Chapter 15 — My Younger Brother Slagged My Daughter, I Recovered 800,000 Yuan of Money to Buy a House

New Year's Eve. My dad called me. His voice sounded a little stronger than last year.

“Going home…”

“Let's eat the New Year's Eve meal.”

At first I was going to refuse. But Chu Thanh said:

“Some things need an ending.”

“Take Du Du with you too.”

I thought for a moment. Finally agreed. That old house. Still no change. Much more deserted than before. When you see us. Especially when seeing Du Du. My mother's expression was extremely complicated. There is embarrassment. There is a loss of nature. And it seemed like there was a little bit... Tran Hao was also present. He lost a lot of weight. Darker skin. Wearing a faded supermarket uniform. Sit quietly in the corner of the room. Like an outsider. A year of being hit by life. The stubbornness and aggression from his body were completely erased. The meal took place in an extremely heavy atmosphere. My mother wanted to pick up food for Du Du. The hand just reached out. Quietly retreated again. Du Du looked at her. Say nothing. She picked up a piece of ribs herself. Eat small pieces. From start to finish there was no sound. There is no longer the carefree chirping sound like before. Already grown up. The meal is half eaten. My father trembled and stood up. He raised his glass of wine.

“Chu Thanh.”

“Over the past year... I've been thinking a lot.”

“Dad was wrong before.”

“It's dad... too biased.”

His cloudy eyes sparkled with tears.

“Dad, I'm sorry for you.”

He tilted his head and drank the entire glass of white wine. He turned to look at Tran Hao.

“Kneel down and apologize to your sister.”

“Sorry brother-in-law.”

“Sorry niece.”

His voice was not loud. But it carries an irrefutable majesty. Tran Hao was stunned. My mother was also stunned. Tran Hao reluctantly spoke up.

“Kneel down!”

My father suddenly slammed down on the table. The chest rose and fell violently. Tran Hao was startled. He hesitated. Finally, he slowly knelt down in front of me. Head bowed low. Hoarse voice.

“Brother-in-law…”

“I'm sorry.”

“I'm sorry, child.”

I looked at him. There was no wavering in my heart. An apology that came a year late. It was no longer enough to stir up any emotions in me. I'm not saying forgive. Nor say no forgiveness. I just turned to Chu Thanh.

“Let's go home.”

We stood up. Prepare to leave. As soon as I got to the door. My dad called back. He took out a slightly wrinkled red envelope from his pocket. Stuffed into Du Du's hand.

“This is…”

“Grandfather's lucky money.”

He took out another envelope. Give it to me.

“In here is the amount A Hao paid this year.”

“Plus the money my elderly parents have saved.”

“I know…”

“It's still not enough.”

“But my parents will slowly continue to pay.”

I don't accept. Just quietly looked at him.

“That money doesn't need to be paid anymore.”

He was stunned. I smiled slightly.

“That debt note.”

“I will cancel in front of the lawyer.”

“From now on.”

“Everyone lives well.”

“So is Tran Hao.”

“Be a kind person.”

“We…”

“Still one family.”

I held Du Du's hand. Walk out that door with Chu Thanh. Outdoor. Fireworks are blooming. Bright beams of light flared up in the middle of the night. Du Du raised his head to look. Happy clapping. Chu Thanh wrapped his arms around my shoulders. He asked softly:

“Have you really... forgiven them?”

I shook my head.

“Not forgiveness.”

“It's letting go.”

I looked at the bright fireworks in the distance.

“Damages That injury has already happened.”

“The scar is still there.”

“I will never forget the handprint on Du Du's face.”

"I will also never forget the suffering they brought to me."

“But I don't want to continue using their mistakes to punish my life anymore.”

“Let them go.”

“It's actually about letting yourself go.”

That debt note. They are chains that bind them. But at the same time. They are also chains that bind me. I removed it myself. Not because of them. But for myself. Because of Chu Thanh. Because of our small but extremely warm family. New Year's Eve bells rang. I leaned my head on Chu Thanh's shoulder. Look at the continuous fireworks blooming on the horizon. Then smile. From this moment. My life has truly opened a new chapter.