My name is He Wen and I am 33 years old. Standing in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows, looking out at the bustling cityscape, my heart is full of anticipation and joy.
Tomorrow, I'm going to surprise my aunt – a carefully selected new house. The corners of my mouth couldn't help but go up at the thought of the look of surprise and joy my aunt might have when she saw the house.
However, just then, the doorbell suddenly rang, interrupting my thoughts. I walked to the door and saw two familiar and unfamiliar faces through the cat's eye – my two uncles.
Their expressions were serious, and there was a hint of eagerness in their eyes. I took a deep breath and opened the door.
"Xiaowen, we heard that you are going to send a house to your aunt?" The second uncle asked, with a hint of displeasure in his tone.
I was stunned for a moment, wondering where they had heard the news.
Before I could answer, the third uncle continued, "You have to think clearly, that's a lot of money." Your aunt is not your own mother, and she married into someone else's family, why should you be so good to her? ”
I took a deep breath and tried to calm my inner turmoil. The words of my uncles were like a sharp knife that cut through my long-sealed memories. I closed my eyes and the past flooded back.
Twenty-six years ago, I was an innocent 7-year-old girl. My parents work outside the home all year round, and I live with my grandmother. That winter, we were all looking forward to our parents coming home for the New Year. However, fate played a cruel joke on us.
That cold night, the ringing of the phone tore through the silence. I will always remember the expression on my grandmother's face when she answered the phone, from confusion to shock and finally grief that could not be concealed.
"Got into a car accident? Person...... Gone? Grandma's voice trembled, as if the whole person was about to collapse.
I don't fully understand what happened yet, but I know it must be something terrible. Grandma put down the phone and sat down on the floor crying bitterly. I've never seen a strong grandma so vulnerable. I was so frightened that I could only stand there.
Soon after, my aunt arrived. As soon as she entered, she hugged me tightly, tears drenching my clothes.
"Xiaowen, don't be afraid, my aunt is here." She choked up. At that moment, I realized that I would never see my parents again.
And what about my two uncles? They came belatedly, with little sadness on their faces, more of a numbness and indifference. They stood in the doorway, looking at the sad scene as if they were outsiders.
"Old lady, don't cry." The second uncle said, there was no comfort in his tone, "Crying can't change anything." Now we have to think about what to do with Xiaowen. ”
The third uncle took over the conversation: "Yes, the old lady is old, and she definitely can't take care of Xiaowen." We also have children to raise at home, how can we have extra energy? ”
Their words were poured on me like cold water. When I needed my loved ones the most, they were shirking their responsibilities. I felt helpless and scared, not knowing what my future would hold.
My grandmother hugged me and cried, not knowing what to do, and someone suggested giving me away, and I was so scared that I cried. At this moment, my aunt said firmly, "I'll take care of Xiaowen." ”
Her words were like a warm ray of sunshine, dispelling the gloom in my heart. My aunt looked at me, her eyes full of love: "Xiaowen, can you go with your aunt?" Auntie will take good care of you. ”
I grabbed my aunt's hand tightly and felt a sense of security that I hadn't felt in a long time. And the uncles showed disdainful expressions.
"You are a woman, can you take care of the children?" The second uncle sneered.
"That is, don't you have a son to raise in your own family?" The third uncle chimed in.
My aunt ignored their questioning, and just hugged me harder: "Xiaowen is my brother's child, and I won't let her be wronged." ”
In this way, I left my hometown with my aunt and started a new life. The first days were not easy, I often had nightmares and woke up in the middle of the night. Every time, my aunt would be the first to appear by my side, gently patting me on the back and singing a soft lullaby.
My aunt and uncle were frugal in order to create a better learning environment for me and my cousin. I vividly remember one winter when it was very cold, but my aunt kept wearing an old padded jacket. I later learned that she had saved the money to buy us new clothes and bought us a new school bag.
In contrast, the attitude of the uncles has always been indifferent. Every year during the Chinese New Year, when we go back to my hometown to see my grandmother, they will look at me with strange eyes.
