New Road

AI illustration

- It's very late, go to sleep! - Loan said, her voice soft, full of worry.

- Oh, finish your cigarette and come in. You can go to sleep. - Hoang replied, his voice seemed low as if he was under pressure.

- Well, if you don't do this, then do something else. If you can't get a high-paying job, then you can work for a low-paying job and gradually move up. Just calm down, it's only been two weeks. - Loan gently encouraged.

Hoang looked at Loan, sighed, then fell silent again. His eyes looked far away, it was unclear what he was thinking.

- Actually, if I only cared about myself, I wouldn't have to think about anything, but now I have to worry about you and the kids too. - Hoang said, his voice dropping.

Hearing her husband say that, Loan felt so sorry! Loan is 35 years old this year, and Hoang is 40. Both husband and wife are from the same hometown, came to the city to study and live since their student days. Both families are basic, their parents are civil servants, so they only support their education and cannot help with anything else. Loan and Hoang had to rent a house for the first five years after getting married. Determined to stay in the city, both of them tried hard to work, save up to buy a house, buy a car, and take care of both families, but it was really not easy to make those dreams come true.

Loan and her husband have been in the city for more than fifteen years. They have been working for a salary since they graduated from college, and have made investments but they failed, so they just save every penny. After ten years of marriage, they were able to buy a small apartment of less than sixty square meters, which is enough to “get in and out” for the couple and their two children. Living in the city is getting more and more expensive. Living a little “luxurious” means that at the end of the month, there is nothing left, living frugally, sometimes makes you feel sorry for your two children.

One day three weeks ago, Hoang came home feeling very sad. Loan asked her husband, but he simply said:

- The company changed its structure. Now they let him go.

- You did a good job, why did you fire me?

- I see people say that young people are quick and good at applying technology, but it seems like someone I know has replaced me.

And Hoang was fired. Although he had prepared himself mentally, he was still very disappointed! Hoang had prepared his documents and submitted them to many places, but there were many reasons, including his age, that he still could not find a job. It was really difficult for him to find a job when he was 40 years old. Since the day he quit his job, Hoang could not sit still. He called all his friends and relatives, took advantage of his relationships to ask if there were any places hiring, but some places were not hiring, some places were not in his field of training, some places had age restrictions, etc. Hoang suddenly realized how important it was to have a stable job at this age. Once, the couple confided in each other, Hoang said:

- I'm unemployed now, will you support me?

- Of course, I will support both you and the child. Don't worry, we still have some savings.

- No, I have to find another job to continue taking care of my family! Who would let his wife support him?

For the past two weeks, Loan saw him tired, haggard, less talkative, less smiling. Hoang seemed like a different person. Perhaps the pressure of life, the burden of "food and clothing" was weighing heavily on his shoulders. Although Loan encouraged him, perhaps Hoang's words, actions, and face could not hide his fatigue and worry for his family when he was unemployed.

On the occasion of the April 30 holiday, the whole family decided to return to their hometown to visit family and temporarily put aside their daily worries, to find some peace. Over the past few days, the tension in Hoang's heart has been like a dark cloud that has been lingering, never ending.

They got on the bus to go home early in the morning. The two children were singing happily, Loan sat next to Hoang, looking at him with loving but also worried eyes. Hoang was tired, occasionally looking out the window, letting his mind wander to the sound of car horns and the noisy space outside, but his mind was still heavy with thoughts about work and the future.

Returning to his hometown, the familiar scenery made Hoang feel like he was back in his childhood. The peaceful countryside with red tiled roofs, winding village roads, and vast rice fields seemed to heal the soul of a child far away from home who was suffering from many wounds.

They spent the whole day resting with their families, and in the afternoon, they wandered out to the dike to enjoy the cool breeze. Hoang stood on the edge of the dike, letting the wind blow past, as if to sweep away all his worries. Thoughts about work and the pressure of making a living suddenly became small before the embrace and comfort of his homeland.

Hoang recalls his corporate days, when he was the one who set up many projects, could make important decisions, and helped the company achieve significant achievements. And now, he can do it again but instead of working for a company, he will work for himself.

While lost in thought, Hoang suddenly realized that someone was standing next to him. He turned around and was surprised to see that it was Minh, his childhood friend whom he had not seen for a long time. Minh was still the same, with bright eyes and a bright smile.

- When did you come back? - Minh smiled and patted Hoang's shoulder hard.

Hoang was startled and hugged his long-lost friend. They chatted for a while, Minh told him about his current life. After working many jobs in the city, Minh now opened a small business in the countryside, although not big, it was enough to stabilize his life.

- How is your work? - Minh asked.

Hoang looked into the distance and sighed.

- Yeah, it's fine, but recently the company cut staff, I was laid off. Now I'm looking for a new job but it's so hard, I'm 40 years old.

Minh was silent for a moment, patted his friend on the shoulder to encourage him:

- Have you ever thought about doing business? I opened a store, it's not easy but at least it gives me more initiative. It's like my brainchild.

Hoang felt that Minh's words made sense. He recalled the days when he worked in the company, when the economy was booming, work flowed like water, his team won many big projects, everyone was happy but at this moment, what Minh said echoed in his mind: "Why not try to start a small company, decide everything yourself?".

- Thank you, Minh! - Hoang smiled, feeling lighter.

After the trip back to his hometown, Hoang returned to the city with a different mood. He was no longer stuck as before but had a new direction for himself, not looking for a job in a big company but returning to his expertise, building a freelance job, providing consulting services to technology companies or startup projects.

Hoang began to build a detailed plan for his new job. He contacted small technology companies and startups that needed support in product development, process optimization, and technology strategy. He also attended conferences where he could meet people in the same field, exchange experiences, and seek cooperation opportunities.

Less than a month later, Hoang received a collaboration offer from a startup company that needed a technology consultant to develop a product. Hoang felt like he had found a new path, one that he was confident in and could master.

Loan looked at her husband and saw that he was happy and full of energy again. She smiled and felt at peace. Finally, they had found a way for the future. Although there were many challenges ahead, Hoang knew that with determination and effort, he would overcome them all./.

Le Ngoc Son

Source: https://baolongan.vn/con-duong-moi-a193303.html