"It's not worth a million."
I looked coldly at the strange little boy in front of me, who stood timidly in front of me, his little hands clutching the corners of his father's clothes. My eldest son, He Jiancheng, looked embarrassed, gently pushed his son's back, and whispered, "Quick, call grandpa." ”
The little boy opened his mouth, but did not make a sound. I turned my back to them and whispered, "No need to scream. A child who doesn't have the surname He is not my grandson. ”
There was a deathly silence in the room. I could feel the shocked gazes of my son and daughter-in-law behind me, as well as the confused eyes of the innocent child. But I didn't have time to care about their feelings, and my mind kept echoing the heartbreaking call from five years ago.
"Dad, the child has his mother's surname." At that time, He Jiancheng's voice came from the microphone, as if he was talking about today's weather, "Don't think about it, many people are like this now." ”
I was stunned, and my phone almost fell to the ground. My grandson, the bloodline of our He family, is not surnamed He? For me, this is a fantasy.
However, what I couldn't accept even more was my son's attitude. He even thought it wasn't a big deal? I trembled with anger and asked him, "Are you crazy?" Have you forgotten your last name? ”
"Dad, don't get excited." He Jiancheng's voice was still calm, "It really doesn't matter what the child's surname is, the important thing is to grow up healthy and happy." Besides, if I offended my father-in-law and mother-in-law, I can't mix well in the unit. ”
Hearing this, my heart was half cold. It dawned on me that my son, the eldest son I was once proud of, had become a person I didn't know at all.
Just then, the doorbell rang, interrupting my memories. I turned and walked to the door, wondering to myself: Who is visiting at this time? Is it to inform about the demolition? If that's the case, then I'm afraid the next conversation will be even more chilling than just now...
The doorbell rang again, and I took a deep breath and opened the door.
"Dad!" A familiar voice came, and I looked up to see that it was my youngest son, He Jianwen, and his wife, He Fang.
"Jianwen, why are you here?" I was a little surprised, but there was a warm current in my heart.
He Fang smiled and said, "Dad, we heard that your side is going to be demolished, so we came to see you and Mom." ”
I leaned over and let them in, only to find my eldest son's family still standing in the living room. He Jiancheng's face was a little ugly, while his wife Zhou Li looked impatient.
"Brother, sister-in-law, are you here too?" He Jianwen was a little surprised, but he still greeted politely.
Zhou Li snorted coldly and did not respond. He Jiancheng reluctantly squeezed out a smile and said, "Yes, I heard that my hometown is going to be demolished, and we also want to come and see the situation." ”
I watched this scene with mixed feelings. Once upon a time, we were a big harmonious family, but now we are like this.
"Dad, has the demolition been decided?" He Jianwen asked with concern.
I nodded: "Well, the town has already been notified, and the specific details are still being discussed." However, I heard that the compensation is at least 1 million. ”
As soon as these words came out, Zhou Li's eyes suddenly lit up. She said eagerly, "Dad, that's a lot of money!" You and your mom are too old to handle so many things. Why don't you let Jiancheng take care of it for you? ”
I sneered, looked at Zhou Li and said, "What, now I remember that we are a family?" Five years ago, when you let your child take your surname, why didn't you think about how we felt? ”
Zhou Li's face instantly became ugly, and He Jiancheng hurriedly played a round: "Dad, don't mention it." Now it's important that..."
"It's the money that counts, right?" I interrupted him, "I remember you said that you have the final say on the child's last name." So now, to whom this money goes, I have the final say. ”
The room fell silent again. I looked around, at these familiar and unfamiliar faces, and suddenly felt tired.
"Jianwen," I turned to my youngest son, "you and Fangfang should go back first." I'll let you know when the demolition is settled. ”
He Jianwen looked at me with some concern: "Dad, are you okay?" Why don't we stay with you? ”
I shook my head, "No, you guys can go back first." I want to be quiet. ”
After He Jianwen and He Fang left, I turned to my eldest son's family and said coldly, "You should also go." ”
Zhou Li said unwillingly: "Dad, you can't be so eccentric!" We are your eldest son's family! ”
I took a deep breath and struggled to control my emotions: "Eccentricity? Who hasn't come back to see us once in five years? Who doesn't want to come back even for the New Year? Now for the sake of money, do you remember that I am your father? ”
He Jiancheng said with an ugly face: "Dad, what do you mean by this?" Do you want to give Jianwen all the money for the demolition? ”
I looked at him, my heart full of disappointment: "Jiancheng, do you remember how I confessed to you back then?" I save money to be frugal, just so that you can go to college and have a good life. But now? You don't even remember your roots. ”
Zhou Li was anxious: "Dad! You can't do that! We also have difficulties, we..."
