Zhang Laosan is a veteran cadre who has been retired for many years and is 69 years old. Since his retirement, he has been living alone in this small two-bedroom apartment, living a relatively leisurely life.
Although the pension is only 4,300 yuan, it is enough for Zhang Laosan, who lives alone. He often walks around the community, grows flowers and plants at home, and occasionally goes to the park to do tai chi. Life is simple, but it's also comfortable.
However, since his son Zhang Ming got married and had children, this peaceful life has been a little turbulent. Zhang Ming's family rented a small apartment not far from Zhang Laosan's family, because the house was too small, which often made Zhang Ming feel a little inconvenient. Dad, we came here to discuss something with you. Zhang Ming saw his father sit down and said straight to the point. What's the matter, you can tell it. Zhang Laosan frowned slightly, and faintly felt in his heart that something not very good might happen. Actually, we've been thinking about buying a bigger house all this time, but we're a little short on money, so we wanted to see if you could move out and let our family live here. Zhang Ming's tone carried a hint of uncertainty and apology.
Zhang Laosan was silent for a moment, and his tears finally couldn't help falling. He has always regarded this small family as his last support, but now he is about to be kicked out, and he suddenly feels extremely lost and helpless in his heart.
Zhang Laosan silently wiped the tears from the corners of his eyes, his heart was full of complicated emotions. He understands the needs of his son's family, but this house carries too many memories and attachments for him. Dad, I know it's not going to be easy for you, but we really need more space. I'll try to take care of you as much as I can, you don't have to worry about it at all. Zhang Ming said distressedly.
After some struggle, Zhang Laosan finally gritted his teeth and agreed to his son's request. A few days later, he packed his belongings and moved out of the small home that had been with him for many years.
Before leaving, Zhang Laosan lingered in every corner of the house for a long time, as if to imprint these familiar scenes deeply in his mind. He carefully wrapped the pot of aloe vera he had grown on the windowsill and decided to take it with him. This pot of aloe vera has been carefully cared for by him for many years, and now it is leaving with him.
The moment he moved out of the house, Zhang Laosan couldn't help but burst into tears again. It was once his safe haven, a peaceful place for him to enjoy his old age. But now, he has to leave here to adapt to an unfamiliar environment. He couldn't help but sigh with emotion, when people get old, they are really useless.
Zhang Ming's family moved into this small two-bedroom apartment. Even if there is more space, economic pressure also comes with it. In order to house their father, they had to cancel their previous plans to renovate the house.
The children are happy to have more space to play, but also ask their mom and grandpa when they will be back from time to time. Zhang Ming's wife looked at her husband distressedly, knowing full well that this decision was also a huge challenge for him.
Zhang Laosan found a one-room apartment not too far from his son's house, with a monthly rent of 2,000 yuan. This is undoubtedly a big expense for him, who only has a pension of 4,300 yuan. But he had no choice but to reluctantly accept this arrangement.
In order to save money, Zhang Laosan started some new lifestyles. He wakes up early every day to go to the park for morning exercises, eats at a nearby restaurant at noon, and returns to his apartment in the evening. On weekends, he would go to his son's house to eat or take his grandchildren out to play.
Sometimes, when he is alone in the apartment, it is inevitable that there will be a wave of loneliness and loneliness in his heart. Over the years, he has become accustomed to his own rhythm of life and to that familiar little home. Now that I am suddenly forced to move out, I will inevitably feel lost and uneasy in my heart.
But Zhang Laosan also understands that he is no longer the backbone of the family, but an old man who needs to be taken care of. He tried to adjust his mentality and try to adapt himself to this change. Sometimes, he will take the initiative to help his son's family with some household chores, hoping to share some of the burden for them.
Once, Zhang Ming's wife told him that the children had recently said that they missed their grandmother, but they rarely mentioned themselves. This made Zhang Laosan feel sad for a while, and he began to doubt whether he was really needed by his family.
