Sunlight shines through the gaps in the plane trees, dappled onto Liu Fang's curtains, and the warm morning fills with the unique silence of a retirement campus. Liu Fang sat at the old-fashioned dresser, combing her slightly gray hair with the wooden comb that had been with her for half a century, her face full of smiles.
Today is Mother's Day, and Liu Fang deliberately put on the light blue dress given by her son Li Qiang last year, which is the day she looks forward to the most in the year. She blushed lightly in the mirror, and although the years had left marks on her face, those expectant eyes were still bright.
When Liu Fang raised her head and noticed the beating mobile phone messages, the smile on her face deepened. It was a message from Li Qiang: "Mom, Happy Mother's Day!" How about eating together at noon? I booked a restaurant, and my mother-in-law will come too. ”
Liu Fang hurriedly replied: "Okay, mom is very happy, it's been a long time since the whole family has eaten together!" See you at noon. ”
In fact, Liu Fang had a premonition in her heart that Li Qiang would make arrangements. Although this son is busy on weekdays, he always tries his best to prepare surprises on days like this. She carefully selected a scarf, which she had woven by herself, and was going to give it to her daughter-in-law as a gift, and she imagined her daughter-in-law's joy when she received it, and her heart was inexplicably warm.
When he arrived at the agreed restaurant, Li Qiang was already waiting at the door. As soon as he saw Liu Fang, he greeted him, with a smile on his face. "Mom, you're so beautiful today, this dress suits you very well." Li Qiang praised, took the scarf gift box in his hand, and gently took his mother's shoulders and entered the restaurant.
On the dining table, the lights are colorful, and the atmosphere is warm. Li Qiang's wife Li Jing and mother-in-law Zhang Fang were also present, and the laughter and noise were mixed with the sound of the table and the sound of silverware, a scene of harmony.
Liu Fang took out the hand-woven scarf, smiled and handed it to Li Jing: "Jingjing, this is a little gift from your mother, I hope you will like it." ”
Li Jing took the scarf and smiled gently: "Mom, it's so beautiful, I like it so much." ”
In this warm exchange, Liu Fang noticed a delicate gift box in the hand of her mother-in-law Zhang Fang, which was obviously not a gift she would bring herself. Liu Fang frowned slightly, and curiosity and doubts began to ferment in her heart.
Li Jing walked towards Zhang Fang with the gift box and said gently: "Mom, this is a Mother's Day gift that Qiangqiang bought for you." ”
The smile on Zhang Fang's face was as bright as a blooming peony at the moment, she took the gift and praised it repeatedly: "Qiang Qiang is really careful and filial, this brand of watch is not cheap, I have always been reluctant to buy it." ”
Hearing this, Liu Fang's heart sank, and the gentle temperature in his hand seemed to be replaced by a burst of coolness. She thought she would receive a gift carefully selected by her son, but she didn't expect such a big contrast. Although she was reluctant, emotions still subtly rippled on her face.
The atmosphere at the dinner table was still lively, and Li Qiang gave vegetables to his in-laws from time to time, "Mom, please eat more, this fish head is particularly fresh, it is the taste you like." ”
The laughter of the family is full of ears, such a scene should be warm, but Liu Fang's heart has a layer of estrangement for no reason. She smiled to hide, but said no more.
Until the end of the meal, Zhang Fang opened the watch box amid the encouragement of everyone. Liu Fang tried her best to look happy, clapping her hands and praised: "My family, this watch is really classy, and the gift chosen by Qiang Qiang is really extraordinary." ”
Zhang Fang smiled and cooperated: "Liu Fang, wait a minute, you can also open your gift, maybe our son will prepare you better than me." ”
Liu Fang hesitated, but still smiled faintly and took the gift box handed by Li Qiang, which was much smaller than Zhang Fang's and not so delicate.
She gradually tore open the package, revealing the contents of an ordinary ceramic cup. Liu Fang's smile froze for a moment, but she quickly adjusted her mood: "This cup is very good, I just want to change to a new cup." ”
However, no matter how hard the smile on his face is, the regret in his eyes can't be hidden. Li Qiang seemed to notice his mother's abnormality, and hurriedly explained: "Mom, I specially chose this cup, the ceramic one is very insulated, and there is a camellia pattern you like in it, I see that you have to drink tea every day, and I think such a cup should be quite suitable." ”
"Of course, thank you Qiangqiang, it's very practical." Liu Fang couldn't hide a trace of loss, but she didn't dig deeper, but Li Jing asked softly: "Mom, don't you like this cup very much?" ”
Liu Fang smiled stubbornly: "No, no, it's good, it's really practical." The voice was a little lower, Li Jing and Li Qiang glanced at each other, and the atmosphere was slightly solemn.