"Enough!" I jerked up my voice, "I don't want to hear what you guys say anymore." I have my own plans for the demolition money. Get me out now! ”
Watching them reluctantly leave, I sat down on the couch and felt tired like never before. At this moment, my wife Zhang Xiulan walked out of the kitchen.
"Lao He, are you okay?" She asked worriedly.
I smiled bitterly and shook my head: "Xiulan, do you think we are too partial?" Zhang Xiulan sat next to me and patted the back of my hand gently: "Lao He, you did the right thing." Jianwen and Fangfang have been taking care of us all these years, but what about Jianwen? What else is there but dislike us? ”
I nodded, feeling a little better. Just then, the doorbell rang again.
I got up to open the door and found that it was He Jianwen who had returned. He panted and said, "Dad, I don't feel at ease, so I'll come back and take a look." Are you alright? ”
Looking at my son's concerned eyes, I suddenly felt a burst of warmth. I patted him on the shoulder and said, "Jianwen, Dad is fine." In a few days, when the demolition is settled, we will have a good talk. ”
He Jianwen nodded, hesitated, and said, "Dad, I have discussed it with Fangfang." If you and your mom don't want to live here anymore, you can move to us. We'll take good care of you. ”
Hearing this, my heart warmed, and my eyes couldn't help but moisten. I smiled and said, "Okay, when the demolition is over, we'll talk about it." ”
After sending He Jianwen away, I went back to the house and looked at the family photo on the wall. In the photo, we are still so happy. I gently stroked the photo and muttered, "Perhaps, this is life." ”
A few days later, the specific plan for the demolition came out. I called He Jianwen and told him my decision.
"Jianwen, the total amount of this demolition is 1.2 million. I intend to distribute it like this: 600,000 yuan to you and Fangfang, as a reward for taking care of us all these years. The remaining 600,000 yuan, your mother and I will keep it for the elderly. ”
He Jianwen said in surprise: "Dad, you give us so much?" But my brother's side..."
I shook my head and said with a wry smile: "Your brother's side, just treat him as a son-in-law." Since he chose that life, we don't want anything more. ”
He Jianwen was silent for a while, and then said firmly: "Dad, I can't ask for your and mother's pension money." Well, we'll keep it for you when you need it. Also, I discussed with Fangfang, we want to pick you and your mother to live with us. ”
I couldn't help but laugh when I heard this. I patted He Jianwen on the shoulder and said, "Good boy, with your words, Dad will be satisfied." But now your mother and I can take care of ourselves, and when it really doesn't work in the future, I'll bother you again. ”
Just then, there was a commotion outside the door. He Jianwen and I went out to take a look and found that He Jiancheng and Zhou Li were here again.
"Dad! You're too eccentric! As soon as Zhou Li saw me, she began to shout, "Why do you give Jianwen all the money?" We are your eldest son! ”
I looked at them coldly and said, "I said, I have the final say on who the property will be given to." Since you don't see us as family anymore, please go back. From now on, don't bother us anymore. ”
He Jiancheng's face turned pale with anger, but he still pulled Zhou Li to turn around and leave. Looking at their distant backs, although I felt sad, I was more relieved.
I turned to He Jianwen and said, "Jianwen, look, this is life." There are gains and losses, and we must learn to let go. ”
He Jianwen nodded, tears flashing in his eyes: "Dad, don't worry, Fangfang and I will definitely take good care of you and Mom." ”
Looking at my son's determined eyes, I smiled. Perhaps, this is the choice of our life. We can't influence other people's decisions, but we can choose how we face our lives.
In the afterglow of the setting sun, He Jianwen and I stood side by side in the courtyard, looking at the old house that was about to be demolished. I know that although I lost a son, I still have a filial son and a happy family.
Life is like a long-distance race, and what matters is not how high the starting point is, but whether we can stick to our principles and cherish those who truly love us on the long road of life.
At this moment, I learned that love and respect are more precious than any money. This truth is far from being measurable by 1 million.