Chapter 13 — The Door Lock Changes, Marriage Also Locks

The next morning, I took half a day off. I did not go to the new house, nor did I make an appointment to meet Chu Canh Hanh. Sitting alone in the common work area near the company, in front of a computer, a file and a black ink ballpoint pen. The table is covered with papers: a receipt for transferring a deposit to buy a house, a repair contract, an order for household electrical appliances, a furniture price quote, and the green notebook I used to take notes. The first page of the notebook contains a list of things to buy before moving house. Bedding set. Small cart for the kitchen. Desk pad for the working corner next to the window. At that time, I even drew a distorted square behind, then wrote:

"After I return, I will put the computer here."

Next to it is a smaller text:

"Every time I come back from a business trip, I can sit down and rest for a while."

I stared at those words for a long time. Then turn to the next page and start comparing each order. For the down payment to buy a new house, I contribute sixty percent. Both Chu Canh Hanh and I transferred the payment for the first stage of the repair to a joint account according to the agreement. I deposit most of the household electrical appliances in advance, and when it's time to pay, the remaining amount is deducted from the joint account. I have never seriously calculated these amounts before. I always feel that between husband and wife, if we calculate too meticulously, there is no meaning anymore. Only today, when comparing each account, I realized that no one stole my money. It's just that I spend money, but in the end I don't know what turned into what I bought. The audio-visual equipment cabinet in the office was added from the budget for my original working corner. According to the old design, the one meter long table top and chest of drawers were estimated at eight thousand two hundred yuan. After cancellation, the money will not be returned to the general account, but will be used to upgrade audio-visual equipment cabinets, install additional lights and recessed sockets. The confirmatory person section reads: Zhou Canh Hanh. The comments section at the scene reads: Ms. Trinh's proposal. I stared at those words. Suddenly I don't know whether to laugh or cry. The money I spent... was used to make Chu Canh Hanh an audio-visual equipment cabinet that he liked. There's still a place where my computer was supposed to be... Only one question remains:

"We will add more later if needed."

There are similar changes in orders for household electrical appliances. The built-in dishwasher I initially chose needed to have a water and electricity line. Then it was changed to a larger capacity oven and coffee maker. In the chat history with the store, Trinh Vu messaged:

"Canh Hanh comes home late, the oven will be more useful. The dishwasher can be left later."

Chu Canh Hanh replied:

"Just do as you wish."

When it is time to pay the remaining amount, the difference is deducted from the joint account. In that account there is also the repair money that I transferred. I'm not sad about lacking a dishwasher. What makes me uncomfortable is that when I read these notes, I suddenly realized that my position up to now is very strange. Money, I have to spend. House, I will be the one to live in. In the future, I will also shoulder the burden of housework and daily life. But how the house is decorated, how the furniture is bought, who confirms it... It's all done by someone else for me. decided that:

"Let's figure it out later."

The phone suddenly rang. Is the party that makes cabinets upon request.

"Miss Hua, hello. The additional components for the cabinet next to the dining table have been temporarily suspended. The factory wants to confirm whether production will continue. If this additional part is not made, the color of the entire cabinet door may be skewed."

"Pause first."

"But yesterday Mr. Chu said he could continue."

"From now on, only when Zhou Canh Hanh and I both confirm in writing can we continue."

The other end of the line was silent for a moment.

"So the factory may incur storage costs and delay progress."

"Submit costs and deadlines to the group."

After hanging up, I opened the transaction history of the joint account. Including a transfer of six thousand eight hundred yuan, noted as:

"Interior additions."

The main transfer date is the Monday after I leave for business. I open the corresponding order. That is the item of upgrading living room curtain rails and bedroom blackout curtains. According to the original plan, the bedroom curtains were a light cream linen fabric that I chose. Later, it was changed to dark gray blackout curtains.

"Mr. Chu wakes up easily, prioritize light blocking effect."

In the chat group with the store, Trinh Vu sent a message:

"Canh Hanh sleeps shallowly, the gray color is both durable and less dirty, so you won't have to take care of it in the future."

I picked up a pen and circled that sentence. Not because of the color. It's because of four words:

"It'll help later."

She spoke so naturally. It was so natural that it was as if I had seen the scene where I would later stand in that house, pulling the curtains, folding the blanket, reminding Chu Canh Hanh to go to bed early.