In a small town in Zhejiang, the retired Uncle Li wakes up every morning to go for a walk in a nearby park, chat with old friends and play chess. Retirement life is calm and orderly, and the only concern is his son Li Qiang and daughter-in-law He Fang, who are working hard in the city. Uncle Li has a monthly pension of 5,800 yuan, of which 4,600 yuan is given to his son to help him pay the mortgage for the house he bought in the city.
"Uncle, it's morning!" Aunt Wang of the neighborhood greeted Uncle Li while wiping the sweat of her morning exercise, "The weather is good today, let's go walk twice." ”
Uncle Li smiled and nodded, took the chess in his hand, and followed Aunt Wang to the direction of the park, "Yes, today is a good weather." Well, by the way, my son they've been doing well lately. ”
"Really? Is Li Qiang okay lately? Is there a lot of mortgage pressure? Aunt Wang asked with concern.
"Hey, the loan price has to go up again this month, and I don't know how to deal with it. But I can't make it too hard for them, so I'll do a little more and hope they can be easier. Uncle Li sighed.
"You're jumping into the fire pit, uncle, you also have to have your own life, you can't take everything on yourself." Aunt Wang persuaded.
"Hey, it's not for the sake of the children, you know, young people nowadays are under a lot of pressure." Uncle Li shook his head and said, "I'm still strong now, and I can help a little bit." ”
During this time, Uncle Li's mood was a little complicated. He remembered talking to his son on the phone a few days ago.
"Dad, the mortgage pressure is too great, and the prices here are rising again, so it's really a bit hard to cope." Li Qiang said helplessly.
"Son, don't be afraid, Dad supports you. I will send you the rest of my pension this month. Uncle Li comforted.
"What about your own daily expenses?" Li Qiang asked.
"It's okay, my own life is simple and I don't need much money." Uncle Li replied with a smile, but his tone was full of love and concern.
On the other end of the phone, Li Qiang paused and said softly: "Thank you, Dad, don't worry, when I save enough money, I will definitely honor you." ”
Uncle Li was naturally happy in his heart, but since that call, he has been wondering if such silent support is really the best way for his son, and how long can he bear it? On the eve of the Spring Festival, the family should have sat together to enjoy the warmth of reunion. But Uncle Li's body was in a small condition, he felt chest tightness and discomfort, and was finally rushed to the hospital. After Li Qiang received the news, he hurriedly asked for leave from the company and rushed to the hospital.
"Dad, how are you? Is there anything wrong with it? Li Qiang asked with concern.
Uncle Li endured the pain and shook his head slightly, "It's not a big deal, it's just that this old arm and leg are not angry, so you have to worry about it." ”
Li Qiang looked at his father lying on the hospital bed, and his heart was full of guilt. "Dad, it's all my fault for not taking good care of you."
Subsequently, Li Qiang called his daughter-in-law He Fang, hoping that she could come to the hospital to help take care of Uncle Li.
"Fangfang, my dad was hospitalized suddenly, can you come to the hospital? I'm a little too busy to do it alone. Li Qiang said anxiously.
On the other end of the phone, He Fang's voice was a little hesitant, "Hey, how can this be... However, I booked a tour group for my parents and will leave tomorrow, at this time..."
"Maybe as long as you help take care of it these days, my dad has always been more family-oriented, and I don't want him to spend the New Year in the hospital." Li Qiang pleaded.
"Well, it's really hard for me to make a decision, and you know that my parents are counting on this trip for a year." He Fang's tone revealed embarrassment and coldness.
Li Qiang was stunned on the other end of the phone, he didn't expect his daughter-in-law He Fang's reaction, he thought carefully about how to make his daughter-in-law understand the current emergency.
In the end, He Fang still stuck to her plan and did not come to the hospital. Anger and disappointment made Li Qiang's mood fall to the bottom, and the atmosphere of the New Year was swept away.
Uncle Li lay quietly in the ward, listening to the sound of fireworks outside the window, his eyes full of loss. "Strong, are you still here? Go about your business, don't delay your work. ”
"Dad, it doesn't matter how busy you are at work, what matters is your body." Li Qiang sat on the edge of the bed and held Uncle Li's hand.
