Chapter 3 — The Lamp No Longer Shines Because of You

Then he took it down and conveniently stuffed it into the storage compartment. Now that I think about it, the hated thing was never just a red string. The trash can lid next to it swayed slightly. I threw the peace talisman inside. Chu Tu's face changed.
“What are you doing?”
“It's old, it's no longer useful.”
Hua's mother couldn't look at it anymore.
"Tieu Tu, your wife's temper is really great. How can a husband and wife curse each other like that?"
Chu Tu stared at the trash can, wanting to reach out to get it, but was afraid of the people around him. I didn't look at him anymore, turned around and went to the pharmacy to get the medicine. Behind him, Chu Tu's phone rang. My mother-in-law's voice was on speakerphone.
"Tieu Tu, let's go back to our old house to have dinner tonight. Bring Nhuoc Duong and his mother here, it'll be fun when there are many people in the house."
"If Gian Ninh is also there, call him, don't let him always say that mom is biased."
I stopped in front of the house. On the phone, the human resources department of the southern branch just sent a flight proposal. Seven forty-five tomorrow night. I replied in confirmation. From behind came Chu Tu's impatient voice.
"Did you hear that? Don't be late tonight. Mom hates having to wait for someone else."
The hospital called my number. When taking medication, the nurse reminded:
“The bag can be picked up from the automatic printer over there.”
That's when I remembered that the divorce agreement the lawyer sent had not yet been printed. The paper is automatically pushed out by the machine, the warmth passes through the fingertips. I folded up the agreement and put it in my pocket. Think of this meal as a farewell party. As soon as the door of the old house opened, the smell of food rushed out. The mother-in-law stood at the mysterious gate and first took the bag from Hua's mother's hand.
"Please come in quickly. Tieu Tu said you like to eat steamed fish, I went to the market to choose it early in the morning."
Halfway through speaking, she saw me and her smile immediately faded.
"Jian Ninh is coming too? Disposable slippers are in the closet, take them yourself."
The pair of pink cotton slippers on the top shelf of the shoe cabinet were the ones I left behind before. Hua Nhuoc Duong wore it on her feet. She seemed shy and stepped back.
“Sister-in-law, I didn't know these were your slippers.”
Mother-in-law waved her hand.
"Just keep walking. Disposable slippers are very thin, not comfortable to wear. Gian Ninh can wear anything, he's not picky."
I tore off the plastic bag and put on my thin-soled sandals. Cold air spreads up from the brick floor. At the dining table, Hua Nhuoc Duong expertly ladled soup for Chu Tu, and even picked out all the coriander. It took me six years to memorize a habit, but it only took her three months to master it better than me. Mother-in-law picked up the fish belly for Hua's mother.
"You should eat a little more. Tieu Tu hasn't been this happy in a long time. It was only when you and Nhuoc Duong came that the house felt like a home."
"Unlike some people, wherever they sit, their faces get cold, making their meals cold."
Hua's mother put down her chopsticks and quickly smiled to reconcile.
"What are you talking about? It's my mother and I who are being taken care of by Tieu Tu."
"This kid is very thoughtful. In the morning, he took my blood pressure and in the evening he even soaked my feet."
"It's just a pity that my Nhuoc Duong family doesn't have that blessing, we can only be a younger sister and enjoy it."
Chu Tu's hand picking up the food stopped. He didn't speak, but his ears were a little red. The mother-in-law smiled and clapped her hand.
"People from one family don't talk about two families. You two should stay a few more days, after all, Tieu Tu's place is spacious."
I looked down at the bowl of soup in front of me and suddenly remembered last winter. At that time, my mother called and said her leg hurt and I wanted to pick her up to stay for a few days. The mother-in-law on the other end of the phone said in an awkward voice:
"It would be more convenient for the in-laws to stay at a hotel. Adults' living habits are different, so don't affect the young couple's feelings."
Chu Tu sat next to him and nodded. At that time, I thought they were just afraid of trouble. Turns out they weren't afraid of trouble, just afraid of trouble coming from my family. Halfway through the meal, Hua Nhuoc Duong suddenly covered her mouth, stood up and ran to the bathroom. Chu Tu immediately put down his chopsticks. The chair's legs scraped against the floor, making a harsh sound.
“Nhuoc Duong!”
He followed to the bathroom door, his voice trembling with tension.
"Was the seafood not fresh last night? Does your stomach hurt again?"
The mother-in-law's eyes lit up.
“Isn't that pregnant?”
Everyone at the table turned to look at me. Hua Nhuoc Duong grabbed the door frame and walked out, her face red.
"Auntie, don't talk nonsense. Chu Tu and I don't have that kind of relationship."
The mother-in-law smiled even brighter.
"What's there to be afraid of when you're a childhood friend? Tieu Tu, if you really do something, you can't help but take responsibility."
Chu Tu's face changed and he turned to look at me.
"Mom, don't talk nonsense. Nhuoc Duong and I are just brothers."
He denied it with his mouth, but his hand supported Hua Nhuoc Duong's waist. The thumb gently pressed down, as if comforting her. I suddenly lost my appetite. I pulled out a piece of paper and wiped the corner of my lips.
“Everyone just eat slowly.”
Mother-in-law frowned.
"The adults haven't left the table yet, what's your expression?"
I stood up.
“I'm a little nauseous, I'll go first.”
Chu Tu chased after me and stopped me at the yard gate.
“What did you do again?”
I looked at the lit living room behind him. Hua Nhuoc Duong has returned to the dining table, her mother-in-law is pushing a bowl of hot soup in front of her.