Chapter 5 — Queen of Salted Fish

The three stepchildren sat sandwiched in the middle, their facial expressions difficult to describe in words. “Hoai Tu, I've seen your startup plan. There are some areas that I think are immature. We can—” “No need.” – Tham Hoai Tu coldly interrupted, put down the glass of milk, "It's my project, I'm responsible for it." "And you, Tam Nguyet, what's with that messy hair? Your clothes are strange. Tomorrow I'll take you to buy some nice clothes." “This is called trendy, you don't understand.” – Giang Tam Nguyet rolled her eyes, sucked a piece of bread, stood up and walked straight. “And you, Kien Thu, I've signed you up for piano and advanced math classes, this afternoon we'll—” “You're not going!” – To Kien Thu threw away his spoon and immediately hid behind me, "Lam Van Chieu said I don't need to learn those things! She said it's okay for me to paint!" The "good mother" campaign that Kieu Uyen worked so hard to prepare, on the first day, completely collapsed. She looked at the empty dining table, then at the bowl of instant noodles with half a bowl of broth left in front of me, her face changing into all sorts of colors like a paint palette. What about me? I don't care. Continue living your salted fish life. She hired a nutritionist and a team of helpers, wanting to turn the house into an exemplary showroom without any dust stains. I still eat French fries right on the sofa, crumbs falling everywhere. The maid could only follow behind me, sweeping and sighing as if he had lost all hope. She strives to maintain close relationships with her three children, buys the most expensive gifts, and goes to the most luxurious restaurants. Tham Hoai Tu refused: "I have a meeting." Giang Tam Nguyet: "I made an appointment to play basketball." To Kien Thu was the bluntest: "Don't go. I want to stay home and watch cartoons with Lam Van Chieu." In the end, there was only Kieu Uyen left alone, wearing a luxurious gown, sitting alone in the most luxurious dining room, looking like a joke. At this point, she realized the problem was not with her three children... but with me. In her eyes, it was me — “the vixen” — who had spoiled the three children. So, she attacked directly. "Lin Van Chieu, besides eating and sleeping, do you know what else to do? Being a parasite in the Tham family like this, don't you feel humiliated?" I lay on the sofa and turned around: "I can't see it. My husband has money for me to parasitize, that's his ability. If you have an opinion, go tell him." "You... you really can't reason! Why would Duc Phong look at a woman like you!" I yawned: "Maybe he likes the type of woman who lives comfortably and doesn't cause him any trouble. Not the type who lives too hard and feels tired just looking at her." Kieu Uyen was speechless and couldn't say a word. It's like punching cotton with all your strength, only to end up hurting your hand. That silent war lasted more than half a month. Kieu Uyen became more and more emaciated, the elegance and dignity that she worked so hard to maintain, in my "salted fish every day" situation, was crushed into ashes. The turning point happened on the day Tham Duc Phong returned. He pushed the door in, just as Kieu Uyen was trying to clean up the pile of snacks and pillows on the sofa, and I was struggling with her to maintain my "salted fish nest". The living room at that time was as chaotic as a battlefield. Tham Duc Phong's face immediately turned cold. “What are you doing?” His voice was not loud, but the pressure made people suffocate. As soon as Kieu Uyen saw him, it was like seeing him savior, his eyes immediately turned red: "Duc Phong, you're finally back!" She sobbed and pointed at me: "Look at her! Look at the beautiful wife you married! What has she turned this house into! How has she spoiled the children!" After that, there was a long series of accusations: being lazy, messy, not making progress, having a bad influence on the children, and being a disgrace to the Tham family. I didn't say anything, just quietly held the bag of potato chips in my hand a little tighter. After hearing this, Tham Duc Phong's expression remained unchanged. Waiting for Kieu Uyen to finish crying, his eyes slowly turned to his three stepchildren - who were standing on the stairs, watching the play. “You guys talk.” Tham Hoai Tu opened his mouth first, his tone was calm: "Dad, the house is inherently very stable. Lam Van Chieu... she has never caused trouble with us, nor has she bothered anyone." Giang Tam Nguyet pouted: "Even though she's really lazy, she's much better than some people. At least... no trouble." To Kien Thu hugged the cat tightly and said loudly: "I like Lam Van Chieu! I don't like her!" Its tiny finger pointed bluntly towards Kieu Uyen. Children's words are heartless, but the most deadly. Kieu Uyen's face immediately turned pale. Tham Duc Phong's eyes finally stopped at me. He walked towards me. I thought he wanted to scold me, so I instinctively hugged the bag of potato chips tightly. But he just reached out and removed the potato debris still stuck in my hair, his movements were surprisingly gentle. Then, he turned around, facing Kieu Uyen, his voice cold as