Chapter 11 — Mother-in-law stayed for three years, biological mother for half a month

I want to cook you a delicious pot of soup. Because this is not just a meal. It's the first step in the journey to atone for the mistakes I've made. I also bought an old hen. I want to stew you a pot of flavorful chicken soup. Come home. I put the champagne rose bouquet in a glass vase in the living room. Just in the blink of an eye. The house seems to have more life. I rushed straight into the kitchen. Start the most important cooking trip of your life. I followed the instructions online step by step. So careful that I almost held my breath. I'm afraid of damaging it. Afraid of disappointing her. Time passed slowly. The pot of soup on the stove was boiling. The fragrance gradually spread throughout the house. That's the taste I always remember. The taste of a warm home. Four o'clock in the afternoon. I guess Tu Tinh is about to get off work. Heart started beating fast. Just like a student waiting for exam results to be announced. I don't know when she will return. I also don't know how I will return. I sit on the sofa. Stand up and then sit down again. His eyes kept looking towards the door. It's getting dark. The pot of soup has been stewed until soft. And my heart. Sinking little by little. Have you changed your mind? You still can't forgive me? Just when I was deep in thought. Outside the door, there was the sound of a key turning in the lock. A very small sound. But it was like a thunderclap in my ears. I jumped up from the sofa. His eyes stared unblinkingly at the door. A person stood there. It's Tu Tinh. She was still wearing her business suit. Hand holding bag. Also more emaciated than before. But those eyes. Still as bright as ever. Our eyes met. That moment. Time seemed to stop. I parted my lips. Want to say something. But my throat is tight. Couldn't utter a word. The person who spoke first was her.

“I smell the soup.”

Her voice was a bit hoarse. But very gentle. Tears immediately welled up in my eyes. Can't hold back anymore. A thirty year old man. Stand in front of your wife. Cry like a baby. I don't wipe it away. Just let the tears fall. Let her see the struggle. Weakness. And also my regrets. Tu Tinh did not smile. Also no criticism. She just looked at me quietly. Then enter the house. She saw a bouquet of roses in the living room. The house looks clean and tidy. His eyes gradually became softer. She walked in front of me. Gently raise your hand. Use your fingertips to wipe away the tears on my cheeks. Her hand was a bit cold. But when it touches my skin. It's like a warm stream of water flowing through my heart.

“What are you crying for?”

She said softly.

“So much like a child.”

I took a sharp breath. Finally found my voice again.

“Welcome home.”

I spoke intermittently. She replied softly: Then suddenly asked:

“Is your soup about to burn?”

I was stunned. Just then I was startled awake. I frantically ran to the kitchen. Quickly turn off the stove. Tu Tinh also followed. Standing next to the kitchen door. Look at my flustered appearance. She laughed. That was the first time in the past half month that I saw her smile. That smile is like the winter sun. Just for a moment. Melted all the ice in my heart. That evening. We ate together. Tu Tinh immediately drank two bowls of soup. She said it was delicious. We chat a lot. But they both get along extremely well. No one mentioned Vuong Cam. Also don't mention the unhappy things from the past. We were like a couple who had just met. Circumspect. Little by little, get to know each other again. After meal. I proactively stood up to wash the dishes. Tu Tinh doesn't fight with me anymore. She just stood leaning against the kitchen door frame. Quietly look at me.

“Chu Nghi.”

Suddenly she called. I turned my head.

"Tomorrow."

“Let's go visit your mother together.”

She said softly. My heart immediately sank. This is the real challenge. Take my mother back to her hometown. Clean the house. Cook a meal. All of that. Just an explanation for myself. As for Liu Man. The person who silently suffered and then quietly left. I haven't done anything to make up for it yet. The injuries she suffered. Not several hours of cleaning. Not even a pot of soup. Can be erased. And I know. I have to officially face the biggest debt in my heart. That's the debt I owe you. An apology. An apology must be said directly. I nodded. Seriously like never before.

“It's true that I should visit my mother.”

The next day is the weekend. I got up very early. Go downstairs and buy the morning tea that your father-in-law likes best. Buy more cakes that your mother-in-law often eats. Tu Tinh also finished preparing early. The two of us drove to her parents' house. Standing in front of that familiar door. My palms were sweaty. It was even more stressful than waiting for Tu Tinh to return the day before. Tu Tinh gently held my hand.