Chapter 4 — I Locked the Kitchen Door, Locked That Marriage

Then continue to pack your things and go home. At two o'clock in the afternoon, I started preparing the ingredients. Washing, cutting, marinating, blanching... everything continues without stopping. Four stoves take turns turning red. Steamed scallops with garlic vermicelli must be soaked in vermicelli first. Stir-fried sweet and sour ribs are coated with flour and then fried in oil. Beef stew must be poured with water first before simmering over low heat. For pickled fish, the fillets must be mixed well with egg whites. I was alone, busy in the kitchen. No one could help. Tien Que Lan sat outside the living room watching TV. Co Dinh went out shopping early. Father-in-law sat on the balcony drinking tea. The atmosphere in the house was so quiet that it was cold. At five thirty in the afternoon, the doorbell rang. Second aunt is here. Behind her was her daughter Tran Tieu Man, over twenty years old, with curly hair, high heels, and eye-catching red lipstick. Five minutes later, her entire family also arrived. The third lady brought her husband and son with her. A group of people crowded into the living room, which was not spacious at all. Tien Que Lan smiled and welcomed him very enthusiastically.

“Come in, come in, sit down everyone.”

“Sister Ha is busy in the kitchen.”

“Today let everyone taste her skills.”

The second aunt stood outside the kitchen door and looked in. She didn't go in, just stood at the door, smiling and saying:

“Oh my, are you really busy?”

"Que Lan, your daughter-in-law is really attentive."

“By the way… how did he come from?”

Tien Que Lan deliberately lowered his voice. But not low enough, I could hear every word clearly.

“Just a normal family, his mother sells breakfast at the market.”

“It's because he's obedient, honest, and easy to talk to.”

Having said this, she also deliberately added another sentence:

“Easy to control.”

Second aunt immediately clicked her tongue.

“Then you picked up a bargain.”

The knife in my hand paused for a moment. But very quickly continued to cut vegetables as usual. The action has not changed. At six o'clock in the evening, twelve dishes were brought to the table one after another. Steamed cinnamon fish, stir-fried sweet and sour ribs, steamed scallops with garlic vermicelli, dry roasted string beans, braised eggplant, pickled fish, oil-braised shrimp, beef stew with tomatoes, pumpkin with salted egg sauce, three-color mixed vegetables, oyster sauce salad and a pot of steaming rib soup. Every time I take the dish out, I bow my head. Quietly go back and forth between the kitchen and dining room. Ten people filled the entire dining table. There's no place for me. Tran Tieu Man sat next to Co Dinh, the two of them leaned their heads together and whispered something. Seeing me bring out the food, she tilted her head to look at me and smiled.

“Did your sister-in-law do all this alone?”

“Really good.”

The intonation sounded unclear whether it was sincere or mocking. The third girl picked up a piece of ribs and put it in her mouth. After eating, he immediately nodded:

“Good workmanship.”

She turned to look at Tien Que Lan and smiled and said:

"Que Lan, this daughter-in-law you chose is not bad."

“Knows how to cook, but doesn't talk much.”

Tien Que Lan smiled proudly.

“Of course, I have to choose carefully.”

The second aunt immediately continued:

“She sells breakfast, right?”

“No wonder the cooking is so good, it turns out it's a family heirloom.”

"It's just that her background is a bit poor, but marrying into the Co family is considered her blessing."

When that sentence was said, I was standing next to the dining table. In my hand I still held a plate of oyster sauce salad that hadn't been put down yet. The ten people at the table all saw me. But no one felt those words there's nothing wrong. Co Vien bowed his head to eat. The chopsticks moved continuously, as if they just wanted to finish this meal quickly. I put the plate of vegetables on the table.

“Everyone enjoyed it.”

After speaking, he turned around and returned to the kitchen. Close the door. I stood in front of the kitchen table. Stomach cramps due to hunger. It's been five hours. From two o'clock in the afternoon until now, I haven't been able to eat anything. For five hours, I only knew how to cut vegetables, cook, serve dishes and set the table. Smelling hot food all this time without even tasting a bite. Outside the glass door, ten people were eating and drinking extremely boisterously. Co Dinh and Tran Tieu Man discussed a certain TV series. Third aunt kept praising the delicious tender ribs. Second aunt started to evaluate me again.

“The face is okay, it's just that the clothes are too rustic.”

"After all, your family lives in the city, so let her dress up a bit."

Tien Que Lan immediately replied:

“Young people at home don't need to be too picky.”

“That's right.”

“It's a good idea to save a little bit.”