Chapter 2 — The end of filial piety is learning to let go

On the drive home, my mother sat in the passenger seat, sighing the whole way.

“Tieu Tinh, why did you leave like that?”

"Today is grandmother's birthday party. You guys just like to joke, don't take it to heart."

I gripped the steering wheel tightly, keeping my eyes on the car ahead. The red light turns on. The car slowly stopped.

“Is that what you call a joke?”

"Six red books are displayed right in front of your eyes, even pointing out that you are an outsider."

“Is that even a joke?”

My mother's voice became smaller.

“Well... after all, they are my uncles.”

"Grandma is old, she just likes the sight of her children and grandchildren gathering."

"It's the fate of children and grandchildren, I give in a little, obey a little... then everything will pass."

I didn't reply. That sentence again. Every time. Growing up, my cousins stole my toys and my mother told me to give them up. My grandmother used the money she intended to buy me new clothes to buy a game console for my cousin, but my mother also told me to hold off. As of today... It's six houses. Give in a little. Comply a bit.

“Tieu Tinh, I know you feel sorry for yourself.”

"But we relied on each other. My father passed away early, and I didn't have any skills, so in the future I still had to ask my brothers for help."

"If you get into trouble with them, if something happens to our family in the future, who will help?"

The green light turns on. I stepped on the accelerator and the car rolled quietly.

“I don't want to turn against them.”

“Aren't you saving face for them by leaving?”

"If we stay there, won't it affect the atmosphere of the whole family happily dividing the inheritance?"

My mother was speechless when I asked her. She could only turn her face to look out the glass window, secretly wiping her tears with her hand. I drove back to the apartment building.

“Mom, go first, I'll go park the car.”

Mother nodded slightly. She opened the door and walked down, her gait a bit unsteady. I quietly watched my mother's back disappear into the stairwell. Then continue to sit still in the car for a long time. The night was like ink slowly falling. Swallowing the last remaining bit of light. I leaned back in my chair, remembering everything from three years ago. Three years ago... Grandma fell. Half of the body is completely paralyzed. After less than a month of taking care of each other, they began to complain to heaven and earth. The eldest son said he was busy with work and didn't have time. The second uncle said the house was cramped and there wasn't enough room to live. The aunts and uncles complain every day in the family group that their grandmother is incontinent and always smells bad. At that time, I had just been promoted. Salaries also increased significantly. My mother called me, crying, saying that my grandmother had not been able to eat a proper meal at my uncle's house for two or three days. I'm soft-hearted. Also because I want my mother to feel secure. I found a maid company and hired the best and most experienced people. That's Ms. Ly. I told them. Money for me to pay. Just need everyone to take good care of grandma. Of course... Everyone immediately agreed. The family chat group suddenly became unusually peaceful. Aunts often post photos of their grandmothers wearing clean clothes and eating delicious meals. My friends kept praising me for understanding things. Saying that after all, we are still a family, I am the only one who knows how to be filial. I used to think... Sincerity will eventually be exchanged for sincerity. I used to think... What I put in, they see. In their eyes, the amount of money I spent was only enough to exchange for the right to stand by and watch them divide their inheritance. Even the right to sit together a table to share... I don't have one either. I'm just an "outsider" who still has some useful value. I took out my phone. The light from the screen shined on his expressionless face. Open a chat box with Ms. Ly. I slowly typed a message.

“Miss Ly, my name is To Tinh.

Thank you for your hard work taking care of my grandmother for the past three years. Starting tomorrow, she no longer needs to go to the Trieu family. Later I will transfer this month's full salary, along with one month's compensation. Wishing you all the best in the future.” I read it again. There are no spelling errors. Fingers gently pressed. I put my phone in my bag. The whole world... Suddenly became quiet. I started the car. Slowly drive down to the basement. The next day is Sunday. Rarely do I get to sleep straight through until I wake up on my own. Sunlight filtered through the curtains, falling onto the floor in a pale yellow streak. I fried two eggs myself. Warm up a glass of milk. It's been a long time... since I was able to leisurely eat a breakfast like that. As soon as I put the plate in the dishwasher, the phone suddenly rang. Two words appeared clearly on the screen: I pressed listen, turned on the speakerphone, wiped the table, and calmly asked: Big brother Trieu Quoc Cuong's voice exploded like fireworks.

"Where is Ms. Ly? Why isn't she here yet?"

"It's almost ten o'clock! Mom still hasn't had breakfast or taken her medicine!"

I washed the towel, wring it dry, and hung it to dry.

“I told her she didn't need to come anymore.”

My voice was extremely calm. The other end of the line was silent for exactly three seconds. Immediately afterwards there was a scream even louder than before.

“What right do you have to tell her to quit!”

“Who allowed you to do that?”

I walked out to the balcony, holding a watering can for the succulent pots.

“Miss Ly is the person I hired.”

“I pay.”

"If you tell her she doesn't need to come, she won't come anymore."

“Such a simple logic... is it difficult to understand?”

Trieu Quoc Cuong choked. He had never thought about this problem. In his mind, Ms. Ly was originally a maid of the Trieu family. It's simply that people naturally have to pay.