ice: "Kieu Uyen." "When we divorced, the written agreement was very clear. The house, the company, custody of the children — all belonged to me. You received all the money you deserved, from then on, you no longer have any relationship with this family." "You want to see your child, I have never stopped you. But if you intend to point and give orders, disrupting our current life..." He stopped, his eyes as sharp as a blade. “Then, I don't mind letting you no longer have the chance to meet them.” Kieu Uyen suddenly raised her head, her face filled with panic and disbelief: "Duc Phong! You treat me like this because of this woman? I am your children's biological mother!" “You are just the one who gave birth to them.” – Tham Duc Phong's voice had no warmth. "When they need you the most, where are you? On European fashion catwalks, on South American beaches, at countless lavish parties. What you care about is only your social circle, your so-called face and your quality of life." “And she——” he tilted his head, glancing slightly at me, “she didn't do anything.” “But she brought this house, these three children, and me… peace.” “Peace？” – Kieu Uyen seemed to hear the most ridiculous joke in the world, almost burst out laughing: “This life of flying chickens and barking dogs is called peaceful？” “Yes.” – Tham Duc Phong nodded, his tone determined, "Before, this house was as quiet as a grave. Now, at least... it's like a family." He didn't look at her anymore, just turned to instruct the housekeeper: "Send Miss Kieu out." Kieu Uyen completely collapsed. When the housekeeper "invited" her out the door, she screamed hoarsely: "Tham Duc Phong! You're crazy! You'll regret it!" The large door closed with a loud "bang", cutting off all the noise. In the living room, peace returned. The three brothers Tham Hoai Tu, Giang Tam Nguyet, and To Kien Thu looked at me, with unprecedented admiration in their eyes - honest, thorough, without holding back. Tham Duc Phong walked in front of me. His eyes stopped at the bag of potato chips that was about to be crushed in my arms. Suddenly, he laughed softly. This was the first time I saw him smile so clearly in front of me. “Are you threatened?” he asked. I shook my head and placed the package of potato chips back on the tea table. “My salted fish nest was almost flattened.” I'm a bit frustrated. He laughed, raised his hand, like last time, gently stroking my hair. “Not anymore.” “From now on, in this house, you are the one who decides.” He looked at me, his eyes seemed to fall into a sky of stars - deep, bright. “How you want to lie down… just lie like that.” Kieu Uyen never appeared again. Life returns to its original rhythm, the "salted fish" rhythm that belongs to me. It's just that some things... are no longer the same as before. Tham Hoai Tu has called for the second round of capital for the project. During the celebration party, he specially raised his glass and offered me a cup (I held a cup of coke). He said a forced sentence: "Thank you." Although I don't know exactly —— what he thanked me... for. Giang Tam Nguyet's underground band suddenly became popular at a music festival. He dyed his whole head a new hot pink color and stood on stage screaming the song he composed. Below the stage —— Tham Duc Phong frowned, I gnawed on the chicken leg and watched, and To Kien Thu waved the lightstick and shouted the loudest. At the end of the show, Giang Tam Nguyet jumped straight down and put a signed plectrum in my hand: "Hey, it's for you." To Kien Thu won an international award for his painting. The day the trophy was sent home, the boy hugged it tightly, first running straight in front of me, his eyes shining: "Lin Van Chieu! Let's each have half!" My salted fish sofa is getting more and more cramped. Usually: I lie down and watch movies, To Kien Thu sits on one side while drawing, Giang Tam Nguyet wears headphones and diligently writes music, Tham Hoai Tu sometimes comes out of the study room, holds his laptop and sits on the carpet to handle work. Tham Duc Phong returned home earlier than before. He no longer only watches financial news, but often sits right next to me, watching those stupid entertainment shows. He still has few words. But one time —— I saw the male lead on TV confessing his love to the female lead, and I couldn't help but pout: "Oh my god, it's so cheesy." Unexpectedly, his voice rang out next to him, low and deep: "I think... it's not too bad." I turned. He is looking at me. The eyes are so gentle that... enough to drown a person. “Van Chieu,” he called my name, “thank you, for giving me a home.” My heart —— suddenly stopped for a beat. Sunlight poured in from the ground-level window, warm and pleasant. I lie on a soft sofa, on the left is my billionaire husband, on the right are my three step-sons who have become less thorny, and on the tea table is filled with all kinds of snacks I like. I, Lam Van Chieu, have only wanted to be a dried salted fish all my life. Looking back now - not only was I satisfied, but I also conveniently... became a winner in life. Um. This script is so accurate. I leisurely closed my eyes, turned over, and continued Great salt fish industry. Really happy.