Chapter 21 — Don't Use The Two Words 'Filial Obedience' To Tie Me Down

I rearranged the stack of photos neatly, then put them in a new transparent album. The photo has the words "Secret forever", I placed it separately on the last page.

“Aren't you going to tell grandma that you saw her secret?” Niem Niem asked.

“Don't say.” I closed the album, "Everyone has the right to keep a little secret for themselves, even after becoming a grandmother."

“So mom, do you have a secret?” The child is curious.

"Yes." I laugh.

“For example… sometimes I think your father is a bit stupid.” I deliberately lowered my voice, "But I still want to live with your father for the rest of my life."

Niem Niem laughed and rolled on the bed: "I'll tell dad!"

“I dare!” I pretended to rush forward and tickle it, mother and child laughed and laughed in a heap.

At that moment, the sound of a key turning was heard outside the door. Chu Ngon walked in carrying a bag of food. Seeing this scene, the corners of his lips curled up: "How happy are you two today?"

“We discovered Grandma's secret from when she was young.” Niem Niem quickly said, "But mom won't let me tell."

“Then don't tell.” Chu Ngon laughed, "Once a secret is told, it loses its value."

He put down his bag, walked over to the bed, picked up the album, and flipped to the last page. His eyes paused a bit.

“Mom was really young back then.” He muttered, “I've never seen her smile like that.”

“Now I can still make her laugh.” I said, “Just don't look like you're a debt collector every time you come to the rehabilitation center.”

Chu Ngon scratched his head: "I will try." He suddenly looked at me, his voice more serious: "I've been thinking about something lately."

“What?” I withdrew my laughter.

"In the past, I always thought that taking care of the elderly was the children's business, who contributed money, who contributed, arguing to the point of fatigue." Chu Ngon said, "But now I realize that aging is actually something everyone should prepare for themselves early on."

“If my mother's old house had been sold before and converted into pension insurance or something, it wouldn't be this passive now.”

“If when she was young, she would have thought more about herself and not just focused on her children, maybe everyone would be more gentle now.”

“But in her time there were no such thoughts.” I said, "And I do, so don't go back to your old ways."

I looked at him and slowly said: "In the future we also have to prepare ourselves, not rely on her."

“What you can do is love yourself to the extent you want.”

“Not being bound by your own morality.”

Chu Ngon nodded: "I think so too." He took my hand: "When I'm old, let's find a place with beautiful scenery and go to a nursing home."

“You're in charge of arguing with others, I'm in charge of making you tea.”

“Who wants to argue?” I laughed, "At that time I wanted to plant flowers in the yard, read books, and then travel with you."

“If you dare to criticize me too much, I will kick you out.”

“So I stand outside the door and sing every day for you, until you open the door.” Chu Ngon replied immediately.

Niem Niem sat next to him and listened, bewildered: "What are you talking about?"

"We're talking about who will care for old age in the future." I looked at her, "Don't worry, we won't tie you up with us."

“But I will still visit.” Niem Niem said very seriously, “Because mom and dad are my parents.”

My heart suddenly softened.

“That's enough.”

I suddenly realized that the question that once made me choke up—“Who will take care of me in the future?” After all the things I've been through, there is finally an answer... Not perfect, but enough to calm people's hearts. Partly, it is the preparation of the elderly from a young age. Partly, it is the responsibility that children bear within their ability. The other part is whether or not both parties still want to maintain their love and connection. Not putting everything on one person's shoulders. Even more so, it doesn't have to be on a "daughter-in-law". In the evening, the three of us went to the rehabilitation center to bring Tet gifts to Luong To Phan. The hallways are filled with red lanterns, the walls are covered with paper cutouts, and the nurses are busy handing out fruit to the elderly. Luong To Phan was sitting in a wheelchair. As soon as he saw us entering, his eyes lit up: "Why did you only come at this hour?"

“Today the company is holding a year-end party, which lasts until now.” Chu Ngon put the fruit bag down next to the bed, "This is my favorite tangerine."

“This is what I drew.” Niem Niem gave her a picture, "The teacher told me to draw fireworks during Tet."

On the paper, colorful fireworks bloomed in the sky, below were four people standing next to each other, an old man using a cane. Luong To Phan stared at the painting, his fingers gently caressing the paper.

“Who is this?” She pointed to the person with the cane.

“It's you.” Niem Niem immediately replied, "Look who's next to you."

“This is me, this is dad, this is mom.” He pointed to each person one by one, "I draw our whole family together."

Luong To Phan softly said "yes", the corners of his wrinkled eyes were all smiles.

“I drew her in the middle.” She suddenly felt a bit proud, "So you are the center of our house."

“Of course.” Niem Niem said, “She's in a wheelchair, we have to surround her, otherwise she'll fall.”

“You just didn't fall.” Luong To Phan still tried to keep his mouth shut.

But the eyes looking at that painting were so soft that they seemed to melt. I stood nearby, looking at this scene, and suddenly felt very calm. I know, this family will never be perfect.