On the eve of the Spring Festival, the office was still filled with a strong atmosphere of overtime, and Liu Hao's fingers flew on the keyboard, drawing an end to the year-end report. Just when he was about to turn off the computer and feel a little festive atmosphere in advance, the female manager Li Tingting walked over quickly and said in a somewhat urgent tone: "Liu Hao, I'm sorry, I have a reluctant request." ”
Liu Hao was slightly stunned, and replied habitually: "Manager Li, if you have something, you can tell me." ”
Li Tingting's expression was a little embarrassed: "That's the case, my father is very sick, and I urgently need to go back to my hometown to see him, but I can't drive myself, can you send me back?" Just come back tomorrow. ”
As an ordinary employee, in the face of the request of the high-ranking female manager, Liu Hao was a little helpless in his heart, but he still agreed: "Okay, I understand." I can send you back. ”
The next morning, they set out on their journey to the countryside. In the car, Li Tingting gave instructions from time to time, but rarely chatted, and the atmosphere was a little awkward. While driving, Liu Hao tried to break the silence: "Manager Li, what is your father's illness?" Is it serious? ”
Li Tingting's eyes dimmed: "It's a heart attack, I've had two surgeries, and now I can only lie in bed." ”
Liu Hao's heart swelled with sympathy: "Then you should go back more to accompany the old man." ”
Li Tingting shook her head: "I'm too busy, there are still some things at home, and my brother is not around, so I can only wait for the Spring Festival." ”
The conversation ended there, and the car fell silent again. On a long winter day, the sun shines through the sparse clouds and dappled onto the car windows.
The car finally stopped in the evening in a small village, dotted with tiled houses and smoke curling. The hustle and bustle of the city behind Liu Hao gradually faded away, replaced by this tranquility.
"This is my home." Li Tingting pointed to an old brick house in front of her, with a hint of pride and pride in her tone.
At the door of the house, they were greeted by Li Tingting's haggard mother and dignified father. Mother warmly took Liu Hao's hand: "Xiao Liu, thank you for your hard work." It's so cold, hurry in and sit. ”
After entering the house, Li Tingting pulled her mother aside and whispered something, only to see her mother's expression look a little stunned, and then said to Liu Hao: "It's getting late today, you can rest in Tingting's house for a night, we don't have any extra room in our house." ”
Liu Hao wanted to refuse, but when he saw Li Tingting's distressed eyes, he reluctantly agreed. Although I had to spend the night in the countryside unexpectedly, I also had a trace of this unknown temporary destination in my heart.
After dinner, sitting in the warm yellow light, Liu Hao sat awkwardly with the Li family's parents, and from time to time tried to participate in this family-like conversation, but felt like an outsider. The next morning, when the first rays of sunlight shone into the house through the curtains, Liu Hao was woken up by a burst of laughter. Quietly getting up, he found that Li Tingting was helping his mother prepare breakfast, and the kitchen was filled with a warm atmosphere.
"Good morning, Liu Hao, are you sleeping well?" Li Tingting saw him get up and showed a warm smile.
Liu Hao rubbed his eyes and responded, "It's okay, Manager Li's hometown is quite quiet." "
In fact, what warms his heart even more is the atmosphere of this home. In the fresh air of the countryside, he felt as if he had an indissoluble bond with the family.
"Come, try this special product brought back, our glutinous rice cakes here are very famous." Li Tingting handed him a glutinous rice cake.
Before Liu Hao could taste it, there was a sound of hurried footsteps outside. The door opened, and a middle-aged man pushed the door and walked in, with a somewhat solemn expression on his face.
"Tingting, the demolition team in the village is here, saying that they are going to demolish all the old houses, what are we going to do?" His tone was anxious.
This person is Li Tingting's brother, Li Gang. As soon as the words fell, the atmosphere suddenly became tense.
Li Tingting's face suddenly became solemn: "I told the people in the village that our house cannot be demolished, how many memories of the old mansion left by my grandfather..."
Mother Li came over and said worriedly: "Tingting, but the people behind them said that if you don't demolish it, you won't have a new house to live in, your father is sick... Better living conditions are also needed..."
As an outsider, Liu Hao could hear the helplessness and anxiety, but he couldn't help anything.
At this time, Father Li slowly walked out of the room, his voice hoarse but categorical: "The things of our old Li family are not something that can be moved casually, and I will not agree to demolish this house if I live for a day!" "
The atmosphere was even more stiff. Liu Hao could feel that Manager Li was facing the pull between protecting his home and taking care of his father.
"Dad, I know, I don't want to tear it down, but..." Li Tingting's eyes were slightly red, and she didn't know what to do.
"It's not me forcing you, Tingting, you also look at your father's body..." Mother Li was also sad.
In this awkward stalemate atmosphere, Liu Hao was slightly cramped, but tried to break the silence: "Li... Uncle Li, Aunt Li, if I can, I... I'm willing to help find out if there is any other solution..."
The members of the family looked at each other in surprise.
"Xiao Liu, this... It's embarrassing to bother you. Mother Li's tone was full of gratitude.
"No, Liu Hao, this..." Li Tingting seemed a little overwhelmed.
