Chapter 1 — Six Pairs of Slippers in Front of My Door

AFTER MY SISTER-IN-LAW'S MARRIAGE, SIX MORE PAIRS OF STRANGE SLIPPERS SUDDENLY APPEARED IN MY HOUSE. On the third day after my brother-in-law's wedding, I got home late from work and discovered that the door lock code had been changed. The strange man standing in the house opened the door for me, frowned and asked:

“Who are you?”

Outside the mysterious entrance, six pairs of brand new sandals lay neatly in a row, none of which belonged to me. The main bedroom door is plastered with bright red letters for Joy. Through the half-closed door, a red light shined out, dim and suffocating. On the third day after Co Tinh's brother-in-law's wedding, when I got home from work, the door lock code was incorrect three times in a row. I stood outside the door, carrying a laptop bag in one hand and a bag of stomach pain medicine in the other. The lock screen flashed red.

“The password is incorrect.”

I was stunned for two seconds. Then enter again. I thought I was working overtime so I was confused so I pressed the wrong button. The third time, the door lock directly emits a shrill warning sound. Inside, there was the sound of slippers squeaking. A shirtless young man poked his head out, his mouth still closed. He looked me up and down.

“Who are you looking for?”

I looked at him. Then looked behind him — my house's mysterious gate. The shoe cabinet door is wide open. My high heels and sneakers were haphazardly stuffed into a corner. On the floor were neatly arranged six pairs of slippers that I had never seen before. Two pairs of pink fur. Two pairs of gray men's sandals. A pair with a small bear print. A pair of soft-soled canvas sandals for the elderly. The mark hasn't been cut cleanly yet. At that moment, my head buzzed.

“Who am I looking for?”

My voice was so cold that even I felt strange.

“This is my house.”

The man was stunned, immediately turned around and called out:

"Co Tinh! Your sister-in-law is back!"

I pushed him aside and walked straight into the house. The living room is filled with red balloons. On the TV shelf are placed wedding photos of Co Tinh and Thieu Bang. The dining table was piled high with leftover takeout boxes, and chili oil spilled onto my newly purchased tablecloth. On the edge of the sofa hung a strange pair of men's socks. One of the potted plants I kept fell over, soil was all over the floor. The main bedroom door is ajar. Co Tinh was wearing my silk nightgown, lying on my bed scrolling through her phone. Her newlywed husband - Thieu Bang - sat cross-legged at the end of the bed, holding a game controller, his feet even stepping on the wool carpet my mother left behind. That carpet, normally I wouldn't even bring a cup of coffee into the room. Seeing me, Co Tinh didn't even bother to sit up.

“Sister-in-law is back.”

The tone was so natural that… It was as if I was an outsider. I stared at the nightgown on her body. Co Tinh's face immediately changed.

"Sister-in-law, what do you mean by that? I just finished showering, so is it okay if I borrow a temporary outfit from you?"

In the kitchen, there was a clanging sound of stir-frying and cooking. My mother-in-law - La Phuong Lien - came out carrying a bowl of soup, wearing a pair of insulated gloves I had just bought. Seeing me, she smiled.

"Nien Niem is back? Just when there's still soup in the pot, go help yourself."

I didn't move.

“Who changed the password?”

The mother-in-law put the bowl of soup on the tea table.

"I changed it. The house is crowded, the old password is too simple, not safe."

“Who let these people in?”

The smile on her face slowly disappeared.

"My husband and I just got married. After the ceremony, I wanted to stay for a few days. Thieu Bang's parents and his younger brother and sister also came here to have fun." happy home.”

I looked into the office. The door is open. My desk was pushed out onto the balcony. On the ground were two folding beds. A young man and woman were sitting inside peeling snacks. In the spare bedroom, Thieu Bang's parents opened two large suitcases on the floor. My newly changed bed sheets were crushed and wrinkled into a pile by them. Six pairs of sandals. Six people. In the blink of an eye, it turned into a free motel. I turned my head to look at my mother-in-law.

“They have to go today.”

The mother-in-law's face darkened.

“Hua Niem, don't be so petty. My newlywed sister-in-law stayed at my sister-in-law's house for a few days, and when I went out, she was also a reputable child."

Co Tinh sat up on the bed and touched her stomach.

“Sister-in-law, I can't be tired these days. The doctor said to rest carefully."

I looked at her.

“Are you pregnant?”

Her eyes immediately avoided.

“There probably is. We just got married, who can say this."

The mother-in-law immediately continued:

“So the main bedroom facing south is the most suitable for Tinh Tinh to live in. These past few days I've been sleeping in my office, or going to a hotel to stay. Doesn't the subsidiary work overtime every day?

I burst out laughing because I was angry.

“This house is an asset I bought before marriage, paid for entirely with my own money.”

The mother-in-law immediately raised her voice:

“Since you are married to Hoai An, this house belongs to the Co family! Why make such a clear division? A sister-in-law like you, still wants to fight for a room with your brother-in-law?

Thieu Bang also walked out of the master bedroom, frowning at me.

“Sister-in-law, your attitude is not good. My husband's family has already told us that this house is for us to stay in temporarily, and it was clearly discussed on the wedding day. Now I've changed my mind, how will your parents look?"

I suddenly turned to him.

“Who discussed it clearly?”

No one answered. My phone rang just in time. It was Co Hoai An calling. I picked up the phone and turned it on speaker directly. His voice was filled with impatience.

“Nien Niem, don't make trouble anymore. The password is that I asked my mother to change it.”

My hand holding the phone tightened.

“You brought someone into my house, touched my things, slept in my bed, and then told me not to make trouble?”

He was silent for two seconds, his voice even colder.

“Tinh Tinh just got married, the Thieu family went to the city and had no place to live. Only stay for a few days. Do I have to make you lose face at this time?”

I looked at the messy house before my eyes. It's like there's a string in my heart being pulled little by little.

“Co Hoai An, I ask you one last time. When will they leave?

He laughed faintly.

“If you don't understand something like that, go to the hotel first tonight. Money comes from family living expenses.”

The phone is disconnected. The living room was silent for a few seconds. Mother-in-law crossed her arms and looked at me.

“Did you hear that? Hoai An also agreed. Don't make things unsightly."

I bowed my head and dialed 110. My mother-in-law's face immediately changed.

“Hua Niem! Do you dare report to the police?”

I raised my head to look at her.

“You dare to come in, I dare to report.”