Chapter 5 — Cold Marriage

18 “Tieu Diep, can't you stay at Hai Thi University?” Co Trach Dinh's mother is a very respectable mother. She has always treated me very well. "You two have been married for less than two years and don't have any children yet. If you go like this, you and your husband will only see each other once every half a year, you guys have to think carefully." She didn't know that our marriage was actually on the verge of breaking up. "If you get pregnant while I'm studying, how can we feel secure letting you live alone far away?" I thought for a long time and decided to take this opportunity to tell the truth. "Mom, actually I..." "It's okay, mom!" Co Trach Dinh suddenly interrupted me, making me a bit surprised. "I will arrange everything well, the top priority is work." Tieu Diep's studies, you will pay careful attention to your children." His mother shook her head in disagreement: "This matter is not just a matter of concern. If you get pregnant, what will you do?" "At that time, I will apply for a job transfer and go to Nam Thanh to take care of her." I don't understand why, that man avoided my eyes, his face seemed calm but exuded a bit of unnaturalness. His mother was not biased towards her son. After thinking about it for a while, it made sense. "That's it, what's so important about work, is it more important than your wife?" She said happily. "Tieu Diep, do you hear me clearly? I have these words, you can rest assured and study, mom and dad don't have to worry too much, I just hope you two get along and be happy." My eyes started to turn red, I couldn't say anything. When Co Trach Dinh sent his mother home, the words I wanted to say about divorce were stuck in my throat. Actually, this is not the right time to ask for a divorce, not to mention whether the agency agrees or not. Just by having just passed college and asking for a divorce, I will definitely be scolded by people for being ungrateful and ungrateful. After realizing that this matter could not be rushed, I decided to temporarily put aside the divorce matter. 19 In mid-August, I boarded the green train to leave this city. Around this time, the rainy and flood season was coming, Co Trach Dinh was very busy with work, often working late into the night. I suggested that he pay attention to reinforcing the Tieu Thuong Son mountain area. He was always serious in his work so he agreed to send someone to survey. Co Trach Dinh asked me if I needed him to see me off to Nam Thanh. I shook my head, indicating no need. He gave me the savings book in the drawer. That was the entire family savings that he had entrusted to me to keep from the second day after getting married. Inside was 1,500 yuan he had accumulated over the years. I don't accept. In the middle of a quiet night, Co Trach Dinh carefully held my hand, quietly holding it tight all night. I pretended to sleep, staring into the dark night, listening to the night wind blowing. When we broke up, I hugged Ly Mong and La Gia and said goodbye. To Co Trach Dinh, I only said one word: "Take care." College life is arduous, but also brilliant and busy. Every month, I receive a letter from Co Ze Dinh, accompanied by 20 yuan for living expenses. For university students at that time, this amount of money was truly a huge sum. One time I opened the letter and saw my roommates. They admired my man even more, who was both caring and talented. I just smiled without saying anything, took the money away without using it. Currently, I study and work as a tutor. According to my science teacher, I earn 8 yuan a month. If I save a little, it's enough to support myself. Occasionally, in the letter there is a red maple leaf, or a winter apricot flower. On the letter paper, the words were short and neat: "The maple leaves in my hometown are red." Or: "In front of the house there is an apricot blossom." Or: “Your parents are healthy, don't worry.”

Sometimes, I also receive letters from La Gia and Ly Mong. Thanks to Mr. Vien's guidance, in this life La Gia also passed the entrance exam to Hai Thi University. Ly Mong failed the exam and continued to work at the textile factory. The two of them occasionally wrote letters to tell me interesting stories. For example, La Gia wrote with disdain: "After half a month of school, the school held a 'School Star' contest,' Bach Chi won first place." Or Ly Mong angrily scolded: "Bach Chi relied on Co Trach Dinh's reputation to make waves at Hai Thi University. There are also rumors that she is his wife, and the two also have a very obedient child."I no longer care about the things between the two of them. Time passed quickly, soon it was the end of the year. During the first winter break of the university year, most of my classmates have gone home. I submitted an application to stay at school with the teacher in charge. After it was approved, I wrote a letter home: "School is too busy, I won't come back this vacation." Winter in the South is warmer than the North, on the streets during Lunar New Year, red lanterns hang everywhere, the atmosphere is bustling. On New Year's Eve, I was in the dorm alone making cakes when the security guard called me from downstairs, saying someone was calling me. It was Co Trach Dinh's mother calling. "Son, if Trach Dinh doesn't come home today to celebrate Tet, I won't know if you won't come home!" "Are you okay being out alone?" I can hear the sound of fireworks echoing from the other end of the line. "Yes, it's fine." I sniffed my nose, exhaling a white breath. "How about mom and dad? Are you two in good health?" "Mom, the fireworks are so beautiful out there!" Young voice. a clear voice rang out from the other end of the line. I was stunned, that was the voice of Bach Chi. Co Trach Dinh has already brought his lover and her children home for Tet. In the moment of reunion, human emotions suddenly become more fragile than ever. I know I have withdrawn from this love story, but my heart is still so painful that I can't breathe. Why, why can't he care about my feelings, even a little bit? The cold wind blew in, causing tears to fall from my eyes. The phone in the security room rang again. The security guard answered the phone, then came to find me, saying that it was still Co Trach Dinh's family calling. He pulled me back to receive the call. "Honey, why didn't you hang up the phone to finish the story? If there's something wrong, you shouldn't be angry with the adults in the house during Tet, right?" I had to pick up the phone, my voice hoarse: "Hello?" "Tieu Diep, don't misunderstand!" Co Trach Dinh's mother is a smart person. She just thought she understood why I suddenly hung up. She looked at the troublemaker with reproach, then gave the phone to Co Trach Dinh: "Speak for yourself!" His mother told someone to take Bach Chi and his mother to the restaurant. She wanted to take this opportunity for Co Trach Dinh to explain to me. After a long moment of silence, I was so cold that I had to stomp my feet. Guessing that his mother was no longer around, I said: "Hang up the phone." "Chu Diep!" Co Trach Dinh suddenly called my name. "It's her who brought her children to visit your father, your father kept them to eat, I don't know anything..." I rubbed my eyes, tears rolling down uncontrollably: "Hang up."