Li Mei sat on a shabby wooden chair, looking out the window at the drizzle, feeling like she had been pricked by a needle. The death of her husband was like a sudden storm, turning her originally peaceful life upside down. Two children, one who has just entered primary school and the other who is still in kindergarten, still do not understand what "loss" means on their immature faces.
"Mom, when is Daddy coming back?" The youngest son's immature voice interrupted Li Mei's musings.
Li Mei's tears rolled in her eyes, and she endured her grief and replied gently: "Dad has gone to a far away place, and it will take a long time to come back." ”
"Will he bring us a present?" The child asked innocently.
Li Mei's heart seemed to be pinched, she took a deep breath, and barely squeezed out a smile: "Yes, Dad will bring us a lot of gifts." ”
It was late at night, the two children had fallen asleep, but Li Mei tossed and turned. The debts owed by her husband before his death, plus the tuition fees and living expenses of her two children, weighed down like heavy mountains. She wanted to go out and find a job, but employment opportunities in the village were limited, and she had to take care of two children.
"Mei, it's not a way for you to go on like this." Aunt Wang, a neighbor, looked at Li Mei, who was getting thinner, and said distressedly.
"I know, but I really don't know what to do." Li Mei's voice was full of tears.
"Why don't you go to the village chief Zhang Hai, he is a warm-hearted person, maybe he can help you think of a way." Aunt Wang proposed.
Li Mei hesitated for a moment, but finally decided to give it a try. Early the next morning, she took her two children to the house of the village head, Zhang Hai.
"Village Chief Zhang, I'll ......" Before Li Mei could finish her words, Zhang Hai interrupted her.
"Li Mei, I've heard all about your difficulties." Zhang Hai's voice was gentle but firm, "Don't worry, the village won't watch you suffer alone." ”
Li Mei's tears flowed involuntarily, and she choked up and said, "Thank you, Village Chief Zhang, I really don't know how to thank you." ”
"Don't thank me, we're all family." Zhang Hai smiled and waved his hand, "You go back first, and I will give you an answer as soon as possible." ”
Li Mei returned home with her child, full of hope. She knew that as long as she had the help of Village Chief Zhang, there would be hope for her life to rekindle the spark of hope.
Village Chief Zhang Hai moved faster than Li Mei expected. The next day, he came to Li Mei's house with some agricultural technical materials.
"Li Mei, I thought about it, the soil quality of our village is suitable for growing some cash crops, such as this kind of grapes." Zhang Hai pointed to the information in his hand and said seriously.
Li Mei hesitated: "Grapes? I've never planted before, can I? ”
"No problem, I'll put you in touch with an expert who can give you technical guidance." Zhang Hai encouraged her, "Moreover, this grape has a large market demand and stable price, so it is a good choice." ”
Li Mei's heart gradually ignited hope: "That's really good, Village Chief Zhang, thank you so much." ”
In the days that followed, Zhang Hai not only helped Li Mei contact agricultural experts, but also organized the labor force in the village to help her build a grape trellis. The men and women of the village, young and old, all reached out to help under Zhang Hai's call.
"Sister Mei, you have done a good job in this vineyard, and we can try it in the future." Aunt Liu in the village joked while helping.
Li Mei responded with a smile: "Auntie, please eat enough when the time comes." ”
As the vineyard gradually took shape, Li Mei's life slowly got on the right track. She began to get busy, and in addition to taking care of the children, she had to go to the vineyard every day, although it was hard, but a smile gradually appeared on her face.
"Mom, you seem to have gotten happier lately." The eldest son noticed the change in Li Mei.
"yes, because mom found new hope." Li Mei stroked her son's head, her eyes full of tenderness.
The success of the vineyard has not only brought Li Mei an economic improvement, but more importantly, it has given her spiritual support. She began to believe that even after losing her husband, she could rely on her own strength to give her children a warm home.
As the vines spread, so did Li Mei's smile. Her life gradually improved, the laughter of children echoed in the vineyards, and she was full of hope for the future. However, Village Chief Zhang Hai's concern for her gradually caused some gossip in the village.
"Brother Hai, are you too nice to Li Mei?" Zhao Tiezhu in the village was under the big tree at the head of the village, smoking dry tobacco while squinting at Zhang Hai.
Zhang Hai frowned and replied calmly: "It is not easy for Li Mei to take care of the child alone, as neighbors, we should help each other." ”
"Hmph, I think you have other plans." Zhao Tiezhu sneered, with a bit of provocation in his words.
Zhang Hai ignored it, he knew that such groundless suspicions and gossip were inevitable, and he was more concerned about the happiness of Li Mei and the children.
Li Mei also heard some rumors, but she didn't take them to heart. She knew Zhang Hai's kindness and was grateful for his help.
"Village Chief Zhang, don't take what the people in the village say." Li Mei said to Zhang Hai during a chance encounter.
