Chapter 3 — I Locked the Kitchen Door, Locked That Marriage

At six thirty the next morning, the alarm rang. I turned off the bell and gently got out of bed without waking Co Vien. Wash your face, brush your teeth, change clothes at home and tie your hair in a neat ponytail. Then go straight to the kitchen.

“Sister Ha, are you awake?”

Tien Que Lan's voice echoed from the master bedroom. Even though it's a door away, it's still filled with a familiar commanding look.

"The porridge is a little softer, your father-in-law's teeth are not good."

"Co Dinh's bread must be heated in the oven, don't use the microwave, he hates soft bread."

"Remember to put two salty dishes in Co Vien's lunch box, not just vegetables."

Each sentence follows each other without stopping. Not a discussion, but an order. I tied my apron on my body and replied: Wash the rice, put it in the pot and add water. I intentionally added a little more to make the porridge thinner. The oven is preheated, the bread is placed inside. The pan heats up, the oil crackles, I crack the egg. At that time, Co Dinh also walked out of the room. She was wearing light pink pajamas, her hair flowing down her back.

“Good morning sister-in-law.”

“Don't add soy sauce to your eggs, I want salt.”

"And also, don't put red apples in the porridge, I don't like it."

Yesterday she ate three red apples in a bowl of peanut soup. Eating was fun, but today I don't like it. I quietly took the red apple off the cutting board. Co Dinh leaned against the kitchen door and continued:

“Ah sister-in-law, my delivery packages have arrived, they are left outside the door.”

"I'll help you take it off later, the clothes inside can be washed for you too."

She said while yawning loudly.

“I have an appointment this afternoon, I don't have time to do it.”

The shovel in my hand paused for a second before continuing to flip the eggs. Co Dinh was satisfied and turned to leave. Her voice still echoed from far away:

“Remember to be careful when washing, don't use hot water on that white T-shirt.”

At seven o'clock in the morning, breakfast was prepared. White porridge, fried eggs, pickles, toast and some leftover broccoli from last night were reheated. I brought each dish to the table and arranged the bowls and chopsticks neatly. Then he quietly retreated to the kitchen and waited. The sound of chairs being pulled out echoed outside the dining room. Tien Que Lan started calling everyone to eat.

“Old Co, eat quickly.”

“Co Dinh, the bread is on the plate.”

“Co Vien, the lunch box is here, remember to bring it.”

The sound of bowls and chopsticks colliding echoed continuously. No one called me out to eat with them. Twenty minutes later, Co Vien finished eating and stood up.

“I'm going to work.”

The sound of the door opening and closing rang out very quickly. Father-in-law also stood up.

“I'm going down for a walk.”

After he finished speaking, he left. Another ten minutes passed, Tien Que Lan's voice rang out again from the living room:

“Sister Ha, come out and clean up.”

I walked out. On the table there were only four empty bowls and some leftover food. My meal is placed on the kitchen counter. Been left for more than half an hour. The porridge forms a thin layer of scum on the surface. The fried eggs were cold and the pickles were watery and soft. I sat next to the kitchen, picked up a bowl to eat. Three minutes later, the entire meal was finished. Then wash the dishes, wipe the table and clean the floor. After finishing work, I went out to unpack Co Dinh's delivery goods. Three packages. Two sets of clothes and one pair of shoes. Before putting the clothes in the washing machine, I bowed my head and looked at the label. That white t-shirt clearly says: machine wash in cold water. I pressed the start button. Then change clothes, holding wallet, phone and keys. Before going out, I pulled out the second drawer of the shoe cabinet in the mysterious entrance to look one more time. The two spare keys still lie silently inside, exactly like I confirmed last night. I don't take it. Just quietly close the drawer and go out. The hallway was so quiet that you could clearly hear your footsteps. As soon as I walked out the door of the building, the sunlight outside shone, making my eyes a bit dazzling. I walked to the gate of the residential area and stopped under an ancient tree leaning on the side of the road. Standing still for a few seconds, I took out my phone to call my mother. The bell rang twice before being picked up.

"Hello? Girl?"

Ton Ngoc Mai's voice carried the familiar greasy sound of the kitchen, with the sound of a shovel hitting the pan in the background.

