Chapter 1 — I Don't Need This Family Anymore

In the end, I still didn't accept that ten thousand. Manager Vuong gave a few more words of advice. Seeing that I was determined, he didn't force me anymore.

“If you have any difficulties, just tell the company.” he said.

“Thank you manager.”

After work, I don't go home. Take the bus to the city hospital. I'm not visiting. Nor to pay. I came… to get something. In front of the emergency room door, my mother, Luu Ngoc Tran, and Tu Duong were waiting. As soon as he saw me, Tu Duong immediately rushed forward like a lit cannon.

"Hua Tham! Do you still know about it?"

I didn't pay attention to him and walked straight in front of my mother. She sat on the bench, her hair was messy, her face was haggard, and her eyes were red and swollen. Seeing me, a ray of hope flashed in her eyes, but it was quickly replaced by anger.

"What are you doing here? Are you here to watch us laugh?"

“I came to get my things.” I said.

I took out a piece of paper from my pocket and gave it to her. Ambulance bill.

“Three hundred yuan, please pay.”

Luu Ngoc Tran glared at me, then looked at the paper.

“You… you want money from me?”

“Not for me.” I said, "This is a fee of 120. The car I called is yours. You have to pay this money."

“Hua Tham!” Tu Duong was angry, "Grandma is still not sure whether she is alive or dead, so why are you calculating three hundred yuan?"

“Whatever happens happens.” I looked at him, "When I needed 20,000 to save my life, you guys didn't spend a dime. Now I ask for 300 for the car fare, what's the problem?"

Tu Duong was speechless. Luu Ngoc Tran's trembling hands took out three crumpled one-hundred bills and threw them at me.

"For you! You only know money!"

I bent down, picked up each sheet, smoothed it, and put it in my pocket. At that moment, the emergency room door opened. A doctor stepped out, taking off his mask.

“Who are the patient's family members?”

"We!" Luu Ngoc Tran and Tu Duong immediately rushed forward.

“The patient is temporarily out of danger.” the doctor said.

The two clearly breathed a sigh of relief.

"But," his voice changed, "the condition is very serious, it is an acute myocardial infarction, needing bypass surgery immediately. Everyone, quickly go and pay the hospital fees to prepare."

“How… how much does it cost?” Luu Ngoc Tran's voice trembled.

“At least thirty thousand.”

The doctor handed over a stack of papers.

“Close as soon as possible.”

Luu Ngoc Tran's hands were shaking. Tu Duong was also panicked, looking at her not knowing what to do.

“Mom, what now?”

Her eyes... fell on me again. Full of begging, full of reliance. As if right now, I am the only breadwinner. I looked straight at her.

“It has nothing to do with me.”

Having finished speaking, I turned around and left.

“Hua Tham!” Luu Ngoc Tran shouted from behind.

"You can't go! Your grandmother is the one who angered you, you have to pay this money!"

I stopped, turned around.

“Where is the evidence?”

“Evidence… what evidence?”

"You said I made my grandmother sick, where is the evidence? Is there a doctor to confirm? Or is there an audio or video recording?"

She was speechless. I smiled lightly, took out my phone.

"I have a video. Do you want me to show it to the doctor to see who is causing the trouble?"

Luu Ngoc Tran's face immediately turned white. I put my phone away and didn't look at them anymore. Stepping out of the hospital, it was completely dark. Twinkling city neon lights. But no light... shines into my heart. I thought this would end here. But unexpectedly. The next day, my father — Tu Ve Quoc — came to my room again. When I opened the door, Tu Ve Quoc was squatting in front of the door, head bowed, smoking. The ground was full of filters. Hearing the door open, Mr startled and looked up. After just one night, he seemed to have aged ten years. His hair is grayer, his back is hunched, his eye sockets are sunken.

“Tieu Tham…” he stood up, his voice hoarse.

I had no intention of letting him in, I still stood blocking the door.

"What is up?"

“My grandmother… had to have surgery.” He rubbed his hands, his eyes avoided, not daring to look at me.

"I know."

“My mother… she refused to take out the money.”

"She said that money was for my brother to buy a house, for Khai to study, not even a penny could be touched."

I listened quietly, as if I was listening to a story that had nothing to do with me.

"Dad advised her all night last night, to no avail. You also know her personality..."

He sighed, his voice filled with fatigue and helplessness.

“Tieu Tham, I know… in the past it was your family who was at fault for you.”

"Daddy is useless, at home he has no voice, leaving me to suffer."

Finally starting to tap into emotions.

"But anyway... that's my grandmother. I can't just stand and watch her..."

“I asked you something.” I interrupted.

“The day I had surgery, why didn't you come?”

Tu Ve Quoc's face stiffened.

“I called you seven times, but you didn't listen to a single call.”

"Later I found out, it wasn't that he didn't hear it. He and my mother and my brother... were having a seafood feast at that time, celebrating their trip to England."

My voice is very calm, without ripples. But each word, like each blow of a hammer, hit him. His head gradually lowered.

“Dad…” he opened his mouth, but couldn't say anything.