Chapter 20 — The Last Word Is Myself

Being busy is like life. Not the days before... When I stayed up from three in the morning until midnight, while others sat and enjoyed my achievements as a matter of course. Now every drop of sweat that falls... Is for myself. That evening. After closing, Trieu Man took me out to drink. It's a riverside grill that we used to go to when we were young. She raised her glass.

“Congratulations Mrs. To.”

“From now on, we will no longer make free ATMs for men.”

I clinked glasses with her.

“Congratulations to me.”

“Finally live like humans.”

Trieu Man laughed so much that he almost choked on his beer.

“You really are…”

"After divorce, life is better than when married."

I looked at the lights reflecting on the river surface.

“Because I am not the type of woman who relies on marriage.”

“Just before…”

“I just locked myself in there.”

The March night wind is no longer cold. My phone vibrated. It's a message from Tran Dao.

“Today Mr. Phong went to the old store and stood for a long time.”

“I asked him if he wanted to come in.”

“He said no need.”

“Just stand and look at the sign.”

I looked at that message for a few seconds. Then turn off the screen. Don't ask anything more. There are people... Only when they lose everything do they understand how valuable what they once had was. But it's a pity. It's not like something is lost... It can also come back. One week later. I received the final notice from the court. The divorce procedure is officially completed. The marital relationship between me and Co Dinh Phong... From now on, it completely ends. I held that piece of paper standing in the office. Sunlight passes through the glass door and falls on the table. On the table is a plan to open a third branch. Besides, there is also a new cooperation contract that Phuong Dong Huy just sent. Old Chu knocked twice outside the door.

“A customer booked a fifty-table birthday party.”

“Receive it?”

I put down the divorce papers. Old Chu also laughed. He turned around and walked two steps then turned around.

“Ah yes.”

“Guests also said…”

“If Ms. To is free, I want you to make braised meat yourself.”

I pulled the apron aside.

“I know.”

“Let me go to the kitchen.”

I walked out of the office. The light in the hallway was bright. The smell of hot broth wafted in from the back kitchen. The sound of a knife hitting a cutting board. The sound of the staff ordering food. The sound of guests laughing and talking. Those sounds... That's my real life. No need to rely on anyone. No need to look at anyone's face. There is also no need to use patience in exchange for anyone's love. I went by myself today. And later... I will also continue on my own. Trieu Man appeared again in that red suit. This time she didn't hold flowers in her hand. It's a cake.

“What are you doing?”

“Celebrating, right?”

She placed the cake on the bar.

“Second branch opened.”

"At the same time, it's been three months since your divorce."

"Double joy at the gate too."

I was made fun of by her. Phuong Dong Huy also came. Behind him was a few people.

“Mistress To.”

“Let me introduce.”

“These guys are investors in the new commercial area in the south of the city.”

“They want to talk about opening a third branch.”

I wipe my hands.

“No rush.”

“Let's eat first and then talk.”

Phuong Dong Huy burst out laughing.

“See.”

“I told you Mrs. To is a very solid worker.”

Ten o'clock at night. The guests have all left. Staff are cleaning. I sat in the corner of the hall. In front is a staff meal. Old Chu did it for me. Fried rice with soy sauce and a fried egg. Exactly the same dish we ate after clearing the night stand six years ago. I ate one piece. The taste is still the same. The phone shows an unread message. Sent by Tran Dao.

"Phong's last three stores have also closed this month."

“He returned the entire premises.”

“Now looking for a job.”

I looked at that message. No reply. Immediately after that, there was another new message. Still Tran Dao.

“I want to ask…”

“Is your new store still recruiting people?”

“I want to go there.”

I typed a few words.

“Tomorrow comes.”

Put the phone down. Continue eating the other fried rice. Outside the door someone lightly knocked twice on the glass. It's Trieu Man. Apparently she said she was back, but she came back.

“Forgot to tell you something.”

“What?”

“Someone in your group of regulars sent a message today.”

She passed the phone to me. As an account name:

“Uncle Truong loves braised meat.”

He posted a photo. In the photo is a white wall. On it was a line scrawled with a brush:

“Mistress To.”

“Your braised meat…”

“It's the best thing on this street.”

Below the photo are a series of comments.

“100 points.”

“Eating for seven years.”

“I still want to eat for another seventy years.”

I looked at those comments. One by one. Densely covers the screen. These are all guests who have followed me for many years. I returned the phone to Trieu Man.

“Why are you crying again?”

Trieu Man snatched the phone back.

“You've been smiling all day today.”

“That's enough.”

I used my sleeve to gently wipe the corners of my eyes.

“Don't cry.”

“Just smoked by the kitchen smoke.”

“Who are you fooling?”

“You're sitting outside in the hall right now, where's the kitchen smoke coming from?”

I laughed. Carry the fried rice into the back kitchen. The fire on the stove hasn't completely gone out yet. Orange light reflects on the shiny stainless steel table top. I put the bowl in the sink. Open the faucet. The sound of water rushing through the bottom of the bowl. This sound. This light. And the me I am now... I'm just like the girl that year standing behind the counter at night on the street. The disadvantages you have suffered. Times of being deceived. Tears fell. They all turned into callouses on my hands. And confidence in my heart. I turned off the faucet. Dry your hands. Remove apron. Then into the December night. The street lights are very bright. The wind is very cold. But my steps... were extremely steady.