"Wait a minute, mom, there's still unturned cake in the pot."

"Okay, okay, tell me. Why do you have time to call so early in the morning?"

“Have you had breakfast yet?”

“Mom is still busy, where will I have time to eat?”

Her voice was sometimes near and far, as if she was still cooking in the kitchen.

"What about the children? Are you okay at your husband's house?"

I was silent for a moment then replied:

“Really?”

“It's just… my mother-in-law is a bit of an old fashioned person.”

“What rules?”

“Rules at the dining table.”

I won't go into too much detail. Just saying that my mother-in-law made me wait for the whole family to finish eating before going to the table. The other end of the line was silent for exactly three seconds. Then Ton Ngoc Mai's voice immediately rose:

“What?”

“Make me wait for them to finish eating?”

“What does your mother-in-law think you are?”

"And where is Co Vien? What did he say?"

“He… didn't say much.”

“It doesn't speak?”

“The first day we got married, he was already speechless?”

“Mom, don't get excited.”

“Why can't mom be excited!”

“Your daughter is being bullied like that, can you still sit still?”

"Wait here, I'll call your mother-in-law right away!"

I softly called her back.

“Mom, don't call.”

“Your daughter was bullied and you didn't even get a phone call?”

“I can handle it myself.”

The other end of the line was silent for a long time. When she opened her mouth again, Ton Ngoc Mai's voice was lower.

“Girl… can you really handle it?”

“…Then be careful.”

"Your mother-in-law looks like she's always smiling and talking on the outside, but on the inside she's very busy."

“I know.”

“If you're too upset, then go home.”

“Mom can raise me, I can always raise her.”

My nose suddenly stings. But I still tried to hold back.

“Mom, wait to hear from me.”

I hung up. Stand still under the tree for a few seconds then turn around and walk towards the market. The market is located outside the east gate of the residential area, about a ten-minute walk. I don't call a car. On the way passed a small bakery. The front is not large, inside the glass cabinet is full of cakes and bread. The shop's name is "Summer Kitchen". I took a quick look. But don't stop. The phone rang again at that moment. It was To Tinh calling.

“Sister Ha, you finally answered the phone!”

“I called three times in a row.”

To Tinh's voice sounded very urgent.

“Last month's sales for several stores are out.”

“The three branches combined, the combined profit is nearly one hundred and ninety thousand yuan.”

“This week's profit sharing money will be transferred to your card.”

I lowered my voice.

“Tinh Tinh, it's not convenient to talk now.”

“Let's talk more about it another day.”

“Wait, there's one more thing.”

“The person in charge of the other shopping center called again Okay, said he wanted to make an appointment with you to discuss renting the space."

“People even call you ‘General Lam’…”

“Love Love.”

My voice is very light.

“I know. I'll contact you again in two days."

I hung up. The hand tightened on the phone and then unconsciously looked around. No acquaintances. Only then did I feel a little reassured and continue walking into the market. The market was crowded with people. The sound of selling, the sound of bargaining, the sound of weights hitting iron trays mixed together in a noisy and bustling atmosphere. I buy items according to the listed list. Two very large cinnamon fish. Five pounds of ribs, choose meaty ones. Four pounds of live shrimp jumped and crackled. Three pounds of beef stew. Ten chicken thighs. Scallops, pumpkin, string beans, eggplant, lettuce, broccoli, tofu, tomatoes... House spices can also be purchased at once. When paying, the phone showed more than one thousand one hundred yuan. I don't let people pack too many bags. Carry as much as you can carry yourself. On the way home, the phone rang again. It's Tien Que Lan.

“Sister Ha, have you finished shopping yet?”

“It's done mom, I'm on my way home.”

"Tonight, second aunt and third aunt's family will come over for dinner."

"I've done a rough calculation, my whole family must be at least ten people."

“You should make a few more dishes, don't embarrass the Co family.”

She paused for a moment then continued:

“Is the money enough? I'll give you three hundred."

“No need, Mom, I can pay for it myself.”

“Yes, then you can figure it out yourself.”

After speaking, she hung up the phone. I stood on the side of the road, my arms full of food bags. The pile of ingredients was more than a thousand yuan, but she thought three hundred was enough. I laughed softly.