Chapter 13 — Eighteen People, One Meal, One Divorce

Sunlight filtered through the curtains, drawing a narrow, quiet but clear streak of light onto the floor. I took a deep breath, took out my phone, hesitated for a few seconds, then pressed the power button. As soon as the screen lit up, a series of notifications immediately popped out, messages, missed calls, all kinds of stuff. Trieu Khai on the other side looked like he had just been slapped, his face turned red and then turned pale again, his voice was cold and harsh.

“Just because of a meal, you want a divorce, do you have a problem with your mind?”

“Not a meal.” I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms.

"For the past two years, every time you forced me to think about your mother, forced me to hold back, forced me to understand."

"It's every time you threaten me with divorce, thinking I don't dare."

There were whispers in the hallway, an old lady mumbled, then was pulled back by someone not to say more. His second sister poked her head in, her voice sarcastic.

"Sister-in-law, when women say divorce, it's just a joke. Who can take it as real? If you make such a big deal out of Tet, where's your face?"

I didn't bother to respond, my eyes just looked straight at Trieu Khai. He pointed at me, his voice harsh.

"Divorce is not what you want, the car is all my parents' money, you want to leave empty-handed, I haven't agreed yet."

His mother immediately pulled his sleeve, her voice lowered.

“Tieu Khai, stop talking, why are you standing here arguing?”

My father was still standing blocking the door, only then did he speak, his voice was not loud but so deep that no one dared to interrupt.

"Trieu Khai, if you really want to divorce, then follow the process, household registration, registration papers all have copies, Vu Ninh's papers are here."

"You want a divorce, we won't stop you, but if you just want to stand here and threaten and force him, then stop."

“Even though our Lam family is poor, we are not spineless.”

Trieu Khai was stopped and turned sharply to his mother.

"Look mom, it's all because you pamper your daughter-in-law, the whole family has that personality that's why she's like that."

His mother's face turned pale and white, looking at me coldly.

"If you really want a divorce, don't come back crying and beg me. When the time comes, don't blame me for being heartless."

I looked at her, it had been a long time since I called her "uncle".

"Don't worry, from now on I won't beg you for anything."

"From today, you don't need to consider me your daughter-in-law anymore. How you celebrate Tet has nothing to do with me."

“Let's go, no one wants to keep it.” The second sister glared, the eldest sister spoke in a low voice to dissuade her, but nothing changed.

Trieu Khai took a deep breath, as if angered to the extreme.

"Okay, you're good, don't regret it, I will definitely break up with this kiss."

“It was you who said it.” I looked straight at him.

"Go back and prepare the divorce petition. I will go to the civil affairs department on the first day after Tet."

"If you don't work on the first day, there's no point in rushing. After Tet, it's after Tet."

"I prepared my identity card and household registration myself." I said, my voice clear.

“You brought my salary card back from your mother.”

His mother immediately became angry.

"What card? It's your filial money. I'll keep it for you. How can I get it back?"

“Mom, stop talking.” Trieu Khai huffed, then looked at me.

I looked straight at him, not backing away.

"That's money I earned myself. If you want a divorce, I agree. I can't take the things, but I have to get that money back."

Trieu Khai was silent for a moment, pondered, then gritted his teeth.

“Okay, give it to me, I'll give it to you when the agreement is signed.”

My father said very much calmly: "So let's stop here for today, Trieu Khai, you guys take everyone home early, it's cold outside, don't let children stand in the hallway forever. Once the agreement is done, send the draft to Vu Ninh to see first. If there's anything that doesn't fit, then discuss it again." Trieu Khai threw back a sentence: "Don't worry, I won't take any money from her," then pulled his mother down, while she was pulled while turning around and scolding: "You ungrateful person, only when you regret it will you know how miserable life is." The people in the hallway gradually dispersed, my father slammed the door shut, and the house was immediately quiet, with only the sound of boiling water in the kitchen, the heat making the glass foggy. My mother turned her back, her shoulders trembled slightly, I opened my mouth but couldn't say anything, my throat was choked. My father walked over and put his hand on her shoulder: "Okay, they're gone," his voice was very low but steady. My mother wiped her eyes with her hand, turned back and said: "The water is boiling, put the dumplings on," then smiled to herself: "The scene just now is even more exciting than the Tet program." I took the ladle: "Mom, let me do it, please rest a bit," my voice also calmed down. My mother looked at me, her eyes both sad and relieved: "As long as the whole family is here to eat a proper meal of dumplings, that's more than anything." Dumplings boiled in the pot, the TV in the living room emitted bustling laughter as if echoing through a layer of glass. When it was time to eat, my father poured two small cups of wine: "This cup is in honor of your mother. Those last few words were even better than my father's." My mother glared at him: "You're talking nonsense," but still took a sip. I picked up a dumpling, dipped it in vinegar and ate it. The sour taste made my tears well up again. My mother panicked: "Why are you crying again? Is the filling too salty?" I shook my head: "No, it's delicious," then took a breath.