Chapter 13 — My Wife Is Not An Outsider

Luc An An stood stunned for a few seconds, then turned around and glared at me.

"I did it on purpose! I chased him away on purpose!"

“I just saved you at least ten thousand.”

“What right do you have to control my affairs—”

"You haven't paid Wen Duong the twelve thousand, where did you get the ten thousand to give to him?"

Luc An An's mouth opened then closed, closed then opened. Then he covered his face and ran straight into the room, slamming the door even louder than before. The living room only had four people left. My mother sat on the chair, not saying a word. She looked at Wen Duong — she was bowing her head and clearing the dishes, as if nothing had happened. My mother looked at me again. The corners of her mouth moved, as if she wanted to say something. But in the end, he said nothing. Just sighed, stood up and helped Wen Duong prepare two plates. This was the first time she helped Wen Duong clean the dishes. * 【Chapter 7】 The eighth day of December, celebrating grandmother's eightieth birthday. All relatives were present. Third uncle's family, eldest uncle's family, second aunt's family, and a few distant relatives. Order two trays at the restaurant. This birthday party was the first time our family appeared in front of all our relatives after half a year. I know my mother has "paved the way" before. Because as soon as I entered the door, my third uncle pulled my hand: "Tu Chu, your mother told you..."

"Third uncle, it's grandma's birthday today, first wish her a long life, we'll talk about other things later."

The third uncle had to keep his mouth shut. The eldest uncle pulled On Duong's hand and looked up and down: "You've lost weight, isn't the work too hard?" On Duong smiled: "The company has a project recently, a bit busy." The second aunt came closer, lowered her voice and whispered something to my mother. My mother's face changed continuously, but out of respect for everyone, she had to smile awkwardly. I took everything in my eyes, without changing my expression. Today is not my home field. Today is grandmother's. But I know, there are some things that have to be made clear sooner or later in this situation. At the party, people greet each other, adults greet each other, and children run around noisily. After three weeks of wine, grandmother put down her chopsticks and glanced at everyone on the table. The old lady is in very good spirits. Although she is eighty years old, her eyes and ears are sharp. She spoke up: "Tu Chu."

“Yes, grandmother.”

“My mother called me and told me that our house was in trouble.”

The whole table was silent for a moment. The sound of chopsticks hitting the bowl stopped, and even the children looked up. My mother's smile stiffened. She probably didn't expect her grandmother to mention this directly in the middle of the banquet table.

“Mom…” My mother spoke.

The old lady raised her hand, signaling her not to speak.

“Tu Chu, tell me.”

I glanced at Wen Duong. She sat next to me, her fingers clenching her chopsticks until they turned white. Under the table, I gently pressed the back of her hand.

“Grandma, it's not complicated.” My voice wasn't loud, but in the small room, everyone heard clearly: "On Duong married into our family for half a year. In this half year, after the rice was cooked, mom, dad and An An ate first. By the time Wen Duong came home from work, the food on the table was gone, only a little leftover on the stove. Half a year long, every day."

The air seemed to freeze. The elder's chopsticks stopped in mid-air. Third Uncle's glass of wine was brought to his lips but he did not drink. The second girl opened her mouth but no sound came out.

“Impossible?” A distant cousin muttering.

“I have a video.” I took out my phone: "Who wants to see?"

No one spoke up. I gave the phone to my grandmother. The old lady took it and squinted at the screen. In the video, three people sit in front of the dining table with seven steaming hot dishes. The image changes to the evening, Wen Duong stands in front of the kitchen counter, eating a plate of leftovers mixed with Lao Qianma chili sauce. The room was so quiet that you could clearly hear the microwave signal coming from the phone speaker.