The spring sun shone mottled on Li Fang's face through the intricate branches of the old locust tree at the head of the village, and she raised her head slightly, taking a deep breath of the earthy air of spring, trying to calm her mind. Mother instructed behind her: "Fangfang, mother knows that you don't like this very much, but this time, you will just take a look." The father watched more silently, his eyes full of anticipation.
Li Fang said softly, she knew that no matter what, her parents were always good for her, and hoped that she could find a beloved to spend her life with as soon as possible. Therefore, even if she was a little resistant to this form of blind date in her heart, she didn't argue much, just changed into a simple and fresh dress and walked towards the square in the center of the village.
The square has long been decorated with bustling decorations, colorful flags fluttering, and villagers dressed in festive costumes are in high spirits, greeting each other and chatting about the latest news from each family. Li Fang deeply felt like she had returned to the temple fair of her childhood, and she couldn't help but feel a trace of inexplicable warmth in her heart. The years I have been wandering around have passed in a flash, but now when I come back, I find that this place is still the same familiar appearance.
With the host's enthusiastic words, the blind date event officially began. Li Fang tried to make herself look as kind as possible, but after talking to several men, she always found it difficult to find a common language. She sighed inwardly, but still maintained a polite smile on her face. Just when she began to feel a little disheartened, it was the turn of the foreman Wang Qiang to introduce her.
Wang Qiang was wearing simple overalls, holding a hard hat in his hand, looking confident, and walked to the front of the stage step by step, briefly introducing himself and his work experience. He cherished all kinds of machinery and equipment on the construction site, and when he talked about being able to lead the workers to complete the project, his eyes revealed a sense of pride.
Li Fang respects every profession in her heart, and she also maintains politeness when talking to Wang Qiang. But as the conversation between the two deepened, she quietly listened to the other party's description of life on the construction site, but her heart was turbulent. Yes, every day of sweat is worthy of respect, but that kind of life is really not what she wants. She tries to find possible common ground in the conversation, but she feels more and more that the two worlds are different.
"Foreman, your experience is really amazing." Li Fang said with a smile, but there was a trace of invisible separation in her expression, "You must pay attention to safety on the construction site, the work there sounds quite difficult." ”
Wang Qiang may have felt Li Fang's faint alienation, he turned the helmet in his hand and smiled slightly embarrassedly: "Yes, life on the construction site is not easy, but sometimes, sweating is also a kind of happiness." Miss, I don't know what activities you usually enjoy? ”
The conversation continued, the crowd circulated around him, but Li Fang gradually fell silent. She knew that her parents were watching from afar, and that the neighborhood was whispering about the girl who had returned from the city. She didn't want to disappoint her parents, but at the same time, she was even more reluctant to go against her heart.
Wang Qiang's voice was magnetic and powerful, "I grew up on the construction site since I was a child, and I am familiar with every brick and tile here. Later became a foreman, responsible for the progress of the entire project and the safety of the personnel, although it was very stressful, but this is my life, and I am full of love for this job. His eyes flashed with a vision of life and pride in his work.
Li Fang nodded politely, "The foreman's work is indeed not easy, and it is really remarkable that you can have such an achievement." ”
"Miss, you work in the city, don't you? What for? Wang Qiang's gaze was curious and direct.
"I do interior design at a design firm." Li Fang responded, "Every day, I draw drawings on the computer and communicate with customers. ”
"Then you must be busy every day, right?" Wang Qiang smiled, "If the two of us are together, we may be able to cooperate well, my foreman work and your design profession are a perfect match." ”
Li Fang's heart tightened, and she realized that Wang Qiang was envisioning their common future, but this was not what she wanted. She frowned slightly, trying to find the right words to respond, "This... The nature of the work on the construction site and in the design office is very different, and I may not be suitable for such a rough life. ”
"Rough?" Wang Qiang was a little surprised, "Although the work is hard, I can guarantee that our life will be very happy in the future." ”
"Life is more than just material happiness." Li Fang's tone gradually became firm, "I hope my partner can resonate more, not only at work. ”
On the other side, several village women whispered, discussing Li Fang's actions, "Look, this Li Fang, I don't know what to be happy about, a foreman can take a fancy to her, it's her creation." ”
"Yes, Wang Qiang is upright and capable, like Li Fang, who knows how to paint all day long, whether high or low."
