Chapter 5 — I Locked the Kitchen Door, Locked That Marriage

I stood in the kitchen looking out. Warm yellow light covered the whole room. The food is hot and steaming. Everyone was eating and laughing and chatting. The glass door is like an invisible wall. I stand on this side. And they are on the other side. At half past seven in the evening, the meal gradually ended. Third aunt's family was the first to leave. Second aunt pulled Tien Que Lan to sit on the sofa to continue talking. Tran Tieu Man sat next to her and scrolled through her phone. Co Dinh returned to the room. Father-in-law also went into the room to rest. Co Vien stood in the middle of the living room, turned her head to look towards the kitchen once. He hesitated for a few seconds. But in the end, he still didn't step forward. Just quietly turned around and went into the bedroom. At eight-fifteen in the evening, second aunt also left. Tien Que Lan saw her to the door.

“Let's come over and play again if you have free time.”

The door closes. The house was quiet for a few short seconds. Then Tien Que Lan's voice rang out again:

“Sister Ha, come out and clean up.”

I pushed the door open and walked out. The dining table was a messy mess. Fish bones were piled up on the edge of the plate, shrimp shells were all over the table, gnawed ribs were stuck in the bowl, and the soup pot was almost empty. My meal is placed on the kitchen counter. Still a bowl of white rice and a plate of leftovers. The shrimp shells still had some shredded meat attached to them. A few wilted lettuce leaves. Add half a piece of pumpkin that has cooled a long time ago. I picked up the bowl and quietly ate it all. Five minutes and it's done. Then start washing dishes, washing plates, washing pots, wiping the table top, cleaning the kitchen and then cleaning the kitchen floor. Every single thing I rearranged neatly as before. When she walked out, Tien Que Lan was still sitting on the sofa watching TV. Her eyes were glued to the screen, not looking at me at all.

“Sister Ha, there are a few relatives on my side who want to come over tomorrow.”

“They also want to test your skills.”

“Tomorrow, please prepare another table.”

I stood still.

“How many people?”

“Not many, only about seven or eight people.”

“Including our whole family, there are about fourteen or fifteen people.”

Fourteen or fifteen people. I cook alone. I brought the food alone. I clean up alone. Then finally... still sitting alone in the kitchen eating leftovers. Tien Que Lan looked at me and continued:

“Don't just make normal family dishes.”

“Let's make a few things to look better.”

"My third aunt's son works as a manager in the city and has met many people of high status."

“Don't let people see that our Co family is petty.”

She nodded with satisfaction and continued watching TV. And I turned around and walked towards the bedroom. Pushing the door open, Co Vien was sitting on the edge of the bed. As soon as he saw me enter, he immediately stood up.

"Don't take those words to heart today."

"Your aunt is a talkative person, so she didn't mean to target you."

I don't look at him. Just go to the wardrobe to get pajamas. He took a few steps closer.

“I know today is a bit too much.”

“Tomorrow… if they still come, I will tell mom so you can eat at the table with everyone.”

I stopped. Then turned to look at him.

"Really?"

He immediately nodded repeatedly.

“I will definitely say it tomorrow.”

I looked at his face. Very serious. Very sure. Like he really wanted to stand up for me. I nodded slightly.

“Then wait until tomorrow.”

He immediately breathed a sigh of relief and lay down on the bed.

“Don't worry, let me take care of it.”

At that moment his phone rang. It's news Voice message sent by Tien Que Lan.

“Co Vien, come over here and help me find the TV remote, why are you stuck again?”

He jumped up immediately.

“I'm coming!”

After speaking, he rushed out. Run faster than when bringing me food. After the door closed, I stood still in the bedroom for a long time. Then I changed into my pajamas, turned off the light, and sat down on the edge of the bed. The phone screen is still bright. The list in the notes section is still there. Eighteen dishes. I looked over again. Then scroll down to the page below. The second compartment of the shoe cabinet is in Huyen Pass. Two pcs. I exited the notes and opened the e-banking application. The balance number jumped slightly. 487,261.45 yuan. Still the same as yesterday. But looking at it today, the feeling is different. Yesterday it was confidence. Today it is a retreat. As for tomorrow… it will be my ticket to leave. I turned off the phone and lay down on the bed. Close your eyes. Co Vien's snoring echoed from outside the living room. Maybe he finished fixing the TV remote and then fell asleep on the sofa.