Chapter 18 — My Wife Is Not An Outsider

As I passed the building, through the rearview mirror, I saw the third-floor window curtains move slightly. A hand from behind the curtain was clutching the fabric, not letting go. I know who it is. But I didn't stop the car. Arriving at the new house, the two of them brought their things up together. Cleaning up until after eight o'clock in the evening, On Duong wiped the sweat from his forehead and looked around. Outside the living room there were still a few unopened cardboard boxes, the dishes in the kitchen had not been stacked yet, and the betel pot on the balcony was still leaning against the wall. Really messy. But she laughed. It's the kind of smile that comes from the bottom of your heart, without any burden.

"I'm going to cook dinner." She said and walked into the kitchen.

I pulled her back: "Let me."

“What do you know how to cook?”

“Braised ho fish, eggs in tomato sauce, seaweed egg soup.”

“Are there only these three things around?”

“Then I'll teach you.”

She smiled and pushed me into the kitchen. Two people crowded in front of the narrow kitchen counter. I chop vegetables, she cooks. The oil in the pan crackled, and the fragrant smell of garlic emitted. Her profile caught the light from the kitchen fire, her eyelashes glowing pale orange. When I gave the jar of salt, my fingertips touched her hand. She pulled back, her ears turning red.

“What are you doing?”

“Give me the salt.”

“Why are you touching my hand?”

“Just be careful.”

She glared at me, but the corner of her mouth couldn't hide her smile. Rice is finished cooking. Two savory dishes and one soup. Placed on a natural wooden dining table. Not much. But hot. I neatly arranged two sets of bowls and chopsticks and pulled out a chair.

“Please.”

She sat down opposite and picked up her chopsticks. I looked at her. She picked up a piece of food and put it in her mouth, chewing. Then she stopped. The chopsticks stopped in midair and she lowered her head. Shoulders do not tremble, spine does not bend. But a drop of water fell from her cheek, falling straight onto the white rice in the bowl, spreading a tiny round streak.

“What's wrong?”

“It's okay.” She wiped her face with the back of her hand and took a deep breath: "It's just... it's been a long time since I last ate at my house."

My house. She spoke from “my home”. I reached over, gently brushed away the tear-stained rice in her bowl, and then gave her a piece of egg.

“From now on, we will eat at our house every day.”

She nodded, eating that piece of egg. Then she looked up and smiled at me. There was still some water left in the corners of my eyes, and the tip of my nose was red. But in those eyes, there was light. Not the light of patience, not the light of pretending to be strong. It is the light of life, of revived vitality. Outside the window is the city night. A sea of neon lights sparkled on the rooftops of buildings in the distance. The sound of a night restaurant downstairs rang out, and an electric car whizzed past. Not quiet, but very authentic. This is home. * 【Chapter 10】 The days after moving out are like a glass of warm water. It's not burning, nor is it cold, but every sip feels reassuring. Wen Duong has gotten fat. To be more precise, after three months. Her face has skin and flesh, her cheekbones are no longer prominent. The collarbone is softer and the fingers become smoother - no need to tirelessly clean the floors and toilets of three rooms every week. She started buying cherries. Not like he hesitates for half a day and then puts it down, but just picks up a box and throws it into the supermarket cart. His face was as calm as if he was going to buy a bunch of cabbage. The first time I saw her do that, I was a bit stunned. She turned back to look at me: "What's wrong?"

“Nothing.”

I didn't say anything. But there is somewhere in the hidden corner of my heart that seems to be touched by a warm breath. Luc An An paid. Don't have to pay a lump sum. He found a job — working as a sales staff in a shopping center. Fixed salary of three and a half thousand plus commission.