In a calm suburban town, the shadows of plane trees are slanted on the clean alleys, and the breeze brings a faint scent of osmanthus flowers. Li Hua was sitting on the balcony of his home, watching the people walking on the street in twos and threes, while thinking about the family's expenses in his heart.
"Husband, we have to talk about the family's finances." Li Hua turned his head and said to Zhang Qiang, who was watching TV in the living room.
Zhang Qiang replied lightly: "Oh, then again, isn't it good that we can have a regular income every month." ”
Li Hua sighed lightly, she knew that Zhang Qiang was a good man who was confused, and he had always been so-so about money management. "It's not a problem, I've noticed that we've had a lot less money in our savings account lately."
Zhang Qiang coughed lightly and touched his head a little embarrassed: "Uh, about this... I have to confess to you, I lent the money to Ming Ming and let him use it first. ”
"Lend it to Ming Ming?" Li Hua's face suddenly became serious, "You mean, you lent all our savings to your brother Zhang Ming?" ”
"No, no, not all, there's a little bit left." Zhang Qiang hurriedly explained, "He is about to get married, and buying a house always requires a lot of expenses." ”
Li Hua stood up suddenly, she now understood why the cost of living was getting tighter and tighter before. "Buying a house is important, but what about our daily expenses, as well as the cost of our children's education? How can you make a decision so without a single discussion? ”
Zhang Qiang got up and softened his attitude: "I know it's a bit big, but it's obviously my only younger brother, and his marriage is also a big deal for the family." I thought that the days were still long, and we would slowly save them back. ”
"Do you know what that means for the family?" A hint of disappointment flashed in Li Hua's eyes. "You made a decision, but you never thought about me and the child."
Li Hua walked back to his room, his heart full of helplessness and grievances. She has always been the one who puts the family first in her marriage, but she didn't expect that her thrifty family savings would become unrecognizable overnight.
In the next room, Xiaobao's voice sounded: "Mom, my school is going to the Science and Technology Museum next week, and I have to pay the activity fee." ”
"Got it, baby." Li Hua barely squeezed out a smile, her heart became even heavier, she didn't know when this simple and ordinary life would be a new starting point. Li Hua's heart sank to the bottom, she didn't quarrel with Zhang Qiang immediately, but calmly cleaned up her feelings. After sitting down in the living room, she took a deep breath and decided to try to communicate with Zhang Qiang again.
"Zhang Qiang, have you forgotten the original agreement between the two of us?" Li Hua's voice was calm but a little firm, "We said that no matter how big or small, the two of us have to discuss it." ”
Zhang Qiang looked a little uncomfortable, and he tried to defend himself: "I... I know that's what we agreed on. But you also know that my mother has always wanted Ming Ming to marry a good daughter-in-law and live in a new house......"
"But have you thought about it, how much of a blow this is to our own family?" Li Hua interrupted him and said sincerely and urgently, "Our Xiaobao is about to enter primary school, and he may need cram school, your parents are not in very good health, and the medical expenses are a large amount, what should we do?" ”
Zhang Qiang's expression was heavy under this persuasion: "I... It's a little impulsive. But I can't watch my brother get married and have nowhere to settle down, right? I also relented for a while. ”
"Your soft-heartedness is exchanged for me and Xiaobao's future risks, is this what you want to see?" A hint of resoluteness flashed in Li Hua's pupils, "We must find a solution." ”
Zhang Qiang was speechless, and Li Hua's words hit his heart like a heavy hammer. Li Hua didn't want to blame Zhang Qiang anymore, she knew that blaming could no longer solve the problem, and she had to come up with a practical solution.
"I have a proposal," Li Hua said, "tomorrow our family of three will go to your parents' house, spread things out, and let everyone figure out a way together." ”
Zhang Qiang nodded, and only then did he really realize the seriousness of the problem: "Okay, we'll go tomorrow." ”
The next day, the family of three came to the home of Zhang Qiang's parents. Zhang Qiang's father, Zhang's father and Zhang's mother, had already arranged their home and waited for their arrival. With persistence and a glimmer of hope, Li Hua began to recount the pressure on the family's finances during this time.
After hearing this, Zhang's mother had a complicated mood: "What the hell is going on?" How could there be such a mess in our family? ”
Zhang Qiang awkwardly explained that he had lent money to his younger brother. Dad Zhang's face became serious: "No matter what the reason, you have to discuss things to do, and you can't have the final say alone." ”
Xiaobao also interjected on the side, "Mom and Dad, don't make any noise, I won't go to the Science and Technology Museum." ”
Li Hua's eyes were red, looking at Xiaobao's innocent face, his heart was like a knife, "No, baby, mom guarantees that your life will not be affected." ”
Zhang Ming also arrived at this time, and after knowing what happened, he felt very guilty: "Brother, sister-in-law, it's me who is not good, I shouldn't be so selfish and put you in a predicament." ”
The anxiety of his parents, Zhang Qiang's guilt, Xiaobao's ignorance and Zhang Ming's guilt are intertwined in the living room into an intractable picture of the family.
After a long silence, Zhang Qiang spoke: "In this way, Ming Ming and I will go to the bank to get a loan, and lend you the money first, which can be regarded as reducing the burden on ourselves." ”
Zhang Ming hurriedly agreed: "Yes, that's it." I'll find a way to get it back as soon as possible. ”
After this family twist and turn, Zhang Qiang also understood the importance of responsibility and commitment. It will take time to get back to his old life, but at least he realizes what to do in the future. After the dispute, Li Hua went to the small supermarket downstairs to buy some vegetables. She decided to make a "loose meal" tonight. It's not a simple dinner, it's a meaningful ritual, a moment for her to take a stand.
