Wang Dashan, a middle-aged bachelor, has never set foot in the river of marriage since his divorce two years ago. He lived with his younger brother Wang Xiaoshan in a declining community in the old district of the south of the city, and their lives were as plain as water, day after day.
Recently, however, Mr. Wang's behavior has begun to turn weird. He has to go to the foot bath shop on the corner almost every night, whether it is windy or rainy, cold in winter and hot in summer, it seems that the foot bath shop has become his new haven.
"Dashan, are you the owner of the foot bath shop?" When Aunt Zhang was chasing the garbage truck downstairs, she didn't forget to tease.
Wang Dashan scratched his head and smiled: "Aunt Zhang, my legs and feet are not good, I went there to soak my feet and massage them, it was very comfortable." "
"Hmph, go every night, can your legs and feet still be uncomfortable?" Aunt Zhang's puzzled eyes were a little ridiculous, and she was very puzzled by Wang Dashan's sudden diligence.
In fact, Wang Dashan is not because of bad legs. There was a young technician named Xiaoli in that foot bath shop, who was smart and had good skills. What makes Wang Dashan unforgettable the most is Xiaoli's warm smile like spring. Whenever she gently massaged his feet and chatted about family life, Wang Dashan's heart was flooded with warmth, and he found that he seemed to be really in love with Xiaoli.
"Big brother, what time are you coming back this night? Didn't you like to go out before? The younger brother Wang Xiaoshan finally couldn't help but ask one day.
"Ah, isn't this a good place to relax, brother hasn't been so relaxed in a few years." Wang Dashan avoided the important and trivial, and was unwilling to let his younger brother know what was in his heart.
"I think you're in love with a little girl, honestly, aren't you?" Wang Xiaoshan's ridiculous tone revealed a hint of seriousness.
Wang Dashan was slightly stunned, and the panic in his heart couldn't hide his younger brother's eyes. He turned around and no longer looked at Wang Xiaoshan: "Don't talk nonsense, I'm pure relaxation." "
But as Wang Dashan frequently did not return home at night, Wang Xiaoshan felt an unusual worry. He was worried that Wang Dashan would be injured again, after all, the divorce was too big a blow to his brother. Once, he couldn't help but run outside the foot bath shop in the middle of the night to wait for Wang Dashan.
"Big brother, you have to think clearly, don't be impulsive. I'm not worried at home, but your heart can't stand bumping. Wang Xiaoshan didn't mention the technician Xiaoli, but the implication was that he was already worried.
Wang Dashan's eyes widened: "Xiaoshan, when did you become so inkbloc, brother has his own sense of proportion whether he is doing well or not." It's okay, I know what I'm doing. "
"Alright, it's time to go back, don't freeze here." Wang Xiaoshan sighed, turned around and went home, but his heart was mixed, and he didn't know which way his brother would go.
As time passed, Wang Dashan's feelings for Xiaoli deepened, and he began to want more time with her. Several attempts were made to invite Xiaoli to dinner after work, but they were all politely declined. Xiaoli always smiled and said, "Brother Dashan, I still have a family to take care of, it's inconvenient." ”
"Xiaoli, you've been so busy, I don't have much time to chat with you." Wang Dashan was a little helpless.
"It's okay, Brother Dashan, is there less time for us to meet in the store?" Xiaoli can always find an excuse to talk about him left and right.
This delicate relationship confused Wang Dashan, and he even began to doubt Xiaoli's feelings for him. Confused and painful, he tries to learn more about Xiaoli's life and thoughts.
At this moment, Wang Xiaoshan's son, Wang Lei, who had just entered college, discovered Xiaoli's secret by chance.
One day, when Wang Lei was working part-time as a food delivery, he happened to be delivered to the community rented by Xiaoli. "Isn't this Sister Xiaoli that our Uncle Wang mentions every day?" Wang Lei was surprised by the coincidence, and he knocked on the door.
After the door opened, Wang Lei saw the anxious faces of the old man in a wheelchair and Xiaoli. "Thank you so much, young man." The old man said that he was going to tip.
Wang Lei shook his head, "No need old man, I'm Uncle Wang Dashan's nephew, just on the way." He looked at Xiao Li inquiringly, "Sister Xiao Li, your family..."
Xiaoli seemed to breathe a sigh of relief: "My father is not in good health, and I have to take care of him." So, as you can see, I don't really have a lot of personal time. ”
Wang Lei returned home and told Wang Xiaoshan the secret. "Is what Xiao Lei said true? Xiaoli, she..."Wang Dashan listened, his face was ugly.
"Big brother, maybe she has her own troubles. You have to understand. Wang Xiaoshan tried to persuade.
"Understand? I gave so much and she didn't even tell me a reason! Wang Dashan's voice began to rise.
"Big brother, wake up! Whether others want to be with you or not is the freedom of others, and it is not good for anyone if you ask like this. Wang Xiaoshan persuaded.
Wang Dashan stood for a long time, but in the end he couldn't calm down the fluctuations in his heart. He decided to go to Xiaoli again and ask for an explanation.
