Chapter 7 — Taste of Home

“Then I asked mom how she ate for lunch, but she didn't dare say she brought food to someone else.” “I'm afraid you'll think I'm unreasonable.” "I'm afraid you'll think you're working hard to cook, but mom will take it as a favor." The more she talked, the more frantic she became. “Mom, it's not like I don't appreciate it.” “Mom kept all the notes.” “I know you put a lot of effort into every dish.” "I just think that Hieu Duong has no one to take care of her now. Wait until her husband comes home, wait for her to stabilize, I will tell you guys." Luc Canh Hoa's voice was hoarse. “So what about mom eating man tau?” Mother-in-law bowed her head. “Mom originally ordered food out at noon.” “But the food is too greasy, I can't eat it.” “It's a pity to throw it away.” “After that, I thought mantou could also fight hunger for a meal.” Luc Canh Hoa closed his eyes. “Mom, what do you think we are?” Tears fell from the mother-in-law's eyes. “It's not that I don't consider you children family.” “It's just that I'm afraid of bothering you guys.” “The children are tired enough to go to work every day.” "Mom is an old woman. If she can do anything herself, she doesn't want to open her mouth." I took her hand. Her hands were very cold. “Mom, what you do makes us feel sad.” The mother-in-law said nothing, just nodded continuously. Luc Canh Hoa suddenly asked: "What about twenty thousand yuan?" The mother-in-law's hand immediately stiffened. The atmosphere that had just calmed down in the living room became tense again. Luc Canh Hoa looked at her. “And the gold bracelet.” “Where did mom take it?” The mother-in-law's eyes avoided. Her lips moved slightly. Finally, he only said one sentence in a low voice. “The bracelet is no longer with mom.” 09 After that sentence fell, Luc Canh Hoa's face turned completely pale. I don't care how much that bracelet is worth. He noticed that his mother even took the last item for protection quietly out. Mother-in-law saw his expression and quickly explained. “Not lost.” “It's not like I was fooled.” “Mom has papers.” She grabbed the edge of the table and stood up, intending to go back to her room to get her things. I quickly held her back. “Mom, just sit down, I'll come get it.” She shook her head. “Let mom get it herself.” She walked very slowly. Every step seemed to step on our hearts. A moment later, she walked out holding an old iron box. The paint on the edge of the box has peeled off. That is the box my father-in-law used to store blood pressure medicine. The mother-in-law placed the box on the table, her fingers stopped on the clasp for a long time. Then she opened it. There were no valuable items inside. On top is a stack of notes. The papers I wrote. Heat for two minutes at noon. The soup must be covered. Don't reheat the ribs for too long. Every sheet was pressed flat by her. Some sheets had curled corners, and she used transparent tape to carefully attach them. I looked at those words, my throat felt like it was blocked by a cotton ball. The mother-in-law took out the stack of sticky notes, then took out another square folded piece of paper. It's a receipt from the pawn shop. The gold bracelet was held at eight thousand yuan. Three month period. Luc Canh Hoa picked up the receipt, his hands shaking. “Mom, would you rather go pawn and not tell me?” Mother-in-law bowed her head. “Twenty thousand yuan is for Xiao Duong to pay rent and prenatal check-up costs.” “The bracelet is something mom kept as a backup.” "She refused to accept the money, saying she would definitely pay it later." “I think in case the baby needs it temporarily, I still have to have some money on hand.” Luc Canh Hoa's voice couldn't be held back anymore. “Is your son just for show?” The mother-in-law raised her head to look at him, tears falling again. "Not." “I'm not something to show off.” "It's my mother who doesn't have the face to open her mouth." “That year, Chu Lan helped her mother too much.” “When I had a high fever when I was a child, she was the one who rode her bicycle to take me and my mother to the hospital.” “The year your father lost his job, she also helped introduce part-time jobs.” “Mom always remembers those things.” "But this favor is what the mother owes, and the young couple should not be left to pay together." I finally understood why she kept it so secret. In her generation's opinion, favors must be returned. But no matter how difficult life is, you cannot put your debt on your children's shoulders. She said it was to save face. But you don't know, what we need has never been your face. We just need her to eat well and live well. Luc Canh Hoa stood up and walked to the window. He turned his back to us, his shoulders tense

. I know you're trying to force your emotions down. The mother-in-law looked at his back, her voice so low it was almost inaudible. “Canh Hoa, mom was wrong.” “In the future, I won't do that again.” Luc Canh Hoa did not turn around. A long time later he said: "Tomorrow I will go redeem the bracelet." The mother-in-law quickly waved her hand. "No need." “That's Mom's stuff, Mom redeemed it herself.” Luc Canh Hoa turned to look at her. “Mom, are you still distinguishing between yours and mine?” Mother-in-law was stunned. I held her hand and said softly: "Mom, in this family you are not the only one who takes care of us." “We also want to take care of mom.” Her tears fell drop by drop. Like a person who has endured for a long time, finally found a place where he can relax his shoulders. That night, we didn't ask too much more. Luc Canh Hoa cooked a bowl of hot noodles for her mother-in-law. There are green vegetables and fried eggs in the noodles. He pushed the bowl in front of her, his voice very stiff.