Chapter 15 — Don't Touch My Limits

Cao Trung Dan looked at her and sighed:

"Do you know now? What did you do before? How many times have I told you, don't pamper it too much, don't give it anything, you didn't listen. Now it's back to bite you, are you satisfied?"

Truong Nguyet Cam sobbed:

“I thought… I treated him well, in the future he would raise me and be filial to me… I didn't expect…”

Cao Trung Dan laughed coldly.

"Look at him now, do you still expect him to take care of you? You gave him everything, now he has nothing left, the first person he blames is you, do you still expect him to be filial?"

Truong Nguyet Cam cried even harder, unable to say a word. We didn't say more, poured her a glass of water and left. On the way home, Cao Trung Dan was silent the entire time, looking out the window with a complicated expression. I patted his hand gently:

"Don't think too much. The path is her own choice, the consequences... can only be endured by herself."

Cao Trung Dan turned to look at me and nodded:

"I know. It's just... I find it funny. My mother loved it all her life... but in the end she was hurt the most."

I said nothing. Humans are like that. The more you give unconditionally, the more you tolerate without limits... the return is often not gratitude. But encroaching. It's turning away. Whether it's intimacy... or love... it's all the same. After this incident, Cao Trung Dan seemed to turn into a different person. Before, he was weak, did not know right from wrong, and in conflicts between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, he always only knew how to compromise, always forced me to endure, and always put my mother and sister first. He is responsible. There are principles. Know how to distinguish right from wrong. He changed all the locks in the house, the new key was kept by only the two of us, and he no longer gave the spare key to Truong Nguyet Cam. He told her directly that in the future, if she wanted to come to the house, she had to call one day in advance and get his and my consent to come, otherwise... even if she came, the door would not be opened. Although Truong Nguyet Cam was not willing, she did not dare to object and could only nod. In the past, whenever she cried or asked for money, he would immediately give it to her, without ever asking where the money went. Now, every month he only transfers exactly 1,500 yuan in support money. Besides, no matter what reason she uses, he won't give her another penny. Truong Nguyet Cam once cried, made a fuss, said he was unfilial, said he had a wife and forgot his mother. But this time, Cao Trung Dan did not waver. He said it very clearly:

"The money I gave you is enough for you to live. If you get sick, I will pay the hospital fees. Besides, I don't have a penny more. If you still give money to Cao Hieu Quyen, then you have to bear it yourself, I won't take care of it anymore."

Truong Nguyet Cam had no other choice but to accept. In the past, as long as Cao Hieu Quyen cried and complained, he would soften his heart and secretly give her money to help her solve the problem. Now, Cao Hieu Quyen called, he blocked the number, deleted WeChat, completely cut off contact. He told me:

"La Mai, before I always thought, she is my sister, as my brother, I have to help her. But now I understand, every time I help her, I am not helping her, but harming her... also harming my own family. From now on, I will no longer take care of her, how she lives, has nothing to do with me."

I looked at his change, and an indescribable feeling of relief arose in my heart. I have carried this marriage for five years, endured for five years, I don't know how many years it is times when I wanted to let go. Finally… seeing the light. He understood— In marriage, the most important thing is two people. Be your own small family. Parents and sisters, even though they are relatives, still have boundaries. Unconditional pampering is not possible. I can't even make my wife suffer because of them... Life... gradually gets back on track. I carefully stored the ten boxes of flowers my mother bought for me, ate on time every day, and slowly nourished my body. Cao Trung Dan also changed completely. He cooks soup for me every day, constantly changes dishes, takes care of me, and no longer has to lie down and scroll on the phone after work, ignoring everything like before. He actively shouldered the housework. Mopping, washing dishes, cleaning... No more waiting for me to do it all like before. He always asks my opinion on everything in the house. From big things to small things, from shopping to dinner... No more self-determination like before.