Chapter 1 — The Invisible Girl

On the first day of summer vacation, my parents found me a job.
“Supermarket sales staff have quite good salaries and can also accumulate social experience.”
From first year to fourth year, they said this sentence for four years. The first year, they took me to the factory to work, and also took my sister to the capital to watch the flag-raising ceremony. The second year, they took me to the convenience store, turned around and arranged for my sister to take driving lessons. In my third year, they took me to the tutoring center, then went with my sister to the Maldives. So where are they going this year?
"Japan."
My brother pushed the door open, smiled and gave me a pair of shoes.
"I bought them especially for you. Wearing these for ten hours is very comfortable."
"The cost of this year's trip is paid by me. Lam Lam is still young, at the age where he should go out and see the world."
The girl smiled sweetly, cried out, then jumped into his arms.
“Brother, I know everyone loves me the most.”
I looked towards my parents, they were willing to look away. No one cared about my feelings, even though I was only one year older than my sister. I suddenly burst out laughing, squatted down and put those shoes on. It's very light. It's light enough for me to leave this house. …… Mom was packing her sister's luggage when she suddenly remembered something and raised her head to call her brother:
"Tram Minh, next year Giai Giai will be in her fourth year. You must pay attention and find a good job for your sister."
“Nowadays, there are as many university students as ants. Good units are not easy to get, I…”
Halfway through speaking, she suddenly fell silent. It seemed like she had just realized that in this room there was also a daughter who was about to graduate from her fourth year. His brother still didn't find out.
"Mom, don't worry, I've already made the arrangements. As long as Giai Giai graduates, she can start working right away."
Having finished speaking, he suddenly stopped, as if he finally remembered me, so he symbolically asked a question:
“Tieu Tinh, do you need my help?”
"No need."
I have found a job and will be deployed to America. In a few days, after receiving my diploma, I will leave. The older brother said "yes" and didn't say anything else. Dad realized that something was wrong with the atmosphere, laughed and reconciled:
"Our second daughter has been independent since she was young and doesn't make people worry."
My hand tying my shoelace stopped. Not because I'm independent, but because I know if I don't do anything myself, no one will help me. His brother was the eldest son and was pampered alone for six years. My sister is the youngest child, a little princess held in the palm of her parents' hands. It's just me sandwiched in the middle, neither above nor below, like an invisible person. My sister put down the can of Coca-Cola in her hand and ran over to me and took my arm.
"Sister, do you want anything? I'll buy it for you then?"
Her expression was very serious, and a bit of unnaturalness flashed in her clear black and white eyes. It turned out that she also understood the injustice I suffered. But I know. She will forget. Just like every time she goes on a trip, she will remember the silk scarf her mother wanted and the tie her father needed. Will also help my brother collect old cameras. But as for my things, she can never remember them. That little bit of guilt flashed and then disappeared. I'm used to it. I smiled softly.
“If you see something, buy it.”
Mom stopped packing her luggage, suddenly smiled and said to me: “Tieu Tinh, you see how well your sister treats you.”
“If you ask your sister to buy things, why don't you show anything?”
Dad seemed to be just waiting for this statement from his mother, so he immediately spoke up:
“Let's do this, give your first month's salary during summer vacation to your sister as pocket money.”
“Oh, no need.”
My sister looked at me and gently refused. Her brother patted her head.
“Don't take things like that, just have fun and enjoy yourself.”
The three of them just said a few words and decided what my salary would be used for, without even asking my opinion. From first year to fourth year, every year was the same. To the point that last year, after paying tuition, I had no money left for living expenses. I borrowed fifty yuan from my sister to buy rice. Less than five minutes after she transferred the money to me, my mother and brother's phone calls came in at the same time.
“How old are you to still cheat your sister out of money?”
"Be a bit like an older sister. If you run out of living expenses, then ask your parents. Why exploit your younger sister?"
But an hour ago, I apparently texted my mom, but she pretended not to see. As for her sister's messages, she always responded immediately. The phone vibrates. I took off my shoes and went into the bedroom. It's a company message.
"The procedure has been completed. Next Monday we will gather in Kinh city."
“Received.”
After sending those two words, there was a sudden knock on the door. My sister pushed the door open and walked straight to my suitcase.
"Sister, my suitcase is not beautiful. Let me use your suitcase when I go traveling."
“No, I have something to do.”
"What are you doing? You're not going anywhere."
I said nothing. She wanted to use my suitcase not because it was beautiful, but because she wouldn't feel any pain even if she tossed it around. No matter how carefully I take care of it, every time she brings it home, the suitcase still becomes distorted and protruding. The atmosphere immediately became strange. She stood still, looking at me with a dark face for a moment. Seeing that I still refused to give in, she turned around, slammed the door and left. I counted silently in my heart.
“Five, four, three, two… one.”
With a "bang" sound, the door was pushed open again.
“Truong Tinh Chan.”
My parents showed up on time, with my brother behind.
“My sister just wants to use your suitcase for a bit, why are you so petty?”
"As an older sister, if you don't lend me even a single thing, are you still considered family?"
“I have something I need to do.”
This time, I don't give in.
"Well, if she doesn't lend it, then don't borrow it anymore."
