Chapter 16 — Don't Use The Two Words 'Filial Obedience' To Tie Me Down

"Aren't you afraid... aren't you afraid that I'll leave the house to... to Chu Manh?" she spoke brokenly, as if throwing out the last card.

“That is your right.” I shrugged.

"I don't care."

“You lied.” she glared.

“Believe it or not is up to you.” I stood up.

“What you should be concerned about now is not the house, but whether or not you can stand up again in the next half a year.”

“Who really cares whether you live well, that person is worried about you.”

Having finished speaking, I went back to the bathroom, washed the spoon, dried it, and placed it neatly back in the bowl.

“I have to go pick up Niem Niem, I'll go home first.”

"Chu Ngon will be over tonight. You must coordinate with the doctor about recovery exercises. Don't be lazy."

She gritted her teeth and couldn't say a word for a long time. I opened the door, just in time to see Chu Ngon. His eyes were very complicated, filled with guilt, sadness, and a bit of late awakening.

“You heard everything?” I asked.

He smiled bitterly:

“I heard it all.”

“If you think I'm indifferent, you can say it now.” I looked at him.

“While I'm not completely exhausted yet.”

“I don't blame you.” he said softly.

"It's because I'm too weak and let you suffer too many disadvantages."

He took a deep breath, raised his head and looked at me:

"It's your mother's business, don't worry anymore."

I was stunned:

“What do you mean?”

“Your money will turn around on its own.”

"I will pay the advance you paid in installments. As for the costs later, I will discuss with Chu Manh and her husband."

"Taking care of my mother... won't let me carry the burden anymore."

He stopped for a moment.

"If you want to visit, it's up to you. If you don't want to go, no one has the right to say you're unfilial."

I looked at him for a long time. I want to see if this is temporary or sincere. But his eyes... this time were clearer than ever.

“I can't keep hiding behind your back anymore.”

“She is my mother, this matter… should not be left to me.”

My heart trembled slightly. A feeling… like finally being seen. It's also a feeling... falling slowly.

“So how do you plan to arrange it?” I asked.

“Do as you say, go see the recovery facility.”

“Choose a suitable place and take mom there.”

“If you lack money, borrow it.” he smiled bitterly.

“Debt to anyone is still debt.”

“I think pine is good.” I nodded.

“I will help you find information and complete procedures, but the condition is that you must stand in front.”

He nodded vigorously. At that moment, he suddenly understood... This is not me "turning around". It's that I'm giving you back... things that don't belong to you. It also pushes you back to your rightful position. One child. A few days later, the three families went together to see two rehabilitation facilities. The first facility is in the suburbs, the environment is normal, the hallways smell strongly of disinfectant mixed with an unpleasant smell, the nurses are so busy they can't lift their heads, and their attitude is not too patient. As soon as Chu Manh walked in, she wrinkled her nose and whispered to her husband:

“How can I live in this place? If I come in, I'll probably cause chaos.”

The second facility in the west of the city, new building, spacious and bright rooms, garden outside, full recovery equipment, professional nurses, very patient instructors. The costs are also clearly written on the wall, double rooms are fifteen thousand per month, single rooms are twenty thousand or more.

“Or try booking a double room first?”

Her husband calculated and spoke.

“Each family contributes five thousand a month, it should be enough.”

Chu Manh could not bear it and began to complain:

“One month is one and a half thousand, one year is eighteen thousand, but this is new just money for care.”

"Currently my mother is in the hospital, it's nearly 10,000 a day." Chu Ngon spoke very softly.

“You calculate for yourself which one costs more.”

Her husband was silent. Finally, several people sat down at the nursing counter and asked questions one by one. Is there a doctor on duty 24 hours, is there enough staff at night, what will be done if the illness gets worse, can family members visit at any time, can food from outside be brought in? After asking, everyone has an answer in their hearts. On the way home, the car was quiet the whole way. When she stopped in front of the hospital, her husband spoke up:

"I think it's better to choose a place in the west. It's a bit more expensive. It's better than staying at home and not being able to do anything."

Chu Manh gritted his teeth:

“Okay, then choose.”

She looked at her husband through the rearview mirror:

"As for the money, I'll think of a way to add it to you. You transfer five thousand every month. Anything more is fine."

He nodded. At that moment, he also understood in his heart... This money was not given to me, but to his mother-in-law. When they entered the hospital room, Luong To Phan was sitting by the bed. The rehabilitation specialist is helping her practice basic movements, holding hands, lifting arms, and bending legs. She was clearly upset, her face scrunched up.

“You guys are here.” Seeing them enter, her face relaxed a bit.

“I want to go home.”

“Mom, we already discussed it.” Chu Ngon stood next to the bed, his voice soft but firm.

"After being discharged from the hospital, I will take my mother to the western rehabilitation center, where the conditions are good, there are doctors and nurses, and she can exercise well."

“I'm not going.” She immediately shook her head, her mouth slightly distorted.

“It's a nursing home, once you get in you can't get out.”

“Mom, that's a rehabilitation center.” Chu Ngon patiently explained.

“The important thing now is to recover, not to stay at home and wait for someone to take care of me.”

“You are my son, if you don't take care of him, who will take care of him?” she started getting agitated.

"You guys are all grown up, if you push me out, people will laugh to death."

“Are you afraid that people will laugh, or are you afraid that no one will be around you anymore?” Chu Manh blurted out.

Having finished speaking, she herself was stunned.