Chapter 16 — The Fish Was Dumped Into The Trash, The Marriage Also Ended

Right at that moment. The elevator door opens. The single mother who came to see the house walked out with her son. As soon as the boy saw Luc Minh Xuyen, he pulled his mother's hand.

“It's uncle who doesn't let you eat fish.”

Luc Minh Xuyen's face immediately turned pale. The boy looked at me again.

“Is there still fish tomorrow?”

I smiled and nodded. The boy happily jumped up and down. Luc Minh Xuyen stood still in place. It was as if all the words I wanted to say were stuck in my throat. I held my luggage and walked into the elevator. Right before the door closes. He called me.

“I'm really just unwilling.”

I looked at him one last time.

“Then get over it yourself.”

The elevator door slowly closed. Inside the carton. The new ceramic plates gently collided with each other. That's the disc set I just bought. White background, blue border. Specially used to display fish dishes. Once the old disc breaks, just let it break. I won't use glue again. After the media company posted an apology letter. Xuan Hoa Lau's table booking schedule is full until next month.

“Gia Yen Nam Chi” also has many new students.

Some people after divorce want to learn how to take care of themselves. Some retirees want to find something to do. There are also people who want to come and taste it just because they heard the story behind that fish dish. Every time we give out aprons to students. I asked the same question:

“Who do you want to cook for today?”

Someone said: Someone said: There was a man with white hair who smiled softly.

“I cook for myself.”

“After my wife passed away, I ate instant noodles every day.”

“She likes sweet and sour.”

“But I never learned to cook.”

“Now I want to make up for it a little.”

The whole classroom suddenly fell silent. I gave him the fish in my hand.

“So today…”

“Make this yourself.”

Late afternoon sunlight falls through the window. The sound of boiling oil was heard. The familiar sweet and sour smell spread throughout the kitchen. There are people who come very late. Some apologies also come very late. But there are still new days to begin with. Like a fish that has just been fried until golden. Like a house that has finally returned to its owner. And just like Hua Nam Chi. Finally learned how to keep the fish that belongs to me. The man held the knife unsteadily. The cut is tilted and distorted. But no one laughed. I stood next to him, showing him how to hold the fish's back, how to avoid the broken bones. When the fish dish is completed. He took a piece to taste. Tears fell into the bowl.

“If she were still alive…”

“They will definitely criticize me for doing something bad.”

Manh Tinh gave him a tissue.

“If you criticize, you criticize.”

“But she will definitely still eat it all.”

He nodded slightly. That moment. I suddenly understood. What I protect from beginning to end has never been just a dish. It's a person's taste that deserves respect. These are the thoughts behind a small matter that should not be trampled by anyone. After school. Tham Duong placed a new contract on the table.

“The location for the second store has been finalized.”

“Check it out.”

The address is located right at the beginning of Lieu Chi alley. Less than three hundred meters from Xuan Hoa Lau.

“That close?”

Tham Duong replied:

“Xuan Hoa Lau sells main dishes.”

“And I teach family banquets.”

"After eating, customers can go study immediately."

"Both sides support each other's customers."

Right at that moment. Master Luong sent a voice message.

“Don't be afraid to open a store.”

“That year my father was cowardly.”

“Always say wait a little longer again."

“There are things that cannot wait forever.”

I sent him a sentence back.

“This time I won't wait anymore.”

Outside the window. Rain started to fall. I keep my old recipe book in a moisture-proof box. Then spread the draft of the new menu out on the table. In the first line. I write four words. Gia Yen Nam Chi Second Line. Carp with sweet and sour sauce Go to the third line. I stopped writing for a long time. Then write another small sentence. People who like sweet and sour flavors don't need to change their taste. Xuan Hoa Lau's sweet and sour carp dish entered the local culinary rankings. The article's title reads: A fish saves the life of a long-standing brand. Master Luong picked up the newspaper and found it. Laughing until I couldn't close my mouth.

“If your father sees this…”

“It will definitely be fun.”

I placed the newspaper in front of my parents' pictures. In the living room. Tham Duong is calculating the course plan for the next quarter.

“Gia Yen Nam Chi can open a second store.”

“Think carefully.”

“Opening a store is more tiring than teaching class.”

I looked at the new copper pot hanging in the kitchen.

“It's worth it if you're tired.”

Manh Tinh immediately raised his hand.

“I applied to be a store manager.”

“A little bit of salary is fine.”

“But staff meals must include fish.”

Everyone burst into laughter. The phone suddenly rang. It's a pre-judgment notice that has just been delivered. Luc Minh Xuyen paid another amount. He didn't include any words. I saved the screenshot. Then continue to review the contract with Tham Duong. Evening after school. I stayed in the kitchen alone. There's still half a bowl of sweet and sour sauce in the pot. I used chopsticks to try dipping a little. The sour taste comes first. The sweetness slowly spreads to the back. That taste followed me from the old house to the new house. From the fish that was dumped in the trash every year. Go to your self-titled menu today. A practitioner returned to retrieve the forgotten scarf. Seeing me still standing in front of the kitchen. She asked curiously:

“Why aren't you resting yet?”

I turned off half the lights.

“Wait until the fish cools completely before serving.”

The girl laughed.

“You are so patient with fish.”

I also laughed. It's not that I'm patient with fish. It's that I've finally learned to have patience for the things that are worth it. The next morning. I went to the market to buy fish. The salesman recognized me. Intentionally choose the most beautiful fish for me.

“Are you still making sweet and sour fish today?”

I nodded. He gave me the fish.

“So let's make it delicious.”

“Don't waste it.”

I took the fish. Suddenly remembered the trash can that day. Remembering the faces that always took everything for granted in the Luc family's living room. The sour taste of the past has never disappeared. It's just that I cooked it in a new pot of sauce. I carried the fish and walked home. The morning wind blows. The bronze sign of Xuan Hoa Lau at the beginning of the alley shines with a warm yellow color. First guest today. It was a single mother and her son. The boy rested his chin at the dining table. Raise your head and ask me:

“This time the fish won't end up in the trash, will they?”

I placed the fish plate in front of him.

“No way.”

The boy picked up a huge piece of fish. It's so hot that you have to blow on it while eating. The mother sitting next to her smiled shyly.

“The boy still remembers that day.”

I replied softly:

“I remember too.”

The boy swallowed the fish. Speaking very seriously:

“Good food should be for people who really like it.”

I momentarily stunned. Then he reached out and patted his head.

“You're right.”

Customers are still queuing. The fire flared up again. I turned around and returned to the stove. The next fish has just been dropped into the oil pan. The sound of boiling oil was loud. The fish's tail curves up beautifully. My life is the same. Finally... No more changing your flavors just because of people who don't like sour taste.