"Xiao Tao, how much is your monthly salary now?" Aunt Li Fang's question slammed into my heart like a hammer. I opened my mouth to answer truthfully, but was interrupted by a sudden sigh from my mother.
"Oh, this kid......" my mom shook her head, disappointment written all over her face. My wife Xiaowen and I looked at each other and were at a loss for a while.
"What's wrong, Xiufen?" Aunt Li Fang's eyes widened and she asked curiously.
My mother sighed and said helplessly: "This child, I've been married for five years, and I still can't get a job." If it weren't for his father's retirement salary, I really don't know how their little couple would live. ”
Hearing this, Xiaowen and I quickly lowered our heads and pretended to be ashamed. I stole a glance at Xiaowen and noticed that the corners of her mouth were slightly raised, and her eyes flashed with a sly light.
"Xiaotao, you are so lucky to have such good parents." Xiaowen said with a smile, with a hint of ridicule in her tone that I could only detect.
This sudden scene reminds me of today's experience. It was my cousin's son's wedding feast, and our family was invited back for a wedding drink. During the banquet, my aunt Li Fang warmly invited us to her house to sit down. I wanted to decline, but under my mother's eyes, we agreed.
My uncle's house is in an old-fashioned neighborhood in the town, a six-story building built in the '80s, with no elevator and a musty smell of old age in the hallway.
Their house is on the third floor, and although the house is not big, it is very tidy. As soon as we entered the door, our uncle Zhang Guoqiang warmly beckoned us to sit down, and his round beer belly stood out under the wide vest, showing the leisurely life of life.
Aunt Li Fang was busy serving tea and pouring water, and glanced at us from time to time, with a bit of inquiry in her eyes.
In the living room, an old-fashioned wooden sofa is covered with bright red cushions, and a landscape painting hangs on the wall, next to a family photo. On the coffee table is a plate of melon seeds and several blue and white porcelain cups, exuding a rich tea fragrance.
After the greetings, my aunt Li Fang began to inquire about our situation. "Xiaotao, I heard that you work in an IT company? Isn't the IT industry hot right now? She asked with a smile, her eyes glinting with curiosity.
I nodded, and just as I was about to answer, my mother interjected: "Where is the fire, how fierce the competition in the IT industry is now." Xiao Tao's learning ability is poor, and he has not improved much in the company. ”
I almost didn't laugh out loud when I heard that. You know, I was raised by my mother as "someone else's child" since I was a child. When I think back to my childhood, the days when I was forced to participate in various interest classes seem like yesterday.
As an only child, I have suffered a lot. My parents are always strict with me, from learning to all kinds of talents, I have to take care of everything.
"Other people's children" is always a golden sentence on their lips, which makes me feel a lot of pressure.
I remember one time, because I only scored 95 points in the math test, my mother punished me for standing for an hour, and I copied "I want to study hard" a hundred times. At that time, I always felt like a little hamster on a treadmill that could never be finished.
However, in retrospect, it was those strict requirements that made me who I am today.
The reason why my mom was so strict with me was because of what happened to me.
My mother was born in a remote mountain village and is the eldest in the family. My grandparents were patriarchal and gave all their favor to my uncle Zhang Guoqiang.
I remember when I was a child, when I went to my grandmother's house, my uncle always wore new clothes and ate good things, while my mother could only wear patches of old clothes and do all kinds of chores at home.
Uncle Zhang Guoqiang has been spoiled since he was a child, and he was naughty and mischievous when he went to school, and his grades were a mess. When I grew up, I was not very motivated, and I relied on my parents' relationship to find a quiet job, married a wife, and was at ease.
At every family gathering, he always bragged about his "good life", unaware of how mediocre his life was.
In contrast, my mom was not so lucky. Since she was a child, she has understood that she can only change her fate on her own. She was frugal, bought books to study, and wanted to go to university, but her grandparents didn't give her the opportunity to study, forcing my mother to drop out of school and go out to work for my uncle to study. Fortunately, my mom was lucky enough to meet my dad, a man who was also from a poor background but was hardworking and motivated.
After getting married, my mother not only had to take care of the family, but also had to cope with the various demands of my uncle's family.
