Chapter 1 — On Doan Ngo Day, They Forced Me to Give Up My House to My Younger Brother

Doan Ngo Party My Parents Said I Wasn't My Biological Son, Forcing My Family to Be Adopted At the Doan Ngo Festival reunion dinner, my mother pushed a plate of rice dumplings towards me, smiled and said:

“Van Van, eat one first.”

But I noticed her hands were shaking. Sure enough, as soon as I picked up the chopsticks, my father put down the tea cup, and in front of the whole table, his relatives slowly spoke:

"Lam Van, you are not your parents' biological child. Let's be frank today, your apartment in Nam Kieu must be transferred to your younger brother's name as the wedding house."

The air in the room immediately froze. Mother continued:

"I've been named Lam for so many years, it's time to repay this debt to the Lam family."

Second Aunt, Third Uncle, and eldest uncle all nodded in agreement, looking at me as if they were judging a stranger. I put down the dumpling, slowly swallowed all the sticky rice in my mouth and burst out laughing.

“That house was bought by me.”

I opened my bag, took out the red book, the DNA assessment report and the lawyer's letter, placing them on the table one by one.

“I am your biological daughter.”

"And Lam Dieu... was the child who was carried by the wrong person that year."

I looked at my parents, then at Lam Dieu, whose face was pale.

"This reunion meal, this is enough."

The whole room was as quiet as paper. But in my hand, there was still something they didn't know about. Two days before Doan Ngo Festival, my mother called me.

"Van Van, you must go home that day. Your father said, all relatives will be present, no one can be absent."

Her tone was very strange. Normally every time you call me, the first sentence is always:

“Your brother spends a lot these days.”

“The house's electricity and water bills are due.”

“Your father has high blood pressure again.”

But this time she did not mention money. Just keep repeating the same sentence:

“Definitely have to come back.”

“I know.”

She added:

“Don't dress too casually, there are guests in the house.”

“Who is this guest?”

She was silent for two seconds.

“You'll know when you get back.”

After speaking, he hung up the phone. My name is Lam Van, twenty-eight years old, currently working as an image designer for a jewelry brand. After six years of working, I saved up the first amount of money for a down payment to buy a two-bedroom apartment in Nam Kieu. But on the certificate of ownership there is only my name. My younger brother, Lam Dieu, is twenty-four years old. After graduating from vocational school, he changed five different jobs. Currently at home making short videos online, claiming every day that he is about to become famous. His credit card bill every month comes from my mother urging me to pay it for him. She always said:

“I'm the older sister, how about helping my younger brother a little?”

I grew up with that saying. The cake must be given to me. I have to lend you lucky money. I have to give my private room to you. You have to figure out how to pay for college tuition yourself. After going to work, every month I send home 4,800 yuan. Mom said it was filial piety. But I once checked the transfer history. Most of that money went straight into Lam Dieu's debt repayment account. On Doan Ngo Tet, I bought banh u and gifts then took a taxi to the old dormitory. On the way, my mother called again.

“Where have you been?”

“About ten minutes.”

“Hurry up, great-aunt is coming too.”

I'm surprised.

“Is your great-aunt coming too?”

“Why ask so many questions?”

She hung up the phone very quickly. I carried my things upstairs. The door is not locked. Mom stood right in front of the door, wearing a newly bought beige outfit, her hair tied in a bun succinct. Dad sat in the chair in the living room, next to a cup of hot tea. The house was crowded with people. Even the great-aunt who normally doesn't show up during Tet, is sitting on the sofa today. Lam Dieu leaned against the kitchen cabinet, playing with his phone and scrolling through the screen. Next to him is a girl wearing a white dress. On her wrist she wears the jade bracelet that I gave to my mother last year. I took a look at that girl. Mom immediately introduced:

“This is To Man, my brother's girlfriend.”

To Man bowed his head and smiled lightly.

“Hello.”

I placed the box of dumplings on the table.

“Wishing everyone a happy Dragon Boat Festival.”

No one responded. Dad coughed softly.

"Let's eat first, then we'll talk about the main story."

Mom immediately responded:

"That's right, the whole family is present today. It's better to talk about some things sooner."

I sat down. Lam Dieu placed the phone face down on the table.

“Sister, don't get excited later.”

I looked at him.

“What are you guys planning to do that I have to get excited about?”

To Man gently pulled his sleeve.

“Tieu Dieu, don't talk to me like that.”

Lam Dieu coldly snorted.

“If she knows, what should I say?”

Mom pushed a plate of rice dumplings in front of me.

"Van Van, eat one first. After eating banh u, everyone in the family must agree together."

I don't touch it.

“If there's something wrong, just say it.”

Dad put the teacup on the table.

“Okay, then let's talk.”

He looked around the banquet table.

“In front of everyone today, your father and mother want to announce something.”

The whole room immediately fell silent. My father looked straight at me.

“Van Van, actually you are not our biological child.”

The chopsticks in my hand stopped in mid-air. Aunt Hai was the first to speak:

“Brother-in-law, are you really going to say this?”

My mother sighed softly.

"I can't say it anymore. She's grown up, there are things that can't be hidden forever."

Dad continued:

"That year at the district obstetrics hospital, when my mother gave birth, the nurse held the wrong newborn. It wasn't until a few years ago that my parents found out."

I looked at him.

“A few years ago?”

"That's right."

My father frowned.

“Why ask about that?”

Mom immediately responded:

"That's not the point. The important thing is that the parents have raised the child for twenty-eight years. Whether they are related by blood or not, they have never mistreated the child."

The eldest boy nodded in agreement.

“The effort of nurturing is greater than the effort of giving birth.”

Uncle Ba also chimed in:

"Van Van, you can't forget the origin."

I laughed softly.

“So what do you guys mean?”

Dad's voice became harder.

"Your younger brother is about to get married. The family next door to To Man said very clearly, without a wedding house, there will be no wedding."

To Man bowed his head.

“Uncle, my parents just want the best for me.”

Lam Dieu looked at me.

"Sister, your apartment in Nam Kieu should be transferred to my name first. After all, you live alone, in such a beautiful location, it's a waste."

Mother hastily added:

"It's not like taking it from you for free. When Tieu Dieu has money later, he will compensate you."

“How much compensation?”