Chapter 5 — Husband Says First Love Doesn't Feel Safe, I Always Change the Locks

Chu Nghien immediately called back.

“Tham Tri Y, don't say such harsh things.”

“Then you pay the rent for her.”

He stopped.

“She just returned home, it's true that she's having a bit of a hard time.”

I laughed.

“So you're going to pay instead?”

He replied:

“I'll help her advance first.”

“Where to get money?”

He said nothing. I answered for him:

“Joint family account?”

“Chu Nghien, try touching a coin.”

He got angry.

“Tham Tri Y, why are you becoming so calculating now?”

“It's just the rent, how much is it worth?”

I turned on the speakerphone and said as I walked:

“Not much.”

“Two months is 12,000 yuan.”

The other end of the line was silent for a moment. Very soon after that, he said:

“She will return it later.”

"Okay."

“Then you pay me in advance for the money I spent all these years on behalf of the Chu family.”

“Your mother was hospitalized three times, I advanced 28,000 yuan.”

“Your sister studies for a certificate, registers for classes, I will transfer 15,000 yuan.”

“My father changed the phone, 6,200 yuan.”

“Your cousin is looking for a job, you told me to give him a gift, 3,800 yuan.”

“Not to mention the excess money you spend every month on games, parties, and fishing gear.”

“Last night I sat up until two in the morning.”

"Chu Nghien, the sense of security that the Chu family owes me is much more expensive than Lam Nguyet's rent."

His breathing stopped.

“We are a family, do you have to make such clear calculations?”

I stopped before the crosswalk. Red light twenty seconds left. I looked at the flow of people passing by on the opposite side.

“When you were with Lam Nguyet, why didn't you remember that we were family?”

The green light turns on. I hung up. That evening, Chu Nghien finally returned to talk. He stood outside the door, carrying a box of cakes in his hand. This is my favorite bakery ever. It's just been a long time since I ate sweets. Because Tieu Vu easily coughs, the family rarely buys cakes. Maybe he forgot about this too. I opened the door. Seeing that the door could be opened, he clearly breathed a sigh of relief. But just as I was about to step in, I raised my hand to stop him.

“Change slippers.”

He frowned.

“You always entered like that before.”

I looked at him.

“So who cleaned the house before?”

He took one look at me and then held back. Bow your head and change your sandals. Tieu Vu is sitting in the living room assembling toys. Seeing him, she just called out: But she didn't run anymore. Chu Nghien put the cake box on the table.

“Tieu Vu, look what dad bought for you.”

Tieu Vu took a look.

“Mom said I have a cough and can't eat cake.”

A look of embarrassment appeared on his face.

“It's okay to eat a little.”

He looked at me, trying to suppress his emotions.

“I want to be a little closer to my children.”

“Closeness is not feeding.”

His expression became even more unsightly. But he still endured. Sit down on the sofa and say:

“Let's talk.”

I sat opposite. He pushed a bank card towards me.

"There's 50,000 yuan in here, take it first."

I don't touch it.

“What does this mean?”

“Didn't you say I didn't make you feel safe?”

He said:

"The money is given to you, and the lock is up to you to decide. In the future, I will try to limit my interference in Lam Nguyet's affairs."

I looked at the card. Chu Nghien frowned.

“She's really having a hard time right now towel. You can't completely ignore it.”

"After all, we've known each other for so many years."

I laughed.

“Chu Nghien, do you know what your biggest problem is?”

He said nothing. I pointed to the card.

“You think what I lack is 50,000 yuan.”

"But what I'm missing is last night, when Tieu Vu had a high fever, you turned around and went back."

“When I was scolded by your mother, you stood up and said something.”

“When the school organized parent activities, I sat next to my daughter.”

"Every time I receive Lam Nguyet's phone call, I remember to think about whether there is anyone at home waiting for me."

He was silent for a moment.

“You will change later.”

“Change how?”

He replied:

“I will balance.”

I laughed out loud. One side is his first love. On one side is me and my daughter. Yet he still thinks he is standing in the middle to treat both sides fairly. But to carry a bowl of water in a balanced way, first of all, both sides must be worthy of him carrying it.