Chapter 6 — Behind the Door is Still Home

That sob was like a thin needle piercing my numb heart.

“But Tri Dao also spent money on his family…”

My mother's voice was choked and broken.

“That 80,000 yuan… was money he saved for a long time to get… at that time mom said he couldn't take it… so you guys insisted…”

Tri Tinh suddenly interrupted, her voice high-pitched.

“Mom, what are you talking about!”

"What money is money? Isn't it the right thing for you to spend some money for your family? My parents raised me and sent me to college. How much did it cost? What if I spent 80,000 yuan? Is it a lot?"

"Besides, for so many years, who has been in front of our parents every day? Who takes us to the hospital when our parents are sick? Who takes care of Doan Doan? We don't have to bear the majority of the rice, electricity, and water bills in the house?"

"If you contribute some money to your family, it's called filial piety. That's what you should do! Why are you bringing this up?"

"Are we running around every day to serve our parents better than her 80,000 yuan?"

"If Mom is still leaning towards her right now, she's really chilling her son's heart!"

Tri Tinh spoke continuously, both quickly and urgently, each sentence was so intense that my mother was completely choked. Only suppressed crying remained. My father sighed heavily. That sigh was old and tired, as if he had accepted his fate.

"Tri Dao, this child... has a lot of thoughts and is stubborn. If we let him know about this... I'm afraid he will really hate us."

This time it was Tri Tinh's voice, carrying the impatience of a young person along with a feeling of confident confidence.

“That's why I couldn't let you know!”

"Waiting for the name transfer procedure to be completed, the house book is in the child's name, the matter has come to an end, what else can she do?"

"I'm not the type of person who cries, makes a fuss, and hangs her neck. I understand the logic."

"Besides, we're all family, isn't what's mine also yours? In the future, I'm really in an emergency, so are you still going to stand by and watch?"

"I just can't think clearly for a while. It'll be fine after a few days to calm down."

"Mom, don't cry anymore. Crying won't solve anything? If we finish the matter soon, everyone will feel secure. Since I won't come home this time, I'll take the time to prepare all the documents in the next two days and go through the procedures after the new year."

"The night is long and full of dreams. What if one day you suddenly return, find out what's going on and then make a scene, it will be difficult for anyone to see you."

"Doing it neatly now is definitely the healthiest. Later on, I'll really know that even if I mess up, it'll only be messing around for a while. What else can I do? Can I still get my house back?"

“Dad, do you think what I said is true?”

Tri Tinh's voice is full of certainty and satisfaction of someone who has the upper hand, and also has a feeling of confidence because he has control over everything. I can even imagine the look on her face right now. Chin slightly raised. His eyes were full of calculation. The tone was cold and hard. It was like she was arranging a very normal domestic event. Not step by step planning for my own sister. My father didn't say anything more. Only heavy sighs remained from time to time. Mother's crying gradually became smaller, turning into suppressed sobs. On TV, the MC of the New Year's Eve Gala began chanting an excited countdown.

“Ten! Nine! Eight! Seven!…”

Outside the window, The sound of fireworks exploding from near and far rang out continuously. Right after that, the sound of firecrackers and fireworks suddenly increased, forming loud waves, signaling the arrival of the new year. Bright light filtered through the unclosed curtain, sometimes bright and sometimes dark, shining on my pale face.

"Six! Five! Four!..."

On the other side of the phone, Doan Doan was startled by the sound of fireworks and burst into tears. Tri Tinh quickly comforted:

"Doan Doan, don't be afraid, don't be afraid, people are setting off firecrackers, the new year is here!"

Chu Hao also chimed in:

"Doan Doan, look, aren't the fireworks beautiful? Very beautiful, right?"

"Three! Two! One!"

"Happy New Year!!!"

On the TV, there were boisterous cheers, applause and music mixed together. The other end of the line was also swept into chaos by that New Year's atmosphere. The sound of children crying. Adult voices coax. TV sound. Firecracker sound. Everything mixed together, noisy and bustling, as if filled with hope. The complete opposite of my rented room, which was cold, quiet, and full of betrayal and calculation. I slowly… Reach out my hand. Fingertips so cold they trembled. Little by little, he moved towards the phone on the table. On the screen, the call duration is still running. Twenty-one minutes and forty-seven seconds. An audio clip titled "family", filled with "New Year's atmosphere". A truth I shouldn't have heard, but I accidentally heard it completely from beginning to end. My finger finally touched the screen. I stared at that tiny red hang up button. Then, as if I had used up all the strength in my body, I pressed down. A short shutdown sound rang out. Total excitement. Complete calculation. Total lies. All the coldness... Was cut off in that moment.