Chapter 10 — After Marrying, I Was Pampered

That day Bui Tu came home very late. Almost twelve o'clock. I sat in the living room waiting. It wasn't like I was waiting on purpose, I just couldn't sleep so I sat there reading a book. When the door opened, he stood at the entrance. The suit jacket was in hand, the top two buttons on the shirt were open, and the tie was missing somewhere. His face is not good. Even worse than the day we returned from the rain. Between the two eyebrows is a knot that cannot be removed. Seeing me sitting in the living room, his steps stopped.

“Why aren't you sleeping yet?”

“Wait for me.”

He didn't say. Change shoes. Go to the sofa. Sit down next to me. Not the usual upright sitting position. But the whole body leans back, head tilted back to rest on the back of the sofa. Close your eyes. Fatigue seemed to seep from every pore. I looked at him. Dark circles under the eyes are worse than before. Wrinkles at the corners of the mouth are deeper. The whole person is like a rope being pulled to the limit.

“Is it very difficult?”

I asked. He didn't open his eyes.

“It can be handled.”

“I'm not asking if you can handle it.”

I said:

“I asked if it was difficult.”

His throat moved. Silence for more than ten seconds.

“…A little bit.”

Just two words. But I know that being able to get you to admit that "a little bit" means it's close to the limit. I don't ask more. I picked up a cup of hot milk and placed it on the tea table next to me, bringing it in front of him. He opened his eyes. Look at the milk. Look at me again. Take it. Take a sip.

“Do you always know when I return?”

“Don't know.”

I said:

“But you can warm up another cup of milk.”

He took another sip. When the cup was almost empty, he tilted his head to look at me. The fatigue in my eyes hadn't gone away, but there was something else. Soft. Warm. It's like the ice is slowly melting, revealing the water below.

“Khuong Duong.”

“Yes.”

“Thank you.”

I shook my head.

“No need to thank.”

He put the cup down. Raise your hand. Covers the back of my hand. Very light.

“Today's story…”

He said:

"It might last a while. My father's side won't give up easily."

“Yes.”

“But I won't give in.”

“I know.”

“I won't let you get involved either.”

“I don't feel like I'm involved.”

His fingers gently stroked the back of my hand. An unconscious movement. But the warmth penetrates the skin and penetrates deep into the heart.

“If…”

He opened his mouth and then stopped.

“What if?”

“If one day you feel too tired and want to go…”

“Bui Tu.”

I interrupted him. Turn your hand over and hold his finger tightly.

“You say the word ‘go’ one more time, tonight I will saute all the remaining Wagyu beef in the refrigerator.”

“All.”

He was stunned. Then the corners of his lips relaxed. Not laughing. But it's more beautiful than smiling.

“That piece of beef is very expensive.”

“You choose. Is beef important or am I important?”

“…”

He lowered his eyes. Fingertips gently hooked into my palm. A bit itchy.

“You are important.”

His voice was so small that it was almost covered by his breath. But I heard it. Every word. Clear. That night he slept in the master bedroom again. No more trying to touch the wrist this time. But directly pulled my hand back and held it. Very natural. Like this is a habit that should exist. I rested my head on his arm. The smell of fir surrounds. His breathing gradually calmed down. Become regular. I'm asleep. Sooner than me. I tilted my head to look at his face. When Bui Tu sleeps, it's completely different from when he's awake. Wrinkles between the eyebrows has dilated. The jawline becomes gentle. Lips slightly parted, breath gently escaping through them. Like a big child who needs someone to take care of him. I moved slightly, pulling the blanket towards him a little. He unconsciously tightened his arm. Pull me a little closer. Um. Alright. Then don't go anymore. If you say you won't go, you won't go. Anyone who comes is the same. I closed my eyes. Sleep peacefully. 【Chapter 12】 End. Bui Chinh Thanh's attack lasted nearly three weeks. But in the end nothing could be shaken. Because the old lady took action. She directly convened a family meeting. In front of the entire Bui family, she announced two things. First: Bui Thi Group was officially assigned to Bui Tu, effective the same day. Second: No one is allowed to interfere in Bui Tu's marriage. If you continue to interfere, you will be kicked out of the family tree. Bui Chinh Thanh's facial expression that day was extremely unique. I didn't see it with my own eyes, but Bui An sent me photos of the scene. Nine pictures. Each photo can be used as a meme. After that, Wen Di Ninh did not appear again. Listening to Bui An, she went abroad again. Before leaving, he sent Bui Tu a text message. Bui An does not say the content, only uses four words to evaluate:

“Very presentable.”

