In the heat of summer, the sun is as strong as splashing ink, the air is filled with the smell of leaves being burned, and the whole city seems to be in an oven. Cousin Li Mei sat on the sofa in the living room, turned up the temperature of the air conditioner, and enjoyed the fleeting coolness.
The phone rang abruptly and broke the silence of the afternoon, and Li Mei picked up the phone with some reluctance, and the words "Han Li called" were displayed on the screen. Han Li is Li Mei's sister-in-law, with a straightforward personality, and sometimes it can't help but bring a little impact to people.
"Hey, Meimei, it's me, Han Li." On the other end of the phone, Han Li's voice was full of excitement.
"Lili, what's the matter on such a hot day?" Li Mei tried to keep her tone as cordial as possible.
"Ah, my uncle and I decided to take the kids to the city for a few days, and take them to the science museum and zoo by the way." Han Li said, already looking forward to the scene of laughter and laughter.
"Sounds good, the kids will be happy." Li Mei responded with a smile, but she had a vague premonition in her heart.
"yes, I'm thinking... Can we stay at your house for a few days? Staying in a hotel is too expensive, and with your company, the journey will be more meaningful. Han Li said her thoughts in one breath.
Li Mei suddenly fell into a dilemma, she likes to be quiet, and she doesn't want anyone to disturb the family atmosphere she has carefully created, and the home is not spacious, and the sudden addition of five people will undoubtedly make her peaceful life crowded.
"Lili, you also know the situation of my family, I really want to help you, but..." Li Mei explained softly, her heart full of guilt.
"Huh? Meimei, we are a family, it shouldn't be too much of a problem to stay for a few days, right? Han Li was obviously a little dissatisfied, she didn't expect Li Mei to refuse.
"It's a family, yes, but you also know that I'm a bit clean, and I also need my own space, it's not that I really don't want to help, it's just..." Li Mei tried her best to explain, hoping that Han Li would understand.
"Then you can help me book a cheaper hotel online, you have lived in the city for so long, you must know where it is cost-effective, right?" Han Li's voice calmed down, and there was a plea in her tone.
"Okay, that's fine, I'll help you find it. Then I will send you the address and price, you wait for my message first. Li Mei's proposal was obviously approved by Han Li.
"Alright then, I'll wait for your good news." Han Li's tone implied a little disappointment, but also relief.
After hanging up the phone, Li Mei let out a long sigh, turned on the computer, and began to look for a suitable hotel. She understands that as a family, sometimes it's more important to understand and support each other, even if not in the same way. On a scorching summer day, the air seemed to stand still, and Li Mei sat in front of her computer and searched for hotels built next to the cool landscape. She rubbed her mouse lightly, trying to sift through the best options on the page. It didn't take long for her to pick a few hotels with good reviews and reasonable prices, carefully compiled the information into a list, and secretly hoped that Han Li would accept this alternative.
The phone rang again, Li Mei's heart tightened, and she picked up the phone and heard Han Li's angry voice, "Meimei, what do you mean by this?" Are we so unpopular? ”
"Lili, it's not like this, you know I've always been a bit clean, and I really can't live so many people at home, I found some hotel information, it's very cost-effective, I..." Li Mei tried to explain as much as she could.
"What kind of attitude do you have! We are your family! Staying in a hotel outside, how can there be warmth in a relative's house! You reject us so much in your heart? Han Li's emotions became more and more excited.
Li Mei could feel the atmosphere on the other end of the phone freeze, and when she was thinking about how to be good and ease the situation, Li Mei's cousin's voice came from the other end of the phone, "Meimei, I heard Lili say that you don't let us live, is there something inconvenient at home?" "
"Cousin, in fact, this is the case, the space in my house is really limited, and your family of five will suddenly come to live, and it will be very crowded. I've always had a bit of a cleanliness fetish, and I don't feel comfortable with such abrupt changes. Li Mei tried to explain to her cousin.
"Well, I see what you mean, but we have our side with difficulties. Bringing the children out, the cost is already very large, and if you stay in a hotel again, the budget will be exceeded. The cousin's voice was filled with helplessness.
Li Mei fell silent, she knew that her cousin's family was not financially well-off, and this trip was already a big expense for them. The contradictions in my heart are like tangled threads, and I can't figure it out.
"Meimei, do you think this is okay? We only live in the living room downstairs and don't disturb your life. My cousin tried to compromise and try to make the trip both economical and welcoming.
"Cousin, have you really decided to come?" Li Mei pondered for a moment, plucked up the courage to ask.
"Of course, the kids have been looking forward to it for a long time, and we've been preparing for it for a long time." My cousin smiled wryly on the other end of the phone.
