Chapter 2 — Private House in a Joint Family

On the drive home, I passed the apartment complex where my parents lived. It's an old apartment building, built in the 90s, 6th floor, no elevator. I grew up there, finished college and went to work. Three years ago, I moved out to rent a house. At that time, my mother cried and said I criticized my family. Actually no, I just want to have my own space, even if it's just a rented house. When I drove through the gate of the compound, I saw my younger brother standing there. He was on the phone, looking very agitated. I didn't stop, I drove straight. When I got home, I showered and got ready for bed. Turned on the phone, there were a bunch of messages again. This time there is also a future sister-in-law. Oh that's not right, it should be called my brother's girlfriend, they are not married yet.
"Brother, I'm Tieu Tuyet, can I be your WeChat friend?"
"Brother, Ly Loi said you wouldn't let him come to your house, is there some misunderstanding?"
"Brother, Ly Loi is very sad right now. His girlfriend broke up with him because of this. Can you talk to him for a bit?"
I look at these messages. My younger brother's name is Ly Loi, five years younger than me, twenty-three this year, graduated from college, works as a salesman at a small company. Salary three or four thousand, no savings. He has a girlfriend, and the girl's family has good conditions, but he criticizes him for not having a home. So he wanted to borrow my house, bring his girlfriend to stay for a few days, to prove that he "had a home". I only found out about this later. But at that time I just felt: why did he think I had to let him stay? I didn't reply to Tieu Tuyet's message — I didn't know her either. Turn off the lights, go to sleep. The next day was Monday, I went to work. At noon, the receptionist called the internal phone.
“Ly Vu, someone is looking for you.”
"Who is that?"
“Say it's your younger brother.”
I put down the documents in my hand.
“Tell him to go home.”
“He said he had urgent business.”
“There's no rush, tell me to go home.”
I hung up. Ten minutes later, the department head arrived.
“Tieu Ly, there is a family member looking for you down the hall, please come down and take a look.”
I got up and went downstairs. The company is located on the eighth floor of the office building, down below you need to swipe your card. My younger brother was standing in the lobby on the first floor. When he saw me going down, he quickly walked over.
"Older brother."
"What is up?"
“Can you lend me your house for a few days?”
There were people from other companies waiting for the elevator around, some looking towards us.
"Impossible."
I turned around to leave, but my sister pulled my hand back.
“Dude, just a few days, I beg you.”
“Let go.”
"My girlfriend is about to break up with me. Her family said my conditions are not acceptable. I just want to take her to your house to stay for a few days, so that her family can see that I have a home too."
I looked at him. His eyes were red, he looked really rushed.
“But that's not my house.”
“I know, but just for a few days, I'll say it's your house, but I also have a part.”
“What part do you have?”
My sister paused a bit.
“You are my younger brother, isn't mine also yours?”
I laughed, really laughed.
“Ly Loi, that house was bought by me, it has nothing to do with you.”
"Brother, I didn't say I wanted to take your house, I just wanted to borrow it for a few days."
“No lending.”
I pushed his hand away and walked into the elevator. Before the elevator door closed, I saw him still standing in the lobby, his face very unsightly. Back to the office, My colleague asked me what was wrong.
“Nothing, just family.”
“Your younger brother?”
"YES."
“It seems urgent, are you okay?”
"No problem."
I sat down and continued working. In the afternoon, my mother called.
“Are you at the company?”
"Yes."
“Your sister came to find you, right?”
"Yes."
“Why don't you help him?”
“Mom, I'm working.”
“Mom asked me why I didn't help my brother?”
My mother's voice was so loud, I had to move the phone a bit away.
“He wants to borrow the house, I don't want to lend it.”
“Why don't you want to?”
“If you don't want, you don't want to.”
"Ly Vu, he's your younger brother. Are you happy to see his girlfriend break up with him?"
"Whether or not his girlfriend broke up with him is none of your business."
"Why is it unrelated? Isn't it because you didn't lend the house that the other girl broke up with it?"
“That's their problem.”
My mother started scolding me a lot, I didn't listen, I just put the phone on the table, turned on the speaker, and turned the volume to the lowest. Continue making my chart. About ten minutes later, I was probably tired of scolding.
“Do you hear that?”
“I heard it.”
“So did you end up lending it?”