Chapter 17 — Breakfast Changes Destiny

I looked at her: "I'm not in love. I just woke up." The mediation lasted from morning to afternoon, and Zhou Jiancheng finally signed. When he signed, his hands were sweaty. I took that piece of paper, my heart did not feel as relieved as I imagined, on the contrary, like a rock that had been weighing me down for many years had finally been lifted to a corner, still having to be removed little by little with my own hands. Stepping out of the ward committee, Ly Thu Lien ran behind me. "Lam Xuan Duong." I stopped walking. She stared at the bronze mold in my hand: "I lost to you, not in skill, but in Chu Kien Thanh's uselessness." "You lost in wanting to appropriate other people's things." Her face was extremely unsightly: "Don't pretend to be noble. If it weren't for the old lady named Tham, would you be able to hold your head up?" I replied: "Old Mrs. Tham was able to eat the lotus cake I made. If you have the ability, you can also make a plate of cakes that people will remember for ten years." She was speechless before finally blurting out: "I won't let this go." "It's up to you." I walked straight forward: "Don't come in front of me and cry anymore. Your tears aren't worth a penny." A few days later, the small store space next to Ngoc Xuan Lau was rented. The sign was written by Treasurer Do: "Diem Tam Xuan Duong". Minh Nguyet looked at those four words and muttered three times: "Mom, this is your name." I said: “Those are also our future days.” On the opening day, Mrs. Tham sent a flower basket to congratulate, Treasurer Do gave a red paper, and the Women's Union sent several female workers to learn the trade. Aunt Truong brought her neighbors to support, buying half a kilo of baked goods, her loud voice echoing across half the street. "Xuan Duong, if your family has a happy event in the future, they will come to you." I smiled and replied: "I'll give you a cheap price." Chu Tieu Tue also stopped by after school. Her slanted braided hair was combed by herself. He put the exercise book on the table: "Mom, I didn't steal candy today." I said yes: "Do your homework. When you're done, mom will teach you how to tie a bow." It obediently sat down. Chu Vien stood at the door, not entering. His clothes were stained with mud, his face was also covered in dust, and his hand was holding half a pencil stub. Minh Nguyet saw it and whispered: "Mom, Vien is coming." I walked out: "What's going on?" Chu Vien was shy and timid: "Truong told me to pay for food. Dad said he didn't have any money, so he asked me to come find mom." I said: "Mom, I submitted it to the school." He was stunned: "The teacher hasn't said yet." "Go to school and ask tomorrow." His face turned red: "So can I have a cake?" I looked at it. He immediately added: "I'll help mom sweep the house." I gave him the broom: "Sweep cleanly, you get two." He picked up the broom, his clumsy movements sending dust flying, covering his face. Minh Nguyet held back her laughter, Chu Tieu Tue also grinned. I don't help it. You won't remember what you ask for for a long time, but you will appreciate what you exchange with your sweat and effort. Business is growing more and more, but Chu Kien Thanh's side is becoming more and more chaotic. The factory issued a disciplinary decision, cutting off his path to advancement. Ly Thu Lien was sent to the warehouse. After a few times of making fun of him, she was finally picked up by her mother's house. Vuong Que Lan had no one to serve him at night, he cursed every day, Chu Kien Thanh took many days off, his salary was deducted drastically. He had been to the store several times. First time telling the kids to miss me. I told him to bring the children here to do their homework, but he refused, because he was afraid that no one would cook for Vuong Que Lan. The second time he said Vuong Que Lan was sick. I showed him the way to the hospital and told him where to register for medical examination. The third time, he stood in a daze as the store was about to close, his voice hoarse. "Xuan Duong,

Before, I really didn't know you were so tired." I was wiping the kitchen counter: "Do you know now?" He nodded: "Mom sometimes complains of thirst at night, sometimes wants to go get relief." Vien and Tieu Tue clamored for food and clothes. When I come home from work, I don't even have a mouthful of hot rice to eat." I looked at him: "Those are the days I had to go through for more than ten years." He mumbled: “Go home. I promise to change later.” “Chu Kien Thanh.” I washed the rag: "You don't have to miss me, you just want someone to suffer for you." His face turned white. "But I won't change anymore." The day he left, his back was a bit bent. Minh Nguyet stood hiding behind the door and watched: "Mom, are you soft-hearted?" I said: "The heart may be soft, but the legs cannot kneel any longer." One month since the small store opened, old lady Tham brought news. The city is about to organize a handicraft exhibition, including one entry in the cake category assigned to Tam Xuan Duong Diem. Treasurer Do was even happier than me: "If you do well this time, your reputation will stand firm." But I know for sure that Ly Thu Lien will not miss this opportunity. Sure enough, one day before the exhibition, the lotus seed jar in the store was broken.