Chapter 2 — My Husband Wants AA, I'm Thinking About Divorce

First week of AA regimen. Wednesday afternoon, when I passed by the phone he placed on the coffee table, the credit card notification message appeared. On the screen was a line of text: Spent 3,200 yuan at a Japanese restaurant. I didn't look any further. Thursday night, he brought home a new headset. Silver gray earcups. He sat in the living room playing games for two hours. I conveniently looked up that brand. Price 2,800 yuan. Also that day, his WeChat sent a message:

"Nianchu, this week's food bill is 131.6 yuan. Throw away the odd part, I can transfer 130 yuan."

Inviting guests to a meal of 3,200 yuan is extremely generous. Buying headphones for 2,800 yuan is a no-brainer. But for me, food costs are calculated in every penny. After removing the odd number, it only exempts me from 1.6 yuan. I transfer money. Don't say a word. Friday afternoon, I was at home editing a design. The desk phone in the living room rings. It's his mother, Ms. Luu Que Phuong. Her voice was so loud that even from a wall I could still hear it clearly.

"Khai Chu, your sister Vu Vy wants to go to Hang Chau to find a job. Next week she will stay for a while. I'll give her a room. Oh yes, my back hurts again and I want to go to the big hospital there to be examined. Mom and Dad will come together."

Tran Khai Chu's voice came from the living room, full of comfort:

"Okay mom, just come. We have room."

Didn't ask my opinion at all. Didn't even come in and tell me a word. I stopped the electronic pen in my hand. Look at the unfinished drawing on the screen. 3,200 yuan to invite guests. 2,800 yuan to buy headphones. The 9-yuan tube of toothpaste also had to be shared with me. His family wanted to come and stay, but there was not even a word of greeting. My food costs are down to every penny. As for how much he spends on social events, it has never been mentioned. Just AA for me. Go to the second week of doing AA. My mother was hospitalized. The call was from my father. At that time, I was discussing with the customer about the editing plan.

"Niem So, your mother suddenly had a gallstone attack and has been taken to the emergency room. The doctor said she may need surgery and needs to pay 80,000 yuan in advance."

My father's voice trembled.

"Dad's pension and savings can only collect more than 30,000 yuan. My sister just gave birth, so I don't have much money on hand. Niem Chu, can you help me first?"

I opened the banking app to check the balance. There is 12,000 yuan left in the salary account. But it's not time to pay the rent yet. The savings account has about 40,000 yuan left. But it's a term deposit, it doesn't mature until tomorrow. Still missing nearly 30,000 yuan. I called Tran Khai Chu.

"Khai Chu, my mother is in emergency and needs surgery. The advance payment is 80,000 yuan. I can't withdraw my savings right now, can you transfer me 30,000 yuan in advance? I'll pay you back tomorrow when the money is in my account."

The other end of the line was silent for two seconds.

“Nien Chu, we just set the rules.”

His voice was calm.

"30,000 yuan is not a small number. Try asking your aunt or uncle. If not, ask the hospital if it can be extended for one day."

I tightened my grip on the phone. Fingers are cold every time.

“Tran Khai Chu, that's my mother.”

“I know. I'm also very worried. But the rules are set must comply. If you break the rules once, it will be difficult to manage in the future.”

He paused for a moment then continued:

“Or like this, you should ask the company if there is an internal loan channel for employees. Interest rates are lower than outside.”

I hung up. Finally, at midnight that night, Tham Nhuoc Dong transferred me 50,000 yuan. Don't ask why. Don't ask when to pay. Just leave two words: The surgery went smoothly. I was at the hospital taking care of my mother for three days. Tran Khai Chu came once. Bring a bag of fruit. Sit in the hospital room for fifteen minutes. Say a few polite words. Look at the phone twice. Then tell the company to have a plan to handle it urgently. When he left, my mother was still in a coma. He didn't even look at her once more. On the afternoon of the third day, my mother woke up. My father sat beside the bed, holding her hand tightly, his eyes red. I sat on a plastic chair in the hallway. Looking at the gray sky outside the window. Seriously thinking about something for the first time. In this marriage. In the end, what am I left with? On Wednesday, when I got home, it was almost nine o'clock in the evening. Along the way, I did not contact Tran Khai Chu. Open the door and enter. He was sitting on the sofa watching the football match again. Raise your head and look at me.

“How is your mother?”

“Discharged from the hospital. My dad is taking care of me.”

“That's good.”

He bowed his head and scrolled through his phone. After scrolling twice, I looked up:

“Ah yes. I still haven't paid the electricity, water and food bills this week. Plus last month's missing dishwashing liquid, the total is 217 yuan.”

I stood at the mysterious gate. One foot hasn't had time to change shoes yet.

“How much did you just say?”

“217 yuan. Forget about the odd part, just transfer 210 yuan.”

I finished changing my shoes and walked in front of him.

“Tran Khai Chu, my mother just finished surgery. I stayed up for three days and three nights at the hospital taking care of her. As soon as I got home, the first thing you said to me was electricity and water bills?

He frowned.

“What does your mother's story have to do with electricity and water bills? Debts cannot be paid due to other reasons. I didn't push you either. I've been late for a few days already."

I looked at his face. Clean and tidy. Beard shaved neatly. Brand new tracksuit. On the tea table there was also a box of half-eaten cherries. I wasn't home for three days. He lives very comfortably.

“I'm moving.”

I took out my phone and transferred him 210 yuan. He looked at the notice of money entering his account.

“Okay. Thank you for your cooperation.”

Thank you for your cooperation. I went straight into the office and closed the door. Open the document on the computer. In the latest line, I added:

“During my mother's three-day hospital stay, my husband visited once for fifteen minutes. Refuse to lend 30,000 yuan. After my wife came home, she immediately reminded me to pay 217 yuan for utilities and living expenses."

I open WeChat. Send Tham Nhuoc Dong a message:

“Nhuoc Dong, is the brand design project you mentioned last time still alive?”

She replied almost immediately:

“Still. What, you finally want to accept it?”

“Send me detailed documents.”

"Okay. Waiting for good news from you.”

I closed the computer. Sitting alone in the office. The four sides were strangely quiet. Outside the living room, there was still the sound of commentary on the football match. Occasionally, Tran Khai Chu even shouted a few words. He lives life his. I live my life. He wants AA. So AA is thorough. Including emotions.