Chapter 18 — Private House in a Joint Family

I pushed it back.
“No need.”
"Impossible!" He was very determined. "This money must be paid. We cannot continue to burden you."
I looked at him, my eyes filled with blood, but my gaze was extremely determined.
“Dad, this money is not for you, it's for mom's medical treatment.” I said, “Let's just say… I'm performing my filial duties for the last time.”
He was stunned, his hand holding the card trembled slightly.
"From now on," I paused for a moment, then continued, "let Ly Loi take care of our parents' lives. He's grown up now, so he should shoulder the responsibility of being a child."
Dad looked at me, his lips moved, and in the end he just nodded slightly, tears silently falling. Vuong Tinh and I did not stay long. Before leaving, Ly Loi chased after him.
"Older brother."
"YES."
"Thank you." He looked at me, his eyes red, "I will find a way to return this money."
"No need." I said, “Take good care of Mom.”
“I will do it.” He nodded strongly, "Don't worry. From now on, you won't have to worry about anything at home anymore."
I looked at him — my younger brother who once made me extremely disappointed. Now, in his eyes, it is responsibility and maturity. Perhaps, it is unexpected events... that make a person grow up overnight. On the way home, Vuong Tinh did not say anything. Nearing the house, she gently said:
“Husband, you did very well today.”
I held her hand.
“I just thought, there should be an ending.”
That's right — it should be over. I don't want to continue to resent, nor do I want to blame anymore. I have paid, fulfilled my responsibility, from now on, the resentment between us - erased. Mom was in the hospital for more than a month. The situation was better than expected. After rehabilitation, her right hand could move slightly and say a few simple words. During that time, Ly Loi took care of him in the hospital. He quit his job at the construction site, found a job delivering food, with more flexible hours, making it easier to travel back and forth between the hospital and home. I heard Vuong Tinh's colleagues say that he often saw him waiting for applications at the school gate, his skin was sunburnt, his body was skinny, but he was in good spirits. The day my mother was discharged, I went to the hospital. I saw Ly Loi trying his best to help his mother from the bed to the wheelchair, although clumsy but very careful. His mother sat in a wheelchair, looking at him, her eyes filled with tears. She looked at me, moved her lips, and said an unclear word:
“…Home.”
I didn't say anything, just nodded slightly. Dad went to go through the hospital discharge procedures, Ly Loi pushed mom, we left the hospital together. Coming to the gate, Ly Loi said to me:
"Brother, please go home. Dad and I can handle it."
I looked at him, at his mother sitting in a wheelchair behind him, and at his silver-haired father running from afar. The three of them — forming a new “family”. A family without me, but... extremely peaceful. I suddenly felt... strangely relieved. I turned around, strode away, and didn't look back. A year later, my son and Vuong Tinh were born. On my baby's first month, I received a package by express delivery. Inside is a pair of small silver bracelets, and a lucky money envelope. In the red envelope were five thousand yuan and a piece of paper. On the paper is my father's crooked handwriting:
"Tieu Vu, wish the baby good health and happiness. This is a little sincerity from my grandparents and uncle."
I took the paper and showed it to Vuong Tinh. She smiled, but her eyes were red.
“Husband, this Tet... can I take my children to visit them?”
I looked out the window — the sunlight was bright. I smiled and said:
“Okay.”