The spring breeze is blowing, and the tender green willow dances happily by the lake. Aunt Wang was busy early in the morning, and today she was going to hold a grand dinner at home to welcome her brother's family, whom she hadn't seen for many years, back from the south. The room is already filled with all kinds of dishes, and the smell of meat and laughter renders every corner.
In the center of the table, there are 26 large crabs, which Aunt Wang specially selected from the market, which will surely become the protagonist of the dinner. Granddaughter Xiaofang also came early to help, she is twelve years old this year, excellent grades and sensible, is Aunt Wang's proud work.
At the beginning of the dinner, relatives sat around a table, and laughter and conversation came and went. Xiao Fang couldn't hold back her curiosity and hunger, picked up a crab and began to peel it carefully.
As Aunt Wang's daughter-in-law, Sister-in-law Li has always been a well-behaved person. But when she saw Xiaofang peeling crabs, she suddenly felt a little displeased.
"Xiaofang, don't be in a hurry to eat first," Sister-in-law Li couldn't help but remind, her eyes faintly revealing dissatisfaction.
Xiao Fang was stunned for a moment, and before the crab in her hand could be put back, Sister-in-law Li's chopsticks had already slammed down on the table, "There are so many people, you have to know how to let the elders first." "
Aunt Wang frowned slightly, she understood what her daughter-in-law meant - the concept here has traces of the older generation, that is, the men in the family are given priority, and the girls should give way.
Zhao Li, Sister-in-law Li's little daughter-in-law, didn't buy this phenomenon very much, she whispered to her daughter: "Xiaofang, eat, you are a little guest tonight." "
At this time, Aunt Wang stroked her hair bun and tried to calm the atmosphere: "Sister-in-law Li, Xiaofang is also a guest, and she is still a child, so don't worry too much." "
But Sister-in-law Li's face did not improve because of this, her sharp eyes swept around, as if looking for someone's support. At this time, Aunt Wang's wife, Uncle Zhang, interjected softly: "The children are not sensible, we adults can be more tolerant." "
"It's not a question of tolerance or intolerance," Sister-in-law Li's voice raised a few points, "It's the rules!" "
Zhao Li sighed softly, she knew that tonight might be a long night. Aunt Wang smiled and said to everyone: "Don't be idle when you eat vegetables, our brother's family is back today, it's a big joy, why be unhappy about this little thing?" "
Even though the atmosphere was delicate, the topic of conversation at the dinner table was cleverly shifted to other things by Aunt Wang. Everyone began to talk about the changes in the village again, occasionally mentioning new and exciting things in the city, and the children's future became part of the conversation. The dinner continued to advance in a delicate atmosphere. Although Aunt Wang tried her best to reconcile, the dark clouds on Sister-in-law Li's face seemed to be difficult to dissipate for a while. The son's daughter, the grandson, gets her aim and picks up vegetables from time to time, while Zhao Li's daughter, Xiaofang, seems to be a little left out.
Zhao Li saw it in her eyes and felt pain in her heart, she said to Xiao Fang kindly: "Xiao Fang, do you want to try this braised pork, this is your grandmother's specialty dish." "
Xiao Fang nodded, although she felt that the atmosphere was a little strange, but the child's nature was cheerful, and in an instant, she had returned to her smiling face.
Sister-in-law Li didn't seem to notice the embarrassment around her, or rather, she selectively ignored it: "Xiaogang, you eat more, see that you are so thin, you don't have the strength to work." She looked at her grandson dotingly, and the dishes in her hand kept putting them into Xiaogang's bowl.
Uncle Zhang coughed and tried to subtly remind Sister-in-law Li to pay attention to proportion, but Sister-in-law Li didn't seem to notice it, and continued to say to Xiao Gang dotingly: "If you like it, grandma will make it for you every day in the future." "
Zhao Li shook her head gently, she decided that she had to put an end to this unfair treatment: "Mom, there are so many adults and children, let's still be fair." "
"I don't love my grandson, what's unfair about it." Sister-in-law Li replied with a straight face, as if she thought there was nothing wrong with what she was doing.
Xiao Fang was smart and clever, she noticed the tension of the atmosphere, so she tried to divert the topic: "Dad, didn't you win that chess game yesterday?" Tell me more about it. "
Zhao Li's husband Yang Bing was asked, so he could only snort twice and change the topic: "Oh, that, it's nothing, it's just luck." "
Zhao Li once again tried to steer the topic in a more relaxed direction: "By the way, I heard that Uncle Li's oranges have produced very good results this year, so you can take some home if you have time." "
But Uncle Zhang said to Sister-in-law Li more directly: "Sister-in-law Li, is it a little ...... for you to treat children like this?"
Sister-in-law Li just wanted to refute, but the words suddenly softened: "Oh, don't mention this, let's not talk about these troubles today." "
The dinner seemed to be back on the track of harmony, but Zhao Li knew in her heart that tonight's meal was far from being as simple as it seemed on the surface. The harmony of the family feast could not erase the small insistence on equality and justice in her heart.
As the dinner progressed, Zhao Li gradually changed her strategy and began to involve the children in the conversation, gradually easing the atmosphere through the innocent laughter of the children and those hopes for the future.
"Xiaogang, you can also talk about it, I heard my mother tell me how you have been studying recently?" Zhao Li asked softly.
