She is 23 years old, with a salary of 4,500, and her mother wants her to give her younger brother 3,000 a month, and she lives alone after refusing.
Zhao Xiang, 23 years old, is often referred to as Tian Tian. She works as a financial worker in a small quick loan company, with a monthly salary of only 4,500 yuan, but she often works overtime until late at night.
Graduated from a university in the provincial capital, Zhao Xiang majored in finance and accounting, and holds a junior accounting qualification certificate. However, many companies require work experience, which made it difficult for her to find her dream job. As a result, she could only work in this company with her classmates. Although overtime is commonplace and there is no extra pay, at least the monthly salary is paid on time and is enough to make ends meet.
After finishing the work at hand, Zhao Yan glanced at the time, and it was already half past ten in the evening. She felt a little grumbling with hunger, frowned, and said to her colleague, "Tangtang, let's go back, if we continue like this, we will really be exhausted." ”
Tangtang also stretched and nodded: "Yes, let's go, fortunately, it's not far from home." ”
The two walked out of the office to find many colleagues busy with orders down. These people are all salesmen, and compared with Zhao Xiang and Tangtang, the salary is much higher because they have a commission. I was running between businesses during the day, and I had to process orders at night, and I couldn't get off work until midnight.
Tangtang said with some envy: "Tiantian, look at them, although they are also very hard, their wages are several times higher than ours." Sometimes, I feel like it's worth it. ”
Zhao Yan shook his head: "Don't think about it, to be honest, I can't do business work." First of all, I'm not good at lying and deceiving people, do you think you can do that? While some people may be spending in advance, many more are actually experiencing difficulties. They may not understand it, and what seems to solve the problem at hand may be deeper than the problem. ”
Tangtang persuaded: "Sweet, it can't be so absolute. Maybe some people really solved the problem because of the help of this moment. It can only be said that everyone should be rational, in short, this can be regarded as a way to solve the dilemma. ”
The two didn't say anything more and left the office together. Downstairs, Tangtang took Zhao Yan towards the residence not far away. They shared a one-bedroom house, with Tangtang living in the bedroom and Zhao Yan living in the living room.
Zhao arranged a small space in the living room near the balcony, with a bed and a desk. Close the lilac curtains, and this becomes her private space.
This kind of life is no stranger to Zhao Xiang. That's how she grew up, and when she was at home, her living conditions weren't even as good as they are now. Because no one was allowed in the living room, she had to sleep on the balcony, which was cold and cramped.
Zhao Yan put the bag on the desk, quickly changed into home clothes, and shouted: "Tangtang, let's cook some dumplings, I'm hungry." ”
Tangtang misses the dumplings in her hometown, and she feels that tasting some sweets can make her mood happy.
Zhao Xiang reminded with a smile: "Be careful not to eat too much, lest you become a fat girl, it will be difficult to find a partner when the time comes." ”
Tangtang retorted: "Oh, no, I'm so busy all day, how can I have time to get fat." Look at yourself, what malnutrition looks like. ”
Zhao Yan took out two pots, one for cooking dumplings and the other for cooking rice balls. She finds fast food convenient.
Another glimpse of a few cucumbers in the refrigerator, she patted the cucumbers with her hands and simply mixed them cold.
Tangtang has already started to make soy milk: "I'll have another cup of soy milk, I'm too tired for a day, and I need to supplement my nutrition." ”
After eating, Tangtang sighed, "Are we going to go on like this forever?" No matter how hard we try, there will be no chance of a raise. ”
Zhao Yan smiled bitterly: "Yes, the current economic environment is not good, many companies are laying off employees, and it is even more difficult for inexperienced people like us to find jobs." ”
Sugar Candy thought, "Don't you really think about going home?" My parents want me to go back and concentrate on preparing for the exam, as long as I am admitted to the civil service or career editor, not only will I have less pressure, but I will also have more advantages in finding a partner. ”
Zhao Yan sighed: "I also want to go back, but the reality is cruel." Even if I wanted to be a civil servant, I had to prepare for the exam here, and I had to work at the same time. ”
Her gaze darkened: "I won't go back, I'll stay here anyway to prepare for the exam." That's my choice. ”
Tangtang frowned and said, "Tiantian, do you think we can still squeeze out time and energy to study in our current job?" Time passes like flowing water, and no matter how much money we are willing to pay, we can't buy back a minute or a second. ”
Zhao Yan replied with a smile: "Tangtang, I understand your concern, but no matter what choice we make, the first condition is to ensure our own survival, have enough money to support ourselves, and have a warm home." Otherwise, everything is empty talk, and no one can afford not to eat or drink. ”
Tangtang said helplessly: "Tiantian, then I may not be able to stay by your side all the time." I'm going to resign tomorrow and leave for another month at most. ”
Zhao Yan nodded, "Okay, Tangtang, you can go back." I'm sure you'll be able to pass the public ***
Tangtang continued: "Tiantian, I know that it is not easy for you, but I still hope that you can continue to study and work hard to prepare for the civil service exam, after all, the current job is not a long-term solution." ”
After the two of them finished speaking, they both felt a little sad in their hearts. However, parting is a part of life after all, and no one can stay out of it.
