On an ordinary weekend, Zhang Hua took care of the housework alone as usual, busy and ordinary. Li Qiang, her husband, always likes to sleep lazily on weekends, which has also become a small habit at home. The occasional silence gave Zhang Hua some time to herself, and she turned on the TV, looking for a little relaxation.
Somehow, Li Qiang's mobile phone was forgotten in the gap of the sofa, and while tidying up the living room, Zhang Hua accidentally found this gadget that led to the outside world. Out of curiosity, she unlocked her phone. On the screen, WeChat's message prompt looks unusually abrupt. Li Qiang didn't often let Zhang Hua touch his mobile phone, but today, perhaps it was a little prank of fate, Zhang Hua saw those messages for help from his mother-in-law Li.
The mother-in-law mentioned in the message that the family's financial situation is tense and hopes that Li Qiang can solve it as soon as possible. This was an unexpected discovery for Zhang Hua. Li Qiang is always in charge of the family's finances alone, and even if there are difficulties, he is unwilling to let her worry about them. However, at this moment, she couldn't help but immerse herself in thinking, thinking about what she could do for her family.
As soon as the thought started, Zhang Hua decided to use this opportunity to contribute to his family in an unexpected way. She found her mother-in-law's bank account and neatly entered the amount she wanted to transfer out - 3,000 yuan. She hopes that the money will bring some warmth to the family, even if it is a little.
The SMS prompt for a successful transfer sounded, and Zhang Hua's heartbeat accelerated. She knows that such a decision requires not only courage, but also the subtle changes that can be caused.
"Wife, what are you doing?" Li Qiang's voice broke the silence of the room, and he walked into the living room with his sleepy eyes rubbed.
"No, nothing." Zhang Hua stammered in reply and put the phone back in place.
"What are you going to do today?" Li Qiang didn't seem to notice Zhang Hua's abnormality, and cared about the food as always, which made Zhang Hua breathe a sigh of relief.
"Let's make something special, how about making your favorite braised pork?" Zhang Hua said, but his heart was a little empty. This is the first time she has spent so much money on her household without her husband's consent.
"Great, wife, you know me best." Li Qiang patted his stomach happily, completely unaware that his mobile phone had just completed an unusual task.
In the room, the TV was still broadcasting those endless programs, but Zhang Hua's mind had already drifted to a distant place, thinking about her mother-in-law's reaction after receiving the money, and thinking about whether this small action could really bring a little relief to the family.
Just as Zhang Hua was about to start cooking, his mobile phone suddenly rang. Li Qiang's mobile phone, his mother-in-law's reply, and a heavy unknown were so abruptly inserted into this warm weekend.
Zhang Hua took the phone and saw her mother-in-law Li's reply: "What does this mean?" Your brother is buying a house, are you funding the small family, or are you contributing money to our Li family? The sudden interrogation made Zhang Hua stunned for a while, and a misunderstood grievance made her heart ripple layer by layer.
"Daughter-in-law, what's going on?" Li Qiang noticed Zhang Hua's expression, he walked over quickly, took the phone, and looked at the screen with a frown.
Zhang Hua took a deep breath and tried to explain: "I, I see that my mother-in-law said that the family is short of money and wants to help solve it." I didn't expect it to..."
Li Qiang sighed lightly: "Wife, you are indeed doing this out of good intentions, but my mother may have some opinions on this matter." Things at home are complicated sometimes, you know. ”
Zhang Hua felt that his kindness had not been understood, and he couldn't help but feel a little lost in his heart. Originally, she just wanted to be a virtuous helper, but she didn't expect it to disturb the peace of the family.
"I'm going to call my mom." Li Qiang said, taking his mobile phone and walking to the balcony. Zhang Hua didn't follow, just silently doing the work in the living room, she could hear Li Qiang whispering on the phone, although she couldn't hear the content clearly, she could feel the atmosphere that her husband was trying to ease.
Zhang Hua's mood is complicated, she understands the rashness of her decision, and at the same time, she feels that the communication at home does not seem to be as smooth as she imagined. She thought that she was already a member of the Li family, but all this seemed to imply that there was still a thin layer of ice between her and the Li family, especially the Li family.
Zhang Hua is not very clear about the fact that Li Gang, the younger brother of the Li family, wants to buy a house. In her impression, Li Gang is a very independent young man who doesn't need much help at home. And the words of her mother-in-law Li undoubtedly put a lot of pressure on Zhang Hua, making her feel that the support between families seems to have different weights.
After a while, Li Qiang ended the call and walked back, the expression on his face was much more relaxed than just now.
"It's okay, Mom was just a little surprised, I didn't expect you to suddenly transfer money." Li Qiang sat next to Zhang Hua and held her hand, "She's not really angry. ”
Zhang Hua nodded, but the emotions in her heart were not so easy to calm down, she still felt like an outsider and couldn't really integrate into the family.
"However, Mom said that we don't need to worry about buying a house." Li Qiang continued, "She said that her brother's affairs will be solved by herself." ”
This surprised Zhang Hua a little, she didn't expect such an ending. However, this at least made a stone in her heart fall to the ground, at least she knew that she didn't make a big mess.
In the evening, the Li family sat around the dining table, and the aroma of braised pork carefully prepared by Zhang Hua filled the kitchen, but the atmosphere on the table was not as warm as the dishes. Although Li did not directly mention the transfer, she cast complicated glances at Zhang Hua from time to time, and Zhang Hua pretended not to see it and ate silently.
On the sofa after the meal, Li and Li Qiang stayed in the living room to chat, while Zhang Hua cleaned up the dishes and chopsticks. She heard her mother-in-law mention Li Gang's house purchase, as if to explain something, and Li Qiang occasionally responded.
