Chapter 8 — Mom's Perfect Cousin

“Room rent, electricity, water and food, three thousand yuan per month.” “Pay half a year in advance.” “Eighteen thousand.” “Total total is thirty-one thousand eight hundred yuan.” “Now give me the money immediately.” “After giving the money, she can continue to stay.” Hieu Van's crying suddenly stopped. Perhaps it was unexpected. The cousin is gentle and easy to talk to in its impression. It will become so meticulous. Mom was also surprised. "Chu Nhien! Are you crazy?" "He's my cousin! How can I make such clear calculations with him!" “Why not?” I asked back. “Brothers still have to make clear calculations.” “When you compared her to me, why didn't you remember that she was my cousin?” “When you told her to come 'teach' me how to work, why didn't you remember that we were relatives?” “In my mother's eyes, isn't she always closer than this biological daughter?” My series of counter questions. Like repeated slaps. Cruelty fell on mother's face. She couldn't say a word. I could only breathe in loud gasps. “Thirty-one thousand eight hundred.” I looked at Hieu Van and repeated it once. “Now take out the money.” “Or leave now.” “I choose it myself.” Hieu Van's eyes turned towards his mother. He hopes for his aunt who can't do anything. Maybe like before, stand up for it. Even replacing it took out this amount of money. But mother disappointed him. Mom avoided his eyes. Bow. Choose silence. Because she knows. She has no money. The right to manage this family's finances is always in my hands. Her pension is not enough to buy her own clothes and nutritional supplements. Hieu Van's eyes turned from expectation to disappointment. Finally turned into despair. It understood. It cannot continue to stay in this house anymore. Its support has collapsed. It slowly stood up. Dry your tears. Don't say a word. Quietly went into the "princess room" that she had only been in for ten days. Start packing your luggage. I turned around to look at my parents. “Now, let's talk.” “About the future rules of this family.” 12 “First.” I looked at dad. "In the future, no one other than myself will be allowed to enter my office." “Dad's documents, he arranged them himself.” “If you need my help, okay, charge each time.” “Each arrangement is one hundred yuan.” Dad was stunned. Then smiled bitterly and nodded. "Okay." "Monday." I looked at my mother. “The housework will be done by the three of us in turns.” "Today you buy food to cook, tomorrow it's mom's turn to wash the dishes and clean the house." “The day after tomorrow it's Dad's turn.” “No one should think of being lazy.” “If anyone doesn't want to do it, they can pay to hire someone to do it for them.” “Rent me, fifty yuan an hour.” “If you hire a maid, it's at the market price.” Mother's lips moved slightly. She swallowed back the rebuttals. Silently nodded. "Tuesday." I continued talking. "The younger brother's living expenses and extra tuition will be paid by his parents in the future." “My parents' pension is enough.” “Your salary is your own.” “You have the right to decide how to use it.” “Save money, travel or buy what you like.” “It has nothing to do with parents.” To this, the mother's reaction was the greatest. “How can that be!” She shouted. "My younger brother is still in school! There are many places to spend money!" "You're her older sister, shouldn't you help her?" "Should." I nodded. “But I have helped for many years, now I want to rest.” “Mom, he is also your son.” "A mother cannot just enjoy the benefits of motherhood without fulfilling her duties as a mother." “Raising him into a useless person who only knows how to ask his sister for money is not beneficial for his mother or him.” Dad sat next to me and chimed in. “Chu Nhien is right.” “The son's expenses will be our responsibility.” Mother is isolated, there is no one to help. So angry that my whole body trembled. But nothing can be done. “Fourth, and last thing.” My eyes fell on my mother again. “Later, in this family.” “I don't want to hear anyone compare me to others.” “Especially comparing you to my 'perfect niece'.” “I'm not perfect, and I don't want to be perfect.” “You are you.” “If mom can't c

It's okay to accept it." “You can move out.” “This family, the parents take care of themselves.” Having said these four things. I pulled the suitcase. Return to your room. The room was once occupied by Hieu Van, then I reclaimed it. I close the door. Separate everything outside. That afternoon. Hieu Van left. Dad drove him to the bus station. Mom didn't go to see me off. She locked herself in her room and didn't come out all afternoon. Evening. Dad knocked on my door. He gave me a bank card. “There are fifty thousand yuan in here.” “Let it be… Dad compensates me.” “The past years have taken a toll on you.” I don't accept. “I don't need your money, dad.” I said. “I just need Mom and Dad to remember the words they said today.” “See your child as an independent and equal member of the family.” “Not a free maid.” Dad was silent for a long time. He nodded heavily.