed to do, after all, it's my own child." Aunt Li struggled to speak up, despite the contradictions in her heart.
"Auntie, don't worry, I will definitely find other ways as soon as possible, and I won't trouble you anymore." Li Xiaoxiao grabbed Aunt Li's hand tightly, Aunt Li felt the temperature of Li Xiaoxiao's palm, and knew that this niece had done her best for the family.
As night fell, Aunt Li was about to go home, thinking complicatedly: "Does the stability of the family really mean everything?" How do I choose? She wasn't sure if she would ever be able to enjoy that quiet time of solitude again, but she knew that home was always the warmest harbor at all times and places, didn't she?
Time is like a brisk song, taking Aunt Li through several spring and autumn seasons. This time, when the phone rang again, it was Li Xiaoxiao's anxious voice coming from the other end. "Auntie, Xiaobao is sick again, there are not enough people in the hospital, my husband and I have been recalled, there is really no way, please come and help again."
Aunt Li knew that every help she promised was a continuous beginning, but this time, she decided to put forward her expectations. "Xiaoxiao, I know it's hard for you now, I'll go, but you also have to think about the future, I can't be here forever."
"Auntie, I know you're right, we'll find a long-term solution, really." Li Xiaoxiao's voice on the other end of the phone was full of apologies, mixed with a hint of relief.
Time is not old, we are not separated. Aunt Li looked at the photo of the child sent by Li Xiaoxiao on her phone, her eyes were full of affection. "Children, you also have to be well, home, always your strong backing."
Although Aunt Li has endless tenderness in her heart and knows that taking care of the family is an unshirkable responsibility, she also understands that everyone needs to face life independently. She hopes that Li Xiaoxiao can truly understand the meaning behind this help, not just solve the difficulties in front of her.
The moonlight quietly poured into the room, Aunt Li gently closed the curtains, and the night was quiet alone, but her heart was unusually warm. Family affection is like an inextinguishable lamp, illuminating the way home and dispelling loneliness. In this world, only the support of family members is the most selfless harbor.
Life goes on, and like that first afternoon, everything will be a new beginning. Aunt Li took another deep breath and a serene smile appeared on her face, this is her simple but sincere happiness.