Zhao Yan returned to his residence, looking at the dark night sky outside the window, feeling lost in his heart.
In the next few days, whenever Zhao Yan had free time, he would think of the situation of being alone after Mingyue left. She couldn't help but worry about whether she dared to work overtime until late at night, and whether she dared to go home alone.
Although the one-bedroom apartment she rents is a bit remote, the monthly rent of 1,500 yuan is not cheap. Can she afford to live alone?
In addition to her and Tangtang, there is also a female employee named Sister Li in the company, who is in her thirties. It is said that Sister Li is also one of the shareholders of the company, and she is generally only responsible for important work, and trivial matters are handled by the two of them.
Sister Li looked serious, but she didn't mean to make things difficult. On the contrary, she often gives them a lot of help and guidance, for which Zhao is grateful.
One day, Zhao Yan was a little free, so he went to Sister Li to discuss: "Sister Li, I have something I want to discuss with you, do you think you can help solve it?" ”
Sister Li glanced at her and asked, "Zhao Xiang, are you also planning to resign?" I have to warn you that it's hard to find a job right now, and there are some things that you may not get the same guidance as I do if you change jobs. ”
Zhao Yan smiled, "Sister Li, I'm not resigning, I just want to ask if there are any vacant beds in the company's dormitory." Because after Tangtang left his job, I was a little worried about going back alone at night. ”
Sister Li pondered for a moment, it is true that they often work overtime, and Zhao Yan is young, and it is indeed a little dangerous to go back alone at night.
Mr. Li called Zhao Yan ** and informed him that there were no empty beds for the time being. The company's salesmen are not very demanding, which attracts many young people, especially those without academic qualifications. Interestingly, many people with academic qualifications are unable to earn a high income, and their monthly salary may be as low as 1,500 yuan compared to some junior high school students. And those junior high school students who are willing to run around and know how to communicate can easily earn 30,000 yuan a month. As a result, the dormitories offered by the company are often full, even though the environment is not very good.
Faced with the shortage of beds, Mr. Li frowned and remembered the balcony behind the office, although the small room was not big, but there was an independent balcony, which had never been used. Mr. Li decided to let Zhao Yan move in, because she was a person, and this small room should be enough.
Zhao was very happy when she heard the news, she thanked Mr. Li and quickly began to pack up her new residence. This small balcony room is not big, but it is much better for her than the dormitory.
She quickly moved in, and the room was filled with her things: a single bed, a small Xiaoice box, a small table, and a small electric cooker. She looked at the room with satisfaction, although it was small, but it was her own space.
For dinner, Zhao tried a deluxe version of instant noodles, and she added some greens, tomatoes, and a few prawns to cook the noodles, and it tasted very good. These dishes were brought back from her business runs.
After dinner, Zhao Yan lay on the bed in a daze. The Dragon Boat Festival is coming, and many colleagues are discussing going home for reunions, but she wants to spend the festival alone.
Zhao has not been home for nearly three years, and she has lost contact with her parents. In her junior year, she rarely went home due to her heavy academic workload, and her parents used to look for her, but then she basically interned in other places and never saw her parents again.
Although he lived alone, Zhao felt very relieved. She earns every penny on her own efforts, which makes her feel safe.
Zhao Yan is the eldest in the family, she and her younger brother are dragon and phoenix fetuses, and their parents love them very much. Since she was a child, her mother often told her to take good care of her younger brother and be good to him.
At that time, she thought it was true and felt that what her mother said was right. She's an older sister, so she's going to have to let her brother go. But whenever she sees her brother enjoying ice cream alone, her heart is still sour. After all, she is the same age as her brother and is also a child.
Once, it was probably when she was 5 years old. Mom bought my brother a huge burger and gave her a piece of bread. She was not happy, so she threw the cake away, crying and asking to eat a double burger as well.
