Chapter 7 — The Last Stop of Marriage

My heart tightened slightly.

"Mother-in-law?"

"Where is she?"

"In the small garden downstairs."

"Hide behind the tree."

"When Tran Huy came down..."

"She walked right out."

"You two said a few words to each other and then left."

A chill ran down my spine. Come here today... It's not you two. Tran Quoc Dong stood outside in the morning. Play the role of a loud presser. My mother-in-law... Hiding in the dark again. Silently observe. Ready to respond at any time. As for Tran Huy... Just a puppet that they pushed forward. A very good combination. Before... I always thought my mother-in-law was a gentle woman. No political opinions. Big and small matters are decided by the father-in-law. She could only nod. Or silent. Until today... I realized I was wrong. The loudmouth... Not necessarily the scariest. The scariest... Is the one who always stands behind. Quietly observe. Don't show any emotions. She appeared here today... It's absolutely not a coincidence. What are you waiting for? Waiting for Tran Huy to fail in negotiations... Then step out and play the good guy himself? Or do you want to secretly check my attitude... To discuss the next step? I walked to the window. Downstairs there was no one left. But I know... It's far from over. That agreement... It's just the first round of the war. Their concession today... Only in exchange for a copy of the household registration book. Just to solve the immediate admission problem. Wait until Lac Lac's studies are in order... They will definitely counterattack. And the next counterattack... Will be more discreet. More sinister. Especially... My mother-in-law. The person that for the past ten years... I have never really seen through. I hold the phone. Send Tran Huy a message. Tell your mother. Stop sneaking around under my house. If I see it next time... The agreement will immediately expire. Less than half a minute. He replied. Just one word. I stared at the screen. In my heart... I don't feel any relief. The real storm... It's just begun. The admission procedures for Lac Lac went very smoothly. Tran Huy sent me a photo. It is a receipt of completed procedures. Only one photo. Do not add any messages. I know... He's waiting for me to answer. Wait for me to say something like:

"It's been hard for you."

Or at least:

"That's good."

To save the last bit of dignity. But I didn't answer. I switched my phone to silent mode. Set aside. Then sat down and watched all of my mother's favorite TV series with my grandmother. That evening. I made a video call to Lac Lac. Just connected. I saw the boy being moody. The whole person lacks vitality.

"When will mom come home?"

"Wait until mom finishes everything."

"Mom will pick you up."

Lac Lac pursed her lips. After a moment, he cautiously asked:

"...Is it because of grandpa?"

I was silent for a few seconds.

"Adult matters are very complicated."

"You just need to remember one thing."

"Mom will always love you."

The boy nodded. Seems to understand. Again, it seems like I don't understand. Right at that moment. On the other end of the line, the mother-in-law's voice rang out.

"Who are you talking to?"

"Hurry up and drink your soup."

"Grandma stewed it for you privately."

Her face appeared in one corner of the screen. Still a gentle smile. Don't reveal the slightest bit of unusualness.

"So it's Nhien."

"Are you done?"

"You see..."

"One family member."

"River must be so angry."

"Go home quickly."

"This house is not good without children."

It's all so discreet that it's impeccable. Leaving me at the rest stop had never happened before. The confrontation at my mother's house that day was just a misunderstanding. If my mother hadn't seen her hiding behind a tree with her own eyes... Even I would have been fooled.

"I still have some work to do."

I just replied leisurely.

"What's more important than a family reunion?"

"Listen to mom."

"Husband and wife don't stay angry at each other overnight."

"Tran Huy was just temporarily confused."

"He just listens to his father."

"Don't take it to heart."

She began to play the role of mediator. But every word... It's all a cover up for Tran Huy and his father-in-law. Pushing all the responsibility... into making me angry. Don't understand.

"It's late."

"Let Lac Lac rest early."

I don't want to argue.

"Okay okay."

"You should also rest early."

"Don't think too much."

She hung up. The screen is black. My heart... It's also cold. This is the scariest person. No need to raise your voice. No need to get angry. But every word... Is like an invisible blade. Silently eroding my stance. Silently attached to my head the label "overdoing it", "irrational". If I'm soft-hearted right now. If I go back. Less than a month.