Chapter 3 — Mom's Perfect Cousin

Mouth said: "Auntie, it's okay, I'm not tired." “I'm used to it at home.” “Auntie and uncle should rest quickly.” Surely my mother will be heartbroken. Hold its hand and tell it to rest. Then push the fruit plate in front of it. “Eat quickly, eat quickly, you look tired.” “Your father also said that this child is really good.” Mom continued talking on the phone. "My younger brother also likes it, he keeps calling 'Sister Hieu Van, Sister Hieu Van'." “He also said that Hieu Van plays the game better than me.” I said "yes" once. Open project documents. “He also said he would cook dinner for him.” “Wanted to show off my forte to us.” “Mom said no need, I just arrived.” "He said you're not at home, he has to take good care of us on your behalf." “Listen, listen to this sentence, how heartwarming it is.” I heard it. Take care of me for me. It's as if I'm the owner of this house, and he's the guest. But its actions are like declaring sovereignty. “Okay.” I said. “Then everyone, let's taste her skills.” "Sure!" Mother's voice was gentle. “Okay, I won't tell you anymore, I have to go watch Hieu Van cook.” “Outside, take good care of yourself.” The last sentence was said extremely quickly. Like a convenient process to mention. The phone is disconnected. That evening, she did not call again. I guess. That meal was largely not a success. The next day. Mom called again. This time, her voice was a little less cheerful. A little more forced justification. “Hieu Van is still not used to our kitchen.” She preempted it. “Last night's fish dish was just a little too salty.” “The ribs are a bit too fiery.” “But it's okay, you're young, you can practice more.” I said nothing. Listen to her continue. “Today he said he wanted to wash clothes.” “Take all our dirty clothes and wash them.” “Mom told me to let her do it, but she absolutely refused.” “He said this is what he should do.” “What a good kid.” I looked at the data on the computer screen. Suddenly asked a question. “Mom, have you put away Dad's cashmere sweater?” That shirt is completely handmade. Cannot be machine washed. Every time I hand wash it and then lay it flat to dry. The other end of the phone was silent. The silence lasted for more than ten seconds. Then, mother's voice rang out again. “Put… put away!” “Mom put it away a long time ago!” "Don't worry about family matters anymore, Hieu Van is here!" “He's much more careful than me!” She quickly hung up the phone. 05 The real explosion. Coming from my younger brother. Those are the more than a dozen voice messages I received. I opened each news to listen. "Older sister!" The first news was a heart-wrenching scream. In the background was my mother's shrill scream. “Who are you screaming at!” “My limited edition jersey!” Second news. His younger brother's voice carried the sound of crying. "There are only a thousand of them in the whole world! It's the one I asked someone to bring back from abroad!" “It's gone!” "That woman! She threw it in the washing machine with her jeans!" “Also for disinfectant!” "It's all ruined! It's been dyed blue and white!" I can imagine what that shirt would look like. Pure white color. Above is the football star's handwritten signature. It was a birthday gift I bought him with my first month's salary. It is as precious as a treasure. Every time I wear it, I carefully hand it over to me. “Sister, please.” Now. It has turned into a rag. “I risked my life with her!” In the voice message came the sound of his younger brother's roar. Then there was a "bang" sound. Like something crashed. Right after that. Is the typical explanation that carries the cry of the cousin. “Sorry… I'm sorry…” “I didn't know that shirt was so precious…” “I just found it dirty and wanted to help you clean it…” “I didn't mean to… really…” I can even imagine its expression. Innocent, pitiful, and pitiful. Indeed. Mother's fighting power immediately exploded. “Shut up!” She shouted at my younger brother. “I'm a boy, why bother comparing with a girl!” "Isn't it just a torn shirt! Is that necessary!" "Hieu Van was kind enough to help me do the laundry! If I don't appreciate it, I'll just get angry with him!" “Do you still have a conscience!” "D

Oh, it's not a torn shirt!” The younger brother also screamed. “That's what I bought for you!” “What do you know, Mom!” “Mom, you know something? Mom raised me in vain!” Mom's voice became hysterical. “Just because of a shirt, I want to lay hands on my cousin!” “Do you still have this mother in your eyes?” “He is my sister's guest! Mom's guest!” “Today I have to apologize to Hieu Van!” “I'm not sorry!” The younger brother's voice was stubborn. “The one who should apologize is her!” “Tell her to give me my shirt back!” "Temple? What does he have to pay for it? Mom laughed coldly. “He's just a student, where will he get the money!” “I'm forcing it!” "I see you've been spoiled by your sister, I really don't know how high and how thick the earth is!" The flames of war eventually spread to me. Even though I'm two thousand kilometers away. In the next few voice messages. There were chaotic sounds of arguing and crying. With my father's voice helplessly admonishing me.