Suddenly, her mother was furious, slapped her twice, and scolded her fiercely: "What's wrong with your child? It's good to be full, and you can pick and choose, and you dare to throw away the bread, see if I don't teach you a good lesson. ”
At that time, her nose began to bleed, and she was stunned. In the end, she was stopped, otherwise her mother would have continued to beat her.
That experience really scared her out. For a long time afterward, Zhao was often awakened by nightmares, and her face was always covered in blood.
From then on, Zhao Yan no longer dared to ask for anything. The younger brother has good things, and that is the younger brother's, which has never belonged to her.
However, what hurt Zhao Yan the most was not the food, but the clothes he wore. She always wore clothes that her brother didn't want, and as a result, in kindergarten, the other children thought she was a boy, laughed at her for having long braids, and always tugged at her braids for fun.
She once cried and said to her mother, "Mom, I don't want to braid, you can cut it for me, cut it like my brother." ”
Mom flatly refused: "No, you are obviously a girl, how can you be the same as a boy?" Can't you be as obedient as your brother? ”
She was too young to know how to cut her own hair, so she had to fight with the little boy in kindergarten and was beaten by her parents when she came home.
Since then, she has learned to stop arguing. Mom also never asked her why she was fighting. In the eyes of teachers and parents, she became no longer likable.
In elementary school, she was in the same class as her brother, but this time she was happy. Because she can no longer wear clothes that her brother doesn't want, she can finally have her own school uniform.
Influenced by kindergarten, she hates her long braids. So she picked up the scissors herself and cut her own hair. Although the results were not satisfactory, her mother still gave her a haircut.
Once, my brother was bullied by a classmate, and she was not present. After her brother went home to file a complaint, she was beaten by her father again. Since then, despite her brother and her compatriots, she no longer likes him and just wants to stay away from him as much as possible.
Her younger brother didn't study well, so she studied hard, eager to be in the same class as her brother one day.
In the third grade, she finally entered the first class, but her younger brother was in the third class, which made her parents quite unhappy, so they began to take her younger brother to cram school every week. To reward their younger brother for his hard work, they took him to KFC and also watched a movie.
Zhao did not understand at the time why the way parents treated their two children was so different.
Later, she gradually understood that it might be because her mother was more like her grandmother, and her father was more like her grandfather. Every time the family went back to Grandma's house, Grandma liked her brother very much and bought him big chicken legs, while she and her cousins could only look at it.
Mom was always very proud and kept praising her brother, while Grandma held him dotingly.
And every time he went to his grandmother's house, his younger brother became the pearl of his grandfather's palm, and all kinds of delicious food were placed in front of him.
Still, grandma was very good to her. Whenever grandpa asked grandma to make ** chicken for his brother, grandma would always give his brother one chicken leg and she would get another.
It wasn't until she was 9 years old that she had her first outfit and a skirt. It was made by my grandmother herself, and I wore it for a long time, until I couldn't wear it anymore, so she reluctantly put it away.
One time my grandmother came to the house, and on weekends they were going out to eat. She was wearing short hair and her brother's clothes, and her grandmother frowned and said, "Tiantian is a girl, how can she wear a boy's clothes?" Can't you just buy her a beautiful dress? ”
Mom replied, "Mom, don't you know? These clothes are all famous brands, and each piece is worth hundreds. ”
Grandma shook her head: "Xiaorou, no matter how expensive it is, it is also Rongrong's clothes, which boys wear." Our Tiantian is a beautiful girl, and she should wear beautiful girl's clothes. ”
Mom explained: "Mom, Tiantian has always liked to wear Rongrong's clothes, she is used to it, so don't worry too much." ”
Grandma sighed: "Xiaorou, both of you have jobs, only these two children, why can't you treat Tiantian well?" She's your daughter, too. ”
Mom smiled bitterly and said, "Mom, although we earn a lot, Rongrong will go to college and buy a house in the future, and it will cost a lot of money." Moreover, you live in the village and do not know how high prices are now. Although Rong Rong is still a child, he spends more than 2,000 a month. ”
Grandma said to Xiaorou: "I know that you have two older sisters and a younger brother, and your mother has always liked boys, but you yourself have suffered a lot since you were a child. Now how can you still do this to Tian Tian? Aren't you distressed? ”
Mom replied, "Mom, I'm pretty good to Tiantian." In contrast, she was treated much better than me, and she fell into the nest of blessings. ”
Grandma couldn't convince her mother, so during the winter and summer vacations, Xiaorou went to her grandmother's house. My younger brother was so busy with tutoring that he could only spare a few days to play before school started.
Every time I go to my grandmother's house, my grandmother will make clothes for Xiaorou. Grandma is skillful, and the clothes she makes are varied, and Xiaorou will imitate them when she sees them.