"Oh, it's not bad, the teachers in the school are pretty good." Xiao Gang said absently as he took a bite of meat.
"And how many points do you plan to score on the final exam?" Zhao Li continued to ask.
Xiao Gang thought about it for a while, and said uncertainly: "I think...... I guess I can score more than 90 points. "
Zhao Li smiled, she turned her head to look at Xiao Fang: "What about Xiao Fang?" Do you have a gift you're looking for? "
Xiao Fang blinked her eyes and said innocently: "I want a brand new science encyclopedia, I saw it in the bookstore last time, I really want it." "
After all, the atmosphere becomes softer in the innocence of the children, and the warmth of the family continues to accumulate in every conversation and every eye contact. Zhao Li knows that the memories of this night will be unforgettable and precious for the children and everyone. The atmosphere of family affection has gradually become stronger, the wine has passed three rounds, the dishes have passed five flavors, and the atmosphere of the family banquet has reached a climax. However, Sister-in-law Li's indifferent treatment of Xiaofang still lingers, which is a thorn in the bucket for Zhao Li, who usually strives to treat people equally.
Towards the end of the dinner, Sister-in-law Li began to say some doting words to her Xiaogang again, ignoring Xiaofang on the side. The atmosphere became awkward again. Zhao Li looked at Xiao Fang, who was eating quietly in the corner of the table, and had already made up her mind in her heart.
She stood up and smiled and proposed, "Stop for a moment, I have good news to share with you." ”
Everyone's attention was pulled, and even Sister-in-law Li, who had been busy picking up vegetables, couldn't help but stop her chopsticks and looked at Zhao Li curiously.
Zhao Li smiled and continued: "Today, Xiaofang came back from school and brought back a test paper. ”
Aunt Wang was the first to react, and said with a hint of excitement: "Yes, what is our Xiaofang like?" ”
Zhao Li's husband Yang Bing also nodded with a smile: "This is as it should be, let everyone see our Xiaofang's achievements." There was undisguised pride in his tone.
Xiao Fang was a little shy, lowered her head, and pursed the corners of her mouth.
Zhao Li took out a test paper from her bag and announced loudly: "In this final exam, our Xiaofang actually took the first place in the class, and the total score was close to a full score!" ”
"Oh my god, is it really fake?" Aunt Wang was the first to applaud.
Uncle Zhang also smiled and nodded: "This is a great thing, Xiaofang is really the pride of our family, and the future is promising." ”
Sister-in-law Li was caught off guard, she felt a little embarrassed, but she still asked unwillingly: "Is this result real?" ”
Yang Bing picked up the test paper and proudly handed it to Sister-in-law Li: "Mom, look, it's true." ”
Sister-in-law Li took the test paper and vigorously looked at the score of each point. She was even more embarrassed, especially under the expectant gazes of Zhao Li and Yang Bing.
At this time, Xiao Gang also put down the chopsticks in his hand and said to Xiao Fang: "Sister Xiao Fang, you are so good!" ”
Xiao Fang smiled shyly and didn't take it too seriously, but obviously, everyone, including Sister-in-law Li, was impressed by this achievement.
In the end, Sister-in-law Li stood up and patted Xiaofang's head, revealing an embarrassing but sincere smile: "Xiaofang is so capable, it's too late for grandma to be happy!" Although there are still some ups and downs in her heart, at least at this moment of sharing the results, she chose to express her blessings.
The atmosphere transitioned smoothly in this small change, and Zhao Li's heart breathed a sigh of relief. She knew that equality and respect could not be achieved overnight, but at least, in this small victory tonight, she saw in Sister-in-law Li's eyes the possibility of being willing to understand and change. As night fell, the laughter of the family feast continued unabated, and the heated topic continued. Sister-in-law Li's face has improved significantly, and this night's change is of special significance to her. Xiaofang's success, like a touch of warm sunshine in spring, gradually melted the frost that had accumulated in her heart for a long time.
After the meal, everyone sat around the living room and chatted about family life easily.
"Xiaofang, if you need help in the future, just tell grandma." Sister-in-law Li said softly to Xiaofang, these words were full of encouragement and expectation.
Xiaofang's eyes bent into a crescent moon shape, and she said to Sister-in-law Li: "Thank you, grandma, don't worry, I will work harder." ”
Zhao Li looked at this scene with a smile, and she knew in her heart that this night was not only a dinner party, but also the beginning of a change of concept.
"It's so good, our children are so good, and the days will definitely get better and better in the future." Aunt Wang said with emotion.
Uncle Zhang echoed with a smile: "Yes, the children are capable, and we can rest assured when we are old." ”
The atmosphere was filled with a vision for the future and an affirmation of the new generation. At the end of the dinner, everyone said goodbye to each other with a satisfied smile on their faces.
After seeing off the last relative, the home returned to its former tranquility. When Zhao Li cleaned up the table, she couldn't help but say, "Tonight is really good, I think we all learned a lot." ”
Yang Bing gently hugged Xiaofang and said to Zhao Li: "Yes, today we are not only celebrating, but also creating a new family relationship and concept. ”
Xiaofang leaned on her father's arms and closed her eyes happily, while Sister-in-law Li looked at this warm family from the side, and couldn't help but ask herself: "Perhaps, this is the progress of the times, right?" ”