It has been five years since Aunt Li's husband died, and her children are busy, and she lives alone in the old house, facing an empty room every day, feeling extremely lonely. Her son Xiaojie and daughter Xiaofang, although they often call back, are busy with their careers and families and cannot accompany her for a long time.
"Mom, you're home alone, we really don't feel at ease." Xiaojie said on the phone.
"Yes, Mom, why don't we find you a babysitter, so that you can also have someone to accompany you, and we can rest assured." Xiao Fang also chimed in.
Aunt Li was silent for a while, she didn't want to cause trouble to her children, but the loneliness in her heart made it difficult for her to resist the proposal.
"Alright then, find someone reliable." Aunt Li finally agreed.
Through the housekeeping company, the children found a male nanny named Zhang Qiang for Aunt Li. Zhang Qiang is in his early forties, tall and big, and looks very stable.
"Auntie, hello, my name is Zhang Qiang, and I will take care of you in the future." Zhang Qiang said with a smile.
Aunt Li looked at the man in front of her and felt a little apprehensive, after all, she never thought that there would be a male nanny.
"Hello, Zhang Qiang, then I'll trouble you." Aunt Li responded politely.
Zhang Qiang quickly adapted to the job, not only did he do housework well, but also chatted with Aunt Li, walked, and even taught her how to use a mobile phone.
"Zhang Qiang, you teach this mobile phone so well, I can also video chat with the children now." Aunt Li said happily.
"Auntie, you learn quickly, and you are no worse than young people." Zhang Qiang replied with a smile.
As time went by, Aunt Li's dependence on Zhang Qiang became deeper and deeper, and she began to feel that maybe with a companion, life would be more enjoyable.
With Zhang Qiang's careful care, Aunt Li's face gradually had a smile. She began to look forward to communicating with Zhang Qiang every day, whether it was cooking together or walking in the park together, it became a great joy in her life.
"Zhang Qiang, what are we going to cook today?" Aunt Li asked, with a hint of anticipation in her tone.
"Auntie, what would you like to eat? I can do both. "Zhang Qiang always puts Aunt Li's preferences first.
"Then make your specialty braised pork, my grandson said it was good last time he ate it." Aunt Li said with a smile.
Zhang Qiang's craftsmanship is really good, the braised pork is made with color, flavor and flavor, and Aunt Li eats it with relish.
"Zhang Qiang, your craftsmanship is so good, your family must be very happy, right?" Aunt Li asked while eating.
Zhang Qiang smiled slightly, a hint of complexity flashed in his eyes, "Auntie, my wife passed away a few years ago, and I am alone at home." ”
Aunt Li was stunned for a moment, she didn't expect Zhang Qiang to have such a story, she felt a little guilty, "Oh, Zhang Qiang, I don't know, I'm really embarrassed." ”
"It's okay, Auntie, it's all over." Zhang Qiang comforted.
Aunt Li looked at Zhang Qiang, and an inexplicable emotion surged in her heart. She began to imagine that if Zhang Qiang could become her partner, maybe her life would be more colorful.
One night, while watching TV, Aunt Li accidentally saw a program about the remarriage of the elderly, which made her mind even stronger.
"Zhang Qiang, do you think people of our age can still find happiness?" Aunt Li asked tentatively.
Zhang Qiang was stunned for a moment, and then replied seriously: "Auntie, happiness has nothing to do with age, as long as there is love in your heart, it is never too late." ”
Aunt Li nodded, she decided to have a good talk with Zhang Qiang.
After a dinner, Aunt Li mustered up the courage to propose the idea of remarriage to Zhang Qiang. She clutched the teacup nervously, expectant and uneasy in her eyes.
"Zhang Qiang, I have an idea, I don't know whether to say it or not." Aunt Li's voice trembled a little.
Zhang Qiang stopped what he was doing and looked at her seriously, "Auntie, you say, I'll listen." ”
"I... I thought, can we..."Before Aunt Li's words were finished, Zhang Qiang understood what she meant.
"Auntie, are you serious?" Zhang Qiang asked, his expression becoming serious.
Aunt Li nodded, "Yes, I think we get along very well, maybe... We can spend the rest of our lives together. ”
Zhang Qiang was silent for a while, and then slowly spoke, "Auntie, I respect you very much, and I appreciate your trust in me. But I have three conditions for this. ”
"On what terms?" Aunt Li asked eagerly.
"First of all, we have to have a common goal in life, so that we can go long-term." Zhang Qiang said.
"Of course, we can discuss it together." Aunt Li hurriedly replied.
