Chapter 4 — I took my three children and left, and he regretted it

“He said you proactively asked for a divorce.”

But clearly. The divorce agreement was brought by Deputy Canh Sam himself. Even this. He is also lazy to explain the truth. Evening at the convenience store. There was a customer who bought a few cans of beer. My hand that was scanning the code suddenly stopped. The other asked:

“Is something wrong?”

I shook my head.

"Nothing."

“The device is a bit laggy.”

Deputy Canh Sam every time he returns from a social visit. There is always a faint smell of beer on my body. Sometimes I drink too much. He will rest on the sofa for a while. And I sat on the carpet next to it. Quietly look at his face sideways. Don't dare touch. Afraid to wake him up. Now think again. Those secret favorites. From start to finish. It's just me alone performing a one-sided play. One day I left work early. It's only three o'clock in the morning and I'm back. Walking in the middle of a deserted alley. I suddenly missed my children so much. So I suddenly ran faster. Open the door and enter. Niem An is curled up in a blanket. Hearing the noise, I immediately got up. Eyes still sleepy.

“Mom is home?”

I held my child in my arms. The little boy said in a low voice:

“My little brother spit up milk today.”

“I wiped it but it wasn't clean.”

I turned to look at the twins. Niem Du still had a little milk on the corner of his mouth. Niem So sleeps with his arms and legs spread out. The bed sheet indeed had a small wet spot. The top is also covered with a paper towel. It's been dry for a long time. That moment. I hugged Niem An tighter. The bridge of my nose suddenly stings. My son is just over three years old. Should have been pampered in the hearts of parents. But he learned how to take care of his younger brother during long nights without adults around.

“Nien An is very good.”

I bent down and gently kissed my child's forehead. The boy rubbed his eyes and crawled into my arms.

“Mom smells so good.”

“It's the smell of fried chicken.”

I laughed.

“Next to the convenience store there is a fried chicken shop.”

"Wait until I get paid, I'll buy you chicken thighs."

Niem An shook his head.

“I don't want chicken thighs.”

“So what do you want?”

The little boy mumbled:

“I want mom to stop going.”

I don't answer. When I lowered my head, a tear suddenly fell onto my soft hair. On Saturday, Niem An does not have to go to kindergarten. He can help me look after the two of you for a bit. During the day I sleep a few more hours. At night, I took the three children to the night market for a walk. It says it's a night market, but it's actually just a street right at the beginning of the alley. Selling grilled skewers, roasted chestnuts, balloons and some sundry toys. Crowded with people passing by. The lights crowded together, golden and brilliant. It was as if the warmth of the entire day was retained to radiate out at night. Niem An held my hand with one hand. One hand pulls the two children's stroller. Her steps were unsteady but her eyes were curiously looking everywhere. As soon as Niem Du saw the balloon, he called out. Niem So did not react at all. Just staring blankly at the flow of people passing by. I bought three identical balloons. Tied to the wrists of the three brothers. Niem An is very happy. He also said he wanted to buy a gift for his mother. Then the boy took out two coins from his pocket. Standing on tiptoe in front of the hairpin stall, choosing for a long time. Finally, choose a strawberry-shaped clip.

“This is beautiful.”

The boy gave it to me. A pink faux crystal strawberry. The cheapest type at the night market. One for one. I squatted down so my child could help me put it on my hair. Niem An looked for a moment then smiled.

“Mom looks like a princess.”

"So Are you a prince?”

The boy thought seriously. Then shake your head.

“I'm not a prince.”

“I'm a bodyguard.”

“I will protect the princess.”

The man selling baked potatoes next door heard that and immediately burst out laughing. Then conveniently put another potato in my bag for me.

“This boy is really well taught.”

“Your mouth is so sweet.”

I quickly thank you. He wiped his hands on his apron. Bend down and look at the twins in the stroller. Then look at me. Look at Niem An again. The smile on his face gradually receded.

“Three of you?”

“Yes, three of you.”

He didn't ask anything more. Choose only the largest potato. Wrap it in two more layers of paper and stuff it into my bag.

“This potato doesn't take money.”

"Consider it a blessing for your children and grandchildren and my children."

I couldn't refuse forever. Have to accept it. Go to a hoops booth. Niem An stood there and refused to leave. His eyes were fixed on a small teddy bear just the size of a hand. I took ten yuan to buy five bracelets. Niem An threw four times and missed. The last time was almost a hit. But the bracelet popped out. The stall owner is a young man. Seeing that, he immediately picked up the bear. Stuffed into Niem An's heart.

"If you like it, I'll give it to you too."

Niem An hugged the bear tightly.