According to Haizhou custom, recognizing a relative is a very formal and solemn event.
Only between friends who have a very good relationship, or when they meet a junior they like very much, they will recognize a godson relationship, and after the relationship is recognized, it will basically last a lifetime.
When those born in the 80s and 90s grew up, they handled this kind of godfather relationship relatively casually. Sometimes, before the child was born, a bunch of godfathers and godmothers were already found for him. However, in the last century, In the state, it is rare for a child to have several godfathers and godmothers, or for an adult to have several godsons or goddaughters. Generally speaking, a child has only one godfather and godmother, and an elder can only have at most one godfather and godmother. A godson or goddaughter, the older generation attaches great importance to this relationship, to some extent, it is much more important than the godfathers in the West.
Haizhou people attach great importance to commitment. Not only are marriages very formal and important, even brothers among friends are not casually sworn in. Not only must the relationship be in place, but commitments and rules must also be emphasized, and the brothers' parents, If a grandpa passes away, according to the rules, all brothers must wear mourning, but heavy mourning. Unlike more than ten years later, children aged 13 or 14 have dozens or hundreds of brothers, but they worship and get along with each other casually. , it would be nice to have one or two who still keep in touch ten years later.
When Li Mu and Li Ziwei went home together, they called their mother. Their mother and father didn't expect that Li Mu would come home early, so they quickly started preparing dinner. After answering Li Mu's call, Li's mother suddenly became nervous and asked Li's father: "You What if Ziwei is not happy?"
Dad Li said: "Probably not."
Li Ma said: "I don't know either. I just feel a little unsure. We have never known our daughter-in-law before, and we don't know what the rules are in Ziwei's hometown."
Dad Li smiled and said: "As long as the girl agrees, we will follow the rules of the family. Besides, the girl may not dare to directly agree to this matter. Most of the time, she will have to discuss it with her parents."
Li Ma nodded and said, "Ziwei's parents are both very good people. At first glance, they look like standard intellectuals. They both seem to be teachers, right?"
"Ziwei's mother is a teacher and has retired. Her father is an official in their local education bureau. However, she was a people's teacher in the early years and was later transferred to the Education Committee. When we last met, Ziwei's father said that he seemed to be retiring as well. ”
During the Chinese New Year, Li Ziwei, as Li Mu's personal assistant, followed Li Mu all the time. In order to reunite her with her family, Li Mu specially invited her parents to Haizhou to celebrate the New Year. Li's parents, Li's mother, and Li Ziwei's parents spent a few days together. The contact made a good impression on the two of them, and an even better impression on Li Ziwei.
Li Ziwei was born into a family of intellectuals. Her parents were among the last batch of college students before the Cultural Revolution who relied on their talents to get into university. After graduation, both of them devoted themselves to the education industry and have been busy in the field of education for half their lives. His character, temperament, knowledge and conversation are all very good.
Li Ma smiled and said: "If Ziwei's parents agree, the six of us will find time to have a meal together, and we will have a daughter in the future."
"It just so happens that both of them have the same surname as Li, just like their biological daughters..."
Mother Li nodded: "Yes, they are all from your old Li family."
Father Li nodded and smiled, and said, "Before you had a son, you always dreamed of having a daughter. If you were a real daughter, I'm afraid it would be difficult for us to have the achievements of our son today!"
Li Ma shook her head and said: "If Xiao Mu is really a girl, I can't bear to let her work so hard. After graduating from college, she will go home and take the civil service examination, have a stable job, and don't marry far away, so that she can spend more time with us." "
After saying that, Ma Li said: "Look now, your son has not graduated from college yet, and he travels around the world all day long. If I wait a few more years, I'm afraid I won't be able to see him more than once a year. No matter how great his achievements are, our family Isn't it still difficult for the three of us to get together? All our achievements are for outsiders to see, and the happiest time for a family is to stay together."
"You're right." Dad Li nodded and sighed: "In the future, I will have to persuade my son to have more children no matter what!"
…
Li Mu didn't tell Li Ziwei about his mother's wish to recognize her as his goddaughter, but he thought about it all the way in his heart.
In his previous life, Li Mu often heard his mother sigh, envying other people who have daughters, especially those who have daughters by their side. Even if they get married, they can see each other every day. After having children, parents can still help take care of the children every day. As an old couple, Life is also fulfilling.
Unlike her, her son is away from home all the year round and can only go back three or two times a year, and each time only lasts a few days. He comes and leaves in a hurry. Before the mother can take care of herself enough, her son leaves again.
Life in her previous life was not in this order. Ma Li had really worked hard for most of her life. When she got old, her son could not be by her side. It was really sad for her.
Li Mu always felt that he owed his parents a lot, but due to life and reality, he could not fulfill the obligations of a good son. At that time, whenever Li Mu heard that his mother had a fever or cold, he felt very sorry and couldn't accompany her. He had a headache and fever and couldn't go home to take care of her. At that time, Li Mu often fantasized about how great it would be if he had an older sister or a younger sister who could stay at home and look after his parents.
