Chapter 5 — Bowl of Rice Sees into People's Hearts

"From today, the rules for the joint account will change."Tran Hao cautiously asked: "What rules?" "Each person pays the house installment according to the ratio, electricity, water and management fees are divided equally according to the bill." "Money for buying food and cooking, whoever eats, pays." He almost laughed coldly. "Did you plan with your husband to this extent?" I said: "You can also choose to continue combining." He stared at me. I added a sentence. "The condition is that starting tomorrow, the three of you must eat your meals, and your money must be spent clearly." Liu Que Phan suddenly raised his voice. "I don't eat your money!" I nodded. "Okay." "Then from now on, you two will arrange your own food for your mother and Tran Hao." "Your portion, you will arrange it yourself." It seemed like she didn't expect me to agree so quickly, she was stunned on the spot. Tran Hao was so angry that his chest was heaving. "Manh Tinh, do you have to divide a family into two halves?" I opened the wardrobe and took out the pajamas. "It's not for me to divide." "From the moment you two used two sets of bowls and chopsticks to block me outside, this house was already divided." That night, no one said another word. The next morning, I woke up earlier than usual. The kitchen door was slightly open. Luu Que Phan stood in front of the stove, cooking porridge in the pot. On the dining table, place two bowls. Still only two. I took a look, turned around and went to the bathroom to wash my face. When he came out, Tran Hao was sitting at the table, his face looking a bit unnatural. Luu Que Phan brought out a plate of fried eggs, there were only two eggs. Seeing me holding the bag, her lips moved. In the end still didn't speak up. I changed my shoes, opened the door and left. Behind me came Tran Hao's very small voice. "Are you really going to leave like that?" I didn't turn around. The lights in the hallway turned on one after another. The phone in my pocket vibrates. That is a notification that money is automatically deducted from the joint account. Immediately after that, another message appeared. It was sent by Tran Hao. "Go home to eat tonight, mom will cook your portion." I stood in the elevator, looking at that text. As the elevator door slowly closed, I replied with two words. “We'll see.”07 After answering, I stuffed the phone back into my pocket. The elevator went down to the first floor, and as soon as the door opened, a stream of people rushed in during the morning rush hour. Some people carry soy milk, some people carry vegetables, some people walk and urge their children to hurry up. Everyone seemed to know where they had to go. I was the only one standing in front of the building, suddenly feeling that the door to this house was too easy to get in and out of, but getting a seat was too difficult. Arriving at the company, I went straight to the canteen. With a cup of hot soy milk in my hand, I peeled the egg, pieces of broken shell falling onto the tray. Tieu Duong took the porridge and sat down. Seeing the breakfast in front of me, I immediately raised my eyebrows. "Still not allowed to eat today?" I broke the egg in half. "On the table there are two bowls, two fried eggs." She sighed. "Didn't your husband say last night that he would cook your share today?" I said: "He said tonight." Tieu Duong's chopsticks paused. "So breakfast doesn't count as your share?" I laughed. "Maybe saving just works." energy in the morning." She looked at me, her eyes filled with anger. "Don't always use jokes to suppress your emotions." I bowed my head and took a sip of soy milk. So hot that the tip of the tongue is numb. At this time, I realized that some things are not painless, but hurt for too long, so people learn to keep a calm face first. At noon, Tran Hao sent a text message again. "I'll be home a little early tonight." I didn't reply. Ten minutes later, he sent again. "Mom has already bought food." I still didn't reply. When he was about to leave work, his third text message was sent. "Don't continue to make things difficult for everyone." I stared at this text for a while, then finally answered. "Who are you guys?" The other side hasn't been there for a long time.

static. At half past six, I turned off the computer on time. Tieu Duong asked me: "What are the arrangements today?" I said: "Go to the bank first." She was stunned. "What?" "Open a new card." She immediately understood, lowered her voice. "Do you really want to separate?" I put the computer in my bag. "Not separate, but put my money back in my pocket." The bank is right below the company. The air conditioner in the lobby is very strong, the glass door divides the heat outside into two parts. I took the number, sat down, and heard the number ringing over and over again. The teller asked me if I needed to set up automatic transfers. I said no need. She asked again if it was necessary to open an automatic family expense deduction service. I said no need. After saying "no need" twice, I suddenly felt a little more relieved. When I walked out of the bank, it was not yet dark. I bought a bottle of water at the convenience store next door, conveniently opened a joint account, and completely canceled the automatic money transfer order for next month. A screen appears asking for confirmation. When I pressed down, my fingers didn't shake at all. At 7:40 p.m., I didn't go to the restaurant. I go to the supermarket. Buy a small bag of rice, a carton of eggs, two pieces of chicken breast, a bag of green vegetables and a small pot.