Chapter 2 — Healing After Days of Neglect

December twenty-three. My mother called three times in a row before I picked up.

“Lam Van, are you finally coming back for Tet?”

"So come home a little early, your father said to pack cakes on New Year's Eve. Oh yes, this year your sister and Hao Vu will also come home for Tet, Tieu Bao is on winter break, prepare to give him lucky money."

"How much?"

"See for yourself, last year you gave 200, this year it should at least increase. 500."

"Also, don't go home empty-handed, buy some fruit or some nuts. Your dad likes pistachios."

“Yes, so 29 arrived.”

I went to the mall to buy two boxes of nuts, one box of fruit, and then gave Tieu Bao a 500 yuan red envelope. Hesitating a bit, I put the Porsche keys back in the house and called a car to go back to my old house. It's not time yet. On the 29th, I carried my things and stood in front of my old house. The door opened and it was Tran Hao Vu. He was wearing a brand new Canada Goose shirt and a pair of AJ collabs.

“Oh, Van Van is here.” He looked me up and down. "Are you still wearing this life jacket? I saw you wearing it last year."

“Warm is fine.”

I walked in. The living room has new items compared to last time. A 75-inch TV hangs on the wall, underneath is a brand new TV cabinet.

"Is this TV beautiful? Hao Yu bought it, 18,000 yuan." Lam Huyen leaned on the sofa and scrolled through her phone, without raising her head.

"That's OK."

“Is Van Van here?” My mother came out of the kitchen. "Leave the stuff there. Your sister bought king crab. I'll let you taste it later."

“How much is one?”

“2,800 yuan, my sister bought three.” Lam Huyen finally raised his head to look at me. “Van Van, have you ever eaten?”

“Then eat more later.”

Her tone... was like she was giving a favor. I didn't answer, went to the corner of the room, sat down on a small stool. On the sofa, there is no place for me. Lam Huyen and Tran Hao Vu occupied the three-person sofa, my father sat in a large chair, my mother sat in a reclining chair next to it. Little Bao sat on the ground playing with toys. Only one stool remained. I sat down and gave the lucky money bag to Tieu Bao.

“Tieu Bao, happy new year.”

The boy received it and opened it to see.

"Only 500? Mom, please give me only 500!"

Lam Huyen frowned slightly.

“Tieu Bao, don't say that, it's not easy for you to make money.”

His mouth said that, but his eyes glanced at me. I'm so used to that look. Contempt.

“Van Van, how much is your salary now?” Tran Hao Vu crossed his legs and asked.

“3,500 yuan.”

“3,500?” Tran Hao Vu clicked his tongue. "You've been working for three years, right? Why is it still 3,500 yuan? Look at me, following my business, a month at least costs 10,000–20,000 yuan."

“Hao Vu, stop it.” Lam Huyen gently patted him, but the corner of his lips curled up.

"I'm telling the truth. Van Van, you're not a child anymore, you have to think about the future. 3,500 a month, in this city you can't even buy a toilet."

“Hao Vu is right.” My father finally spoke. "Van Van, have you thought about finding a good family to marry? A daughter's career is not important, marrying a good husband is the most important thing."

"Look at your sister, that year when she married Hao Vu, our whole family was also blessed." My mother chimed in.

"Oh that's right, Aunt Ba's family has a nephew who works as a driver for a logistics company, earning 6,000 yuan a month. He's a normal person, but gentle. How about we meet?"

“No need.”

"Don't be picky anymore, you're not even looking for it at twenty-six, two more years and no one will want it."

I said nothing. Lam Huyen burst out laughing.

"Mom, don't force her anymore. Van Van probably has her own thoughts."

"What does he think? Salary 3,500, renting a house, not even a boyfriend. I'm still worried."

"Forget it, don't talk about these things anymore during Tet." My father waved his hand, then turned to Tran Hao Vu. “Hao Vu, how is your construction materials business these days?”

The topic immediately changed direction. From start to finish, it only took them five minutes to "care" about me, then turned to talk about Lam Huyen's family. Hao Vu's business story, Tieu Bao's school life, the new bag Lam Huyen bought, the house they plan to change. And I sat in the corner, on a small stool, listening silently. Like an auditor. Like an outsider. During the year-end dinner, Tran Hao Vu drank a few glasses of wine and talked even more.

"Dad, let me talk about this. Next year I plan to expand my scale and open another material store in the south of the city."

“That's a good thing.” My father raised his cup. “How much money is needed?”

“Including renovations and importing goods, about 800,000 yuan.”

“How much compensation is left?”

Lam Huyen glanced at me and lowered his voice.

"There's more than 3,000,000 yuan left. Taking out 800,000 is no problem."

“Okay, you two figure it out yourself.”

I picked up a piece of king crab claw and bowed my head to eat. More than 3,000,000 yuan in compensation... has now become their start-up capital. As for me, I have never seen a single penny.

“Ah yes, Van Van.” Tran Hao Vu suddenly turned to me. "If you think the salary is too low, you can come to my store to help. I pay you 4,000 yuan a month, which is 500 more than your place."

“No need.”

“Don't be shy, we're all one family.”

“There's really no need.”

"What kind of attitude is that? Being so kind is being treated like a fool's heart and lungs." Tran Hao Vu pouted. “I thought you were pitiful, that's why I said it.”

“Hao Yu.” Lam Huyen called softly.

"Okay, okay, no more talking. Come on, Dad, I'll give you a glass of respect."

Halfway through eating, my phone vibrated. It was the house sales department calling.

"Miss Lam, hello, your certificate of ownership has been completed. After Tet, please come and pick it up. In addition, the apartment 2501 you once looked at, currently has an owner who wants to resell it, the price is very good, would you like to consider it?"

"How much?"

“That apartment is larger, 260 square meters, asking price 48,000,000 yuan, if you intend to—”

“Later.”

I hung up.

“Who's calling?” Lam Huyen asked.

“Sales side.”

"Even during Tet, you still call to greet me, it's so annoying."

After eating, I went into the kitchen to help my mother clean up. Lam Huyen lies on the sofa scrolling through the phone. Tran Hao Vu led Tieu Bao downstairs to light fireworks. My father stood outside on the balcony smoking.

“Van Van.” My mother suddenly pulled my hand back. "I told you, don't blame your father about compensation money."

“No blame.”

"It hasn't been easy for your sister these past few years. Hao Vu has just started a business and needs money everywhere. You're comfortable on your own. Once you get married, your father will definitely make it up to you."

"Don't always compare yourself to your sister, she's her, you're you. Just work hard, save some money, and find a good family later—"

“Mom, I know.”

“Don't see me talking too much—”

"I'm done washing, I'm going back to my room first."

I wiped my hands and turned to go upstairs. The moment I closed the door, I leaned my back against the door. This house... has never had a place for me before. I opened my phone and looked at the banking app. Balance: 37,560,000 yuan. First thing After Tet, I will quit my job. Then, start your new life. On the third day of Tet, I returned to the city early. When I left, my mother ran after me outside.

“Why leave so early?”

"The company will do it on the fifth day, I'll go home first to prepare."

"So be careful on the road. Where are you going? Passenger bus?"

Actually, I called a private car. A black Buick GL8 parked at the beginning of the alley, I carried my luggage and walked over. Behind him, Lam Huyen's voice was heard. I turned around and she was standing at the door in her pajamas.

“Go without saying a word?”

“Afraid of waking everyone up.”

She looked at the Buick at the entrance of the alley.

“Did you call that car?”

"My friend's company car, convenient to take me."

"OH." She looked me up and down. “Okay, be careful on the road.”

Having finished speaking, he turned around and entered the house.