The afterglow of the setting sun casts over the old town, and the golden glow contrasts with the old stone pavement. Xiaoli dragged her tired body, withdrew from her busy work, and set out on the way home. The willow trees on the street corners swayed in the wind and rustled, as if playing a peaceful overture to the town's night.
When you open the door, you will be greeted by the familiar aroma of food. Mother-in-law Li Juan has already prepared dinner, and the table is full of Xiaoli's favorite dishes. A smile appeared on Xiaoli's face, and she felt warm in her heart for her mother-in-law's carefulness and thoughtfulness. She called out softly, "Mom, I'm back." ”
Li Juan poked her head out of the kitchen with a kind smile on her face: "Xiaoli, you're back, come and eat, it's all your favorite food." ”
Xiaoli changed into her home clothes, washed her hands, and sat down at the dining table. While eating, the two chatted about family life. Xiaoli told interesting stories at work, and Li Juan asked Xiaoli about her health and work condition with concern. The atmosphere at the dinner table was warm and harmonious, as if all the tiredness was soothed in this simple dinner.
After the meal, Xiaoli took the initiative to help clean up the dishes and chopsticks, and Li Juan went to prepare the bath water. Xiaoli was secretly glad in her heart that she had such a considerate mother-in-law, and her life was full of happiness and peace. Little did she know, however, that the calm evening was about to be shattered by a sudden storm.
When night falls, the stars twinkle and the moonlight shines all over the land. Xiaoli sat on the sofa in the living room, holding a magazine in her hand, enjoying a rare leisure time. Li Juan's voice broke the silence: "Xiaoli, I've already boiled the water, you can go take a bath." ”
Xiaoli answered, got up and walked to the bathroom. She pushed open the bathroom door, only to smell a strong smell of herbs. The bathtub was filled with water with a faint yellow glow, which was obviously a medicinal bath specially prepared for her by Li Juan. Xiaoli frowned, she didn't like the taste of this herb, but thinking that it was her mother-in-law's kindness, she still decided to respect Li Juan's efforts.
Just as Xiaoli took off her clothes and was about to step into the bathtub, Li Juan suddenly appeared at the door again, and said with a hint of hesitation: "Xiaoli, this medicated bath is very good, I have soaked it before, if you think it's okay, just wash it with this water, don't waste it." ”
Xiaoli's hand froze in mid-air, she turned around, and a trace of astonishment flashed in her eyes: "Mom, you mean... Have you already bathed with this water? ”
Li Juan nodded, with an expectant look on her face: "Yes, this herb is very good for the body, I think you work so hard, and the bubbles are good." ”
Xiaoli felt embarrassed and uncomfortable, she was not used to sharing bath water with others, especially after knowing that the water had been used. She tried to hide her emotions and whispered, "Mom, thank you for your kindness, but I prefer to bathe in clean water." ”
Li Juan's face changed slightly, and she looked a little lost: "That's it, I thought you'd like it." ”
An inexplicable excitement surged in Xiaoli's heart, as if something important was about to happen. She took a deep breath and tried to keep her tone as calm as possible: "Mom, I know you're doing it for my good, but I'm really not used to it, can we not do it?" ”
Li Juan was silent for a while, and then sighed softly: "Okay, since you don't like it, then pour it out." ”
Xiaoli looked at Li Juan's disappointed back, and her heart was mixed. She didn't want to hurt the kind old man, but she didn't want to violate her hygiene habits either. She knew that this unexpected request could become a small rift in their relationship.
On both sides of the winding path, lush trees swayed their foliage, as if to tell the story of the small dispute that had just taken place at home. Xiaoli stood at the door of the bathroom, the waves in her heart more intense than the night breeze outside. She couldn't understand her mother-in-law Li Juan's insistence, let alone accept this kind of request that exceeded her bottom line of personal hygiene.
Xiaoli's eyes flashed with determination, and the confident smile on her face disappeared, replaced by a hint of determination: "Mom, I really appreciate your concern for me, but I think everyone has their own habits of life, and we should respect each other." ”
Li Juan turned around, and the expression on her face changed from loss to puzzlement: "Xiaoli, I just want to help you save some trouble, our family used to be like this, why can't you do it?" ”
"Mom, I know what you mean, but I'm really not used to it." Xiaoli's voice began to carry a hint of eagerness, "I can boil water and take a bath by myself, it's not troublesome." ”
Li Juan's voice gradually raised: "You kid, why are you so stubborn? Am I not doing it for your good? Why don't you know how to cherish it? ”
Xiaoli felt powerless, and she knew that this controversy was inevitable. She took a deep breath and tried to calm down: "Mom, it's not that I don't know how to cherish it, but I really can't accept this way." I hope you understand. ”
There is an aura of mystery in the air that makes one feel awe-inspiring. Two people who were originally close to each other, because of a small disagreement, the relationship became delicate. Xiaoli didn't want to continue the topic, she turned back to her room, her heart full of tangle and uneasiness. She knew that this conflict might not just be about bathwater, but about two people's different understanding and respect for the concept of life.
