Chapter 8 — Ten Years Waiting for a Taste

Crying without a sound.

“I thought that if I risked my life to make money, lived in a big house, and lived the life you wanted, I could make up for everything.”

“You were wrong.”

“You just built a flashier prison.”

“Then lock yourself in there.”

“Van Lam, look at this house!”

“Does it have any human warmth?”

The whole dining room was in dead silence. Only Mr. Co's suppressed choking sound remained.

11

Tieu Tiep cried. Not because of fear. He went to his father. Reaching out a small hand, clumsily wiped the tears from his face.

“Dad, don't cry.”

Mr. Co squatted down and hugged his son tightly. Father and son hugged each other and cried. I stood not far away, quietly wiping my tears. Van Lam still stood in place. She looked at father and son holding each other and crying. Looked again at the steaming plate of steamed dumplings on the table. Don't say a word. A while later. Mr. Co let go of Tieu Tiep. He dried his tears and sat back at the dining table. He picked up the chopsticks that fell on the ground and put them aside. Then pick up your chopsticks. Pick up a dumpling. Put it in your mouth. Chew slowly. Tears silently flowed down once again. He cried while eating. Eat very slowly, very respectfully. It was like completing a memorial service ten years late. Tieu Tiep also imitated his father. Take your small spoon and scoop a dumpling. It blows gently. Carefully take a small bite. His eyes immediately lit up.

“Delicious.”

It chewed and spoke unclearly.

“Dad, this is delicious.”

He raised his head and smiled at Mr. Co. The corner of my mouth still had a bit of vegetable stuck in it. Mr. Co looked at it and smiled. It was the most genuine and relaxing smile I've ever seen in my three years working here. He picked up another one for Tieu Tiep.

“If it's delicious, eat a little more.”

The two of you just sat there. One person, one person. Eating two large plates of dumplings. From beginning to end, Van Lam did not say another word. She didn't leave either. Just standing there. Watch them eat. Like an outsider accidentally entering someone else's world. After eating. Mr. Co held Tieu Tiep's hand.

“Let's go, son.”

“Dad took me somewhere.”

The father and son went upstairs. I silently started cleaning the table. Pick up the fallen chair and put it back in place. In the kitchen there was only the sound of running water. After cleaning everything up. I was preparing to return to my room when Van Lam called back.

“Miss Truong.”

I turned around. She looked at me. Lips moved slightly. It seemed like he wanted to say something. But in the end, she just waved her hand.

“Nothing.”

“Go rest.”

I nodded, turned and left. I don't know where Mr. Co took Tieu Tiep. But I guess. Maybe he brought it into the office. Show him that yellowed black and white photo. Tell him about the woman in the photo. It's his grandmother. A grandmother can make the most delicious Thai vegetable dumplings in the world.

12

After that day. The atmosphere in the Co family's house began to change very subtly. Van Lam did not repeat anything related to "standards" or "rules". She started spending a lot of time in her room. I don't know what she's thinking. The relationship between Mr. Co and Tieu Tiep became closer than ever. Father and son play soccer together in the yard. Curl up on the sofa together and watch cartoons. Mr. Co even bought a set of fishing rods. Last talk This week I will take Tieu Tiep to the suburban riverbank to learn fishing. The smile on Tieu Tiep's face grew more and more. He is no longer a lonely child, silently building a Lego battleship. He will run into the kitchen and ask me what's delicious today. Also bring newly painted paintings for me to see. It paints a new picture. In the painting there is a man, a boy and a woman. Three people held hands, standing on a green lawn. There is a huge sun in the sky. One day, Van Lam called me out to the yard. She pointed to the corner of the wall filled with Thai herbs.

“Miss Truong.”

“This place... can we leave a small space empty?”

I was stunned.

“Do you want to grow flowers?”

She shook her head.

“No.”

“I want to… grow some vegetables.”

“Cherry tomatoes or cucumbers are fine.”

“Tieu Tiep seems to... really like these things.”

When she spoke, she didn't look at me. His eyes turned to a far away place. I saw the corners of her eyes were slightly wet. A month later, I offered to quit my job with Mr. Co. You don't keep me. Just give me a thick envelope. Thicker than the previous envelope.

"Miss Truong, the past few years have been difficult for you."

He said.

“You don't just come here to work.”

“But also came to save our family.”

“You take this money and go home to rest.”

“Spend more time with your loved ones.”

I take it. I know I should leave. This house no longer needs a "catalyst" like me. They will begin to learn how to reconcile themselves. Build their own true happiness. The day I left. Mr. Co and Tieu Tiep saw me out the door. Tieu Tiep held my hand, reluctant to let go.

"Mrs. Truong, will you come back to visit me later?"

“Yes.”

I patted its head.

“When Tieu Tiep grows up, Mrs. Truong will come back to visit him.”

Van Lam did not go downstairs. But when I sat in the car, the car slowly left the yard. I saw it in the rearview mirror. The second floor window curtains moved slightly. A faint figure stood behind the window. Haven't left for a long time. The car drove onto the main road. I turned my head to look back. The beautiful villa sparkles in the sunlight. In a corner of the wall surrounding the yard. On newly tilled land. Green buds have begun to sprout. Full of hope. END OF STORY.