Chapter 12 — National Lazy Mother

The kitchen assistant saw it and smiled with her eyes wide open.

“Your child is taught well, doesn't jump in line.”

I looked at Mien Mien standing at attention at the end of the line, hidden behind a group of elementary school students.

“Mostly if you jump in line, your pocket money will be deducted.”

She laughed and scolded:

“You really know how to handle your child.”

After lunch, a middle-aged man wearing glasses walked into the kitchen. He is the principal of this elementary school. He tasted a piece of braised rice and was stunned.

“This flavor…”

The movement in my hand stopped. The principal looked at me:

"Miss Tham, who taught you how to cook this dish?"

I said:

“I just messed around.”

The principal shook his head:

"It's not like making a mess. In the past, our school had a sponsor. Every year she came to cook this braised potato rice dish for the children. She said children don't need to show off when eating rice, just hot, filling and delicious is enough."

Close-up camera. Director Ha asked:

“Who is that sponsor?”

The principal sighed:

“She didn't let her know her name, she just told the children to call her Aunt Ha.”

The ladle in my hand hit the edge of the pot, making a slight sound. Mien Mien stuck her head out the door:

“Mom, it's my turn.”

I immediately scooped a spoonful of burnt rice for her. The principal looked at Mien Mien and then at me, as if he had guessed something. He didn't say it out loud, just said to the camera:

“Anyway, on behalf of the children, I thank Ms. Tham for today's meal.”

Live comments started crazy speculation.

"Aunt Ha? Is the word Ha in Tham Tri Ha?"

"No way, isn't she a star? Where will she get the money to fund her school?"

“It could also be just a coincidence.”

I washed the pot and didn't answer any questions. After the afternoon hobby class ended, the children presented guests with handmade flowers. Mien Mien received the biggest flower and immediately put it in my hair.

“Mom, today you are like a dining fairy.”

I said:

“This title is not very honorable.”

The child thinks:

“So it's called elderberry princess.”

I choose silence. When the program came here, my reputation completely changed. But Hua Van Van will not stay silent for too long. In the evening, she came back. She changed into black clothes, no makeup, looking haggard but tough. She bowed in front of the camera.

"I know people have a lot of doubts about me. Tieu Da is temporarily resting, I respect her choice. But I will not hide. I will continue to record, learn how to be a better mother."

Without children, she cannot logically continue to participate in parent-child duties. The performance team arranged for her a special status: temporary observer. In the comments section, there are people who love her.

“Van Van is so resilient.”

“Anyone who doesn't make mistakes can fix them.”

I looked at her, knowing the new play had opened. The next day's task is the family market. Each family must make a small item to sell, and the money earned will be donated to the primary school in the village. Hua Van Van, as an observer, is responsible for scoring each group. When director Ha announced the rules, just by looking at her face, I knew she was waiting for this very thing. Chu Thanh Hoa and Boi Boi made bookmarks. Co Thoi Nghien and Dau Bao make gourd candy. Mien Mien and I made small cloth bags. Mien Mien chooses fabric, I step on the sewing machine. As the camera passed over the sewing machine, Hua Van Van smiled.

"Tri Ha's craftsmanship is indeed very good. But this is a charity market, safety and quality are also very important, we can't just look at the appearance."

I asked:

“What do you want to say?”

She held a fabric bag she had just finished sewing.

"For example, this bag, when children buy it to carry things, if the seams are loose or the buttons are loose, they can easily swallow it by mistake. As an observer, I must warn you."

She spoke very solemnly. Her fans in the comments section immediately followed suit.

“Van Van is professional.”

“Doing charity is not an act, Tham Tri Ha, don't overturn the car.”

I gave her the scissors.

“You can check.”

Hua Van Van didn't expect me to be so straightforward. She took the scissors and turned them over and checked for a long time. The excess thread is trimmed and the button is sewn so tightly that it cannot move. Her expression was a bit unsightly. Next to Dau Bao, holding a gourd candy, he ran over:

“Auntie, is this mine safe?”

Hua Van Van immediately laughed:

“The tip of the lollipop stick is sharp, be careful.”

Co Thoi Nghien showed her the end of the stick:

“Culled, still wrapped in paper.”

Hua Van Van's throat was blocked again. The market started, small cloth bags were the best sellers. Because Mien Mien stood in front of the sales booth.

"Don't miss it when you pass by. Buy it for nothing. Don't be deceived. One for five yuan, three for ten yuan."

I quickly covered her mouth:

“Honey, math doesn't allow you to sell like that.”

She cracked her fingers and calculated:

“That's two for ten yuan, plus a smile.”

The late Thoi Nghien stood next to imitate:

“Buy gourd candy for your smile.”

Dau Bao hates:

“Your smile is not worth money.”

Hua Van Van looked at the line of people lined up in front of our booth, her face becoming more and more tense. Suddenly, a boy ran back holding a cloth bag.

“Auntie, the bag is broken.”

All the cameras immediately pointed at me. The side of the canvas bag is torn. Hua Van Van immediately stepped forward, her voice serious.

"Tri Ha, I just mentioned the quality issue. The most feared charity activity is having good intentions but doing bad things."

I received the bag and looked at the tear. The thread was not broken, but was cut by a knife. I raised my head to look at the boy:

“Who told you to bring it?”

The boy's eyes avoided:

“No one.”

Hua Van Van frowned:

"Tri Ha, children won't lie like this. Broken things are broken, please apologize first."

I asked the boy:

“Do you want some gourd candy?”

The boy was stunned. I took a skewer from Co Thoi Nghien's stall.

“Honestly, this skewer is for you.”

The boy looked at the gourd candy and swallowed his saliva. Hua Van Van's voice became urgent:

“Tham Tri Ha, you are seducing children.”

I didn't look at her, just the boy.

“Who gave you the broken bag?”

The boy said in a low voice:

“A lady.”

Trieu Mai stood behind the crowd and turned to leave. Chu Thanh Hoa blocked it directly.

“Mrs. Trieu, where are you going?”

Trieu Mai turned around and scolded:

“Can't I go to the bathroom?”

The boy pointed at her:

“It's her.”

Trieu Mai's face changed. Hua Van Van's face also changed. Director Ha ordered someone to extract the fixed camera near the booth. In the picture, Trieu Mai is holding a small pair of scissors, taking advantage of the crowd to cut the cloth bag and stuff it for the boy. Trieu Mai still argued:

“I want to help Van Van! I can't watch Tham Tri Ha steal all his attention!”

Hua Van Van took a step back, tears falling again.

“Auntie, why do you always do that? How do you tell me how to face everyone?"

Her attitude of brushing off the relationship made Trieu Mai mad.

“Who do I do it for? Last night she texted me, saying that if Tham Tri Ha continued to be famous, she would be finished. Now something happens, you pretend to be innocent!”

Hua Van Van's face changed drastically.

“I don't have it!”

Trieu Mai took out her phone:

“Do you dare say no?”