In Xiaoli's room, the lighting is soft, but the atmosphere is extremely tense. She sat on the edge of the bed, her phone clenched in her hand, her fingertips slightly white. The excitement in her heart was surging like a tide, and she felt a sense of frustration that she had never felt before. The conversation with the mother-in-law did not ease the situation, but only made the relationship between the two more stiff.
Xiaoli's heart struggled, and she knew that this quarrel might hurt the relationship between her mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, who had been dependent on each other for a long time. But her self-esteem and habits make it difficult for her to back down, and she is unwilling to compromise on the principles of her life.
At this moment, her mobile phone vibrated and it was a message from her mother: "Lili, how are you doing?" I'll have time to go home and have a look. ”
This simple message seemed to give Xiaoli an outlet, and she quickly replied: "Mom, I have something to do, can I come and stay for a few days?" ”
After receiving her mother's affirmative reply, Xiaoli immediately began to pack her luggage. Her heart is full of mixed emotions, both the ease of escaping the status quo and the guilt of her mother-in-law. But at the moment, she just wants to find a place where she can think quietly.
After cleaning up, Xiaoli walked out of the room and saw her mother-in-law Li Juan sitting in the living room, and the sound of the TV was particularly harsh in the empty room. Xiaoli stopped and whispered, "Mom, I'll go back to my parents' house for a few days." ”
Li Juan was stunned for a moment, and then nodded slowly: "Then you go, be careful on the road." ”
Without any more words, Xiaoli picked up her luggage and walked out of this home that was once full of laughter. The town at night is quiet and deep, Xiaoli's figure is stretched long under the street lamp, and her heart is full of uncertainty and confusion. She didn't know how this departure would change their relationship, or whether she had made the right choice. But at the moment, she just wants to escape from this suffocating air and find a trace of freshness and freedom.
The night was like ink, and Xiaoli was walking alone on the road to her mother's house, the dim light of the street lamps barely illuminating the road ahead. Her steps seemed a little heavy, and each step seemed to leave a deep mark on her heart. The cool night breeze filled the air, blowing away the heat on her face, but it couldn't blow away the chaos in her heart.
She recalls the bits and pieces with her mother-in-law, and those warm moments on weekdays are now particularly precious. Xiaoli couldn't help but ask herself if she was too stubborn, too self-conscious, and didn't take into account her mother-in-law's feelings. She remembered her mother-in-law's disappointed eyes, and she couldn't help but feel apologetic.
After walking for a long time, Xiaoli's mood gradually calmed down. She began to reflect on her behavior, whether she really empathized, and whether she really understood her mother-in-law's good intentions. She realized that family harmony requires not only love and care, but also communication and understanding.
The moonlight shone on her body, reflecting her shadow lonely and determined. She knew that the conflict might be an opportunity to grow and learn how to better handle family relationships. She decided that when her mood calmed down, she would sit down with her mother-in-law and talk, say what was in her heart, and listen to her mother-in-law's thoughts.
Xiaoli looked up at the starry sky, dotted with stars, as if to tell her that no matter how long the night is, dawn will always come. She took a deep breath of the cool night breeze, and the excitement in her heart gradually subsided, replaced by a glimmer of hope for the future. She believes that as long as both parties are willing to understand and tolerate, there is no knot that cannot be untied.
A few days passed, and Xiaoli thought repeatedly in her parents' days, and her mood gradually became clearer. She decided to return to her home and her mother-in-law to face the unresolved turmoil. The first rays of the morning sun shine through the curtains and on her bed, giving her new courage and determination.
Xiaoli stood at the door of the house, took a deep breath, pushed open the door and walked in. The home still retains that familiarity and warmth, but there still seem to be traces of the quarrel of the previous days in the air. She found her mother-in-law Li Juan sitting in the living room, looking out the window with a somewhat dull gaze.
Hearing the movement, Li Juan turned her head and saw Xiaoli, a trace of surprise and relief flashed in her eyes: "Xiaoli, you are back." ”
Xiaoli nodded, walked over and sat beside her mother-in-law, and said softly: "Mom, I've been thinking about things between us for the past few days, and I think we need to talk about it." ”
Li Juan was silent for a while, and then sighed softly: "Me too, I feel empty without you at home these days." ”
The two began an in-depth conversation, and Xiaoli was honest about her feelings and boundaries, while also listening to her mother-in-law's thoughts and concerns. It turned out that the reason why Li Juan insisted on letting Xiaoli use the bath water she had soaked was out of respect for family traditions and concern for Xiaoli's health. And Xiaoli gradually understood that behind her mother-in-law's behavior was a deep love for her.
After some exchanges, the two reached a new understanding and respect. Xiaoli promised to be more open to expressing her feelings, and Li Juan also said that she would respect Xiaoli's habits and choices. Misunderstandings and estrangements slowly dissolve in candid conversations, replaced by deeper trust and intimacy.
The afterglow of the setting sun shines on the town again, and the golden glow is harmoniously intertwined with the ancient stone pavement. Xiaoli and Li Juan were busy preparing dinner in the kitchen together, and the sound of laughter and conversation filled the entire space. Home has once again become the warmest harbor.