Once, I overheard my second uncle say to his wife: "Look at He Fang (aunt's name), it's really stupid to raise other people's children." ”
These words stung me deeply, but my aunt never showed a trace of remorse in front of me. She always encouraged me: "Xiaowen, you have to study hard and be a useful person to society in the future." ”
With the support of my aunt, I was successfully admitted to university. When she saw the admission letter, my aunt was so excited that she cried. She hugged me tightly and said, "Xiaowen, you have grown up and have a future." Your parents will be very happy to see it in the sky. ”
After graduating from college, I got a good job. When I first started working, I was stressed and often had insomnia. Every time I called my aunt, she always patiently listened to me and gave me encouragement.
"Xiaowen, don't be afraid of difficulties. You are a strong kid and you will be able to overcome it. "My aunt's words always give me strength.
In this way, with the support of my aunt, I gradually gained a firm foothold in my work and my career got better and better.
Although my income is getting higher and higher, I have been saving money, commuting by subway, making three meals a day by myself, and I have not changed my rental house. I tried to save every penny, and when I watched the numbers on my bank card get more and more, I knew that my dream was about to come true, which was to give my aunt and uncle a house.
I started to keep an eye on the property and wanted to buy a better house for my aunt. I know that my aunt and uncle have been living in that old house all these years in order to save money and create better conditions for me and my cousin. Now, it's time for me to repay them.
However, just as I was about to surprise my aunt, two uncles suddenly visited and tried to stop me. I was shocked and outraged by their selfishness and greed.
"Xiaowen, you have to think clearly." The second uncle frowned and said, "That's a lot of money." Your aunt is not your own mother, why should you be so nice to her? ”
The third uncle then said: "That's right, if you really have a heart, you might as well help your cousin." They're getting married, and they're worried about not being able to afford a house. ”
I looked at them in disbelief: "Uncle, how can you say that?" My aunt raised me and treated me well, I can't repay it in my life, what is a house? ”
"Nonsense!" The second uncle said sharply, "You are a member of our He family, how can you give a house to outsiders?" ”
"My aunt is not an outsider, she is my closest person." I suppressed my anger and said, "As for my cousin, we haven't had much contact since we were young, so why should I help him buy a house?" ”
"You girl, I really don't know what to do!" The second uncle roared angrily, "If it weren't for the blessing of our ancestors and ancestors of the He family, do you think you can have today?" That's how you treat your loved ones? ”
I sneered: "Relatives? Where were you 26 years ago, when I needed my loved ones the most? It was my aunt who raised me, educated me, and supported me. Where would I be now if it weren't for my aunt? What will it look like? Have you thought about it? ”
My words seemed to strike a nerve at them. The second uncle blushed, pointed to my nose and said, "You white-eyed wolf! I warn you, if you really buy a house for your aunt and don't help your cousin marry a wife, don't want to set foot in the door of the He family in the future! ”
"I don't need to say it, I don't plan to go back." I said calmly, "Now, please leave my home. ”
Looking at the backs of the two uncles leaving angrily, I slowly closed the door and leaned against it, feeling tired. But at the same time, my heart is unusually strong.
I walked to the window and looked out at the night view. The lights of the city twinkle like a galaxy, beautiful and warm. I think of my aunt's bits and pieces over the years, and my heart is full of gratitude and love.
Yes, I'm going to give this house to my aunt. Not only because she raised me, but also because she gave me a warm home and gave me the courage and strength to face the challenges of life.
As for the two uncles, I decided to treat them as strangers in the future. Blood ties cannot be a reason to hurt others, nor can they be an excuse to ask for them. A true loved one is someone who reaches out in your most difficult times.
I picked up my phone and sent a message to my aunt: "Auntie, are you free tomorrow?" I have a surprise for you. ”
Soon, my aunt replied, "I'm free, Xiaowen." Is there anything wrong with you? ”
A smile tugged at the corner of my mouth and I replied, "You'll know tomorrow." ”
Putting down my phone, my heart was full of anticipation. Tomorrow, I will officially take my aunt to see the house. I know that this decision may completely sever my relationship with the He family, but I don't regret it. Because I understand that the definition of family is not determined by blood, but by love and responsibility.
Looking out the window at the night, I was full of confidence in the future. I will continue to work hard to pursue my career, and I will continue to cherish my relationship with my aunt's family. That's my choice, and it's my life.