Li Yue was wearing simple work clothes, hurriedly took off the shoes at the door, and as soon as he stepped into the house, he felt an unusual atmosphere. The kitchen was dimly lit, the chairs were empty, and there was not even a sign of a bowl of rice on the table. She was slightly stunned, and then realized that she had to face that problem again today.
"Why did you come back so late?" Li Yue's husband Zhang Qiang frowned, and his tone revealed dissatisfaction, "My mother and I have been waiting for you for a long time, and we are so hungry that we can only eat some fruit to cushion our stomachs." "
Li Yue's heart tightened, tried to keep her composure, changed into slippers and walked into the living room, only to see her mother-in-law Wang Jiao sitting on the sofa with a displeased face. There are a few apple cores on the table, which seem to tell the helplessness of hunger.
"Mom, I've been working overtime until now, and I really can't come back early." Li Yue explained as softly as possible, "You and Zhang Qiang don't have to wait for me to eat first." "
"Oh, why are we embarrassed to eat first?" Wang Jiao pretended to sigh helplessly, "You are the housewife of the family, and the food is still waiting for you to come back and cook well." "
Li Yue felt powerless for a while, she didn't know how many times she repeated this scene - every time she got off work, she tried to shuttle through the crowd, just to return to her 'comfortable' home as soon as possible. She tries to understand her family's expectations, but every time the burden falls on her shoulders, the feeling of injustice sweeps over her like a tidal wave.
"Zhang Qiang, Mom, can't we order some takeout now?" Li Yue tried to come up with a solution, "I'm really tired, and I may have to wait a little longer for cooking." "
"Hmph, how can takeaway be as healthy as cooking at home," Zhang Qiang waved his hand disappreciatively, "Besides, our family can save money, and we can't spend money indiscriminately." "
Li Yue couldn't help but retort softly: "But I'm really tired, I work overtime all week long, and I have to cook when I go home..."
"Okay," Wang Jiao interrupted Li Yue, "You don't do this every day. Who called you a daughter-in-law? Let's go cook, we're all hungry. "
Li Yue sighed, turned around and walked towards the kitchen. While washing the vegetables, she silently planned in her heart, maybe she could use a little means to change this old rule, after all, she also needs to rest, and she also longs to be understood and respected. The kitchen lights were particularly dazzling, and Li Yue stood by the sink, the kitchen knife in his hand falling heavily on the cutting board. Smoke and steam filled the space, and with her tiredness, it made for a muffled picture of dinner preparation. But today, instead of suffering silently as usual, she brewed a small counterattack in her heart.
"Hmm......" The kitchen door was pushed open, Zhang Qiang suddenly appeared at the door, he seemed to notice Li Yue's difference, "Yueyue, what are you doing tonight?" My mom and I were hungry. ”
"It's a little late today," Li Yue stopped what he was doing, turned around and smiled, "I want to surprise you." ”
Zhang Qiang looked at her curiously, he rarely saw Li Yue maintain such a relaxed attitude at this time. He smelled a fragrance that didn't belong to the dish, and was slightly stunned, "This smell is ...... Did you order takeout? ”
"That's right," Li Yue admits frankly, "I know that you and your mother may not like takeout very much, but it's good to change the taste once in a while." And I'm so tired today. ”
Zhang Qiang was obviously surprised, but in front of Li Yue's frank smile, he slowly let go of the displeasure on his face, "Oh, that's it, that's ...... I'll do it today. ”
"Hey, Zhang Qiang, Yueyue, what are you talking about in the kitchen?" Wang Jiao's voice came from the living room, and she dragged her slippers in. When I saw the scene in the kitchen, I was stunned at first, and then frowned slightly, "Takeaway? Our family never eats takeout. ”
"Mom, it's just once, anyway, Yueyue is very tired today, can we be considerate?" Zhang Qiang seemed to have been moved by Li Yue's behavior and began to explain for her.
"But there must be a principle," Wang Jiao is still stubborn, "cooking is the duty of a daughter-in-law." ”
Li Yue pretended to be embarrassed, but there was firmness hidden in his eyes, "Mom, marriage and family are mutual, and Zhang Qiang can also cook." And now that society advocates equality between men and women, just the occasional takeout doesn't mean what's wrong, right? ”
Wang Jiao was speechless by Li Yue's straightforward words, she looked at her son Zhang Qiang, as if looking for support.
"Mom, Yueyue is right, we are a family, we should understand and help each other." Zhang Qiang softened his tone, "Let Yueyue also take a break, the most important thing is for our family to be happy." ”
Wang Jiao didn't speak for a long time, but her expression gradually changed from stiffness to relaxation. Li Yue knew that she had to seize this opportunity, she stepped forward and whispered to Wang Jiao: "Mom, I also want to be a good daughter-in-law and a good wife." But I'm really tired, and I also wish home could be a place for me to rest, not a more tiring place. ”
Wang Jiao looked at Li Yue's eyes and finally saw a hard-working, but at the same time needed support.
