In the spring of May, under the cherry blossom trees, the old street cafes in the small town are filled with the rich aroma of coffee. Liu Fang, a 43-year-old accountant wearing a plain blue shirt, sat early at the window on the corner of the street, looking forward to the upcoming blind date.
The hands of the clock quietly moved past the appointed time, and suddenly, the doorbell rang, and a man wearing black-framed glasses and a neat gray suit walked in. He looked around, found Liu Fang, and walked towards her.
"You're Miss Liu Fang, right?" Zhang Qiang smiled and stretched out his hand.
Liu Fang also responded with a smile, "Yes, you are Mr. Zhang Qiang?" Have a seat. ”
The two spoke politely.
"I heard you're an accountant?" Zhang Qiang picked up his coffee and asked tentatively.
"Yes, it's been fifteen years." Liu Fang nodded elegantly, and continued, "Actually, doing accounting is quite boring, but I like the sense of accuracy brought by numbers. ”
"Haha, then we're quite similar, and I have to deal with numbers a lot in my work." Zhang Qiang said, as if looking for a common topic.
The two chatted about work and life, and time passed slowly. Liu Fang felt that Zhang Qiang was a down-to-earth and responsible man.
"Mr. Zhang..."I don't know how long it took, Liu Fang suddenly changed her words, "Actually, on this blind date, in addition to wanting to find a partner, I also have a very practical problem to solve." ”
Zhang Qiang put down the cup and looked at Liu Fang seriously, "Oh? What's the problem? ”
"I want to buy a house. Living in this city for so many years, I have always dreamed of having my own home. Liu Fang's eyes were full of longing.
"Buying a house?" Zhang Qiang was a little surprised, "Don't you have a place to live now?" ”
"It's just a small rented apartment, and I want to have a place of my own, where I can grow flowers and raise cats." Liu Fang's eyes lit up, "But the down payment is still a little close..."
Zhang Qiang stared at her, with a complicated expression on his face, "How much worse?" ”
"100,000 yuan short." Liu Fang lowered her brows and said in a low voice.
Then there was silence, and the soft music playing in the café seemed to be a little lower.
"Miss Liu, I understand what you mean." Zhang Qiang finally spoke, but there was some embarrassment and helplessness in his tone, "However, I think it's better for the two of them to be financially independent." ”
Liu Fang raised her head in some surprise, "I understand." I don't want you to pay for it, I just want to... Find someone who understands me and supports me. ”
"I understand you, Miss Liu. However, this kind of thing still needs to be understood more deeply. Zhang Qiang said, his eyes revealing sincerity, "We can take our time." ”
Sunlight shines through the glass window on the faces of the two men, and this slightly embarrassing but hopeful beginning slowly opens their story.
After a slightly awkward opening, the dialogue between Liu Fang and Zhang Qiang gradually deepened. They begin to inquire into each other's pasts and their hopes for the future.
"My hometown is in Jiangnan Water Town, what about you?" Liu Fang asked with a smile.
"I'm from the north, and I came to this city for work." Zhang Qiang replied.
After a cup of coffee, the topic became more and more private. Liu Fang talked about the hard work of her work and how to find a balance in her busy life.
"You know what? Although the accounting job is stable, at the end of the month and at the end of the year, the pressure can be overwhelming. Liu Fang frowned and smiled bitterly.
"I can understand that I have a lot of pressure at work, I have to manage the team, and I have to work with each other." Zhang Qiang nodded, with a look of empathy.
"And what are your ways of regulating the pressure?" Liu Fang asked curiously.
"I, ah, love fishing, standing quietly by the river, enjoying a moment of tranquility, is the best relaxation for me." Zhang Qiang had a hint of yearning in his eyes.
Liu Fang listened to it with relish, she liked Zhang Qiang's tranquility, he was not as flamboyant and eager for quick success as other men.
As the topic stretched, Liu Fang began to share her struggles and efforts, and how she worked steadily for her dreams step by step.
"I always believe that as long as I work hard, I will definitely have my own home." Liu Fang's eyes were full of determination.
Zhang Qiang looked at her deeply, this kind of perseverance, this kind of perseverance, is what he admires.
"You're great, Liu Fang." Zhang Qiang said sincerely, "I am touched by your independence and persistence. ”
Liu Fang smiled a little shyly, "But there are always times when people are vulnerable, and I will also have times when I am very helpless." ”
"At this time, you need a partner." Zhang Qiang interjected humorously.
Liu Fang smiled, and her heart warmed slightly.
During the conversation, Zhang Qiang also shared his philosophy, how he worked hard from a small employee to the middle management of the company, and his plan for his career.
However, when the conversation turned to finances, the mood subtly changed. Zhang Qiang unconsciously slowed down his speech, looking a little hesitant.
"I've considered buying a house before, but I want to take my time and use my hard-earned money." Zhang Qiang said seriously.
Liu Fang nodded slightly, "I've always done this. But now, housing prices are rising again and again, and the money saved is always unable to catch up. ”
"That's a problem," Zhang Qiang rubbed his glass, "It's not easy for us Chinese to buy a house, especially if we are single." ”
Liu Fang sighed, "Yes, sometimes when I think about it, a person's strength is indeed limited. ”
Her words silenced Zhang Qiang. He understands Liu Fang's distress, but he also has his own considerations. Both of them are independent and mature individuals, and it is a challenge for them to find a balance when it comes to money.
