69novels Chapter 399 Flowing Quietly
Chapter 399 Flowing Quietly
They know that everyone’s efforts in the family are for the family’s future and happiness, and this unity and cooperation is also their greatest wealth and source of motivation.
Su's mother stood in the middle of the living room, wearing an elegant white cheongsam that perfectly set off her slender figure. She had a serious expression on her face, and her eyes were calm and decisive. Su Xu stood in front of her, with a look of distress and helplessness on his face, and his brows were furrowed.
"Five hundred yuan a month, that's unreasonable, Mom!" Su Xu's voice was pleading, trying to convince her mother to give up the idea.
Mother Su, however, looked very confident. She folded her hands over her chest and raised her head slightly. "Xu'er, this is not my decision, but a family rule. You know, since your grandfather's generation, every descendant has to pay a share of money to maintain the family's finances."
Su Xu's brows furrowed even more. "But isn't this tradition no longer popular in today's society? And five hundred yuan is not a small sum for me."
Mother Su looked at him deeply and said, "This is not just a matter of money, Xu'er. The family's tradition and cohesion are more important than any money. You have to understand that the prosperity of our family did not come out of thin air."
Su Xu sighed helplessly, feeling the unshakable determination in his mother's words, "Okay, Mom, I understand. But I hope this money can have a clear purpose, or can be of some help to my life."
Su's mother smiled slightly, obviously having been prepared for her son's request. "Of course you can. This share of money will be used exclusively for the family's education fund to subsidize the tuition fees of those family members in need."
Su Xu was slightly relieved after hearing this. "Is that so? Then it can be considered as a common goal."
As the two were talking, there was a sudden knock on the door. Xiao Wang, the housekeeper of the Su family, came in, holding a thick envelope and handed it to Su's mother, "Madam, this is a letter just sent from the family meeting, saying it is about the arrangements for the next family event."
Mother Su took the envelope and looked through it with a serious expression. Seeing this, Su Xu couldn't help but ask, "Mom, is there any new arrangement for the family?"
Mother Su shook her head slightly. "It seems that this family event will be held several months in advance. I must attend in person, and you should also consider participating. It will also be helpful for you to understand the family history and network."
Su Xu nodded, "I know, Mom. What are the arrangements for this family event?"
Su's mother placed the letter on the table, her tone slightly mysterious, "According to the letter, this family event will be held at our ancestral home, and some rituals and traditions will be restored. This will play a very important role in the unity of the family."
Su Xu was slightly surprised after hearing this, "Ancestral home? That's an important place for our family."
Mother Su nodded, "Yes, this event is of great significance. It not only unites family members, but also revisits our family's roots and traditions."
Just as Su's mother and Su Xu continued to discuss the details of the family event, they suddenly heard a noise coming from outside. Su Xu couldn't help but look up and found a group of family members busy arranging something in the courtyard. They were wearing various clothes, some were traditional Chinese clothes, and some were fashionable modern clothes, which looked particularly lively.
Mother Su also noticed it and smiled slightly, "It seems that the preparations for the family activities are going well."
Su Xu was a little hesitant, "Mom, what do you think I should wear?"
Mother Su looked at him with a smile, "Xu'er, just wear your usual clothes. This event doesn't need to be too formal, it's just some communication and celebration within the family."
Su Xu was relieved after hearing this, but he still felt a little nervous. Although he was a member of the Su family, he knew very little about the family's traditions and activities. For him, this event was not just a celebration, but more like a journey back to the family's history and culture.
Time passed quietly, and soon it was the day of the family event. The Su family's ancestral home was like a dreamlike palace, standing quietly in the valley outside the city. Su Xu followed his mother to the ancestral home, and he couldn't help but feel excited.
The ancestral home was bustling with activity, with family members walking between the ancient buildings, and laughter and joy could be heard everywhere. Su Xu felt a sense of intimacy and belonging he had never felt before, and he began to understand why his mother attached so much importance to family traditions and activities.
A simple but grand opening ceremony kicked off, with the family elders taking turns to speak on stage, reviewing the family's glorious history and important achievements. Su Xu listened quietly, his admiration for the family growing deeper.
In between activities, Su Xu had the opportunity to meet some distant relatives, some of whom had made achievements in academia or had a place in the business world. These seemingly strangers seemed particularly close because of their common blood connection.
At lunchtime, everyone sat together and enjoyed the rich hometown food. The table was filled with various dishes and exquisite snacks, the aroma was fragrant and mouth-watering. Su Xu saw his mother also smiling and chatting with other family members, and his heart was filled with happiness and satisfaction.
Su Ming, a slender young man with a melancholy look, grew up in this courtyard. His ancestors have lived here for generations, and every brick and every piece of wood in the courtyard is filled with family memories and stories. In the early morning of summer, the morning light shines through the gaps in the courtyard wall, casting mottled light and shadows, outlining the traces left by the years.
"Su Ming leaned on the bluestone bench beside the courtyard wall, holding an old book in his hand. The pages were yellowed and exuded the scent of ink that had settled for a long time. He closed his eyes and recalled the stories his grandfather told him when he was a child about every corner of the courtyard. At that time, the courtyard was full of childhood laughter, as if time was quietly flowing in this space."
Life in the courtyard has its own unique rules and habits. Every morning, the crowing of the morning roosters and the greetings of the neighbors are intertwined, becoming a part of Su Ming's life. The afternoon sun shines into the courtyard through the window lattices shaded by vines, making it particularly warm and peaceful. In the evening, a faint smoke rises in the courtyard, echoing the dinner time of every household.
"Su Ming's mother is a typical old Beijing woman. She always has a kind smile on her face and skillfully fiddles with all kinds of seasonings and pots and pans in the kitchen. She is the center of this family and cares for every member of this family with full love and patience every day."