Chapter 22 — Bringing Children to Find a Husband

I just realized that, for children, home is not a big house. It's that there's no one there with a knife threatening, no lies, no screaming, no betrayal. I resigned from my job at the supermarket. The manager held me back, saying everything was over. I thanked her, but still left. My mother and I renovated the grocery store. Selling during the day, at night I learned how to do odd jobs like organizing books online. Life cannot be said to be comfortable. But every penny earned is clean, every meal is delicious, and peace of mind. Half a year later, the asset division lawsuit had results. Of Phung Le Na's house deposit, the portion belonging to the couple's common property was ruled to be refunded. Jiang Minglei's enforceable income, and subsequent compensation, were also put into execution. If he doesn't have the money to pay once, it will be deducted monthly. When the lawyer told me the results, I was braiding Duong Duong's hair. The sunlight shines in front of the grocery store, and the debris sparkles like gold. I said to the lawyer: “Thank you.” After hanging up the phone, Tieu Chu asked me: "Mom, did we win?" I thought for a moment, then said: "It's not about winning." "It's about us finally being able to save ourselves." At the end of the year, Chiang Minh Loi came by once. He stood in front of the grocery store, so thin that his cheeks were sunken, almost unrecognizable. Carrying two cartons of milk in his hand, he said he wanted to see his children. Tieu Chu is sitting behind the counter doing homework. Duong Duong sat on the doorstep eating candy. Both of them saw him. But no one moved. Tuong Minh Loi's eyes turned red. "Tieu Chu, Duong Duong, dad..." Tieu Chu put down his pen and interrupted him. "We are living very well now." Duong Duong also whispered: "Go home." Tuong Minh Loi stood still for a long time, and finally put the milk down on the door. I don't accept. I picked up the milk carton and stuffed it back into his hand. "Just give the alimony according to the court's decision." "Other things are not needed." His lips trembled. "Xuan Hoa, you are truly regretful." I looked at him, my heart as peaceful as a deep well. "Then carry that regret and live properly." "Don't ever come to bother us and our mother again." He bowed his head and turned to leave. That night, Tieu Chu and Duong Duong did not cry. We rolled down the rolling door and ate a hot hot pot meal together. The hot pot was boiling and steaming. My mother picked up a piece of meat and put it in my bowl. My father poured a cup of tea, saying that the days to come would get better and better. Duong Duong held up the yogurt box and insisted on clinking glasses with everyone. Tieu Chu burst out laughing. I also smiled. Outside the window, the wind whistled bitterly. But the light in the house was bright and extremely warm. I finally understand that sometimes a broken family is not necessarily a bad thing. Because what crumbles away is just a shell that has long since rotted. What remains is the deeply rooted roots that can protect us on our journey in life.