In a small alley not far from the center of the county, the small restaurant "Warm Kitchen" of Li Hua and Su Jing is full of fireworks, and business is getting better and better year by year. The two have entered their second year of marriage, and after the simple wedding, they relied on the 60,000 dowry money given by Su Jing's mother's family to open this restaurant in this inconspicuous corner. Whether it is the fatty braised pork or the home-cooked fried vegetables, Su Jing's craftsmanship has made repeat customers endless.
"Li Hua, do you see that this stove is starting to leak again?" Su Jing picked up the iron pot and shouted to Li Hua, who was busy outside.
Li Hua immediately put down the account book in his hand and hurried in to take a look. "I'll check it, and if it doesn't work out, I'll have to ask someone to fix it again." As he spoke, he began to scrutinize every opening on the stove.
When the business of the restaurant gradually stabilized, Su Jing's mother and Zhang's mother handed over the precious dowry money to her son-in-law Li Hua, and said earnestly, "Hua'er, you have to help Jing'er keep this money well, and I don't know where to use it in the future." ”
Li Hua held the passbook and nodded solemnly, "Don't worry, Mom, I will never let this money lose anything." ”
Su Jing also smiled and supported her mother, "Mom, don't worry, with Li Hua here, our days will be more and more prosperous." ”
In this way, the 60,000 dowry money spent half a year in a bland manner under Li Hua's "custody". But since the money was handed over to Li Hua, Li Hua hasn't mentioned it again, as if he deliberately avoided this topic. Although Su Jing was puzzled, she saw that Li Hua was tired every day, so she didn't ask any more questions.
Until one day, the news of investing in a small porcelain factory came from the small road in the county, saying that as long as you invest, you can make a lot of money in a few months. After chatting with a few familiar merchants, Li Hua hesitated. He thought, "Although this restaurant is good, after all, it is stained with oil smoke every day, and if the investment is successful, our husband and wife can live a better life." ”
One night, when the customers in the store were almost gone, Li Hua took Su Jing's hand and said with a complicated mood, "Jing'er, do you believe me?" I have an idea, but it will take some of our savings. ”
Su Jing was stunned for a moment and nodded, "Of course I believe in you, you can do whatever you want, I support you." ”
A hint of relief and solemnity flashed in Li Hua's eyes, "Okay, I'll go talk to them tomorrow." In any case, I will give us a better future. ”
Su Jing didn't think much about it, and still looked at Li Hua with trust, not knowing how this decision would affect their future. Li Hua was always weighing the weighing plate in his heart, and after thinking about it again and again, he finally failed to resist the temptation and decided to unilaterally use part of the dowry money to invest in the business of the porcelain factory. He thinks like this, if the investment is successful, he will not only be able to return to his capital, but also give Su Jing a more surprising future, not to mention that he has always had firm confidence in his business vision.
As things progressed, Li Hua left the restaurant more and more frequently to talk to his partners about investment. And whenever Su Jing asked, Li Hua always smiled and diverted the topic, saying something that reassured Su Jing.
"There is always a problem with the broken oven in the kitchen today, and when the business stabilizes, should we also update the equipment?" After a dinner, Su Jing brought up her daily troubles.
"Of course, of course, in a few days, our business will go to the next level, and all good equipment will be available!" Li Hua patted his chest with confidence, but in fact, his heart was a little weak.
As time passed, Li Hua became more and more busy with his investment in the porcelain factory, and spent almost most of his time on it. Every time he went home, he was always full of bright prospects, but he avoided talking about the specifics.
"Hua'er, you've been so busy lately, what are you busy with? Are our deposits okay? Early one morning, Su Jing asked casually while preparing breakfast.
"Oh, no problem with deposits, you can rest assured, they are all in a safe place." Li Hua replied while sorting out the tableware, avoiding the important and trivial, "You still concentrate on your stir-fry skills, and the guests praise you for making a better dish than before." ”
But gradually, Su Jing also felt that things were unusual. Once, she bumped into Li Hua hurriedly putting away a passbook, and her expression couldn't help but show a little panic.
"Is this our passbook? Why haven't I seen it? Su Jing's heart chuckled.
"Oh, that's, a friend asked me to keep it, don't worry about it." Li Hua hurriedly explained, trying to hide the embarrassment.
Su Jing didn't delve into it, but the uneasiness in her heart was like ripples in the undercurrent, always rippling. She was thinking in her heart, looking for an opportunity, she must find out what Li Hua is busy with, what is the current situation of those dowry money.
The porcelain factory that Li Hua invested in seemed to be going well at first, with good returns, which made him more confident in his previous decision-making, and even at home he rarely showed a relaxed smile.
Until one day, the business of the porcelain factory was suddenly hit by the market, a large order was canceled, and the attitude of the partners began to be ambiguous. Li Hua felt the pressure, but he believed he could turn the tide.
However, the good times did not last long, due to various reasons, the problem of investment began to be revealed, the porcelain factory gradually lost in the market competition, Li Hua was suddenly anxious, he realized the seriousness of the problem. He began to run around, trying to make up for the loss of his investment, but he could not hide the fact that the shortcomings were deepening.
Li Hua's busyness and anxiety finally couldn't escape Su Jing's eyes, and she began to feel that she had to take action.
"Hua'er, I'll take a look at this passbook." One afternoon, Su Jing suddenly stretched out her hand directly to Li Hua. On that dull afternoon, Su Jing and Li Hua's lives suddenly became involved in a whirlpool. Su Jing looked at the passbook, her face changed from confusion to shock and anger, "Li Hua, what's going on?" Our sixty-eight, how now... Why is there only 10,000 pieces left? ”
"Jing'er, I... I..."Li Hua was incoherent, knowing that he could no longer hide.
"You... Where did you take all the money? Say! Isn't it the broken porcelain factory? A decision you made without discussion? Su Jing's voice grew higher and higher, and she felt a pain of betrayal.
Li Hua was silent for a moment, then lowered his head, his tone full of powerlessness and guilt, "Yes, I want to... I didn't think about it when I wanted to give us a better future. ”
"A better future? You're gambling like that! Su Jing couldn't calm the anger in her heart, "So much money, my mother has saved all her life!" ”
The conflict escalated rapidly, and Su Jing was so angry that tears welled up, but Li Hua couldn't find the words to comfort his wife. Seeing that the warm home has become a battlefield, the relationship between the two has also reached a critical point.
In the midst of the dispute that broke out, Su Jing dialed her father's phone, "Dad, come over quickly, there's something..."
After a while, Zhang Guodong hurried to the restaurant, with a worried face, "What's wrong, Jing'er, Hua'er, what's wrong with you?" ”
"Dad, that's the case, our dowry money..."Su Jing cried, telling her father everything that happened.
After hearing this, Zhang Guodong's eyes fell on his son-in-law sternly, "Li Hua, how can you do this?" This is a distrust of our whole family! ”
"I'm sorry, uncle, I really didn't expect it to be like this. I just want to..."Li Hua tried to explain, but he didn't know where to start.
"Want? We're here for discussion! You have made a decision, and you should let us know! Sixty-eight Li Hua, you are gambling! Do you know what that means? Zhang Guodong's voice became more and more intense.
In Zhang Guodong's questioning, Li Hua felt unprecedented pressure and remorse, and he understood that his self-confidence had turned into conceit, and he did bad things with good intentions. The strength seemed to be squeezed out of his body, and he lowered his head speechlessly, his heart full of remorse.
The atmosphere is so solemn that it can almost drip water, Li Hua at this moment, in fact, needs a solution more than anyone else, but this chaos needs to be solved by himself. After that turmoil, the atmosphere of the cozy kitchen became heavy. Li Hua knew that he needed to bear the consequences of this impulse. In front of Su Jing and Zhang Guodong, he did not make excuses, but showed unprecedented sincerity.
"Jing'er, Dad, I know it's wrong, it's me who is too selfish and doesn't take into account your feelings." Li Hua's eyes were full of apology, "I'm willing to take on everything, and I'll find a way to make up for it and earn the money back." ”
Su Jing eased her emotions and looked at her husband, who is usually not good at words, "Then what are your plans?" ”
Li Hua took a deep breath, "I will redouble my efforts to work in the restaurant, and I will also look for additional part-time jobs, so that we can keep the family's expenses to a minimum." ”
Zhang Guodong nodded, "Hua'er, you can recognize your mistakes, and I can't say anything." But from now on, we need to establish a transparent family financial system. ”
"Yes, there will be no more concealments and misunderstandings." Su Jing echoed.
So, the three of them worked together to come up with a detailed financial plan and decided to hold a monthly family meeting to check the accounts and make sure that every penny was going clearly.
As the days passed, Li Hua really fulfilled his promise and worked more diligently, not only did the restaurant's business get better and better, but he also found an additional source of income. The same is true for Su Jing, who keeps the restaurant more organized, and the guests are full of praise for her craftsmanship.
At the end of every month at the family meeting, Su Jing would take out the account book and clearly record every income and expenditure, "Look, we have saved more money this month than last month." ”
Li Hua also showed a smile that he hadn't seen for a long time, "Yes, I feel like we are now, but it is much clearer than before." ”
Zhang Guodong nodded with satisfaction, "This is good, transparent, trusted, and everyone can be clear and at ease." ”
The family atmosphere slowly returned to its previous warmth and harmony, and the relationship between Su Jing and Li Hua was gradually repaired through communication and trust. Although the lost funds did not come back so quickly, all three had a more robust and reliable economic plan.
At the end of the year, when the red lantern was hung at the door of the restaurant to welcome the arrival of the New Year, Su Jing held Li Hua's hand and asked with a smile the question she had been asking all along, "Hua'er, you said, if we weren't greedy at the beginning and didn't chase those seemingly easy ways of making money, would we be able to live so well now?" ”
Li Hua looked at Su Jing, with a complicated and emotional mood, and asked with a smile: "Is it, we will never know, right?" ”