From time to time, my uncle would come to borrow money, sometimes to buy school supplies for the children, and sometimes to use it urgently at home. My mother didn't want to give it, so my grandparents just splashed and rolled, so I had to agree.
My mother often said that her greatest achievement in this life was to train me to become a talent and not let me repeat her hardships.
Under the strict requirements of my parents, I was successfully admitted to 211 University. I remember the day I received the acceptance letter, my mother was so excited that she cried. She hugged me tightly and said, "Son, you have finally fought for yourself. "At that moment, I deeply felt my mother's pride and relief.
In my four years of college, I lived up to my parents' expectations. I studied hard and participated in various internships and competitions to prepare for my future employment.
After graduating, I got my wish to work in a well-known information technology company. In the past five years of work, I have been promoted and raised many times by virtue of my ability and diligence.
After five years of marriage, Xiaowen and I have a monthly income of more than 20,000 yuan, and the quality of life is constantly improving. We bought a house, had our own nest, and went out to relax from time to time. Every holiday, we will buy some gifts for our parents to do our filial piety.
However, at this moment, in the living room of my uncle's house, I had to cooperate with my mother and pretend to be down. Looking at the smugness on my aunt Li Fang's face, I secretly laughed in my heart. We have to continue to play this scene.
"Xiao Tao," Aunt Li Fang followed the temptation, "Do you want your aunt to introduce you to a good job?" I know a friend who works in real estate, and I heard that the salary of a salesman is quite high. ”
My mother hurriedly interrupted: "Oh, Li Fang, you are too polite." Xiao Tao's ability is limited, and he is afraid that he will not be able to do the work of a salesman. Besides, although the salary of his current job is not high, it is better than stability. ”
Uncle Zhang Guoqiang also interjected: "Yes, in this society now, it would be good to have a stable job." Look at me, although the salary is not high, I am 9 to 5 every day, how comfortable I am! ”
Xiaowen and I could only smile and agree, but we were secretly glad in our hearts. If I really go to work as a real estate salesman, I'm afraid I'll be tired to death.
After leaving my uncle's house, the atmosphere in the car was a little weird for a while. Until my dad broke the silence: "Does it have something to do with your nephew's marriage?" ”
My mother nodded: "No, my nephew met a girl through a blind date some time ago, and I heard that the other party's family wants a bride price of 100,000 yuan." ”
It dawned on me: "That's why you're ...... today."
"Don't underestimate your uncle's family." My mom sighed, "If you let them know what you're really doing, maybe they'll have to borrow money again." Last time I bought a car for Xiaoyong, I borrowed 100,000 from us, and I haven't paid it back yet. ”
Xiaowen couldn't help laughing: "Mom, you're really tall!" This trick is very slippery. ”
My mother raised her eyebrows proudly: "That's, what kind of wind and waves haven't I seen in all these years?" To deal with your uncle's family, I have a trick. ”
When I think back to the changes in the relationship between my family and my uncle's family over the years, I can't help but feel emotional. Relatives who were once like a family gradually became estranged because of money and interests. My mother's coping strategy, although a little helpless, has to be said to be a wise move.
"Xiao Tao," my mother suddenly said seriously, "your father and I are counting on you for the rest of our lives." You have to work hard to live up to our expectations. ”
I held Xiaowen's hand and said firmly, "Mom, don't worry." Xiaowen and I will definitely work hard and live well. We will continue to support you and Dad. ”
Xiaowen also nodded: "Yes, Mom." We'll keep trying. You and Dad have given so much, and we won't let you down. ”
Looking at my parents' relieved smiles, a warm current welled up in my heart. This experience has made me realize that it takes wisdom and skill to maintain family relationships. Although my mother's approach is a bit "dramatic", she is using her way to protect our small family.
It was late at night, and the moonlight outside the window gently sprinkled on our faces. I gently hugged Xiaowen, my heart full of anticipation for the future. I know that as long as we work together and maintain a humble and low-key attitude, our little family will definitely get better and better.
As for my uncle's family, we will keep an appropriate distance and use my mother's wisdom to maintain this family relationship. After all, in this complex world, sometimes a white lie may be more sustaining than the naked truth.