Liu Hao's demeanor was natural, but his tone was serious: "Don't bother, Manager Li is also helpful to me, this thing should be." "
These words eased the tense atmosphere, and also made Li Tingting's inner temperature rise, she realized that in the small farm village in front of her, there was a person who was willing to share her worries. In the afternoon, Li Gang took Liu Hao to meet with the people of the village committee to see if a compromise solution could be reached.
After a busy day outside, Liu Hao deeply felt the contradiction between the old and the modern development in the village, and the scenes that he had only seen on TV news in the past were now being staged in front of his eyes. The atmosphere of the dinner, because of the tension in the house, became more solemn than usual. As the rice steam rises, Ms. Li's family sits around a worn wooden table, and Ms. Liu is invited to join in.
"Liu Hao, you can sleep in the guest room with Tingting today, anyway, it's just one bed, and you will just have one night." Li Tingting's father said casually while picking up vegetables, as if making a trivial suggestion.
Liu Hao almost choked, and Li Tingting was also embarrassed: "Dad, this is not very good, we..."
"Ouch, what's this, why are the little two still so clear?" Mother Li interrupted her daughter's words with a smile.
This sudden title of "little couple" made Liu Hao feel extremely embarrassed, and he hurriedly clarified: "Uncle Li, the relationship between us is not the kind you think, I..."
"Liu Hao, don't think about it, it's just one night, and the two of you will be together." Li Tingting's father interrupted Liu Hao's words, and a hint of scrutiny flashed in his eyes.
Li Tingting obviously also felt the deep meaning in her father's words, and she smiled bitterly: "Okay, it's decided." "
After dinner, Liu Hao and Li Tingting sat in the guest room, and there was a strange atmosphere between the two.
"Liu Hao, I'm sorry to get you involved in so many family affairs, you may think my family is very strange..." Li Tingting said in a low voice, with a hint of helplessness in her voice.
Liu Hao waved his hand and said, "It's okay, I can understand." However, your parents' insistence is indeed a bit unexpected to me. "
Li Tingting sighed, her eyes revealing a resolute brilliance: "Actually, there is something I haven't told anyone in your office. I was once engaged, but for various reasons, we broke up. This incident has been a big blow to my parents, and they now really want me to find a partner as soon as possible, especially when they are in a situation like today, they want to marry me off as soon as possible..."
"Oh, that's right, I can understand, after all, every family has its own difficulties." Liu Hao's tone was gentle, trying to give her some comfort.
Li Tingting looked at Liu Hao, her eyes full of apology: "I'm really sorry if it makes you feel uncomfortable." But I'll leave you at it tonight. "
Liu Hao smiled slightly: "It's okay, I don't mind, it's just that when we go to bed at night..."
"I sleep on the ground, you sleep on the bed." Li Tingting interrupted him, and seemed to have thought of a countermeasure.
In the dead of night, the two people in the room were thinking about their own thoughts. Li Tingting's confession made Liu Hao understand her difficulties and the social pressure she faced as a woman. He swore in his heart that no matter what, he would help her through the difficulties. The next morning, the roosters in the countryside crowed with mist, and Liu Hao and Li Tingting each woke up from a comfortable dream. After having a simple but warm breakfast, Liu Hao saw that the expressions of the Li family's parents were obviously much more relaxed.
"How were you talking last night?" Mother Li asked with concern.
Li Tingting smiled slightly, glanced at Liu Hao, and said, "Mom, we talked a lot last night, Liu Hao understands us very well, and is willing to help think of a way." "
Liu Hao behaved naturally and told the two elders: "Actually, Manager Li has always been very good to me, and doing a little favor is nothing." I just got in touch with a friend of mine who runs a construction company in the city and might be able to help us. "
"Hey, it's really rare to meet such sensible young people these days." Father Li said with emotion.
"However, Mom and Dad, our family should have changed a little over the years, and we can't always be stubborn about the old house." Li Tingting gently held her parents' hands and said warmly.
Mother Li nodded: "Hearing you say this, my mother also feels that it is time to change a little bit unchanged." "
"Well, thank you for your understanding, and I believe that Liu Hao can help us find the best solution." Li Tingting looked at Liu Hao with trust.
After a fierce psychological struggle and a series of misunderstandings, Li Tingting finally opened her heart and explained her concerns to her parents, and the mutual respect and understanding that has always made the relationship between the two parties closer.
"You see, for so many years, we have always been confined to those rules and regulations, Tingting lives under pressure, and it is time for our family to take a step forward." Father Li's expression revealed firmness.
"Thank you, Uncle Li." Liu Hao said sincerely.
In these two short days, Liu Hao witnessed the transformation of a family, and also experienced the importance of relationships and understanding between people in accidents and misunderstandings.
Before leaving, Li Tingting sent Liu Hao to the door, her eyes were full of reluctance: "Liu Hao, have a safe journey, and thank you for your help and companionship in the past few days." "
Liu Hao smiled and waved his hand: "Don't say that, this is what I should do." "
Looking at his back gradually moving away, a warm current surged in Li Tingting's heart. She knew that this experience would become one of the most precious memories of her life.
A car, an unexpected journey, and an unexpected fate unconsciously changed the lives of three people. Who's to say that this isn't the best arrangement?