Wang Qiang couldn't hear those discussions, he just expressed his thoughts sincerely, "Miss Li, in fact, I don't care about the complexity of the wedding ceremony and the bride price, my idea is very simple, as long as two people love each other, everything else is external." ”
Li Fang shook his head, "Foreman, thank you for your sincerity, but everyone's pursuit is different, maybe I pay more attention to spiritual fit." ”
During the conversation, an elderly woman approached Li Fang's mother and asked in a low voice, "This foreman guy looks good, what does your daughter think?" ”
Li Fang's mother shook her head with a wry smile, "My daughter has her own ideas, and we can't force it." ”
The noise in the square seemed to be fading away, and Li Fang felt a little uncomfortable in her heart, and she found that the gap between her and Wang Qiang was far deeper than expected. The bride price is not the crux of the matter, the real gap lies in the difference in philosophy and lifestyle. She knows that she needs to have more courage to face the expectations of her parents and the eyes of her fellow villagers, and to pursue her own happiness.
The atmosphere in the afternoon was a little dull, the enthusiasm of the blind date activity had been evaporated by the blazing sun, and the flow of people in the square was gradually thinning. Li Fang and Wang Qiang found a relatively quiet place, almost tacitly avoiding everyone's sight.
"Miss, I have an idea, I don't know if you think it's too abrupt." Wang Qiang's slightly serious tone made Li Fang slightly alert.
"Tell me, foreman." There was a hint of distance in Li Fang's tone.
"I think if we can get together, maybe we will have a good future." Wang Qiang said firmly, his eyes full of anticipation. "I'm not a form-paying person, it doesn't matter if I don't need a bride price, as long as two people can treat each other sincerely, everything else is floating clouds."
"Foreman, you are really nice, many girls will like a hardworking and determined man like you." Li Fang smiled and tried to ease the atmosphere, but she had already made a decision in her heart.
"What do you think, Miss?" Wang Qiang stared at Li Fang expectantly, waiting for her answer.
After a moment of silence, Li Fang slowly spoke: "However, everyone's pursuit of happiness is different. I don't want to make hasty decisions because of loneliness and age. "
"Do you think I'm not worthy of you, or do you feel undignified about my job?" Wang Qiang's tone revealed a hint of loss.
"No, foreman. Your work is remarkable, but my ideals are far from your life. Li Fang said softly, revealing an unavoidable resoluteness in her tone. Life on the construction site is really hard, you need a partner who can fight side by side with you, and I also have my own dreams and pursuits. "
Wang Qiang was silent, obviously this was not the answer he wanted.
"I don't disrespect you, and I appreciate your sincerity to me." Li Fang stood up, her eyes full of determination and freedom. "It's just that I can't accept this kind of life, even if you don't want a bride price, I can't wronged myself."
Wang Qiang was stunned, watching Li Fang's back drift away, and he was speechless for a while. Li Fang, on the other hand, is firmly towards another path, although she knows that the road ahead will not be easy, she is willing to explore and work hard for her faith and freedom.
That afternoon, the blind date event finally came to an end. Li Fang walked alone on the path home. She could feel it, even if she didn't turn around, she could feel the countless gazes intertwining behind her. Wang Qiang's shock, the whispers of the villagers, the worries of his parents... All this, for her, is already a distant scenery.
Walking through a trail leading to the river embankment, Li Fang found a quiet place to sit and think quietly. Although the river in front of her was sparkling, her heart was a little heavy. She knew that for a woman who had stayed abroad and seen the world, she could not expect anything from this small village that had accumulated deep habits for her.
On the other hand, Wang Qiang was still standing in place, and as far as his eyes could see, there was only the direction in which Li Fang left. Although the neighbors were surprised, they obviously couldn't understand Li Fang's decision. They may use their own rules to judge her choice, however, the real reason is only clear to Li Fang.
As the sun set, a gentle afterglow shone in the sky, Li Fang stood up, and the long shadow stretched on the ground. She no longer hesitated, and her steps became firm and powerful, as if every step was so clear and confident. She understands that no matter what path she chooses, it is her own choice, and she needs to be responsible for that choice.
Her desire for love and freedom is stronger than any trivial rhetoric. In her heart, true love should not be an exchange of conditions, nor should it be a concession under pressure. It should be the resonance of two hearts in the depths, mutual understanding and respect. Only in this way can each other move forward side by side on the road of pursuing happiness.
When she re-entered the house, it was completely dark. Her parents had already guessed her decision, and despite the unspeakable emotion in their eyes, they chose to support her.
"Mom and Dad, I'm sorry to worry you." Li Fang said softly, at the same time, deep in her heart, she understood that the price of freedom is never expensive, but it is also the only way to grow.
When night falls, the house is brightly lit. Li Fang returned to her room, looking at the quiet night sky outside the window, and a new idea slowly sprouted in her heart - maybe it was time to start a new journey for her dream.