Chapter 12 — The day I disappeared, they realized their mistake

I almost didn't notice. Three years. She lost at least twenty pounds. Cheeks sunken, cheekbones protruding, skin yellow. Hair is nearly half white and sparse, sticking to the pillow. There was an IV needle in his hand, the back of his hand was purple and bruised—it had been pricked too many times. Her eyes were closed. Breathing is very light. On the nightstand were a half-eaten bowl of porridge, a glass of water, and a pencil drawing of Trang Trang—a stick figure with a big sun and scrawled words: “Get well soon.” To Hao said softly: "Mom, Niem Niem is back." Her eyelids moved. Then slowly open it. Those eyes were much duller—but when they saw me, they suddenly lit up. Like a light that's about to go out, blown back by the wind.

“Nem Niem…”

Her voice was hoarse and weak, as if it was forced from the bottom of her throat.

“Nien Niem… you're back… I thought I'd never see you again in this life…”

Her lips trembled. His hand reached out from under the blanket, wanting to touch my face. I sat down next to the bed. Don't cry. No hugs. Her hand touched my cheek. Cold. Thin as paper.

"Mom, I have a few words. I have to say them in front of everyone."

Her hand stopped. People came to visit—or more accurately, wanted to see me—in increasing numbers. The hospital room was too small, so To Hao led everyone to the resting area at the end of the hallway. Mr. Liu Kien Quoc also came. Over sixty, white hair, back still straight. My eldest aunt came, pulled my hand and looked from above: "Niem Niem, we haven't seen each other for three years, but you're so successful! I heard you're a leader in Hangzhou?" Their cousins, sister-in-laws, and even Mr. Truong next door also poked their heads to look. To Hao stood in a corner, Trang Trang clinging to his leg. He's six years old, older than before, but he looks at me cautiously—maybe he doesn't remember clearly. I stand in the middle. All eyes were on me. The outfit I wore was the one I wore from Hangzhou—dark gray vest, white shirt, hair tied low. Compared to the girl who disappeared three years ago, it's like two different people. I took a deep breath.

“I'm going home today to settle accounts.”

The eldest aunt's smile stiffened. He leaned back in his chair, his eyes shining.

“First installment. 180,000 yuan.”

My voice wasn't loud, but the entire hallway was silent.

"Five years. One thousand eight hundred and twenty-five days. Every day I save thirty yuan. I don't even dare to buy a cup of milk tea. My mother didn't say a word and gave it all to my brother to buy a house."

I looked at To Hao. He bowed his head.

“Second amount. 3,200 yuan.”

The eldest aunt frowned—she didn't know.

"The royalties I saved in high school. I put them in a blue iron box. When my brother went to college, my mother took it and paid his tuition."

Whispers began to rise.

“Third clause—”

I took out the yellow envelope. The whole space was silent.

"Nine years ago. The year I took the university entrance exam. I passed the first class in the province."

The eldest aunt cried out.

"The notice was sent home. My mother opened it, looked at it, then—hid it at the bottom of the closet."

I opened the envelope. Red background with yellow letters, shining under the lights.

"She said she couldn't afford to support two children in college. She told me to go to work, 'later I'll have the means'. That year my brother passed the second semester," I paused, "tuition was even more expensive."

Mr. Liu Kien Quoc slammed his hand on the armrest of the chair.

“I told you!” His voice was as deep as thunder, "I said don't do that! Saying that she's such a good student but not allowing her to study—you're telling me to interfere with family matters!"

He pointed towards the hospital room, his hands shaking.

"What now?! Niem Niem studied on her own, got an MBA, became a vice president! What about the foster aunt?! Lost all 400,000, deep in debt!"

The eldest aunt moved her lips, unable to speak. Their sister-in-law whispered: "Nine years... hidden for nine years..."

“The fourth clause.”

My voice is still there plane.

"From eighteen to twenty-seven years old. Nine years. I sent back a total of 410,000 yuan."

The air seemed to be drained.

“410,000.” I repeated, "in exchange—not having a room of my own. The closet became a storage room. The books were sold for scrap. Royalties were spent. Savings were wiped out. Even the admission notice was hidden."

“Do you think… it's enough?”

No one said anything. Trang Trang still clung to To Hao's feet, looking at the adults with a puzzled expression. Then I heard the sound of slippers dragging on the floor. Mother—Liu Guilan—came out of the hospital room. She dragged the infusion stand with her, each step as slow as stepping on cotton. Face pale, lips colorless. To Hao quickly helped her:

“Mom! What are you doing out here—”

She pushed his hand away. Step by step it came in front of me. Then there was a “thump” sound—kneel down. The transmission line causes the iron rack to vibrate.

“Nim Niem!”

Her voice was hoarse and trembling like broken glass.

"It was me who was wrong! I'm sorry!"

She reached out and grabbed my pant leg. Fingers are yellow, bones and joints are clearly visible.

"You shouldn't have taken my money... you shouldn't have hidden the notice... you shouldn't have forced me to work... at that time you were stubborn, thinking my brother was a boy and had to take care of the family... you were wrong! You were really wrong!"

She spoke and cried. Not crying out loud—but tears silently flowing down each wrinkle, falling to the floor with a patter. I took a step back. Not hate. Because I couldn't bear to see her kneel. But I don't intend to help her up either. At least… not yet.

“Mom, stand up.”

She did not stand.

"Stand up. You haven't finished speaking yet."

She looked up at me. There was fear in my eyes—fear of me saying "I don't care, Mom".

"You always think that I am the daughter of the To family and will eventually get married. Everything you spend on me is a 'loss'."

She was silent. Because it's true.

“You guys think I have to give you the money I have saved.”

Her lips trembled.

"You guys think I just disappeared because I'm 'angry' and will return in a few days."

Finally she let out a choked sob. I bent down. Look straight into her eyes.

"But I'm not your ATM. I'm not anyone's dependent."

My voice is light, but every word is clear.

"I'm To Niem. These past three years I've proven—I can support myself, and live better than you all ever thought."