Chapter 14 — Behind the Door is Still Home

A normal, bustling scene of families in a small city. Before, I thought I was also a part of that. And now... I'm just like a temporary resident. A “daughter” can be invited into the living room at any time. Or being invited out. I pulled back the curtain. Go to the bathroom, wash your face and look at yourself in the mirror. Water dripped from my chin, along my neck and into my collar, so cold that I shivered slightly. The person in the mirror slowly adjusted his expression. Pull up the corners of your lips like you're practicing. Reluctance to create a “normal-looking” smile. At least like that... When I step out of this room, I won't be so vulnerable. I went back to my room and closed the door completely. Take out your phone and open WeChat. The chat frame pinned at the top is Zhou Yu — my roommate and colleague in Guangzhou. Unread messages appear.

“Miss Tri Dao, are you home yet?”

“Remember to announce peace.”

"Is your mother still okay? How did Tri Tinh and Chu Hao react when they saw you return?"

The message was sent while I was still on the road. I leaned my back against the door, slowly exhaled and typed.

“Everything is fine.”

“I'll tell you later when I have time.”

I thought for a moment and then added:

"Don't worry about anything else, I'm fine."

In less than a minute, the other party sent back the voice message.

“If you're really okay, that would be strange.”

"Remember to tell me if there's anything, don't hold it all in your heart."

"Let's celebrate Tet with your parents first. Don't turn over the table as soon as you get home. Remember that's your main goal."

After listening, the corners of my lips finally curled up a bit. I replied with one word: Just as I was about to put my phone away, WeChat popped up with a new message. Is my direct manager.

“Are you home yet?”

"Don't think too much about the project these days. If you need a break, just take a break."

"If there's really something really busy over there, let me know. I'll help you with the schedule later."

This manager is usually not good at talking, so these words are probably the highest level of concern he can think of. I replied:

"I'm home, thank you Mr. Vuong."

The finger stopped for a moment and then typed more:

"I'm still able to work these days. If anything happens, I'll let you know in advance."

After sending, I turned my phone to silent mode and put it in my pocket. Take a deep breath. Open the door to the living room. From the kitchen came the smell of steamed dumplings and stewed meat, mixed with the smell of hot smoky oil. I have smelled this scent since childhood. Before, every time I smelled it, I felt it was the "smell of family". And now... I have to try hard not to frown.

“Are you done washing your face?”

Mom poked her head out from the kitchen.

“Tri Dao, come and taste it to see if the saltiness is to your taste.”

She carried a small bowl, inside was a dumpling that had just been picked up, still steaming. I took it, used chopsticks to split it in half, blew a few times and then took a small bite. Pork cabbage filling. The minced meat is not too fine, the vegetables are also cut a bit rough, carrying a very typical smell of home. Not difficult to eat. It's just quite different from my taste now.

“It's delicious.” I said. “Still the same as before.”

Mom clearly breathed a sigh of relief, and the smile on her face became a little more real.

"It's delicious. When I was little, my favorite thing was cabbage and pork filling. I think you should make this for your first meal."

Somewhere in my heart vibrated slightly. When I was a child, I liked this dish the most. As I grew older, my tastes changed, but every time I came home, my mother always made the same filling. But I just kept eating, never saying "I don't like it anymore".

“Mom, the seasoning is just right.”

I ate the remaining half.

“Mom, don't make yourself too tired.”

“There's nothing tiring about having this little work.”

Mom smiled and waved her hand.

"It's good that you're back. I've been looking forward to you these past few days."

Dad on the sofa coughed softly.

"Why hasn't Chu Hao returned for so long? Just bought a bottle of wine to cook with."

As soon as he finished speaking, the sound of the key turning was heard in the lock outside the door.

“I'm home!”

Chu Hao carried a bag in one hand and a case of beer in the other as he walked through the door. Seeing that I had changed my slippers and stood in the living room, he paused for a moment before forcing a smile.

“Sister, you're really back.”

I nodded.

“It's hard for me to go shopping.”

“It's nothing, just go downstairs and breathe.”

Chu Hao put the beer case down next to the door and then carried his bag into the kitchen.

"Mom, I bought wine to cook with, so I'll take some onions and ginger too."

“Oh, what a good time, Mom was worried about a lack of onions.”

Mother quickly accepted it, continuously praising:

“Still thoughtful Chu Hao.”

I don't barge into the kitchen. I know right now that if I keep trying to enter that atmosphere, it will only become more awkward. I sat down on the living room sofa, conveniently picked up the teddy bear next to Doan Doan and smiled and asked:

“Who bought this for you?”

Doan Doan held a box of chocolates in his arms and spoke in an indistinct voice.

“On your birthday, dad bought it for you.”

“So what toy does Doan Doan like the most?”