Chapter 10 — I took my three children and left, and he regretted it

Niem An bit her lip. Say nothing. The woman immediately interrupted:

“What more reason do you need?”

“Isn't it normal for children to fight?”

“There is indeed a tendency towards violence.”

“Surely the family doesn't know how to teach…”

“I'm asking my son.”

I stood up. Calmly look at her.

“And your son.”

“Have you asked yet?”

The other woman choked. Then gently pushed the boy next to him.

“You say it.”

“Why fight?”

The fat boy cried and hiccuped.

“I... I told her she doesn't have a father...”

“It's a feral child…”

“Then he beat me…”

The whole room suddenly fell silent. I bowed my head to look at Niem An. My lips are pressed tightly into a straight line. Eye sockets are red. But still stubbornly refused to let the tears fall. I squatted down. Adjust your child's collar that is pulled askew. Gently say:

“It's not right to hit people.”

“Even if other people say harsh things.”

“I can't use my fists to solve it either.”

Niem An raised her head to look at me. The hardness in his eyes gradually crumbled.

“But she said I don't have a father…”

The voice was choked and pitiful. I looked straight into my child's eyes.

“Don't you have a father?”

Niem An was stunned.

“I have three.”

“My father's name is Pho Canh Sam.”

“My son and I both have the last name Pho.”

“My name is Pho Niem An.”

“The younger brother is Pho Niem Du.”

“The youngest brother is Pho Niem Chu.”

“Everything is clearly recorded in the household registration book.”

I speak very slowly. Every word is so clear.

“Other people don't know.”

“It doesn't mean you three don't exist.”

“But you can't beat someone because of that.”

"If you encounter something like this in the future, you must notify the teacher first."

"Is that Okay?"

Niem An finally burst into tears. Jump into my heart. Crying so much that my whole body was shaking. The couple facing each other looked at each other. His face looked a bit awkward. The woman just now was still aggressive. Now stammering again:

“My child talks without thinking…”

“Sorry.”

I don't look at her. Just picked up Niem An. Then tell the teacher:

“I would like to give my child a day off today.”

“I'll take my child to get his wound treated first.”

Exit the school gate. Niem An was still lying on my shoulder, sobbing. I just held my child along the way home. A moment later. The child suddenly spoke up:

“Where are you, Dad?”

“Why doesn't dad come visit us?”

Some corn leaves were blown away by the wind and fell to the side of the road. I stopped walking. Gently hold your baby a little higher.

“Because dad did something wrong.”

“And still haven't figured out how to face my children.”

“But it's okay.”

“We don't need to rely on dad.”

“Just need mom and kids.”

“We can still live very well.”

"Right?"

Niem An was silent for a long time. Then nodded slightly. Just arrived at the beginning of the alley. Ms. Tran saw the wound on Niem An's face. Immediately got angry.

“Who's fighting?”

“Let me go to school and ask about it!”

I quickly pulled her back. Briefly tell the beginning and end of the story. Ms. Tran was silent for a few seconds. Then sighed deeply.

“This child…”

“Exactly the same personality as you.”

Niem An sat on the doorstep. The twins staggered forward. One on the left. One on the right. Let's lean on my brother's knee. Look up at her little face. Niem Du called in a soft voice: Niem So still didn't say anything. Just raised his chubby hand and gently touched the scratch on his brother's face. Niem An burst out laughing. Open your arms and hug both of you heart.

“I'm okay.”

I stood leaning against the door frame. Look at the three children embracing each other. There was a feeling in my heart that was difficult to describe in words. Niem Du is sick. At two o'clock in the morning, I started having a high fever. I've taken fever-reducing medicine but my temperature still hasn't gone down. The little face turned red. Dreamy and sobbing. I took the electronic thermometer to test it. That moment. Everyone calm down. All reason. All self-talk must be steadfast. All broken into pieces. I shook Niem An awake.

“Please help me look after my youngest brother.”

Then he picked up Niem Du and rushed out. The street lights in the alley are still broken. I ran quickly. Footsteps are sometimes deep and sometimes shallow. Go to the main road. Standing in the middle of the street hailing a taxi. It took a long time for one to stop. The driver saw a woman holding a child with a fever so high that she almost collapsed. Immediately step on the accelerator faster than usual. Niem Du lies in my heart. Fever to the point of constantly moaning softly. The small hand held my collar tightly. The mouth vaguely called out: One word at a time. Like a knife cutting into my heart. I hugged my child tightly. Constantly kissing my child's sweaty hair. There was only one thought left in my heart. Pray to heaven and earth. Please don't take my son away. Arriving at the hospital, I registered for emergency treatment, lined up, and paid the hospital fee. After examination, the doctor concluded that Niem Du had acute laryngitis with high fever. Infusion must be given immediately. When the nurse inserted the needle, Niem Du cried until his voice was hoarse. I held my child's little arm tightly. My heart hurts like someone is choking me. There aren't many people in the infusion room. The chair next to it is still empty. I hugged Niem Du and sat down. After the infusion, the child gradually calmed down. The little head rested on my chest. Even though we were separated by a layer of clothing, I could still clearly feel the heat of my child's body. The phone suddenly vibrated. It was a WeChat call from an old phone I left at home. Niem An called. I immediately received the phone.