In the warm days of spring, cousin Li Qiang's home is particularly lively. I, Li Ming, on this happy day of the family, as a nephew who has reached the age of establishment, carries common expectations and blessings, and participates in the preparations for my cousin Li Mei's wedding with great ambition.
My cousin Li Qiang has been working hard outside since I can remember, and his small grocery store is full of bits and pieces of life. Although Uncle Cousin did not say much, every decision he made about the family reflected his responsibility to our big family. I remember that whenever the Chinese New Year was celebrated, he always worked tirelessly to collect New Year's goods from all directions, just to let his family have a good New Year.
"Is this fruit fresh today?" I helped carry the oranges and asked my cousin, who was busy setting out the food.
"Of course, it's specially picked for my nephew who needs a pick-me-up!" Uncle Cousin wiped the beads of sweat from his forehead and replied.
I smiled, that's my cousin's style. Every corner of the house is filled with joy, and even the cats at home are lazily rolled up in a corner, enjoying the warmth of the family that is not often seen.
I found Lee Mei in the midst of the hustle and bustle, who was standing in front of the mirror, trying on the bride's veil. I leaned over and said, "Cousin, the veil is quite suitable." ”
Li Mei turned around, her face was still a little childish, but she couldn't hide the happiness of entering marriage. "Cousin, do you think I'm beautiful today?" She asked.
"Of course it's beautiful, but on the day of the wedding, you'll definitely be more beautiful." Thinking back to when she was a child, she always followed my buttocks, and Li Mei at that time was naughty, but she was lively and cute. Time is like flowing water, and in the blink of an eye, she is about to get married.
"Thank you, cousin." After Li Mei finished speaking, she showed me a happy smile.
These days, I've been thinking about how much to give my cousin. You must know that on our side, Sui Li is not only a symbol of blessing, but also a kind of inheritance and affirmation of the relationship between family members. After thinking about it, I decided to give a gift of 1,800 yuan, which not only represents my congratulations and love for my cousin, but also a kind of respect for my cousin's hard work over the years.
After the preparations, everyone scattered and busy, and I calmed down and quietly looked forward to this grand wedding. The gift I prepared also contains my feelings and blessings for the family, and I hope to give my cousin the most sincere happiness at this important moment.
As the wedding day drew nearer, I felt that the air in the family was getting denser and denser. It is inevitable that there will be some disputes and contradictions in the preparation process, and the discussion between relatives about the details of the wedding is also in full swing. And the question of etiquette made me think deeply.
"Li Ming, how much money are you going to give your cousin?" An uncle asked me half-jokingly at a family gathering.
This is clearly not the only one I am thinking about. Some of the elders in the family think that they should give more, after all, it is a major matter for their own family; Some people think that it is good to be moderate, and it is not appropriate to be too public. The uncles' words implicit consideration of the family's values – both for family unity and for etiquette.
As for the amount of gifts, I actually had a plan in my heart. 1,800 yuan, which does not seem rash, but also reflects my good wishes for my cousin's married life, and more importantly, this amount is an amount that I can afford for my independent work.
I turned to an aunt who was helping to prepare the banquet: "Auntie, I plan to give my cousin 1800 as a gift, what do you think?" ”
She stopped what she was doing and replied, "This is your heart, and we are naturally grateful." Your nephew is really face-saving for Li Qiang. ”
I smiled and nodded, but I was a little flustered inside, after all, it was the first time I had played such an important role on such an occasion.
However, when I put the envelope in the gift box on the wedding day, and then looked through the registration book, intentionally or unintentionally, I was shocked to find that there was only 800 yuan on the record.
I reconfirmed my memory and was convinced that I was not mistaken, and I gave 1800 yuan. Could it be that the person who recorded it made a mistake? Still—I don't want to think about it, but this serious discrepancy can't help but make me anxious.
The wedding was in full swing, with smiling faces and blessings from friends and family. And my mind is in a mess, is the difference of 1,000 yuan just a small mistake, or is there some story hidden behind it that I don't know?
"Uncle Cousin, that ...... just now" I found a rare gap and asked Uncle Cousin in a low voice.
"Oh, there are so many things that I won't be able to explain for a while." He hurriedly gave me such a response, and he looked preoccupied. However, I felt like a cliff because of this unsolved mystery, on the one hand, I trusted my cousin, and on the other hand, I searched for this unknown mystery.
At this moment, looking at the red hijab on my cousin's head and my cousin's nervous eyes, I understood that there were unknown twists and turns hidden behind this wedding.
