Chapter 15 — Taste of Home

“But in life, you can't just learn to understand things.” “You have to learn to open your mouth.” “If you're hungry, say you're hungry.” “If it hurts, say it hurts.” "If you can't try anymore, turn around and look." “When mom is gone, there will definitely still be someone willing to take care of me.” Chu Hieu Duong cried so much that he could not continue reading. Trieu Minh Vien received the letter, his voice choked and broken. The last line reads: “If Aunt Luc comes to visit you, don't consider her an outsider.” “She has a hard mouth but a soft heart, she was like that when she was young.” Originally, the mother-in-law was still crying. Hearing this, she was suddenly stunned. Everyone in the hospital room couldn't help but laugh. Laughing and laughing, everyone's eyes were red. When the doctor visited the room, he saw the whole room of people surrounding a wooden chest in tears and was stunned for a few seconds. The nurse softly reminded her not to get too emotional. Chu Hieu Duong quickly wiped away his tears. The mother-in-law also sat up straight as if her name was called. “We don't cry anymore.” “I really don't cry anymore.” After the doctor left, the mother-in-law folded each small set of clothes one by one. She folded very slowly and very solemnly. It's like completing a belated condolence on behalf of an old friend. But just as she closed the wooden chest, Chu Hieu Duong suddenly took a sharp breath. She held Trieu Minh Vien's hand. “Minh Vien.” “Looks like you're in pain again.” 18 The nurse quickly pushed the wheelchair over. Zhou Xiaotang was taken for examination. This time, the atmosphere in the hallway was more tense than last night. Trieu Minh Vien stood outside the door, his whole body as if his strength had been drained from him. His mother leaned against the wall, tears kept falling but did not dare to cry out loud. The mother-in-law sat on a chair, her hands clasped together. She did not mumble. Don't panic and walk back and forth. She just said in a low voice: "Don't be afraid, don't be afraid." I know you are telling Zhou Xiaotang. Also speaking for myself. Luc Canh Hoa bought me a cup of hot water. When the cup was stuffed into my hand, I realized my fingertips were cold. “It will be okay.” he said. I nodded. But his eyes were always staring at the examination room door. A long time later, the doctor came out. “Currently the situation is fine.” “But she has great emotional turmoil, is labored, and needs to stay in bed.” "In the next few days, the family must keep an eye on her and not let her run away on her own." At this point, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Trieu Minh Vien nodded continuously. “I will look.” “I will definitely watch.” After Chu Hieu Duong returned to the hospital room, his whole body was very tired. She looked at the wooden chest at the end of the bed, her eyes red again. The mother-in-law immediately said: "Don't cry." Zhou Xiaotang was stunned. Mother-in-law looked serious. “The doctor just said, don't get too emotional.” “Now all you have to do is eat, sleep, and take care of yourself.” “Everything else is left to us.” Chu Hieu Duong asked softly: "What about your mother's chest?" The mother-in-law looked at her, her voice softened. “The chest is right here.” “No one can take it away.” Trieu Minh Vien placed the chest under the bedside table and used a tissue to wipe the lock. “I look.” “You can rest assured and sleep.” At this time, Chu Hieu Duong slowly closed his eyes. Her mother-in-law looked at her for a moment, then suddenly said softly: "I understand." I asked: “What do you understand?” The mother-in-law said: "One person does not have to do everything to take care of others." “There are times when it counts to let others sleep in peace.” Luc Canh Hoa stood next to her, looking at her. “Mom, your enlightenment is getting higher and higher.” Mother-in-law glared at him. “Stop joking around.” But there was a smile in her eyes. That evening, we divided the work. Trieu Minh Vien is on night duty. His mother stayed during the day to take care of the sick. The mother-in-law in charge comes once a day to look but is not allowed to stand for long. Luc Canh Hoa and I were responsible for cooking another portion of dinner, delivering it to the hospital door and then returning. Don't take people home. Don't make decisions for others. Only lend a helping hand when they need it. At first, the mother-in-law was not familiar with this arrangement. She always felt like she should do a little more. Luc Canh Hoa photocopied a copy of her father-in-law's letter and stuck it in her small notebook. “If you want to secretly carry it alone, read it once first.” Out of her mouth, her mother-in-law criticized him for many things. But at night it was a pressure

Use that paper carefully. The next day, when I got home from work, the entrance light was on. The mother-in-law sat at the dining table, placing a small notebook in front of her. In the notebook, write a new menu. Zhou Xiaotang, less oil and less salt. Trieu Minh Vien, you must eat well. Trieu's mother, her stomach is not good, the porridge is softer. Luc Canh Hoa, less spicy. Nam Am, don't be too tired. The last line is herself. Luc Tu Mai, you must eat a good meal at noon. Looking at that text, my eye sockets immediately warmed up. Mother-in-law is a bit shy. “My mother wrote to remind me.” I sat down next to her. “Mom, what did you eat for lunch today?” She immediately seemed to report the assignment. “Half a bowl of rice.” “Eat three pieces of steamed fish.” “Green vegetables are also eaten.” “Drink a bowl of soup.” Luc Canh Hoa poked his head out of the kitchen. “Is it salty?” Mother-in-law looked at him and smiled. “Not salty.” I also laughed. At that moment, I suddenly felt that the lights in the house were a little brighter than before. It's not because there's an extra light.