Chapter 21 — I'm Busy All My Life, And You're Lonely

“Retribution.” Tong Man said decisively, "I see God has eyes, let him taste what it feels like to be bedridden and no one cares."

Tong Tuyet smiled bitterly.

“Looking back now, he hasn't reached the point where 'no one cares'.”

“That's right, I have you.” Tong Man looked at her, "Why are you so soft-hearted? How did he treat you before, now you're running around stewing soup for him, taking notes on this and that?"

“This has nothing to do with being soft-hearted.” Tong Tuyet replied, "This is responsibility."

"Responsibility?" Tong Man smiled faintly, "So is he responsible for you?"

Tong Tuyet was silent.

“If you are determined to divorce, then divorce.” Tong Man regained his emotions, "I didn't come here to make things difficult for you. You don't divorce, I won't advise you anymore. I just want to let you know, the marriage that you consider to be maintained by 'picking up your life' is actually not as heavy as you imagine."

Tong Tuyet looked up at the ceiling. The lights of the hospital lobby were a bit blinding.

“Sister,” she suddenly asked, “What did you advise me in the past?”

“When I first discovered the tumor.” Tong Tuyet recalled, "She told me something on the phone, which I remember to this day."

Tong Man frowned and thought for a moment.

"Back then... did you say to think carefully about how you want to live your whole life?"

“I said, your life shouldn't revolve around just one man.” Tong Tuyet said softly, "I said, even if we get divorced, you still have a job and children, so you won't be unable to live."

“Back then, I just blurted it out.” Tong Man sighed, "At that time, you were only thinking negatively, so I had to tell you the worst situation directly to make you less afraid."

“But I'm not divorced.” Tong Tuyet smiled, "I think, if my life has been reclaimed, this marriage should also be reclaimed a bit. What will be the result? It turns out that the life is not lost, but the marriage has died a long time ago."

Tong Man looked at his sister, a trace of pain flashed through his eyes.

“What are you going to do now?”

“Just bear with him through this hospital stay.” Tong Tuyet said, "When his body stabilizes, we will sit down and talk to each other properly."

“What are we talking about?”

“Discuss how we will live the next days.” Tong Tuyet replied, "To live one's own life, or to continue to endure each other, there must be an answer."

“What about yourself?” Tong Man asked, "In your heart, do you want to continue or do you want to end?"

Tong Tuyet did not answer immediately. She was silent for a long time before speaking.

“I don't dare say whether I want it or not anymore.” She said, "Over the years, I've always used the word 'want' to deceive myself and others. I wanted him to change for the better, I wanted life to be different, I wanted to wait until Tu Ngang grew up so we could be more relieved. What was the result? Now I only believe in one thing."

“People won't suddenly wake up just because you endured so much anger.” Tong Tuyet said, "He doesn't understand, because he has never stood in your position to think. Now that he is lying on the hospital bed, maybe he will reflect on himself for a while. But when he gets better, will he return to the way he was before? I don't know."

Tong Man nodded.

“Finally I can say a real sentence.”

“So I don't want to draw conclusions right now.” Tong Tuyet said, "I have to consider whether this time he is really afraid to change."

“Are you still holding on to hope?” Tong Man frowned.

“Not hope.” Tong Tuyet shook her head, "But I don't want to blame myself later, why didn't I give him a chance before?"

She paused for a moment.

"I also don't want people to talk about me and say that I took advantage of his illness to force him to divorce."

“Who dares to tell you?” Tong Man's eyes widened, "You're the first person who won't forgive him."