Chapter 3 — Mother's Boundaries

"She took care of my sister's child for three years. When it was my turn to give birth, she returned home the same day." "She could choose not to come." "You could also choose not to invite." Luc Minh Vien choked me. At this moment, his phone rang. The name Ma Phuong Lan appeared on the screen. As if he had caught a lifeline, he immediately answered the phone. "Mom." On the other end, Ma Phuong Lan's voice was very loud. "Has your full month party started yet?" "Why didn't anyone tell you what time it is?" The banquet hall quieted down a bit. Luc Minh Vien instinctively looked at me. I picked up a chopstick of green vegetables and slowly placed it in the bowl. Ma Phuong Lan was still talking. "Mom and dad have both finished packing." "Giai Giai also said to bring Doa Doa over this afternoon." "I sent you the hotel address." Luc Minh Vien's face stiffened. "Mom, today..." He couldn't continue. I reached out. "Give it to me." Luc Minh Vien covered the phone. "Don't say anything." I won't take it. Just look at me. “Either you tell her the truth.” “Or you say.” His throat rolled. On the other end of the line, Ma Phuong Lan lost patience. "Minh Vien? Are you mute?" "Is Thanh Hoa not letting you speak?" I laughed. "Turn on the speakerphone." Luc Minh Vien's face darkened. "Do you have to be like that?" I said: "Yes." He looked at the hall full of people, and finally pressed the speakerphone. Ma Phuong Lan's voice immediately came out. "Is Thanh Hoa nearby?" "I told him to answer the phone." I put down my chopsticks. "Mom, it's me." The other end paused for a second. Immediately followed by a cold laugh. "Do you still know how to call me mom?" "My niece's first birthday party, you didn't tell me?" I said: "Mom's health is not good." "I'm afraid mom is tired." Ma Phuong Lan's voice was high-pitched. "My health is not good doesn't mean I can't attend my niece's first birthday party!" I said: "Mom's health is not good, she can't take care of the child." "But you can attend the party." "I remember." The phone rang. immediately fell silent. The banquet hall is also quiet. Auntie held a cup of tea, her eyes also cold. My mother bowed her head and looked at An An, saying nothing. Luc Minh Vien's face turned pale. Ma Phuong Lan reacted and started scolding. "Tham Thanh Hoa, what do you mean?" "Are you hating me?" I said: "No." "I'm just doing as you say." "Mom said you're old, your body can't handle it." "I'll take your place." Ma Phuong Lan was so angry that her voice trembled. "Stop saying bad words and sarcasm!" "I'm taking care of Giai Giai's child because she has no one to help her!" I looked at Luc Minh Vien. "You don't have anyone either. help.”“Is your mother not human?”The phone line was completely quiet. Luc Giai Giai's voice suddenly intervened. "Sister-in-law, don't be so petty." "At that time, my mother helped me because my husband's family was not trustworthy." I said: "Then you know what it feels like to have no support." "Then you should keep your mouth shut." Someone couldn't help but laugh. Luc Giai Giai's throat was choked. Ma Phuong Lan was angry. "Minh Vien! Do you keep listening to him bully me like that?" Finally, Luc Minh Vien opened his mouth. "Thanh Hoa, that's enough." I raised my head to look at him. "Where is enough?" "Is confinement hard enough for you?" "Is your mother tired enough?" "When my mother on the phone said my mother doesn't know how to take care of the child, is that enough?" Luc Minh Vien's lips moved. I didn't give you a chance to speak. I took out a folded piece of paper from my pocket and placed it on the table. The paper opens. Above are the expenses during the month of confinement that I have rearranged. Powdered milk, diapers, temporary nanny consultation fee, hospital follow-up examination, nutritional food, newborn baby supplies. Behind each item is written the person paying. Not me. Dill is my mother. There is not a single penny from the Luc family. I pushed the piece of paper in front of Luc Minh Vien. "Your mother said this is her granddaughter." "So this month, where has her heart been?" Luc Minh Vien stared at that piece of paper, his face darkening little by little. On the phone, Ma Phuong Lan

still screaming. "What are you using to scare people?" I picked up the phone. "Mom, don't rush." "There's one more copy, I'm preparing to send it to the family group."04 As soon as I finished speaking, Luc Minh Vien's face immediately changed. He reached out to take my phone. I pulled the phone back. "What do you want to do?" Luc Minh Vien lowered his voice. "Thanh Hoa, today there are so many people, don't do anything unsightly." I looked at him. "Now do you know it's unsightly?" "When you gave birth, my mother returned to her hometown on the same day, isn't it unsightly?" "My mother came from thousands of miles away to take care of her, and being criticized by my mother over the phone, isn't it unsightly?" "I picked up the phone and told you to sympathize with my mother, isn't it hard?" Let's see?” Luc Minh Vien's lips pursed into a straight line. On the phone, Ma Phuong Lan heard these words, her voice became even harsher. "Tham Thanh Hoa, please stop tarnishing my reputation in front of outsiders!" I laughed. "Outsiders?" "In this whole hall, there are people buying powdered milk for An An, someone bringing soup to your mother, someone driving us in the middle of the night to take us for a follow-up examination." "Mom didn't come, the money didn't come, but the words did come." "Who is the outsider?" Auntie put the tea cup on the table. The sound is not loud, but very clear.