Chapter 17 — I Locked the Kitchen Door, Locked That Marriage

The supplier was so threatened that he almost cut off the supply. After investigation, we found out... that call was made by my second aunt. The person behind is Tien Que Lan. That was eventually handled by my lawyer with a legal letter. The supplier confirmed that there was no problem with the product, so the second aunt did not dare to call again. But everyone knows who did it.

“Miss So Ha…”

“I'm sorry.”

Tien Que Lan stood in front of thirty or forty people and said that sentence. Her face was red, as if she had used up all her strength. I looked at her.

“These words… you said them half a year too late.”

“But I accept your apology.”

The corners of her eyes trembled slightly.

“Co Vien and I are divorced.”

“The Co family and I no longer have any relationship.”

“Later, she lived her life well.”

“Don't continue to make things difficult for yourself.”

I turned to look at Co Vien. He stood behind his mother, holding a bouquet of flowers. Don't know when I bought it. A bouquet of pink carnations. His lips trembled slightly.

“I don't accept flowers.”

His arm slowly lowered. The flower wrapping paper was tightened until it was wrinkled.

“I know…”

“I won't come back anymore.”

His voice was very quiet.

“I just want…”

“See with your own eyes how I live now.”

“Did you see it?”

He nodded.

“I saw it.”

He looked at the display room. Look at the busy staff. Look at the rows of customers lining up to buy cakes. Look at To Tinh standing next to me. Then finally looked at Co Dinh in the uniform of "Summer Kitchen".

“I live a lot better than when I was at your house.”

"That's right."

I'm not polite. Co Vien put the bouquet down next to the display counter.

“Think of it as a normal congratulation.”

I don't accept. But don't refuse either. Just leave the bouquet of flowers there. Tien Que Lan looked at the bouquet of flowers, then looked back at me. Her lips moved as if she wanted to say something more. But in the end... no more talking. She turned and left. Co Vien quietly followed behind. After walking a few steps, he turned around and looked back once. I don't look at him. I am continuing to answer reporters' interviews. He slowly turned his head back. Two figures gradually disappeared among the crowded people in the shopping center. Co Dinh stood still, biting his lip.

“Sister Lam, I really didn't know they would come…”

“It's okay.”

“Go back to work.”

Co Dinh immediately ran back behind the display counter and started helping customers pack cakes. Her hands were shaking a bit. But the movement is still completely correct. To Tinh walked next to me.

“Are you really okay?”

“You asked for the third time.”

“So is it okay after all?”

She looked at me for two more seconds, confirmed I wasn't lying, and then left. Event ends. Clean up the display counter, move equipment, and clean up the scene. Busy until eight thirty at night. When the last carton was loaded onto the cart, To Tinh brushed the dust off her hands.

“Today's efficiency in attracting customers is very good.”

“Distributed more than six hundred sample meals.”

“From tomorrow we will probably see the figures increase.”

“You go home first.”

“I'll stay and handle the last part.”

I walked out of the shopping mall. The air outside is a bit cold. It's early autumn. The street lights were bright, drawing long shadows on the ground. I stood at the door of the shopping center and looked up at the sky for a while. There aren't many stars. The city lights are too bright. The phone vibrates.

“Girl, eat rice Not yet?"

“You haven't eaten yet?”

“This girl…”

“I was trying to find a place to eat.”

“Eat something to eat outside.”

“Go home.”

“Mom stewed the ribs for you.”

“It's nine o'clock at night and mom is still stewing ribs?”

“I saw you posting photos of the event on your friends circle.”

“I knew right away that I would be so busy that I would forget to eat.”

“Mom stewed early.”

“What time does Mom start stewing?”

“Don't talk too much.”

“Come home quickly.”

“It's not delicious if it's cold.”

I drove the tram for about twenty minutes to get to my mother's place. Now she no longer lives in the small room behind the breakfast counter. I rented her a one-bedroom apartment near branch number three. Clean, warm, south facing. As soon as I opened the door and walked in, the smell of stewed ribs hit me straight. On the table are two dishes and a bowl of soup. A bowl of egg soup. There's also a bowl of hot white rice. Smoke is still rising.

“Quickly sit down.”

Ton Ngoc Mai gave me chopsticks and sat down opposite.

“Taste it.”

“My ribs were stewed for four hours.”

I took a piece. Put it in your mouth. The meat is so tender that as soon as it touches the lips, it separates from the bone. The taste is very rich. Light salty enough.

“It's delicious.”

“Then eat a little more.”

She sat and watched me eat. I myself did not move my chopsticks.