Chapter 17 — I Was Evicted From Home In The Middle Of The Night, I Rebuilt A Home For My Children

Sit neatly in front of the table. Start drawing. A house. There is a main door. In front of the house. Standing an adult. And a child. Next to the picture. She used scribbled handwriting to write three words. Just learned how to read not long ago. The handwriting is still crooked.

“Mom's house.”

I picked up the picture. Use clear tape to stick it on the wall of her room. Paste right in the middle. In the most visible position. Because I know. From now on. It truly is our home. Not the Han family. Not anyone else's house. It's To Van and Niem Niem's house. After that, Trieu Tieu Man once sent me a WeChat message. She used a strange account to friend me. The message reads:

"Sister To, I'm Trieu Tieu Man."

"I know you probably don't want to hear me say it."

"But I still want to apologize to you."

I don't answer. One minute later. She sent another message.

"The baby has already been born."

"It's a boy."

"I have returned to my hometown."

"About Han Thanh, you were wrong."

"It's not when you're pregnant that it's wrong."

"Which was wrong from the start."

"I don't expect you to forgive me."

"Just wanted you to know that."

I read it once. Then delete the conversation. Don't think any more. There are people. It's not worth wasting my emotions. After Trieu Tieu Man's story. Life finally becomes peaceful. Teaching Recitation and Literacy. Take her to the park to play on weekends. To Mang visits once a week. Sometimes bring fruit. Sometimes I bring picture books. One day, I even went to the kitchen to cook a meal. Stand outside on the balcony. She suddenly said to me:

“You should think about learning something else.”

I turned my head to look at her.

“What do you mean?”

“Administrative work is stable.”

“But the development opportunity is not high.”

“I studied accounting before.”

“How about reviewing your CPA certification?”

I laughed.

“I'm thirty years old.”

“What about thirty?”

To Mang looked at me. The voice was very calm.

“Thirty years old, starting again.”

“It's still better than living in Han Thanh's house and suffering until the age of forty.”

I leaned against the railing. Look down. Niem Niem is chasing a butterfly by the flower bed.

“So do I have to register for classes?”

“Learning online is okay.”

“Let me find it for you.”

That evening. To Mang sent me the course link. Thenceforth. After Niem Niem sleeps. I started studying again. From nine o'clock to eleven o'clock. The CPA curriculum is thicker than I thought. But it's okay. Half a year ago. I have overcome much more difficult things. Niem Niem's fifth birthday. To Mang brought a cake. Strawberry flavor. The child's favorite dish. In the kitchen of the new house. I made four dishes. Stir-fried sweet and sour ribs. Stir-fried eggs with tomatoes. Shrimp in garlic sauce. And stir-fried green cabbage. This kitchen is less than half the size of the kitchen in Han Thanh's house. But that's enough. Niem Niem sat in front of the dining table. In front is a cake. On the cake were placed five candles.

“Nem Niem.”

“Wish quickly.”

The child closed her eyes. Both hands clasped in front of chest. Lips moving. A moment later. The baby opened her eyes.

"Done."

“What are you dreaming about?”

“Don't say anything.”

"If you say it out loud, it won't be right."

To Mang laughed. I also laughed. While blowing out the candles. Niem Niem used too much force. Blow the frosting to decorate the top of the cake. The baby let out a cry. Then use your fingers to carefully adjust it.

“Still not straight.”

“It's naturally beautiful like this.”

That evening. After To Mang returned. I stood in the kitchen washing dishes. Niem Niem pulled a small chair next to him. Take the towel and help me clean the dishes.

“Her wish just now.”

“I wish mom to be happy every day.”

The bowl in my hand almost fell into the sink. I looked at the baby.

“More important than crayons?”

Niem Niem nodded vigorously.

“More important.”

“If I'm happy, I'll buy you crayons.”

“So you have to wish for that first.”

Her reasoning is completely without loopholes. I bent down. Gently kiss the top of your child's head.

“Mom is happy every day.”

"Really?"

Niem Niem was immediately satisfied. Continue diligently cleaning the bowl. The small chair under her feet suddenly slid on the tile floor. I quickly reached out my hand to help. Niem Niem raised her head. Smile with me. Such a brilliant color. Even her box of forty-eight colored crayons. Can't even draw it.