Chapter 3 — Group Chat Without You

Surf until last year's Mid-Autumn Festival. That day I stayed at home waiting for Tran Du to come home and have dinner with me. Waiting until nine o'clock, he said he had to go attend to guests and couldn't stop. The history recorded in the group is - they were at Tran Ngu's house wrapping dumplings, and also made a video call to my younger brother. And my younger brother said to me that day, "I'm out with friends, I've already eaten." Every lie has someone following it, heaven's clothes are useless, there are no loopholes. I exited WeChat and put the iPad back. Then he picked up his phone and texted Tran Du: *"Where did you play today? Do you want to go out to eat together?"* He replied very quickly: *"I'm at the soccer field, I'm probably late, don't wait for me."* I didn't text back anymore. You're probably on your way to Vien Bac Park right now. Together with the other seven people, enjoy "a happy life without To Niem". 03 On Monday, when I go to work, I take half the day off to go to the bank. Having loved each other for four years, living together for two years, the expense accounts between Tran Du and I have never been clearly calculated. The house is yours, but I pay half of the house repair costs. I buy two-thirds of the furniture and electrical appliances in my house. Every month he transfers three thousand yuan (about 10 million VND) for living expenses, and all remaining petty expenses are paid by me. I printed out the statement, checked off each item, and saved it to my phone. Not to settle accounts with him. It's to save evidence for yourself. In the afternoon, returning to the company, Chu Ham texted: *"I invited you out to eat this afternoon, but you didn't read the message?"*

“In meetings, don't hold the phone.”

*"How about tonight? Do you want to come together after work?"*

“I have an appointment today.”

*”Who is that?”* I don't reply. Half a minute later he texted again: *"So mysterious, don't you mean you have a new friend? Just kidding."* I looked at that word "nha", my finger stopped on the screen. Four years ago, when he first met Chu Ham, he was ten times more enthusiastic than this. Invited me to go around the streets, pulled me into his friends, introduced me to everyone. At that time, I had just come to this city, had no friends, and thought it was my luck to meet him. Now that I think about it, it came close to me because I was Tran Du's girlfriend. And now they are boycotting me, perhaps because I am Tran Du's girlfriend - an existence that makes "people not dare to let their hair down". After work, I don't go home. I went to the shopping center and ate a bowl of beef noodles in basement B1. In the middle of eating, I received a text message from Tran Du: *"Are you coming home to eat today? I've already cooked porridge."*

“No, I work overtime.”

*"Are you so busy? Why do you work so much overtime these days?"* I didn't answer. After eating the noodles, I walked out, passing by a real estate brokerage office. I walked in.

“House with one bedroom and living room, near the subway station, rent under three thousand a month, is that available?”

The broker gave me a stack of documents: "Are you living alone or sharing a room?"

“Be alone.”

"So let me introduce these apartments, they are all fully furnished..."

I chose two apartments near the company and made an appointment to see them on Wednesday. By the time I walked out of the brokerage office, it was almost nine o'clock. Tran Du called, his tone a bit impatient.

"To Niem, what time are you coming back? The porridge is cold."

“No need to wait for me, just eat first.”

"What's wrong with you these past few days? You don't talk properly, you get home later and later."

“What are you doing?”

“Can you see for yourself?” Older brother sighed, "I see your condition is not good at all these days."

“My status is still the same.”

“It's okay, I'm happy.”

He hung up the phone. Three words — *I'm happy*. When he said this sentence, he certainly felt that he was very tolerant and psychological. But I want to ask him: Do you know why my condition is not good lately? Have you ever taken even a second to think, maybe the problem is you?