Li Ming paced to the window, pushed open the window, and a gust of spring breeze mixed with a faint fragrance of flowers came to his face. He took a breath and felt that retirement was really good. His wife, Wang Hong, sat on the rocking chair, quietly embroidering cross-stitch, looking so focused and peaceful.
"Honghong, the weather is good these days, should we go out for a walk?" Li Ming turned around and said to Wang Hong with a smile.
Wang Hong raised her head, her eyes flashed with joy: "I think so too, it just so happened that Zhang Hai called and said that their family also plans to go out for a trip, why don't we go together?" ”
Li Ming's eyes lit up, Zhang Hai was his old friend for many years, and the children of the two families became husband and wife. "That's a good idea, and the family is much happier! I'll call Zhang Hai back. ”
"Yo, so it's our old couple who are going to be guests?" Wang Hong smiled and continued her cross-stitch.
On the other end of the phone, Zhang Hai's voice came loudly: "Hey, Lao Li, your call is really timely, I was about to ask when you are free, let's go out together and relax." ”
"Then let's settle down, set off next week, find a place with good scenery, and enjoy it." Li Ming replied excitedly.
After the phone call, Wang Hong said a little worriedly: "Obviously, we add up to 10,000 yuan of pension every month, and the cost of this trip..."
Li Ming interrupted her: "Honghong, let's teach and educate people all our lives, save money, how long will we wait if we don't enjoy it now?" The children are independent, and we can afford to spend it. ”
"That's what you said." Wang Hong smiled, as if she had been infected by Li Ming's optimism.
A few days later, the two families converged, and the group embarked on the journey with great interest. On the way, Li Ming and Zhang Hai talked and laughed, and Wang Hong and Zhang Hai's wife next to them also chatted non-stop, occasionally a few words of parental shortness, more of a vision for the future.
Li Ming looked at the scenery outside the car window, thinking of his son Li Xiaodong and daughter-in-law Xiaofang. Xiaodong has a stable job, but every time he always mentions that he is short of money, he and his wife Hao do not hesitate to take out their savings, and even their grandson's interest class is supported by them.
During the travel days, the two families enjoyed the beautiful mountains and rivers, but also saw the difference in each other's lives. Li Ming gradually realized that his generosity to Xiaodong's family might be the source of the underlying problem. During the travel days, the two families visited the beautiful old town and strolled along the long beach, and everyone was immersed in this rare leisure and beauty. However, Li Ming began to notice the financial chic of his friend Zhang Hai.
One night, Zhang Hai's family and Li Ming's family had dinner at a seaside restaurant. On the table, the delicacies are filled. Zhang Hai's son, Zhang Peng, picked up the menu and ordered a few of the most expensive dishes without hesitation. "Come, Dad, your favorite sizzling squid, I have to let you taste it today!" Zhang Peng said with a smile.
"Haha, Peng Peng, you kid, you know how to hurt your father." Zhang Hai looked at his son and was overjoyed, both proud and doting.
Wang Hong whispered to Li Ming: "Seeing Zhang Peng so generous to his father, it is really filial. ”
Li Ming smiled, but there were some ups and downs in his heart. He thought of his son Li Xiaodong's attitude towards him, all along, Xiaodong always seemed to be constantly demanding, and he did not show Zhang Peng's behavior.
After the meal, Zhang Hai paid the bill, and Li Ming wanted to share it, but Zhang Haiwan refused. "Lao Li, don't rob me, let me come today, and you will invite you next time you have a chance."
On the way back to the hotel, Li Ming fell into deep thought. He recalled that he had been helping Xiaodong and Xiaofang in every possible way in the past few years, from the mortgage to the education expenses of his grandson, and they seemed to take these extra expenses for granted.
"Mingming, what's wrong with you? I have a lot on my mind. Wang Hong asked with concern.
"It's nothing, I'm just thinking, are we taking too much care of Xiaodong and them? Seeing Zhang Peng so filial to Zhang Hai today, I suddenly felt some... Wrong. Li Ming pursed his lips.
"But how can we not help the children? They are in difficulty, and as parents, it is a handful to be able to help. Wang Hong was a little puzzled.
"But we also have to have a degree. No, we have been helping them pay their mortgages, and they have to get a few thousand yuan a month, Xiaodong and Xiaofang's salaries are not low, why do they still rely on us? Li Ming couldn't help but be a little excited.
One day after returning home, Li Ming decided to have a good talk with his son. One day at dinner, Li Ming cautiously opened the topic: "Xiaodong, your parents are not young, and there are so many pensions, shouldn't we also think about future plans?" ”
Xiaodong was a little surprised, then bowed his head and said, "Dad, haven't you always been willing to help?" ”
"I know, but son, you have to be self-reliant. Always relying on us like this is not good for your own growth, if we have three strengths and two weaknesses in the future..."Li Ming tried to make his son understand the importance of self-reliance.
