On a night filled with the smell of dinner, in the living room of Lao Li's house, bursts of laughter came from the TV. Lao Li and his wife Granny Li are watching the well-known family drama with their son Li Qiang and daughter-in-law Zhao Xin, as well as their daughter Li Hong, who is in college.
"Mom, this dish is so fragrant, you have to teach Xinxin how to do it." Li Qiang said to Granny Li with a smile while eating.
"Well, Xinxin's cooking is very good, but there are some skills that you still need to learn from me." Granny Li responded to her son and glanced at Zhao Xin, who was busy in the kitchen.
Zhao Xin wiped the beads of sweat on his forehead, and couldn't help but smile when he heard this: "Mother-in-law, I'm not still studying, you can give me a few more tricks." ”
"Hey, come on, come on, give you a taste of this." Granny Li stood up and walked towards Li Hong with a small plate of freshly cut fruit, while not forgetting to instruct, "Honghong, eat more, don't you want to lose weight, this fruit is low in calories." ”
Li Hong took the fruit and said delicately: "Thank you, Mom, in fact, I think I have lost a lot of weight recently." ”
Li Qiang's eyes were sharp, and he noticed the bracelet that Li Hong was wearing on his hand, "Sister, this bracelet is quite new, where did it come from?" ”
Li Hong hid her hand in a hurry, "Oh, this is from a friend." ”
Zhao Xin glanced at it inadvertently, but was slightly shocked in her heart, wasn't that the gift Li Qiang gave her on her last birthday?
After dinner, Zhao Xin quietly grabbed Li Qiang and asked in a low voice: "Qiang Qiang, the bracelet on Honghong's hand ......"
Li Qiang looked around and whispered, "That's yours, right?" Maybe my mother made a mistake and gave Honghong a new one. ”
Zhao Xin frowned, but he still tried his best to lower his voice: "...... Then I have to get it back, that's what you gave me. ”
"Okay, okay, I know, I'll ask my mom." Li Qiang didn't want to make this matter too stiff, so he got up and walked towards Granny Li's room.
"Mom, that bracelet ......" Li Qiang stood at the door, a little hesitant.
"Oh, Qiangqiang, your mother and I are old, and my eyes are not good, so I took one to your sister." Granny Li smiled, looking like it wasn't a big deal, "It's all a family, Xinxin won't mind." ”
Li Qiang glanced at Zhao Xin and saw her bowing slightly, so he stiffened his head and said, "But ...... That's my birthday present for Shin Shin, Mom. ”
"What's this, I'll buy a new one for Shin Shin when I go back." Granny Li laughed as if it were that simple.
However, Zhao Xin's expression became complicated, and this was not the first time that her things had quietly disappeared and then appeared here with Li Hong. She had an indescribable feeling in her heart, this matter seemed small, but it slowly spread, like a stone thrown into a pond, and the ripples spread out in circles. Zhao Xin lay on the bed, tossing and turning and unable to sleep. Her mood was like a stirred pool, no longer calm. Missing is her beloved white dress embroidered with pink cherry blossoms, the one-of-a-kind dress she found in an alley when she first went abroad. Unexpectedly, the missing skirt actually appeared on Li Hong.
At breakfast the next day, Zhao Xin finally couldn't bear it anymore and mentioned it to Granny Li, with a voice that couldn't hide her frustration: "Mother-in-law, have you seen my white dress?" Yesterday I saw that the one I wore looked very similar to ......"
The chopsticks in Granny Li's hand paused: "Oh, that." Honghong is about to intern, and she doesn't have any decent clothes. I see so many clothes in your closet, so I ......"
The dissatisfaction in Zhao Xin's heart was like ignited gunpowder, but she still barely kept a smile: "But that's my favorite, mother-in-law, I hope this kind of thing will ...... in the future."
"It's all a family, so you don't need to be so clear." Lao Li dropped the newspaper and interjected unhappily, interrupting Zhao Xin's words.
Zhao Xin looked at her husband Li Qiang in surprise, hoping that he could say something for himself: "Qiangqiang, what do you say?" ”
Li Qiang was stunned for a second, and finally lowered his head and remained silent, and an awkward silence enveloped the table.
At lunch, Zhao Xin didn't say anything, just ate silently. After the meal, she picked up her mobile phone and sent a WeChat message to her best friend Xiaoyu: "It's super unpleasant today, my white dress is missing, and it turns out that my mother-in-law took it to my sister-in-law." ”
Xiaoyu quickly replied: "What?!" That's your baby, you can't just leave it at that! ”
Zhao Xin replied, his heart was already up and down. In the evening, she saw Li Hong's circle of friends post a photo of herself wearing that dress, and Zhao Xin felt extremely aggrieved.
One afternoon a week later, Zhao Xin and a few colleagues inadvertently brought up the matter of the skirt again during their lunch break, and everyone felt that Zhao Xin was too weak and should be tough to get their things back.
"Zhao Xin, you have to be tough, you can't let people take your things casually." A colleague said categorically.
"Yes, if you don't assert your rights, you will have to do it later?" Another colleague chimed in.