Li Mei took a deep breath and realized that the relationship between families was far more important than a little personal space, and she slowly spoke, "Okay then, I'll tidy up in the evening, and you guys can come over tomorrow." "
The cousin's voice was obviously tinged with joy, "Meimei, thank you so much!" Rest assured, we try not to cause you any trouble. "
After hanging up the phone, Li Mei felt a little relieved and looked forward to it. She decided to communicate well with her husband and children, adjust everyone's mentality, and meet the upcoming family test. The living room of Li Mei's house is like a simple dormitory, with a few inflatable mattresses, and the small space is filled with the laughter of children. Li Mei's husband, Li Hua, and Han Li's husband, Zhang Qiang, are sitting at the dining table drinking tea and chatting, while Li Mei is busy preparing dinner in the kitchen, while the children compete for the remote control in front of the TV.
After dinner, the family sat around the living room, the breeze blew the curtains, barely dispelling some of the stuffiness, Han Li suddenly spoke: "Meimei, since we are a family, why do you always reject us so much?" ”
Li Mei's expression was solemn, she didn't show much emotion on weekdays, but she had to speak in the face of this kind of occasion, "Lili, it's not that I reject you, I just think that everyone should have their own space and life, and it doesn't feel good to be disturbed." ”
"But we're only staying here temporarily, so it shouldn't be too much of a problem, right? Do you feel that the help of relatives is a burden? Han Li's dissatisfied tone couldn't be concealed.
Li Mei took a deep breath and tried to stay calm, "You're right, relatives should help each other, but there should be a degree to this. Independence is also a virtue, and I never want to be bad for my family, on the contrary, I want us to both respect and understand each other. ”
Zhang Qiang interjected on the side, "Meimei, if you live between relatives, you can have a better relationship, which is the traditional virtue of the Chinese nation." ”
"Yes, I understand that. But Brother Zhang, I also have my own ideas and lifestyle. I like to be quiet and I like to live in an organized way. Li Mei replied softly.
Seeing this, Li Hua hurriedly tried to apologize and round, "Don't fight, everyone, we are a family, and quarreling can't solve the problem." We should sit down, have a good talk, and find a way that is acceptable to all. ”
Han Li looked a little unwilling, but she also understood Li Mei's situation, she took Li Mei's hand, "Meimei, in fact, I also understand your feelings, we are tossing you, and we will also feel uncomfortable." But this time it really can't be helped. ”
"Yes, we were presumptuous this time, but we can understand your difficulties." Zhang Qiang added on the side.
After some discussion, the atmosphere slowly calmed down. Li Mei and Han Li hugged in the presence of everyone, and Li Hua and Zhang Qiang also clinked glasses, implying family unity and mutual understanding. Although they did not have a final answer to the balance between personal space and family bonds, at least in that moment, they found a temporary compromise and understanding. The warm atmosphere returned to Li Mei's home again, and the evening breeze blew softly, taking away the previous tension and unpleasantness. On the table, Li Mei's carefully cooked home-cooked food was placed, and everyone sat around the table, and the atmosphere was harmonious. Children play on the side, and there are occasional bursts of crisp laughter.
Han Li stirred the teacup and said, "Meimei, thank you for accepting us." I may have really thought it too simple before. ”
Li Mei responded with a smile: "Lili, I also have a responsibility, I should have told you what I think about personal space earlier, instead of waiting until something happened to make it clear." ”
Li Hua took over the conversation, "We all need to understand each other, and no matter what happens in the future, we must communicate honestly, don't we?" ”
Zhang Qiang nodded and said, "You're right, no matter what happens in the future, our family and your family should sit down and discuss it like today, and we can't say something radical in anger." ”
Han Li changed her previous emotions and said gently: "Yes, family affection is like a glass of water, it takes everyone's efforts to fill it, and it is not something that can be decided by one person." ”
"Hey, Lili, you're starting to make a big sense." Li Mei joked.
The children's laughter broke the conversation among the adults again, and the adults looked at each other and laughed in unison. Yes, in the pure laughter of the children, all the problems and contradictions no longer exist, only the warmth and support between the family.
Li Mei stood up and looked at the starry sky outside the window, "Do you see the stars outside?" Although they are far away, they can merge into a glorious galaxy. Our family, not the same, although there is a distance, our hearts are connected. ”
Han Li, Zhang Qiang, and Li Hua all nodded and smiled. The four adults looked at each other and smiled.
As the night wore on, family gatherings drew to a close, and hugs, thanks, and blessings arose. In the days that followed, Li Mei and Han Li were like stars, even if they were sometimes not on the same orbit, they knew how to find each other's place in the twinkling.
When the last light went out, Li Mei silently asked herself in her heart, is each home like a galaxy in the universe, with its own trajectory, but it influences each other and maintains the balance of this home?