"Liu Fang, what I want to say is that I understand you." Zhang Qiang finally spoke, "We need to know each other better, and I'd rather be cautious about money." ”
Liu Fang looked at him for a while, then smiled lightly, "You're right, when two people are together, the most important thing is trust and understanding. ”
The conversation continued in compromise and understanding, as night fell, the lights of the café softened, and although there was no immediate answer to the question in front of them, the two hearts seemed to be drawing closer to each other because of these honest exchanges.
On a moonlit and starry night, under the warm lights of the café, the conversation between Liu Fang and Zhang Qiang gradually reached a climax. The hesitations and hesitations that once enveloped the mind condensed in the air, forming a question that had not yet been spoken.
"Zhang Qiang, I'm not going to go around in circles." Liu Fang sighed, her eyes were firm, "I am really close to buying a house, just short of the last 100,000." ”
Zhang Qiang's fingers unconsciously tapped on the tabletop, his brow furrowed slightly. "Liu Fang, you know that I have a crush on you, but this..."
Liu Fang interrupted him, "I know you may feel sudden, but I'm serious. That 100,000 means a lot to me, but I don't want you to think..."
"Liu Fang, please understand, this is not a denial of your people." Zhang Qiang's tone was resolute but apologetic, "I have always relied on my own efforts, and financial independence is very important to me. ”
"So, you're refusing?" Liu Fang's voice trembled slightly.
The air between the two seemed to condense all at once, and the soft music playing in the café was particularly harsh.
"I... That's not what I meant, Liu Fang. Zhang Qiang tried to explain, "I just think that there should be a clear boundary between two people economically." ”
"Then this limit is 100,000?" Liu Fang couldn't help but ask rhetorically, with a hint of disappointment and dissatisfaction in her tone.
"I can understand your urgency, but..."Zhang Qiang shook his head, "We have just known each other, and this kind of large amount of money exchange... I don't think it's wise. ”
A faint bitterness swelled in Liu Fang's heart, "I am also an independent woman, Zhang Qiang." I didn't ask you to lend me money, but I thought... Thought it was possible for us to carry the burdens of life together. ”
Zhang Qiang's heart was also aching faintly, he didn't expect Liu Fang to make such a request, although he understood her situation, it was beyond the scope of his principles.
"Liu Fang, I didn't want to disappoint you. Actually, I..." Zhang Qiang wanted to speak and stopped, and the contradiction was written on his face.
"It's okay, Zhang Qiang." Liu Fang forced herself to smile, "Maybe I'm really too anxious to put this matter on the table." ”
The conversation between the two fell silent, both struggling to digest each other's positions. In this unexpected impasse, the distance that had been gradually narrowing has become distant again.
"I need time to think about it." Zhang Qiang finally said this.
"Me too." Liu Fang's voice was gentle, "Anyway, thank you for your company tonight." ”
They nodded politely to each other, the coffee in the coffee cup had already cooled, just like the tacit understanding in the hearts of the two at this moment, and they didn't know when they would be able to warm up again.
A few days later, Zhang Qiang and Liu Fang met again at the same café. After that blind date episode, the two of them thought about it for a long time and sorted out their thoughts.
"Liu Fang, I've been thinking about the last time for a long time." Zhang Qiang said straight to the point, with a hint of firmness in his eyes.
Liu Fang adjusted her sitting posture and responded lightly, "Me too, Zhang Qiang." ”
"I don't want our relationship to end like this, I know you're a good woman in the middle of the word, and you carry the burden of the family." Zhang Qiang said seriously.
Liu Fang bowed slightly, and a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes.
"Actually, I have a proposal." Zhang Qiang continued slowly, "My company has a house purchase subsidy, if you want, I can apply with the company, although it can't solve all of them, but it can also relieve your pressure." ”
Liu Fang looked at him in surprise, "Are you really willing to help me?" ”
"It's a small help, and I hope to play a positive role in your life." Zhang Qiang said with a smile, his eyes revealing warmth.
"Zhang Qiang, I don't know how to thank you." Liu Fang said with emotion that she didn't expect Zhang Qiang to think about her so carefully.
"No need to thank me, we are all independent individuals, and I respect your position." Zhang Qiang handed over a piece of information, "Look at this subsidy plan." ”
Liu Fang took it and looked at it carefully, and she found that Zhang Qiang's proposal was really a very reasonable plan.
"I agree so that we can all remain independent while also having each other's support." Liu Fang was very pleased.
"yes, that's what I thought, too." Zhang Qiang nodded, "We can take our time and let this relationship grow naturally." ”
Their eyes met, and a tacit smile flowed between the two. Although the road ahead is uncertain, they have the courage to walk side by side.
Before parting, Zhang Qiang looked at the night sky of the small town and asked: "Do you believe it or not, some things may not go well at first, but in the end you can always find a way out?" ”
Liu Fang looked at those twinkling stars, a warm thought surged in her heart, and the corners of her mouth unconsciously rose, "Yes, I believe it." ”
This content is a fictional short story, and any name, place name, or other aspect of the text is not related to reality. If there is any similarity, it is purely a coincidence, please read it rationally.