Zhang Qiang looked at Li Hua, who was in a hurry, and had mixed feelings in his heart: "Huahua, what are you doing?" It's so grand. ”
Li Hua did not stop the work in hand: "Tonight, our family is going to invite my parents and Ming Ming to dinner." ”
"Eat?" Zhang Qiang was stunned for a moment, "Didn't you just go to their house?" What else is there that is not clearly said to your face? ”
"Yes." Li Hua said calmly, "I want everyone to know that this home needs to be maintained by everyone, and I have a decision to announce." ”
At dinner time, all the Zhang family came. The table was full of dishes carefully prepared by Li Hua, but the atmosphere was surprisingly silent.
Dad Zhang was the first to break the silence: "Huahua, is there anything good about such a rich meal?" ”
Li Hua smiled slightly, with a hint of perseverance in her smile: "It's not a celebration, but a farewell." Today, our table may be the last time we will be reunited like this. ”
Zhang Qiang's heart sank suddenly, and surprise flashed in Zhang's mother's eyes: "Farewell? Hua Hua, what you say..."
"What I want to say is," Li Hua took a deep breath and looked around at everyone on the table, "Home is not one person's home, it's everyone's home." Zhang Qiang's money is also my money, and it is the family's money. But now, the foundations of this home have been shaken. ”
Zhang Ming couldn't sit still: "Sister-in-law, it's me who is not good, I shouldn't be so greedy and bring trouble to everyone." ”
Li Hua shook his head: "Obviously, I don't blame you entirely. Everyone has their own difficulties, and I can understand that. But as a family, we have to face problems together and share risks. ”
Zhang Qiang held Li Hua's hand: "Huahua, I was wrong. Please give me a chance to make amends for this home. ”
Li Hua looked at Zhang's father and Zhang's mother: "Dad, Mom, we need everyone to find a way together, we can't go against the grain like this anymore." We need a reasonable plan, a plan that holds everyone accountable. ”
Zhang's mother's eyes were red: "You kid, you're right." Our whole family has to come together. Isn't there a saying that unity is strength. ”
"Yes, Mom is right." Zhang Qiang finally became serious, "I will reduce the problem of our expenses." Obviously, we will find a balance when it comes to the issue of the marriage room. ”
After the silence, the family began a constructive discussion on how to face the next difficulties, and each of them put forward their own opinions and suggestions.
At the end of the meal, everyone's hearts gradually got closer, and this meal was no longer a meal of the group, but a reunion meal, a new beginning. In the days after that casual meal, the atmosphere of the Zhang family quietly changed. Zhang Qiang and Zhang Ming began to actively plan the repayment plan, Li Hua gradually let go of the stone in his heart, and Xiaobao's smile brightened again at home.
For dinner one day, the family sat around the table in a warm atmosphere.
Zhang's father said with relief: "Today's loan from the bank has been completed, which can be regarded as a temporary solution." ”
Li Hua smiled: "Yes, at least we have a hope now." ”
Zhang Qiang looked at Xiaobao: "Baby, don't worry about the science and technology museum, Dad will definitely take you there." ”
Xiaobao smiled happily: "Great! I love going out with my mom and dad the most. ”
Zhang Ming also followed everyone's example and worked hard to adjust his life: "Brother, sister-in-law, I have been looking for an opportunity to work overtime recently, hoping to pay off my debts as soon as possible." ”
Zhang's mother nodded and praised: "Well, our family should unite as one!" ”
Everyone also rushed to participate in the cleaning work after the meal. Zhang Qiang took the rag and gently wiped the dining table: "Huahua, do you think I'm doing the right thing?" ”
Li Hua's work did not stop: "Of course, such you are the Zhang Qiang who had the courage to take responsibility that I knew at the beginning." ”
In the laughter, family members take care of each other, and the warmth of home flows in such a daily life. Every response, every smile, is slowly mending those inadvertent cracks.
Time passed, and the Zhang family gradually returned to their original life trajectory. Although the savings did not return to the account immediately, the family's relationship and understanding were deepened by this turmoil.
Zhang Qiang hugged Li Hua on a quiet night: "Huahua, if time can be turned back, will everything be different?" ”
Li Hua snuggled into his arms and whispered, "Who can say? But sometimes, perhaps it's these twists and turns that make us understand more. ”
Late at night, the moonlight shone on this small home, and the sound of the family's breathing was calm and rhythmic. Perhaps true happiness is hidden in this ordinary daily life, as long as there is love, understanding, and tolerance.
As time passed, the warmth of the Zhang family continued, and the support and trust between the family members grew. Finally, all the loans were paid off, and Xiaobao happily went to the science and technology museum of his dreams.
The Zhang family sat around the table again, smiling brighter than before.
"Today's meal is so delicious," Xiaobao praised while eating, "Mom's craftsmanship is really getting better and better!" ”
"Yes, Huahua," Zhang Qiang took over, "Can we consider having another casual meal?" ”
"Loose meals?" Li Hua was stunned, then shook his head with a smile.
The story ends here, and the bits and pieces of happiness continue to play out in this small family. Perhaps, true happiness is not the absence of disputes and disagreements, but the ability to find the strength of unity and harmony in the wake of these challenges. Isn't it true that sometimes, a casual meal can be the beginning of getting back together?