Chapter 18 — Mother-in-law stayed for three years, biological mother for half a month

I just buried the weak person of the past. Also bury the illusion that if you just have to be patient, everything will be okay. Outside the glass door. The familiar streets of the small town receded one after another. This is my birthplace. Raise me up. But this time. I just want to leave. Want to return to the house that truly belongs to you. Return to the hotel. Tu Tinh closed the door. Completely isolated from the outside world. She let go of my hand. Go to the window. Pull hard on the thick curtain. Sunlight immediately filled the room. Like a new beginning. A start that this time. We will rebuild it ourselves from scratch. I looked at her. Pale yellow sunlight covered that face. It's like all the storms have finally passed. She turned around to look at me.

“Do you regret it?”

She asked softly. I shook my head. Those are sincere words. At that moment. I don't have even the slightest regret in my heart. Only the feeling of fatigue remains after everything is over. And a sadness that's hard to name.

“I just feel a little sad.”

I said softly.

“I never thought.”

“My mother and I will one day come to this step again.”

“It's not your fault.”

Tu Tinh stepped forward. Gently hug me.

“I tried my best.”

“You gave her many chances.”

“It was she who slammed every door herself.”

I rested my head on her shoulder. The familiar scent of my hair made my tense heart gradually relax. The wavering in my heart finally disappeared. I tried my best. I have nothing to be ashamed of. Right at that moment. The phone rang. I walked to the window and received the call.

“Going away?”

His voice was extremely tired. A sigh rang out on the other end of the line.

“Your mother is still making trouble.”

“The relatives are all gone.”

“She still sits in her own room.”

“Determined not to come out.”

“And said he wanted to die there.”

I was silent. But there were no more waves in my heart.

“Dad, don't worry anymore.”

“Just let mom make trouble.”

“If she's tired, she'll go home on her own.”

My voice is cold as water. My father was silent again for a long time. Then slowly say:

“Son.”

“You've really grown up.”

“You did the right thing today.”

“There are things.”

“Dad has been weak all his life.”

“I want to do it but I don't dare to do it.”

“But I did it.”

“From now on, both of you will live well.”

“Dad is at home.”

Those words. Like a stream of warm water. Flowing into the coldest place in my heart. I always thought my father was a weak person. A person who only knows how to make peace. But only today did I understand. He is not weak. He just had every corner worn away by that marriage. But in his heart. There's always a scale. Clearly distinguish right from wrong.

“Dad, remember to take care of your health.”

“If mom continues to cause trouble.”

“Dad, don't indulge your grandmother too much.”

“Think for yourself.”

“I know.”

After hanging up. I feel like the last rock in my heart has been laid down. I have my father's support. That's enough. Tu Tinh still stood there quietly looking at me.

“Let's go home.”

She said softly.

“To our home.”

I nodded. We didn't stay any longer. Pack your luggage. Do check-out procedures. Then came the train station. Buy the earliest flight back to the city. Sitting on a high-speed train rushing forward. Looking at the constantly changing landscape outside the window. From this moment. Lifetime I'm also changing direction. Heading towards a completely new journey. A journey free from unreasonable moral constraints. No more unwarranted riots. No more endless wars. There is only a peaceful future for the two of us. 14. Build a Wall When returning to your own house. Push that door open. I suddenly felt an unprecedented sense of belonging. This is truly my port. It's a stronghold that I want to spend my life protecting. Tu Tinh put the suitcase aside. Then he opened his arms and hugged me.

“Welcome home, Mr. Chu.”

She said smiling. I also laughed.

“I'm home.”

After the storm. The first thing to do is to rebuild order in life. First thing. Is to fulfill your promise. I open the banking app. Set up automatic transfers every month. The recipient is my father. Amount: 3,000 yuan. That is the biggest filial debt I can currently shoulder. In the notes section.

"Parents' living expenses, sent to father to manage."

I took a screenshot. Send it to dad. Attached is a message: This amount will be transferred at the beginning of each month. I am not ungrateful. I will still take care of my parents. But you also have to protect your family. Dad, please understand me. Please also take good care of yourself for me. If there's anything you need me for. I will return immediately.”