Just because he always knew the regret in his mother's heart, Li Mu did not object at all to her wanting to recognize Li Ziwei as her daughter. On the contrary, deep down in his heart, he was extremely supportive of this matter. The only hope was himself. Parents who treat Li Ziwei sincerely can also get Li Ziwei's sincere feedback. In that case, it can be regarded as making up for a regret in the mother's heart.
The two returned to Ziyun Villa. Li's father and Li's mother were still busy in the kitchen. As soon as Li Ziwei got home, she hurried to the kitchen to help. She took the initiative to take away Li's father's job and said she would not let him work anymore. In her words He said: "I can work on the kitchen with my aunt. Uncle, you can go and chat with Mr. Li."
Li Ma smiled and said: "Your uncle has probably wanted to go out to smoke for a long time. He is a big smoker."
Li Ziwei said: "Although it is difficult to quit smoking, uncle should try to smoke as little as possible. I will go back to find a friend to bring you some nicotine gum. When you want to smoke, just chew two. It can reduce the intake of cigarette oil. .”
Dad Li asked curiously: "Is there such a thing?"
Li Ziwei nodded and said: "It has been sold in the U.S. market for a long time. It is certified by the FDA and is very safe. Its principle is actually the same as people's dependence on tobacco. If you are addicted to smoking, you are actually addicted to nicotine. , but not for cigarette tar. When you are addicted to cigarettes, your body needs to take in nicotine. Nicotine gum contains naturally extracted nicotine, but does not contain any cigarette tar, so it is much healthier. After all, the most harmful thing in tobacco is the cigarette tar. Various elements and heavy metals.”
After saying that, Li Ziwei added: "And that thing can reduce your dependence on cigarettes. While using it, you can reduce the amount of cigarettes you smoke. You may be able to quit smoking completely after a while."
When Li's mother heard this, she hurriedly said: "It sounds very reliable! Lao Li, ask Ziwei to buy you some and try it later."
Dad Li did not refuse, and said with a smile: "If you can quit smoking without pain, I will definitely have no objection. In fact, I also want to quit. Even though I have been smoking for so many years, I can't quit at once."
Li Ma nodded and said with a smile: "Okay, I know your virtues. If you want to smoke one, just go to the yard and smoke one."
Dad Li smiled and said, "Okay, then you guys are busy and I'll be lazy."
When Dad Li came out of the kitchen, Li Mu was checking emails on his laptop in the living room. Dad Li took out a cigarette from his pocket and said to Li Mu, "Son, let's go out and have a cigarette."
Because he knew that Li Mu occasionally smoked, Li's father would sometimes give Li Mu a cigarette and the two of them would smoke together. However, Li Mu had almost no craving for cigarettes, so he smoked much less than he did.
Li Mu put down the computer and followed his father to the yard. The weather in Yanjing in April had begun to get warmer. The two of them sat down on the wooden bench by the yard of the villa. Dad Li took out two cigarettes and handed them to Li Mu. Li Mu took the lighter from his father's hand, helped his father light the cigarette first, and then lit the one he was holding.
After taking two puffs of cigarette, Dad Li pointed to a small vegetable patch that had been planted in the yard and said proudly: "Look, I haven't farmed in thirty years. At first glance, it looks pretty good."
Li Mu helplessly looked at the few ridges of land in the yard and said with a smile, "At your age, doesn't growing vegetables feel particularly fulfilling?"
Dad Li smiled and said: "Not only is there a sense of accomplishment, but there is also nostalgia and freedom."
As he spoke, Dad Li sighed: "When I was a kid, I was not in such a good mood when I was farming. I used to be lazy when I was a kid, so your grandma used a stick to force me to work in the fields. At that time, besides going to school, I just did farm work, so I never thought farming was a big deal. This kind of enjoyment, all I think about every day is that I must find a way to get rid of the yellow land, so after graduating from high school, I quickly joined your grandfather's team and went to the mines. However, this was a hardship for your uncle. I took your grandfather's job. , he can’t read well, so he can only farm in his hometown. Sometimes when I think about it, I always feel sorry for him.”
Li Mu nodded and said, "But you have always tried every means to help my uncle over the years. Now he is living a good life, and it will be even better in the future."
Dad Li smiled slightly: "Yes, life is much better now."
Speaking of this, Dad Li said again: "Your uncle has just left the yellow land. I have been away from the yellow land for thirty years. Now you let your uncle farm the land. I am afraid he will not be happy with it. But as for me, I especially want to Plant an area of one-third of an acre, and wait until those peppers, eggplants, and tomatoes grow, green and full of water, and you will be happy to see them. After another ten or eight years, your mother and I will find a place where it is like spring all year round. You can buy a private house and rent some land. In addition to growing some vegetables, you can also grow some fruits. It depends on your future son and daughter. Whatever they like to eat, your mother and I will grow it... "
Li Mu suddenly had an idea and said, "Dad, how about I buy you a piece of land in the northern suburbs of Yanjing? Find a good place near mountains and rivers, buy a piece of land to build a villa, and then open up a few acres of land. , get an orchard, get a greenhouse, get a flower house, and you can bring your grandparents over in the future!"
(End of chapter)