Chapter 2 — From Worker to Boss

Having finished speaking, she smiled and turned away, obscuring Tieu Hong Binh's view. I stood still, my legs constantly shaking. That year, after Tieu Hong Binh and I returned to the city, he said he wanted to take the university entrance exam. But there was no one in the house to provide for him. So I pretended to say I didn't want to take the exam, then went to work in a textile factory to support him. By the time he graduated from college and was assigned a job, it was five years later. He never gave me fabric or meat stamps, he just said the school didn't give those things. I also believe him. It turns out it was all given to someone else. And I suffered for ten years because of him. From now on, I will not continue to suffer anymore. I quickly left, then knocked on the small variegated wooden door. "Tieu Du, why are you here at this hour?" I smiled, raised the bag of ribs in my hand: "I want to eat the braised ribs mom made." Mom looked at me for a while and then took the bag of ribs: "Okay, then eat first. If there's anything, just finish eating and then talk." The smile at the corner of my mouth stiffened slightly. Indeed, the person who understands me best is still my mother. I hadn't said anything yet, but my mother had already sensed my change. Half a kilo of ribs was eaten by both mother and child in one meal. This is something I never dared to think about before. In the Tieu family, delicious dishes like ribs must be reserved for men and the elderly. I can only eat cooked vegetables. Only on Tet can I pick up even the smallest piece of ribs. I thought for a moment and then proactively spoke up: "Mom, I'm about to get a divorce." Mom's hand that was washing the dishes paused, then continued washing. "Have you thought about it carefully?" "Yes." "Then you support me." I was stunned. I originally thought I would have to do mental work with my mother for a long time, but I didn't expect her to be calmer than me. Seeing my expression, my mother smiled: "I just don't want you to continue to suffer anymore. There are still decades ahead, people can't keep tormenting themselves." Hearing her say that, my eyes immediately turned red. I threw myself into my mother's arms: "Mom, after I get divorced, please move in with me. The environment there is better." She caressed my back: "Okay." That night, I stayed at my mother's house for one night, preparing to go back tomorrow to find Tieu Hong Binh and go with him to the neighborhood office to complete the divorce procedure. Unexpectedly, the next day, when I returned home from work, I was surprised by the scene before my eyes. My clothes were thrown all over the ground. The bed in the bedroom also had traces of someone sleeping on it. There are lipstick stains on the new bedding set my mother bought. Opening the wardrobe, the inside was full of colorful, sophisticated dresses. All are Co Nguyet's clothes. She dared to move in without my permission. At this moment, cheerful laughter was heard outside the door. I walked out and saw Tieu Hong Binh and Co Nguyet talking and laughing. In her hand, Co Nguyet also carried many bags containing clothes. After the divorce, she was not given any money and had no job. No need to think to know who bought these clothes. Seeing me, Tieu Hong Binh paused for a moment, then angrily criticized: "Nguyen Du, where did you go last night? Why didn't you come home to cook?" "Do you know that yesterday Nguyet Nguyet waited for you to come home to make braised pork ribs, waiting until your stomach ached but you still didn't come home? Where did you go?" I didn't expect that after one night I didn't return, his first question was not to ask me what happened, but to question why I didn't come home to make braised ribs. for his childhood. I didn't answer, just pointed to the bedroom: "I haven't agreed to let her move in, why is she still moving in and throwing my clothes on the ground?" Co Nguyet covered her face, looking panicked: "Sorry sister-in-law. When I was cleaning, I didn't know where to put my clothes."

Where is yours? Mr. Hong Binh said just put it on the ground. At first, I wanted to help you clean up, but Mr. Hong Binh said there was no need." Having finished speaking, she glanced at me proudly. Tieu Hong Binh pointed at me: "Aren't there just a few torn clothes? You can pick it up yourself. Even such a small thing causes a fuss." "As for letting Nguyet Nguyet move in, there's nothing to discuss. Since you're back, go buy some ribs, Nguyet Nguyet wants to eat." As expected, he didn't take me to heart. I was too lazy to continue wasting words, just calmly took out the referral letter. "I've already asked for a divorce referral. Let's get a divorce." "After that, both of you get out of my house." Tieu Hong Binh staggered a step and pointed at me incredulously: "Nguyen Du, are you crazy? Just because of a room, you don't need ten years of marital love, and still angrily want to divorce me?" "You're just a factory worker, and I'm a high school teacher. Are you crazy?" I laughed coldly: "I just got assigned a house, and before I even slept in the bedroom, you brought another woman in. If that's the case, I won't get a divorce, then I'm really crazy." I pointed at the two of them: "Now, please get out of my house immediately!" Tieu Hong Binh was so embarrassed that he became angry, pointing at me: