Chapter 20 — I Was Evicted From Home In The Middle Of The Night, I Rebuilt A Home For My Children

“When I grow up, I want to be an artist.”

“I will draw lots and lots of pictures.”

“Sell for money.”

“Then buy mom a big house.”

I laughed.

“Is this house not big enough?”

Niem Niem thought seriously. A moment later he said:

“That's enough.”

“Then I'll buy a lot more crayons.”

“Agree.”

Eat all the cherries. The girl hugged the plate and ran into the kitchen. A five and a half year old girl. Stand tall on tiptoes. Place the plate on the table. The plate is slightly tilted. Almost fell down. I put my hand back. Niem Niem immediately turned around.

“I can do it myself.”

“Do it yourself.”

She carefully adjusted the plate neatly. Then turned his head to look at me. Show a bright smile. Like the sunlight in those paintings. Still bright. Still warm. And finally. It really shined into the lives of us and our mother. On Niem Niem's sixth birthday, I took a leave of absence from work. To Mang also came. This time we didn't go out anymore. The three of them celebrated their birthday together at home. To Mang makes sweet and sour stir-fried ribs. Favorite Niem Niem dish. And I made egg fried rice and seaweed egg soup. Birthday cake has been ordered in advance. A six-layer mini cake. On top is an ice cream bunny. Just saw the cake. Niem Niem shouted: Six candles were placed on the cake. Niem Niem closed her eyes. Clasp your hands in front of your chest. Silently wishing. To Mang curiously asked:

“What do you wish for this time?”

“Don't say anything.”

Niem Niem shook his head.

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

The child took a deep breath. Six candles went out in one go. To Mang clapped his hands. I also clapped along. Niem Niem seriously cut the cake. The knife is quite large. I had to stand next to help. The first cut is off to one side. But strangely enough. The pieces of cake after that were almost equal.

“This piece is for auntie.”

“This piece is for mom.”

“This piece is for you.”

I pointed to the remaining piece of cake.

“So what about this piece?”

Niem Niem looked for a moment. Then say:

“Put it in the refrigerator.”

“Next time dad comes, give him something to eat.”

To Mang turned to look at me. I just shook my head slightly. Say nothing. Finished eating the cake. Niem Niem started opening birthday gifts. To Mang's gift was a box of seventy-two colored crayons. The girl sat in the middle of the room. Carefully count each tree one by one. Count for five minutes. Finally shouted happily:

“Seventy-two colors!”

“Twenty-four more than the old set!”

To Mang burst out laughing.

“Eldest aunt chose the most complete set for you.”

Niem Niem hugs a box of colored pencils. Rotate three times in a row. And my gift. Is an easel. Fits perfectly next to the window in her room. See that gift. Niem Niem stood stunned for a few seconds.

“This is…”

“For painting.”

“After this, I can stand and draw.”

Niem Niem immediately rushed forward. Hug my feet.

“I will paint the most beautiful picture!”

She dragged the easel to the window. Insert the paper. Open a box of seventy-two colored crayons. Then start painting one stroke at a time. A house. There are rose bushes. In front of the house. There are three people. An adult. Two little people. Next to the adult are two words: A small person writes:

“Nem Niem.”

The other wrote: It's a really big sun. Under the sun. There is a row of crooked letters.

“Our house.”

To Mang leaned his head over to look. Immediately spoke up:

“Wait.”

“Why did you draw the eldest aunt so short?”

Niem Niem is extremely strict complete:

“Because the eldest aunt is not tall.”

To Mang immediately chased her around the house. Niem Niem burst out laughing. Hide behind me. I stood next to the window. The shadows of the rose bushes on the balcony cast onto the floor. Gently shake. That evening. After To Mang returned. I clean the dining table. Niem Niem has finished bathing. Wear soft pajamas. Sit in front of your new easel. Still continuing to color.

“Nem Niem.”

“It's time to sleep.”

“Give me one more minute.”

“Just a minute.”

The child bowed her head. Add final touches to the picture. A red flower.

"Done!"

The child jumped off the chair. Waddle over to the bed. Get yourself under the blanket. I pulled the blanket up to my child's chin. Niem Niem looked up at me.

“Today is my happiest birthday.”

“Even more fun than last year?”

“More fun than any other year.”

Niem Niem blinked. Calmly replied:

“Because now we have our own house.”

I turned off the light. The streetlight shines through the curtains. Fall onto the easel. The sun on the painting is still wet. Niem Niem turned over. Muttering in sleep:

“Good night mom.”

"Good night."

I stood at the door of her room for a long time. The room is twelve square meters wide. The bank card only had 3,000 yuan left. The hallway was cold at two in the morning. They all existed. And the present is also real. This room. This easel. This box of seventy-two color crayons. Rose bushes outside the window. The sunshine of tomorrow. It's all real. I quietly closed the door. Go out to the living room. Open the CPA textbook. Turn to today's lesson. The desk lamp is still on. The whole house fell into silence. On the tea table. Still placing the painting Niem Niem just painted. Under the sun. Three people standing in front of a house. Below is the scribbled text:

“Our house.”

I turned to the next page. And keep moving forward.