Chapter 15 — Salary 9,000 Yuan, Husband Asks to Support Younger Sister to Study Abroad?

It was the note I wrote when I paid—“Mom, thank you for leaving a way out for me. I will definitely let you live well in this life.” Mom held the paper, her eyes were red.

“I did it.”

My eyes are also stinging.

“It's still a long way.”

"Enough." She held my hand. “My daughter lives well, that's enough.”

And Tran Hao. It is said that he later found a job at a small company, doing sales. Salary 5,000 yuan. The house was finally sold, the bank debt was paid off, and there was still some money left to rent a small room. Vuong Tu Lan and Tran Quoc Cuong returned to their hometown. Tran Vu Huyen worked in customer service for a year, then switched jobs to an administrative job. Salary increased to 5,500 yuan. Don't study abroad. Not becoming an international student. Not becoming a high-level talent. But at least she can support herself. That was the best outcome. One time I met her in a shopping mall. She didn't wear makeup and wore a simple hoodie. Seeing me, he stopped and smiled.

“General Lam.”

“It's okay to call me by my name.”

“Lam Van Thu.” She called a bit awkwardly, but still called.

“How are you these days?”

"It's okay. I work in administration at an educational company. The salary is not high, but enough to live on."

"YES." She bowed her head.

“Van Thu, I still haven't had a chance to tell you—about before, I'm really sorry.”

"It's not the social kind. It's real."

"Before, I didn't understand things, thinking it was natural for my brother and sister-in-law to help me. Later, when I started working for myself, I realized how difficult it was to support myself."

"Every penny I spend on you, I save a little bit. At that time, I didn't know."

I looked at her. Three years is enough to change a lot of things.

“It's over.” I said.

“Thank you.”

“Thank you for what?”

"Thank you, when you were at Hac Vien, you didn't open the back door for me, nor did you make things difficult for me. You made me understand one thing—no one has the obligation to help me, I have to rely on myself."

I nodded.

“I think it's good.”

We say no more. She goes her way, I go mine. No intersection, no resentment, no entanglement. Five years later. I am thirty-two years old. Hac Vien's new retail segment goes public. As a key member of the founding team, the value of my shares exceeds 50,000,000 yuan. I married Co Tu Vien. Do not organize stalking. The two went to New Zealand and took wedding photos by a lake. His family background is very good, but he has never asked me to be like this or that. Before getting married, he proactively made a property agreement.

"What's mine is mine, what's mine is mine. If one day I make you unhappy, you can leave at any time, without looking at anyone's face."

I looked at the agreement.

“Do you really want to?”

"I know what you've been through. I don't want you to have any insecurities."

He also signed. On the wedding day, my father got drunk. He held Co Tu Vien's hand and said: "Tieu Co, my daughter used to suffer. You must treat her well." Co Tu Vien replied: "Don't worry." My father said again: "If you don't treat me well, I'm old but I can still fight." The whole table laughed. My mother stood next to her and wiped her tears.

“You drink less.”

"I'm happy! I'm happy!" My father blushed. “My daughter deserves the best!”

To Dao was the bridesmaid. She wore a pink dress, more prominent than the bride.

"Lam Van Thu, if you're not happy this time, I really won't accept you anymore."

"I have tested this man and he meets the standards. If he fails, I will be the first to deal with him."

“Can you handle Co Tu Vien?”

“I can't Then I'll pay to hire someone to handle it.”

I laughed. At the wedding there was no Tran Hao, no Vuong Tu Lan, no Tran Quoc Cuong. There is no trace of the past. That is the look a wedding should have. Ten years later. I am thirty-seven years old. Hac Vien's new retail segment reached a value of 5,000,000,000 yuan. I am the co-founder and CEO. Personal assets exceed 100,000,000 yuan. To Dao's company was acquired by a listed corporation, and she received 300,000,000 yuan in cash.

“That's enough.” she said over the phone. “Retirement. Take your dog around the world.”

“You don't have a lover yet.”

“I have a dog. Dogs are more loyal than men.”

I smiled, hung up the phone. Co Tu Vien is still Co Tu Vien. Every morning make me coffee. On weekends, I took my children to the park. We have one daughter. Three and a half years old. My name at home is An An. It means peace and joy. My mother comes over every day to help look after my grandchild. Her hair is half gray, but her spirits are very good. One day An An asked her: "Grandma, what did you do before?" My mother thought for a moment.

“Your mother used to be… a very brave person.”

“What is courage?”

“Courage is... when you're not happy, dare to leave. When you're happy, dare to embrace it."

An An nodded. Run to hug my leg.

“Mom, are you happy now?”

I sat down and picked up my baby.

“Have a lot of fun?”

“This much.” I spread my arms wide.

The baby laughed loudly. One night, An An was sleeping and Co Tu Vien was in the office. I sat alone on the balcony. The wind is very light. City lights stretch out in the distance. The phone rang. Some strange. It's Tran Hao. I don't hang up.

“What's wrong?”

"Nothing. It's just… I'm married.”

"Congratulations."

“She is a good person. Work as a supermarket cashier. Treat me very well.”

“Then live well.”

Silence for a few seconds.

“Van Thu, are you living well?”

“So it's okay.”

Silence again.

“That… what happened before…”

“It's all over.” I said. “No need to repeat.”

Phone turned off. I put down the phone. The wind blew through the potted plants, rustling the leaves. From the night I burned my hand until now, ten years. The woman standing in the dining room, holding a bowl of cold soup, unable to say a word—was no more. The person standing here— Has a family, has a career, has someone who loves her. There is a child named An An. There is a mother who always leaves a way out, a father who says "even if the sky falls, it won't be your turn to bear the burden". There is a close friend who always stands behind. Have a husband willing to sign a property agreement. And a complete life—belonging to yourself. Co Tu Vien stepped out onto the balcony.

“What are you thinking?”

“Think about ten years ago.”

“Then see… now it's good.”

He sat down next to her. Say nothing. Hold my hand. Warm palms. The wind is still blowing. The light is still on. Life still goes on.