After the meal, when the family was about to say goodbye, Liu Fang insisted that she would go back by herself, although Li Qiang wanted to send her, she waved her hand: "No need, it's okay for mom to go." ”
Li Qiang had no choice but to watch his mother's back slowly move away, but there were unspeakable worries and doubts in his heart. Liu Fang, who returned to the door of the house, held the ceramic cup, with mixed feelings in her heart, but she was more confused and puzzled by her son.
After a few days, Li Qiang noticed that Liu Fang's mood had been low, and he decided to visit his mother's house. When he arrived at Liu Fang's house, Li Qiang knocked on the door, the door slowly opened, and Liu Fang looked a little surprised: "Qiangqiang, why are you here?" ”
Li Qiang smiled and said, "Mom, on the day of the holiday, I think you don't seem to be in a good mood, I'll come to see you." ”
Liu Fang wanted to speak again and again, and finally whispered: "That cup...... Do you think I'm not as important as my own mother? ”
When Li Qiang heard this, he was stunned for a moment, he hurriedly sat down beside his mother, and said in a serious tone: "Mom, of course not, how can I not take you to heart?" ”
Liu Fang's eyes were full of confusion and expectation: "Then why did you give my mother such a valuable gift and give me ......?"
Li Qiang held Liu Fang's hand and said softly: "Mom, that watch was actually the last time my mother saw it, but she hesitated for a long time and didn't buy it, thinking it was too expensive." My mother-in-law is old and in poor health, so I want to take this opportunity to give her a heart. ”
Hearing this, Liu Fang's face showed a little relief: "Then ...... this cup you gave me?"
Li Qiang smiled: "Mom, do you remember that when you were a child, you often told me the story of the camellia that your father gave you, right?" You always say it's a good memory for you. I searched for a long time to find such a cup, and the camellia on the body of the cup is a special memory I want to give you. ”
Liu Fang listened, her eyes turned red, and she whispered: "Qiangqiang, you are so careful, how can my mother not like it." ”
Li Qiang looked at his mother distressedly: "Mom, every gift I give you is carefully chosen, but I didn't expect it to make you have such a misunderstanding." ”
Liu Fang wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes, and rubbed Li Qiang's head with a smile: "Silly child, it's my mother who thinks too much." ”
The conversation between the two slowly echoed in the room, and all misunderstandings and loneliness dissipated like smoke at this moment. On this ordinary afternoon, Liu Fang re-felt her son's affection and filial piety.
Since then, Liu Fang has decided not to drill the horns anymore, and she has learned that different kinds of love have different expressions. Perhaps in this growing figure, what she really needs is not expensive gifts, but her son's long-lasting and innocent feelings.
The days passed like this, and Liu Fang's life was still simple and regular. But after that profound exchange, she understood her son more deeply. Since then, she is no longer disappointed in what Li Qiang did not do, but can better feel her son's concern in details.
Whenever Li Qiang has free time, he will take Liu Fang for a walk and chat about family life on the park bench. One afternoon, the two sat in the park again.
Li Qiang asked, "Mom, are you okay lately?" Is there anything you need help with in your life? ”
Liu Fang smiled and shook her head: "I'm fine, I play Tai Chi with my old friends every day, listen to the radio, and live a comfortable life." ”
Li Qiang smiled reassuringly: "That's good, I'm afraid that you will be lonely at home alone." ”
Liu Fang patted Li Qiang's hand and said seriously: "Qiangqiang, you have already given a lot to your mother, and if your mother is healthy, she doesn't need too many things." ”
Speaking of this, Liu Fang's eyes fell on the children's paradise not far away. At that time, the sun was just right, laughter was full, and a few children were playing in the sand pit. Her eyes showed a faint warmth and satisfaction, and then turned to Li Qiang: "Look at those children, aren't they also very happy?" ”
Li Qiang followed Liu Fang's gaze, nodded and said softly, "Yes, they are really happy." ”
Liu Fang sighed lightly and continued: "We always pursue more in a complicated life, but sometimes, it's better to lie flat and simpler, isn't it? ”
Between the words, the two experienced each other's thoughts, and this understanding made their relationship more harmonious.
From that day on, Liu Fang became more relaxed and happy. She began to enjoy every ordinary day more, relieved by the simplicity and beauty of the world. As for Li Qiang, he also learned to think from his mother's point of view, and the relationship between the two generations became more harmonious.
At night, Liu Fang picked up the camellia ceramic cup on the warm bed, and a faint sense of happiness emerged in her heart. The night outside was gentle and peaceful, and she whispered to herself: "Isn't it good to be so ordinary?" ”