Granny Li, a retired elderly man in her seventies, lives in a quiet small town. Her home is not large, and the furniture is simple, but it is clean and tidy. She is always the first to wake up every morning, carefully make breakfast with the vegetables she grows, and then go out for a walk, picking up some waste cartons and plastic bottles along the way. The afternoon sun shines through the window lattice, on her old ledger, recording her every tiny expense.
Granny Li's son, Li Qiang, has a decent job in a big city, and her daughter-in-law, Wang Li, is a busy working woman. Although her son's family had good living conditions, Granny Li never reached out to them for money, believing that self-sufficiency was the right way to live in her old age. Every holiday, she would carefully put the money she had saved into red envelopes and send them to her son's family who were far away.
Neighbors often saw Granny Li haggling at the market, buying the cheapest vegetables and wearing patched clothes. Her smile revealed a kind of satisfaction and pride, as if to say, "I can live well with my own hands." However, this frugal life is about to undergo subtle changes because of a family reunion.
The spring breeze blows through the town, bringing new vitality and vitality. Granny Li's heart was also full of anticipation, because her son Li Qiang finally agreed to let her live at their house for two months. She imagined the scene of being reunited with her son's family, and a kind smile unconsciously appeared on her face.
For this trip, Granny Li began to prepare weeks in advance. She carefully selected a few new clothes that she was usually reluctant to wear, as well as small handicrafts made by herself, wanting to surprise her grandchildren. She also bought some souvenirs, and although she spent a lot of savings, she felt that everything was worth it.
Finally, the day of departure has arrived. Granny Li carried a simple bag on her back and stepped on the train to the big city. The scenery outside the car window flashed, but her heart was like this train, full of strength to move forward and a vision for the future.
When she arrived at her son's house, Li Qiang and Wang Li greeted her warmly. The grandchildren surrounded her, chattering non-stop. Granny Li looked at this warm little family, and her heart swelled with unprecedented happiness. She secretly made up her mind to enjoy these two months and make up for the pain of lovesickness over the years.
When she first arrived at her son's house, Granny Li was shocked by the modern home environment, with smooth floors, flashing lights, and fully automatic household appliances, everything seemed so novel. However, as time went on, the hustle and bustle of the city and the fast-paced life began to make her feel uncomfortable. The traffic on the streets, the indifference between neighbors, and the high requirements of her daughter-in-law Wang Li for life all made Granny Li feel a little depressed.
Wang Li is a person who pays attention to quality of life, she likes to buy expensive clothes and cosmetics, and chooses high-end restaurants every time she goes out to eat. Granny Li saw it in her eyes and couldn't help but worry about the expenses of her son's family. She tried to make some money-saving suggestions, such as cooking at home and eating out less often, but Wang Li always excused herself on the grounds that she was busy with work.
Once, when Granny Li was hesitating in the supermarket for a few cents difference, she met Wang Li by chance. Wang Li impatiently urged her to make a decision quickly, which made Granny Li feel very embarrassed. On the way home, the two were silent, and there was a trace of embarrassment and unhappiness in the air.
That night, Granny Li lay on the soft bed, but she tossed and turned and couldn't sleep. She began to wonder if her frugality was outdated and if it could really help her son's family. She remembered her simple life in a small town, where there was no bustle of the city, but there was the warmth and comfort of the neighborhood. A thought gradually rose in Granny Li's heart: perhaps, she did not belong to this glamorous but indifferent world.
As time passed, the contradiction between Granny Li and her daughter-in-law Wang Li gradually surfaced. One day, Granny Li was busy preparing dinner in the kitchen, hoping to bring the family closer together with home-cooked meals she had made. However, when she brought it to the table with great interest, she found that Wang Li had already ordered takeout, and it was a restaurant with a lot of price.
A hint of disappointment flashed on Granny Li's face, and she softly reminded Wang Li to pay attention to family expenses, after all, every penny is hard-won. Wang Li disagreed, she thought that it was necessary to enjoy it once in a while, and life should not be too careful. The conversation between the two quickly escalated into an argument, and tension and unhappiness filled the air.
Li Qiang is caught in the middle, he has to comfort his mother and protect his wife. He tries to explain the pressures and demands of modern life, hoping that his mother will understand. But Granny Li insisted that frugality was a virtue and the cornerstone of family happiness. She couldn't accept her son's extravagant lifestyle.
That night, Granny Li sat alone in the dimly lit living room, and the loneliness and helplessness in her heart were as thick as the night. She began to wonder if her values were outdated and if she could really adapt to this rapidly changing society. She remembered her life in a small town, where people were not wealthy, but they cared for each other and lived a simple and authentic life. Granny Li's heart was full of confusion, not knowing what role she could play in this family.
Granny Li's mood became heavier and heavier, and she began to reflect on whether her concept of frugality was incompatible with modern society. One night, she overheard her grandchildren discussing pocket money in her room. The children complained that their pocket money was much less than that of their classmates, and they were even ridiculed at school for it.
Granny Li's heart is like a knife, she never thought that her frugality would affect the growth of the next generation. She walked into the children's rooms, gently inquired about their needs, and promised to do everything she could to help them. The children's eyes sparkled with gratitude and they hugged her tightly.
At that moment, Granny Li realized that although frugality is good, it cannot be at the expense of the happiness of family members. She began to re-examine her values and think about how she could better integrate into the life of her son's family without giving up her frugality.
The next day, Granny Li took the initiative to find Wang Li and frankly expressed her thoughts and feelings. She said: "Lili, I know that we have some differences in ideas, but I really don't want my frugality to affect your life and that of your children. Can we find a balance together? ”
Wang Li looked at Granny Li's sincere eyes, and the frost in her heart began to melt. She realizes that she also has a responsibility to understand and respect the way of life of her elders. The two began an in-depth conversation about how to find a balance between family budget and quality of life.
After some communication, Granny Li and Wang Li reached a consensus and decided to work together to make a reasonable family expenditure plan. Granny Li also began to try to accept some of the conveniences of modern life, while Wang Li learned to cherish the value of every penny more. The relationship between the family members became more harmonious because of this frank conversation.
After that in-depth exchange, Granny Li's mentality changed significantly. Instead of insisting on imposing her own concept of frugality on her son's family, she began to try to understand and adapt to their lifestyle. She learned to use some modern appliances and embraced the lifestyle of eating out occasionally. At the same time, she also taught Wang Li some tips to save money, such as how to plan the family budget reasonably, how to use coupons and promotions.
Wang Li also gradually changed her opinion of Granny Li, and she began to appreciate her mother-in-law's frugal wisdom and integrate it into her own life. She learned to cook healthy and delicious meals at home and eat out less often. As a result, family members have more time to get together and have fun.
Li Qiang saw the changes in his family, and his heart was full of gratitude. He knew that it was not easy for his mother to change, and he also saw his wife's efforts. He suggested that the family hold regular family meetings to discuss family matters and ensure that each member's voice is heard.
As time went by, the relationship between Granny Li and Wang Li became more and more harmonious. They take cooking classes together and come up with ideas for family activities. Granny Li has also become a superhero in the eyes of her grandchildren, and her story and wisdom have become children's favorite bedtime stories.