Gradually, Zhang Laosan began to frequently move around the community, hoping to find some spiritual sustenance. He got to know a lot of retired old neighbors, chatted together, played chess, and had a lot of fun time.
One day, Zhang Laosan met an old friend in the park. This old friend, who is also a retiree who lives alone, was quite sympathetic after hearing about what happened to Zhang Laosan. He suggested that Zhang Laosan simply move in to share a house with him, so that they could take care of each other and not be too lonely.
Zhang Laosan pondered for a long time, and finally decided to accept his friend's proposal. He understands that even though he is no longer the center of his family, he needs to find his own way of life. Perhaps in his time with his friends, he will be able to find new meaning and happiness.
So, Zhang Laosan packed his luggage again and moved to a friend's house. This time, instead of shedding any more tears, he was full of anticipation for the future. It may be the case in some ways that people are useless when they get old, but as long as they have the courage and determination to live, they believe that they will eventually find a new world of their own.
In the months after Mr. Zhang moved to a friend's house, he gradually found a new rhythm of life. Every morning, he goes for a walk with his friends in a nearby park and has lunch with his friends at a nearby restaurant. In the afternoons, they get together to play chess or talk about their lives. In the evening, Zhang Laosan would read books and listen to music in his small room alone, and occasionally call his son's family.
Although this kind of life is a little different from before, Zhang Laosan has adapted to it. He gradually felt the freedom and joy of living independently, and no longer worried about being a burden to his family as before.
One day, Zhang Laosan suddenly received a call from his son Zhang Ming. The son said that he has been very busy lately and rarely comes to see him, hoping to find time to accompany him. When Zhang Laosan heard this, he couldn't help but be a little surprised, but he still welcomed him happily.
When Zhang Ming's family arrived, Zhang Laosan greeted him with a smile on his face. The son and daughter-in-law couldn't help but say hello when they saw their father's energetic appearance. We are here this time mainly to see how you are doing lately, and if there is anything you need our help Zhang Ming asked with concern.
Zhang Laosan waved his hand again and again, his face full of joy. I'm good, good! Living with friends during this time has been much easier than before. He laughs. When the son and daughter-in-law heard this, they couldn't help but feel relieved by their father's positive attitude.
In the ensuing conversation, Zhang Laosan introduced his new life to his son. He said that every morning he did morning exercises with his friends, and at noon they would eat and chat together. In the afternoons, they also play puzzle games and discuss current affairs. These activities not only kept him physically and mentally healthy, but also made him feel fulfilled and happy in life.
After Zhang Ming and his daughter-in-law heard this, they couldn't help but be stunned for a moment. They had been worried that Zhang Laosan would be too lonely if he lived alone, but they didn't expect his father to not only adapt well, but also live so fully and comfortably. It seems that just because people are old doesn't mean they are useless. Zhang Laosan's words made them can't help but have a new understanding of people of this age.
When he was about to leave, Zhang Laosan took his son's hand and said earnestly: You know, I have always felt that I was a burden before. But through this period of life, I have found that as long as I face it positively, I will definitely find my own happiness. When you are older, it is not that you don't know anything, but you have more experience and wisdom. We can live our lives to the fullest.
The son and daughter-in-law glanced at each other, and their faces showed admiration and emotion. They never imagined that this old man, who had been in the family for a long time, would now be able to look at life with such a positive and optimistic attitude.
After sending off his son's family, Zhang Laosan returned to his small room alone. He looked out the window at the sunset and sighed with emotion. Life is like sunrise and sunset, there are always ups and downs. But as long as we know how to cherish the present, believe in ourselves, and believe in life, we will definitely be able to reap happiness and joy.
Perhaps, just like the pot of aloe vera that has been with him for many years, as long as it is cared for, it can thrive again in a new environment. So, why aren't we old people who are too old like this Zhang Laosan said to himself thoughtfully.