After Li Ming retired, he had some savings in hand, and the first thing he thought of was to get a new house. He discussed with his wife for a long time, and finally decided to buy a set in the community of his son Li Qiang's house. They feel that this will not only allow them to enjoy their retirement life, but also make it easier for them to take care of their grandson, Xiao Ming.
"How about we buy it at my son's house?" Li Ming said excitedly to his wife.
My wife hesitated, "Will it be too close?" Children need space too. ”
"Oh, it's better to be closer, we can see our grandchildren more and help them with some housework." Li Ming insisted on his own opinion.
His wife couldn't resist him, so she agreed. So, Li Ming happily started his journey to buy a house.
On the day he moved into his new home, Li Ming stood at the door, looking at the door of his son's house opposite, full of anticipation. He knocked on the door of his son's house, and Li Qiang opened the door and was a little surprised to see his father.
"Dad, why are you here?" Li Qiang asked.
"Oh, your mother and I moved to the opposite door, and we'll be neighbors from now on." Li Ming said with a smile.
"Really? That's great. Although Li Qiang said this, there seemed to be some reluctance in his tone.
Li Ming didn't care, he began to visit the door frequently, helping his son's family with housework and playing with his grandson. At first, Li Qiang and his wife Xiaomei were grateful, but after a long time, they began to feel inconvenienced.
"Dad, we want to cook our own food today, so you don't have to come over." Xiaomei said euphemistically one day.
"It's okay, I'm here to help, you're tired from a long day's work." Li Ming didn't care.
Xiaomei and Li Qiang glanced at each other, both a little helpless. They began to realize that Li Ming's "good intentions" might not be what they wanted.
As time passed, Li Ming's frequent intervention began to make Li Qiang and Xiaomei feel pressure. They began to try to express their feelings tactfully, hoping that Li Ming would understand.
One night, Li Ming, as usual, came to his son's house with the fresh vegetables he had just bought, ready to help cook. Li Qiang looked at the food in his father's hand, and felt a little uncomfortable.
"Dad, you really don't have to come to buy groceries for us every day, we can do it ourselves." Li Qiang said softly.
"Oh, you're so busy at work, I don't have anything to do when I retire, so I should exercise my body." Li Ming responded with a smile.
Xiaomei listened on the sidelines and couldn't help but interject: "Dad, we know that you mean well, but we also want to have our own space, and sometimes we also want to enjoy the world of the two." ”
Li Ming was stunned for a moment, as if he didn't expect Xiaomei to say this, he smiled a little embarrassedly: "Okay, okay, I'll pay attention in the future." ”
However, Li Ming did not really understand what his son and daughter-in-law meant. He still came to his son's house regularly every day, sometimes without even saying hello.
Once, Li Qiang and Xiaomei planned a romantic dinner and wanted to enjoy a rare time for two. They deliberately told Li Ming in advance that he didn't have to come over tonight, but Li Ming still showed up at the door with the braised pork he made.
"Dad, we have arrangements for tonight." Li Qiang said helplessly.
"Arrangement? What is the arrangement? Didn't I add a dish to you? Li Ming was puzzled.
Xiaomei had no choice but to explain: "Dad, we want to have a separate meal tonight and enjoy the world of two." ”
Only then did Li Ming realize that he might have really disturbed them, he smiled awkwardly, put down the braised pork, and turned to leave.
Li Qiang and Xiaomei glanced at each other, both a little helpless. They began to realize that if they didn't communicate directly with Li Ming, this situation could continue forever.
On the day of the family reunion, Li Ming came to his son's house early to help prepare dinner. In the kitchen, he was busy chopping vegetables, and suddenly heard a conversation between Li Qiang and Xiaomei in the living room.
"I think we really need more personal space," Xiaomei's voice was low, with a hint of helplessness, "Dad is always here, and we don't even have a little time for ourselves." ”
Li Qiang sighed and responded, "I know, I don't think it's good either." But Dad has good intentions, and we can't say it directly. ”
The knife in Li Ming's hand stopped, and his mood became complicated. He didn't expect that his kindness would make his son and daughter-in-law feel pressured. He listened silently, and his heart began to reflect.
At dinner, the family sat around the table, and the atmosphere was a little awkward. Li Ming wanted to open his mouth several times, but the words came to his mouth and swallowed back. He noticed that the interaction between Xiaomei and Li Qiang was less than usual, and their smiles seemed a little forced.
After the meal, Li Ming offered to help wash the dishes, but Xiaomei said, "Dad, you have worked hard, let's do it ourselves today." ”
Li Ming nodded, turned around and walked to the living room. He sat on the sofa, looking at the night scene outside the window, and his heart was mixed. He began to realize that he might really need to change.
