Chapter 2 — I'm Busy All My Life, And You're Lonely

"What?" Ms. Liu Shufen's voice suddenly rose, "Is it serious? What did the doctor say? Does it require surgery?"

“Still not sure, I have to go to the hospital for a checkup.” Luc Kien Quan said, "Tong Tuyet said she couldn't ask for time off. Mom, please come to Nanjing to take care of me for a few days."

“He said he couldn't ask for time off?” Ms. Liu Shufen's voice immediately changed tone, "If you're a teacher, what's the point in asking for a few days off? My husband is in the hospital and doesn't have to worry, how can you hear that!"

Luc Kien Quan did not respond.

“Mom will take the high-speed train there this afternoon!” Ms. Liu Shufen said, "I have to ask carefully, see why his heart is so hard!"

The phone hung up. Luc Kien Quan put down the phone and felt somewhat more reassured. With his mother coming, he feels much stronger. With her mother here, it is difficult for Tong Tuyet to maintain such a cold attitude. He stood up and went back to the bedroom, starting to pack the things he needed to bring to the hospital. In the wardrobe, his shirts and pants took up more than half, Tong Tuyet's clothes were pressed to one side. Since dividing the bedrooms, Tong Tuyet has moved most of her clothes to the extra bedroom. The remainder are mostly old home clothes. Luc Kien Quan pulled out the drawer and looked for underwear to change into. Deep in the drawer, there is a small tin box. He recognized that box as something Tong Tuyet had brought with her when she first got married, previously used to store a few small pieces of jewelry. The box is unlocked. Luc Kien Quan somehow opened the lid of the box. There were no rings or necklaces inside. There was only a stack of yellowed papers. The top sheet is an ultrasound sheet, the date displayed is May 2002. In the diagnostic comments column, it is written: Intrauterine pregnancy, about 7 weeks. Luc Kien Quan's fingers trembled. 2002 was their fourth year of marriage. Tong Tuyet was pregnant? He was completely unimpressed. He continued to flip downwards. Below is a medical examination book. Turning to the first page, it was the abortion surgery record. Time of surgery: June 10, 2002. In the column of reason for surgery, write: The patient requested termination of pregnancy. Patient signature: Tong Tuyet. The family member's signature column is left blank. Luc Kien Quan sat on the edge of the bed, looking at each piece of paper. Have a copy of the surgery commitment letter, have a payment receipt, and have post-operative follow-up examination records. All fields that require family members to sign are left blank. Luc Kien Quan tried to remember. What were you busy with that summer? That's right, that year the company received a large resettlement house in the southern suburbs, and he almost lived at the construction site. Did Tong Tuyet call you at that time? It seems there is. Said he wasn't feeling well and wanted to go to the hospital for a check-up. At that time, he answered one question: Go away yourself, I really can't get out of here. What then? After that, Tong Tuyet never mentioned this again. Luc Kien Quan folded the papers neatly and stuffed them back into the tin box, his palms were wet with sweat. The doorbell suddenly rang. He suddenly regained consciousness, pushed the box deep into the drawer, closed it tightly and opened the door. Outside the door is Ms. Liu Shufen. Ms. Luu was carrying a bulging striped sack. As soon as she entered the door, she began to talk quickly.

"Where is Tong Tuyet? Already at school? I'm about to be hospitalized, he's still in the mood to go to work normally!"

“Mom, please sit down, Don't rush.”

Luc Kien Quan invited his mother into the house. Mrs. Luu put the sack on the ground and looked around the house.

“Look at this house, not even the slightest bit of dust on the table is cleaned, nor is the floor cleaned! What is Tong Tuyet busy with all day? Even the house is not cleaned properly!”

Actually the living room is quite clean. Tong Tuyet has a bit of a cleanliness problem, basically cleaning it once a day. It's just that Luc Kien Quan hasn't been feeling well these past two days, so maybe she's no longer in the mood to clean meticulously.

“Mom, about me being hospitalized…”

“Enter, of course you must enter!” Mrs. Liu took over, "Mom, come with me!" Who dares to leave me alone?

She walked to the master bedroom door and glanced inside. The bed is flat and the pillows are neatly arranged. Move to the extra bedroom door again. The door was ajar. Ms. Luu pushed the door open. The secondary bedroom is furnished very simply, with a single bed, a desk, and a small wardrobe. The bed is covered with light gray sheets and a square folded blanket. On the desk are several lesson plans, a pen lying horizontally on it. The window is open, the wind blows in, carrying the scent of laundry detergent.

“Is he really sleeping alone in this room?” Mrs. Liu turned around and glared at Luc Kien Quan, her face unsightly, "Sharing a bed for eighteen years, he really endured it!"

Luc Kien Quan did not speak.

“You are too tolerant of it!” Mrs. Luu returned to the living room and sat down, "Women cannot be spoiled, the more spoiled they are, the more spoiled they become!" Look at his attitude towards you now? My husband was in the hospital without asking a single question, what kind of system is this!”

Luc Kien Quan heard that and felt a bit annoyed. He had heard words like this too much in the past twenty years. At first, he felt that what his mother said made sense. After hearing it so much that his ears were numb, he was too lazy to bother commenting.

“Mom, this afternoon I have to go to the hospital to check in. Please rest at home for a while.”

“Mom, come with me!” Mrs. Liu immediately stood up, "I have to ask the doctor myself what's wrong with your heart!"

Luc Kien Quan watched her carry the sack, sighed, and said nothing more. He went back to his room to get the documents and change of clothes he had prepared. The house fell silent again, only the sound of the clock ticking.