Chapter 12 — Behind the Door is Still Home

But it carries a very rough and very real vitality. I didn't see any familiar figures. I originally said I didn't need anyone to pick me up. Pulling the suitcase out of the station door, the cold wind immediately hit my face. The cold air here is much more intense than Hangzhou, like small blades cutting into the skin. I pulled my life jacket tight and stood in line at the end of the taxi line along the road. The line of people stretched long. Move very slowly. I took out my phone and opened the family chat group. Last message stopped last night. This is a photo of Doan Doan playing fireworks sent by Tri Tinh. Scroll further up... This is the paragraph after I texted:

“Happy New Year everyone.”

A few social responses appear below.

“Happy New Year too!”

“Tri Dao, rest well.”

After that, the group chat went silent. I exited WeChat and opened the ride-hailing app. Number of people waiting in front: 45. Estimated time: 28 minutes. I turned off the screen, put the phone back in my pocket, and stood quietly in line. Silently looking at the small city where I was born and raised. There are more high-rise buildings than before. The shopping center opened a few new ones. There are also more luxury cars on the road. But the background color of this city is still that gray, slow style. Compared to three years ago when I left… Not much seems to have changed. But it also seems... Everything is completely different. By the time I got there, it was already dark. This apartment complex is a row of buildings with an elevator built a few years ago. The outside is covered with dark red bricks, and in the late afternoon light it looks a bit old. I dragged my suitcase into the lobby and pressed the elevator button. In the elevator's reflection, my face appeared. Brings a tired look. Light dark circles under the eyes. I took a deep breath and then slowly exhaled.

“Ding” sound.

The elevator stops on the twelfth floor. The sensor light in the hallway turned on, pale yellow light shining on the familiar dark brown anti-theft door. On the door are pasted red couplets and the word "Phuc" brand new. Red paper with yellow letters, filled with Tet atmosphere. I stood in front of the door for a few seconds. Then raise your hand to ring the bell.

“Come here come here!”

Inside, my mother's hurried voice was heard, accompanied by the sound of slippers dragging on the floor. Mom was still wearing an apron, her hands still had flour on them. As soon as she saw me standing outside the door, the smile on her face stiffened for a moment, and a clear panic flashed in her eyes. But it was quickly overshadowed by a brighter smile.

"Tri Dao! You're really home! Come in, come in, it's cold outside!"

She leaned over to give way, reaching out to help me carry my suitcase. I don't give it. Pull your suitcase into the house yourself. I called out, my throat was a bit dry. Mother frantically bent down to open the shoe cabinet.

"You're very tired from walking, right? Quickly change your slippers, the heating is on in the house, it's very warm."

She took out the pink cotton slippers I used to wear before and washed them clean and fragrant. When I changed my shoes, the sound of the TV in the living room faded a bit. Dad stood up from the sofa, rubbed his hands and looked at me with an unnatural expression.

“Tri Dao is back.”

Doan Doan got up from the carpet in front of the TV and looked curiously towards the door. She seemed a bit afraid of strangers, looked at me for a few seconds and then hid behind Tri Tinh. Tri Tinh stood between the living room and dining room, also wearing an apron, holding an onion in her hand, a smile on her face but it looked fake no matter what.

"Sister! Are you really back? I was still there talking to mom about her! Come in quickly, don't let it get cold!

Chu Hao is not in the living room.

"Chu Hao has gone down to buy wine to cook, he'll be up later."

Mom explained as I took off my life jacket and hung it on the rack.

“Please sit down and rest a bit, drink hot water first. The dumplings are almost done, today we're making pork and cabbage filling, your dad mixed the filling, it's very fragrant."

The living room is still the old layout. Beige sofa. Almost the same as in my memory. But it seems something has changed. On the sofa there are several brightly colored cartoon pillows. The tea table was filled with Doan Doan's snacks and miscellaneous toys. Next to the TV shelf appeared a large plastic bin filled with all kinds of children's toys. This house is quickly being filled and covered with traces of another small life.

“Doan Doan, call me, why don't you say hello?”

Tri Tinh gently pushed the girl from behind to the front. Doan Doan blinked his big eyes and looked at me for a few seconds before mumbling:

“Doan Doan is so good.”

I smiled at her, took out a small box from my pocket and handed it over.

“That's for you, I'll buy you chocolate.”

The girl did not immediately acknowledge it but raised her head to look at Tri Tinh. Tri Tinh immediately said:

“Take it, say thank you.”

“Thank you.”

Doan Doan hugged the chocolate box in his arms and quickly hid behind him. A layer of awkwardness suddenly appeared in the air.