I don't ask any more. Let the past pass by. People who are not related to me are not worth wasting brain cells on. As for the Khuong family. After I married into the Bui family, my parents suddenly began to communicate regularly. Ask thoughtfully and care about everything. Every message asked me if I was living well and how the Bui family treated me. Occasionally, I discreetly asked if I could lend some money on a revolving basis. I responded very slowly. Only respond occasionally. Attitude is neither hot nor cold. After knowing the story, Bui Tu only said one sentence:

"If you want to answer, answer. If you don't want to, it's okay. You decide for yourself."

I thought for a long time. Finally send mom a text message.

"You live very well. No need to worry. Don't look for money, look for the bank."

She replied with a series of ellipses. After a week he didn't contact me. Um. Quiet. Life goes on. When I wake up in the morning, it's always warm next to me. Sometimes when I leave early, I will leave a cherry next to my pillow. One fruit. Not much, not less. Every time it's the biggest and sweetest fruit. The refrigerator is permanently full. I don't need to warm the milk anymore, he has learned how to warm it himself. But sometimes he will heat up an extra cup and put it next to my bed. On weekends, when we don't work overtime, we will watch movies together in the living room. He chose all detective movies. I choose all comedy shows. Finally compromised and watched a documentary. After watching for three minutes, he fell asleep. His head tilted on my shoulder. It's so heavy that you want to die. But I didn't push it away. Bui An comes every week to eat. The food my maid cooks, she eats more than me. She calls it:

“Monitor the quality of your sister-in-law's meals.”

Life is very normal. As normal as filtered water. But it is water that has been boiled and cooled to a temperature just enough to drink. Doesn't burn tongue. Not cold. Fit. One night. I curled up on the sofa reading a book. He sat next to him, processing emails. Each person does their own thing. No one bothers anyone. Suddenly he closed the computer. Turn around. Look at me. Feeling the eyes, me look up.

“What's wrong?”

He didn't say. Just look at me like that. His eyes were no longer cold as usual. Which is full. It's the kind of eyes that contain a lot of things.

“Khuong Duong.”

“Yes.”

“Do you remember that day in the car?”

“What day?”

“The day you asked me if I was confessing my love.”

“…Yes. Remember.”

He placed the computer on the tea table. He turned around, facing me. The distance is very close. So close that you can count each breath.

“I haven't officially answered you yet.”

My heart started beating fast.

“So now I answer.”

He said. He reached out his hand. Take the book out of my hand. Set aside. Then use both hands to lift my face. Warm palms covered my cheeks.

“Yes.”

One word. Falling very hard. Like a stone falling into a quiet lake.

“At that time I was confessing my love to you.”

“From that day on, every day has been the same.”

“Every cup of milk.”

“Every box of cherries.”

“Every time I return home.”

"It's all a confession."

I looked into his eyes. His dark eyes reflected the warm yellow light in the living room. Also reflects me.

“So why didn't you say so sooner?”

“I don't know what to say.”

His thumb gently brushed my cheek.

“Never tried it.”

“Never tried anything?”

“I've never liked someone so much that I didn't know how to open my mouth.”

My eyes sting. Don't know why. Obviously it's fun. But still feels spicy.

“Bui Tu.”

“Yes.”

“Me too.”

His breathing stopped. The thumb that was stroking my cheek also stopped. The light in his eyes instantly became brighter. Then he laughed. Really laugh. Not the slightly curved lip corners. It's that the entire facial expression relaxes, like a river breaking ice, like the first wind of spring. He bent down. Forehead touching mine. The tip of the nose touches the tip of the nose. Breaths entwined.

“So later…”

“Don't go anymore.”

"Originally, I didn't intend to go."

“Yes.”

He kissed me. Very light. Falling to the corner of the lips. Like a fir leaf falling from above. So light it's almost non-existent. But it really fell there. Then he stepped back. Ears turn red. I looked at his red ears. Couldn't help but laugh. Laughing for a moment, tears fell again. He panicked.

“What's wrong?”

“It's okay.”

I wipe my face.

“Just have fun.”

“Why cry when you're happy?”

“It's just for fun.”

He pulled me into his arms. My chin rests on the top of my head. Arms clenched tightly. It's like protecting something extremely precious in your arms. The smell of fir covers my whole body. Warm. Authentic. It's the smell of family. I'm Khuong Duong. The most obscure second lady of the Khuong family. For twenty-three years, it has never been remembered by anyone. But now… There is someone. Remember my finger size. Remember every dress I wore. Remember what fruit I like to eat. Remember where I sit every night to watch the entertainment program. Remember my body temperature. Remember me. That's enough. The moonlight outside the window is very beautiful. Cherry still has half a bowl left. The milk is being kept warm in the pot. There are two people in this house. Fit. RUN OUT OF.