She went to the street with her grandmother to choose fabrics, and when she bought them, she measured them and started making clothes. Soon, Xiao Rou will be able to put on new clothes.
When her brother was away, her grandfather was also very kind to Xiaorou and bought her snacks. That time was one of her happiest times.
When she got home, she no longer wore her brother's clothes, and her mother blamed her for not having a vision and not knowing how to enjoy. Mom said that my brother's clothes are famous brands, and they are much better than the clothes made by my grandmother.
Grandma said to Xiaorou: "Tiantian, you have to work hard, only if you are admitted to a good university, can you have a good job and live a good life in the future." ”
Xiaorou studied hard and was admitted to key junior high and high schools. Although her brother's grades were not as good as hers, he was also admitted to the same school.
Seeing her brother's results, my mother cried excitedly. She said to her father: "Rong Rong is amazing, the teachers said that he played extraordinarily, and we should reward him well." ”
Dad said, "Ask him and see what he wants." ”
Then Dad glanced at Xiaorou and said, "Tiantian did better in the exam and gave Rongrong a good example." ”
My mother said, "What's the use of a girl doing well in the exam?" It would be better if her grades were the same as Rongrong's. ”
Mom glanced at Xiaorou and said, "Why are you staying there?" Hurry up and cook, your brother said to eat barbecue and get everything ready. ”
Xiaorou was very annoyed at the time, and said, "I'm going to grandma's house, and grandma asked me to go back after the exam, which has been delayed for a long time." ”
Dad gave her 50 yuan and told her to take the bus to her grandmother's house. They took their younger brother on a trip and played in ** for half a month.
When she was in high school, Zhao chose to live on campus because her family was too noisy to concentrate on her studies, and after returning home every day, her learning environment was not ideal. The younger brother at home is studying in her room, and her parents are watching TV in the living room, and the sound of TV and the sound of her father brushing ** fills her little pubic platform, making it difficult for her to study quietly.
After graduating from high school, she and her younger brother were both admitted to college. Although his mother wanted them to apply for the same school, Zhao chose a university in another province to fill in the volunteers.
Although Zhao did well in the exam, his younger brother could only attend a joint venture school with higher fees. She couldn't accept the situation.
When the admission letter arrived, her mother was very angry when she saw Zhao Xiang's university, and didn't even want her to go to school, but suggested that she go to the provincial capital to work and rent a house to take care of her younger brother by the way.
Zhao Yan felt very disappointed, and didn't understand what she had done wrong and why her parents treated her like this. She ran to her grandmother's house in tears.
After my grandmother heard about the situation, she also felt that what her parents were doing was ridiculous. Grandma was very angry, called her parents home, and after the family sat together, grandma angrily asked her father: "Zhao Jifeng, what are you thinking?" You only have two children, can't you even afford this little expense? Tiantian did so well in the exam, not only did you not celebrate, but you also asked her to go to work, what do you have in your head? Is your son disabled? Do you need special care from your sister? ”
The mother tried to refute it, but the grandmother thought it was too much. In the end, at the insistence of his grandmother, his parents promised to give Zhao Yan tuition and provide living expenses every month. The mother insisted that Tiantian was a girl and that her living expenses should not be the same as her brother's, and offered to give her 800 yuan a month, unwilling to give more.
No matter how much the grandmother tried to persuade her, the mother insisted on her opinion. Eventually, the grandmother fell ill in a fit of rage.
Zhao Xiang comforted his grandmother and said, "Grandma, it's okay, 800 yuan is enough." I'll get a job at school and earn a little more money every month. ”
After going to college, Zhao adapted to school life and began to look for part-time work. In the end, I found a night shift job in a bubble tea shop on campus, working from 6 p.m. to 12 p.m., with a monthly salary of 2,400 yuan.
Grandma has always cared about her and gave her an extra 300 yuan a month. Zhao Yan shared with her grandmother through **: "Grandma, I found a job, working in a bubble tea shop, I can earn more than 2,000 yuan a month, don't worry about me." ”
Although her grandmother would give Zhao Xiang 300 yuan of living expenses every month, once when Zhao Xiang and her younger brother were **, she was busy, so she turned on the speakerphone, but after her brother knew that she was working, her mother never gave her living expenses.