In the evening, Li Ming returned to his home, sat at his desk, and took out paper and pen. He thought about it for a long time, and then began to write a letter in which he expressed his understanding and respect for his son and daughter-in-law, as well as his determination to give them more space.
The next day, Li Ming handed the letter to Li Qiang and Xiaomei. After reading the letter, a hint of emotion flashed in their eyes.
"Dad, thank you for understanding us." Li Qiang held Li Ming's hand.
Xiaomei also said gratefully: "We will come to see you often, and you have to take care of yourself." ”
Li Ming smiled and nodded, feeling a hint of relief in his heart. He knew that this was another important decision he made in his later years.
Grandson Xiaoming's birthday party was held at Li Ming's house, which was decorated with colorful decorations and full of children's laughter. Li Ming was busy making sure everything was ready. Xiaomei and Li Qiang also tried their best to create a warm atmosphere, hoping to give Xiao Ming an unforgettable birthday.
Halfway through the party, Xiao Ming and a few children were playing in the living room, while Li Ming was watching from the sidelines, with a happy smile on his face. Suddenly, Xiao Ming accidentally knocked over a glass of juice, and the juice spilled on the carpet.
"Xiao Ming, why are you so careless!" Xiaomei immediately walked over, with reproach in her tone.
Seeing this, Li Ming hurriedly stepped forward, "It's okay, it's okay, children, how can there be people who don't make mistakes." ”
Xiaomei frowned, "Dad, we have to teach him to be responsible, we can't always spoil him like this." ”
"Oh, he's still young, take your time." Li Ming disagreed.
Li Qiang also joined the discussion, "Dad, Xiaomei is right, we can't always get used to him. ”
Li Ming was a little unhappy, "Why am I used to him?" Didn't you come back like this when you were kids? ”
Xiaomei's face sank, "Dad, the times are different, we can't always use the old way to educate our children." ”
Li Ming's voice also raised, "Old-fashioned? Isn't this also for the sake of the child? ”
The atmosphere suddenly became tense, and the other guests noticed the quarrel and looked at it with concern. Xiao Ming was frightened by this sudden quarrel and stood aside at a loss.
Li Qiang realized that the situation was not right, and hurriedly played a round, "Okay, okay, today is Xiao Ming's birthday, let's not quarrel over this trivial matter." ”
Xiaomei also calmed down and said to Li Ming: "Dad, we don't want to quarrel with you, we just hope that there can be more consensus on the issue of educating children." ”
Li Ming was silent for a while, then sighed, "I know, maybe I'm too stubborn." I'll try to understand your thoughts. ”
After the party, Li Ming sat alone on the sofa, thinking about the quarrel just now. He realized that he and his son's family did have many differences in concepts, and this may be something he needed to think about and adapt to more.
After a quarrel at his grandson's birthday party, Li Ming began to deeply reflect on his behavior and attitude. He realized that although his intentions were good, too frequent interventions and traditional educational concepts did cause stress and inconvenience to his son's family.
A few days later, Li Ming convened a family meeting. He sat on the sofa with a serious expression, Li Qiang and Xiaomei sat opposite, and the atmosphere was a little dignified.
"I've thought about it for a long time, and I've talked to your mom." Li Ming spoke slowly, "I've decided to move out of here to give you more space." ”
Li Qiang and Xiaomei both looked a little surprised. Xiaomei hurriedly said, "Dad, you don't have to do this, we can slowly find a way to get along." ”
Li Ming waved his hand, "No, that's my problem." I need to learn to let go and let you live your life your way. ”
Li Qiang also expressed his opinion: "Dad, we are grateful for everything you have done for us, but we do need some personal space. ”
Li Ming nodded in understanding. He continued: "I have set my sights on a nice place, not far from here, where I can come to see you often, but it will not disturb your life. ”
Xiaomei said movingly: "Dad, thank you for understanding us." We'll be going to see you often. ”
Li Ming responded with a smile: "Okay, then we'll settle it like this." I hope our relationship is as good as ever. ”
In the weeks that followed, Li Ming began to sort out the move. He packs with his wife while also adjusting to his new life that is coming.
On the day of the move, Li Qiang and Xiaomei brought Xiao Ming to help. Xiao Ming took Li Ming's hand and said reluctantly: "Grandpa, will you come back to see us often?" ”
Li Ming squatted down and said to Xiao Ming gently: "Of course you will, grandpa will miss you." ”
After the moving car drove away, Li Qiang and Xiaomei stood at the door, looking at the distant vehicle, their hearts full of complicated emotions. They knew that this was a new beginning, not only for Li Ming, but also for their own families.
This article is a microfiction, please do not sit in the opposite seat