The joy of the wedding was overshadowed by a fog of unresolvedness. I stood in the center of the wedding, rubbing the red envelope full of 1,800 yuan in my hand, but it was like holding a bomb that was about to explode. I looked at the unambiguous number in the gift book—only 800 yuan—and with doubts and uneasiness, I began to look for my cousin.
The hustle and bustle and laughter at the wedding scene seemed to have nothing to do with me, I just wanted to figure out what happened to the missing 1,000 yuan. I finally found my cousin in a flowery corner, and he was directing the waiter to set the dishes.
"Uncle Cousin, there's something I want to ask you." I whispered, for fear of being heard.
When my cousin saw that it was me, his originally anxious expression relaxed a little: "What's the matter, Li Ming?" ”
"I read it in the gift book, and I gave the ...... with the gift" Before he finished speaking, his cousin's eyes became flickering.
"What? The amount is wrong, huh? "He tried to be calm, but I could tell he was aware of my doubts.
"Yes, I obviously gave 1,800 yuan, but only 800 was written in the gift book." My voice unconsciously raised a little. My cousin looked around, as if to make sure anyone else had noticed us.
He pulled me to a quieter place on the side, and said in a low voice: "To be honest, business has not been good recently, and I have to prepare for a beautiful wedding, so I can't turn around." ”
The stone in my heart fell to the ground suddenly, and it turned out that the truth of the matter was not as bad as I thought. But all of a sudden, my cousin's decision due to financial difficulties made me both distressed and shocked.
"I'm only using it temporarily, and I'll give it back to you as soon as the wedding happens." Uncle Cousin looked very embarrassed, but on this happy day, he was embarrassed because of money.
I took a deep breath and looked at my cousin's uneasy eyes, and my heart softened. I don't know how much help my elders gave me in my formative years, and I can't care about it at such a moment.
"Uncle Cousin, I know, you have worked hard during this time, and the 1,000 yuan should be regarded as an additional gift for me. The wedding is important, and the most important thing is that everyone is happy. I took my cousin's trembling hand and tried my best to make my voice sound firm.
Uncle Cousin's eyes were red, and he seemed to want to say something, but in the end it turned into a sigh: "Li Ming, it's really ...... to have a nephew like you."
In the end, the topic did not continue at the wedding, after all, this festival belongs to my cousin Li Mei, and I don't want any shadow to cover this most brilliant moment. I gently patted my cousin on the shoulder and melted into the joyous crowd. After all, the wedding still has to go on, and my understanding of family emotions has also been deeply sublimated at this moment.
As the laughter of the wedding slowly dissipated, the night gently covered the town like soft silk. Everything today seems to tell me that life is a faint comedy. I was naturally shocked by my cousin's confession, but as a member of the family, understanding and tolerance are more important than ever.
My cousin and I found a quiet corner out of the guests' sight so we could have a good conversation.
"Don't blame yourself too much, cousin," I whispered, trying to ease his nerves, "I understand that sometimes business can be difficult. ”
My cousin was silent for a long time, looked at me and said, "Nephew, you can say that, I really didn't hurt you in vain." Over the years, the family is really not very rich, I don't mean anything else, I just want Meimei to have a good memory. ”
I suddenly felt a little excited, and I finally truly understood my cousin's sacrifices and efforts for the sake of the family. I clenched his hand: "Uncle Cousin, I don't care about the money, it's good if the family can be harmonious." Today's wedding was a success and we are all happy for Meimei. ”
Uncle Cousin's eyes showed gratitude: "Everything I have done in my life is for this family, for you juniors." When I see you guys, I'm satisfied. ”
As we stood side by side in the night breeze, silently looking at the night sky in the distance, I felt an indescribable warmth. The experience of this night gave me a profound revelation that despite the pressures and difficulties of life, the warmth and support of family will be the driving force for us to move forward.
Home is not just a simple word, it carries our countless emotions and memories, whether in good times or bad, we are all working hard for this common home. I know that I can't make a wrong choice, because our home is worth protecting and understanding.
The bright moon that night was hazy, reflecting the tranquility of the town and the peace of my heart. On this unforgettable night, I gained not only forgiveness for my cousin, but also a reflection and growth on family responsibilities and life concepts.
As the sound of music faded into the night breeze, I embarked on the journey home with a new understanding and maturity. Under the gaze of the stars, I feel as if I am closer to the whole world, and tomorrow, I will continue my life journey with a more open and open-minded mind.