At the foot bath shop, Wang Dashan said to Xiaoli: "What's going on between us? I can help you take care of your father. ”
Xiaoli calmly replied: "Brother Dashan, you are a good person, but my life is extremely difficult. I'm afraid you'll be dragged down too. ”
These words slashed through Wang Dashan's heart like a knife, and he didn't know whether Xiaoli's refusal was true or false, whether it was worry or an excuse. But he realized that he might not really be able to manage that much. He decided to let it go for a moment and let time tell.
Wang Dashan's infatuation and Xiaoli's reality are intertwined in the cold wind of this winter. And the contradictions in the family are becoming more and more obvious, and the warmth of the family seems to be slowly dissipating in this entanglement.
The Spring Festival is approaching, and the house is lit up with lights, and there is a festive atmosphere. Wang Dashan's heart knot, which he has not walked out of for a long time, also seems to be slowly soothed in this warm and festive atmosphere. Wang's family holds an annual family gathering, where relatives sit around a steaming dinner table, chatting and laughing.
"Why didn't Brother Dashan bring a partner this year, does he belong again?" The third aunt teased, and the eyes of the whole family turned to Wang Dashan.
Wang Dashan touched his nose embarrassedly, "Cough, cough, what's the matter, I'm not busy." ”
While everyone was talking and laughing, there was a sudden knock on the door. Wang Xiaoshan got up to open the door, but unexpectedly it was Xiaoli standing outside the door, her face was pale and she looked a little embarrassed.
"Xiaoli? What are you doing here? Wang Xiaoshan asked in surprise.
Xiaoli stammered, "I, I'm here to find Brother Dashan, my father... He suddenly fainted and I didn't know what to do. ”
When Wang Dashan heard this, he hurriedly put down the chopsticks in his hand and stood up, "What happened?" I'll go with you and have a look. ”
The surrounding relatives whispered, and this scene exposed Wang Dashan's private affairs in front of everyone. Aunt Zhang couldn't help but ask, "Dashan, this young lady is you...?" ”
"Big brother, what's the matter with you?" Wang Xiaoshan also had a questioning face.
Wang Dashan didn't know what to do for a while, he looked at Xiaoli and then at the curious eyes of his family, and finally decided to deal with the emergency situation first: "She is my friend, now is not the time to talk about this." ”
Xiaoli looked at Wang Dashan gratefully: "Brother Dashan, fortunately you are here." ”
Tension suddenly mingled with the family's celebratory atmosphere, and conflict quietly emerging. The whispers and whispers of relatives were endless. The family reunion suddenly becomes a face-to-face meeting about love, responsibility and prejudice.
"You're always talking behind your back! Brother Dashan just likes to help others, you have to think so complicated! Wang Xiaoshan finally couldn't help but defend his brother.
"Ouch, Xiaoshan, don't you know, your brother has been running to the foot bath shop a lot during this time." Aunt Zhang broke the silence with a word.
Wang Dashan suddenly seemed to find the courage, "Yes, I do like Xiaoli, but it's not what you think, after a long time, you naturally have feelings." But I didn't do anything to be sorry for anyone. ”
The air in the house seemed to freeze, and everyone didn't know what to say. In this sudden conflict and questioning, Wang Dashan chose to be honest and faced, and Xiaoli's sudden appearance made this festival no longer just a simple reunion and celebration, but made everyone have to re-examine Wang Dashan's position and Xiaoli's situation.
Xiaoli's father received emergency treatment and his condition gradually stabilized. This shift has given Wang Dashan more time to think deeply about his future direction.
One night, there were only two brothers in the living room of the Wang family. Wang Xiaoshan looked at his brother and said in a soft tone: "Big brother, have you thought about what to do in the future?" ”
Wang Dashan sighed: "I've been running away and refusing to face up to my feelings. Now it seems that I should be clear about my position, regardless of the outcome. ”
"And what are you going to do?" Wang Xiaoshan asked.
"First of all, I want to make sure that Xiaoli's father is well taken care of. As for the relationship between me and Xiaoli, if she is willing to give me a chance, I hope to really enter her life, if not, at least I have tried. Wang Dashan's tone revealed a bit of relief.
A few days later, Wang Dashan personally found Xiaoli, and they took a walk in a quiet park.
"Xiaoli, I've thought about it, I'm willing to do anything for you, but only if you're willing to accept it." Wang Dashan looked directly into Xiao Li's eyes.
Xiaoli looked at Wang Dashan, her eyes were slightly red: "Brother Dashan, I really appreciate you, you are a good person." But I don't want you to be swept up in my complicated life, you should find someone who can better accompany you and share your life. ”
Wang Dashan took a deep breath, and he knew in his heart that loving someone does not mean that he has to possess it. He smiled: "Thank you Xiaoli, at least we are still good friends." ”
As time passed, the family's attitude towards Wang Dashan gradually softened. They began to understand Wang's decision and were proud of his mature attitude. A warm current of understanding and support is once again flowing in the family.
When spring came, Wang Dashan restarted his life while maintaining his friendship with Xiaoli. He is more focused on his work and more positive about life.
At a family gathering, Wang Xiaoshan jokingly asked, "Big brother, will you bring a companion for the next party?" ”
Wang Dashan smiled tolerantly: "Who knows, everything is the best arrangement, isn't it?" ”
[This novel is fictional, no offense, please do not confuse with reality]