The girl's eyes were red, standing behind her and speaking out in self-pity. Her parents hugged her and gently comforted her. My brother looked at me attentively. Suddenly, he went to his room. He pulled out a blue suitcase.
“Giai Giai, please use this.”
My hand holding the door handle tightened. It was a gift I gave my brother. My sister knew that and even deliberately looked at me.
"That's not good, I won't be happy."
His brother's expression was very calm, because he did that on purpose. He was just about to say something when I spoke:
"It's okay. I gave it to him, he can do whatever he wants."
The room was quiet for a moment. My brother immediately turned his head to look at me, frowning. But he didn't say another word and pulled Giai Giai away. At dinner time, no one called me. When I walked out, they were discussing excited about something.
“Almond gray is both luxurious and gentle, I vote for almond gray.”
After his mother finished speaking, his brother naturally continued:
“Actually, pearl white is more suitable for current aesthetics, simple but trendy.”
The younger sister picked up a piece of braised meat and laughed:
"No matter how people decorate a new house, your bedroom must be decided by you."
Dad did not participate in the discussion and was happily eating when he suddenly saw me out of the corner of his eye. He immediately coughed loudly. The sound of their discussion immediately disappeared. Turns out they bought a new house, I was the only one who didn't know. I sat down, picked up the nearest bean sprouts, and swallowed them like I was swallowing a needle. Mom and dad looked at each other, their lips moving.
"Tieu Tinh, we've bought a house and the rooms have been divided. When you're free, come and see."
I slowly swallowed the food in my mouth and asked hoarsely:
“How long ago did you buy it?”
“It's been half a year, I still haven't had a chance to tell you.”
Didn't have a chance to tell me, or didn't want to tell me, actually I can tell the difference. I said "yes" and suddenly asked:
“What is the password?”
“971604.”
It is the combination of the birthdays of brother and sister. I raised my head to look at her, my lips moving.
“Mom, when is my birthday?”
Mom was taken aback, her expression a bit confusing.
"What's wrong? Did you forget even when it was my birthday?"
Dad laughed, thinking I really forgot.
"I was born in the winter. Actually, it wasn't even my due date yet. It was snowing outside. My mother fell and almost had difficulty giving birth. She endured a lot of pain to give birth. My mother always said that I was born to collect a debt."
Mom coughed, her face looked a bit unnatural, she didn't look at me anymore.
“Why say these things?”
I also bowed my head, but my hand trembled uncontrollably. Not long after, the brother and sister finished eating, piled up the bowls and chopsticks and returned to the room. After dad left, mom also stood up.
“Tieu Tinh, according to the rules, whoever eats the slowest gets to wash the dishes.”
Having finished speaking, she also turned and left. On the dining table is a pile of leftover food and dirty dishes. I'm always the slowest eater. Because when it's time to eat, no one calls me. Mom will call brother, dad will call sister. By the time I walked out, the food was more than half gone. Therefore, the dishes and chopsticks are always washed by me. While I was cleaning the kitchen, my grandparents called.
"Mom, I heard Tram Minh say you guys are going to take Giai Giai to Japan?"
“Yes, mom, do you want to buy anything?”
Grandma laughed and said no need.
"Tieu Tinh won't go?"
Without thinking, my mother replied:
"Oh, he's not going. He wants to go to work to gain experience."
“This child…”
Grandpa sighed, but didn't ask anything else. Because throughout the four years of college, my parents always answered like that.
“Didn't Tieu Tinh go to the amusement park?”
“He doesn't go, he stays at home to do his homework.”
“Didn't Tieu Tinh go skiing with the kids?”
"It doesn't walk, it doesn't like exercise."
“Does Tieu Tinh not take artistic photos?”
“Recently, his face has pimples and he doesn't want to take pictures.”
…… In their words, I was a dull bookworm, an invisible and unsociable person, an idiot who only knew how to suffer. That way, others won't be able to be dissatisfied with me, because my nature is already like that. The doorbell suddenly rang. I put the bowl and chopsticks on the shelf, wiped the corners of my eyes and went to open the door.
"Hello, It's your delivery, please sign for it."
It's a diploma. My heart suddenly felt relieved. That means I can leave.
“What was sent?”
Suddenly, his brother's voice was heard from behind. He held a cup of coffee, one hand in his pocket, looking at the smile at the corner of my lips.
“Diploma.”
He said "oh" and turned around to leave when he remembered something:
“What gift do you want? I promised to give you a graduation gift.”
I was stunned for a moment, not expecting him to still remember. But I never hoped. Thinking for a few seconds, I suddenly raised my head to look at him.
“Let's get vaccinated with you tomorrow.”
Because we were deployed to the Americas, the company was worried that something unexpected might happen so we were forced to get vaccinated.
“Is that all?”
He was a bit surprised. I nodded.
“That's all.”
He casually nodded and agreed. The next afternoon, after packing my bags, I stood at the door waiting for him. But when his brother walked out, he had a reluctant look on his face.
“Giai Giai wants to go buy some clothes to wear while traveling. I'll take her first, wait until I get back and then I'll go with you."
“But the time has already been arranged.”
“So let's change the schedule. Giai Giai is in a hurry, she leaves tomorrow."
My mouth that was open suddenly closed. Seeing that I didn't say anything, my sister immediately turned red, grabbed the corner of her shirt, and slowly said: