The May Day sun shined through the gaps in the curtains and lazily climbed into the ancient Zhangjia courtyard. Zhang Qiang was carrying two large bags of specialties, but he was a little apprehensive in his heart. Since he went to work in the city, his concern for his family is like a specialty in this bag, which is getting heavier and heavier every year. Especially his father Zhang Ming was bedridden due to illness, and his heart was full of guilt.
Entering the house, my mother had already greeted me with a smile and dragged out her voice: "Qiangqiang is back!" Zhang Qiang stretched out his hand to hand over the sustenance, but found that the room was a little quiet. In the lively living room on weekdays, only sister-in-law Li Fang sat on the sofa today, looking a little anxious.
"Sister-in-law, happy May Day! This is the specialty brought to you. Zhang Qiang stretched out his hand to hand over the gift and greeted him with a smile. Li Fang barely squeezed out a smile, obviously preoccupied.
Li Fang sighed, put down the magazine in her hand, and said helplessly: "Qiangqiang, isn't this May Day, I wanted to be happy, but at home..."
Zhang Qiang sat down, "Sister-in-law, just talk about anything at home, everyone is a family." ”
"Hey, you also know that it's not easy to buy a house now, we want to find a better environment for Xiaohang, but... But now the money is very tight, the pressure of bank loans and down payments, to be honest, is out of breath! The helplessness and anxiety in Li Fang's tone were overflowing.
Mom came over with a cup of hot tea and interrupted the conversation, "Drink something hot, don't just say you don't drink water." Li Fang took the teacup and nodded in thanks.
Zhang Qiang knew in his heart that the busyness was his responsibility, but he hadn't figured out what to do, so he said casually: "Sister-in-law, I am also a little tight during this time, and the company has laid off employees, and I have also been affected." ”
Unexpectedly, as soon as this sentence came out, Li Fang's face suddenly became very ugly, "You don't have a job anymore?" What about the family's savings? Now it's all up to your brother's salary, how can you buy this house? ”
When Zhang Qiang heard this, he touched his nose a little embarrassed. He didn't expect Li Fang's first reaction to be worried about the house, not so much worry, but to start complaining.
Zhang Qiang pretended to be calm and tried to resolve the embarrassment, "Sister-in-law, you also know that the market is not good, and it is not easy for everyone." Our family has always been in the same boat through thick and thin. ”
Li Fang didn't seem to buy it, and her attitude turned cold, "It's a good thing to be in the same boat through thick and thin, but then again, if you don't even have an income, then how can our family live......
Mom listened to the sound of the spatula in the kitchen, as if she didn't notice the atmosphere in the living room, and just said plainly: "Let's eat, Qiangqiang is back, don't talk about these troubles." ”
At the table, the family sits around and the aroma of the dishes is overflowing, but the atmosphere does not seem to be relaxed. Zhang Qiang's topic of "unemployment" was like a dark cloud hanging in the air, overwhelming everyone.
"Brother, I really didn't expect this, how do you say you are living this day now?" Zhang Qiang tried his best to pretend to be distressed, exploring his brother Zhang Hua's attitude. A trace of displeasure flashed on Li Fang's face on the side.
Zhang Hua patted Zhang Qiang on the shoulder, "Brother, when it comes to work, take your time, adjust your state first, there will always be a way." His voice was full of trust and support for his brother.
Li Fang interjected coldly beside him, "Adjust your status? The money in this house didn't fall from the sky, Zhang Qiang, I see that you are usually quite motivated, how do you lose your mind as soon as you lose your job. What can we do if this continues? There was a palpable reproach in her voice.
The mother handed over a plate of dishes with a smile, "Fangfang, don't worry, Qiang Qiang, this kid has a bright mind and will soon be able to find a job." ”
Zhang Qiang's heart moved, but he still maintained a helpless look, "Sister-in-law, at this time, the market is sluggish, and it is not so easy to find a job. ”
Li Fang pursed her lips, "What you said is light, but the mortgage is very stressful, if Qiang Qiang really can't help, then please don't go home for the time being." After all, we can't afford the extra expenses right now. ”
As soon as these words came out, the atmosphere at the table suddenly froze. Zhang Ming listened to his son-in-law's words, his brows tightened, although he was sick and unwell, he still maintained the majesty of the head of the family, "Fangfang, what are you talking about?" Qiang Qiang is a member of this family, and he is not an outsider. This family, regardless of wind and rain, must be carried together. ”
Li Fang obviously didn't want to say more in front of the old man, but the dissatisfaction in her eyes was clearly visible.
Zhang Qiang felt a little guilty more and more, he just wanted to test his sister-in-law, but he didn't expect things to develop to such a point. He looked at his father, and then at his mother, they had all worked so hard, and now they were causing more trouble.