"Secondly, I hope to get the blessing of our children, after all, they are our closest people." Zhang Qiang continued.
Aunt Li's face was a little solemn, she knew that her children might not be so easy to accept.
"Finally, we need to have a certain economic foundation so that we can guarantee our quality of life." Zhang Qiang added.
Aunt Li fell into deep thought, she knew that Zhang Qiang's words were very reasonable, but she also knew that these three conditions were not so easy to meet.
"Zhang Qiang, I understand your conditions, I will consider it carefully." Aunt Li said, with gratitude and respect in her eyes.
Zhang Qiang nodded, "Auntie, I'm not in a hurry, we all need time to think." ”
That night, Aunt Li lay on the bed tossing and turning, and Zhang Qiang's words echoed in her mind. She knows that this is an important decision that needs to be taken carefully.
After Aunt Li put forward the conditions of Zhang Qiang, she began to think deeply. She weighed Zhang Qiang's words repeatedly, and at the same time considered whether she and Zhang Qiang really had a common goal in life. She began to communicate with Zhang Qiang in more depth, trying to understand his expectations for the future.
"Zhang Qiang, do you have any plans for the future?" Aunt Li asked during a walk.
Zhang Qiang thought for a while and replied, "Auntie, I hope to live a peaceful life, and if I have the opportunity, I also want to continue to study and improve myself." ”
Aunt Li nodded, but she knew in her heart that she would prefer to have someone to accompany her rather than pursue too much personal development. What she wants is stability and companionship, and Zhang Qiang seems to have unfinished dreams.
In addition, Aunt Li is also worried about the reaction of her children. She knew that her children might be worried about property issues or what outsiders would think, after all, in Chinese society, the remarriage of the elderly is not an easy thing for the public to accept.
"Xiaojie, Xiaofang, what do you think?" Aunt Li cautiously brought up the topic at a family gathering.
Xiaojie frowned and said, "Mom, you are not young anymore, I think it is better to be cautious about remarriage." ”
Xiaofang also expressed her concerns: "Mom, we are not against your pursuit of happiness, but are you and Uncle Zhang Qiang really suitable?" ”
Aunt Li listened to the words of her children and felt a chill in her heart. She knew that her children cared for her, but she also realized that the road to remarriage was not as simple as she thought.
After a few days of thinking, Aunt Li decided to have a good talk with Zhang Qiang.
"Zhang Qiang, I've been thinking about it for a long time," Aunt Li said, "I think we do have some differences in our life goals, and I'm also worried about the opinions of my children and society." ”
Zhang Qiang nodded understandingly, "Auntie, I understand your concerns, we really need more understanding and communication between us." ”
"Yes, I have decided to give up the idea of remarrying," Aunt Li said, "but I still hope that we can continue to be friends, and you are still my good helper." ”
Zhang Qiang smiled and said, "Of course, Auntie, I will always be here to support you." ”
Although Aunt Li's decision carried a hint of regret, it also made her feel relieved. The relationship between her and Zhang Qiang was not estranged by the topic of remarriage, but became stronger after frank communication. Zhang Qiang still took care of Aunt Li dutifully, and Aunt Li also began to try to get out of her comfort zone.
"Zhang Qiang, I want to participate in the community dance class, what do you think?" Aunt Li asked while eating breakfast.
"Auntie, this is a good thing, more social activities are good for your mood." Zhang Qiang replied with a smile.
"Then I'm relieved, I'm afraid that I can't keep up with the pace of young people." Aunt Li said with some self-deprecation.
Zhang Qiang encouraged her: "You are not old, you are young." ”
With Zhang Qiang's encouragement, Aunt Li began her community life. She took dance classes and joined a gardening group, and slowly, her life became colorful. She started to have new friends and more smiles.
"Zhang Qiang, how do you see my dance today?" Aunt Li excitedly showed Zhang Qiang her new academic achievements.
"Auntie, you dance so well, I want to learn." Zhang Qiang said approvingly.
Aunt Li's life circle gradually expanded, and she was no longer confined to the small world at home. She began to invite her new friends to her home and share the moments of life together.
"Zhang Qiang, thank you, it was you who gave me the courage to go out of the house." Aunt Li said with emotion.
Zhang Qiang responded with a smile: "Auntie, it is you who are willing to change, and I am just supporting you by the side." ”
As time passed, the relationship between Aunt Li and Zhang Qiang became deeper. They care about each other like family and share life like friends. Aunt Li has found her own social circle and joy in life, and Zhang Qiang has become an indispensable part of her life.
This article is a microfiction, please do not sit in the opposite seat