Chapter 4 — Before Closing Time, I Changed Grooms

5

When we walked out of the Civil Affairs Department, it had just started to rain. To Ky Bach's car was parked two streets away. He ran so he didn't bring an umbrella. Bui Tu Xuyen's car was parked right below the steps. In the car were two long-handled umbrellas that I bought. He didn't chase. Nguyen Tinh Hoa wore the bracelet that had been strung on his wrist, like he was giving out souvenirs to make up for a failed wedding. To Ky Bach took off his vest and covered my head.

“Let's take a set of photos?”

“The certificate has been received, what else is there to take?”

“Wedding photos.”

He stopped.

“If you agree.”

Every word you say leaves me a way out. I pulled down his vest.

"Two hundred meters, run together. Clothes are more expensive than hair."

“Listen to me.”

We rushed into the rain. The photography shop was about to close, the photographer only left a small gap under the rolling door. This time I didn't have to take photos for paperwork, I just wanted to save a memory. To Ky Bach knocked on the door three times. The boss opened the door, saw us as wet as two molted rats, and burst out laughing.

“The wedding photo or the photo running away from the wedding?”

“It all counts.” I said.

In the photo, my hair is not yet dry, To Ky Bach's shirt is so wrinkled that I can't see it. But we laughed honestly. When the photographer told me to choose a photo, I looked at the screen for a while. The last time he took photos for marriage registration, Bui Tu Xuyen received a phone call from Nguyen Tinh Hoa. He went out and listened for a long time. In the photo taken, I sat upright, while he tilted his face, his eyes still facing the door. I always keep that photo in my portfolio. Last night, when I was packing up, I took it out and tore it up. Actually, last night wasn't as unpleasant as I thought it would be. I packed my computer and papers first, then my clothes. There were a few coats in the closet and I couldn't remember who bought them. I took pictures and sent them to Bui Tu Xuyen. He was busy going with Nguyen Tinh Hoa to check his hand, so he only replied:

“You can handle it yourself.”

So I left it all behind. In the kitchen there are a pair of cups. You use blue, I use white. The mouth of the white cup was chipped at one corner. It should have been thrown away a long time ago, but I still brought it with me. Not out of regret. It's just that I still needed to drink water that night. When love comes to an end, life does not lose electricity or water because of that. You still have to get the toothbrush, you still have to bring the charging cable, and you still have to clock in and go to work the next morning. After cleaning out the last drawer, I sat on my suitcase to rest for a while. The living room is very quiet. The refrigerator's compressor suddenly started, startling me. I didn't cry then. What I'm thinking about is how to get my deposit back. Looking back now, perhaps the time when I was truly heartbroken has long passed. I just have never been able to name that fatigue. Before returning to my parents' house, To Ky Bach went to a convenience store to buy alcohol. I sat in the car and turned on my phone. Missed calls filled the screen. There are also a series of messages:

“Where are you?”

“Go back and explain clearly.”

“When did you and To Ky Bach start?”

“I don't believe you actually registered your marriage.”

“Send me a photo.”

The last news is:

"I'm at home waiting for you."

I answer in four words:

“No need to wait anymore.”

After that, I sent you the agreement to terminate the rental contract. The house was rented by both of us. Last night I contacted the landlord. The homeowner agreed to change the person lease, the agreement is waiting for Bui Tu Xuyen to sign. If you do not sign, I will bear my share of the costs until the original contract expiration date. A suitcase of my personal belongings is in the trunk of the car, the remaining belongings will be brought to Trinh Man's house by the moving company in the afternoon. Electricity, water, internet and general recharge cards have all been clearly paid. Whatever I do, I leave behind statistics. The last page of the document shows the two of us's major expenses over the past seven years. No one owes anyone. Bui Tu Xuyen called again. I answered the phone.

"Duong Kien Vi, you've been planning this for a long time, right?"

“I gave you eight chances.”

"I've already packed my things. No matter what you do today, I'll still leave!"

“Wrong.”

I looked at To Ky Bach who was seriously choosing wine in the convenience store.

“If you got to the counter on time, I would still keep my promise. But you didn't come.”

“I just helped Tinh Hoa pick up the bracelet!”

“Yes. That is your choice.”

On the other end of the line there was only the sound of breathing. I hung up and blocked the number. To Ky Bach carried two bottles of rice wine worth more than one hundred yuan into the car.

“Arguing?”

“Follow handover procedures.”

He stuffed a cup of hot soy milk into my hand.

“Are you done yet?”

“It's done.”

“Let's go home then.”

6

My father opened the door, saw To Ky Bach, looked at the wine first, then looked at him.

“New son-in-law?”

“Hello, uncle.”

“Do you know how to play chess?”

“I know a little.”

“So that means I don't know. Come in.”

Mom pulled me into the kitchen.

“Are you really registered?”

I showed her the marriage certificate. She opened it and stared at To Ky Bach's photo for a long time.

“Looks more spirited than Bui Tu Xuyen.”

“Do you judge your son-in-law based on this alone?”

"There's more. He ran all the way to register, didn't run into the wrong Civil Affairs Department, his brain probably still works."

I burst out laughing. At the dinner table, no one said congratulations. It happened so suddenly, even my mother couldn't pretend this was a fun event that had been planned for a long time. She pushed the fish soup towards To Ky Bach and asked if his parents knew.

"I still don't know. On the way here, I just remembered to bring my ID."

My father's chopsticks stopped in midair.

“What if your parents don't accept it?”

"I will explain. They may be angry with me, but they must not make things difficult for Kien Vi."

“That sounds good.”

My father snorted.

"Today you dare to make a mess with him, tomorrow you may regret it."