Chapter 3 — Mother-in-law Tests Daughter-in-law's Heart

"Don't stand there, pregnant women have to stand less." Ninh Uyen sat down in the dining chair, away from the kitchen glass door, looking at her. Pour flour into the basin, add water little by little. Ton Que Phan kneaded the dough very hard, his wrist pressed down, the dough made a thud thud sound in the basin. "When you were a child, did you like eating dumplings?" She suddenly asked. Ninh Uyen did not expect her to start a conversation. "It's normal." "Tran Nghien loved to eat when he was little, his mother packed a meal for him and he could eat twenty." Ton Que Phan mentioned his son, his voice was clearly softer. "Back then the family was poor, there was little meat, chicken egg filling was delicious food." Ninh Uyen followed her words: "He still likes to eat now." "I'm the one who knows best what he likes to eat." Ton Que Phan He looked up and looked at her. "You guys are a young couple, after getting married, you see your mother being left out." Ninh Uyen's hand on her knee slowly clenched. "Tran Nghien has always been very filial to his mother." "What's the use of being filial?" Ton Que Phan threw the dough hard at the bottom of the basin. "My mind is all on my wife." The kitchen fell silent. The faucet was not locked tightly, drop by drop falling into the stainless steel sink. Ninh Uyen heard that sound and felt a little frustrated in her chest. She wanted to text Tran Nghien, but saw that it was just a few insults, not necessary to distract him at the company. Ton Que Phan covered the dough and began to beat the eggs. The eggshell hits the bowl, making a continuous clicking sound. She hit six balls, using her chopsticks to strike very quickly. The golden liquid has tiny bubbles. The pan is hot, pour in the oil, the aroma quickly spreads. Morning sickness made Ninh Uyen sensitive to the smell of grease, so she pushed the window open a small crack. Ton Que Phan saw it, didn't say anything, just turned on the hood to the highest level. A moment later, she pulled the bag out from under the kitchen counter. She turned her back to open the bag. Ninh Uyen's eyes fell on her shoulder. Ton Que Phan's loose gray sweater obscured most of his movements. She heard the sound of a cutting board ringing. Very thin, very crumbly. One blow follows another. Not like slicing eggs at all. Once the eggs are fried, arrange them in a bowl. Ninh Uyen picked up the glass of water and took a sip. The warm water passed down her throat, but could not suppress the tension in her heart. "Mom, can you give me anything else?" The voice stopped for a moment. Ton Que Phan didn't turn his head. "Give me some vermicelli, chew it well." "Can you see?" Ton Que Phan turned around, still carrying a smile on his face. "Watch what? Are you afraid that mom won't do well?" Ninh Uyen put down the cup. "No, I haven't smelled a strong smell lately." Ton Que Phan put the knife down on the cutting board. "Ninh Uyen, I've been serving you for so long, are you still wary of me?" Ly This makes the air tense like a piano string. Ninh Uyen looked at her, trying to keep her voice calm: "I'm not careful, Mom, I'm just careful with food." "So careful that I don't even trust my mother-in-law?" "It has nothing to do with whether you believe it or not." "What does it have to do with?" Ton Que Phan took a half step forward. Her hands were still wet, her fingertips shiny. "Since I got married here, have you ever mistreated me?" Ninh Uyen did not immediately answer. She wants to say, being cruel doesn't necessarily mean having less food. Sometimes, being mean is not taking what others say seriously. But she knew that if she said this, today's pot of dumplings would turn into an argument. She didn't want to argue. The child is still small, she is also tired. So she just said: