Chapter 4 — Ten Years Waiting for a Taste

Then she took out the alcohol spray bottle from the cupboard again. Sprayed furiously on my hands, refrigerator door handles, and kitchen table. The smell of alcohol spreads in the air. Extremely uncomfortable. Done it all. She just turned around and looked straight at me.

“Miss Truong.”

“I don't care what living habits you had in your hometown before.”

“But at the Co family's house.”

“We have our own standards.”

“Everything here, from food to utensils, must be clean, safe and of clear origin.”

“I don't want a next time.”

She looked at me.

“Understood?”

I nodded. Can't say a single word.

“More.”

She added.

“What Mr. Co said to you, you don't need to take to heart.”

“He just… gets a little emotional sometimes.”

“In this house, things related to living standards.”

“It's still up to me to decide.”

“You don't need to think about a salary of 20,000 yuan.”

“Do your job well.”

“Your bonus this month will be deducted.”

“Because you wasted the family's pork and flour.”

After saying that, she turned and left. I stood alone in the kitchen. Tears finally couldn't hold back and fell. I'm not crying because my bonus was deducted. Nor because of her warning. I just feel very sorry for myself. Feel sorry for those dumplings. Also feeling sorry for Mr. Co who sat in the yard, crying and eating dumplings.

05

Six o'clock in the evening. Mr. Co returned. His mood is very good. Even softly humming a melody I've never heard. As soon as he entered the house, he asked:

"Miss Truong, have you prepared dinner yet?"

“Are the dumplings cooked yet?”

I stood in the living room, not knowing how to respond. Van Lam came down from upstairs. She changed into home clothes. She took Co's arm. Creamy.

“Is your husband back?”

"What do you want to eat today, I'll ask Ms. Truong to make it for you."

“Let's eat dumplings.”

Mr. Co smiled and said.

“I still didn't eat enough yesterday.”

Van Lam's smile stiffened for a moment. But very quickly it returned to nature.

“What dumplings?”

“There are no dumplings in the house.”

Mr. Co was stunned. He looked towards me. I bowed my head, not daring to look him in the eyes.

"Miss Truong, where are the dumplings?"

His voice lowered.

“Sir…”

I opened my mouth but didn't know what to say next.

“I threw it away.”

Van Lam answered for me. Her voice was still so gentle.

“The husband doesn't know.”

"Ms. Truong used the weeds growing in the yard to wrap dumplings."

“I don't know how much bacteria and pesticide residue there is on it.”

“I told her to throw it away just because it was good for you and Tieu Tiep's health.”

Mr. Co's face gradually turned cold. He pushed Van Lam's hand away.

“You threw it away?”

“That's right.”

It seems that Van Lam still does not realize the danger.

"There's no way to eat that thing."

“If you want to eat dumplings, tomorrow I will tell the driver to go to the best restaurant to buy them for you.”

“Handmade, clean, hygienic.”

“I threw it away…”

He tried to repeat that sentence. Very low voice. Like trying to suppress something.

“I threw away the dumplings.”

He suddenly turned around and rushed into the kitchen. He kicked open the smart trash can. But I have replaced the trash bag with a new one. Inside is empty. He suddenly turned his head and stared at Van Lam.

“That's my dumpling!”

He almost screamed.

“Who gives? May I throw it away?!”

Van Lam was scared by him. She took a step back, her face pale.

“Co Dien... what are you doing?”

“I... I just want the best for you!”

“Good for you?”

Mr. Co smiled coldly.

“Do you understand what is good for me?”

“Do you know what that is?”

“That was the last memory my mother left me ten years ago!”

“You treat it like trash and throw it away!”

The whole living room fell into dead silence. I was stunned. Van Lam was also stunned.

“What... what did you say?”

Van Lam's voice trembled.

“Isn't your mother…”

“Shut up!”

Mr. Try interrupted her.

“I don't want to hear you say it.”

He pointed towards the door.

“Now, let me go out.”

“Co Dien, are you crazy? Just because of some torn dumplings, you kicked me out?”

“Yes.”

Mr. Co's eyes were bloodshot.

"I'll go out now."

“I don't want to see you.”

Tears flowed down from Van Lam's eyes. She looked at Co, then looked at me. His eyes were filled with resentment. She picked up her bag on the sofa, cried and ran out. The door was slammed shut by her. Mr. Co stood in the middle of the living room. The chest rose and fell violently. After a while, he gradually calmed down. He walked in front of me.

“Miss Truong.”

“Sorry.”

I shook my head.

“It's not your fault.”

At this moment, Tieu Tiep's room door opened a small crack. The boy stuck his head out. Timidly looking at us. He walked up to me and pulled the corner of my shirt. Ask in a low voice:

“Mrs. Truong.”

“Do you still have… dumplings?”

“It smells really good.”

06

Mr. Co's body suddenly trembled. He bowed his head, looking at his son. Tieu Tiep's eyes were filled with desire. It is the most instinctive craving for food. Mr. Co slowly squatted down. Look at eye level with Tieu Tiep.

“Tieu Tiep.”

“Do you want to eat dumplings?”

The boy nodded vigorously.

“Was Dad very angry just now?”

Tieu Tiep hesitated a bit then nodded. Mr. Co reached out and gently stroked his son's face.

“Dad… sorry.”

“Dad is not angry with me.”

He hugged Tieu Tiep in his arms.

“Dad is just… very sad.”

Tieu Tiep lay quietly in his arms. After a while, he raised his small hand and gently patted his father's back. As if comforting him. I stood next to the father and son, looking at them. My heart is full of hundreds of questions. I quietly retreated to the kitchen. Leave space for them. That night, Mr. Co did not mention the dumpling story again. He himself read a bedtime story to Tieu Tiep. Then I was alone in my office for a long time. I made a cup of hot milk and brought it to him. He sat in the dark, with only a floor lamp on. On the table is a very old photo frame. The photo is yellowed. In the photo is a simple rural woman, hugging a boy. The boy smiled extremely brightly. Missing a front tooth.

“Miss Truong.”

He called me back.

“Sit down.”