The sun is warm in the community. Children are playing in the playground, and the elderly are playing chess and chatting in the shade of trees. Sitting in the living room of my home, I watched all this through the window, and a picture of the past came into my mind.
My name is Li Dawei. I'm 35 years old and an ordinary office worker. My wife's name is Zhang Xiaohong. She is two years younger than me. She is the financial manager of a company. We have a 6-year-old son, Xiao Ming, who is our heart. Her mother-in-law's name is Liu Yuzhen, and she is 70 years old this year.
It was a Spring Festival five years ago. My mother-in-law suddenly called our family together and transferred all her savings, real estate and other properties to Zhang Xiaohong in front of us.
"Mom, what do you mean? So much money, you gave it all to Xiaohong?" I asked in surprise.
Her mother-in-law smiled and nodded: "Yes, I gave all these to Xiaohong. She is my only daughter, and it is my wish that I leave these to her."
"Xiaohong, mother's wish is all right, so you can obey." Grandma said firmly.
Despite our repeated dissuasions, my mother-in-law refused to change her mind. Although I was puzzled, I had to respect her decision. Unexpectedly, several years later, this decision has become the root of our family's conflicts.
After the Spring Festival last year, my mother-in-law suddenly told us that she decided to move in with her daughter.
"Dawei, I'm going to move to live with you Xiaohong." Her mother-in-law sounded very positive.
I was a little surprised at that time. After all, she has lived here all these years and is very close to Xiao Ming.
"Grandma, why do you suddenly want to move away? Xiaoming is still young and cannot leave you." I asked tentatively.
"Hey, I gave all my money to Xiaohong, and she should support me in the future. Isn't it normal for me to live with her?" Her mother-in-law explained.
Hearing this, my wife Zhang Xiaohong's face was embarrassed. As an only child, she has been loved by her mother-in-law since she was young. But Xiaohong is very busy with her work. If her mother-in-law lives with her, it will indeed increase her burden.
"Mom, your old man's health is not very good. You should have a good rest. Besides, Xiao Ming can't live without you. If you live with me, what will Xiao Ming do?" Xiaohong tried to persuade her mother-in-law to change her mind.
"Oh, Xiao Ming is so old, and he can't stick to me all the time. You will have more children in the future." Her mother-in-law waved her hand, as if she had planned for it.
"All right, Mom's the idea. You can think about it for me." Grandma said and went back to the room alone.
When I looked at my wife's frown, I was also full of questions. My mother-in-law has lived in our house these years. We accompany her when we have time. We have a good relationship with Xiaoming. If she really moves away, Xiao Ming will be very sad.
However, I can also understand my mother-in-law's idea. After all, she gave all the money to Xiaohong, and Xiaohong really should bear the responsibility of supporting her in the future.
"What should I do? What's wrong with my mother-in-law?" Xiaohong looked at me with helpless eyes.
I was silent for a while, hugged her gently, and comforted her: "Don't think too much for a while. After a while, my mother-in-law may change her mind."
Her mother-in-law insisted on it because she gave all the money to Xiaohong, so Xiaohong should come to support her. I tried to persuade, but the argument between the two sides was getting fiercer and fiercer.
"Mom, I know you gave me the money. But you have always lived in our house and have such a good relationship with Xiaoming. Xiaoming will be very sad to leave now." Xiaohong said, and her eyes grew red.
"I gave you the money to support me in the future. Now that I'm old, you have to leave me alone. How can I do that?" The mother-in-law's voice was also very stiff.
"Come on, you just don't want me to be an eyesore!" Grandma angrily interrupted Xiaohong.
"Hum, you just think that I am an old woman's eyesore. Just give me money and ask me to move out!" My mother-in-law's mood has completely lost control.
"Well, since you all think so, I'll move out and rent a house for myself, and nobody cares about me!" With that, my mother-in-law left without looking back.
Just when we were stuck, an accident happened. One day, I received a phone call from the security guard in the community where my mother-in-law lives, saying that her mother-in-law fainted at home and had been sent to the hospital for emergency treatment.
"What? What happened to my mother-in-law?" I was shocked. I quickly hung up the phone and rushed to the hospital with Xiaohong.
When we arrived, my mother-in-law had come to her senses, but the situation was still worrying. A middle-aged doctor came over with a solemn face.
"Are you a family member of the patient? The old man's health is getting worse and worse, and he is no longer suitable for living alone. Someone must take special care of him."
Grandma was kept in the hospital for observation, so we had to go back for the time being. Along the way, Xiaohong and I fell silent until we got home.
I patted her on the back and comforted her: "Don't say that. No one is right or wrong about this. We are all responsible."
Is it too headstrong and stubborn for us to reflect on our own practices? My mother-in-law is old and weak, but we let her rent a house by herself for the sake of money, which is really inhumane.
"No, Mom, it's our fault first." I quickly interrupted my mother-in-law, "You gave money to Xiaohong out of love for her; however, we should not ignore your needs for money."
I took a deep breath and said sincerely to my mother-in-law, "Grandma, we remember your kindness to us all these years. You gave money to Xiaohong, and naturally she should bear the responsibility of supporting her in the future. However, in any case, you are the closest person in our family, and we will always treat you well and take care of you."
"From now on, you will continue to live in our house. Xiaohong, I will work together to take care of you with all my heart. As long as you are happy and happy, money matters are not important at all." I said, my eyes were also wet.
My mother-in-law looked at our husband and wife, and finally a happy smile appeared on her face. She nodded and said firmly, "OK, that's settled. I will live with you in the future and let you serve me well."
We looked at each other and smiled. The burden in our hearts was finally lifted. In the days to come, we will cherish each other, resolve all conflicts with love, and live a happy and healthy old age.
One month later, my mother-in-law finally left the hospital. We worked according to the division of labor. Xiaohong took care of her mother-in-law during work hours, and I took her place after work. Xiaoming has become her mother-in-law's little attendant. She sticks to her mother-in-law's side all the time except for school.
With our careful care, my mother-in-law recovered quickly. Every morning, she would take Xiaoming to exercise in the community. After lunch, she would play mahjong and talk in the shade of the trees. In the evening, our family will also watch TV and chat with her mother-in-law, enjoying herself.
In this way, the whole family lives together happily. I often sit by the window, looking at the lively scene in the community, my heart will swell with warmth. Yes, no matter what contradiction happens, as long as we resolve it with love, we will find the best answer.
There is a long way to go in life, but with the company of family members, there is nothing difficult. We will closely guard this happiness, cherish the present, work hard to move forward, and spend the rest of our lives together.
