The spring sunrise has not completely faded, in a quiet courtyard on the outskirts of Beijing, retired teacher Li Minggui is busy, he wiped the sweat beads on his forehead, looked at the yard of those flowers and trees planted by his own hands, at this moment, he is both looking forward to and a little apprehensive. Today, he will meet Zhang Jing, the girlfriend of his son Li Xiaodong.
"Dad, do you think this will work?" Li Xiaodong walked out wearing a simple shirt, with a hint of nervousness in his voice.
Li Minggui looked at him, nodded and smiled, "Okay, it's very good." Refreshing and generous, Zhang Jing will definitely like it. ”
A smile appeared on Li Xiaodong's face, but it was quickly replaced by nervousness, "I'm afraid that Zhang Jing will be nervous when he sees you." ”
"Haha, our Li family is not a strict family, take it easy, just make friends." Li Minggui smiled and comforted his son, but he couldn't help but think of his wife again, if she was still there, how lively the family would be.
After a while, Zhang Jing arrived, dressed in an elegant dress, with a shy and polite smile, and carrying a box of exquisite pastries.
"Uncle Li, hello, I'm Xiaodong's girlfriend Zhang Jing." The young girl's voice was crisp, with a hint of nervousness.
"Oh, come in and sit, Zhang Jing, I heard Xiaodong mention you, you are really a good girl who is generous and decent." Li Minggui greeted him with a smile on his face, and there was a hint of satisfaction in his eyes.
"Thank you, Uncle Li, this is a little bit of heart I brought to you." Zhang Jing handed over the pastry, polite and slightly shy.
"Hey, this kid, come to my house and bring things, you shouldn't be." Li Minggui smiled and waved his hand, but still took it.
The three of them sat down together at the stone table in the courtyard, and Li Xiaodong poured warm tea for everyone.
"Uncle, your yard is really well maintained, are these flowers planted by yourself?" Zhang Jing looked around and was pleasantly surprised by the green life of the courtyard.
"yes, that's my biggest hobby since I retired, do you like flowers?" Li Minggui's voice carried a hint of pride and self-satisfaction.
"Yes, I also really like this kind of life close to nature." Zhang Jing nodded, with a hint of resonance in her eyes.
"Xiaodong, take Zhang Jing to the back garden to have a look, the begonias over there are blooming just right." Li Minggui smiled slightly, and his eyes gestured to his son.
"Okay Dad, let's go see Begonia." Li Xiaodong stood up and stretched out his hand to Zhang Jing.
The figures of the two young people gradually drifted apart, and Li Minggui stayed alone at the stone table, drinking a cup of tea alone, and couldn't help but recall the past in his mind.
He knew that this was not just a simple meeting, it could be about the future of their family, a kind of convergence between the old and the new. And he also hopes to really understand Zhang Jing, and hopes that this girl can support Xiaodong's future life. In the back garden of begonia flowers, Li Xiaodong took Zhang Jing for a stroll. A gust of wind blew, and the petals gently fell, embellishing this warm and slightly awkward acquaintance.
"Xiaodong, your home is really beautiful, such a beautiful place, can we have it when we are old in the future?" Zhang Jing's voice was a little wistful, she stroked a blooming begonia, and her eyes were gentle.
"Of course, I hope to have a place like this in the future. But we may have to create it little by little. Li Xiaodong held Zhang Jing's hand, with firmness in his tone.
The sun gradually rose, and the three of them returned to the house, Li Minggui served a few home-cooked dishes made by himself, and Zhang Jing could see that they were all prepared with care.
"Uncle, your cooking is so delicious. By the way, how is my uncle's life after retirement? Zhang Jing asked curiously while tasting the dishes.
"Oh?" Li Minggui put down his chopsticks and began to tell in a peaceful attitude, "After retirement, I live a very comfortable life, and my monthly pension is enough, although it is not much, but it is enough to maintain my simple life. ”
Inadvertently, the topic turned to a more realistic level, and a light of inquiry flashed in Zhang Jing's eyes, "That uncle's pension ......"
Li Minggui knows that this is a topic that many young people are concerned about. He didn't hide it, and directly said the number, "Three thousand five per month." ”
"Three thousand five?" Zhang Jing was slightly stunned, and her eyes unconsciously showed a little disappointment. Li Xiaodong sensed the change in his girlfriend and hurriedly interjected: "Dad, your daily life is quite fulfilling, and the back garden is the best proof of this." ”
"Yes, in retirement, relaxation is the most important thing." Li Minggui continued, "Xiaodong, you and Zhang Jing don't put too much pressure on yourself in the future, you have to live comfortably." ”
Having said that, Li Xiaodong could see that the smile on Zhang Jing's face was a little reluctant. They then talked about their future plans, and Zhang Jing's questions occasionally revealed consideration of the material foundation, which made Li Xiaodong a little uneasy.
After dinner, Zhang Jing said goodbye, she thanked Li Minggui with a polite smile on her face, but Li Xiaodong could feel that the smile lacked the initial warmth.
