Chapter 1 — I'm No Longer A Reasonable Daughter-in-law

As soon as my father-in-law announced that my brother-in-law's family of four would move in permanently, I immediately turned around and hugged my daughter back to my grandmother, leaving the whole house for them to reunite completely. The father-in-law put his chopsticks on the table and cleared his throat as if signaling something important.

"Dad has something to say. Next week, your sister's family of four will move here permanently."

The atmosphere on the dining table suddenly stopped for two seconds, so quiet that you could hear the light sound of bowls and chopsticks touching. The mother-in-law calmly scooped the last spoonful of braised pork from the pot and placed it in Ha Man's son's bowl, from beginning to end without even glancing at the tiny bowl that my daughter - little Doa Doa - was waiting for. I finished swallowing the rice, used a tissue to wipe the corner of my mouth, my voice was calm as if talking about the weather:

“Yes, that's fine.”

I paused for a moment, then continued, still softly:

"Coincidentally, I just quit my job last week. I'm planning to take Doa Doa back to my grandmother's for a while. There are so many people here, it's even more bustling."

The whole dining table seemed frozen. The mother-in-law was so startled that she almost dropped her chopsticks:

"You quit your job? Since when?"

“Since last Friday.” I smiled, "I think I should spend more time with my child."

The father-in-law's face immediately darkened:

“Is it such a big deal that you don't discuss it with your family?”

"Discussion?" I repeated those two words slowly, as if sipping each syllable. “So about my sister's family moving in permanently... have you asked for your opinion yet?”

Doa Doa gently pulled my sleeve and said in a small voice:

“Mom… I'm full.”

I bent down, picked up my child, and stood up.

"Everyone, please continue eating. I'll go ahead and clean up first."

Turning away, I caught a glimpse of Ha Tuan - my husband - standing there with a hesitant expression, as if he wanted to say something but didn't. As for Ha Man and her family... they were as leisurely as if everything should be like that. The day I submitted my resignation letter, the design director called me into a private room.

“To Uyen, have you thought about it carefully?” She took off her glasses, gently rubbed her temples, her voice full of regret. "I'm in charge of the commercial complex project in the East of the city. I have to report to the investor next week. Coming at such an important time, my year-end competition..."

“I have considered it.”

“Is there something going on at home?” Her voice softened, "The company appreciates you very much, the main designer position next year is almost already decided for you."

“It's okay.” I smiled lightly, "I'm just a little tired and want to rest for a while."

Leaving the office building, the four o'clock afternoon sunlight was still bright. I stood silently on the side of the road for a few minutes, my mind blank, until I suddenly remembered that it was time to pick up Doa Doa from kindergarten. She is five and a half years old and is in grade school. When I rushed over, it was squatting next to the flower bed, intently looking at the prey ants.

"Mom!" He jumped up and ran, the backpack on his back bouncing with each step, "Why did mom come to pick me up today?"

“From now on, I will come pick you up every day.” I held its tiny hand.

“Really, Mom?” His eyes sparkled, "So tomorrow, mom, will you take me to painting class?"

“What about the day after tomorrow?”

"That's OK."

She was so happy that she jumped up and down, her pigtails swaying in the sunset. At that moment, I suddenly realized that quitting my job was probably the best decision of my life. What if… that decision Don't accidentally bump into something else. At seven o'clock in the evening, I opened the door and entered the house. The living room is as messy as a small market. Ha Man and her husband Trieu Loi occupied the entire sofa, the two older children were fighting over the tablet on the tea table, the youngest was lying on the carpet crying loudly. The mother-in-law brought a plate of watermelon she had just cut from the kitchen, her face beaming.

“Are you back?” The father-in-law put down the newspaper, "Just in time, there's something to talk about."

I placed Doa Doa's backpack neatly aside.

"Ha Man and his wife's rental contract has expired. The landlord raised the price too much, so they can no longer rent." He spoke in a monotone voice as if at a family meeting. "Their new house is being repaired, it will take another seven or eight months to complete. I mean let them come here to stay temporarily."

My movement of changing shoes stopped.

“How long will you stay?”

“Just over half a year.” The mother-in-law quickly replied, "For everyone in the family, it's normal to help each other a little."

Ha Tuan sat at the corner of the dining table, bowed his head and scrolled through his phone, from beginning to end without saying a word.

“My house has three bedrooms and two living rooms.” I tried to keep my voice calm, "My parents have one room, my husband and I have one room, and the rest is my office. What kind of arrangement will I have with four more people?"

“Clean up the office for the two older children.” The mother-in-law clearly had already planned, "The child sleeps with his parents. Man and his wife spread out their sleeping mattresses in the living room. How spacious is that?"

I turned to look at Ha Tuan. He finally raised his head, his eyes glanced at me and then immediately avoided: "Dad, I told you, it's only been more than half a year."

“Doa Doa's drawing supplies and watercolors are all kept in the office.” I said.

“Let's temporarily move into your bedroom.” The father-in-law firmly agreed.

At this point, Ha Man spoke up, her voice as sweet as honey: "Sister-in-law, I'm so shy, I'm bothering you. But we're really at a loss. You also know how expensive it is to rent a house now, and finding a suitable place for a family with three children is even more difficult..." She held her youngest child in her arms, the boy was pulling her mother's earring, intending to put it in her mouth. Three children, the eldest is eight years old, the middle one is five years old, and the youngest is just over a year old. The next eight months seemed to automatically appear in my mind: the living room was always noisy, the bathroom always had a line, the refrigerator was so full that it couldn't close, and the quiet... completely disappeared.

“So it's decided.” The father-in-law stood up and finished his "announcement".

At dinner, Ha Man's family naturally stayed to eat. Mother-in-law made a table full of dishes. Braised chicken wings with soy sauce, tenderloin with sweet and sour sauce, steamed sea bass, steamed shrimp with garlic... all Ha Man's favorite dishes. Ha Tuan and I have been married for six years. My mother-in-law clearly remembers that Ha Tuan does not eat coriander, remembers that Ha Man loves sweets, but never remembers that I am allergic to pepper. Every time she cooks, she conveniently throws in a big handful.

“Eat more, child.” Her mother-in-law kept bringing food to Ha Man, "Look, taking care of three children makes me skinny."

Trieu Loi, while feeding his youngest child, interjected: "Mom, you don't know, lately Min's company is not doing well, every day she worries about being laid off, and can't sleep well."

“Fired?” The mother-in-law's voice immediately rose.

“It's okay mom, for now my department is fine.” Ha Man bowed his head to eat.