Chapter 5 — The Anti-Cancer Kitchen

“Buy unanimously, keep votes.” “If something happens, who is responsible?” “The operating unit and field management side, volunteers are only in charge of guidance.” “Is there insurance?” "Have." “Can the family leave the patient there so we can look after him?” Director Dinh smiled wryly. "Impossible, the regulations are clearly written, family members must be present throughout the entire process." My mother folded the documents. “I'll think about it.” That evening, she took out the wooden board of the Mot Te Kettle Kitchen and wiped it. My father asked: "Do you still want to go?" My mother said: “I don't want to carry the pot again.” “I just can't bear to see people who really can't eat rice.” She raised her head to look at us. “But this time, the pot cannot be in my hand.” “Regulations must be made in advance.” The shared kitchen had not yet been officially approved, Diep Gia Ninh brought Tham Boi Tran there first. That afternoon, my mother was peeling young soybeans. The doorbell rang. I opened the door and saw Diep Gia Ninh helping Tham Boi Tran stand outside. Aunt Tham has lost a lot of weight and her hat is pulled very low. As soon as she saw my mother, her eyes turned red. “Miss Mai.” Very light voice. My mother's hand stopped. She still stood up. “Boi Tran, sit down.” Diep Gia Ninh helped his mother sit down on the chair and took out an envelope from her pocket. “Aunt Hua, Uncle Gu, this is the fine, twelve thousand yuan.” My father sat still and did not move. I said coldly: "Just giving it now?" “When you reported it, didn't you think that they would have to pay a fine?” Diep Gia Ninh bowed his head. “At that time I… I was blinded by interests.” Her voice was hoarse. "Kang Ich Company gave me a commission, saying that as long as organic sick meals are promoted, each order will be refunded." “They told me to first prove that the private kitchens around the hospital were not compliant.” “So I thought of you two.” She raised her head, tears falling. “Because the two places are the most crowded.” “Because I know you two are soft-hearted.” "It's because I know that you two won't turn against me." As soon as this sentence was said, it was as cold as ice in the house. My mother looked at her. “So you know everything.” Diep Gia Ninh cried and nodded. “I know you two are not greedy.” “I know those funds are all used for sick people.” “But I still write.” "I grabbed the pot and didn't wash it after closing the door, so it was dirty and messy." “Writing donations and people putting them in the box is unclear direction.” "Bring the video of your aunt cooking rice water to your mother and say she's secretly providing meals." She covered her face. “Auntie Hua, I'm sorry to you.” Tham Boi Tran sat next to her, her hands still shaking. She took out a piece of paper from her pocket. The words on the paper are very chaotic. Obviously writing takes a lot of effort. “Sister Mai, the rice is warm, the heart is also warm.” My mother looked at that piece of paper and her eyes immediately turned red. She took it and gently touched the corner of the paper. “How much can you eat now?” Tham Boi Tran said softly: "Drink some soup." Diep Gia Ninh seemed to catch the opportunity and immediately said: "Aunt Hua, I don't ask you to reopen the kitchen." “You can buy your own vegetables and wash your own pots.” “Can you teach me just once?” “Or… I can help your mother cook a small pot, you can pay the market price.” In my heart, I laughed coldly. Indeed. Sorry it's true. Wanting to continue demanding is also real. My mother put that piece of paper on the table. “Gia Ninh.” “If you had just come to apologize today, I would have received it.” “Your mother's words, I also accept them.” “Bring the money back.” “Rice, I don't do it.” Diep Gia Ninh's face turned pale. “Aunt Hua, I really don't want to take advantage.” My mother shook her head. “This is not about money.” “As long as I light a fire, it's still providing a private meal.” “Today it's my mother, tomorrow someone else will come too.” “In the end, the pot became mine again.” Diep Gia Ninh choked. “But my mother really wants to drink the rice water you cook.” My mother looked at Tham Boi Tran. The eyes are very soft. But the voice did not give in. “Boi Tran, I have already taught Gia Ninh.” “Wash the rice twice, soak for half an hour, cook slowly over low heat.” “Skim the top layer, don't get too hot.” “Dividing a little for a lot.” “If the doctor says you can't eat it, don't try to feed it.” Tham Boi Tran nodded, tears rolling down her eyes. My mother looked at Diep Gia Ninh again. “I'm her daughter.” "From now on, I will study this bowl of rice myself." “Don't leave it to me anymore.”

Diep Gia Ninh covered her mouth and cried. In the end she didn't leave any money. When leaving, Tham Boi Tran turned and looked at my mother for a long time. My mother stood at the door, also looking at her. The moment the elevator door closed, my mother bowed her head and wiped the corners of her eyes. I asked: “Uncomfortable?” “Uncomfortable,” she said. “But even though I'm uncomfortable, I can't open the kitchen again.” “If mom softens her heart one more time, it will be my fault for the dirty water she once threw on me.” The official shared kitchen was approved two months later. Location is at the patient relative service center next to the hospital. Not a small shop in an old alley. There is a bright stainless steel operating table. There is a disinfection cabinet. There is a refrigerator to store samples. There are cameras. On the wall paste the process. Sign up for an appointment. Family members sign. Register materials. Number the tools. Clean after use. Donated money goes to a public account, not through individual hands.