Chapter 5 — Don't Use The Two Words 'Filial Obedience' To Tie Me Down

The other end of the line was silent for a few seconds.

"So... I'll come over first. Let's have something to eat with the kids tonight."

I hung up. Looking at the screen fading away, the corner of his lips curled up into a cold smile. Headache? At home when no one is there? Why is it such a coincidence? My sister is going on a trip today. The phone just happened to be unreachable. I don't believe a word. It's clearly her trick. Use the excuse of "not feeling well" to call your son over. Gradually, Chu Ngon got used to giving priority to that side first. Little by little, taking over the time and space that belongs to this small family. Finally, the tide pushes the boat—proposal to live together. It's even possible to perform an extra act—

"The mother is old and weak, only her son loves her... and her daughter-in-law is cold."

I can almost imagine that scene. She leaned on her pillow, her voice was weak, she held her son's hand and sighed:

"It's true that biological children are still trustworthy... What's the use of getting married, when you need someone you can't find them..."

As for Chu Ngon... Perhaps he will feel even more guilty. I love my mother even more. And the more I feel... cold. Such a beautiful move. The calculation is too precise. I tilted my head back and drank the rest of the coffee. Bitter taste spreads in the mouth. But my mind was strangely alert. I won't go. Absolutely no coordination. If you want to act— Just let you and your son play the whole play. I don't participate. I stood up to pay and left the shop. The dark wind is colder. I pulled my coat back on and walked towards the train station. The emotions just now have completely subsided. Instead there was a calmness… almost coldness. Coming home, Niem Niem was curled up on the sofa watching cartoons. Seeing me, she immediately ran to hug me.

“Where is dad?”

She looked behind me, saw no one, and was a bit confused.

“Dad went to visit grandma, she's a bit tired.” I patted my child's head, trying to keep my voice gentle.

“Yes…” The girl nodded, then quickly returned to the movie.

I went into the kitchen and cooked two bowls of simple tomato egg noodles. Mother and child had dinner, cleaned up, then I read stories to the child and soothed him to sleep. Everything is still going as usual. Just... one person is missing. The house suddenly became strangely empty. It was after ten o'clock at night when Chu Ngon returned. On his face was a clearly tired look, his eyebrows were furrowed.

“How's mom?” I sat on the sofa, holding a magazine, without looking up, asking a very normal question.

It's like asking about the weather. He took off his coat, sat down, rubbing his temples.

"I took it to the medical station. The doctor said it was probably due to fatigue, my blood pressure was a bit high. He prescribed some medicine and told me to go home and rest for more monitoring."

“Yes, that's good.” I turned the page.

“Do you have something to say?” I closed the magazine and looked straight at him.

He felt awkward, avoiding my eyes.

"I think... it's dangerous for my mother to live alone there. Today if I don't make it in time..."

He paused, then continued:

"Or... let mom come over here to stay for a few days. Or let's go stay there for a while. Looking at her today... she's also lonely."

I looked at him. His eyes were so calm that it was scary. Not angry. It's just... I've seen it all. I looked at him. Say nothing. Up to ten seconds. Looking at it to the point that Chu Ngon began to feel uneasy, his whole body felt like there were ants crawling.

“Chu Ngon.”

I spoke up, my voice was not loud, but clear, not allowing for avoidance.

"My mother is sixty-five this year. Her body is still healthy, she still dances in squares, still travels in groups. She is not the type of person who is seventy or eighty years old and doesn't take care of herself. to live.”

“Today she is 'unwell', I came over, the doctor prescribed medicine, rest is fine. What does that prove?”

“Proves that she needs attention, needs her son by her side, needs him to be there when she calls—not to the point where she can't live without someone to take care of her.”

I looked straight at him.

"You want to fulfill your filial piety, I won't stop you."

“You can visit her every night after work, and spend more time with her on weekends. That is your responsibility.”

I stopped, my eyes cold.

“Putting that need on this small family, forcing me to turn my life upside down, turning this house into a place always ready for 'your mother' to come check on—”

“No way.”

“That is not filial piety.”

“That is binding.”

“It's using your feelings of guilt... to tie this whole family up.”

Chu Ngon's face was sometimes red, sometimes white. He wanted to object. But I can't say it. Because every sentence I said... is correct. He himself knows best about his mother's health condition. "Fall sick" today... it's really too coincidental. But inside he was still confused. After all… that was his mother. The one who raised him. Now she is lonely and wants her son... can he really ignore it?

“She… is still my mother…” He repeated weakly, as if grasping the last buoy.

“Yes. She is my mother.”

I stood up and looked down at him. In his eyes, there was only fatigue... and disappointment.

“But she's not my mother.”

“Chu Ngon, it's been ten years. She has never given me any warmth.”

“And now you want me to treat you like my own mother and serve you?”

“Do you think it's fair?”

I didn't wait for him to answer.

“The law does not force a daughter-in-law to support her mother-in-law. Morally, I don't owe you anything."

“What I have for you is just basic courtesy because I am your wife.”

“More… I don't have it, nor do I want to give it.”

I took a deep breath. That sentence has been spinning in my head for a long time.

“If you feel like that's not enough—”

“You still have to take her home, make me serve you as a duty—”

I looked straight at him.

“This marriage… has come to an end.”

Don't wait for his reaction. I turned and walked into the bedroom. This time, I didn't close the door. But I know— The door in my heart... has closed. Chu Ngon sat alone in the dark living room. The cold blue light from the television screen shone on his face, both vague and lost. On one side is the grace of birth. One side is ten years of marriage. Whichever side you choose... is the same as being wrong. The following days, life fell into a strange quiet state. Me and Chu Ngon... cold war. No arguing. Don't make a fuss. Only talk to each other about the most necessary things.

“Electricity and water bills are paid.”

"Tomorrow's parent meeting, please go."

“I work overtime tonight.”

“I know.”

Each sentence is short, cold, without emotion. Living under the same roof... but like two strangers renting together. The mother-in-law's side was also quiet for a while. Maybe because my attitude was too stiff that day, she needed time to think of a new way. Maybe... Chu Ngon said something to her. I don't care. I put all my energy into work. Proactively take on more projects and get things done. Gradually, my superiors began to pay attention to me. I no longer just look at the mess before me. But force yourself... to look further. Only money. It's what keeps me standing. During that time, Chu Manh called me one call. The tone is still the same—coddling, mixed with scrutiny.

"Sister-in-law, I heard you and your brothers quarreled? Because of my mother, right?"

I looked at the computer screen, held the phone on my shoulder, and said calmly:

"Nothing. We're still normal."

“Stop it, I heard everything mom said.” She smiled coldly. "Sister-in-law, I'll be honest, my mother is old, what's wrong with wanting to live with my son for fun? I'm also a mother, try to put yourself in that position. Besides, my mother doesn't have to live alone, the old house will also be ours in the future. It's also the right thing for me to take care of her."

I smiled coldly in my heart. Back and forth... still because of that house. Old house in the central area, left by my husband's parents. Nice location. The area is okay. Although old... but very valuable. That is the biggest "card" of her and her sister-in-law. Use your future inheritance... in exchange for current service. Calculating... there really isn't a step missing.

“Chu Manh.”

I slowly spoke up.

“First, mom is still very healthy and doesn't need a full-time caregiver yet.”

"Second, taking care of mother is Chu Ngon's responsibility. In terms of money or care, we will not avoid it."

I stopped for a beat.