Zhang Hai smiled and comforted her: "It's okay, I do what I have to do, what others say is their business." ”
Li Mei nodded, and her respect for Zhang Hai in her heart was a little more. She decided to fight back against the rumors and work harder to make the vineyard the pride of the village.
Time flowed like water, and in the blink of an eye, the vineyard ushered in its first harvest. Li Mei stood under the grape trellis, looking at the clusters of crystal clear grapes, and her heart was full of a sense of accomplishment.
"Mom, are we ready to eat our grapes?" The youngest son pulled the corner of Li Mei's clothes, his eyes flashing with anticipation.
Li Mei squatted down and said gently: "Of course you can, this is the fruit of our family's labor." ”
The attitude of the people of the village towards Li Mei's vineyard has changed dramatically from initial skepticism to later admiration. They began to take the initiative to help Li Mei, and some people even asked her for planting techniques.
"Li Mei, you grow grapes so well, teach me." Aunt Wang in the village said sincerely.
Li Mei smiled and agreed, knowing that this was not only the success of the grapes, but also the beginning of a new life for her and her children.
The misunderstanding and pressure in the village weighed on Zhang Hai and Li Mei's hearts like a heavy stone, but they did not choose to escape. In a casual conversation, Zhang Hai came up with a bold idea.
"Li Mei, we can't let this gossip affect our lives," Zhang Hai said to Li Mei by the vineyard, "and we have to do something to show the people in the village that we are worth." ”
Li Mei nodded, her eyes flashing with determination: "Yes, we can prove ourselves through actions." ”
So, they started planning activities for the women of the village to learn new skills. Zhang Hai used his influence in the village to invite agricultural experts and craftsmen to teach in the village.
"Everyone, pay attention, our village is going to hold a skills training class, and if you are interested, you can come to the village committee to sign up." Zhang Hai shouted from the loudspeaker in the village.
As soon as the news came out, the women in the village talked a lot, but not many were really willing to take this step.
"Brother Hai, can this work? What can we, rural women, learn? Someone asked.
"Of course it works, as long as you are willing to learn, nothing is impossible." Zhang Hai encouraged.
Li Mei also stood up and used herself as an example: "Look at me, a widow, who can now grow grapes with her own hands and feed her two children. ”
Her words were like a warm current, warming everyone present. Gradually, more and more women began to join the training courses to learn skills such as planting, weaving, poultry farming, etc.
"Li Mei, your vineyard is really good, I want to learn too." Sister Zhang from the village said.
"No problem, let's work together so that all the women in our village can have a skill." Li Mei responded with a smile.
Over time, the women of the village not only learned new skills, but more importantly, they found self-confidence and self-esteem. The standard of living in the village gradually improved, the vineyard became a bright spot in the village, and Zhang Hai and Li Mei became role models in the village.
"Village Chief Zhang, Li Mei, thank you, we can now earn money with our own hands." A woman who had just graduated from the training course said gratefully.
Zhang Hai and Li Mei looked at each other and smiled, they knew that this was not only the teaching of skills, but also an awakening of the soul and an innovation of the spiritual outlook of the village.
Over time, Li Mei and Zhang Hai's efforts gradually came to fruition. The women of the village not only learned practical skills, but also gained spiritual independence and self-confidence. Li Mei's vineyard has also ushered in the harvest season, and she and her children are getting better and better.
"Village Chief Zhang, Li Mei, you see, this is a basket I have woven with my newly learned technology." Aunt Zhao in the village was holding a beautiful basket, her face full of pride.
Zhang Hai took the basket with a smile and said appreciatively: "Aunt Zhao, your craftsmanship is really good, this basket will definitely be sold at a good price." ”
Li Mei also nodded and praised: "Yes, auntie, we all see your efforts." ”
A satisfied smile bloomed on Aunt Zhao's face, and she said gratefully: "I have to thank you for giving me the opportunity to learn." ”
The rest of the village followed suit and began to use the skills learned to improve their lives. In the village market, more and more handicraft stalls have appeared, and the faces of the villagers are filled with happy smiles.
"Mom, you see, this is the certificate I won in the school's drawing competition." Li Mei's eldest son ran home with a certificate of merit and excitedly showed it to her.
Li Mei hugged her son excitedly, tears flashing in her eyes: "Baby, you are awesome, mom is proud of you." ”
The growth and progress of the children made Li Mei feel extremely relieved and happy. She knew that she was no longer the helpless widow, but a strong mother, a woman who could give her children a better future.
Zhang Hai looked at all this, and his heart was full of satisfaction and pride. He knew that his and Li Mei's efforts had not been in vain, and that they had truly transformed the village and given everyone hope.
"Li Mei, you see, our efforts have not been in vain." Zhang Hai said with emotion.
Li Mei smiled and nodded: "Yes, Village Chief Zhang, we have not only changed ourselves, but also the entire village. ”
They looked at each other and smiled, their hearts filled with a beautiful vision for the future. Li Mei's life has rekindled hope, and the future for her and her children has become brighter.
This article is a microfiction, please do not sit in the opposite seat