"Okay, that's it for today." Wang Jiao finally relented, "But what is the takeout order?" Maybe...... You can try it. ”
Li Yue's face showed a happy smile, "Mom, you will definitely like it, it is the Lu restaurant that you love to eat, and the sweet and sour fish you like." ”
Wang Jiao couldn't help but show a hint of a smile, and Li Yue breathed a sigh of relief. After a moment of calm, she knew that she had won the first step in the battle. The atmosphere that night was more relaxed than ever. The takeaway delivered by Lu Restaurant was spread all over the table, fragrant and colorful, and Wang Jiao no longer had the previous precautions and resistance, but curiously picked up a piece of sweet and sour fish.
"Well, it tastes really good." After Wang Jiao took a bite, she couldn't help but praise, "The takeaway is indeed delicious." ”
Zhang Qiang also nodded, seeing that his mother-in-law's attitude had softened, he was surprised and relieved. "yes, we can change the taste once in a while."
"Later?" Li Yue muttered in a low voice, and then suddenly said firmly, "Since tonight's takeout is so popular, then we might as well make a small change." We can set a 'take-out day', just like the 'Thanksgiving' in the West, there is a fixed day where everyone can take a break. ”
Wang Jiao and Zhang Qiang glanced at each other, this proposal obviously made them feel fresh.
"Takeaway day?" Wang Jiao repeated the word, "It does sound interesting, like a little festival." ”
"That's right! I recommend every Friday as a reward for a hard week as a family. Li Yue struck while the iron was hot, "You can propose the dishes you want to eat, and we will take turns to order them, which is both fair and can taste different cuisines." ”
"That'...... Do we have to take turns paying? Zhang Qiang said half-jokingly, but his eyes revealed serious interest.
"Absolutely." Li Yue replied with a smile, "It's fairer, not to mention that we're all family, aren't we?" ”
Wang Jiao smiled, was silent for a while, and then nodded, "Okay, just try as you say." We are all adults, and we should know how to enjoy life. ”
"Really?" Li Yue's eyes were full of surprise, she didn't expect the two of them to accept her suggestion so easily.
"Really." Wang Jiao replied with an affirmative look, "After all, you work so hard, home should become your harbor." ”
The ensuing dinner was unusually enjoyable, with a few dishes and new house rules that made the dinner extra meaningful. After the meal, Wang Jiao also deliberately took Li Yue's hand and said earnestly: "Yueyue, I am sometimes stubborn, but I also hope that our home can make everyone feel warm and comfortable." ”
Although Li Yue seems to have succeeded slightly, she knows that what she is doing is not just for the sake of rebellion, but for the future of this family, so that everyone can live with dignity and happiness.
"Thank you, Mom, I ...... I was really impressed. Li Yue hugged Wang Jiao gently, and at this moment, she finally felt the warmth of a veritable home. Since that "transformative" dinner, the atmosphere of Li Yue's house has changed dramatically. Takeaway Day became a time of the week that everyone looked forward to, and Li Yue gradually felt a growing understanding and support among family members.
As time went on, every Friday, Zhang Qiang and Wang Jiao would discuss in advance what they wanted to order. "Yue Yue, how about I want to eat that new pho this week?" Zhang Qiang said to Li Yue with a smile.
"I'm okay with that, I'll listen to you." Wang Jiao is no longer the stubborn mother-in-law, full of interest in new things. "It's a very colorful world out there."
Li Yue watched the communication of her family with satisfaction, and a warmth swelled in her heart. She began to take the initiative to share interesting stories at work, and the atmosphere at home was relaxed and happy, and the topics at the dinner table extended from their daily routines to their plans for the future.
"Shouldn't we also plan to go out together when the weather is warmer? It's not about enjoying life. Wang Jiao suddenly proposed.
"Sounds good, we can go to the beach and change the environment." Zhang Qiang also agreed, "Yueyue, what do you think?" ”
"I think it's good," Li Yue said happily, "we can plan our journey together and do something different." ”
After dinner, the house is filled with topics for planning a vacation. The family talked about where to go and what to prepare, and it was a lot of fun. Li Yue tapped the plate with chopsticks, attracting the attention of the family.
"Actually," Li Yue said softly, "the most important thing is that we can be together, right?" ”
"That's right." Wang Jiao's bright eyes flashed with approval, and Zhang Qiang also nodded beside him, "The warmest thing is home." ”
The night sky outside is deep and serene, and the lights of the home reveal a soft and warm glow. Li Yue silently thought in his heart: "This is the life I yearn for." ”
And isn't all this because of mutual respect and understanding, and the courage to change?