Chapter 6 — The Mother Who Stole Her Dream

Dinh Mai's voice immediately rose.

“That's money your grandmother gave to this family!”

“You eat from the family, use from the family, shouldn't you help the family?”

Duong Duong was so angry that he burst out laughing. Ha Minh Triet raised his hand to signal her not to speak. I asked:

“So you admit that you got married, right?”

Dinh Mai immediately changed her tone.

“Mom, what did you get?”

06

Looking at Dinh Mai quickly changing words on the other end of the line, I was not surprised at all. It's not that she doesn't know how to talk. It's just that she's used to using her loud voice to push others down first. If you can't suppress it, take back every sentence you just said, then swallow it back. I said:

“Just now mom said it was money from grandmother to this family.”

Dinh Mai immediately shouted.

“Mom was so angry that you spoke nonsense!”

“Khuong Le, have you learned how to lie to your mother now?”

“Mom worked hard to raise you, so do you treat her like that?”

I don't answer that question. In the past, as long as she mentioned the words "raised", I would immediately shut up. It's like the fact that I've lived until today is a debt. But right now, the statements are spread out on the table. For the first time, I knew that there were years when my grandmother did not raise me. It's that she took away the money that was supposed to help me live. Ha Minh Triet pushed a piece of paper in front of me and used a pen to point to a line. I read along:

“After turning eighteen years old, the account balance must be transferred to my personal name.”

The breathing on the other side became heavier. Dinh Mai's voice trembled slightly.

“Where did you get that?”

I said:

“Left from my grandmother.”

“Don't scare me with dead people!”

As soon as those words rang out, the whole cafe seemed to cool down. Duong Duong tightened his grip on the glass of water, his knuckles turning white. Ha Minh Triet raised his head, his voice calm.

“Miss Dinh, my name is Ha Minh Triet.”

The other end of the line was dead silent for two seconds. When Dinh Mai spoke again, her voice was noticeably lower.

"Hello, Mr. Ha."

“Why are you meddling in her affairs?”

“This is just a small conflict in our family, don't listen to it one-sidedly.”

Ha Minh Triet replied:

“This is not a small conflict.”

“It is unclear where the trust money was used, the letter of guarantee was signed by someone other than the owner for a long time, and the handover was not completed after Khuong Le turned eighteen.”

“It all needs explaining.”

Dinh Mai smiled wryly.

“Explain what?”

“The money has been spent on it.”

“You don't know how expensive it is to learn how to dance.”

I bowed my head and looked at the statement. The glue came off the dance shoes and I used a needle and thread to sew them together three times. The edges of my workout clothes were frayed, so I cut off the excess threads and continued wearing them. My knee hurts so much that I tremble even when going up the stairs. I still can't bear to buy a better tube of medicine. But Dinh Mai said the money was spent on me. I asked her:

“Is the birthday gift of eighteen thousand yuan still spent on you?”

Dinh Mai choked. I continue:

“Are sprint test preparation classes, game consoles, and sneakers also part of your training expenses?”

Duong Duong's eyes turned red again. She cursed softly and then tried to lower her voice. Dinh Mai suddenly shouted loudly.

“Your brother is still young!”

“Does he need money to go to school?”

"You're the older sister, how about helping the family a little?"

Finally I burst out laughing. The laughter wasn't loud, but it was enough the other side was silent. I said:

“So my mother admitted that she used the money my grandmother left me to take care of my younger brother.”

Dinh Mai shouted.

“I don't have it!”

Ha Minh Triet calmly spoke.

"Miss Dinh, we will process and store this call according to legal regulations."

Dinh Mai immediately panicked.

“What do you mean?”

“Are you still going to sue me?”

“Khuong Le, you dare!”

I looked at the flow of people walking outside the window, suddenly remembering my grandmother's hand that used to hold me across the street. Her arms are very thin, but always firmly protect me. I said:

“It's not whether you dare or not.”

"It's up to you whether I should return it or not."

The call was disconnected. It's not me who hung up. But Dinh Mai hung up first. Duong Duong let out a long breath, as if he had just emerged from the water. She asked:

“What to do next?”

Ha Minh Triet collected all documents.

“First go see the academic advisor.”

“The school must ensure that she can study and participate in performances normally.”

"As for family matters, I will send an official document to Ms. Dinh."

I nodded. Just as I was about to stand up, the phone rang again. This time it's not Dinh Mai. It's my younger brother. He rarely calls me. Except for asking for money, he almost never looks for me. I looked at that name and then answered the phone. His voice was filled with impatience.

“Sister, are you making mom angry?”

“Mom just broke the glass at home.”

I asked:

“What's wrong with you?”

It says:

“Mom said I have money now.”

"Next month, when I go to the training camp, I have to change my computer. Please transfer me ten thousand in advance."

Duong Duong's whole body stiffened. I held the phone, my voice was very light.

“Who said you have money?”

It casually replied:

“Mom said the money grandma left behind was originally for the family.”

"You're a girl, you'll get married in the future, so why keep so much money?"

I didn't answer right away. The other end of the line is still urging.

“Hurry up.”

“My classmates have all changed to new phones.”