Xiaodong looked a little impatient: "Dad, I know you are working hard, but in this society, how can it be so easy without personal help." ”
Wang Hong looked at their father and son, a little worried but didn't know what to do. Li Ming realized that his patience had reached the limit and that he had to make some changes. That night, Zhang Hai's family and Li Ming's family sat at the same table again and started another warm dinner. The dishes are fragrant and the atmosphere is harmonious. After three rounds of wine and five flavors of food, Zhang Hai said with emotion: "Lao Li, you are really generous to Xiaodong and his wife, and even pay their mortgage for them, what a good father." ”
Li Ming smiled awkwardly, but there was something unpleasant in his heart.
When Xiaodong heard his in-laws say this, his face changed slightly, and he explained with some embarrassment: "In-laws, you have made me say a lot, and my parents should help." ”
The mother-in-law patted Zhang Peng lightly: "Look at Uncle Li, how considerate of his son." You'll have to learn from your Uncle Li in the future. ”
At this time, Xiaofang couldn't help but interject: "Actually, we don't want to trouble our parents all the time, it's just that life is stressful." ”
Li Ming took the opportunity to put forward his opinion: "Actually, we also want to see your good when we help, but we always rely on us, and your own pressure will not be reduced, but will be more dependent." ”
"Dad, do you mean you don't want to help us?" Xiaodong looked a little nervous.
"It's not that you don't help, but that you have to change your ways. Children will never grow up, how can parents rest assured? Li Ming's voice was full of worry.
The atmosphere of the dinner suddenly became tense, and Xiao Fang hurriedly played a round: "We understand Dad's hard work, and we will work hard in the future." ”
Zhang Hai tried to ease the atmosphere: "Haha, it's all a family, if there is anything to discuss, don't argue at the dinner table." ”
But before the words fell, Xiaodong couldn't help but burst out emotionally: "I don't understand, we work hard, and life is not easy." Now even our family members have to force us to stand on our own, is this pressure enough? ”
Wang Hong hurriedly stopped: "Xiaodong, what do you mean by talking like this?" Mom and Dad have supported you all your life. ”
"Support? Now it sounds like a handout! Xiaodong said stupidly.
Li Ming took a deep breath, calmed down, and said calmly: "Xiaodong, we support you in the hope that you can become better, instead of relying on us forever. You have to understand that your parents can't be with you for the rest of your life. ”
The debate lasted for a while, and finally under Wang Hong's persuasion, the atmosphere gradually subsided. That night's dispute seemed to have become a turning point, touching Li Ming's heart to make a decision. After that night's argument, there was a long silence in the room. Li Ming and Wang Hong talked for a long night in the bedroom, and finally they came to a consensus: it was time for Xiaodong to truly learn to be independent.
The next day, Li Ming and Wang Hong had an in-depth exchange with Xiaodong and Xiaofang.
Li Ming said straight to the point: "Xiaodong, our family was silent all night about what happened last night, and now we have decided to change this state. ”
Xiaodong looked confused, "What state has changed?" ”
"It's about money, we won't give you a monthly subsidy for your mortgage and children's interest classes. It's not that we don't care about you, but we think it's a good thing for you in the long run. Wang Hong explained gently, her eyes full of maternal love.
Xiaodong shook his head a little uncomfortably: "Then what should we do?" ”
"You have to figure it out for yourself," Li Ming said firmly, "so that you can learn to be responsible and have complete control over your own life." ”
As the days passed, the transition was difficult but productive. Xiaodong began to plan her finances more actively, and Xiaofang also made many effective adjustments in household spending. They are beginning to truly appreciate the importance of saving and planning.
A few months later, at a family gathering, Xiaodong showed a long-lost confident smile and thanked his parents for their strict love: "Dad, Mom, we have had a little tight in the past few months, but our hearts are comfortable. We learned a lot and felt like we had grown a lot. ”
"Yes," Xiao Fang chimed in, "we can now say with more pride that our family is supported by ourselves." ”
Li Ming and Wang Hong looked at each other, their eyes full of relief. They know it's worth it.
The harmony of the family returned again, and Li Ming and Wang Hong also found their own rhythm of life and began to plan a trip to the world of the two.
At night, Li Ming looked at the starry sky outside the window and said to Wang Hong next to him: "Honghong, look, our son can finally support a family by himself, this feels so good." ”
"Yes, Mingming," Wang Hong's tone was a little teasing, "But, you say, shouldn't they consider adding a granddaughter to us?" ”