When I came home from vacation, my mother said to Zhao Yan: "Tiantian, how much money do you earn from part-time work?" I have to pay the property fee this month, and I am still short of 2,000 yuan, can you make up for it? ”
Zhao Yan glanced at his mother and said, "Mom, I'm a student, I'm busy with heavy schoolwork every day, and the money I earn from part-time work is not enough to spend on myself, do I have any money left?" Besides, Mom, why don't you give me living expenses anymore? ”
Mom sighed: "Alas, the two of you go to college, and the burden on the family is too heavy. You are more capable than your brother and can earn your own money, but your mother can only wronged you, and you are the only one who feels sorry for your mother. ”
Zhao Yan understood that it was useless to say anything, so he had to pack up his things and go to his grandmother's house.
Grandma was very happy, Zhao Yan cooked for her grandparents, and grandma taught her to make clothes. In Grandma's eyes, learning one more skill is definitely beneficial.
During the Chinese New Year, my father said that they would not come back, and they would go directly to Sanya for the New Year, so that my younger brother could see it for a long time.
Grandma said, "When are they leaving?" Tian Tian is still here. ”
Dad replied: "Mom, my brother's family won't come back for the New Year, only you two old people are too lonely, so let Tiantian stay with you." ”
When Zhao Yan heard his father speak, a voice came from the airport radio, and it turned out that they had arrived at the airport.
At the beginning of the school year, my parents did not give living expenses, saying: "Tiantian, you see, your grandparents have given you New Year's money, it should be enough, right?" And you have to work part-time after you go to school, and you will have money in a month. ”
Zhao Yan didn't say anything, because she knew that no matter how much she said, it was useless, and her mother had her own reasons, no matter how much she said, it would be the same result.
What makes Zhao Xiang happy is that her grandmother still gives her 300 yuan a month, although the money she earns from her part-time job is enough, it is always pleasant for someone to care.
Before the start of the sophomore year, when the tuition was about to be paid, my mother said: "Tiantian, your father and I only made up enough for your brother's tuition, and you also know that he needs 28,000 a year, there is really no superfluity, you should go for a student loan." ”
At that time, Zhao Yan was very disappointed in her parents, she couldn't help but cry, and paid the tuition fee with the 7,500 yuan she had saved so hard.
She didn't go home during the holidays and continued to work in the bubble tea shop, thinking that only if she had money could she complete her studies.
During the summer vacation, Zhao went home to his grandmother's house and found that his parents were not at home. During a conversation with her grandmother, she learned that her parents had purchased a property for her younger brother in the provincial capital. Although she is not surprised by this, because since she was a child, she knew that her mother had been saving money for her younger brother to buy a house, but she still felt some emotion in her heart.
After staying at his grandmother's house for a few days, Zhao returned to school silently, and a wave of anxiety welled up in his heart. She realized she needed to take on more responsibilities as the financial pressure on her family was increasing.
A month later, my mother called, hoping that Zhao Yan could help with the family's affairs. It turned out that her parents needed her to help her younger brother pay for his living expenses every month, and she had to take it out of her income from her part-time job in a bubble tea shop. But Zhao Yan knew that his income could not support his younger brother's living expenses.
In **, my mother proposed to let Zhao Xiang apply for a student loan to solve the problem of her younger brother's living expenses. But Zhao understood that this was a huge burden for her, and she rejected the offer.
When Dad heard her refusal, he began to reproach her for being ignorant, and even doubted whether she was still willing to take responsibility for the family. Feeling disappointed and aggrieved, Zhao decided to stay away from her family for a while to avoid more conflicts and stress.
However, her parents were not willing to accept her choice, and they came to the school several times to try to force her to accept their arrangement. But in any case, Zhao Xiang resolutely refused.
In her senior year, she was almost absent from campus, she had been doing internships outside the home, and her family could no longer find her, and she finally breathed a sigh of relief.
She never contacted them, nor did she go home, but only gave her grandmother 500 yuan a month to buy some delicious food.
Thinking of this, Zhao Yan was a little sad. Who wouldn't want to be the treasure of the house? But some people are not born to be pampered.
She still spends the Dragon Boat Festival alone, thinking that it is so difficult to buy a house. Maybe she should take the civil service exam, maybe she can find a good marriage, and she won't be so hard anymore.
After Zhao Yan made up his mind, he bought books and used every bit of free time to study hard. To her delight, not long after, Mr. Li increased her salary and made her his assistant with a monthly salary of 8,000 yuan.
She believes that as long as she works hard, life will eventually give her the rewards she deserves.
Final Words: In order to pursue what you want, you must strive to move forward, and there is no other way.
When you can't help others, forgive yourself for your incompetence;
When cornered, release your generosity;
When there is no return, restrain your kindness.
May your life be merciful and resolute; When walking in the world, remember to protect your bottom line.