"Child, it's not too young, they should all have their own lives, what about your daughter-in-law? Why didn't you see it? Uncle Li asked.
Li Qiang told He Fang about it, and Uncle Li didn't get angry after hearing it, but showed an understanding smile. "Well, she also has her own difficulties, my old bones are not a big deal, you don't want to be too careful."
However, Uncle Li's heart was not as peaceful as it seemed, and his daughter-in-law's attitude towards him made him feel deep pain. In the middle of the night, the corridors of the hospital were empty, except for the occasional sound of monitors. The heavy silence stirred up a circle of ripples in Uncle Li's heart, and he began to ponder whether his efforts over the years had been duly respected. Suddenly, there were some subtle changes in decision. During the Spring Festival, it was a happy time for families to reunite, but Uncle Li's ward was exceptionally cold. Lying on the hospital bed, he looked at the bright light of the fireworks explosion outside the window, and his heart was full of loneliness. For many years, he has been self-sacrificing and putting all his thoughts on the life of his son and daughter-in-law, and now this contrast between loneliness and indifference has made him begin to deeply reflect on his life choices.
On a night alone, he recalled the scenes of his dedication to his family in those years. It's like a movie rewind, from buying a house for his son to the current monthly pension, and the huge mortgage part of the mortgage has flowed to his son, and he doesn't hesitate every time. Uncle Li finally realized that such a dedication did not pay off as it should be, and he was isolated and determined to make a change.
Early the next morning, Uncle Li called his son Li Qiang to the ward.
"Qiang, your mother is gone recently, I live alone, I always feel a little lonely, I wonder if it's time to think about my old age."
Li Qiang was stunned, "Dad, you... What do you mean? ”
"I've been thinking a lot about it in the ward this month. Pension, I want to take part of it to do something, for example, I have always had a desire to travel and see the outside world. Uncle Li's tone was calm, but every word revealed determination.
"But... Dad, what about the mortgage? Li Qiang was a little at a loss.
"Son, you are not young anymore, it is time to learn to be independent. It's not that you don't help you, but you have to learn to take responsibility. Uncle Li paused, "I can't always rely on you, you also have to be responsible for your family." ”
Li Qiang felt powerless for a while, but he also understood his father's hard work, and he bowed his head and was silent.
"Strong, the reality is cruel, we all have to learn to face it. This illness came suddenly, but it also made me realize that time waits for no one, and I have to enjoy life to the fullest. ”
Li Qiang looked up and looked at his father's firm face, and was suddenly relieved. It's a little unbearable, but it's more respectful, "Dad, you're right, it's me who didn't think it through, you should live the life you want." ”
When they separated, Li Qiang held Uncle Li's hand and said, "Dad, you take care of your illness, I will take care of my own affairs and won't let you worry about it anymore." ”
Uncle Li looked at this little guy from the past, and now he has become a mature man standing in front of him. He knew that his decision could be the best gift of all, giving his son the opportunity to stand on his own feet and giving him the courage to start over. The hustle and bustle of the Spring Festival has gradually faded away, and Uncle Li's body has almost recovered. In the hospital, Li Qiang accompanied his father to go through the discharge procedures.
"Dad, I figured it out this time, you old man should enjoy it." Li Qiang smiled and said, "Don't worry about me." ”
"Then my grandson, do you have a plan for the future education expenses?" Uncle Li asked tentatively.
"About this, I discussed it with Fangfang, and we decided to start investing in the education fund and saving it little by little." Li Qiang replied seriously.
"Yes, I should have planned earlier, and I shouldn't be like me when I am old." Uncle Li nodded in approval.
"Don't say that, Dad, I will never forget your help to our family over the years." Li Qiang said that his eyes were red.
Uncle Li patted his son's shoulder, his eyes full of expectation, "Son, I'm relieved that you can understand my mind." I'll start planning my trip, maybe to Lijiang, or Sanya, I've always wanted to see the sea. ”
"Good! Dad, you can go whenever you want, I support you! Li Qiang said with strength.
Out of the hospital, Uncle Li stood in the sun, took a deep breath, and felt more relaxed than ever. He looked at Li Qiang beside him and asked with a smile: "You say, is a person's life just beginning?" ”