My name is Zhang Fu, I am 68 years old, and I was a primary school teacher before I retired. My wife Li Guixiang and I have been married for more than 40 years and have been living in this small city. We have a daughter named Zhang Yue, who is married to Zhou Ming, and they have a lovely son, Xiaobao, who just started kindergarten this year.
That morning, I was watering the flowers in the yard. The spring sun gently sprinkles the petals, and the air is filled with a faint fragrance of flowers.
"Lao Zhang, look how well these flowers bloom!" Li Guixiang stood at the door and said with a smile.
I straightened up, wiped the sweat from my forehead, and responded with a smile: "Yes, just like our days, the more prosperous they get." "
As he spoke, the door of the courtyard was pushed open. I looked up and saw that it was my son-in-law Zhou Ming.
"Dad, Mom, are you busy?" Zhou Ming walked in with a smile, still carrying two plastic bags in his hands.
"Xiao Zhou is here, come into the house." Li Guixiang greeted warmly.
The three of us walked into the house, and Li Guixiang poured a glass of water for Zhou Ming. Zhou Ming took out a few boxes of supplements from the plastic bag and put them on the coffee table.
"Dad, Mom, this is what Yueyue and I bought for you, you usually have to make up for it." Zhou Ming said.
I waved my hand: "We don't lack this, you can keep it for yourselves." "
Zhou Ming insisted: "Dad, you and Mom have worked hard all their lives, and now it's time to enjoy the blessings." By the way, I discussed with Yueyue and wanted to invite you to travel. "
Li Guixiang and I were stunned. Zhou Ming continued: "We have saved 60,000 yuan, you can go wherever you want to play." "
"It's... That's too much, right? Li Guixiang looked at me with some uneasiness.
I was also a little hesitant: "Xiao Zhou, we have received your wishes, but this money..."
Zhou Ming interrupted me: "Dad, don't shirk it with your mother." Xiaobao has gone to kindergarten, and Yueyue and I have stable jobs, thanks to your care over the years. This tour is a little bit of our heart. "
Looking at Zhou Ming's sincere eyes, Li Guixiang and I glanced at each other, and finally nodded in agreement.
And just like that, we set out on our journey. I visited the famous mountains and rivers, tasted the food of various places, and saw many new things. But during this pleasant journey, I always felt a little uneasy. Zhou Ming was extremely attentive to us, and it seemed that he had something to say but it was difficult to speak.
Finally, at a dinner, Zhou Ming and Zhang Yue sat across from us, looking a little nervous.
"Dad, Mom, Zhou Ming and I have something I want to discuss with you." Zhang Yue spoke, her voice trembling a little.
I put down my chopsticks and suddenly had a bad feeling in my heart.
Zhou Ming took a deep breath and said, "That's the case, I found a good job opportunity in a big city. We want to... I want to move in and develop. "
I jerked to my feet, the chair screeching on the floor. "What? Are you moving out? My voice trembled with anger.
Zhang Yue lowered her head and whispered, "Dad, we've been thinking about it for a long time. There are many opportunities in big cities, which is also good for Xiaobao's growth..."
I interrupted her: "You've been thinking about it for a long time? Why tell us now? Did you decide a long time ago and didn't take us seriously at all? "
"No, Dad..."Zhang Yue wanted to explain, but I couldn't listen anymore.
Anger overwhelmed me, and I raised my hand and gave Zhang Yue a slap. A "pop" echoed in the restaurant.
"You unfilial girl!" I yelled and slapped her twice.
Zhang Yue covered her face, tears streaming out of her eyes. Zhou Ming stood up and tried to stop me, but I pushed him away.
"Get out! Get out of here now! I pointed to the door, shouting hoarsely.
Zhang Yue ran out of the restaurant crying, and Zhou Ming chased after her. Li Guixiang wanted to stop me, but I shook off her hand and went straight back to the room.
That night, I tossed and turned, unable to sleep. The scene of dinner kept replaying in my mind, and I was both angry and sad. Why are they leaving? Could it be that all these years of our efforts are nothing in their eyes?
The next morning, when I woke up, I found that Zhang Yue and Zhou Ming had already left. There was silence in the room, except for the sound of Li Guixiang busy in the kitchen.
"They're gone?" I asked.
Li Guixiang nodded and sighed: "I left last night." "
For the next few days, the atmosphere at home was unusually depressing. I was depressed all day, and Li Guixiang was busy with housework, as if she wanted to hide her anxiety with busyness.
A week later, in the afternoon, the neighbor Uncle Wang came to visit the door. As soon as he entered, he sensed that something was wrong.
"Lao Zhang, what's wrong with you? The face is so ugly. Uncle Wang asked with concern.
I smiled reluctantly and didn't answer. Li Guixiang poured a cup of tea for Uncle Wang and explained the situation briefly.
After listening to this, Uncle Wang pondered for a moment and said, "Lao Zhang, I think you should look at the problem from a different angle. It's normal for young people to have their own ideas, and if they want to break through, it shows that they are self-motivated. You should support them. "
I frowned, noncommittal.
Uncle Wang continued: "Besides, now that the transportation is so convenient, they can come back to see you at any time. Why do you bother to stiffen the relationship? "
Uncle Wang's words made me fall into deep thought. After seeing off Uncle Wang, I sat on the sofa and recalled the bits and pieces of these years. Zhang Yue has been sensible since she was a child, and she and Zhou Ming have always been filial after getting married. Maybe... Maybe I'm being too selfish?
Just as I was thinking nonsense, Li Guixiang came over and whispered, "Lao Zhang, shall I give Yueyue a call?" "
I was silent for a moment and nodded.
Li Guixiang dialed the phone. Zhang Yue's slightly choked voice came from the other end of the phone: "Mom..."
"Yueyue, are you all right?" Li Guixiang asked softly.
"We're fine, Mom." Zhang Yue paused, and then said, "I discussed it with Zhou Ming, and we decided not to move." It's the family that counts. "
Hearing this, I jerked my head up, and a hint of surprise flashed in my eyes.
Li Guixiang glanced at me and handed me the phone. I took the phone, and my voice trembled a little: "Yueyue..."
"Dad..."Zhang Yue's voice was crying.
I took a deep breath and said, "I'm sorry, Daddy shouldn't have hit you." Dad was wrong. "
There was silence on the other end of the phone for a while, and then Zhang Yue's voice came: "Dad, we really decided to stay." We will find a way to develop here. "
My eyes were moist and my voice was choked: "Okay... Good... When will you be back? "
"We'll be back right away." Zhang Yue said.
After hanging up the phone, Li Guixiang and I looked at each other and smiled, as if a big stone had finally landed.
As the sun sets, golden sunlight pours into the room through the windows. Li Guixiang and I sat on the sofa, quietly waiting for the return of Zhang Yue's family. After experiencing this turmoil, I cherish the happiness in front of me even more.
Soon after, the doorbell rang. I got up to open the door and saw Zhang Yue, Zhou Ming and Xiaobao standing at the door. Zhang Yue's face was still a little red and swollen, but her eyes were full of smiles.
"Dad..."Zhang Yue called out softly.
I opened my arms and hugged her tightly. Tears blurred my vision, but I knew that our family was finally back together.
At that moment, I deeply understood a truth: the love between family members should not be bondage, but should be mutual support and understanding. We may have differences, but as long as we have love in our hearts, there is no hurdle that we cannot overcome.
Looking at the happy family in front of me, I know that our future will be even better.