Chapter 10 — After Divorce, I Counted 10 Years as a Nanny

After Tet, the Chu family actually went through the service booking center. The receptionist was the receptionist. When holding the customer file and asking me for confirmation, she looked hesitant. I glanced over and burst out laughing.

“Follow normal procedure.”

“Miss Lam, this customer is…”

“I know.” I said, "It's even more important to follow the correct process and not reduce prices."

The girl was stunned for two seconds, then burst out laughing. The first time I came for a home assessment, I personally took the person there. The door opened, and my mother-in-law sat in a wheelchair, losing weight, looking at me with extremely complicated eyes. There is shame, there is resentment, there is unwillingness, and there is also a bit of panic that cannot be hidden. My father-in-law was quieter than before, leaning on a cane to one side, as if he had aged ten years. Chu Minh Huy was not there. It was said that he went out to raise money again. Chu Minh Xuyen stood in the middle of the living room, looking at me, as if facing a stranger. I wore the center's light gray uniform, with a name tag on my chest.

“Lam Van, nursing team leader.”

I opened the evaluation board, the tone was completely businesslike.

“Patient's basic condition, medical history, drug allergies, dietary restrictions, frequency of night care, family coordination to fill in.”

The mother-in-law moved her lips and finally called. I raised my eyes, my voice calm.

"Mrs. Luu, during working hours, please call me Ms. Lam, or tell me your needs directly."

Her expression immediately changed. But in the end, I still didn't dare to attack. Because this time, the contract is in my hands, the service is in my hands, the initiative is also in my hands. Before, she could scold me because I was locked in the Chu family and couldn't leave. And now she doesn't dare offend me, because she needs me. It took me forty minutes, explaining each item clearly: post-operative care, frequency of turning, recovery movements, prevention of decubitus ulcers, diet. My father-in-law listened very attentively, even taking out a pen and paper to take notes. This scene is so ridiculous that it makes me want to laugh. Before, I said these things every day, they criticized me a lot, told me it was a big thing. Now I sit here charging by the hour, and they sound like students. Having finished speaking, I handed over the price list. Chu Minh Xuyen took it, and when he saw the number, his throat moved.

“Is it that expensive?”

I nodded.

"Professional services are all priced at this price. If you find it expensive, you can rent somewhere else."

The mother-in-law's face turned red, she tried to hold it in but still couldn't hold it.

"Before, weren't you able to do everything at home?"

I looked at her and suddenly burst out laughing.

“So, how much comfort did you guys take before, do you understand now?”

With one word, the whole living room immediately fell silent. The air seemed to be drained away. A few seconds later, the father-in-law bowed his head first, his voice hoarse. When those two words were uttered, there were no ripples in my heart. In the past, I always wanted them to understand that it wasn't easy for me, I wanted them to feel guilty one day, to make up for it, to say "you've had a hard time these past few years". But now I've discovered that it actually doesn't matter anymore. There are apologies, not because they understand, but because they finally taste life without you. After signing, I stood up and prepared to leave. As soon as I reached the door, my mother-in-law suddenly called me back. I turned my head. She was sitting in a wheelchair, her eyes were slightly red.

“All these years… have you hated me so much?”

I looked at her. This question, she came just asking now. I thought for a moment, then answered very clearly. Her lips trembled.

“But not now.”

“Because I don't live in your house anymore.” I looked at her, my voice was very light, "Mrs. Liu, once you step out, there won't be so much hatred anymore. Whether or not the Chu family will live well in the future has nothing to do with me. I'm only responsible for doing a good job and receiving the right amount of money. The rest, you guys handle it yourself."

Having finished speaking, I turned around and left. The door behind slowly closed.