After the meal, Li Fang asked Zhang Qiang to talk alone, and the sound of water in the kitchen tinkling, as if to emphasize the seriousness of the conversation.
"I know you may think I've talked too much, Zhang Qiang, but you also have to be responsible for this family," Li Fang's tone was a little slower, but still blunt, "You are a big man now, you can't always rely on your brother to raise you." I advise you to go out early and look for a job. ”
Zhang Qiang had a smile on his face, but he had mixed feelings in his heart, "Sister-in-law, I understand your worries, I will find a job as soon as possible." ”
But he knew in his heart that this was just a game, a game to test people's hearts. But Li Fang has already started to drive people away, and Zhang Qiang only feels that this game is too real.
Zhang Qiang packed his simple luggage, and the desolation of parting lingered in the lonely small room. He could almost hear his own heartbeat, heavy and slow, like a closing goodbye.
"Qiangqiang, are you really going to leave?" The old mother's voice was full of reluctance, and the tears in the corners of her eyes were shining.
Zhang Qiang forced a smile, "Mom, I'm going to look for a job, I can't gnaw at home for the rest of my life, the outside world is big." ”
His mother took his hand, "You can go anywhere, remember to come back often." ”
At the moment when he was finally packing his luggage, Zhang Qiang's mobile phone suddenly rang, and the notification of a work email was unusually clear in the quiet room, and he was stunned, knowing that this might be a turning point.
I opened the email and it was from his department manager about an important upcoming project. Zhang Qiang's brows furrowed, this was obviously not an email that the unemployed would receive.
Li Fang walked into the room, and before Zhang Qiang could speak, she first said coldly, "Your mobile phone is too loud, don't affect your family." ”
Zhang Qiang raised his head and looked at Li Fang, "Sister-in-law, look at what this is." He handed over his phone.
Li Fang took it casually and glanced at it, "What is this, the mass email sent by the company?" ”
Zhang Qiang smiled and shook his head, "No, this is what my manager sent me personally." We have a new project in our department, and he needs me to be in charge. ”
Li Fang, who was still with an indifferent face just now, suddenly became surprised, "This... What does this mean? You weren't ...
He nodded affirmatively, "That's right, I'm not unemployed, I just want to see what the family will do to me if I lose my job." ”
Li Fang's face turned from white to red, the expression on her face was extremely complicated, and she was stunned for a few seconds before she spoke with difficulty, "Zhang Qiang, are you doing this to test me?" ”
Zhang Qiang sighed, "Sister-in-law, it's not just you, it's this family." I know that buying a house is stressful, but shouldn't the family be united and help each other no matter what difficulties are encountered? ”
Li Fang was ashamed, she bit her lip, "I... I didn't want to help you, it's just..."
"Just what?" Zhang Qiang asked.
Li Fang's eyes dodged, "I just want to... Wouldn't it be better if we could make it easier? ”
In an instant, the atmosphere in the room became a little more solemn, and Zhang Qiang took a deep breath, "Sister-in-law, I don't blame you." Home is not a burden, it is a harbor. You shouldn't push me away, we should be together and face difficulties together. ”
The atmosphere in the kitchen began to soften. Zhang Qiang looked at Li Fang, and his tone became more gentle, "Sister-in-law, I understand your concerns, but we are all family. If there is any difficulty, we can sit down and discuss it together and find a solution. ”
A trace of guilt flashed in Li Fang's eyes, and she said softly, "Qiangqiang, I was wrong, in fact, I didn't expect it to become like this." I... I'll change it later. ”
Zhang Hua heard the conversation between the two, walked in, and said with a serious face, "Qiangqiang, no matter what, we are brothers." No matter what happens, home will always be your safe haven. Zhang Hua looked at his wife and said, "We all have to learn to be tolerant and understanding." ”
The mother's warm words also sounded, "Home is the place where everyone carries it together." You are all my pride. ”
The atmosphere gradually became harmonious, and the family sat down to discuss how to face the family's financial problems together, and discussed how to go in the future.
Li Fang suggested that she could cut some unnecessary expenses first, and at the same time, she decided to find a part-time job to increase her family income. Zhang Hua said that he would work harder and strive for a promotion and salary increase. Zhang Qiang is no exception, he said to work harder and make more contributions to the family.
The father looked at them with relief in his eyes, but smiled quietly as his sons supported each other and silently took responsibility.
Late at night, Zhang Qiang looked at the starry sky outside the window, and his heart was calm and bright as he had never been. He turned his head, looked at the family, and thought, isn't the family affection deepened in this understanding and support?
This family, because of a small misunderstanding, the relationship has become even deeper. Is it only after experiencing misunderstandings and conflicts that people will cherish each other's feelings more?