Chapter 14 — I Was Evicted From Home In The Middle Of The Night, I Rebuilt A Home For My Children

I don't feel angry. Don't feel sad either. Just looks wild. From start to finish. Everything is so wild. Opposite the dining table. Niem Niem is attentively eating fish. She carefully removed each bone. Set aside. Take it very seriously.

“The fish is so delicious today.”

“From now on, I will cook for you often.”

“No way.”

Niem Niem immediately shook his head.

“Eating fish every day will get boring.”

“Must change dishes.”

“Next time eldest aunt comes, I want to eat ribs.”

To Mang burst out laughing.

“Eldest aunt made it for me.”

Niem Niem is satisfied. Smile from ear to ear. On the dining table. Three pairs of chopsticks. Then the story of DNA testing spread. The group of parents at the kindergarten were once again rioting. Someone tagged me.

“To Van, I heard that that woman's baby is not Han Thanh's child?”

I don't answer. Someone sent a private message again.

“Oh my god, this is so absurd!”

“Is Han Thanh being cheated on?”

“His mother used to show off everywhere!”

I still didn't answer. On to the third day. Han Thanh called me. It was after eleven o'clock at night. I just finished putting Niem Niem to sleep. Sitting alone in the living room. The phone suddenly rang. It's Han Thanh's number. He rarely calls this late. Usually if he needs to be contacted, he will call during office hours. I looked at the screen for a while. Finally still answered the phone. His voice was hoarse. It sounded like he had just been drinking.

"What is up?"

“You know, right?”

“The story of DNA results.”

“I know.”

The other end of the line was silent for a few seconds. Then he called again:

“Are you very stupid?”

I don't answer.

“If there is something important, say it.”

“If not, I'll hang up.”

His voice broke. A moment later he said:

“I want to remarry.”

I sit on the sofa. Hold the phone in your hand. The whole room was in darkness. There was only a little light from the street lamp outside the window.

“Han Thanh.”

“Let's talk when you're sober.”

“I don't get drunk much.”

“I'm serious.”

“I've thought it through carefully.”

“Trieu Tieu Man is my mistake.”

“Your mother also did wrong.”

“But I am Niem Niem's mother.”

“We are still a family…”

“Not anymore.”

I interrupted him.

“The verdict has taken effect.”

“You can cancel it...”

“Han Thanh.”

I interrupted again.

“The day you let your mother kick me out of the house at two in the morning.”

“You told me to clean everything up and go away.”

“When you transfer assets.”

“You even forged my signature.”

“When I transferred 194,000 yuan to Zhao Xiaoman.”

“You told me the company was in trouble again, telling me to save money.”

“Han Thanh.”

“You are not stupid now.”

“You have been stupid for a long time.”

“It's just that in the past I chose the right person to disappoint.”

The other end of the line was completely silent. I breathed out softly.

“Go live your life.”

“Remember to transfer pension money on time.”

I hung up. The phone screen goes dark. Outside the window. Street lights cover the flower beds in the yard. The rose bushes are blooming brilliantly. Han Thanh has not given up yet. He mentioned remarriage more than once. The second time was at Niem Niem's birthday party. As agreed, I let him see my child. The location is a McDonald's under the apartment complex. Three o'clock in the afternoon. Niem Niem has not seen Han Thanh for nearly a year. When he appeared. Neat clothes. In his hand he carried a large gift bag. Beside filled with stuffed animals and a pink school bag. Niem Niem looked at him. Hesitate for a few seconds. Then softly called out: Han Thanh immediately squatted down.

“Nem Niem.”

“Happy birthday to you.”

He opened the gift bag. Niem Niem flipped through each item. Finally hugged a teddy bear.

“Thank you, dad.”

Very polite tone. So polite that it was like thanking a strange uncle. Han Thanh's hand slightly stopped. I sat at the next table. Don't step forward. He ordered Niem Niem a children's meal. She ate small pieces of potato chips. Han Thanh sat opposite. Many times I wanted to say something. But then again. Finally asked:

“Nem Niem.”

“Are you familiar with the new kindergarten?”

Niem Niem blinked.

“What is familiar?”

“Are you happy?”

“I have a new friend.”

“Her name is Duyet Duyet.”

“She also likes painting.”

“It's a good painting.”

“Mom bought me a new box of crayons.”

“Forty-eight colors.”

Han Thanh unconsciously looked at me. I don't look back. Just bow your head and scroll through your phone. Niem Niem arranged the stuffed animals in a row on the table. Then excitedly asked:

“Dad, do you want to see my drawing?”

Niem Niem immediately pulled out the drawing book that I always carry in my bag. Turn the pages one by one. Two adults. A child.

“This is mom.”

“This is the eldest aunt.”

“This is me.”

“Auntie To Mang?”

“Eldest aunt cooks very well.”

“It tastes better than mom.”

The corner of Han Thanh's lips moved slightly. Niem Niem turns over. Go to the last page. The whole page is covered in red.

“What is this?”

Han Thanh asked.

“Heart.”

“A very big heart.”

“I gave it to my mother.”

Han Thanh looked at the painting for a long time.