After Zhang Jing left, Li Minggui saw his son's tightly knit brows and patted him on the shoulder, "What's the matter, Xiaodong, is there anything unpleasant with Zhang Jing?" ”
"No, it's just...... I didn't expect that the question of money would make Zhang Jing have such a big reaction. Li Xiaodong was a little frustrated, he didn't know how to face this sudden reality.
Li Minggui sighed, he understood his son's feelings, but he also understood Zhang Jing's concerns, "Xiaodong, money is involved in relationships, and they are always sensitive, you have to understand this." You are still young and have a lot to face and solve together. ”
Li Xiaodong nodded, but his heart was still in a mess. That night, he pondered repeatedly, is the relationship between him and Zhang Jing really as strong as ever? What does money mean for their relationship? Early the next morning, Zhang Jing's message popped up on Li Xiaodong's mobile phone screen, the content was concise and direct: "Xiaodong, let's break up." ”
This short sentence exploded in Li Xiaodong's heart like a thunderbolt from the sky, and he looked at it in a daze for a long time, unbelievable. He called Zhang Jing, but the phone just came from a busy sound mercilessly.
"What's wrong? Xiaodong, why doesn't your face look right? Li Minggui took the breakfast, looked at his son's anxious appearance, and couldn't help but ask with concern.
Li Xiaodong hesitated for a moment, and finally turned the mobile phone screen to his father, "Zhang Jing, she proposed to break up." ”
"Break up?! How could this suddenly happen? Li Minggui's voice revealed shock, he vaguely understood, but he was unwilling to draw conclusions easily.
"I don't know why. We had a good chat last night. Li Xiaodong's tone trembled, this blow was too big for him.
The father and son fell silent, and Li Minggui knew that this was not only Zhang Jing's problem, but also related to Xiaodong's unpreparedness for the future, and also related to the different views of the two generations on material and emotional matters.
"Dad, is it because I'm incapable, I didn't give her enough security?" Li Xiaodong couldn't help but doubt himself, and his eyes began to redden.
"Xiaodong, emotional matters are complicated, don't blame yourself." Li Minggui patted his son on the shoulder, "Maybe you have different opinions on the future. ”
"But I've really thought about our future, and I have a plan." Li Xiaodong's voice raised slightly.
"Do you have a specific plan? Have a steady income? Have you ever thought about how to live with Zhang Jing? Although Li Minggui's voice was stern, it was more helpless and caring.
Li Xiaodong was silent, in fact, he only had a rough outline of his future plans, and he really didn't think about the details.
"Dad, I also want to stabilize, but you know the current situation, it's hard to find a job, and the income is unstable." Li Xiaodong lowered his head, and his voice was slightly weak.
"I know it's not easy for young people nowadays, but it's up to you to face it yourself." Li Minggui felt a sense of powerlessness in his heart, although he also wanted to help his son, but he knew that this was a difficult task that Xiaodong had to overcome by himself.
In the end, Li Xiaodong decided to talk to Zhang Jing again, wanting to know what she really thought. He needs to know if it was his unpreparedness for the future that made him lose this relationship. One evening a few days later, the courtyard was bustling with activity, with Li Xiaodong's aunt and uncle and a few cousins gathering together, and the dining table was full of sumptuous meals. Amid the laughter of the family gathering, Li Xiaodong's mood was still a little low.
"Xiaodong, come, have two more drinks with your cousins." Cousin Li Qiang raised a glass to invite.
"What's wrong today? A sad face. Uncle Li Gang asked with concern.
Li Xiaodong smiled embarrassedly, "Actually, it's a matter with Zhang Jing, we broke up." ”
The surroundings suddenly quieted down for a while, Li Minggui looked at everyone and took the initiative to break the silence, "Everyone knows, this is a matter between Xiaodong and Zhang Jing, but it also makes me reflect a lot." As Xiaodong's father, did I neglect the guidance of him in terms of education? ”
"Minggui, this era is changing rapidly, and the problems faced by children are different, so don't blame yourself too much." Auntie said softly.
"Actually, Dad, I've always wanted to say to you that I might not be ready." Li Xiaodong's voice was frank, "I still have a lot to learn in my relationship and career. ”
"Xiaodong, I may also emphasize the accumulation of material things and ignore the communication of emotions." Li Minggui said sincerely, "There is still a long way to go, let's take our time together." ”
The father and son looked at each other and smiled, and Li Minggui added, "Xiaodong, no matter what, Dad will support you, no matter what difficulties you encounter in the future, we will face them together." ”
Li Xiaodong's heart gradually lit up with hope, "Thank you, Dad." I know that no matter what, I want to be a better version of myself, for myself and for the future. ”
At the end of the family gathering, the moon was already high in the sky, the evening breeze was blowing the curtains, Li Xiaodong stood in front of the window, the moonlight in front of him seemed softer than ever, and his thoughts flew far away.
If life is like this moonlight, although it is ever-changing, it will always be beautiful and tranquil. So, how should his future be woven?