"Don't worry, Mom, my brother can handle it." Li Qiang's voice was sonorous and powerful. Zhang Hua bowed slightly in the kitchen. She felt the weight of this family, everyone has their own worries and responsibilities, and she also wants to become more powerful and more able to take on the role of being the daughter-in-law of the Li family.
The smell wafted from the kitchen in the air that night, but a sense of tension crept in. Zhang Hua sat at the dining table, holding chopsticks tightly in his hand, but his heart was like a rolling river, and it was difficult to calm down.
"Zhang Hua, did I do something wrong?" Mother-in-law Li suddenly broke the silence, and her voice was like a thunderbolt from the sky.
Zhang Hua was at a loss for a moment, she raised her head, and saw her mother-in-law's gaze shining straight at her like a searchlight, full of doubts and incomprehension.
"Mother-in-law, I..." Zhang Hua's voice was weak, and she tried to explain her original intention.
"What do you mean by transferring me those three thousand dollars? Do you look down on our family, or do you think I don't manage my son's money properly? Lee's tone became more and more agitated.
Next to him, Li Qiang hurriedly interjected, trying to calm down the situation: "Mom, wife, she didn't mean that, she just wanted to help." ”
"Help?" The mother-in-law sneered, "What kind of help is this money?" Your brother wants to buy a house with a lot of money, but you laugh at people. ”
Zhang Hua felt unprecedented pressure, and she suddenly realized that her position in this family was not as stable as she imagined. Money is particularly sensitive here, and the flow of every penny seems to be related to attitudes towards family responsibilities.
Gradually, a rebellious mood rose in her heart. She no longer bowed her head, but looked directly into her mother-in-law's eyes, and said firmly: "Mother-in-law, I transferred the 3,000 yuan to express my concern and support as a member of the family. I know it may not be much, but that's a piece of my heart. ”
"Mind?" Mother-in-law Li smiled contemptuously, "My son has raised so much and started a family, what he needs is real help, not your so-called heart." ”
The atmosphere became more and more solemn, Zhang Hua felt like he was on pins and needles, he thought that he was already an inseparable part of the family, but now he seemed to be turned away. The sharp words were like blades, cutting scars on her heart.
"Mom, Zhang Hua also did it after thinking about it, don't talk about her." Li Qiang tried his best to protect his wife, but apparently his mother-in-law didn't buy it.
Li Shi turned his head to look at Li Qiang: "I'm your mother, watching you grow up little by little, I don't want you to suffer." I am in this family, and your brother has his own plans, and there is no need for outsiders to interfere. ”
This sentence "outsider" was like a thunderbolt from the sky, slamming heavily on Zhang Hua's heart, and she suddenly felt a loneliness and powerlessness that she had never felt before. Tears swirled in his eyes, but Zhang Hua held back and didn't let them fall.
At this point, Zhang Hua finally understood that even though she was already the daughter-in-law of the Li family, in the face of some traditional concepts, she still needed more time to integrate, to be understood, and to be accepted.
The atmosphere at the table became more oppressive, everyone was immersed in their own thoughts, and the braised pork on the table was no longer important. Zhang Hua sat there, as if he could see the disappointment in his mother-in-law's eyes. All the good intentions seem to have come to naught at this moment.
The atmosphere at the table gradually calmed down, but Zhang Hua's mood was still difficult to calm down. Mother-in-law Lee's words echoed in her mind, sharp and heavy, and she struggled to find a trace of comfort in her thoughts, only to find that her heart was full of doubts and helplessness.
After the meal, the mother-in-law did not leave the table immediately, and Li Qiang seemed to be a little overwhelmed. Zhang Hua was still sitting in the corner of the dining table, looking at the night outside the window, with a lot of thoughts.
"Zhang Hua, come over here." The mother-in-law finally broke the ice.
Zhang Hua got up lightly and walked to her mother-in-law's side. Li Shi looked at Zhang Hua, and the sharpness in his eyes gradually softened, as if he wanted to enlighten a confused child.
"I know you're a sensible person, but our family still has our own rules." The mother-in-law said slowly.
Zhang Hua lowered his head: "Mother-in-law, I understand." I was just... Just wanted to do my part for this family. ”
The mother-in-law sighed and stroked Zhang Hua's hand: "I know your intentions, but there are some things that still need to be discussed." In this family, it's not just you and Qiangzi, there are other members, and your decisions affect everyone. ”
At this moment, Zhang Hua's heart is like a knife. She is deeply aware that in the small society of the family, everyone's roles are different, and everyone's responsibilities and expectations are also very different. She originally thought that she could integrate into the family through her own actions, but the truth is complex and cruel.
Li Qiang didn't say a word, he stood silently aside, his eyes full of worry and love. In the end, he gently hugged Zhang Hua's shoulders, as if to tell her that no matter what, they were a family.
Seeing this, the mother-in-law also showed a little tenderness on her face: "Zhang Hua, you are a member of this family, let's discuss it together in the future, okay?" ”
Zhang Hua raised her head, her eyes were slightly ruddy, and she nodded. Although tonight's events made her deeply uncomfortable, it also gave her a deeper understanding of this home. She knows that what she needs to do is not only to give, but also to learn to communicate and understand the mood and needs of everyone in the family.
Late at night, the mother-in-law first patted the back of Zhang Hua's hand, signaling that she didn't need to pay too much attention to it, and then slowly got up and walked to her room. Li Qiang followed, but turned his head at the door and smiled at Zhang Hua, and that smile contained comfort and encouragement.
Zhang Hua sat back in his chair quietly, the moonlight outside the window sprinkled on the table, gentle and quiet. For her, home is no longer just a simple concept, but a reality full of emotion and responsibility. She knew that after this night, she would have a deeper understanding of home and a new look forward to her future life.