Chapter 20 — Don't Use The Two Words 'Filial Obedience' To Tie Me Down

She looked around the small room. The wall is covered with paintings of Niem Niem, of three people, four people, and there is also a painting of an old woman with a cane, next to it is a scribbled text:

“Don't be afraid, grandma, I'll be with you.”

Her throat choked.

“What's wrong mom?” Chu Ngon immediately asked.

"No problem." She took a deep breath, pretending to be gentle.

“I just remember when I was little, my mother sat like that, watching me wrap cakes.”

“So later, you will tell Niem Niem about your grandmother.” I said.

“Don't just say bad things about me.”

“Do you have anything bad that I haven't told you?” she snapped back.

“Then try praising me.” I said.

She snorted. A moment later, mumbled:

“The cake wrap… is fine.”

Niem Niem burst out laughing:

“Grandma, so you're praising me, right?”

“I understand why.” she turned away.

The countdown on the TV rang out, ten, nine, eight. Everyone counted along and picked up their glasses. At exactly twelve o'clock, fireworks outside the window exploded, lighting up the whole sky. Chu Ngon raised his glass: "Happy New Year."

"Happy New Year." Niem Niem spoke quickly first.

I also raised my glass: "Happy New Year." Luong To Phan hesitated for a moment, then slowly raised his still moving hand: "Happy New Year...." At that moment, she suddenly no longer cared about who would take care of her in the future, and who the old house would eventually belong to. She just felt tired. And also... I've thought it through a bit. As long as there are still people who remember her, occasionally stop by, sit and talk a few words... At this age, that is enough. Calculating further will only drive people further and further apart in the end. She looked at the beaming host on TV, then glanced at the familiar faces next to her. For a very short moment, she suddenly thought— If she had treated this daughter-in-law a little better that year... would it be different now? But life does not come back. You can do it, just from this moment on, don't take all the thorns out on those closest to you. One year later. A beautiful sunny afternoon. Niem Niem is in second grade and has just had winter break. I took half a day off and stayed at home to clean my closet. I emptied half of the large closet in the bedroom, intending to collect old clothes and give them away. After cleaning for a while, I saw a gray cardboard box in the corner of the closet. It was something brought from the old house, conveniently stuffed in at the time, and never opened again later.

“What is this, Mom?” Niem Niem ran over, curiously clinging to the edge of the barrel.

“Probably an old photo.” I said. “Do you want to see it?”

"Want!" It nodded vigorously.

Mother and son both carried the box to bed. When I opened it, inside were some old photos, yellowed papers, and a few red pieces of paper written with a marker—probably old certificates of merit. A stack of photos was tied with an elastic band, the paper was a bit brittle. I carefully removed it. Flipping to the middle, my hand stopped. In the photo is a young woman, wearing a floral dress with a blue background, hair tied in a bun, bright eyes, slightly curved lips. She leaned against a sycamore tree, holding a movie ticket in her hand. That face… I recognized it immediately. It's Luong To Phan. It's just that compared to my memories, it's much gentler.

“Mom, who is this?” Niem Niem leaned closer. “So pretty.”

“My grandmother.” I replied.

“Was Grandma always this beautiful when she was young?” It rolled its eyes. “It's different now.”

I said nothing. Just turn the photo over. There are a few handwritten lines, the ink has faded, but is still readable.

“A secret forever.”

Below are some abbreviations and letters in a small heart shape. The handwriting is very thin, like the eyes of the person in the photo—a little reserved, a little expectant. I stood still for a long time. Suddenly I remembered the old letter I found in that house. These are the same words, also a very real part of youth. Before, I used to smile faintly. But right now, I can't laugh anymore.

“Mom, what's the secret?” Niem Niem tilted her head and asked.

“It's something I don't want others to know.” I replied.

“So what is grandma's secret?” He continued to ask curiously.

I looked at the photo, then looked at the words "secret forever", smiling slightly.

“Maybe… you liked someone once, when you were young.”

“You even drew hearts for other people.” Niem Niem blinked, "And then what?"

“After that?” I turned the photo back to the front and sighed softly, "Then she married your grandfather, gave birth to your father and aunt, and was a very strict mother for many years."

Niem Niem chuckled: "Now you're not so fierce anymore."

“As people get older, they will change.” I said, "Some things get better, some things get worse."