Zhao Xin was about to continue, but unexpectedly found that Lao Li walked into the office, and it seemed that he had just heard the discussion of his colleagues.
Lao Li was expressionless, glanced at Zhao Xin, and slowly turned his head to leave. Zhao Xin hurriedly chased out: "Lao Li, that, did you hear that?" ”
Lao Li's face was not good-looking: "Xinxin, don't take the affairs of the family outside, it's not that I said you, you don't care about the face of our family?" ”
Zhao Xin's heart tightened: "I didn't mean to ......"
Lao Li didn't wait for Zhao Xin to finish speaking, and waved his hand: "Forget it, pay attention in the future." ”
That night, Zhao Xin's relationship with Lao Li and Granny Li began to become delicate. Reason tells her that she should give in and maintain family harmony, but the injustice in her heart is boiling like magma. Zhao Xin began to think about how to find a balance between respecting herself and maintaining family harmony. Zhao Xin was lying on the bed tossing and turning, and the scene in the office today made her feel unprecedented embarrassment and humiliation. Lao Li's words pierced her heart like a needle, and she knew that this matter had to be brought to an end.
A few days later, Zhao Xin plucked up the courage and decided to talk to Granny Li again, but this time she was going to do it in a different way.
After dinner, Zhao Xin found an opportunity to communicate with Granny Li alone: "Mother-in-law, I know that I inadvertently talked about the family a few days ago, which caused inconvenience to you and Lao Li, didn't I come to apologize." ”
"Ouch, Xinxin, mother-in-law, I know you don't have a heart, it's just that this matter has a bad impact." Granny Li responded with some guilt.
Observing the relaxation of Granny Li's mood, Zhao Xin continued: "Let's talk about Honghong's taking my clothes, I'm not careful, that dress means very special to me." ”
Granny Li finally realized the seriousness of the problem, and she was silent again: "I know, Xinxin, if you like that dress, I will call Honghong back to you tomorrow." ”
"Mother-in-law, I don't really have to have that dress, I just think there is a problem with the communication between us. If there is a decision at home that needs to be discussed with me, I will feel much more respected. Zhao Xin's voice was gentle but firm.
At this moment, Lao Li walked in and heard their conversation: "What are you talking about? He asked, his brow furrowed slightly.
Zhao Xin showed a resolute attitude: "Dad, I talked to my mother-in-law about my views on some family matters. I wish we could communicate more, after all, I'm part of this family. ”
Lao Li looked at Zhao Xin, and then at Granny Li: "It seems that I blame you, Xinxin." Family, just say it's okay. ”
And just like that, they sat down and started an in-depth family meeting. Zhao Xin told her feelings truthfully, and Lao Li and Granny Li also expressed their thoughts.
After a long talk, they began to get to know each other and found a way to respect and understand each other. Communication makes them realize that solving problems does not require deliberate struggle or concession, but requires sincere dialogue and willingness to understand each other's hearts.
Although the road will not be smooth, this in-depth conversation has undoubtedly built a bridge of communication between Zhao Xin and this family. After that calm conversation, the relationship between Zhao Xin and Granny Li has improved significantly. Li Hong also heard the whole thing from her mother and realized the harm she had inadvertently caused to Zhao Xin.
A week later, a small family meeting was organized at home. At the meeting, Granny Li spoke first: "Xinxin, my mother thought a lot about what happened that day, I really didn't realize that dress was so important to you." I'm old, and I need your young people's advice in the future. ”
Li Qiang nodded, "Yes, Mom, Xinxin is young, sometimes she thinks more carefully, we need to listen to her opinion." ”
Zhao Xin said softly: "Mother-in-law, I know that you have a good heart, but I didn't tell you the truth about my feelings. If there is anything in the future, I will speak openly and discuss it together. ”
"Yes, Mom, Xinxin is right. I'll mind our own business and not let you worry about it. Li Hong also hurriedly expressed his support.
"Actually, there's something I'm worried about at home...... Lao Li said suddenly.
Zhao Xin and the rest of the family looked at him in surprise, "What's the matter?" ”
"I heard your conversation at the door of your unit that day, and I couldn't help but feel sorry to see you so sad. I'm worried that such a thing will not affect the relationship between you and the couple. ”
Zhao Xin smiled, reached out and shook Li Qiang's hand: "Lao Li, this little thing can't mess up our feelings, right, Qiangqiang." ”
Li Qiang looked at Zhao Xin, his eyes were full of warmth, "Of course, we will go through every ups and downs hand in hand." ”
After the meeting, the atmosphere at home became relaxed and pleasant. Zhao Xin also opened her heart and saw this incident as an opportunity for growth with a new attitude. Families find their place in each other's understanding and respect.
A few days later, Zhao Xin's birthday arrived, and Granny Li specially prepared a gift for her, which was a handmade scarf with a unique design. "Xinxin, this is woven by my mother-in-law, I hope you like it."
"Thank you, mother-in-law, I like it very much." Zhao Xin said movingly.
The atmosphere of harmony lasted for a long time, but life always teaches people a lesson when they are unexpected. Do we always have to choose between affection and dignity?