Chapter 10 — My Parents Lived in AA for 45 Years

He turned and left. Luu Vien stood behind. His eyes immediately turned cold. Wait for the Mercedes to go away. She took out her phone. The other end of the line quickly picked up the phone. It was a young man's voice.

“How is the old man?”

Liu Yuan smirked.

“It seems like I'm starting to run out of money.”

“If he won't buy it.”

“Then I think of another way.”

“That fortune.”

“Definitely have to get it.”

No one knows. In the parking lot opposite. There's a black car that hasn't left yet. My father sat inside. The hand placed on the steering wheel trembled slightly. He originally came back because he forgot the documents. But unexpectedly. I accidentally saw Luu Vien hugging a young man's waist, smiling and talking very intimately. That moment. He just felt like his head was exploding. The phone in his pocket also vibrated at the same time. A strange message was sent. There are only three photos. Photo of Luu Vien hugging the other man. Photo of two people kissing. And the photo of them both entering the hotel together. No sender name. There's also no explanation. Just one line of text.

“Do you really understand the woman you intend to marry?”

My father sat dumbfounded in the car. The three photos on his phone were like three slaps straight to his face. First photo. Luu Vien took the young man's arm and smiled like he had never seen. Second photo. The two hugged each other right in front of the hotel door. Third photo. The kiss lasted under the parking lot lights. Dad's fingers trembled. He immediately called Luu Vien. The other end of the line quickly picked up the phone.

“Where are you?”

“At home, not at all.”

Her voice was still as sweet as always.

“Is something wrong?”

Dad stared at the photo.

“You tell the truth.”

“Who are you going with today?”

Luu Vien paused for a moment. Then burst out laughing.

“Are you jealous?”

“I'm going to meet a client.”

"Client?"

“Which customer hugged your waist?”

The other end of the line suddenly went silent. Just a few seconds later, Luu Vien smiled wryly.

“Who did you hear talking nonsense?”

“There is no such thing.”

Dad hung up. For the first time in many years, he no longer had the patience to listen to another explanation. He leaned back in his chair. Bloodshot eyes. A cold wind blew through the window. He suddenly remembered the day of the divorce. That day, he himself laughed loudly in front of the gate of the Civil Affairs Department.

“Free!”

Now think again. That smile was like a joke. That evening. I was sitting with my mother watching TV when the doorbell rang. He stood in the hallway. The suit is wrinkled. Tired eyes. I unconsciously blocked the door.

“What did you come for?”

He looked at me.

“Let Dad in for a moment.”

“Inconvenient.”

“I want to see your mother.”

“My mother has nothing to say to you.”

In the room, my mother heard a noise and came out. She looked at her father. Still calm as always.

“Nem Niem.”

“Let him in.”

I reluctantly stepped aside. Dad walked in. This was the first time he returned to this house after the divorce. The house is still clean. The dining table still has a small vase of flowers that mother arranged herself. Everything is the same as before. He is no longer the owner of this place. Three people sat opposite. No one spoke up. A while later. Dad's voice is hoarse.

“Do you know Liu Yuan's story?”

Mom raised her head.

“Know what?”

Dad smiled bitterly.

“There is someone else.”

Mom just nodded slightly.

"I know."

Dad was stunned.

“You know?”

“I still know.”

“That relationship started before she knew her grandfather."

Dad felt like he was struck by lightning.

“No way!”

“I didn't lie to you.”

Mother replied gently.

“The young man in the photo is named Truong Hao.”

“You two have known each other for four years.”

“You are just a latecomer.”

I looked at my mother in surprise.

“How do you know?”

Mother did not answer. She just took out the iron box from the cupboard. Place on the table. Dad looked at the box. A complicated look appeared in his eyes.

“These past few days…”

“I keep thinking.”

“There are still so many secrets in there.”

Mom opened the lid of the box. But this time. She did not get legal documents. I took out a blue-covered notebook. That's the first book. The book has followed her mother for forty-five years.

“Open it and see.”

Dad hesitantly took it.